US3529386A - Multi-level building - Google Patents

Description

P. J. OSTENDORF MULTI Sept. 22, 1970 -LEVEL BUILDING 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 31, 1968 INVENTOR. PHIL/P J osriuookr HIS ATTORNEYS P 1970 P. J. OSTENDORF 3,529,386

MULTI-LEVEL BUILDING Filed Oct. 31, 1968 2 Shets$heet 2 alum/6' BEDROOM INVENTOR.

PHIL /P J. 05 T E NDOLF United States Patent 3,529,386 MULTI-LEVEL BUILDING Philip J. Ostendorf, 2503 S. Dixie, Dayton, Ohio 45409 Filed Oct. 31, 1968, Ser. No. 772,107 Int. Cl. E04b 1/04 US. C]. 52-79 19 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Several layers of a building are each formed from modules arranged in a stack, the modules of each level having a wall section which is aligned with corresponding wall sections of all the other modules of the stack. The modules of the odd numbered levels are vertically aligned and horizontally coextensive as are the modules of the even numbered levels. The odd and even numbered level modules are angularly offset in plan configuration, the centerlines thereof which pass through the common wall sections intersecting at the midpoints of the common wall sections at an angle of less than 90. An eflicient column support for the several modules in a stack as well as in adjacent stacks and a building structure having plural stacks of modules are described. The modules may be made from one or more sections of transportable dimensrons.

This invention relates to a multi-level building and more particularly to a multi-level building of modular construction.

The advantages of constructing buildings from prefabricated modules has long been recognized. Uniformity of quality and low material and labor costs can be obtained by ordinary factory mass production techniques which obviously cannot be obtained in conventional construction. Many of the delays, such as caused by inclement weather, are avoided when the modules are factory built.

Aside from small one-family dwellings such as mobile homes, it is impossible to completely prefabricate larger buildings because of the difficulties encountered in handling and transporting them. Therefore, several proposals have been made for constructing buildings from individual modules, each of which is about the size of a mobile home, the various modules being stacked one upon another or crosswise of one another such as shown, for example, in US. Pat. No. 2,154,142, which issued Apr. 11, 1939, to John J. Whelan. Modular constructions suggested in the past suffer from various drawbacks. In some cases the arrangements of the prefabricated modules were so de signed that no efiicient system of corridors, stairways, elevators and the like could be provided with a resultant high cost that offsets the savings resulting from the prefabrication of the modules. Some suggested constructions have a drab appearance resulting from the similarities of the prefabricated units. In addition to low cost, other features such as an esthetically pleasing structure which is fire resistant, which has adequate natural light and ventilation, and provides privacy between the modular units are important.

It is, accordingly, an object of this invention to provide a building constructed primarily of modules which can be prefabricated and then assembled at a building site in such an array that the building has a pleasing external appearance and otherwise has desirable qualities such as adequate natural light, ventilation, and maximum privacy for the occupants. In accordance with this invention a building is constructed from spaced stacks of modules, each stack of modules having odd and even numbered levels, all of the odd level modules being essentially identical and vertically aligned and angularly offset from all of the 3,529,386 Patented Sept. 22, 1970 ice even level modules which also are essentially identical and vertically aligned.

A further object of this invention is to provide a modular building construction in which the modules of one level are mirror images of those of another level in plan configuration, the mirrored or reflected image of the latter modules being obtained by rotation of the plan configuration of the first level modules about an axis which passes through the center of a wall section common to both level modules. As will become apparent, this arrangement provides for several advantages including an esthetically pleasing effect which is obtained by using modules of different configurations, but, because the modules are of the same general configuration, economies in the manufacture of the modules are made possible.

Another object of this invention is to provide for column supported modules arranged in a stack with some of the columns supporting all of the modules with a minimum of free standing columns.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a building of modular construction, each module having an unusually large outer wall area providing natural light and ventilation and arranged in an array of modules by which the occupants of each module enjoy privacy from adjacent parts of the building.

