WO2003102329A2

WO2003102329A2 - Triangular stackable building wall module & method

Info

Publication number: WO2003102329A2
Application number: PCT/US2003/017235
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian J. Sherman
Original assignee: Sherman Brian J
Priority date: 2002-06-04
Filing date: 2003-06-02
Publication date: 2003-12-11
Also published as: AU2003273538A1; US6935075B2; MXPA04012065A; US20050204688A1; CA2488093A1; US20030221376A1; AU2003273538A8; WO2003102329A3

Abstract

A stackable building wall (10) adapted to be stacked with a plurality of identical building wall units (12, 14, 16) in a plane to form a wall comprising three rectangular panels each including inner and outer faces, a pair of spaced apart long edges (20 and 22), and a pair of spaced apart short edges (24 and 26) joined to the short edges of the other two panels to form a triangle, stackable building wall units (12, 14, 16) which can be stacked with the exterior surfaces of the panels in a abutting relation. The exterior face of at least one of the panels includes a female recess (46) therein for receiving a complementally formed key to facilitate alignment and preclude relative shifting of the stacked units in a direction extending between said long edges.

Description

TRIANGULAR STACKABLE BUILDING WALL MODULE & METHOD

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention:

5 This invention relates to the building construction industry and more particularly

to a triangular stackable building wall module which can be stacked with a plurality of

identically formed modules to form a building wall.

2. Description of Prior Art and Objects:

Building walls are typically constructed with a f ame comprising a pair of upper

ID and lower parallel beams spanned by a plurality of vertical, horizontally spaced apart

studs. The individual frame components are delivered to the construction site where

they are assembled. Thereafter, holes are drilled through the studs and the horizontal

beams for receipt of wiring and plumbing. The inner edges of the studs are covered by

interior panels such as wall board and the exterior edges of the studs are covered by

ID exterior sheeting or paneling and siding or brick. Frequently, insulation fills the voids

between the studs.

One of the problems with this prior art construction is the relative ease with

which a fire can spread upwardly between the studs in the elongate vertical cavities

formed by the studs and the beams. Once a fire starts in the inside of the prior art wall, it is easy for an upward draft to quickly upwardly propel the fire to the upper portions

of the building. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new

and novel building unit which would inhibit the upward spreading of a fire in the wall

of a building.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a building wall of the type

described for encapsulating a fire in the wall and intøbiting it from quickly upwardly

spreading from a lower portion of the building to the top of the building.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a building wall unit of

the type described which will restrict the open airways which extend between the sill

plate and the header in a building.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel building

wall unit which will increase the fire rating of a building compared to the conventional

construction.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and novel building

wall module which will increase the fire rating of a building wall of predetermined

dimensions compared to a prior art wall of similar dimensions by decreasing the

upward spreading of an inadvertent fire in the wall.

Although prefabricated buildings are becoming more popular, a substantial

number of buildings are still constructed with the individual wall components being delivered to the site and assembled at the site. This allows the building components to

be subjected to the elements. This construction technique requires the workmen to

work in the elements and is considered by many to be very inefficient. Accordingly, it

is another object of the present invention to provide a new and novel building wall

framing module which can either be shipped to the site for assembly at the site or can

be easily used to prefabricate a wall section that is shipped to the site.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a modular building unit

of the type described which is self contained and includes provisions for the pre-

installation and prefabrication of the insulation, wiring and plumbing and inner and

outer panels which can be joined with other similarly constructed units to quickly and

easily form a building wall.

Currently, the construction of a building with individual components delivered

to a building site typically includes skilled carpenters who are relatively highly paid.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide anew and novel module

for constructing a building which will decrease the skill level required to assemble the

building modules utilized to form a building wall.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multi-sided hollow

building wall unit which can be stacked with a plurality of identical units to form a

building wall. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a multi-sided hollow

building wall module including three panels each having a long edge and a short edge

with the short edges being coupled together.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a triangularly shaped

building wall unit having three angularly related panels having inner and outer surfaces

and coupled together along their shorter edges to form a stackable unit which can be

stacked with the exterior surfaces of the units in abutting relation.

The load bearing capabilities of a wall is always of importance. In many

commercial building, steel roof systems are employed. The prior art studs typicaUy

comprise 2" x 4" or 2" x 6" wood or metal vertical load bearing unit. Metal studs

typically include a C-shaped panel that has a tendency to twist about its longitudinal

axis. Such C-shaped studs also bow, are hard to work with and are not highly fire

rated. Such C-shaped studs have relatively low load bearing strength. Typically,

masonry walls are required to provide sufficient load bearing characteristics to support

such roof systems. Accordingly, it is yet another object of the present invention to

provide a new and novel building wall unit which can be assembled with other

identical units to increase the load bearing characteristics of a building wall constructed

with individual assembled building components. It is another object of the present invention to provide a modular building wall

module which can be stacked with other similar building wall modules to provide a

strong construction having a substantial load bearing characteristic.

