Patent Application
20190100911
Conventional construction is conducted in the field at the building job site. People in various trades (e.g., carpenters, electricians, and plumbers) measure, cut, and install material as though each unit were one-of-a-kind. Furthermore, activities performed by the trades are arranged in a linear sequence. The result is a time-consuming process that increases the risk of waste, installation imperfections, and cost overruns. One approach to improving efficiency in building construction may be modular construction. In the case of buildings with multiple dwelling units (e.g., apartments, hotels, student dorms, etc.), entire dwelling units (referred to as modules) may be built off-site in a factory and then trucked to the job site. The modules are then stacked and connected together, generally resulting in a low-rise construction (e.g., between one and six stories). Other modular construction techniques may involve the building of large components of the individual units off-site (e.g., in a factory) and assembling the large components in the field to reduce the overall construction effort at the job site and thereby reducing the overall time of erecting the building. However, shortcomings may exist with known modular building technologies and improvements thereof may be desirable.
Techniques are generally described that include systems and methods relating to building construction and more specifically relating to the sealing of a building envelope.
An example system may include a pre-assembled wall panel, which may include a panel frame including a perimeter member defining a perimeter side of the panel frame, first and second wall boards attached to opposite sides of the panel frame to define first and second major sides of the wall panel, each of the first and second wall boards including non-combustible material, and a waterproofing assembly enclosing the perimeter side of the panel frame and extending along a full length of the perimeter side, wherein the waterproofing assembly includes a non-metallic elongate member including first and second opposing flanges disposed against respective exterior surfaces of the first and second wall boards, and wherein the first and second opposing flanges are attached to the perimeter member.
An example multi-story building may include a structural frame including a first horizontal beam associated with a lower story of the building and a second horizontal beam associated with an upper story of the building and a pre-assembled wall panel attached to the structural frame between the first and second horizontal beams, wherein the wall panel includes a panel frame and wall boards attached to opposite sides of the panel frame, and wherein the wall panel further includes a non-metallic waterproofing assembly extending along a vertical perimeter side of the panel frame, the waterproofing assembly enclosing the vertical perimeter side and a vertical edge of each of the wall boards.
An example method may include attaching a first pre-assembled wall panel to a structural frame of a building, wherein the structural frame includes a first beam and a second beam opposite and spaced apart from the first beam, and wherein the first pre-assembled wall panel is disposed at least partially over the first beam. The example method may further include attaching a second pre-assembled wall panel to the structural frame opposite and spaced apart from the first pre-assembled wall panel, the second pre-assembled wall panel disposed at least partially over the second beam, wherein each of the first and second pre-assembled wall panels includes at least one non-metallic waterproofing assembly along a perimeter side of respective one of the first or second pre-assembled wall panels. The example method may be used to construct a wall system for a building.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings, in which:
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are implicitly contemplated herein.
This disclosure is drawn, inter alia, to methods, systems, products, devices, and/or apparatus generally related to waterproofing and/or thermally insulating a building envelope. Described are waterproofing assemblies or components that may be included with prefabricated wall panels or attached elsewhere in a building. For example, a wall panel in accordance with the present disclosure may be a pre-assembled panel for use in modular building construction. In some examples, the wall panel may be assembled off-site in a shop and then transported to the building site. At the building site, the wall panel may be attached directly or indirectly to a building frame. The wall panel may define part of or the whole of a wall of the building, such as a part or the whole of a wall of a unit within the building. In some examples, the wall panel may define a wall or part of a wall of a unit in one story of the building and may also define a wall or part of a wall of another unit, for example a vertically or horizontally adjacent unit) in the same or another story of the building. Wall panels in accordance with the present disclosure may be provided with one or more waterproofing assemblies. The waterproofing assemblies may be arranged such that they are positioned at interfaces between adjoining panels and may function to resist moisture intrusion between the adjoining panels.
A wall panel may include a panel frame and first and second wall boards attached to opposite sides of the frame. The wall boards may define the major sides of the wall panel. When installed in a building, the two wall boards may be horizontally spaced from one another by the frame. The panel frame may include a plurality of studs joined to opposing end members. The outer studs and the end members may be collectively referred to as perimeter members in that they may define the perimeter of the panel frame. The perimeter members may define perimeter sides of the wall panel. The perimeter members and wall boards may define a substantially enclosed space therebetween, the space divided into wall cavities by the plurality of studs. The wall boards may be connected (e.g., mechanically fastened) to the studs and end members. In some examples, the one or more wall cavities may accommodate plumbing, cabling, wiring, or other conduits or other elements that may support dwelling or commercial units in the buildings. An insulative material may be located in one or more of the wall cavities. In some examples, cross members may be provided in or operatively arranged relative to the one or more wall cavities, for example for increasing the lateral stability of the panel. In some examples, the cross members may be implemented in the form of straps, such as metal straps, connected between opposite corners of a wall cavity. Sound dampener material (also referred to as sound insulative material) may be positioned between the frame, the wall boards or any other layers of the wall panel.
In some examples, the wall panel may include one or more waterproofing assemblies, which may extend along one or more perimeter sides of the wall panel. A waterproofing assembly may provide functionality associated with sealing the building's envelope. In some examples, the waterproofing assemblies may aid is waterproofing interior (e.g., conditioned) spaces from the exterior of the building. In some examples, the waterproofing assembly may also aid in and thermally insulating interior (e.g., conditioned) spaces from the exterior (e.g., unconditioned spaces). In some examples, the waterproofing assembly may be formed of a water impervious material, such as, metal, plastic, fiber-reinforced plastic or other composite material. In some examples, for example when the waterproofing assembly also functions as a thermal isolator, the waterproofing assembly may be formed from thermally non-conductive materials such as plastic, fiber-reinforced plastic or other composite materials.
