Load-bearing construction pod and hybrid method of construction using pods

Abstract

Off-site load-bearing construction pod (module) that incorporate the vertical structure to carry similar pods placed on top of it and part of the on-site structure built around and above these pods. Hybrid method of construction where buildings are erected by combining standardized pods which incorporate smaller, most labor-intensive rooms and components of the edifice to conventional methods of construction for larger, less labor-intensive rooms and components. The very same mass-manufactured pod that incorporates kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room and most of the plumbing and the electric system of a dwelling can be used to build the top floor of a skyscraper or a single-family house.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A prefabricated load-bearing pod that comprise a vertical structure, which vertical structure comprise four vertical members in its four corners, which said structure can carry the weight of the said pod, the weight of other similar pods place on top of it and part of the weight of the on-site structure built around and on top the said pods as well as the potential live load to be included in these pods and said on-site structure. 
     
     
         2 . A pod according to  claim 1  that has a floor, a ceiling and walls. 
     
     
         3 . A pod according to  claim 1  that can be fully finished inside and easy to inspect and connect from the outside and that can include bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room and utility room. 
     
     
         4 . A vertical member according to  claim 1  that has two connection plates, one at its bottom and one at its top, each said connection plate has at least one connection hole including one main connection hole and the main connection holes of different pods of the same series of pods are located at the same location. The said connection holes are used to insert structural bolts or other connection devices to secure a first pod to the foundations of a building and to secure pods together one on top of the other. The said connection plates and main connection holes also allow the lining of the pod and the securing of the pod during transportation. 
     
     
         5 . A pod according to  claim 1  with connection plates according to  claim 4  that can be connected on top of another pod having the exact same structure where all the connection holes are located at the same place in order to connect these pods using structural bolts or other connection device; or that same pod can be connected to another pod having a stronger structure, larger connection plates having more connection holes because the lower connection plate of the said pod would be fully supported by the larger top connection plate of the pod beneath and the top connection plate of the pod beneath, even if it has more connection holes, has matching connection holes with smaller connection plates of the pods of the same series. 
     
     
         6 . Each pair of vertical members according to  claim 1  is join together by at least one cross member. 
     
     
         7 . A vertical member according to  claim 1 , a connection plate according to  claim 4  and a cross member according to  claim 6  that are made of hot-rolled steel and welded together. 
     
     
         8 . A floor according to  claim 2  which structure is made of cold-formed steel or other material and is connected using screws, tracks, L-shaped brackets, bolts or other connection device to the cross members according to  claim 6  and to the vertical structure according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . A ceiling and walls according to  claim 2  which structure is made of cold-formed steel or other material. 
     
     
         10 . An hybrid method of construction where pods according to  claims 1  become part of the structure of the building, the said pods are combined to on-site construction so that floor joists and the ceiling trusses built outside the pod can be attached to one or two pods. The said structure built outside the pod is attached to the vertical members according to  claim 1  and to the cross members according to  claim 6 . 
     
     
         11 . A chassis trailer or semi-trailer to carry the pod according to  claims 1  that has four connection holes located at the same locations than the pods' main connection holes according to  claim 4 , in order to secure the said pod to the chassis trailer from the said pod four bottom connection plates according to  claim 4  using structural bolts or other connection device. 
     
     
         12 . A pod according to  claims 1  and  4  that can be built directly on the chassis trailer or semi-trailer according to  claim 11 . 
     
     
         13 . A lifting device that permits to crane up the pods according to  claims 1  and  4 , that has four connection holes located at the same locations than the said pods' top main connection holes according to  claim 4 ; in order to attached the pod at its four top corners using bolts or other connection devices inserted at the same location where the upper pod is to be connected. 
     
     
         14 . A lifting device according to  claim 13  with many hooking holes located at and around its center in order to lift a pod according to  claims 1  and  4  from its center of gravity, which center of gravity can vary depending on the configuration of the said pod and the options it carries, using one crane with one hook while keeping the said pod leveled until it reaches its permanent location.