Systems, methods, and devices for building construction

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for constructing buildings are described. An example system and method uses pre-fabricated connectors and structural members that are formed from oriented strand board and/or similar manufactured wood products. The structural members are I-beams shaped and are connected to one another via plate-shaped elbow or straight connectors. Typically each junction between two I-beams uses two connectors that sandwich ends of the I-beams between them. The junction is made fast by way of bolts that pass through pre-drilled holes in the arms of the connectors and the ends of the I-beams.

1 . A system for building construction, comprising:
 a first and second plate-shaped connector each comprising a first and second arm portion that each include multiple bolt holes arranged in a matching pattern; and   a first and second I-beam-shaped structural member, wherein each structural member has a first end and a second end that each include multiple bolt holes arranged in the matching pattern,   wherein the first and second connectors are adapted to couple the first and second structural members end-to-end by forming a three-layer sandwich comprising a first outer layer that is the first connector, an inner middle layer that is the first end of the first structural member and the second end of the second structural member, and a second outer that is the second connector,   wherein the pattern of bolt holes of the first end of the first structural member is in alignment with the pattern of bolt holes of the first arm of the first and second connector, wherein the pattern of bolt holes of the second end of the second structural member is in alignment with pattern of bolt holes of the second arm of the first and second connector, and   wherein the first and second connectors and the first and second structural members are removably coupled to one another via bolts through the aligned multiple bolt holes in the connectors and structural members.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connectors and structural members are formed from oriented strand board. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein an angle between the arms of the first and second connector is less than 180 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second connectors are elbow connectors, and wherein the angle between the arms is 90 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second connectors are roof connectors, and wherein the angle between the arms is one of standard roof pitches between 1:12 and 12:12. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the arms of the first and second are connected by a through bolt that forms a hinge, such that an angle between the arms is selectable by a user, wherein the angle can be fixed by tightening a bolt threaded to the through bolt. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connectors are T-connectors that each include a third arm. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the structural members include one or more holes adapted to receive utilities, including one or more of water pipe, vent pipe, electric conduit, or electrical cable. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first I-beam shaped lateral connector that has a first end and a second end, wherein each end has (1) a tenon that includes a hole and (2) a receptacle cut-out matching the shape of the tenon,   wherein each of the structural members include mortise adapted to receive the tenon,   wherein the first lateral connector is adapted to connect the first structural member to a third I-beam shaped structural member, such that, when connected:
 the first and third structural members are in a parallel orientation to one another; 
 the first lateral connector is between and perpendicular to each of the first and third structural members; 
 the tenon of the first end of the first lateral connector extends through one of the mortises of the first structural member, wherein the first lateral connector is secured to the first structural member by a peg, dowel or pin positioned in the hole in the tenon; and 
 the tenon of the second end of the first lateral connector extends through one of the mortises of the third structural member, wherein the first lateral connector is secured to the third structural member by a peg, dowel or pin positioned in the hole in the tenon. 
   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a second I-beam shaped lateral connector that has a first end and a second end, wherein each end has (1) a tenon that includes a hole and (2) a receptacle cut-out matching the shape of the tenon,   wherein the second lateral connector is adapted to connect the first structural member to a fourth I-beam shaped structural member, such that, when connected:
 the first and fourth structural members are in a parallel orientation to one another, wherein the first structural member is between the second and fourth structural members; 
 the second lateral connector is between and perpendicular to each of the first and fourth structural members; 
 the tenon of the first end of the second lateral connector extends through one of the mortises of the first structural member; 
 the tenon of the second end of the second lateral connector extends through one of the mortises of the third structural member; and 
 the tenon of the first end of the second lateral member extends into the receptacle cut-out at the first end of the first lateral connector. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the mortises in the structural members that are adapted to receive the tenon are rectangular, wherein the tenons at each end of the first lateral connector is rectangular and adapted to fit through the mortises in the structural members. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second plate-shaped connectors each include two rectangular-shaped mortises configured to receive the tenon at either end of the first lateral connector, such that, when the first lateral connector is connected to the first structural member:
 the tenon at the first end of the first lateral connector passes through (1) one of the rectangular-shaped mortises in the first plate-shaped connector, (2) a mortise at the first end of the first structural member, and (3) one of the rectangular-shaped mortises in the second plate-shaped connector; and   the tenon at the first end of the first lateral connector is secured via a peg, dowel, or pin through the hole at the end of the tenon.   
     
