U.S. patent application number 10/094521 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-11 for method for constructing, transporting, and permanently installing modular building.
Invention is credited to Long, Thomas L..
Application Number | 20030167725 10/094521 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27788125 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030167725 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Long, Thomas L. |
September 11, 2003 |
Method for constructing, transporting, and permanently installing
modular building
Abstract
A method for constructing a modular building subdivision
includes the steps of planning a plurality of residences, selecting
an area of land, selecting sites on the land to place residences,
selecting a construction yard, building facilities on the
construction yard to construct building structures, having the
facilities authorized by a governmental authority, using the
facilities to building permanent unitary modular building
structures to construct over 10,000 square feet of livable space,
constructing a foundation at each of the sites, and moving the
permanent unitary modular building structures to the sites to be
installed on foundations at the sites. The permanent unitary
modular building structures are moved along paths excluding public
thoroughfares.
Inventors: |
Long, Thomas L.; (Paradise
Valley, AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOD R. NISSLE, P.C.
P.O. Box 55630
Phoenix
AZ
85078
US
|
Family ID: |
27788125 |
Appl. No.: |
10/094521 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/741.1 ;
52/750 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 1/35 20130101; E04G
21/161 20130101; E04G 21/16 20130101; E04B 2001/3577 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/741.1 ;
52/750 |
International
Class: |
E04B 001/00; E04G
021/00; E04G 023/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A method for constructing a subdivision, including the steps of
(a) preparing construction plans for a plurality of residences
collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of
livable space; (b) selecting an area of land on which to construct
the plurality of residences; (c) selecting sites on the area of
land on which to place each of the plurality of residences; (d)
selecting a construction yard on the area of land on which to
construct building structures; (e) building on the construction
yard facilities to construct building structures; (f) having the
facilities authorized by at least one governmental authority; (g)
using the facilities to construct a plurality of permanent unitary
modular building structures to produce said plurality of residences
collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of
livable space; (h) constructing a foundation at each of the sites;
(i) moving each of the permanent unitary modular building
structures to a selected one of the sites by (i) loading the
permanent unitary modular building structure on a transporter for
carrying the permanent unitary modular building structure from the
construction portion of the area of land to the selected one of the
sites, (ii) moving the transporter from the construction portion to
the selected one of the sites by moving the transporter along a
path which excludes public thoroughfares, (iii) positioning, at the
selected one of the sites, the transporter to move the permanent
unitary modular building structure from the transporter to a
position over the foundation at the selected one of the sites, (iv)
removing the transporter from the site after the permanent unitary
modular building structure is moved from the transporter.
2. A method for constructing a subdivision, including the steps of
(a) preparing construction plans for a plurality of residences
collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of
livable space; (b) selecting an area of land on which to construct
the plurality of residences; (c) selecting sites on the area of
land on which to place each of the plurality of residences; (d)
selecting a construction yard on which to construct building
structures; (e) building on the construction yard facilities to
construct building structures; (f) having the facilities authorized
by at least one governmental authority; (g) using the facilities to
construct a plurality of permanent unitary modular building
structures to produce said plurality of residences collectively
including in total at least 10,000 square feet of livable space,
each of the permanent unitary modular building structures having a
maximum width greater than sixteen feet and a maximum depth greater
than sixteen feet; (h) constructing a foundation at each of the
sites; (i) moving each of the permanent unitary modular building
structures to a selected one of the sites by moving the permanent
unitary modular building structure along a path which excludes
public thoroughfares.
3. A method for constructing a subdivision, including the steps of
(a) preparing construction plans for a plurality of residences
collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of
livable space; (b) selecting an area of land on which to construct
the plurality of residences; (c) selecting sites on the area of
land on which to place each of the plurality of residences; (d)
constructing above the ground a plurality of permanent unitary
modular building structures to produce said plurality of residences
collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of
livable space, each of the permanent unitary modular building
structures having a maximum width greater than sixteen feet and a
maximum depth greater than sixteen feet; (e) constructing a
foundation at each of the sites; (f) moving each of the permanent
unitary modular building structures to a selected one of the sites
by moving the permanent unitary modular building structure over the
ground along a path which excludes public thoroughfares.