In some embodiments, the material composition of the panel frame may be predominantly metal. In some embodiments it may be predominately aluminum. In some embodiments one or more components of the panel frame may be made from fiber-reinforced plastic or other composite materials (e.g., carbon-fiber reinforced or aramid reinforced composite materials). The wall boards may be made from a variety of non-combustible materials. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, a non-combustible material may be a material which may not readily ignite, burn, support combustion or release flammable vapors when subjected to fire or heat. Examples of non-combustible materials include inorganic mineral materials such as cement, gypsum, and magnesium oxide as may be typically used in interior and exterior sheathing products. Other examples may include glass, glass fibers or glass/fiberglass cladding, which may be used in combination with an inorganic mineral product, for example for reinforcing a core or for lining sides of a core formed of an inorganic mineral product. In still other embodiments, the wall panel or components thereof may be made from a variety of building suitable materials ranging from metals, to wood and wood polymer composites (WPCs), wood based products (lignin), other organic building materials (bamboo) to organic polymers (plastics), to hybrid materials, or earthen materials such as ceramics. In some embodiments cement or other pourable or moldable building materials may also be used. In other embodiments, any combination of suitable building material may be combined by using one building material for some elements of the panel and other building materials for other elements of the panel. Selection of any material may be made from a reference of material options (such as those provided for in the International Building Code), or selected based on the knowledge of those of ordinary skill in the art when determining load bearing requirements for the structures to be built. Larger and/or taller structures may have greater physical strength requirements than smaller and/or shorter buildings. Adjustments in building materials to accommodate size of structure, load and environmental stresses can determine optimal economical choices of building materials used for all components in the system described herein. Availability of various building materials in different parts of the world may also affect selection of materials for building the panel described herein. Adoption of the International Building Code or similar code may also affect choice of materials.
Any reference herein to “metal” includes any construction grade metals or metal alloys as may be suitable for fabrication and/or construction of the system and components described herein. Any reference to “wood” includes wood, wood laminated products, wood pressed products, wood polymer composites (WPCs), bamboo or bamboo related products, lignin products and any plant derived product, whether chemically treated, refined, processed or simply harvested from a plant. Any reference herein to “concrete” includes any construction grade curable composite that includes cement, water, and a granular aggregate. Granular aggregates may include sand, gravel, polymers, ash and/or other minerals.
In referring now to the drawings, repeating units of the same kind or generally fungible kind, are designated by the part number and a letter (e.g. 214n), where the letters “a”, “b” and so on refer to a discrete number of the repeating items. General reference to the part number followed by the letter “n” indicates there is no predetermined or established limit to the number of items intended. The parts are listed as “a-n” referring to starting at “a” and ending at any desired number “n”.
The building 102 may include two or more stories or levels 103. The building 102 may be classified as a low-rise, mid-rise, or high-rise construction depending on the number of stories (each city or zoning authority may define building heights in any fashion they deem proper). The building 102 may include one or more wall panels 116 which may define walls of one or more units 112 of the building 102. In some examples, one or more of the wall panels 116 may be non-load bearing and may be arranged proximate one or more elements of the building's structural frame 104. The wall panels as described herein may be suitable for use in a building of any number of stories (levels), including a mid-rise building and a high-rise building. In some embodiments, the building may be a residential multi-dwelling building having eight or more stories. In some embodiments, the building may have fifteen or more, or in some examples thirty or more stories.
The building 102 may include a structural frame 104. The structural frame 104 may serve as a structural skeleton of the building 102. The structural frame 104 may include multiple columns 106, beams 108, and cross braces 110. The columns 106 may be oriented vertically, the beams 108 may be oriented horizontally, and the cross braces 110 may be oriented obliquely to the columns 106 and the beams 108. The beams 108 may extend between and be attached to adjacent columns 106 to connect the adjacent columns 106 to one another. The cross braces 110 may extend between and be attached to contiguous beams 108 and columns 106 to provide additional stiffness to the structural frame 104. In various embodiments described herein, the structural frame 104 may provide the structural support for the building 102. In some embodiments described herein, interior (demising) walls forming units or modules may not be load bearing walls. In some embodiments, the load bearing support may be provided by the structural frame 104. The columns, beams and cross braces may be arranged to provide most or substantially all the structural support for building 102. The frame may be used to provide decoration or added support to the structure as well.
The building 102 may include multiple units or modules 112 operatively arranged relative to the structural frame 104. The units 112 may be commercial, residential (such as dwelling units), or both. The units 112 may be assembled at the building site using multiple pre-assembled or prefabricated components. The prefabricated components may be assembled independent of one another remotely from the building site and transported to the building site for installation. The components may be attached to the structural frame 104, to adjacent components, or both at the building site to form the individual units 112. In some embodiments, the building 102 may include internal support structures. Prefabricated components may be attached to the internal support structures in some embodiments. In some examples, the use of prefabricated components as described herein may significantly reduce the field time for constructing a building, such as building 102. Each story or level 103 of the building 102 may include one or multiple units 112 defined by the prefabricated components. The units may be standardized and repetitive, or unique and individualized. Mixed units of standard size and shape may be combined with unique units in the same floor, or in independent arrangement on separate floors. In some embodiments, a unit may encompass more than one floor.
The components may include one or more pre-assembled floor-ceiling panels 114 and one or more pre-assembled wall panels 116. The floor-ceiling panels 114 may be oriented horizontally and may define the floor of an upper unit and the ceiling of a lower unit. Individual floor-ceiling panels 114 may be arranged adjacent to one another in the horizontal direction and attached to one another, one or more columns 106, one or more beams 108, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the floor-ceiling panels may be attached to columns 106, beams 108, or combinations thereof only around a perimeter of the panels. The wall panels 116 may be oriented vertically and may provide interior (e.g., demising) and exterior (e.g., envelope) walls of the building. Interior (e.g., demising) walls may partition each story into multiple units, a single unit into multiple rooms, or combinations thereof. The wall panels 116 may be attached to the floor-ceiling panels 114 with fasteners and then caulked, sealed, or both. In some examples, the wall panels 116 are arranged proximate horizontal structural members (e.g., beams 108) and/or vertical structural members (e.g., columns 106) of the structural frame 104. In some examples, the wall panels 116 may be substantially aligned or may be offset but generally parallel with a horizontal and/or a vertical structural member. Panels and/or components thereof may be attached to other structures or components using various techniques such as by mechanically fastening, such as with rivets, threaded fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, nut and bolt combinations, and the like), or other types of mechanical fasteners. In some examples, components may be bonded (e.g., adhered or glued) to other components. Various techniques for joining components may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
The wall panels 116 may define walls that partition the interior of the building, walls that include plumbing components, walls that include window components, and others. Walls that define partitions between units and or rooms within a unit may be referred to as demising walls (e.g., defined by demising wall panel 111). Typically, demising wall panels define internal walls, and may be substantially enclosed and thus not substantially exposed to the elements. External wall panels may define external walls that define, at least partially, an envelope of the building 102, and which may be referred to as envelope walls. At least one wall in a unit may include plumbing components and may be referred to as a utility wall (e.g., as defined by one or more utility wall panels 117) and walls that include window components may be referred to as window walls (e.g., window wall 115). End wall panels (e.g., end wall panel 113) may be positioned around a perimeter of the building and may define end walls of the building. Envelope walls may include, as examples and without limitation, one or more utility walls, one or more window walls, and one or more end walls. In some examples, one or more of the wall panels 116 may be arranged only around the perimeter of one or a plurality of adjoining pre-assembled floor-ceiling panels 114.