It has been found, according to the present invention, that a wall constructed of

triangularly shaped building wall units, that the vertical load bearing capabilities of the

wall is greatly increased compared to conventional construction. Accordingly, it is

another object of the present invention to provide a new and novel building wall unit

for building a building wall which will have increased load bearing capabilities.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a triangularly shaped

building wall unit which can be stacked atop other identically formed building wall

units in a vertical plane to form a vertical building wall.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a triangularly shaped

building wall unit which includes three panels having interior and exterior surfaces

with the exterior surfaces of adjacent panels disposed in abutting relation.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide alignment members

on each building unit for aiding the proper alignment of adjacent units in a wall built

by unskilled workers.

Although the adjacent abutting surfaces of the triangularly shaped modules

could be coupled together with screws, nails, rivets and other such fasteners to preclude their relative shifting, applicant's preferred embodiment includes a female

recess in at least one of the three panels for receiving a complementally formed key for

coupling to an adjacent module. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to

provide a new and novel triangularly shaped building module of the type described

which includes a new and novel keyway for receiving a key to preclude lateral shifting

of stacked modules out of the plane of the wall.

Another object of the present invention. is to provide a triangularly shaped

building wall module of the type described which includes a female recess in at least

one of the three legs and a complementally formed male projection in another of the

three legs for being received in the female recess in the abutting leg of an adjacent

stacked module to preclude relative lateral shifting of the modules stacked together to

form a wall.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a stackable triangular

building wall unit of the type described wherein the apparatus for precluding relative

shifting of the units comprises an elongated slot extending between the short ends of at

least one of the panels and a complementally formed elongate rib in the exterior face of

another of the panels.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and novel method

of constructing a building wall. It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and novel method

of constructing a building wall.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and novel building

wall constructed with a plurality of triangularly shaped stackable modules with the

outer faces of adjacent panels disposed in abutting relation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel method of

constructing a planar building wall with triangularly shaped building units stacked

having exterior faces in abutting relation.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel

triangularly shaped stackable building wall unit of the type described which has

increased strength and yet is aesthetically pleasing, durable and economical to

assemble.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel triangular

shaped prefabricated stackable building wall unit of the type described including

prefabricated provisions for electrical, telecommunications, plumbing, heating, venting

and air conditioning roughed in for future typical field applications.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a prefabricated triangular

building wall finished component that can be stacked with other similar building wall

finished components to form a finished planar building wall. Various patents have disclosed multi-sided elongate beams which are not

stacked to form a wall such as that disclosed in the following patents:

U.S. Patent No. Date of Issue Inventor

2,082,792 June 7, 1937 A. G. Dean

2,192,994 March 19, 1947 F. Weever

5,379,567 June 10, 1995 Michael Vahey

PCT International

Publication No. W088/05850 August 11, 1988 Freeman, et al

These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily

apparent as the description thereof proceeds:

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A stackable building wall module adapted to be stacked with a plurality of

identical, building wall modules to form a planar wall, each module comprising: three

sheets each including a pair of long edges and a pair of short edges which are

substantially shorter than the long edges; each of the short edges of each of the sheets

joined to one of the short edges of the two other sheets to form a triangular, stackable

building wall unit which can be stacked with other units with the outside surfaces of

the sheets of adjacent units in abutting relation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantage of the present invention may be more readily

understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a triangularly shaped building wall module

constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional end view of the base leg, taken along the section

line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 3 A is an enlarged sectional end view of one of the upwardly converging

legs of the module, taken along the section line 3A-3A of Fig. 2;

Fig. 3B is an enlarged vertical sectional end view taken along the section line

3B-3B of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view illustrating a plurality of triangularly shaped

building modules of different vertical dimensions being stacked atop one another to

form a prefabricated building wall section;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional end view, taken along the section line 5-5 of Fig.4;

Fig.6 is a greatly enlarged sectional end view illustrating one of the keyways for

aligning and precluding relative shifting of adjacent stacked modular units, taken along

the section line 6-6 of Fig. 5; Fig.6A is an under plan partial view illustrating a portion of the keyway trough

in the base of one of the assembled modules, taken along the line section 6A-6A of

Fig. 3;

Fig. 6B is a greatly enlarged sectional end view similar to Fig. 6 illustrating

adjacent panels of adjacent units bonded together with water proofing adhesive

material disposed therebetween;

Fig.7 is an enlarged sectional plan view, taken along the line section 7-7 of Fig.