4. A method for constructing a subdivision, including the steps of
(a) preparing construction plans for a plurality of residences
collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of
livable space; (b) selecting an area of land on which to construct
the plurality of residences; (c) selecting sites on the area of
land on which to place each of the plurality of residences; (d)
selecting a construction yard on which to construct building
structures; (e) building on the construction yard facilities to
construct building structures; (f) having the facilities authorized
by at least one governmental authority; (g) using the facilities to
construct above the ground a plurality of permanent unitary modular
building structures to produce said plurality of residences
collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of
livable space; (h) constructing a foundation at each of the sites;
(i) moving each of the permanent unitary modular building
structures to a selected one of the sites by (i) providing first
jack means which extend between the permanent unitary modular
building structure and the ground, (ii) providing a transporter for
moving the permanent unitary modular building structure to a
selected one of the sites, (iii) operating the jack means to lower
the permanent unitary modular building structure onto the
transporter, (iv) moving the transporter and permanent unitary
modular building structure carried thereon to the selected one of
the sites, (v) providing second jack means which extend between the
permanent unitary modular building structure and the ground, and
(vi) using the second jack means to position the permanent unitary
modular building structure onto the foundation at the selected one
of the sites.
5. A method for constructing a subdivision, including the steps of
(a) preparing construction plans for a plurality of residences
collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of
livable space; (b) selecting an area of land on which to construct
the plurality of residences; (c) selecting sites on the area of
land on which to place each of the plurality of residences; (d)
selecting a temporary construction yard on which to construct
building structures; (e) constructing above the ground in the open
on the construction yard a plurality of permanent unitary modular
building structures to produce said plurality of residences
collectively including in total at 10,000 square feet of livable
space, each of the permanent unitary modular building structures
having a maximum width greater than sixteen feet and a maximum
depth greater than sixteen feet; (f) constructing a foundation at
each of the sites; and, (g) moving each of the permanent unitary
modular building structures to a selected one of the sites.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to the construction of buildings.
[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to the
construction, transport, and installation of buildings which are
larger than conventional mobile homes and therefore ordinarily can
not be transported over public thoroughfares due to size
restrictions.
[0003] Numerous modular, or "mobile", homes have been constructed.
Each module in a mobile home has a maximum width of about sixteen
feet and a length that typically can be eighty feet. The width
limitation of sixteen feet is mandated by law or statute or
regulation for safety reasons. Attempting to transport over public
thoroughfares modules having a width greater than sixteen feet is
not deemed safe or practical by various governmental authorities.
There are also, for safety reasons, height limitations associated
with each module.
[0004] Another disadvantage associated with mobile homes is that
the construction is usually less sturdy than that found in
conventional "on-site" residential home construction. Less sturdy
construction weighs less and facilitates the transport of completed
mobile homes from the factory where the mobile homes are
constructed. The lightweight construction associated with mobile
homes often makes it impractical to attempt to stack one module on
top of the other to produce a multi-story structure.
[0005] A further disadvantage associated with mobile homes is that
permits have to be obtained to move mobile home modules over a
public thoroughfare.
[0006] Still another disadvantage associated with mobile homes is
that when a mobile home is moved, regulations often require the use
of vehicles in front of and behind the mobile home while the mobile
home is traveling along a public thoroughfare. This increases the
labor costs associated with moving the mobile home.
[0007] Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide an
improved modular construction method which would enable the
construction of modules having a width larger than sixteen feet,
which would facilitate the transport of modules from a construction
site to a selected installation site, which would enable sturdier
construction materials to be utilized so that multiple story
buildings could be erected, and which would reduce the overhead
associated with the construction of modular buildings.
[0008] Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to
provide an improved method for constructing, transporting, and
installing modular buildings.
[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide an improved
modular building construction method which significantly reduces
the cost of constructing, transporting, and installing a modular
building.
[0010] A further object of the invention is to provide an improved
modular building construction method which eliminates having to
obtain a permit to move a completed modular building along a public
thoroughfare to install the modular building.
[0011] Still another object of the invention is to provide an
improved modular building construction method which does not
require the use of a conventional factory to assemble modular
buildings.
[0012] Briefly, I have discovered an improved method for
constructing, transporting, and installing a modular building.