A further object of this invention is to provide a building of modular construction capable of inexpensive prefabrication with the modules of each level having private patios or balconies which can easily be enclosed and which contribute significantly to the usable space for each modular area.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a building of modular construction wherein the modules of each level can be constructed from materials and along designs familiar to mobile home manufacturers and the like, techniques used in constructing and erecting the building being familiar to those in the mobile home and in the building construction business.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description and the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational View with details only partly filled in of a building embodying the concepts of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the first level of the building of FIG. 1 in full lines, as indicated by the arrows 2-2 of FIG. 1, and the modules forming the second level in dotted lines;

FIG. 3 is a plan diagrammatic view illustrating the manner in which two modules of adjacent levels are formed from four module sections and further illustrating the location of vertical support members which may be used in the building of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic, exploded plan view of a module of one level of the building of FIGS. 1 and 2 and illustrating the floor plan and column arrangement thereof;

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan View illustrating the floor plan and column arrangement for the module of another level of the building of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view, with parts omitted and broken away, of part of the building of FIG. 1, as viewed in the direction of arrows 6-6 of FIG. 5, illustrating portions of the first and second level modules and a portion of the foundations or footings therefor and further illustrating the manner in which vertical supporting members for the buildings are formed; and

FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10" are plan diagrammatic views similar to FIG. 3 but illustrating other embodiments of this invention wherein the modules are formed from one, two or three module sections.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a building constructed in accordance with the concepts of this invention is generally designated and includes a centrally located service tower '22 from which a pair of elongate oppositely directed corridor systems 24 extend, the corridor systems 24 terminating at a pair of stair towers 26. Walkways 28 are shown leading up to entries 30 to the lower level of the service tower 22. The service tower 22 may enclose a stairway 32 as well as elevators 34. Each level of the service tower 22 is open as indicated at 36 to provide entries to the oppositely directed corridor systems 24. Similar openings are provided to the stair towers 26 as indicated at 38. Access to the stair towers 26 may also be obtained from the top of the corridor systems 24 through doors 40, one of which is shown on the right hand side of FIG. 1. The stair towers 26 may be lighted and ventilated through windows 42 illustrated on the left hand side of FIG. 1. Similar windows (not shown) may be located in the service tower 2 2. The service tower 2-2 and the stair towers 26 may be of conventional construction although, as is well known to those skilled in the art, portions of the towers could be prefabricated. The corridor systems 24 are illustrated as comprising spaced vertical walls 44 which, of course, will be provided with floors for each level, but in practice, especially in warmer climates, the corridor systems 24 may be open walkways or the like. As will become apparent, the corridor systems 24 can be of a conventional construction but preferably would be prefabricated and erected with the rest of the building 20 which is described below.

Along each side of both of the pair of corridor systems 24 are rows of stacks 46, 48, and 52 of odd level modules 54 (full lines in FIG. 2) and even level modules 56 (dotted lines in FIG. 2). All of the modules 54 and 56 are polyhedrons having planar floors and roofs and are of a closed, asymmetrical polygonal plan configuration. In particular, the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown to have modules 54 and 56 of a closed quadrilateral plan configuration. All of the odd level modules 54 are substantially identical, and when stacked in overlying relationship with other modules 54 and 56, all of the odd level modules 54 are, in plan configuration, vertically aligned and horizontally coextensive. Similarly all of the even level modules 56 are substantially identical and when stacked are Vertically aligned and horizontally coextensive in plan configuration. In accordance with this invention, the even level modules 56 are congruent to the odd level modules 54 but angularly offset therefrom when arranged in one of the stacks 46, 48, 50 and 52 and have a mirrored or rotated plan configuration as will be more fully discussed below.