4, illustrating a corner column only configured to receive the vertically aligned edges

of the endmost modules of a pair of transversely disposed wall sections constructed

according to the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view, taken along the section line 8-8 of Fig. 4,

illustrating an end column typically utilized to couple the modular units illustrated in

Fig. 4 to a similarly constructed in-line unit;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating another slightly modified triangular

stackable building module constructed according to a slightly modified embodiment;

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of the module illustrated in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional end view, taken along the section line 11-11 of

the base leg of the module illustrated in Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a greatly enlarged sectional end view, similarto Fig.6, illustrating two

of abutting panels of two of the adjacent modules, illustrated in Figs. 9-11, stacked

together to form a vertical wall;

Fig. 13 is a sectional end view similarto Fig. 12 illustrating stacked modules

having panels with a slightly modified cross section;

Fig. 14 is a sectional end view similar to Fig. 12 illustrating a further slightly

modified cross section;

Fig. 15 is a sectional end view similar to Fig. 12 illustrating another slightly

modified cross section;

Fig. 16 is a sectional end view, similar o Fig. 3B, illustrating a further slightly

modified above grade wall section which includes the module illustrated in Figs. 10-12

including prefabricated rough in for plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning

and insulation and also includes a layer of exterior sheathing; and

Fig. 17 is a vertical sectional end view, similar to Fig. 16, illustrating a below

grade prefabricated slightly modified wall section for use in the construction of

basements.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A triangularly shaped, stackable building wall unit or module, generally

designated 10, constructed according to the present invention, includes three identically

shaped panels 12, 14 and 16 which basically have the same outer dimensions and are

arranged in a triangular formation and coupled together at the apices of the triangle as

illustrated. Each of the panels 12, 14, and 16 is basically C-shaped in cross-section as

illustrated in Figs. 3, 5 and 6 and includes a rectangular sheet 18, which is generally

planar, and a pair of spaced apart parallel long edges 20 and 22 spanned by parallel,

spaced apart, laterally extending short edges 24 and 26 which are substantially shorter

than the long edges 20 and 22. Each sheet 18 includes inner and outer surfaces 19 and

21 , respectively, spanning the edges 20, 22, 24 and 26. The short edges 24 and 26 of

each sheet 18 are welded or otherwise suitably fixed to the abutting short edges 26 and

24 of the adjacent sheets.

Projecting transversely inwardly to the plane of each sheet 18 are elongate

transverse inner and outer parallel flanges 28 and 30, integral with the long edges 20

and 22, respectively, including offset confronting terminal ends 32 and 34,

respectively. As illustrated in Fig.2, the overall height 31 of the module 10 between

the outer surface 21 of base panel 16 and the upper outer edge of the junction of panels

12 and 14 is at least twice the width 38 (Fig. 6A) of each short panel edge 24 and 26. The transverse flanges 28 and 30 of each panel 12, 14 and 16 are in the planes of the

transverse flanges 28 and 30, respectively, of the adjacent panels 12, 14 and 16.

The building wall modules or units 10, which may vary in size, are stacked atop

each other, as illustrated in Fig. 4, to complete a modular above grade wall section,

generally designated 36, that can be prefabricated "in-house" and shipped to a remote

building site.

The building wall module 10 may be constructed from various materials

including aluminum, galvanized or stainless steel or integrally molded carbon fiber,

plastic or graphite.

Aligning and stabilizing members, generally designated 40, are provided to

assist in properly aligning the modules 10 with adjacent modules 10 and for inhibiting

relative shifting of the modules 10 for example, in the direction of the arrow 42. The

alignment and stabilizing members 40 include an elongate V-shaped female trough 46

formed in the exterior surface 21 in at least one of the panels 12, 14 and 16, such as

that illustrated in the base 16 (Figs. 1 and 3), and a complementally formed elongate

male rib, generally designated 48, projecting outwardly from the exterior surface 21 of

at least one of the other two legs of the triangle such as that illustrated in upwardly

converging panels 12 and 14 in Figs. 1 and 2. The embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-3

is particularly attractive for assembly into a wall section at the building site as the aligning and stabilizing members 40 facilitate accurate alignment by relatively

unskilled workers.

It should be understood that all three of the panels 12, 14 and 16 could include

either a male rib 48 or a female trough 46 depending upon the particular construction

but typically most of the units would include two male ribs 48 and one female trough

46 or two female troughs 46 and one male rib 48. The troughs or keyways 46 in the

various units 1 illustrated in Fig. 4 have been designated with a reference character

"F" for a female trough 46 or an "M" for a male rib 48 to illustrate the relationship of

the various assembled adjoining modules 10.

Each female trough 46 is defined by inwardly converging sheet portions 45 and

47 spanning the short edges 24 and 26 of panel 16 and each male rib 48 is defined by

outwardly converging sheet portions 50 and 52 spanning the short edges 24 and 26 of

panels 12 and 14. The shape of the rib 48 is formed complemental to the shape of the

trough 46 and is readily receivable therein to easily and accurately orient the adjacent

modules 10 when they are being assembled and to inhibit relative movement or lateral

shifting thereof. The outwardly diverging sheet portions 50 and 52, which define the

male rib 48, will guide along the inwardly converging sheet portions 45 and 47

defining the female trough 46 of an adjacent unit to allow an unskilled worker to

quickly and easily assemble the units 10 into a building wall section 36, as illustrated in Fig. 4, lying in a vertical plane 44 (Fig. 5). When the modular wall section 36 is

constructed as illustrated in Fig.4, the cooperating male and female ribs and troughs 48

and 46, respectively, will inhibit relative lateral movement out of the vertical plane 44.