[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, I provide an improved
method for constructing a subdivision. The method includes the
steps of preparing construction plans for a plurality of residences
collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of
livable space; selecting an area of land on which to construct the
plurality of residences; selecting sites on the area of land on
which to place each of the plurality of residences; selecting a
construction yard on the area of land on which to construct
building structures; building on the construction yard facilities
to construct building structures; having the facilities authorized
by at least one governmental authority; using the facilities to
construct a plurality of permanent unitary modular building
structures to produce said plurality of residences collectively
including in total at least 10,000 square feet of livable space;
constructing a foundation at each of the sites; and, moving each of
the permanent unitary modular building structures to a selected one
of the sites by loading the permanent unitary modular building
structure on a transporter for carrying the permanent unitary
modular building structure from the construction portion of the
area of land to the selected one of the sites, by moving the
transporter from the construction yard to the selected one of the
sites by moving the transporter along a path which excludes public
thoroughfares, by positioning, at the selected one of the sites,
the transporter to move the permanent unitary modular building
structure from the transporter to a position over the foundation at
the selected one of the sites, and by removing the transporter from
the site after the permanent unitary modular building structure is
moved from the transporter.
[0014] In another embodiment of the invention, I provide an
improved method for constructing a subdivision. The method includes
the steps of preparing construction plans for a plurality of
residences collectively including in total at least 10,000 square
feet of livable space; selecting an area of land on which to
construct the plurality of residences; selecting sites on the area
of land on which to place each of the plurality of residences;
selecting a construction yard on which to construct building
structures; building facilities on the construction yard to
construct building structures; having the facilities authorized by
at least one governmental authority; using the facilities to
construct a plurality of permanent unitary modular building
structures to produce said plurality of residences collectively
including in total at least 10,000 square feet of livable space,
each of the permanent unitary modular building structures having a
maximum width greater than sixteen feet and a maximum depth greater
than sixteen feet; constructing a foundation at each of the sites;
and, moving each of the permanent unitary modular building
structures to a selected one of the sites by moving the permanent
unitary modular building structure along a path which excludes
public thoroughfares.
[0015] In still a further embodiment of the invention, I provide an
improved method for constructing a subdivision. The method includes
the steps of preparing construction plans for a plurality of
residences collectively including in total at least 10,000 square
feet of livable space; selecting an area of land on which to
construct the plurality of residences; selecting sites on the area
of land on which to place each of the plurality of residences;
constructing above the ground a plurality of permanent unitary
modular building structures to produce said plurality of residences
collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of
livable space, each of the permanent unitary modular building
structures having a maximum width greater than sixteen feet and a
maximum depth greater than sixteen feet; constructing a foundation
at each of the sites; and, moving each of the permanent unitary
modular building structures to a selected one of the sites by
moving the permanent unitary modular building structure over the
ground along a path which excludes public thoroughfares.
[0016] In still another embodiment of the invention, I provide an
improved method for constructing a subdivision. The method includes
the steps of preparing construction plans for a plurality of
residences collectively including in total at least 10,000 square
feet of livable space; selecting an area of land on which to
construct the plurality of residences; selecting sites on the area
of land on which to place each of the plurality of residences;
selecting a construction yard on which to construct building
structures; building on the construction yard facilities to
construct building structures; having the facilities authorized by
at least one governmental authority; using the facilities to
construct above the ground a plurality of permanent unitary modular
building structures to produce said plurality of residences
collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of
livable space; constructing a foundation at each of the sites; and,
moving each of the permanent unitary modular building structures to
a selected one of the sites by providing first jack means which
extend between the permanent unitary modular building structure and
the ground, by providing a transporter for moving the permanent
unitary modular building structure to a selected one of the sites,
by operating the jack means to lower the permanent unitary modular
building structure onto the transporter, by moving the transporter
and permanent unitary modular building structure carried thereon to
the selected one of the sites, by providing second jack means which
extend between the permanent unitary modular building structure and
the ground, and by using the second jack means to position the
permanent unitary modular building structure onto the foundation at
the selected one of the sites.
