Modular Building System

Abstract

This invention relates to a versatile, modular building system for constructing a building frame. The components of the modular system are formed from high-density materials, and include one or more base units, one or more floor units connected to the base units, a plurality of end panel units, the end panels units connected to the base units and/or floor units, at least one front beam unit, the front beam unit adapted to connect to at least two end panel units, and one or more front panel units, the front panel unit adapted to connect to at least two end panel units and/or at least one floor unit. Also described are various additional modular units that may be incorporated into the modular building system described. The modular system is designed to be pre-fabricated off site and quickly erected on building sites with a range of contours.

1 . A modular building system for constructing a building frame, the system comprising plurality of structural units including;
 one or more floor units, wherein the floor units include a substantially planar surface having an upper face and a lower face separated by two opposing sides and two opposing ends, the two opposing sides extending at substantially right angles from the lower face of the planar surface of the floor unit to form floor unit side walls;   a plurality of end units, the end units connected directly or indirectly to the floor unit side walls and shaped to define at least three sides of a wall structure;   at least one front beam unit, the front beam unit adapted to connect to at least two end units; and   one or more front panel units, the front panel unit adapted to connect to at least two end units and/or at least one floor unit;   wherein all units of the building system are formed from high-density materials.   
     
     
         2 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The modular building system of  claim 1 , wherein the floor unit has an “n” or “m” shaped cross section. 
     
     
         12 . The modular building system of  claim 1 , wherein the floor unit includes one or more ribs, the ribs extending from the lower face of the planar surface. 
     
     
         13 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The modular building system of claim  16 , wherein the end unit includes a lower beam adapted to connect to one or more floor units, pile units and/or structural base units, a side beam directly or indirectly connected to and extending from a first end of the lower beam at between 60°-120°, and one or more upper beams directly or indirectly connected to and extending from an opposite end of the side beam at between 60°-120°. 
     
     
         18 . The modular building system of  claim 17 , wherein the side beam extends at a substantially 90° angle from the lower beam. 
     
     
         19 . The modular building system  claim 17 , wherein the end unit is substantially “C” shaped. 
     
     
         20 . The modular building system of  claim 17 , wherein the end includes one upper beam extending from the side beam in same direction as the lower beam extends from the side beam. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The modular building system  claim 17 , wherein the end unit includes a gutter in the form of an integrally formed channel extending the length or partial length of an exterior face of the end unit. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The modular building system of  claim 22 , wherein the gutter extends the length or partial length of an upward facing exterior surface of the upper beam, such that when the front beam is mounted within a building structure, rainwater is containable in the gutter. 
     
     
         25 . The modular building system of  claim 22 , wherein the channel includes at least one open end to facilitate fluid connection to an adjoining channel. 
     
     
         26 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The modular building system of  claim 1 , wherein the front beam unit includes one or more rebates, recesses, channels, apertures or flanges and adapted such that in use, the front beam unit is connectable at each end to an end unit. 
     
     
         29 . The modular building system of  claim 28 , wherein the front beam unit includes a gutter in the form of an integrally formed channel, the channel extending the length of an exterior face of the front beam unit. 
     
     
         30 . The modular building system of  claim 29 , wherein the channel includes at least one open end to facilitate fluid connection to an adjoining channel. 
     
     
         31 . The modular building system of  claim 1 , wherein the front panel unit includes a substantially rectangular planar first surface forming an exterior face of the front panel unit, the planar surface defined by two side walls, an upper wall and a lower wall, wherein the front panel unit is adapted to connect directly or indirectly to one or more floor units and/or one or more end units. 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . The modular building system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further includes one or more pre-cast wall panel units adapted for connection to one or more of the structural units of the building system, the wall panel units formed from a high density material and a low-density material. 
     
     
         34 - 42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . The modular building system of  claim 1 , wherein the building system includes a plurality of roof panel units, the roof panel units are adapted to be connected to an adjacent roof panel unit and/or end unit and/or front beam unit of the building frame. 
     
     
         44 - 49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . A modular building system for constructing a building frame, the system comprising plurality of structural units including;
 one or more floor units, wherein the floor units include a substantially planar surface having an upper face and a lower face separated by two opposing sides and two opposing ends, the two opposing sides extending at substantially right angles from the lower face of the planar surface of the floor unit to form floor unit side walls;   a plurality of end units, the end units connected directly or indirectly to the floor unit side walls, the end unit including a lower beam adapted to connect to one or more floor unit side walls, a side beam directly or indirectly connected to and extending from a first end of the lower beam at 90°, and one or more upper beams directly or indirectly connected to and extending from an opposite end of the side beam at between 60°-120°, wherein the upper beam extends from the side beam in same direction as the lower beam extends from the side beam;   at least one front beam unit, the front beam unit adapted to connect to at least two end units; and   one or more front panel units, the front panel unit adapted to connect to at least two end units and/or at least one floor unit;   wherein all units of the building system are formed from high-density materials.   
     
     
         51 - 54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . The modular building system of  claim 43 , wherein the system further includes one or more soaker flashing units, the soaker flashing units including at least one planar surface and at least one side flange extending from the planar surface, the planar surface dimensioned to span an abutment region between two or more adjacent structural units or roof panel units. 
     
     
         56 . The modular building system of  claim 43 , wherein the system further includes one or more capping units, the capping units including at least one planar surface and at least one side flange, the planar surface dimensioned to span an abutment region between two or more adjacent structural units or roof panel units. 
     
     
         57 . A building frame, the frame comprising a plurality of structural units including;
 two end units, each end unit including a lower beam, a side beam connected to and extending from a first end of the lower beam at 90°, and one or more upper beams connected to and extending from an opposite end of the side beam at between 60°-120°, wherein the upper beam extends from the side beam in same direction as the lower beam extends from the side beam;   a front beam unit, the front beam unit connected at a first end to the lower beam of a first end unit and connected at a second end to the lower beam of a second end unit; and   one or more front panel units, the front panel unit connected to upper beam of a first end unit and connected at a second end to the upper beam of a second end unit;   wherein the building frame is formed from high-density materials.