Each of the building units 10 can be prefabricated with a layer of heat transfer

insulation 49 (Fig. 5) spanning the laterally outer portions 51, of the interior surfaces

19 of the sheets 18. A plurality of wire receiving apertures 53, which can vary in size,

are provided through the laterally inner portions 55 of sheets 18 for receiving wire,

plumbing pipes, or heating, ventilating and air conditioning ducts. If desired, the unit

10 can be prefabricated with hollow tubes (now shown) that can be disposed in the

apertures 53 to receive either wire or plumbing. An exterior layer or sheathing,

generally designated 57, is disposed on the outer sides of exterior flanges 28. The

sheathing layer 57 may comprise exterior plywood and/or brick veneer or other

exterior siding.

Before the units are stacked with the ribs 48 snugly received in the adjoining

adjacent troughs 46, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, an asphalt based wateφroof

membrane 54 may be disposed between adjacent abutting interior surfaces 21 as

illustrated in Fig. 6, to preclude the laterally inward passage of rain and/or air

therebetween in the direction of the arrow 42. If desired, the abutting exterior surfaces

21 of abutting sheets 18 may be coated with an adhesive layer 54 (Fig.6B) to bond the abutting sheets 18 of adjacent modules 10 together and preclude the lateral passage of

rain and air therebetween. Such wateφroof epoxy adhesive cement, or bonding agent

may be that sold under the trademark SCOTCH- WELD® EPOXY ADHESIVE DT-90

by 3M, Minneapolis, Minnesota, or the acrylic adhesive for metals and plastics sold

under the trademark "202" by the Lord Coφoration, 2000 West Grand View Blvd.,

Erie, Pennsylvania 16509. If desired, the abutting sheets 18 could be mechanically

fastened with bolts and nuts, tech screws, or suitable welding.

The modules 10 can be stacked in the condition illustrated in Fig. 1 or

prefabricated with pre-wiring, pre-plumbing, insulation, and the outer covering

complete as illustrated in Fig. 5. If desired, an interior vertical panel, such as drywall,

could also be mounted to the laterally inner flanges 28 of the legs 12, 14 and 16.

The modules 10 can be stacked atop a sill plate 56 (Fig. 5) mounted atop a

building foundation 64. The elongate sill plate has a planar section 58 with an

upwardly projecting, elongate male rib 60 thereon. The front outer edge of the sill

plate 56 also includes a depending vertical, flange 62 disposed on the outside of the

building foundation 64.

If desired, the wall section 36 is illustrated to include three vertically abutting

rows 66, 67 and 69 of triangular modules 10. The base of each unit in the bottom row 66 of the building units 10 will have a female trough 46 for receiving the male rib 60 in

the sill plate 62.

One end of the wall section 36, illustrated at the right side of Fig.4, includes a

vertically disposed, hollow end coupling column 68 (Fig.8) for joining the wall section

36 to an adjacent in-line wall section 36 (not shown) at the building site. The opposite

end of each modular prefabricated building wall section 36 can include a similar

vertical column 68 but is illustrated as including a vertically disposed hollow corner

coupling column 70 (Fig. 7) for coupling the wall section 36 to another transversely

disposed wall section 36 (not shown) at the building site. It should be realized that a

vertical in-line column 68 could likewisely be used instead of column 70 if each end is

to be coupled to an adjacent in line wall section 36 in the plane 44. The in-line column

68, which is rectangular in cross-section, includes vertical side walls 69 spanned by

vertical end walls 71 having vertically disposed troughs 72 and 74. The trough 72

receives the vertically aligned male projections or ribs 48 on the endmost units 10

located on the right hand edge of each of the units 10 illustrated in Fig.4. The trough

74 would receive the upstanding, endmost male ribs 48 of an adjacent wall section 36

(not shown) to be coupled thereto.

The corner column 70 which is rectangular in cross-section, similarly includes

vertical side walls 73 and 75 spanned by integral end walls 77 and 79. The innermost end wall 74 includes a vertical trough 76 for receiving the endmost vertically aligned

male ribs 48 located at the left hand side of each of the modules 10 illustrated in Fig.4.

Only the sidewall 77 includes offset trough 78 which will be utilized to couple the

wall section 36 to a second transverse wall section (not shown) which is transverse to

plane 44 the wall section 36 illustrated in Fig.4.

The wall section 36 includes a header, generally designated 80, spanning the

upper ends of the columns 68 and 70. The header 80 includes (Fig.5) a planar section

82 provided with a downwardly projecting male elongate rib 84 for receiving female

troughs in the base 16 of each of the uppermost units 10 in the uppermost row 69 of

units as illustrated in Fig.4. If desired, rather than inserting wateφroof membrane 54

between the adjacent units, a layer of wateφroof cement 54 or acrylic adhesive (Fig.