[0017] In yet still a further embodiment of the invention, I
provide an improved method for constructing a subdivision. The
method includes the steps of preparing construction plans for a
plurality of residences collectively including in total at least
10,000 square feet of livable space; selecting an area of land on
which to construct the plurality of residences; selecting sites on
the area of land on which to place each of the plurality of
residences; selecting a temporary construction yard on which to
construct building structures; constructing above the ground in the
open on the construction yard a plurality of permanent unitary
modular building structures to produce said plurality of residences
collectively including in total at least 10,000 square feet of
livable space, each of said permanent unitary modular building
structures having a maximum width greater than sixteen feet and a
maximum depth greater than sixteen feet; constructing a foundation
at each of the sites; and, moving each of the permanent unitary
modular building structures to a selected one of the sites.
[0018] As used herein, modular building construction comprises
constructing modular building structures and transporting the
modular building structures from a construction site to a building
site at which the building structures are each permanently set on a
foundation. Modular building structures are usually built above the
ground, i.e., are built on jacks, piers or other structural
supports so the building structures are elevated above the ground.
Modular building structures can include manufactured homes and
modular homes as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development publications concerning the manufacture, repair,
transportation and sale or lease of manufactured or modular
structures. Modular building structures can also include building
structures which are not defined under said U.S. Government
publications but which are still constructed above the ground and
are transported from a construction site to a building site at
which the modular building structures are permanently set on a
foundation.
[0019] Typically, although not necessarily, modular building
construction utilizes two by four or two by six wood studs or
comparable structural members to frame walls and floors. Metal
structural members or structural members constructed of any other
desired material(s) can be utilized in place of or in combination
with wood to frame walls and floors.
[0020] Modular building construction usually does not include
mobile home construction. Mobile home construction typically
includes 2 by 3s for walls and floors. Mobile home construction
usually is not as strong as modular building construction. A mobile
home includes a metal I-beam floor joist support structure. Axles
are attached to the I-beam structure. When a mobile home is moved,
wheels are attached to the axles. After the mobile home is moved to
its intended destination, the wheels normally are removed. The
I-beam structure remains an integral part of the mobile home in
anticipation of the mobile home being moved again at some future
time . In contrast, modular building construction is intended to be
moved once and then permanently affixed to a foundation.
[0021] As used herein, permanently as used with respect to modular
building construction indicates that a modular building structure,
once affixed to a foundation, is not intended to be moved again. It
is understood that all buildings can, with sufficient time and
effort, be removed from a location and moved, either in one piece
or in parts. A building structure constructed with modular building
construction is not, however, intended to be moved again once the
building structure is mounted on the foundation at its "final
resting place".
[0022] A carrier is used to transport modular building
construction. The carrier typically includes wheels or tracks (like
a tank track) which move over the ground. Once a modular building
construction unit reaches its appointed destination, the modular
construction unit is removed from the carrier and set on a
foundation.
[0023] As used herein, a mobile home modular building section (1)
is a mobile home which stands alone, or (2) is a portion of a
mobile home which is connected or attached to another modular
building section at a selected construction site in order to
produce a mobile home. A modular building section is normally no
more than sixteen feet wide. The sixteen foot wide limitation is
imposed because when the modular building section is transported
along a street or other public thoroughfare, the modular building
component must not be excessively wide. While a modular building
section can have a width of no more than sixteen feet, the length
can be up to about eighty feet. There often are also height
limitations for modular building sections so that such sections
will not strike a bridge or utility lines while being transported
along a public thoroughfare by a truck.
[0024] As used herein, livable space is the square footage floor
area in a residence that is in rooms which a person or entity
living in or utilizing the residence inhabits or uses to eat,
sleep, relax, work, or play. The floor area in bathrooms, kitchens,
dining rooms, family rooms, dens, living rooms, offices, storage
rooms, shopping areas, rooms for manufacturing equipment,
classrooms, day care rooms, closet space, garages, etc. comprise
livable space. Patios, out-of-doors side walks, swimming pools,
out-of-doors lawns and gardens do not comprises livable space.
[0025] As used herein, a governmental authority is a federal,
state, municipal or county organization or agency which enforces
selected laws, regulations, rules and/or ordinances and authorizes
certain actions in accordance with laws, policies, regulations,
etc. For example, a city police department is a governmental
authority which enforces laws or regulations concerning criminal or
misdemeanor behavior. A city planning and zoning commission
enforces rules or ordinances or regulations concerning rezoning
procedures and concerning zoning violations.
[0026] As used herein, construction yard facilities are authorized
by a governmental authority if the authority approves, inspects,
issues a permit, or takes some other action approving or
authorizing the construction facility or a modular building
structure constructed by the construction facility.
