Systems and modular units for building structures

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a structural unit that includes an inner frame having at least one side, an outer frame having at least three sides, and a connecting element, where both the inner frame and the outer frame are positioned parallel to a first reference plane (the xy-plane), the inner frame is positioned within the outer frame, the connecting element physically connects the inner frame and the outer frame, and the connecting element is positioned parallel to the first reference plane.

1 . A structural unit comprising:
 an inner frame comprising a side;   an outer frame comprising three sides; and   a connecting element, wherein:   both the inner frame and the outer frame are positioned parallel to a first reference plane (the xy-plane),   the inner frame is positioned within the outer frame,   the connecting element physically connects the inner frame and the outer frame, and   the connecting element is positioned parallel to the first reference plane.   
     
     
         2 . The structural unit of  claim 1 , wherein the inner frame has a cross-sectional shape that is at least one of circular, elliptical, rectangular, or polygonal. 
     
     
         3 . The structural unit of  claim 1 , wherein the outer frame has a cross-sectional shape that is at least one of triangular, rectangular, or polygonal. 
     
     
         4 . The structural unit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the inner frame and the outer frame form a space, and   the connecting element is positioned within the space.   
     
     
         5 . The structural unit of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the inner frame is in direct physical contact with the outer frame. 
     
     
         6 . The structural unit of  claim 1 , wherein the inner frame is not in direct physical contact with the outer frame. 
     
     
         7 . The structural unit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the outer frame has a square cross-sectional shape having four sides, and   the inner frame has a circular cross-sectional shape having one continuous side.   
     
     
         8 . The structural unit of  claim 1 , wherein the structural unit comprises two or more connecting elements. 
     
     
         9 . The structural unit of  claim 1 , comprising two or more inner frames, wherein each of the two inner frames is positioned within the outer frame. 
     
     
         10 . A structural system comprising:
 a structural unit comprising:   an inner frame comprising a side;   an outer frame comprising three sides; and   a connecting element, wherein:   both the inner frame and the outer frame are positioned parallel to a first reference plane (the xy-plane),   the inner frame is positioned within the outer frame,   the connecting element physically connects the inner frame and the outer frame, and   the connecting element is positioned parallel to the first reference plane.   
     
     
         11 . The structural system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 two or more structural units; and   a vertical support, wherein:   each structural unit is positioned adjacent to at least one other structural unit, and   the vertical support is positioned between two structural units.   
     
     
         12 . The structural system of  claim 11 , wherein the vertical support comprises at least one of a wooden beam or a metal beam. 
     
     
         13 . The structural system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 two or more structural units; and   a horizontal support, wherein:   at least one structural unit is positioned in physical contact with the horizontal support.   
     
     
         14 . The structural system of  claim 10 , comprising:
 a first group of structural units; and   a second group of structural units, wherein:   the first group comprises two or more structural units,   the second group comprises two or more structural units, and   both the first group of structural units and the second group of structural units are positioned parallel to a first reference axis (the x-axis).   
     
     
         15 . The structural system of  claim 14 , wherein the first group is positioned above the second group relative to a second reference axis (the y-axis). 
     
     
         16 . The structural system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 an extension physically attached to at least one of the structural unit or a horizontal support and the extension is positioned parallel to a reference axis (the y-axis).   
     
     
         17 . A housing system comprising:
 a wall unit and,   a structural unit comprising:   an inner frame comprising a side;   an outer frame comprising three sides; and   a connecting element, wherein:   both the inner frame and the outer frame are positioned parallel to a first reference plane (the xy-plane),   the inner frame is positioned within the outer frame,   the connecting element physically connects the inner frame and the outer frame, and   the connecting element is positioned parallel to the first reference plane, wherein:   the wall unit is positioned adjacent to the structural unit.   
     
     
         18 . The housing system of  claim 17 , wherein a wall unit comprises a vertical beam and horizontal beam. 
     
     
         19 . The housing system of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the vertical beam and the horizontal beam are constructed of a wood. 
     
     
         20 . The housing system of  claim 19 , wherein the wall unit further comprises at least one support rod physically attached to at least one vertical beam or horizontal beam.