6B), such as that sold under the trademarks SCOTCH-WELD® EPOXY ADHESIVE

DT-90 by 3M, Minneapolis, Minnesota, or "202" by the Lord Coφoration, may be

utilized to preclude moisture and air from passing between the adjacent abutting

surfaces 21 of adjacent units. Also, for certain uses and/or in certain climates, the

wateφroofing membrane 54 or 54A may be eliminated. If desired, the adjacent units

may be mechanically fastened as outlined hereinbefore.

If the wall section 36 is prefabricated the columns 68 and 70, the header 80, and

the sill plate 56 are welded or otherwise suitably coupled together "in-house" to facilitate shipping. If the modules 10 are individually shipped to the building site, the

wall section 36 is assembled at the building site. If desired, an additional sell plate (not

shown) and header could be mounted atop the foundation 64 and the header 80 (not

shown) to span several prefabricated in-line wall sections 36.

THE METHOD

A plurality of triangularly shaped stackable building wall modules or units, such

as that illustrated at 10 in Figs. 1-3, constructed and stacked together as illustrated in

Figs.4 and 5 with the male ribs 48 received by the female troughs 46 of the adjacent

abutting units 10. The modules 10 are stacked in the vertical plane 44 to provide an

upstanding wall section 36.

The wall section 36 can be prefabricated in-house and shipped to the building

site or shipped as individual components which are assembled at the building site as

illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. Although only three different size modules 10 are

illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, it should be realized that any number of various size

triangular modules 10 could be assembled in various relationships depending upon the

particular application.

The modules 10 can be prefabricated with the insulation layer 49, interior panels

(not shown) exterior sheathing 57, and appropriate heating and ventilating ducts, and

openings 53 for receiving wiring and plumbing pipes The exterior panels are selected and constructed so as to complementally mate

with similar parts on an adjacent module 10 to provide internal joints that can be

mudded and taped as in any conventional drywall construction. Likewise, the exterior

sheathing 57 will complementally mate with the sheatJiing 57 to provide a smooth

exterior building surface. The apertures 53 can be pre-engineered and located so as to

be in alignment with the apertures 53 of an adjacent module 10.

The modules 10 are quickly and easily aligned in the plane 44 via the

complementally formed troughs 46 and male ribs 60 which also inhibit relative shifting

of the stacking modules 10. The outer abutting faces or surfaces 21 provide a

relatively large bearing area which will support a substantial load.

The modules 10 can be cast or molded from carbon, plastic or graphite or

assembled from individual panels 12, 14 and 16 which are welded at their abutting

short ends 24 and 26.

MODIFIED EMBODIMENT

Referring now more particularly to Figs.9, 10, 11 , a slightly modified stabilizing

triangularly shaped stackable building wall unit, generally designated 10 A, is

illustrated and generally similar parts will be referred to by generally similar reference

characters followed by the letter subscript A. The module 10 A differs from the module

1 in that the planar sheet 18A does not include the aligning and stabilizing members 40 which have the female trough 46 and the male rib 48 for aligning the modules and

preventing lateral shifting. This embodiment is more likely to be assembled "inhouse"

into a wall section which is then sent to a building site. The cross section of each

individual sheet 18A is illustrated in Fig. 11 and the cross section of the abutting sheets

18A of adjacent modules 10A is illustrated in Fig. 12. If desired, an epoxy layer 54A

is sprayed on the confronting exterior surfaces 21 A to bond the adjacent units 10A

together.

It should be realized that the sheets 18 and 18A could be formed in cross

sections such as that illustrated in Figs. 13, 14, 15 to include curvilinear ribs and

grooves 18B (Fig. 13), trapezoidally shaped ribs and grooves 18C (Fig. 14), or doubled

V grooves and ribs 18D (Fig. 18D).

The module 10A further differs in that hollow tubes or pipes 59 are received by

apertures 53 A and welded or otherwise fixed to the sheets 18A of adjacent legs 12A,

14Aand 16A. The pipes 59 can be of differing widths than that illustrated and aligned

with the openings 53 A and pipes 59 in an adjacent unit to provide wire, plumbing, or

heating, ventilating and air conditioning ducts.

ANOTHER MODIFIED EMBODIMENT

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 16, another slightly modified

construction, generally designated 10E, is illustrated and generally similar parts will be identified by generally similar reference characters followed by the letter subscript E.

The unit 10E differs in that each unit 18E includes a plurality of apertures, generally

designated 53E, which receive hollow conduits 59E, to provide wiring, plumbing pipes

or heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning ducts. A layer of heat insulation 49E is

disposed along the outer portion 5 IE of the section 18E.

The conduits 59E will be received in the apertures 53E and will serve as

conduits for the passage of wiring between the openings 53E and abutting members

18E.

YET ANOTHER EMBODIMENT

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 17, yet another slightly modified

embodiment 10F is illustrated and similar parts are identified by similar reference

characters followed by the letter subscript F. The module 10F does not include

keyways or apertures in the sheets 18F nor pipes spanning the sheets 18F. The unit

1 OF is a below grade unit and includes a layer 49F of heat insulation which spans the

entire interior surfaces 19E and substantially envelopes the entire inside of the unit

10F. The unit 10F is illustrated as including a layer of wallboard 95 mounted on the

laterally inner flanges 28F.

