Modular building construction using composite interconnected frame panels

Abstract

A building module for use in construction of a structure incorporating a plurality of said modules which together form at least part of the structure. Each building module comprises a first peripheral frame of a first size defining a space which receives a layer of barrier material, a second peripheral frame of a second size defining a space which receives a layer of barrier material and which is joined at a first junction to the first peripheral frame of the first size in abutting end to end relationship to form a first auxiliary module. A third peripheral frame has the same size as the first peripheral frame and which defines a space which receives a layer of barrier material. A fourth peripheral frame has the same size as the second peripheral frame and which defines a space which receives a layer of barrier material and which is joined at a second junction to the third peripheral frame of the first size in abutting end to end relationship to form a second auxiliary module. The first and second auxiliary modules are attached side by side to form said building module; wherein the first and second auxiliary modules are attached to each other so that the first and second junctions are staggered along the length of the structure.

1 . A building module for use in construction of a structure incorporating a plurality of said modules which together form at least pan of the structure: each building module comprising:
 a first peripheral frame of a first size defining a space which receives a layer of barrier material, a second peripheral frame of a second size defining a space which receives a layer of barrier material and which is joined a a first junction to the first peripheral frame of the first size in abutting end to end relationship to form a first auxiliary module;   a third peripheral frame having the same size as the first peripheral frame and which defines a space which receives a layer of barrier material, a fourth peripheral frame having the same size as the second peripheral frame and which defines a space which receives a layer of barrier material and which is joined at a second junction to the third peripheral frame of the first size in abutting end to end relationship to form a second auxiliary module; wherein the first and second auxiliary modules are attached side by side to form said building module; wherein the first and second auxiliary modules are attached to each other so that the first and second junctions are staggered along the length of the structure.   
     
     
         2 . A module according to  claim 1  wherein, the peripheral frames are formed from angle sections 
     
     
         3 . A module according to  claim 2  wherein the frame of the second size is approximately half the area size of the first frame. 
     
     
         4 . A module according to  claim 3  wherein the third frame is approximately half the area size of the fourth frame. 
     
     
         5 . A module according to  claim 4  wherein each said first, second, third and fourth frames include diagonally disposed cross bracing. 
     
     
         6 . A module according to  claim 5  wherein the first and second auxiliary modules are joined via opposing said angle sections. 
     
     
         7 . A module according to  claim 6  wherein, when the first and second auxiliary modules are connected, the first junction of the first auxiliary module opposes the third frame. 
     
     
         8 . A module according to  claim 7  wherein, when the first and second auxiliary modules are connected, the second junction of the third and fourth frames opposes the first frame. 
     
     
         9 . A module according to  claim 8  wherein, when the first and second auxiliary modules are connected, the first junction of the first auxiliary module is staggered relative to the second junction of the second auxiliary module. 
     
     
         10 . A module according to  claim 9  wherein the first and third frames are square and the second and fourth frames are rectangular. 
     
     
         11 . A module according to  claim 10  wherein the first and second junctions are disposed vertically. 
     
     
         12 . A module according to  claim 11  wherein the plurality of primary modules form at least a side wall of a structure. 
     
     
         13 . A module according to  claim 12  wherein the plurality of building modules primary modules form at least a side wall of a structure. 
     
     
         14 . A module according to  claim 13  wherein the barrier material is steel mesh. 
     
     
         15 . A module according to  claim 14  wherein the structure formed using said plurality of said building modules is a pedestrian walkway. A module according to claim wherein the walkway constructed using a plurality of said primary modular frames, includes a plurality of box sections joined end to end and each having a top, bottom and sides; defining an internal space. 
     
     
         16 . A module according to  claim 14  wherein the structure formed from said plurality of building modules is a stairwell. 
     
     
         17 . A frame module for use in the construction of a structure formed using a plurality of like modules, the module comprising a first peripheral frame of a first size defining a space which receives a layer of barrier material, a second peripheral frame of a second size defining a space which receives a layer of barrier material and which is joined at a first junction to the first peripheral frame of the first size in abutting end to end relationship;
 each said frames including separate bracing; the frame module comprising part of the structure.   
     