Referring to FIG. 3, each module 54 has a first vertical wall section 58, a second vertical wall section 60, which at one end joins one end of the first wall section 58 at a corner having an included angle of less than 90, and a third vertical wall section 62, parallel to the second wall section 60, which at one end joins the other end of the first wall section 58 at a corner having an included angle of greater than 90 but less than 180. The second and third wall sections 60 and 62, respectively, are joined at their opposite ends by a fourth vertical, outer wall section 64, which in the illustrated embodiment, joins the second wall section 60 and the third wall section 62 at corners having included angles of 90. As apparent, therefore, the second wall section 60 is longer than the third wall section 62. The included angle be tween the first wall section 58 and the longer second wall section 60 is such that the outer end of the second wall section \60 meets the fourth wall section 64 at a point designated A on the perpendicular bisector, shown by phantom line PB in FIG. 3, of the first wall section 58. The several wall sections 58, 60, 62 and 64 are shown to be of a straight planar configuration which, in plan view, form a right-angled trapezoid, and are shown to meet at sharply defined angles to form the corners of the module 54. It will be appreciated, however, that the various vertical wall sections could be of constructions other than perfectly straight or planar and the corners could be rounded. Also, the fourth, outer wall section 64 could join the second and third wall sections at angles other than 90 whereupon the modules would have a different trapezoidal or even parallelogram plan configuration.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, the even level module 56 illustrated by dotted lines therein has a first wall section to which the reference character 58 applies because it is vertically aligned with and horizontally coextensive with the first wall section 58 of the odd level module 54. Projecting from the first wall section 58 of the second level module 56 on the right side thereof is a second wall section 66 one end of which joins one end of the first wall section 58 at a corner having an included angle of greater than 90 but less than 180'". A third wall section 68 of the second level module 56 similarly has one end joining the opposite end of the first wall section 58 but at an included angle of less than 90. As wiht the illustrated odd level module 54, the even level module 56 has a fourth wall section 70 which joins the second and third wall sections 66 and 68 thereof at corners having included angles of The longer, third wall section 68 of the even level module 56 is the same length as the longer, second wall section 60 of the odd level module 54. Its outer end also joins its adjacent outer wall 70 along the perpendicular bisector PB at the point A. The vertical heights of all of the wall sections of both modules 54 and 56 are the same. Thus, the two modules 54 and 56 have congruent outlines or outer peripheries.

For reasons to be discussed below, a seam line 72 is shown in full lines in FIG. 3 which corresponds to that centerline of the odd level module 54 which intersects the first wall section 58 at its midpoint. A corresponding seam line 74 is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3 which corresponds to that centerline of the even level module 56 which also bisects the first wall section 58 thereof. It will be observed in the plan view of FIG. 3 that the centerlines at 72 and 74 are angularly offset from one another by an included angle a. Similarly the second wall section 66 of the even level module 56 is offset from the second wall section 60 of the odd level module 54 by the same included angle. The same holds true for the third wall sections 62 and 68. The second wall section 66 of the even level modules 56 are the same length as the third wall sections 62 of the odd level modules 54 and similarly the third wall sections 68 of the even level modules 56 are of the sarne length as the second wall sections 60 of the odd level modules 54. As can be seen, therefore, the line PB bisects the angle a and the plan configuration of the even level module 56 can be made to coincide with the odd level module by merely rotating the plan configuration of the even level module 56 through about the perpendicular bisector PB.

Several advantages result from the described configuration of the modules 54 and 56 and the manner in which they are stacked. Since the modules 54 and 56 have congruent peripheries, it is apparent that, especially when the modules 54 and 56 are prefabricated, many of the same parts can be used in constructing both sets of modules 54 and 56. In fact, it should be possible to mass produce both sets of modules 54 and 56 at a cost nearly as low as the cost would 'be if all of the modules were identically constructed. Because inverted and because of the location of windows, doors, exterior trim and so forth, the modules 54 and 56 are not identical and the drab appearance which results from identical modules is avoided.

The angular offset of odd and even level modules conveniently makes possible patios or balconies 76 (FIG. 1) which may be bounded by protective railings 78. With reference to FIG. 3, the patio for each even level module 56 is defined by its longest third wall section 68 and by the railings 78 which would be placed along the shorter third wall section 62 of the odd level module 54 and the end or fourth wall section 64 thereof. Except for the top level modules, all of the patios or balconies 76 have a roof formed by the overhanging floor or the module immediately above. In colder climates these areas could be easily enclosed by glass panels or the like and, in any event, the patio or balcony areas 76 greatly increase the usable floor area of each level at a very low cost.