It is to be understood that the drawings and descriptive matter are in all cases to

be inteφreted as merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, rather than as limiting the same in any way, since it is contemplated that various changes may be

made in various elements to achieve like results without departing from the spirit of the

invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A stackable building wall unit for stacking with a plurality of identical buildmg

wall units to form an upstanding building wall comprising

three rectangular sheets, each including

a pair of parallel spaced apart long edges, and

a pair of parallel, spaced apart short edges substantially shorter than said

long edges;

each of said short edges of each of said sheets joined to one of said short edges

of the two other sheets to form a triangular, stackable building wall unit which can be

stacked in abutting relation with an identical building wall unit.

2. The stackable building wall unit set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said

sheets includes a female receptacle and at least one of said sheets includes a

complementally formed male projection for being recei ed by the female receptacle in

an identical building wall unit.

3. The stackable buildmg wall unit set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said

sheets includes an elongate slot extending between said short edges thereof and at least

another one of said sheets includes a complementally formed male rib for being

received in the elongate slot of an identical building wall.

4. The stackable buildmg wall unit set forth in claim 3 wherein said long edges of

each of said sheets includes a pair of transverse flanges.

5. The stackable building wall unit set forth in claim 4 wherein said pair of

transverse flanges includes offset confronting terminal ends.

6. The stackable buildmg wall unit set forth in claim 1 including a pair of flanges

integral with said long edges of each of said sheets and extending transversely to said

sheet.

7. The stackable building wall unit set forth in claim 6 wherein said flanges

includes offset terminal ends disposed in confronting relation with each other.

8. The stackable building wall unit set forth in claim 7 wherein said flanges are

parallel.

9. The stackable building wall unit set forth in claim 8 wherein at least one of said

sheets includes an elongate slot extending in a direction extending between said short

edges of said one sheet; and at least another one of said sheets includes an elongate rib,

complementally formed to said elongate slot and extending in a direction extending

between said short edges of said another sheet, for being received in the elongate slot

of an identically formed buildmg wall unit stacked thereon.

10. The stackable building wall unit set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said short

edges of each of said sheets abuts one of said short edges of the two other sheets.

11. The stackable building wall unit set forth in claim 1 wherein said three sheets are

integrally coupled with each other.

12. The stackable building wall unit set forth in claim 11 wherein said long edges of

each of said sheets includes integral parallel transverse flanges.

13. The stackable building wall unit set forth in claim 12 wherein said transverse

flanges on each sheet include offset terminal ends disposed in confronting relation with

each other.

14. A stackable lightweight building wall module for stacking with a plurality of

identical building wail modules to form a building wail, said building wail module

comprising: three rectangular panels each including

a pair oi spaceu apart ιong euges, anu

a pair of spaced apart short edges, substantially shorter than said long

edges, joined to said short edges of the other two panels to form a triangular stackable

building wall module which can be stacked in abutting relation with a plurality of

identical buildmg wall modules.

15. The stackable building wall module set forth in claim 14 wherein said panels

each comprise

a rectangular sheet having

a pair of generally parallel, spaced apart long sheet edges;

a pair of generally parallel, spaced apart short sheet edges; and

a pair of transversely disposed transverse flanges integral with each of

said long edges.

16. The stackable building wall module set forth in claim 15 wherein said flanges

are parallel.

17. The stackable building wall module set forth in claim 16 wherein said flanges

include offset terminal ends disposed in confronting relation with each other.

18. The stackable building wall module set forth in claim 15 wherein each of said

sheets includes a keyway for mating with a complementally formed keyway formed in

one of the sheets of an identically formed unit.

19. The stackable building wall module set forth in claim 18 wherein said keyway in

at least one of said sheets comprises an elongate female recess extending in a direction

between said short sheet edges; and said keyway in at least one of said sheets

comprises a complementally formed male projection to be received by said female

recess of an identically building unit.

20. The stackable building wall module set forth in claim 18 wherein said keyway in

at least one of said sheets comprises an elongate slot extending between said short

sheet edges and said keyway in at least one of said sheets comprises an elongate

projection extending between said short sheet edges for being received by said elongate

slot in one of said panels of an abutting identically building unit.

21. The stackable building wall module set forth in claim 14 wherein said panels,

each include an inner and an outer face for abutting the outer face of an identical

building unit stacked thereon; and further including a layer of heat transfer insulation

means spanning said inner faces of said panels.

22. The stackable building wall module set forth in claim 21 including a plurality of

wiring receiving apertures in each of said panels for receiving wiring.

23. The stackable building wall module set forth in claim 22 including a plurality of

hollow conduits received by said apertures and fixed to said panels for receiving wires

therein.

24. The stackable building wall module set forth in claim 23 including a layer of

exterior paneling, adapted to be exposed to the elements, fixed to said long edges at

one side of said unit.

