Connection of Modular Building Units

Abstract

A locking assembly for use in building construction includes a locking body configured to be mounted on a first modular building unit and extend in a first direction away from the first modular building unit. The locking body is configured to receive and engage another locking assembly of a second modular building unit for locating the first modular building unit and the second modular building unit with respect to each other. A locking extension is configured to be mounted on the first modular building unit and extend in a second direction, opposite the first direction, away from the first modular building unit. The locking extension is configured to engage another locking body on a third modular building unit to lock the first modular building unit to the third modular building unit.

What is being claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of constructing a building comprising:
 providing a first modular building unit including a locking assembly integrated into the first modular building unit;   providing a second modular building unit including a locking assembly integrated into the second modular building unit;   placing the first and second modular building units in adjoining relation to each other at a building site; and   engaging the locking assembly of the first modular building unit with the second modular building unit to position the second modular building unit relative to the first modular building unit, and engaging the locking assembly of the second modular building unit with the locking assembly of the first modular building unit to connect the second modular building unit to the first modular building unit.   
     
     
         2 . The method set forth in  claim 1 , wherein engaging the locking assembly of the second modular building unit with the locking assembly of the first modular building unit comprises extending a locking element of the locking assembly of the second modular building unit toward the first modular building unit. 
     
     
         3 . The method set forth in  claim 1 , wherein engaging the locking assembly of the first modular building unit with the locking assembly of the second modular building unit is completed without the addition of fastening structure to the first or second modular building unit after the second modular building unit is placed in adjoining relation with the first modular building unit. 
     
     
         4 . The method set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the step of placing the first and second modular building units in adjoining relation comprises inserting a portion of the locking assembly of the first modular building unit within an opening in the second modular building unit to locate the second modular building with respect to the first modular building unit. 
     
     
         5 . The method set forth in  claim 1 , wherein engaging the locking assembly of the second modular building unit with the locking assembly of the first modular building unit comprises guiding movement of the locking assembly of the second modular building unit into the locking assembly of the first modular building unit using a guide sleeve mounted on the second modular building unit. 
     
     
         6 . The method set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising engaging a locking element of the locking assembly of the second modular building unit with a key box of the locking assembly of the first modular building unit thereby preventing the second modular building unit from being moved upward away from the first modular building unit. 
     
     
         7 . The method set forth in  claim 1 , wherein placing the first and second modular building units in adjoining relation comprises moving the second modular building unit vertically to mount the second modular building unit on top of the first modular building unit, and then moving the second modular building unit laterally to position the locking assemblies relative to each other. 
     
     
         8 . A locking assembly for use in building construction, the assembly comprising:
 a locking body configured to be mounted on a first modular building unit and extend in a first direction away from the first modular building unit, the locking body being configured to receive and engage another locking assembly of a second modular building unit for locating the first modular building unit and the second modular building unit with respect to each other; and   a locking extension configured to be mounted on the first modular building unit and extend in a second direction, opposite the first direction, away from the first modular building unit, the locking extension being configured to engage another locking body on a third modular building unit to lock the first modular building unit to the third modular building unit.   
     
     
         9 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the locking body is configured to be mounted on a top surface of the first modular building unit and extend upward from the top surface, the locking extension being configured to be mounted on the top surface of the first modular building unit and extend downward from the top surface. 
     
     
         10 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the locking body comprises a key box including a top wall, a pair of opposing side walls, a pair of opposing end walls, and a bottom. 
     
     
         11 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the key box includes a pair of first openings formed in respective side walls. 
     
     
         12 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the first openings are offset along a length of the key box. 
     
     
         13 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the key box includes a pair of second openings formed in respective side walls, the second openings being configured to receive lifting tackle for use in lifting the first modular building unit when the locking assembly is mounted thereon. 
     
     
         14 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the key box includes an opening formed in the top wall, and an opening formed in the bottom. 
     
     
         15 . A locking body for use in a locking assembly of a modular building unit, the locking body being configured for mounting on a modular building unit and extending in a first direction away from the modular building unit when the locking body is mounted on the modular building unit, the locking body comprising a top wall, a pair of opposing side walls, a pair of opposing end walls, and a bottom, at least one of the side walls and the end walls being tapered such that a lateral dimension of the locking body at the bottom is greater than a corresponding lateral dimension of the locking body at the top wall, the locking body being configured to receive and engage a locking assembly of another modular building unit for locating said other modular building unit with respect to the modular building unit. 
     
     
         16 . The locking body set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the lateral dimension extends between the end walls or between the side walls. 
     
     
         17 . The locking body set forth in  claim 15 , further comprising a pair of first openings formed in respective side walls. 
     
     
         18 . The locking body set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the first openings are offset along a length of the key box. 
     
     
         19 . The locking body set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the locking body has a generally trapezoidal shape. 
     
     
         20 . The locking body set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the locking body comprises a bent plate and a pair of support plates attached to the bent plate.