The specific embodiment of the building 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is intended for use as a multi-family apartment building, office building, hotel or motel or the like and other advantages result from the manner in which the rows of stacks of modules are arranged. The first wall section 58 of all of the modules 54 and 56 are located along the corridor systems 24 and provide convenient access thereto with a minimum of wasted space.

Windows such as those designated 80 in FIG. 1 can be located along the outer or fourth wall sections 64 and 70 and along the longest wall sections 60 and 68 whereupon more than half of the exposed area of each module can conveniently have windows which provide natural light and ventilation. The shorter wall sections 62 and 66 can be closed walls so that, considering the row of stacks 46 as an example, all of the odd level modules in each of the rows of modules 46, 48, 50 and 52 extend at generally the same angle from the corridor systems 24 as each of the other odd level modules in the same row. Accordingly, with the described window arrangement, the windows of one stack of modules do not directly face any windows of any of the other stacks on the same level. Also none of the windows 80 directly face the corridor systems 24 which is important for privacy if the corridor system is windowed or is an open system with walkways. Because of the spaced stack arrangement and also because each module partially overhangs the module immediately therebeneath, only moderate sound proofing need be employed to minimize the sound transmitted from one module to adjacent modules.

The service tower 22 is a six sided structure so that, as shown best in FIG. 2, the shorter sides of the immediately adjacent modules can be abutted against opposed walls 82 thereof. The corridor systems 24 are shown as extending in a gently arcuate path or S curve which significantly contributes to the esthetically pleasing appearance of the building 20. One standing in front or behind the building 20 would observe difieret horizontal and vertical lines as well as shaded and lighted areas across the entire length thereof. Of course, the construction of the service tower 22 as well as the path of the corridor systems 24 will depend to a considerable extent upon the contour of the land and the amount of available space upon which a building such as the building 20 is constructed.

It may be appreciated that the modules 54 and 56 may be of a variety of constructions such as truss, stress-skin, beam-column or monolithic constructions and that they readily lend themselves to mass production in factories for later erection at a construction site. If the the corridor systems 24 are comprised of vertically spaced walkways, these walkways would be attached in any suitable fashion to the modules.

FIGS. 4 and show the construction of the modules 54 and 56, respectively, when the building is designed for use as a multi-family dwelling such as an apartment building. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the module 54 may be prefabricated in two sections designated 54a and 54b. Each section 54a and 54b has the same width and each is of a width which can practically be transported along the highways for later assembly and erection at a construction site. The module 54 is shown as having a living room, a dining room, a kitchen, bedrooms and baths, as marked, with adjacent hall and storage areas. FIG. 5, which shows the module 56 with the two sections thereof already assembled together, has the same floor plan but in this case each half of the floor plan is reflected from the centerline of the FIG. 4 floor plan. Both modules 54 and 56 have doorways 84 to the corridor systems 24 and doorways 86 to the patio or balcony area. Of course, the floor plans can be varied to suit the desires of the builder. As conventional in other constructions, such as mobile homes, I prefer that each module have its own heating and air conditioning system (not shown). Electric and plumbing connections (not shown) can be obtained through the floor of each module, these connections extending along the corridor systems 24 to the service tower 22.

The room arrangements illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 are developed for modules having a width of approximately twenty-four feet, a maximum length of approximately thirty-eight feet and a minimum length of approximately thirty-one feet. Because twelve feet is the present maximum practical width of a prefabricated unit which can be transported on the highways, the overall width of the modules 54 and 56 made from two such sections is limited to twenty-four feet.