In some examples, a wall panel may span the full or substantially the full distance between two columns. For example, end wall panel 113 may span the full or substantially the full distance between the columns 106a and 106b. As another example, the demising wall panel 111 may span the full or substantially the full distance (e.g., the full distance but for the distance occupied by mounting component used to attach the wall panel to the structural frame) between the columns 106c and 106d. In some examples, a wall panel (e.g., end wall panel 113, demising wall panel 111) may have a length corresponding to a length of a floor-ceiling panel 114. In some examples, a wall panel may span a partial distance between two columns. For example, utility wall panel 117 may span only a part of the distance between columns 106b and 106c. A wall panel 116 may have a length corresponding to a width of a floor-ceiling panel 114. In the illustrated example in
The wall panel 216 may include a panel frame 220 and first and second wall boards 230, 240, each attached to an opposite side of the panel frame 220. The panel frame 220 may include a plurality of studs 222. The studs 222 extend generally vertically and may thus be interchangeably referred to as vertical members. The studs 222 may be attached (e.g., welded, bolted, or adhered) to opposing end members 224-1 and 224-2. In some examples, one or more of the studs 222 may be integral with one or more of the end members 224-1, 224-2 (e.g., machined, cast, etc. as unitary component).
The outer studs 222-1 and 222-2 and the opposing end members 224-1 and 224-2 may define a perimeter portion of the panel frame 220. The outer studs 222-1 and 222-2 and the opposing end members 224-1 and 224-2 may collectively be referred to as perimeter members. Outer surfaces of the outer studs and opposing end members may define perimeter sides of the panel 216. The studs 222 may be generally parallel (e.g., plus or minus fifteen degrees) to one another. The studs 222 may be spaced apart and generally perpendicular (e.g., plus or minus fifteen degrees) relative to the end members 224-1, 224-2. In some examples, the end members 224-1 and 224-2 may be sufficiently long such that the wall panel 216 may span the full length of a unit. In some examples, the end members 224-1, 224-2 may be about 24 feet long. The end members 224-1, 224-2 may be shorter or longer than 24 feet in other examples, for example and without limitation 18 feet, 20 feet, 26 feet, 28 feet, etc. Generally, the length of the end members 224-1, 224-2 may be selected as may be appropriate for a particular building project. The studs 222 may be disposed in a spaced arrangement to define wall cavities 226. The studs 222 may be regularly or irregularly spaced. In some examples, insulation 228, such as mineral wool, may be provided in the wall cavities 226.
The panel frame 220 may be formed of metal, such as aluminum or steel. In some embodiments, the panel frame 220 may be formed of a non-metallic material, such as wood, plastic, or composite materials such as fiber reinforced composites. In some embodiments, the studs 222 may be formed of metal, such as aluminum or steel, for fire resistance, structural strength, weight reduction, or other factors. In some embodiments, the studs 222 may be formed of a non-metallic material, such as wood or plastic. In the illustrated example, the studs 222 and end members 224-1, 224-2 are formed of metal and have a C-shaped cross-section defined by flanges and web portions connecting opposing flanges. In other examples, the studs 222 may have different cross-sections. For example, the studs may be implemented using I-beams or box beams. One or more apertures may be formed in flanges or web portions, for example by punching or other known manufacturing techniques, e.g., for reducing the overall weight of panel 216 and or accommodating elements (e.g., conduits, wiring, insulation) extending into multiple adjacent wall cavities.
The wall panel 216 may include first and second wall boards 230 and 240 attached to opposite sides of the panel frame 220 to define first and second major sides 231 and 241, respectively, of the wall panel 216. In some examples, at least one of the major sides may provide an interior wall of a unit and may thus be referred to as an interior side. Another one of the major sides may provide an exterior wall and may thus be referred to as exterior side. In some examples both the first and second major sides provide interior walls, such as in the case of a demising wall, and may be referred to as first and second interior sides of the wall panel. The wall board 230 may include one or more pre-fabricated boards 233 of non-combustible material. The wall board 240 may include one or more pre-fabricated boards 243 of non-combustible material. In some examples, the pre-fabricated boards 233, 243 may include any of a variety of boards comprising inorganic mineral material such as cement board, magnesium oxide (MgO) board, gypsum board, any of which may include fibers reinforcing the core or reinforcing an exterior of the core (e.g., fiberglass- or metal-clad boards). Any of a variety of sheeting products using in the construction industry may be used to implement the boards 233, 243.
The wall panel 216 may include one or more mounting components (e.g., brackets 223). The mounting components may be disposed along the perimeter portion of the panel frame 220 and may be configured for attaching the wall panel 216 to other structure, such as the structural frame 104 of building 102. In some examples, the wall panel 216 may be used to construct, as examples and without limitation, a demising wall, an end wall, or a utility wall. In this regards, the wall panel 216 may be configured, without limitation, as a demising wall panel, an end wall panel, or a utility wall panel. In some examples, a wall panel 216 configured as a demising wall panel and may include one or more spacer components (e.g., brackets 232) along one or both of the major sides 231, 241. The spacer components may be positioned over an exterior surface of the wall board 230 and/or wall board 240. The spacer components may be configured for attaching interior finish elements associated with a unit. In other examples, a wall panel 216 may be configured as an end wall panel and may in such examples be configured to support interior finish elements on one of the major sides 231, 241, and further configured to support one or more exterior sheeting components (e.g., weather resistive barrier 242) on the other one of the major sides 231, 241.
