Patent Application
20070068114
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The inventive subject matter described herein relates generally to methods and apparatuses for building a structure. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for building a structure that enables an individual to design and erect a building with less involvement of traditional construction professionals than is required when using standard building methods, regardless of the prior construction experience of the individual.
As the amount of affordable housing dwindles each and every year, owning a home is becoming a thing of the past for many American families. Many families may consider various ways to realize the dream of owning a home. One of the ways that may be considered is to build their own homes.
Traditional construction practices for building homes rely heavily on the use of construction-related professionals, such as, but not limited to, general contractors, architects, surveyors, subcontractors in various trades, etc. An average person who desires to erect a building or a home is almost guaranteed to incur significant expense in paying these construction-related professionals.
A person may try to avoid some of these costs using do-it-yourself techniques for some of the relatively simple aspects of building. For example, without limitation, an individual may decide to paint his own home, rather than paying a painting company to do so. However, other aspects of building have not, traditionally, been suitable candidates for do-it-yourself projects, because these aspects of building may require skills or expertise that is not generally available without substantial training or experience. For example, without limitation, an average person would not be likely to perform the surveying and form-building work that may be involved in building a slab, because these tasks have traditionally been performed by skilled professionals or experienced labor. For these reasons, do-it-yourself projects are more likely to be catered toward remodel projects, rather than toward new construction.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a method for building a structure that enables an average person to perform technical building tasks.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
To achieve the forgoing and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, a method and apparatus for constructing a building structure is described.
In one embodiment, a construction grid is established. The construction grid is marked with a building plan. Points are located on the building plan. Master corner locations are located on the building plan. Distances and angles from the master corner locations to the points are measured. Master corner plates are constructed at the master corner locations. The master corner plates are marked with the distances and angles. Structure parts are built on the building plan. The master corner plates and the structure parts are transferred to a jobsite. Jobsite master corner locations are located at the jobsite. The master corner plates are placed at the jobsite master corner locations. The structure is assembled at the jobsite by locating positions for the structure parts using the distances and angles.
In another embodiment, a step for establishing a construction grid is described. A step for marking a building plan on the construction grid is shown. A step for constructing master corner plates on the construction grid is described. A step for fabricating structure parts on the construction grid is shown. And a step for assembling the structure from the structure parts including a step for locating positions for the structure parts is described.
In yet another embodiment, a construction surface is established with a construction grid placed on the construction surface. A building plan is marked on the construction grid. Perimeter corners are identified on the building plan. Two of the perimeter corners are identified as master corner locations. Master corner plates are constructed at the master corner locations. Distances and angles from each of the master corner locations to the other perimeter corners are measured. Each of the master corner plates are marked with the distances and angles measured from the corresponding master corner location. Structure parts are built on the building plan. Each of the structure parts are identified on a floor plan layout. The master corner plates, the structure parts and the floor plan layout are transferred to a jobsite. Jobsite master corner locations are located at the jobsite. The master corner plates are placed on the jobsite master corner locations. Jobsite perimeter corner locations are determined from the distances and angles marked on the master corner plates. And the building structure is assembled at the jobsite by locating positions for the structure parts.
The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.
Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternatives embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.
The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Embodiments of the present invention include, without limitation, methods and systems for building a structure, such as, but not limited to, a home. Although the terms “home” and “homebuilding” are used herein, it is to be understood that the various methods and systems may be used to build other types of structures, as well such as, but not limited to, barns, garages, commercial buildings, warehouses, etc. The methods and systems according to the embodiments described below may enable an individual to design and erect a building with less involvement of traditional construction professionals than is required when using standard building methods, regardless of the prior construction experience of the individual.
In one embodiment, a method and system of building a home may be described as comprising a number of basic processes, described below as Process 1 through Process 11. It is to be understood that, in other embodiments, elements of the processes may be grouped differently or performed in alternate orders, while still achieving the same result.
Process 1 begins by establishing a grid in a large area so that the various locations of the homebuilding components can be easily and rapidly determined. For example, without limitation, the grid can be composed of squares that are 1′×1′, 2′×2′, or 3′×3∴, although larger or smaller squares may be used. The grid is preferably placed on a hard flat surface, weather that be cut into concrete, or imprinted on a tarp, rubber mat, or thin carpet, or other stable material which can be used as a building surface.
In Process 2 the location of the various walls of the home to be built from an approved set of plans, (a set of plans approved by the govt. entity where the building is being built) are marked on the grid. The building plans may be self drawn, purchased or drafted by an architect or draftsman or others etc. etc. Marking may be done by taping the grid with the same width tape as the wall system. Hence, for example, without limitation, a 4″ wide wall could be represented by 4″ wide tape, and a 6″ wide wall could be represented by 6″ wide tape, and so on. A multi story home may be accomplished by either re-taping the grid for each new story, or by using different color tape for each different floor.
Process 4 begins by finding two perimeter corners of the home from which to use angle and distance formulas to establish the locations of the other perimeter corners of the home. In the present embodiment, these corners are referred to as Master Corner A and Master Corner B. Desirably, other perimeter corners should be identifiable by no more than a 90-degree arc from the Master Corners.