Although other constructions are possible as mentioned above, I presently prefer a beam-column construction which is illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6. For each stack of modules 54 and 56, there is a set of vertical support members or columns 88 extending vertically along the ends and the center of the aligned first wall sections 58. The odd level modules 54 are additionally supported by columns 90 and 92 at their outer corners and by intermediate columns 94, 96 and 98 which are located, respectively, centrally of the longer, second wall section 60, the shorter third wall sections 62 and the outer, fourth wall sections 64. Further support for the odd level modules 54 is provided by a column 100 passing therethrough which extends centrally of the longer wall sections 68 of the even level modules 56. The columns 88, 90, 94 and 100 provide support for all of the modules 54 and 56 in a stack. The even level modules 56 are also supported by columns 102, 104 and 106 which are, respectively, along the corner and intermediate the wall sections 66 and 70 which overhang the odd level modules 54. By virtue of this column arrangement, all of the columns 88, 90, 94 and 100 are enclosed within the walls of the modules throughout their length. Most of the remaining columns 92, 96, 98, 102, 104 and 106 are exposed and free standing along parts of their length as illustrated in FIG. 1, some of these columns being exposed on odd levels and some of these columns being exposed on even levels of the building 20. The unexposed portions of all the columns are connected in any suitable fashion to the walls and/or beams of each of the modules forming the building 20 whereby each of the modules derives full support from the columns.

Where possible, the outer corners of modules-of adjacent stacks are interleaved and the columns associated therewith are interconnected. The interleaving and re sultant vertical alignment of the corners of adjacent stacks occurs in the building 20 along the rows of stacks 48 and 50. The corresponding corners of the stacks 46 and 52 are not vertically aligned because of the convex curvature of the parts of the corridor systems 24 adjacent thereto.

In accordance with this invention, the columns pre viously discussed are each formed in separate sections, each section having substantially the same height as the modules 54 and 56. FIG. 6 schematically illustrates the manner in which the column 94 is formed and part of the method by which the modules are erected at a building site. In FIG.'6, a foundation, or footing, 108 is shown laid in the ground, designated 110. Embedded in the foundation 108 is a vertical mounting pin 112, the upper end of which projects above the upper surface thereof. A lower end of a column section 94' formed from hollow rectangular tubing receives the exposed end of the pin 112 and is preferably permanently connected thereto as by a bolt 114. During assembly of a module 54, its column section 94 will preferably be permanently connected to the adjacent wall section and may be connected by welding to a floor beam 116 and to a roof beam 118 forming part of the module 54. Means are then provided for interconnecting the column section 94 with a column section 94" to which a floor beam 120 and other parts (not shown) of the vertically adjacent even level module 56 are connected. Such means for interconnecting the column sections 94 and 94" may be entirely conventional. For purposes of illustration, a connecting pin 122 is shown received within both column sections 94 and 94" and connected by bolts 124 thereto. The connecting pin 122 could be fastened to the section 94' and/or the section 94 at the factory or at the erection site. The parts of the columns mentioned above which are exposed and freestanding can similarly be interconnected with the unexposed parts of the same columns.

The two module sections 54a and 54b of FIG. 4 can be joined in various conventional ways which are familiar to mobile home manufacturers. Since conventional, the details and method of joinder are not illustrated or described in detail herein. As illustrated by the column halves 88a, 88b, 98a, 9812, 100a and 1001) in FIG. 4, the columns lying on the lines of joinder of the module sections can be constructed in two parts and then fastened together during assembly of the two Sections.

The seam lines 72 and 74 represent the lines of joinder of the two sections of each of the modules 54 and 56. It will be appreciated, however, that the modules could be of different dimensions from that described above and, accordingly, made from either one section or more than two sections. Thus, referring to FIG. 7, a stack of modules generally designated 126 is schematically illustrated. The stack 126 includes a first level module 128 and a second level module 130, both modules 128 and 130 being of a unitary construction. Thus, the modules 128 and 130 could be completely prefabricated at a factory and transported to an erection site for assembly. As already mentioned, however, the width of the modules 128 and 130 is, as a practical matter, limited to twelve feet. Such a construction in which the stack 126 may simply comprise two levels could be used to advantage in the erection of motels. Because the overall width of each module in FIG. 7 is only twelve feet, no intermediate end columns are required, and the lengths of the modules could be such that no intermediate columns are required along their sides. For this reason, only five columns 132 are shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 shows a stack 134 of modules 136 and 138, each of which is constructed of two sections similar to the stack shown in FIG. 3. However, the two sections have a shorter length and thus do not require columns intermediate the ends thereof. Thus, provided that the lengths of the modules 136 and 138 are sufiiciently short, only the eight columns schematically indicated at 140 would be required.