The wall panel 216 may be provided with one or more waterproofing assemblies, as will be further described for example with reference to
When installed in a building, such as building 102, the top and bottom perimeter sides of a wall panel may be generally horizontal, thus waterproofing assemblies extending along the top and bottom perimeter sides may be referred to as horizontal waterproofing assemblies. The left and right perimeter sides may be generally vertical and thus waterproofing assemblies extending along the left and right perimeter sides may be referred to as vertical waterproofing assemblies.
The wall panel 516 may be used to implement one or more of the wall panels 116 in a building such as building 102, such as panel 111 as an example. The components illustrated in
The panel frame 520 may include a plurality of spaced studs 522. The studs 522 may be regularly or irregularly spaced along the length of the wall panel 516. The studs 522 may be connected to first and second opposing end members to define one or more wall cavities 526. Insulation 528 may be provided within the wall cavities 526. Wall boards 530 and 540 may be attached to opposite sides of the panel frame 520 and may define first and second major sides 531, 541, respectively, of the wall panel 516. The outer studs (only one outer stud is shown in this partial view) and end members may define a perimeter portion of the panel frame 520. For example, outer stud 522-1 may define a perimeter side 535 of the panel frame 520. The outer studs and end members may thus be interchangeably referred to as perimeter members. When assembled into a building, such as building 102, the perimeter side 535 may extend vertically (e.g., along the elevation direction of the building). The perimeter side 535 may thus be interchangeably referred to as a vertical perimeter side 535.
A waterproofing assembly 550 may be disposed along the perimeter side 535. The waterproofing assembly 550 may substantially enclose the perimeter side 535 and perimeter edges of the wall boards 530 and 540. A waterproofing assembly 550 may include an elongate member 551. The elongate member 551 may be a continuous member that extends the full length, which may in some examples be about 24 feet, or the full height, which may in some examples be about 9 feet, of a wall panel such as wall panel 516. In the illustrated example, the waterproofing assembly 550 is arranged along a vertical perimeter side of the wall panel 516 and the elongate member 551 may thus extend the full or part of the height of the wall panel 516. The elongate member 551 may be formed from a plastic, a fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), or a composite material (e.g., a fiber reinforced resin). The elongate member 551 may be formed in suitable lengths using a variety of manufacturing techniques, such as pultrusion, extrusion, molding, casting or a variety of automated composite manufacturing techniques such as automated tape laying (ATL) or automated fiber placement (AFP) techniques. In some examples, the elongate member 551 may be formed using additive manufacturing (e.g., 3D printing) techniques.
The elongate member 551 may include walls 553 which define a cavity 560 therebetween. For example, the elongate member 551 may include first wall 553-1 which is opposite and spaced from the perimeter member 535. The elongate member 551 may include second and third walls 553-2, 553-3 adjacent the first wall 553-1. The second and third walls 553-2, 553-3 may extend generally perpendicularly (e.g., plus or minus 15 degrees) to the first wall 553-1. The elongate member 551 may include fourth partial walls 553-4, which may terminate at flanges 552-1 and 552-2. The specific arrangement of the walls 533 may be changed as may be appropriate for a particular joint in a giving building project. The flanges 552-1 and 552-2 may be generally opposite one another and each may abut an exterior surface of a wall board. That is, the flange 552-1 may be positioned against the exterior surface of wall board 530 and the flange 552-2 may be positioned against the exterior surface of wall board 540. The waterproofing assembly 550 may be attached to the wall boards 530, 540 and/or panel frame 520 using the flanges 552-1 and 552-2 such as by using mechanical fasteners 557 (e.g., threaded fasteners, or rivets) that pass through respective flanges and wall boards and which terminate in a stud below a respective wall board.
The waterproofing assembly 550 may include insulative material 562 (e.g., mineral wool or spray insulation) inside the cavity 560. For example, one or more of the walls 553 may be lined with rigid mineral wool. In some examples, the waterproofing assembly 550 may include insulative material 562 along at least two of the walls of the elongate member 551, and in some examples along three of the walls (e.g., walls 553-1, 553-2, and 553-3) of the elongate member 551. In some examples, the waterproofing assembly 550 may include insulative material 562 along all of the walls 533 of the elongate member 551.
The wall panel 516 may be configured to function as a demising wall panel (e.g., demising wall panel 111 in
The spacer components may provide the finish panels 545 in a spaced relation to the wall boards 530, 540 thereby defining a space 547 between the wall boards 530, 540 and respective ones of the finish panels 545. The spaces 547 may accommodate additional components of the wall panel 516, for example and without limitation, conduits (e.g., electrical, optical and other types of conduits), ducts (e.g., an air duct 549), pipes (e.g., fire suppression pipes), sound-insulative and/or thermally-insulative materials. The air duct 549 may be connected to interior mechanical systems, such as a bathroom fan or a dryer vent, and may be used to vent air from the interior conditioned space of a unit to the exterior of the building envelope. For example, the elongate member 551 may include an inlet aperture 559 in one of the partial walls 553-4 and the air duct 549 may be fluidly connected to the cavity 560 via the inlet aperture 559. One or more outlet apertures, for example in the form of perforations or louvered openings, may be formed in one or more of the other walls (e.g., 553-1, 553-2 and/or 553-3) for venting air to the exterior of the building envelope.
The wall panel 516 and waterproofing assembly 550′ in the example illustrated in
The wall panels 616a and 616b may be used to implement one or more of the wall panels 116 in building 102, such as adjoining utility wall panels 117. The components illustrated in
The wall panels 616a, 616b may be configures as utility wall panels, and may be used to implement a utility wall of a building such as building 102. In this regards, the wall panels may include one or more plumbing components 634a, 634b (e.g., water and sewer lines). The walls panels 6161, 616b may support finish elements, for example interior finish panels 645a and 645b on one or both of the major sides of the wall panels 616a, 616b. The finish element (e.g., interior finish panels 645a and 645b) may be attached to respective ones of the wall panels 616a and 616b in a spaced arrangement relative to respective wall boards 640a and 640b. In some examples, the finish element (e.g., interior finish panels 645a and 645b) may not be spaced from the wall boards 640a and 640b.