     
         18 . A frame module according to  claim 17  wherein, the bracing is diagonal. 
     
     
         19 . A frame module according to  claim 18  wherein, the area defined by the second peripheral frame is approximately half the area defined by the first frame. 
     
     
         20 . A frame module according to  claim 19  wherein, the first and second frames are manufactured from lengths of angle sections connected at their ends. 
     
     
         21 . A frame module according to  claim 20  wherein, the angle sections include along their length, openings to receive fasteners. 
     
     
         22 . A frame module according to  claim 21  wherein the frames, bracing and barrier material are manufactured from steel. 
     
     
         23 . A frame module according to  claim 22  wherein the barrier material is steel mesh. 
     
     
         24 . A frame module according to  claim 23  wherein the frame module is capable of connection to a second frame module comprising a third peripheral frame having the same size as the first peripheral frame and which defines a space which receives a layer of barrier material, a fourth peripheral frame having the same size as the second peripheral frame and which defines a space which receives a layer of barrier material, forming a second module and which is joined at a second junction to the third peripheral frame of the first size in abutting end to end relationship to form a composite of the first and second frame modules. 
     
     
         25 . A building module according to  claim 24  wherein the first and second building modules are attached side by side to form a two layer primary module, so that the first and second junctions are in staggered relationship. 
     
     
         26 . A modular walkway constructed from a plurality of space frame box sections and modules each formed from a composite of a frame of a first size having a top, bottom and sides defining an internal space and a second frame of a second size and comprising a top, bottom and sides defining an internal space, wherein a plurality of the second frame type is connected to a plurality of the first frame type such that joins formed by connection of the first frame type to the second frame type are staggered along the length of the walkway relative to joins in a space frame used for constructions of the walkway. 
     
     
         27 . A structural walkway of substantially rectangular cross-section manufactured from box frame modules comprising bolt together frames, and a building module comprising two frames one being approximately half the area of the other forming an auxiliary frame module; the walkway including at least one box section space frame and connected thereto at least one said auxiliary frame modules; wherein the frame modules are arranged such that when they are connected to the box section modules a join formed between box section modules is staggered relative to a location of joints formed by the frame modules, the frame modules comprising a first peripheral frame of a first size defining a space which receives a layer of mesh, a second peripheral frame of a second size defining a space which receives a layer of mesh and which is joined at a first junction to the first peripheral frame of the first size in abutting end to end relationship. 
     
     
         28 . A structural walkway according to  claim 27  wherein each said frames include separate diagonal bracing. 
     
     
         29 . A structural walkway according to  claim 28  further comprising attached to the frame modules formed from the first and second frame sizes;
 a third peripheral frame having the same size as the first peripheral frame and which defines a space which receives a layer of mesh, a fourth peripheral frame having the same size as the second peripheral frame and which defines a space which receives a layer of mesh, forming a second module and which is joined at a second junction to the third peripheral frame of the first size in abutting end to end relationship to form a four frame composite. 
 
     
     
         30 . A method of construction of a modular structure including a primary module type defining a box section space frame and an auxiliary module comprising a generally planar frame;
 the auxiliary module comprising a first peripheral frame of a first size defining a space which receives a layer of barrier material, a second peripheral frame of a second size defining a space which receives a layer of barrier material and which is joined at a first junction to the first peripheral frame of the first size in abutting end to end relationship; each said frames including separate bracing;   the method comprising the steps of;   a) constructing a plurality of box section primary space frames and joining the space frames end to end such that an internal passage passes therealong;   b) constructing a plurality of auxiliary planar frames;   c) taking the auxiliary module and fixing the module to one said space frame module of the structure to be constructed;   d) arranging joins formed between the primary frames and joins between the auxiliary modules such that they are staggered along the length of the structure so formed.   
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 30  wherein the modular structure is an overhead bridge walkway 
     
     
         32 . A method according to  claim 30  wherein the modular structure is a stairwell.