FIG. 9 shows a stack 142 which is similar to the stack 134 of FIG. 8 but wherein each module 144 and 146 thereof is formed from three sections rather than from two sections.

Finally, FIG. 10 schematically shows a stack 148 of modules 150 and 152, each of which is comprised of three sections. The stack 148 of FIG. 10 is supported by sets of end columns 154 and 156 as well as intermediate columns 158 which extend vertically along the lines of intersection of each of the sections forming the modules 150 and 152. In addition, columns 160 are illustrated in FIG. 10 which are intermediate the ends of the shorter sides of both modules 150 and 152. Because the intermediate columns 158 are only along the lines of intersection of various sections forming the modules 150 and 152, it will be appreciated by architects and others skilled in the art that floor plans could be developed wherein the columns 158 do not seriously interrupt the floor plans.

The wide variety of buildings which could be constructed in accordance with this invention should be readily apparent. Although the illustrated building 20 is shown as having a single service tower 22 and a spaced pair of stair towers 26, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that there could be an intermediate array of service towers and that the service towers need not be centrally located. In more elaborate building complexes, for example, the corridor systems could project in several different directions from one or more service towers. There is no important limitation upon the available widths or lengths of the individual modules. As already described, the modules could be made of one or more sections. These sections could each be of the same widths, as illustrated, or could be of different widths. In summary, the possible types of buildings which may be constructed utilizing the concept of this invention wherein several levels of spaced stacks of modules are angularly offset is nearly limitless.

For practical considerations, the constructional details of the building 20 disclosed herein heve, for the most part, been omitted. Suflice to state that these constructional details can and will depend upon several factors, including climate, building codes and the availability of materials. For this reason the methods of sound proofing, insulation and fire proofing of the parts of the building 20 are not disclosed herein, such methods being fully familiar to those skilled in the art. It is contemplated, for example, that the column sections and means be constructed from steel and protected by gypsum insulating material or the like. The column sections of one module may have different physical properties, such as strength, thickness or formulation of steel, than the column sections of another module on a different level in the same stack.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A building including plural levels of modules, each module having a closed, geometrical plan configuration with a first wall section and parallel second and third wall sections joined to the opposite ends of said first wall section at included angles of less than and other than 90, the modules of even numbered levels having vertically aligned corners, and the modules of odd numbered levels having vertically aligned corners, and each said module above the bottom said module overlying the top of the module immediately therebeneath with said first wall section of each module vertically aligned and said second and third wall sections of one module angularly offset from said second and third wall sections of the module immediately therebeneath whereby a portion of each said module above the bottom said module overhangs one of said second or said third wall sections of the module therebeneath.

2. A building including plural levels of modules, each module having a right-angled trapezoidal plan c0nfiguration, the modules of even numbered levels having vertically aligned corners, and the modules of odd numbered levels having vertically aligned corners, and each of said module above the bottom said module overlying the top of the module immediately therebeneath and having outer wall sections overhang an edge of the module therebeneath.

3. A building including plural levels of modules in a vertical stack, wherein each said module has a closed polygonal plan configuration, with all said modules having first wall sections vertically aligned and horizontally coextensive, and all said modules of said stack having parallel wall sections joining the opposite ends of said first wall sections thereof at included angles of less than 180 and other than 90, some of said modules having identical plan configurations, and all others of said modules having identical plan configurations, each of said last mentioned plan configurations being identical to said first mentioned plan configurations but rotated relative thereto through 180 about a horizontal axis extending perpendicularly through the midpoint of said first wall sections.

4. A building including plural levels of modules in a vertical stack, wherein each module has a right-angled trapezoidal plan configuration, with all said modules having first wall sections vertically aligned and horizontally coextensive, and all said modules of said stack having wall sections joining to the opposite ends of said first wall sections thereof at included angles of less than 180 and other than 90, some of said modules having identical plan configurations, and all others of said modules having identical plan configurations, each of said last mentioned plan configurations being identical to said first mentioned plan configurations but rotated relative thereto through 180 about a horizontal axis extending perpendicularly through the midpoint of said first wall sections.