[0027] As used herein, a public thoroughfare is a street (including
interstate highways, state highways, etc.) or path along which (1)
transport of a modular building section or other building structure
having a width of about sixteen feet and/or a height greater than
about fifteen feet is allowed only if a permit is obtained or if
some other authorization is obtained from a governmental authority,
(2) transport of a modular building section or other building
structure having a width of less than sixteen feet may also not be
allowed unless a permit or some other authorization is obtained
from a governmental authority.
[0028] As used herein, a public thoroughfare is a street or path
along which it would be required by government authority to get
authorization because of the width or height of the building
structure. If the width of the building structure is greater than
eighty feet, you normally need a permit to move along a public
thoroughfare.
[0029] As used herein, a street in a new subdivision does not
become a public thoroughfare until a permanent modular building
structure is erected on each lot in the subdivision and any modular
building construction yard on or adjacent the new subdivision is
removed.
[0030] As used herein, a subdivision is a tract of land surveyed
and divided into one or more lots on which at least one residence
is constructed. The residence can comprise a single family home,
apartment, condominium, office building, motel, nursing home,
store, or other building structure. Construction in a subdivision
can take place continuously until a completed building structure is
in place on each lot in the subdivision, or, can take place in
phases. During each phase, only a selected number of lots in the
subdivision are each provided with a building structure(s). After a
phase is completed in a subdivision, a selected period of time
passes before the next phase begins in the subdivision.
[0031] As used herein, a modular building construction is
constructed in the open when it is not constructed inside a fixed,
permanent building structure but is constructed at a site that is
out-of-doors and that utilizes temporary building structures. A
temporary building structure is intended to be removed at the
completion of construction and can, by way of example and not
limitation, include a tent, a building with a pipe framework which
fits together and can readily be taken apart, etc. If a tarp or
umbrella-like cover is provided over a modular building during
construction of the modular building, the building is still
constructed out of doors because it is not constructed in a fixed
permanent building structure.
[0032] As used herein, a permanent unitary modular building
structure comprises the walls of a building built as a unit and
transported to a designated lot or other location for permanent
installation; comprises the floor of a building built as a unit and
transported to a designated lot or other location for permanent
installation; comprises the roof of a building built as a unit and
transported to a designated lot or other location for permanent
installation; comprises the walls and roof of a building
constructed as a unit and transported to a designated lot or other
location for permanent installation; comprises the walls and floor
of a building constructed as a unit and transported to a designated
lot or other location for permanent installation; or, comprises the
walls, floor, and roof of a building constructed as a unit and
transported to a designated lot or other location for permanent
installation. When a roof, wall, or floor is built as a unit, it
ordinarily is transported as a unit, i.e., is transported as a
single piece.
[0033] Once a permanent unitary modular building structure is
constructed, it is, in accordance with the invention, transported
to a selected lot in a subdivision (or other selected location) and
is permanently affixed to a foundation on the lot. Consequently, a
permanent unitary modular building structure is not a mobile home
section because a mobile home building section is not intended to
be permanent. Mobile homes are intended to be portable, that is why
they are called "mobile". A mobile home building section ordinarily
can not be more than sixteen feet wide. In contrast, a permanent
unitary modular building structure can, and usually will be, more
than sixteen feet wide. The depth, or length, of a mobile home
building section can typically be up to eighty feet. The depth, or
length of a permanent unitary modular building structure can vary
as desired, as can the height of the structure.
[0034] Two or more permanent unitary modular building structures
can be constructed and assembled one next to the other on a lot to
produce a larger building. For example, a first permanent unitary
building structure including a twenty foot by thirty foot floor,
walls, and roof can be constructed and installed on a foundation on
a lot. A second permanent unitary modular building structure
including a twenty foot by twenty foot floor, walls, and a roof can
be constructed and installed on a foundation on the same lot side
by side or on top of the first permanent unitary modular building
structure and connected to the first permanent unitary modular
building structure.
[0035] While it is preferred in the practice of the invention to
build a permanent unitary modular building structure which includes
the floor, walls, and roof, it is, as would be appreciated by those
of skill in the art, possible to build the floor, transport it to a
designated lot; build the wall unit, transport it to the designated
site and install it on the floor; and, build the roof, transport it
to the designate site and install it on the wall unit. Or, the
floor and wall can be built as a unit and transported to a lot and
installed. Then the roof can be built and transported to the lot
and installed on the wall-floor unit. Or, a permanent modular
building structure can be built which includes only the wall and
roof because the foundation on which the structure is set will
serve as the floor. And so on.