In the present embodiment, plywood pieces A and B are placed so that the factory edges are located precisely over Master Corners A and B on the grid. Then, a steel tape, for example, without limitation, a 100-150 ′ steel tape, is pulled from Master Corners A and B on plywood pieces A and B to every other perimeter corner. Then the distance to the other corners are noted along with the angle that the steel tape makes as the steel tape crosses over the plywood pieces. During this process, plywood pieces A and B are labeled with this information. For example, without limitation, in the present embodiment, plywood piece A is labeled with a Corner B mark (angle) and distance, a Corner C mark (angle) and distance, a Corner D mark (angle) and distance, etc. Then the marks (angles) and distances for the various corners are labeled on plywood piece B. The result of this process is two plywood pieces that are fully marked with angles and distances to every other corner. These plywood pieces are used to define the foundation of the home (layout) on the lot on which the home is to be built. Using this method, plywood piece B may be used to check the measurements of plywood piece A.
In an alternate embodiment, laser platforms may be placed over each of the Master Corners to perform Process 5. For example, without limitation, a laser platform may be placed 8″ to 10″ above the ground. On this platform is a laser level that swivels and shoots a beam across the jobsite. In some embodiments, the laser level and beam can be rotated by a remote control. The degrees to locate the various corners are entered, and the laser automatically shoots a beam to those specifications. A distance receiver then indicates the proper distance from the Master Corner to the perimeter corner being established. The height of 8″ to 10″ above grade is used to establish the finished floor height and thus the top of a stem wall. This may be height adjustable for different locales.
After the floor plan of the home has been taped on the grid floor surface, the perimeter of the home and all of the wall locations are established in Process 7. The forming system for the foundation is then addressed. A component of the present embodiment is to fabricate plate corners.
These pre-made plate corners
Based upon the processes discussed above, it is possible to build a complete foundation from the measurements taken from the grid using the present embodiment of a building method, which may be summarize as follows. First, the grid is set up. Then, it is taped according to the approved building plans. Perimeter corner locations from the taped surface are then established, and the corners are marked, for example, without limitation, with letters, to designate specific corners. After the corners are established, Master Corners are assigned. Preferably, all other corners are encompassed within a 90-degree arc from the Master Corners. Then, Master Corner locater plates are made and marked using angle and distance measurements from the taped floor. Then, pre-made aluminum plate corners are placed at each corner of the home and identified according to the method that the corners were labeled when the perimeter corners were established. The forming material is then assembled and identified, and tie-down locations are marked on the outside of the plate corners & panels. The forming material is then transported to the lot and assembled to create the foundation form.
To a certain degree, this completes the construction of the foundation of a home. An unskilled individual, with the exception of pouring and finishing the cement floor, may accomplish all of the tasks described above using embodiments of the methods. Also, by using the grid, the use of a tape measure is greatly reduced, and therefore, construction time may be shortened.
In an alternate embodiment, pre-made Plexiglas™ templates may be used to place the walls. In this embodiment, these Plexiglas™ templates are 4″ wide and/or 6″ wide, come in various lengths, and are indicated with 16″ centers or 24″ centers. In order to find a 4″ wide wall, the individual places the 4″ template over the taped area of the grid. Then, the individual can find the wall width and determine weather the wall has a 16-inch or a 24 -inch center, and place the Plexiglas™template over the taped area in the grid. Special templates for various sized doors and windows may then be placed over the aforementioned Plexiglas™ wall templates wherever there is a door or window opening. In another alternate embodiment, computer wall framing machines may build the walls of the home. In this embodiment, all wall sections are identified, and a floor plan layout, as shown by way of example in
When an individual is building the wall systems from the layout on the grid system according to the preferred embodiment, the individual identifies all of the areas where two wall systems are joined together. Some wall systems are joined to form a corner, and those may be obvious, but other wall systems may butt into another wall in the middle of the second wall. When this occurs, it is desirable to mark the space where the abutting wall will be, so that wood members can be installed for the purposes of attaching the two walls together, and providing sheetrock nailers.
After the walls are built, identified, and labeled for electrical, as discussed by way of example in accordance with
In Process 12 of the present embodiment, the trusses of the home are delivered to the building site. In some embodiments, an individual may use the grid in the construction of a roof system. In these embodiments, a double top plate is pre-marked for truss locations from the grid. The walls of the home may be comprised of a sole plate, studs, a top plate, and a double top plate.
After the frame of the home is complete, the remainder of the construction of the home may be completed using traditional methods. The grid system, according to embodiments of the present invention, enables an individual builder to achieve many aspects of homebuilding. Also, a desired square ness of the building may be achieved, and most building materials may be pre-cut. Modifications to the embodiments discussed above may be made while achieving the same result. In addition, materials may be substituted while achieving the same result. Such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the inventive subject matter.
Building a home is a large endeavor. However, substantial savings may be achieved if an individual is able to do two or three of the trades himself This may be achieved by using the methods of the various embodiments described above, enabling more people to build their own homes.
Various embodiments of methods and systems for building a structure have been described. The foregoing description of specific embodiments reveals the general nature of the inventive subject matter sufficiently that those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, may readily modify and/or adapt these methods for various applications without departing from the general concept. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments.
Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative means for implementing methods and systems for building a structure according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention has been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
The present Utility patent application claims priority benefit of the U.S. provisional application for patent No. 60/719,708 filed on Oct.23,2005 under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). The contents of this related provisional application are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60719708 | Sep 2005 | US |