5. A building having stacked first and second level modules, said first level module having a closed polygonal plan configuration including a first wall section and a second and third parallel wall sections joining to the opposite ends of said first wall section at included angles of less than 180 and other than 90, said second level module having a first wall section vertically aligned and horizontally coextensive with said first wall section of said first level module and second and third wall sections joined to the opposite ends of said first wall section, said first wall sections of both said first and second level modules being vertically aligned, and said second level module having a plan configuration which is identical to the plan configuration of said first level module but rotated through 180 about the perpendicular bisector of said aligned first wall sections.

6. A building having stacked first and second level modules, each module having a right-angled trapezoidal plan configuration, said first level module including a first wall section, said second level module having a first wall section vertically aligned and horizontally coextensive With said first wall section of said first level module, and said second level module having a plan configuration which is identical to the plan configuration of said first level module but rotated through 180 about the perpendicular bisector of said aligned first wall sections.

7. A building of modular construction including a first level module and a second level module, said first level module being a closed quadrilateral in plan configuration and having a first vertical wall section with opposite ends, a second vertical wall section having one end joining one of said opposite ends at an included angle of less than 90, a third vertical wall section parallel to said second wall section and having one end joining the other of said opposite ends at an included angle of greater than 90 and less than 180, and a fourth vertical wall section joining the outer ends of said second and third wall sections which are remote from said first wall sec tion, said second level module having a periphery congruent to said first level module and having a first wall section vertically aligned and horizontally coextensive with said first wall section of said first level module the plan configuration of said second level module being rotated relatively to the plan configuration of said first level module through 180 about the perpendicular bisector of said aligned first wall sections.

8. A multi-level building including a stack of modules, each said module having a closed polygonal plan configuration including a floor, a roof, a first vertical wall section, and parallel second and third vertical wall sections joined to the opposite ends of said first vertical wall section, the said first vertical wall sections of all modules being vertically aligned and said second and third wall sections of said modules of each level being angularly offset from said second and third vertical wall sections of modules of adjacent levels whereby a portion of each said module above the bottom said module overhangs, one of said second or third wall section of the module therebeneath, each said module having vertical support column sections connected thereto, and said modules being so constructed and stacked that some of said support column sections of each module remote from said first wall sections are vertically aligned and interconnected with said support column sections of others of said modules to form vertical support columns for all levels of said stack of modules.

9. The building of claim 8 wherein at least some of said modules above the first level module overhang a side of a lower level module and wherein the overhanging portion of said some of said modules include vertical support column sections aligned with column sections spaced from said lover level modules.

10. The building of claim 8 further including a second stack of modules adjacent to said first mentioned stack of modules, some of said modules of said second stack having corners vertically aligned with corners of some of said modules of said first mentioned stack of modules.

11. A multi-level building including at least two adjacent stacks of modules, each said module including two modu-le sections joined together, each said module including a first wall section and said first wall sections of all of said modules in each of said stacks being vertically aligned, each said module including a first vertical support column section remote from said first wall section thereof and along the plane of joinder of said module sections thereof and each said module including a second vertical support column section remote from said first wall section thereof along a second wall section thereof, and said modules being so constructed and stacked that said first vertical support column section of each module above the lowest level in each of said stacks is vertically aligned with said second vertical support column section of the immediately lower level module in the same said stack, some of said modules of one of said stacks having corners vertically aligned with corners of some of said modules of the other of said stacks.

12. A multi-level building including at least two spaced stacks of modules arranged in vertical levels, each of said modules having a first vertical wall section and all of the first vertical wall sections in each stack of modules being vertically aligned and each of said modules having parallel second and third wall sections, the second and third wall sections of modules of each vertical level extending from said first wall sections at angles of less than 180 and at angles different from the angles through which the second and third wall sections of vertically adjacent modules extend from said first wall sections whereby each of said stacks of modules includes modules which overhang the sides of said modules of a lower level in the same stack, a plurality of support columns for each of said stacks of modules and some of said modules of each of said stacks being interleaved with said modules of the other of said stacks, the interleaved portions of said modules being supported by a support column for both of said stacks.