[0036] The following example is provided for illustrative purposes
and not by way of limitation of the scope of the invention.
EXAMPLE
[0037] An area of land is selected to construct residences. The
residences are each two stories high. The area of land is
rectangular. The land is subdivided into one hundred lots. The size
of each lot is one-half acre.
[0038] The subdivided land is bounded on each side by an existing
municipal thoroughfare municipal jurisdiction. Washington Street
runs north and south and bounds the west side of the subdivided
land. Jefferson Street runs north and south and bounds the east
side of the subdivided land. Adams streets runs east and west and
bounds the north side of the subdivided land. Lincoln street runs
east and west and bounds the south side of the subdivided land.
[0039] Municipal water, sewer, and electric lines also bound the
land. Connections are made to these municipal lines to provide
water, sewer, and electric lines underground leading to each of the
lots. Streets and curbs are installed on the land to access each
lot. Since residential structures have not been erected on the
lots, maintenance and care of the streets is not yet turned over
the appropriate municipal authority or authorities, i.e., the
streets on the subdivided land are not public thoroughfares. A
building foundation is constructed on each lot except for the four
lots occupied by the construction yard.
[0040] Plans for constructing modular building structures are
prepared.
[0041] Four lots on the southeast corner of the land are selected
as a construction yard. Two temporary tents, each 50 ft.times.50
ft, are erected. Floor and roof sections are built inside the first
tent. Wall sections are constructed inside the second tent. A large
20 ft.times.40 ft transporter trailer is provided outside the
tents. Jacks are positioned on the ground.
[0042] A floor built inside the first tent is placed on the jacks
and the jacks support the floor above the ground. Wall sections
built inside the second tent are installed on the floor. A floor
and wall sections are used to construct a second story on top of
the first story. A roof built inside the first tent is used for the
roof on the second story. Flooring, dry wall, paint, cabinets,
cupboards, plumbing fixtures, shingles, air conditioning units,
windows, etc. are used to complete the portion of the construction
tasks relegated to the construction yard to produce a partially
finished, enclosed modular building structure. An enclosed modular
building structure is a modular building structure which includes a
floor, walls, and a roof. In the event the modular building is
built to be set on a concrete slab foundation, a conventional floor
is not constructed. Instead, the walls are constructed and then a
bracing system comprised of metal or wood beams.
[0043] The 20 ft.times.40 ft transporter trailer is backed
underneath the enclosed modular building structure. The jacks are
used to lower the modular building structure onto the transporter
trailer. A truck pulls the transporter trailer over streets on the
subdivided land to a selected lot. The transporter trailer can, if
desired, be self powered. Since the truck and trailer only travel
on streets on the subdivided land, the truck avoids traveling on a
public thoroughfare.
[0044] The truck positions the trailer such that the enclosed
modular building structure is positioned over and in registration
with the foundation on the lot. Jacks are used to raise the modular
building structure upwardly off the trailer. The truck pulls the
trailer free from beneath the modular building structure. The jacks
are used to lower the modular building structure onto the
foundation. The necessary plumbing and electrical connections are
made.
[0045] The foregoing procedure is used to build and transport a
modular building structure to each of the remaining ninety-five
lots not occupied by the construction yard. After ninety-six of the
one-hundred lots have two story modular building structures
installed on the lots, the temporary tents and other equipment in
the construction yard are torn down and moved across Lincoln Street
to a lot which is south of and bounds Lincoln Street. The tents are
erected on the lot and two story residential buildings are
constructed in the manner noted above. Four such buildings are
constructed, one for each of the remaining four lots. The 20
ft.times.40 ft transporter trailer carries each of the two story
buildings straight across Lincoln Street to the subdivided land and
to a selected lot on the land. Since the transporter trailer
travels only a short distance over Lincoln Street, a permit or
authorization from the municipality is not required, and the
transporter trailer does not travel on a public thoroughfare. As
used herein, travel over a distance of one mile or less on a public
thoroughfare does not constitute travel on a public thoroughfare
simply because governmental authorization may not be required to
travel such a short distance on a public thoroughfare. If however,
the municipality or another governmental agency or organization
with authority over a public thoroughfare uses, directly or
indirectly, the method of the invention to construct modular
building structures and gives authorization (or an exemption from
having to secure the permits or authorization normally required) )
to transport modular building structures over a public thoroughfare
without having to obtain permits or authorization in the manner
required by others using the public thoroughfare, then for the
purposes herein, such constitutes transporting a modular building
structure over a street which is not a public thoroughfare. In
other words, the action of the municipality in not requiring
authorization makes the public thoroughfare function, in essence,
as if it were not a public thoroughfare, which saves significant
costs in transporting a modular building in accordance with the
spirit and purpose of the invention.