When assembled in a building, the perimeter sides 635a and 637b may be arranged vertically (e.g., along an elevation direction of the building). The waterproofing assemblies 670-1, 670-2 may be arranged at the vertical interface between adjoining wall panels and may extend substantially the full height of the wall panels, such as along the full length of the perimeter sides 635a, 637b. In some examples, a plurality of waterproofing assemblies may be arranged contiguously along the height of the wall panels to define the vertical interface between the wall panels.
The waterproofing assembly 670a may be disposed along the perimeter side 635. The waterproofing assembly 670a may substantially enclose the perimeter side 635 and perimeter edges of the wall boards 630a and 640a. The waterproofing assembly 670a may include one or more elongate members, which may extend a part of or substantially the full height of the wall panel 616a. One or more of the elongate members may be continuous member that extend a full length of a perimeter side, such as the full height of the wall panel. In some examples, the elongate members may be about 8 feet long. In some examples, the elongate members may be longer than 8 feet, for example 12 feet, 14 feet, 16 feet or more. In some examples, the elongate members maybe longer than 20 feet, such as when a wall panel spans, at least partially, two stories of a building. One or more of the elongate members may be formed from a plastic, a fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), or a composite material (e.g., a fiber reinforced resin). The elongate members may be formed in suitable lengths using a variety of manufacturing techniques, such as pultrusion, extrusion, molding, casting, a variety of automated composite manufacturing techniques such as automated tape laying (ATL) or automated fiber placement (AFP) techniques, or additive manufacturing techniques (e.g., 3D printing).
The waterproofing assembly 670a may include a first elongate member 671a and a second elongate member 681a received, at least partially within a cavity 678a of the first elongate member 671a. The second elongate member 681a may be movably coupled to the first elongate member 671a. In some examples, the second elongate member 681a may be movable in the transverse direction (e.g., along the thickness of wall panel 616a) which may reduce the severity in tolerances during manufacture and facilitate alignment of the wall panels 616a and 616b during assembly. The second elongate member 681a may be movable in the cavity up to about ½ inch, and in some examples up to about 1 inch in the transverse direction. In some examples, the second elongate member 681a may be movable transversely by more than 1 inch. The first elongate member 671a may include walls 653a-1 and 653a-2 which terminate at flanges 672a-1 and 672a-2. The waterproofing assembly 670a may be attached to the panel frame 620a and/or wall boards 630a, 640a using the flanges 672a-1 and 672a-2. The flanges 672a-1 and 672a-2 may abut exterior surfaces of the wall boards 630a, 640a.
The waterproofing assembly 670b may be disposed along the perimeter side 637b of wall panel 616b. The waterproofing assembly 670b may substantially enclose the perimeter side 637b and perimeter edges of the wall boards 630b and 640b. The waterproofing assembly 670b may be substantially a mirror image of the waterproofing assembly 670a and for brevity the description thereof will not be repeated. Each of the waterproofing assemblies 670a and 670b may be configured to engage a sealing member 690.
The sealing member 690 may be provided between the waterproofing assemblies 670a and 670b and may include features for interlocking with corresponding features of each of the waterproofing assemblies 670a and 670b. In some examples, the sealing member 690 may be attached to one of the wall panels 615a or 615b before the wall panel is delivered to the job side, so as to reduce the number of separate components that may be delivered to the job site and/or reduce the time in locating mating components. For example, the pre-assembled wall panel 615a may include the sealing member 690 engaged with the second elongate member 681a when it arrives on the job site. The panel 615b to be joined thereto may not include a sealing member. The panel 615b may be moved towards the panel 615a to cause the sealing member 690 to engage (e.g., to interlock) with the waterproofing assembly 670b of the panel 615b. The two panels 615a and 615b may then be attached to the building structural frame. In other examples, the sealing member 690 may instead be attached to the wall panel 615b and a similar assembly sequence may be used to join the two panels 615a, 615b to one another and to the structural frame. In yet further examples, the first wall panel 615a may first be jointed to the structural frame and/or other components of the building before panel 615b is joined to panel 615a. In some examples, the sealing member 690 may be separate from the wall panels and may be attached to a wall panel during the joining of the wall panel to the building.
As will be appreciated, the waterproofing assemblies 670a and 670b of respective ones of wall panels 616a and 616b may be one or a plurality of waterproofing assemblies of each of the panels. In some examples, the opposite sides of each of the wall panels 616a and 616b from those illustrated in
The waterproofing assemblies 770a and 770b may be used to implement the waterproofing assemblies 670-1 and 670-2, respectively. The waterproofing assembly 770a may be attached to a panel frame and/or wall boards of a wall panel, such as wall panel 616-1 in
Waterproofing assembly 770a may include an elongate member 771a having a generally I-shaped cross section defined by the flanges 772a-1 through 772a-4 and web 774a. Flanges 772a-1 and 772a-3 may extend in opposite directions from one side of the web 774a and flanges 772a-2 and 772a-4 may extend in opposite directions from the other side of web 774a to define upper and lower walls of the elongate member 771a. The waterproofing assembly 770a may be configured to be attached to a panel frame and/or wall boards of a wall panel using opposing flanges 772a-1 and 772a-2. For example, the flanges 772a-1 and 772a-2 and web 774a may define a generally U-shaped channel which receives a perimeter side of a wall panel. The flanges are configured to abut respective exterior surfaces of the wall boards of a wall panel. The waterproofing assembly may be attached thereto using conventional fastening techniques, such as mechanical fasteners joining respective ones of the flanges 772a-1 and 772a-2 to a respective wall board and/or underlying panel frame. In other examples, the waterproofing assembly may be bonded to the wall boards and/or the perimeter portion of the panel frame.
The flanges 772a-3 and 772a-4 define a cavity 778a on the opposite side of the web 774a from the U-shaped channel 776a. The cavity 778a may be configured to receive an insert 780a which may be operably arranged to engage a sealing member 790 (e.g., a gasket). For example, the flanges 772a-3 and 772a-4 may include retention features configured to engage corresponding retention features of the insert 780a. For example, each of the flanges 772a-3 and 772a-4 may include a rim portion 773a which operably engages a ledge portion 782a of the insert 780a. The rim portion 773a may be implemented as a protrusion extending inwardly from a respective flange towards the cavity 778a. In some examples, the rim portion 773a may include a plurality of rim walls 775a configured to receive a projection 783a of the insert 780a. The insert 780a may be implemented using an elongate member, such as an elongate member formed of water impervious and optionally thermally insulating material. In some examples, the insert 780a may be an FRP pultrusion.