13. A multi-level building comprising a utility core including elevators and Stairways, corridor systems projecting from said utility core at all levels, a plurality of spaced stacks of modules, each module of each stack having an entry to one of said corridors through a first wall section of each said module, said first wall section of each module being vertically aligned and horizontally conextensive with the corresponding first wall section of all modules of the same stack, each said module having a closed polygonal plan configuration including parallel wall sections joining to the opposite ends of said first wall sections, the plan configuration of all said modules of even numbered levels in each of said stacks being vertically aligned, the plan configuration of all of said modules of odd numbered levels in a stack being also vertically aligned, said parallel wall sections of all said modules of even numbered levels in each of said stacks 11 being angularly offset from said parellel wall sections of odd numbered levels in the same stack.

14. A multi-level building comprising a utility core including elevators and stairways, corridor systems projecting from said utility core at all levels, a plurality of spaced stacks of modules, each module of each stack having an entry to one of said corridors through a first wall section of each said module, said first wall section of each module being vertically aligned and horizontally coextensive with the corresponding first Wall section of all modules of the same stack, each said module having a right-angled trapezoidal plan configuration, the plan configuration of all said modules of even numbered levels in each of said stacks being vertically aligned and angularly offset from said modules of odd numbered levels in the same stack, and the plan configuration of all said modules of odd numbered levels in a stack being also vertically aligned.

15. A multi-level building including corridors at all levels, a plurality of spaced stacks of modules, each module of each stack having an entry to one of said corridors through a first wall section of each said module, said first wall section of each module being vertically aligned and horizontally coextensive with the corresponding first wall section of all modules of the same stack, each said module having a closed polygonal plan configuration including parallel wall sections joining to the opposite ends of said first wall sections, said parallel Wall sections of all said modules of a level above the first level in each of said stacks being angularly offset from said parallel wall sections of the module immediately therebeneath in the same stack.

.16. The building of claim 15 wherein each module further includes a fourth wall section joining to the ends of said parallel wall sections thereof remote from said first wall section thereof and wherein one end of said fourth wall section of each module above the lowest module in a stack is vertically aligned with the corresponding opposite end of said fourth wall section of the module immediately therebeneath.

17. The building of claim 15 wherein each said module has a plan configuration which is identical to the plan configuration of the said module of an immediately adjacent level in the same stack but rotated relative thereto through about a horizontal axis extending permudicularly to the midpoint of said first wall sections thereof.

18. A building including at least two modules in a stack, both of said modules having a closed geometrical plan configuration with a first vertical wall section and parallel second and third wall sections joined to the opposite ends of said first wall section, the first wall sections of said modules being vertically aligned and said second and third wall sections of said modules projecting to one side of a vertical plane containing said aligned first wall sections, said parallel second and third wall sections of one of said modules projecting from said aligned first wall sections at included angles different from the included angles by which said second and third wall sections of said other of said modules project from said aligned first wall sections.

19. The building of claim 18 wherein each of said two modules further includes a fourth Wall section joining to the ends of said parallel wall sections thereof remote from said first wall section thereof and wherein one end of said fourth wall section of said one of said modules is vertically aligned with the corresponding opposite end of said fourth wall section of said other of said modules.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,154,142 4/1939 Whelan 52--236X 3,226,889 1/1966 Debes 52-236 x 3,422,582 1/1969 Van Der Lely 52236 JOHN E. MURTAGI-l, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 52-236, 237

mg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent NO- 3. 529.386 Dated September 22, 1970 Inventor-(9c) Philip J. Ostendorf It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column h, line 21, "wiht" should be ---with---.

Column 5, line 4, "or" should be ---of---. Column 8, line 21 "heve" should be ---have Column 8, line 47, after "each" and before "module" insert ---said---. Column 8, line 58, after "each" and before "said" delete ---of---. Column 8, line 61,, "overhangs" should be ---overhanging-- Column 9, line 21 after "and" and before "second" delete ---a--. Column 10, line 15, "lover" should be ---lower--- Column 10, line 66 "conextensive" should be ---coextensive---.

SEEM-ID AND QEALEI nics m law-lama ml. m, A.

MOM WomotmlJ

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