25. The stackable building wall module set forth in claim 24 including a layer of

interior paneling fixed to said long edges at an opposite side of said unit opposite said

one side.

26. The stackable building wall module set forth in claim 25 wherein said layer of

exterior paneling comprises brick veneer.

27. A prefabricated modular building wall comprising:

a plurality of triangularly shaped, stackable building wall units each including

three angularly disposed sheets each having

inner and outer faces and

opposite ends each fixed to one of the opposite ends of the other

two sheets to form a hollow triangle;

said plurality of units being stacked in a plane with said outer faces of each unit

abutting the adjacent outer faces of the adjacent ones of said plurality of units.

28. The prefabricated modular building wall set forth in claim 27 including

stabilizing means on each of said units for precluding said units from shifting relative

to each other.

29. The prefabricated modular building wall set forth in claim 28 wherein said

stabilizing means includes a female recess in at least one of said sheets of each of said

units for receiving a complementally formed key,

30. The prefabricated modular building wall set forth in claim 28 wherein said

stabilizing means comprises at least one female recess in the outer face of at least one

of said sheets of each unit and a complementally formed male projection on the outer

face of at least another of the other sheets of each unit for being detachably received in

said female recess of an adjacent unit.

31. The prefabricated modular building wall set forth in claim 30 wherein each of

said sheets includes a pair of spaced apart, parallel long edges and a pair of transverse,

spaced apart short edges, substantially shorter than said long edges, at said opposite

ends spanning said long edges; said short edges of each panel being joined to said short

edges of the two other sheets.

32. The prefabricated modular building wall set forth in claim 31 wherein said

female recess comprises an elongate slot extending in a direction between said short

edges of said one sheet.

The prefabricated modular building wall set forth in claim 32 wherein said male

projection comprises an elongate rib projection outwardly from said outer surface and

formed complemental to said elongate slot.

34. The prefabricated modular building wall set forth in claim 33 wherein said slot

spans said short ends of said one sheet and said elongate rib spans said short ends of

said another sheet.

35. The prefabricated modular building wall set forth in claim 31 including

transverse flanges integrally coupled to said long edges of each of said sheets.

36. The prefabricated modular building wall set forth in claim 35 wherein said

flanges are peφendicular to said sheets.

37. The prefabricated modular building wall set forth in claim 35 wherein said

flanges on each of said sheets include offset terminal ends disposed in confronting

relation with each other.

38. The prefabricated modular building wall set forth in claim 35 wherein said wall

is rectangular.

39. The prefabricated modular building wall set forth in claim 27 wherein said wall

is rectangular.

40. A method of constructing a wall comprising the steps of:

forming a plurality of triangularly shaped building wall units each including

three angularly disposed sheets each having inner and outer faces and opposite ends

each fixed to one of the opposite ends of the two other sheets; and

stacking the plurality of units in a vertical plane with the outer faces of each

sheet abutting an adjacent outer face of an adjacent unit to form an upstanding wall

disposed in said vertical plane.

41. The method set forth in claim 40 including the step of precluding shifting each

unit relative to each adjacent unit.

42. The method set forth in claim 41 wherein the step of precluding shifting includes

the step of forming a female recess in the outer face of at least one of said sheets of

each unit.

43. The method set forth in claim 42 wherein said step of precluding shifting

includes the step of inserting a complementally formed male key into each of said

female recesses.

44. The method set forth in claim 42 wherein said step of precluding shifting

comprises the step of forming a male projection, complementally shaped to said female

recess, on the outer face of another of said sheets of each unit being detachably

received in said female recess of the abutting face of the adjacent unit.

45. The method set forth in claim 44 wherein said step of foπning a female recess

includes the step of forming an elongate slot in said one sheet and said step of forming

a male projection comprises the step of forming an elongate rib in said another sheet

complemental to said elongate slot.

46. The method set forth in claim 40 wherem said step of forming each of said

triangularly shaped units comprises forming three sheets each having a pair of spaced

apart parallel long edges and a pair of spaced apart, parallel short edges at said opposite

ends spanning said long edges.

47. The method set forth in claim 46 wherein said forming step includes the step of

forming transversely disposed flanges on each of said long edges.

48. The method set forth in claim 47 wherein said step of forming said flanges

includes the step of forming offset terminal ends on each of said flanges.

49. The method set forth in claim 48 wherein said sheets of each unit are integral.

50. A building wall module for stacking with a plurality of identical building wall

modules to form a building wall, said module including

three sheets each having

a pair of spaced apart long edges,

a pair of spaced apart short edges, substantially shorter than said long

edges, spanning said long edges, said short edges of each of said sheets being fixed to said short edges of the

other two sheets to form a triangularly shaped stackable building wall unit which can

be stacked atop another identically formed building wall unit to form a wall.

51. The building wall module set forth in claim 50 including alignment and

stabilizing means on at least one of said sheets for aligning the stacking of each of said

units with another unit and for precluding said unit from shifting relative to said

another unit after being stacked.