The waterproofing assembly 770b may be similarly configured. The waterproofing assembly 770b may be a mirror image of the waterproofing assembly 770a. The waterproofing assembly may also include a first elongate member 771b and a second elongate member 781b functioning as an insert received in a cavity defined by the first elongate member 771b. The first elongate member 771b may have a generally I-shaped cross section defined by the flanges 772b-1 through 772b-4 and web 774b. The flanges 772b-1 and 772b-3 may extend in opposite directions from a first side of the web 774b and the flanges 772b-2 and 772b-4 may extend in opposite directions from a second opposite side of the web 774b defining upper and lower walls of the waterproofing assembly 770b. The waterproofing assembly 770b may be configured to be attached to a panel frame and/or wall boards of a wall panel using opposing flanges 772b-1 and 772b-2. The flanges 772b-1 and 772b-2 and web 774b may define a generally U-shaped channel which receives a perimeter side of a wall panel. The flanges 772b-1 and 772b-2 may be configured to abut respective exterior surfaces of the wall boards of a wall panel. The waterproofing assembly 770b may be attached thereto using conventional fastening techniques, such as mechanical fasteners or adhesive.
The flanges 772b-3 and 772b-4 may define a cavity 778b on the opposite side of the web 774b from the U-shaped channel 776b. The cavity 778b may be configured to receive an insert 780b which may be configured to engage a gasket 790. In some examples, the flanges 772b-3 and 772b-4 may include retention features (e.g., rim portions 773b and/or rim walls 775b) configured to engage corresponding retention features (e.g., ledge 782b and/or projection 783b) of the insert 780b.
The inserts 780a and 780b may be configured to engage opposite sides of the sealing member 790. In some examples, the sealing member 790 may include an interlocking feature on each of its major sides 791a and 791b for mating with corresponding interlocking features of the inserts 780a and 780b. In the illustrated example, the sealing member 790 includes ribbed projections 792a, 792b, each configured to be received in a respective ribbed trench 784a, 784b of the respective insert 780a, 780b. In other examples, the location of one or more of the ribbed projections and corresponding ribbed trenches may be reversed, such as by providing on or more of the ribbed projections on the insert for insertion into a ribbed trench of a sealing member. In other examples, the interlocking features may be implemented using a plurality of projections and trenches. Other arrangements and combinations may be used in yet further examples.
The wall panels 616c and 816 may be used to implement one or more of the wall panels 116 in building 102, such as adjoining utility wall panel 117 and an end wall panel 113, respectively. For example, the components illustrated in
The wall panel 816 may include one or more of the components of wall panel 216, which may be indicated using similar reference numbers and the description of which may not be repeated. For example, the wall panel 816 may include a panel frame 820 and wall boards 830 and 840 attached to opposite sides of the panel frame 820. The wall boards 830 and 840 may be formed using one or more pre-fabricated boards of non-combustible material. The panel frame 820 may include a plurality of studs and the outer studs may define perimeter sides of the panel frame 820. For example, the panel frame 820 may include an outer stud 822-2 at one side of the panel frame 820. The panel frame 820 may include another outer stud (e.g., as described further below with reference to
The wall panels 816 may be configured as an end wall panel (e.g., end wall panel 113 of building 102). In some examples, a first major side 831 of the wall panel 816, as defined by the wall board 830, may provide an interior wall of the building. In some examples, a second major side 841 of the wall panel 816, as defined by the wall board 840, may provide an exterior wall of the building. In such examples, the sides 831 and 841 may be interchangeably referred to as interior and exterior sides, respectively. In some examples, the wall panel 816 may be configured to support exterior finishing components (e.g., weather resistive barrier 842, exterior cladding 846) on the exterior side. The exterior cladding 846 may be attached to the wall panel 816 using conventional techniques, such as via girts (e.g., Z-shaped, U-shaped, or others) or furring channels. The wall panel 816 may be configured to support interior finishing components (e.g., interior finish panel 845) on the interior side. The interior finish panel 845 may be spaced apart from the wall board 830 using a spacer component (e.g., bracket 232 in
The wall panel 816 may include a waterproofing assembly 870-1 along the perimeter side 837. The waterproofing assembly 870-1 may be similar to previously described waterproofing assemblies (e.g., waterproofing assemblies 670a, 670b, 770a and 770b), and similar features may be designated using similar reference numbers. In some examples, the waterproofing assembly 870-1 may be implemented using any of the waterproofing assemblies 770a or 770b described previously with reference to
The waterproofing assembly 870-1 may be one of a plurality of waterproofing assemblies attached to the wall panel 816. In some examples, the wall panel 816 may include a second waterproofing assembly 850, an example of which is described further with reference to
Referring back to
As will be appreciated, the waterproofing assembly 670c may be one of a plurality of waterproofing assemblies of wall panel 616c. In some examples, the opposite side of wall panel 616c from the one illustrated in
The wall panel 816 may be used to implement one or more of the wall panels 116 in building 102, such as an end wall panel 113 adjoining window wall 115. For example, the components illustrated in
The waterproofing assembly 850 may be disposed along the perimeter side 835. The waterproofing assembly 850 may substantially enclose the perimeter side 835 and perimeter edges of the wall boards 830 and 840. A waterproofing assembly 850 may include an elongate member 851, which may be a continuous member that extends the full vertical length of the wall panel 816 The elongate member 851 may be formed from a plastic, a fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), or a composite material (e.g., a fiber reinforced resin) using a variety of techniques such as extrusion, pultrusion, casting, molding, and automated fiber placement.