[0046] After the four remaining two story modular building
structures are completed, the tents are taken down and removed from
the lot that is south of Lincoln Street, along with all remaining
construction equipment.
[0047] If desired, the modular building structure can be
constructed directly on the transporter trailer. The building
structure is then removed by lifting it off the trailer with jacks,
by pulling the trailer out from beneath the building structure, and
by using the jacks to lower the building structure onto a
foundation. Any other desired equipment can be utilized to engage
and carry, lift, or otherwise move a modular building structure to
its selected lot.
[0048] A modular building structure includes both partially
constructed structures and completed structures. If the modular
building structure is only partially completed when it is moved to
its selected lot and lowered onto its foundation, construction of
the building structure can, if desired, be completed.
[0049] Each story of a multiple story building can be completed
separately. The first story can be completed at the construction
yard, moved to the selected lot, and lowered onto the foundation at
the lot. The second story can be completed at the construction
yard, moved to the selected lot, raised with a crane onto the first
story, and joined to the first story in conventional fashion.
[0050] Separate parts of one story of a building can be completed
separately, moved to the selected lot and joined together at the
lot after being moved into position at the lot.
[0051] There are several important advantages associated with the
construction method of the invention.
[0052] One advantage of the method of the invention is that it does
not require the manufacturer of modular building structures to
purchase and retain a piece of land on which to build modular
building structures for a plurality of subdivisions.
[0053] Another advantage of the method of the invention is that it
does not require the manufacturer of modular building structures to
pay taxes on land for an extended period of time while the land is
used to build modular building structures.
[0054] A further advantage of the method of the invention is that
it does not require the manufacturer of a modular building
structures to invest $1,000,000 (typically) or more to construct a
permanent factory in which to assemble modular building
structures.
[0055] Still another advantage of the method of the invention is
that it does not require a manufacturer to invest continually in
the repair, painting, and other upkeep necessary to maintain a
permanent factory building.
[0056] Yet a further advantage of the method of the invention is
that it does not require a manufacturer to transport a modular
building structure over an extended distance to a subdivision in
which the modular building structure is to be placed, reducing the
likelihood that the modular building structure will be damaged
during transport and reducing the time expended in moving modular
building structures.
[0057] Another advantage of the method of the invention is that a
manufacturer does not have to go to the time and expense of
obtaining permits and hiring individuals to transport a modular
building structure over public thoroughfares.
[0058] A further advantage of the invention is that the modular
building structure is not subject to width or height restrictions,
and the width of the modular building structure can be greater than
sixteen feet and the height greater than fifteen feet.
[0059] Still another advantage of the method of the invention is
that unitary multiple story modular building structures can be
constructed and transported to and installed at a designated site
in one piece, providing more architectural flexibility and options
at a reduced cost.
[0060] Yet a further advantage of the method of the invention is
that only temporary construction facilities are required.
[0061] Yet still a further advantage of the method of the invention
is that the land on which modular building structures are assembled
in a subdivision is used only for a limited period of time and
later--after the temporary construction facilities are removed and
modular building structures are placed on the land--produces
additional revenue.
[0062] Another advantage of the method of the invention is that the
cost required to construct a plurality of residences in a
subdivision is less than the cost incurred by building the
residences one-by-one on each lot in conventional fashion.
[0063] Accordingly, the method of the invention is believed to
offer significant advantages over long-used conventional
construction and other currently used modular construction
techniques.
[0064] Having described my invention in such terms as to enable
those skilled in the art to understand and practice it, and having
identified the presently preferred embodiments thereof.
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