52. The buildmg wau module set lorth in claim 50 wherem said alignment and

stauϊiizrng means includes a leniale keyway recess in at xeast one oi said sneets for

recei ing a complementally shaped key for pre enting said one sheet from moving in a

uirection extending etween said ιong edges.

.COJ. 1 u»uiiuJm* g wa 1n1 - m— .ou Jm 1e se -At. J ι?θι ■■■u- 1.ι, i *—n c 1ai *m— C ji 1 w "nL.e _i *—i sai *u Λ 1li*gn n Jt, auu i

staυiiiz g means includes a lernale recess in at least one oi said sueets. Λ τ<Λ- - l :T J: 11 1 ι _ t J?__AI. ;_ „ι_: o 1 ,.-.._ -,_. j _ι. . _„ j

Jt. xiic υuuumg wau Hiuuiuc _»cι xoiui in Ciai i JJ wiicrc i Sαiu alig ent, anu

stabilizing means includes a male projection, formed complementally to said female

recess, for being received by the female recess of an adjoining identical unit.

JJ. 111c uuiiuiiig wau mouui SCL IOIUI in C aim jt wuere eacn oi saiu suecis

includes a pair of transverse flanges along said long edges; said transverse flanges

including offset opposing terminal ends.

56. The building wail module set forth in claim 54 wherein said female recess

includes an elongate slot extending between said short edges and said male projection

includes an elongate rib, formed complemental to said slot, extending between said

short edge.

57. A stackable building wall module for stacking with a plurality of identical

modules to form an upstanding wall comprising:

a multi-sided frame having a plurality of angularly related rectangular panels

each including

inner and outer faces,

a pair of spaced apart parallel long edges, and

a pair of spaced apart parallel short edges;

each of said short edges of each panel being joined to one of said short edges of

the adjacent ones of said panels to form a multi-sided, stackable building wall unit

which can be stacked with said outer faces of each unit abutting an outer ιace of

another identical building wall unit to form an upstanding wall.

58. A triangular stackable building wall unit for stacking with a plurality of other

identical building wail units to form an ups nding wail, said building wall unit

comprising: three panels each including:

laterally extending, longitudinally spaced-apart end edges of a

predetermined length;

elongate, laterally spaced-apart, lateral edges of a predetermined greater

length, substantially greater than said predetermined length;

inner and outer surfaces spanning said lateral edges and said

longitudinally spaced end edges;

said panels being coupled together along said short edges to form a hollow

triangular building unit which can be stacked with the plurality of identical units with

said exterior surfaces of adjacent units in abutting relation.

59. The stackable building wall unit set forth in claim 58 including alignment and

stabilizing means on at least one of said sheets for aligning the stacking of the unit with

another identical wall unit and for precluding said unit from shifting relative to said

another identical unit after being stacked.

60. The stackable building wall unit set forth in claim 59 wherein said alignment and

stabilizing means includes

a female alignment and stabilizing recess in said exterior surface of at least one

of said panels, and a complementally formed ahgnment and stabilizing projection, complemental to

said female recess, in said exterior surface of at least another of said panels for being

received in the female recess of an adjacent unit.

61. The stackable building wall unit set forth in claim 58 wherein the distance

between the exterior surface of each panel and the junction of said end edges of the

other two panels is at least twice said predetermined length of said end edges.

62. A building wall comprising:

a frame including

upper and lower vertically spaced-apart beams; and

a plurality of angularly disposed framing members between said beams

forming a plurality of vertically stacked, triangularly shaped closed compartments

between said beams.

63. The building wall set forth in claim 62 including heat transfer insulation means

disposed in said compartments between said framing members.

64. The building wall set forth in claim 62 wherein said plurality of angularly

disposed framing members comprise a plurality of individual, triangularly shaped

stackable buildmg units stacked in a vertical plane.

65. The building wall set forth in claim 64 further including alignment and shifting

means for aligning the stacking of said units in said vertical plane and for precluding

relative shifting of adjacent ones of said stacked building units out of said plane.

66. The building wall set forth in claim 65 wherein said triangularly shaped building

units each comprise three panels each having laterally extending longitudinally spaced

end edges of a predetermined length and laterally spaced, longitudinally extending

lateral edges of a substantially greater predetermined length substantially greater than

said predetermined length; said panels of each unit being coupled together along said

end edges.

67. The building wall set forth in claim 65 wherein said alignment and shifting

means comprises an elongate female recess disposed in at least one of said panels of

each unit and at least one complementally formed male projection on at least another of

said panels of each unit for being received in the female recess of an adjacent unit.

68. The building wall set forth in claim 66 wherein said female recess comprises an

elongate slot extending between said end edges of said one panel and said male

projection comprises an elongate male rib complemental to said female recess,

extending between said end edges of said another panel.

69. The buildmg wall set forth in claim 68 wherein each of said panels lies in a

horizontal plane and includes a vertical flange on each lateral edge.