The elongate member 851 may include walls 853 which define a cavity 860 therebetween. For example, the elongate member 551 may include first wall 853-1 which is opposite and spaced from the perimeter side 835 of the panel frame 820. The elongate member 851 may include second and third walls 853-2, 853-3 adjacent the first wall 853-1. The second and third walls 853-2, 853-3 may extend generally perpendicularly (e.g., plus or minus 15 degrees) to the first wall 853-1. The elongate member 851 may include a fourth partial wall 853-4 which may extend generally perpendicularly to the second wall 853-2. The walls 853-3 and 853-4 may terminate at flanges 852-1 and 852-2. The specific arrangement of the walls 833 may be changed as may be appropriate for a particular joint in a giving building project. The flanges 852-1 and 852-2 may be provided against opposite sides of the wall panel 816 and may thus be said to be generally opposite to one another even if not strictly aligned. The flanges 852-1 and 852-2 may each abut an exterior surface of a wall board. That is, the flange 852-1 may be positioned against the exterior surface of wall board 830 and the flange 852-2 may be positioned against the exterior surface of wall board 840. The waterproofing assembly 850 may be attached to the wall boards 830, 840 and/or panel frame 820 using the flanges 852-1 and 852-2 for example using mechanical fasteners 857 (e.g., threaded fasteners, or rivets) that pass through respective flanges and wall boards and which terminate in a stud below a respective wall board.
The waterproofing assembly 850 may include insulative material 862 (e.g., mineral wool or spray insulation) inside the cavity 860. In some examples, the waterproofing assembly 850 may include insulative material 562 along two or more of the walls 853 of the elongate member 851, in some examples along all three of the walls and in some examples along all four walls. In some examples, insulation may not be provided along one of the walls, such as the fourth wall 853-4 which may be located in the interior of the building and thus within the condition space. In some examples, the overall width of the elongate member 851 may be greater than the distance between the exterior surfaces of the wall boards 830 and 840.
The floor-ceiling panel 114 may provide a ceiling for a lower story (e.g., story 103a of building 102) and a floor for an upper story (e.g., story 103b of building 102). The floor-ceiling panel 114 may be joined to the structural frame, e.g., to a beam 108. A wall panel 816a, only an upper portion of which is shown in this view, may be associated with the lower story and may be referred to as lower wall panel. A wall panel 816b, only a lower portion of which is shown in this view, may be associated with the upper story and may be referred to as upper wall panel. The wall panels 816a and 816b may be positioned over structural members of the building and may be joined to the structural frame and/or the floor-ceiling panel. For example, the upper wall panel 816b may be positioned over the beam 1108 and may be joined to the floor-ceiling panel 114 using a mounting component (e.g., angle bracket 821b). The lower wall panel 816a may be similarly arranged. That is, while not illustrated in this partial view, the lower portion of the lower wall panel 816a may also be positioned over a beam associated with the lower story and the wall panel 816a may extend between the lower beam and the upper beam (e.g., beam 108 in
The wall panel 816a may be provided with a waterproofing assembly 890-1 attached to the panel frame 820a and/or wall boards 830a, 840b of the wall panel 816a. The waterproofing assembly 891-1 may extend along the full perimeter side 836a of the panel frame 820a. The waterproofing assembly 891-1 may include an elongate member 892 and a sealing member 894 (e.g., a gasket). The elongate member 892 may span the full horizontal length of the wall panel 816a. The elongate member 892 may be made from a water impervious material. The elongate member 892 may be configured to reduce or substantially prevent moisture intrusion through the interface between the wall panel and beam.
The elongate member 892 may have a generally Z-shaped cross-section defined by flanges 893 and 895 connected to web 897. The flanges 893 and 895 may extend generally perpendicularly in opposite directions from opposite ends of the web 897. After the installation of wall panel 816a and beam 108, the flange 895 may be arranged vertically downward against the exterior surface of wall board 840a and the flange 893 may be arranged vertically upward against an opposite surface of the beam 108. The flange 895 may be referred to as downward facing flange and the flange 893 may be referred to as upward facing flange. In some examples, the elongate member 892 may be made from a material which is also thermally insulating, for example a non-metallic material such as plastic or FRP, and may thereby additionally provide a thermal sealing function. The sealing member 894 may be formed of a resilient material and may be adhered to the upper surface of the elongate member 892. The sealing member 894 may extend along the full length of the elongate member 892. The Z shape of the elongate member 892 and sealing member 894 may effectively reduce or prevent moisture intrusion through the interface between the wall panel 816a and beam 108.
A waterproofing assembly 890-2 may be provided at the interface between the wall panel 816b and the beam 180. The waterproofing assembly 890-2 may include an elongate member 892 and a sealing member 894 (e.g., a gasket). The elongate member may span the full horizontal length of the wall panel 816b. The elongate member 892 may be made from a water impervious material. An upward facing flange 893 of the elongate member may prevent moisture intrusion through the interface between the wall panel and beam. After the installation of the beam 108 and wall panel 816b, the upward facing flange 893 may be provided against a surface of the wall board 830b.
In some examples, the elongate member 892 may be made from a material which is also thermally insulating, for example a non-metallic material such as plastic or FRP, and may thereby additionally provide a thermal sealing function. The sealing member 894 may be formed of a resilient material and may be adhered to the upper surface of the elongate member 892. The sealing member 894 may extend along the full length of the elongate member 892.
In some examples, the waterproofing assembly 890-2 may be disposed on the beam and the upper wall panel 816b may be placed over the waterproofing assembly 890-2. When the wall panel 816b is joined to the floor-ceiling panel, the sealing member 894 may be compressed forming a substantially water tight interface between the wall panel 816b and the beam 108. In some examples, the location and arrangement of components of the waterproofing assembly 890-2 may be reversed. That is, the elongate member 892 may be attached to the perimeter side of the wall panel 816b and the sealing member 894 may be attached to the lower surface of the elongate member 892, such that when the wall panel 816b is placed over the beam 108, the sealing member 894 is provided against and compressed by a surface of the beam 108. Waterproofing assemblies in accordance with the examples herein may substantially obviate the need for using conventional metal flashings and may advantageously further function to thermally isolate hot and cold metal components.
An example method 1100 may include attaching a first pre-assembled wall panel to a structural frame of a building, as shown in block 1105. A wall panel may be attached directly to the structural frame, such as with components that mount the panel to the frame, or indirectly attached to the structural frame, such as through attachment of the wall panel to other components (e.g., to a floor-ceiling panel). The structural frame may include a first beam and a second beam opposite and spaced apart from the first beam. The first pre-assembled wall panel may be disposed at least partially over the first beam. The method 1100 may include attaching a second pre-assembled wall panel to the structural frame, as shown in block 1110. The second pre-assembled wall panel may be attached opposite and spaced apart from the first pre-assembled wall panel. The second pre-assembled wall panel may be disposed at least partially over the second beam. In some examples, each of the first and second pre-assembled wall panels may include at least one non-metallic waterproofing assembly along a perimeter side of respective one of the first or second pre-assembled wall panels.
