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 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 without the use of a threaded rod or bolt connection between the first and third modular building units.   
     
     
         2 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 1 , 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. 
     
     
         3 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 1 , 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. 
     
     
         4 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the key box includes a pair of first openings formed in respective side walls. 
     
     
         5 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the first openings are offset along a length of the key box. 
     
     
         6 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 5 , 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. 
     
     
         7 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 3  wherein the key box includes an opening formed in the top wall, and an opening formed in the bottom. 
     
     
         8 . 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 and lock the other modular building unit to the modular building unit without the use of a threaded rod or bolt connection between the modular building unit and the other modular building unit. 
     
     
         9 . The locking body set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the lateral dimension extends between the end walls or between the side walls. 
     
     
         10 . The locking body set forth in  claim 8 , further comprising a pair of first openings formed in respective side walls. 
     
     
         11 . The locking body set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the first openings are offset along a length of the key box. 
     
     
         12 . The locking body set forth in  claim 8  further comprising openings in the side walls configured to receive lifting tackle for use in lifting the modular building unit when the locking body is mounted thereon. 
     
     
         13 . The locking body set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the locking body has a generally trapezoidal shape. 
     
     
         14 . The locking body set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the locking body comprises a bent plate and a pair of support plates attached to the bent plate. 
     
     
         15 . A building comprising a plurality of modular building units, each modular building unit including an integrated locking assembly locking a first modular building unit to a second modular building unit below the first modular building unit, the integrated locking assembly being configured to position a third modular building unit located above the first modular building unit relative to the first modular building unit, and connect the first modular building unit to a locking assembly of the second modular building unit. 
     
     
         16 . The building set forth in  15 , wherein the locking assembly of the second modular building unit is mounted on top of the second modular building unit. 
     
     
         17 . The building set forth in  16 , wherein locking assembly of the second modular building unit includes a locking body mounted on top of the second modular building unit, the locking body being configured to be received in an opening in a bottom of the first modular building unit. 
     
     
         18 . The building set forth in  claim 17 , 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. 
     
     
         19 . The building set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the key box includes a pair of first openings formed in respective side walls, the first openings being offset along a length of the key box. 
     
     
         20 . The locking assembly set forth in  claim 19 , 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.