     
         13 . A method of constructing a building, comprising:
 forming a first wall on a concrete slab or wooden deck by:
 placing multiple I-beam shaped structural members on the ground in an array; 
 connecting adjacent structural members to one another using multiple lateral connectors, wherein each lateral connector has a tenon at each end that inserts into a mortise in one of the structural members; and 
 for each of the structural members, connecting two plate-shaped elbow connectors at one end of the structural member, such that the two elbow connectors sandwich the end of the structural member, wherein the connectors and the structural member are connected by bolts passing through aligned holes in the connectors and structural members. 
   
     
     
         14 . The construction method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 standing the first wall;   attaching the first wall to the concrete slab or wooden deck;   forming a second wall from an array of structural members connected to one another via multiple lateral connectors, wherein each of the structural members has an attached elbow connector at one end;   standing the second wall; and   attaching the second wall to the concrete slab or wooden deck.   
     
     
         15 . The construction method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 connecting an I-beam shaped structural member to each of the elbow connectors of each wall thereby forming a roof member;   connecting each roof member to a corresponding roof member from the other wall using a two plate-shaped roof crown connectors; and   connecting lateral connectors to adjacent roof members.   
     
     
         16 . A building construction connector, comprising:
 a first plate of oriented strand board comprising (1) a first and second arm portion that each include multiple bolt holes arranged in a matching pattern and (2) a mortise,   wherein the first plate is adapted to connect (1) a first I-beam shaped structural member, (2) a second I-beam-shaped structural member and (3) a second plate of oriented strand board comprising a first and second arm portion that each include multiple bolt holes arranged in the matching pattern, wherein each structural member has a first end and a second end that each include multiple bolt holes arranged in the matching pattern, such that, when connected:
 the first and second plates and the first and second structural members form a three-layer sandwich comprising a first outer layer that is the first plate, an inner middle layer that is the first end of the first structural member and the second end of the second structural member, and a second outer that is the second plate, 
 the pattern of bolt holes of the first end of the first structural member is in alignment with the pattern of bolt holes of the first arm of the first and second plate, wherein the pattern of bolt holes of the second end of the second structural member is in alignment with pattern of bolt holes of the second arm of the first and second plate, and 
 the first and second connectors and the first and second structural members are removably coupled to one another via bolts through the aligned multiple bolt holes in the plates and structural members. 
   
     
     
         17 . The building construction connector of  claim 16 ,
 wherein the first plate is adapted to connect via its mortise to a first I-beam shaped lateral connector that has a first end and a second end, wherein each end has (1) a tenon that includes a hole and (2) a receptacle cut-out matching the shape of the tenon,   wherein each of the structural members include mortise adapted to receive the tenon,   wherein the first lateral connector is adapted to connect the first structural member to a third I-beam shaped structural member, such that, when connected:
 the first and third structural members are in a parallel orientation to one another; 
 the first lateral connector is between and perpendicular to each of the first and third structural members; 
 the tenon of the first end of the first lateral connector extends through one of the mortises of the first structural member and the mortises of the first plate and the second plate, wherein the first lateral connector is secured to the first structural member, the first plate, and the second plate by a peg, dowel, or pin positioned in a hole in the tenon at the first end of the first lateral connector, and 
 the tenon of the second end of the first lateral connector extends through one of the mortises of the third structural member, wherein the first lateral connector is secured to the third structural member by a peg, dowel or pin positioned in the hole in the tenon at the second end of the first lateral connector.