Modular building systems, components, and methods

Abstract

Pre-fabricated components such as beams, beam nodes, floor panels, wall panels, roof beams, ceiling posts, and roof panels are useful for constructing buildings such as houses. In some cases, conservation of materials, ease of construction, and superior structural integrity appear.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A beam node useful in modular construction comprising:
 a lower horizontal support member supporting   at least two vertical support members,   wherein the at least two vertical support members define at least two beam coupling elements; and   at least one registration element.   
     
     
         2 . The beam node of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two beam coupling elements comprise a first beam coupling element and a second beam coupling element,
 wherein the first beam coupling element is adapted to couple a first beam in line with a second beam coupled to the second beam coupling element.   
     
     
         3 . The beam node of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two beam coupling elements comprise a first beam coupling element and a second beam coupling element,
 wherein the first beam coupling element is adapted to couple a first beam perpendicular to a second beam coupled to the second beam coupling element.   
     
     
         4 . The beam node of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the at least two beam coupling elements comprise   a first beam coupling element,   a second beam coupling element, and   a third beam coupling element;   wherein the first beam coupling element is adapted to couple a first beam in line with a second beam coupled to the second beam coupling element, and the third beam coupling element is adapted to couple a third beam perpendicular to the first beam and the second beam.   
     
     
         5 . The beam node of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the at least two beam coupling elements comprise   a first beam coupling element,   a second beam coupling element,   a third beam coupling element, and   a fourth beam coupling element;   wherein the first beam coupling element is adapted to couple a first beam in line with a second beam coupled to the second beam coupling element,   the third beam coupling element is adapted to couple a third beam perpendicular to the first beam and the second beam, and   the fourth beam coupling element is adapted to couple a fourth beam in line with the third beam and perpendicular to the first beam and the second beam.   
     
     
         6 . The beam node of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one registration element comprises two substantially parallel vertical supports separated by a spacer element, thereby defining two registration element receivers between the two substantially parallel vertical supports. 
     
     
         7 . The beam node of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one registration element is adapted to receive at least one corresponding registration element of a floor panel, wall panel, ceiling panel, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The beam node of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one registration element is adapted to receive at least one corresponding registration element of at least one wall panel. 
     
     
         9 . The beam node of  claim 1 , wherein the beam node comprises an engineered wood product. 
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing a beam node useful in modular construction comprising:
 constructing a beam node comprising   a lower horizontal support member supporting   at least two vertical support members,   wherein the at least two vertical support members define at least two beam coupling elements; and   at least one registration element,   thereby manufacturing the beam node.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein constructing the beam node comprises:
 forming on the lower horizontal support member the at least two vertical support members and the at least one registration element.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the beam node comprises an engineered wood product.