In some examples, each of the first and second pre-assembled wall panels may extend a full length of a unit of the building. In some examples, the first pre-assembled wall panel may include a first waterproofing assembly extending along a first vertical side, a second waterproofing assembly extending along a second vertical side opposite the first vertical side, and a third waterproofing assembly extending along a horizontal side between the first and second vertical sides. In some examples, each of the first and second pre-assembled wall panels may include a waterproofing assembly extending along respective vertical perimeter sides. In some examples, the method 1100 may include forming a window wall between the first and second pre-assembled wall panels. The method 1100 may further include providing a seal between the first and second pre-assembled wall panels and respective sides of the window wall, such as providing a non-structural seal between the waterproofing assemblies of each of the first and second pre-assembled wall panels and respective sides of the window wall.
In some examples, the first pre-assembled wall panel may define an exterior wall of a building and the second pre-assembled wall panel may define an interior wall of the building. In such examples, the method may further include joining an additional pre-assembled wall panel to the structural frame spaced from the second pre-assembled wall panel on an opposite side from the first pre-assembled wall panel. The additional pre-assembled wall panel may define another exterior wall of the building.
One or more of the steps in blocks 1105, 1110, 1115, and 1120 as well as additional steps may be involved in forming one story of a building, such as a lower story of the building. After the lower story has been completed or partially completed, the method may further include forming an upper story of the building. In some examples, the method 1100 may include joining additional structural members to the structural frame to form the upper story of the building, as shown in block 1125. The method 1100 may further include attaching an additional pre-assembled wall panel to the structural frame and the first pre-assembled wall panel, which spans at least part of the lower and part of the upper story of the building, as shown in block 1130. In some examples, attaching the additional pre-assembled wall panel that spans at least part of the lower and upper stories may include positioning the additional pre-assembled wall panel perpendicular to the first pre-assembled wall panel and pushing the additional pre-assembled wall panel towards the first pre-assembled wall panel to cause interlocking features of a gasket to engage respective interlocking features of respective waterproofing assemblies of the first and the additional pre-assembled wall panels.
In further examples, the additional pre-assembled wall panel that spans at least part of the lower and upper stories may be a first utility wall panel. In such examples, the method may further include joining a second utility wall panel to the first utility wall panel, each of the first and second utility wall panels including a first waterproofing assembly along a first vertical perimeter side and a second waterproofing assembly along a second opposite vertical perimeter side of respective ones of the first and second utility wall panels, each of the first and second waterproofing assemblies including an insert configured to interlock with a gasket positioned between the first and second utility wall panels. In some examples, the first utility wall panel may be joined to the second utility wall panel before joining the utility wall panels to the first pre-assembled wall panel.
The insulating member 1200 may be attached to a structural member of a building such as building 102 and may function as a thermal isolator to reduce the transfer of thermal energy between adjoining metal components. The insulating member 1200 may be shaped for a cooperating fit over an end of a structural member, such as beam 108. The insulating member 1200 may be formed of virtually any non-thermally conductive material, such as plastic, FRP or another type of composite material. In some examples, the insulating member 1200 may be formed as a cast or molded FRP component. The insulating member 1200 may include a generally box-shaped body 1210 defined by walls 1216. A flange 1212 may extend generally perpendicularly to the walls 1216 from one end of the body 1210. The flange 1212 may include fastener holes 1214 for attaching the insulating member 1200 to the structural frame. The body 1210 may be hollow defining a cavity 1222 which is sized to receive the end of beam 108. Thermally insulative material 1220 may be provided inside the cavity 1222. For example, the interior sides of the walls 1216 may be lined with mineral wool. The end of the body 1210 opposite the flange 1212 may include a rim portion 1218 which may correspond in width to the thickness of the insulative material. In some examples, the rim portion 1218 may be wider than the insulative material and may extend partially over the front face of beam 108. When attached to the building, the insulating member 1200 may be positioned over the end of beam 108 between the beam 108 and column 106. The insulating member 1200 may be attached to the structure, such as to a collar 105 coupled to beam 108 via fasteners 1228 passing through the flange 1212. The insulating member 1200 may be attached between one or more structural members of a building such as building 102 and may function as a thermal isolator to reduce the transfer of thermal energy between adjoining metal components.
The examples provided are for explanatory purposes only and should not be considered to limit the scope of the disclosure. Embodiments of pre-assembled components, such as the wall panels 116, may provide a wall system useable in low-rise, mid-rise, and high-rise residential projects, among others. The wall panels may be configured to comply with one or more of the following building codes: fire, energy, handicap, life-safety, and acoustical (impact and ambient noise transfer). In some embodiments, the pre-assembled wall panels may be considered as a fully-integrated sub-assembly meeting fire, sound impact, energy, and life/safety codes. The floor and ceiling panels may be fully integrated with electrical, fire protection, energy insulation, and sound isolation capabilities in some embodiments. The floor and ceiling panels may be designed to achieve a fire rating set by the applicable building code, such as a two-hour fire rating. In some embodiments, the panels may provide a heating system for the building units, such as the units 112 in
The wall panels described herein may be fabricated off-site in a factory or shop and transported to the project site (also referred to as job site) for attachment to a structural frame, such as a structural exoskeleton, of a building. The panels may be fabricated in various sizes. For example, a panel according to the present disclosure may have a length of about 20 feet or more (e.g., 22 feet, 24 feet, 26 feet) and a height from about 8 feet to about 9 feet. In some examples, the panels may be shorter or longer in height (e.g., 7 feet, 7½ feet, 9 feet, 9½ feet, or other). These length and height dimensions may generally exclude components that extend beyond the perimeter of the panel, e.g., as may be used to join adjacent panels and/or join the panels to the structural frame. That is, in some examples, an overall length of a panel may exceed 24 and a height of the panel may exceed 9 feet in height although the panel may be referred to as a 24 by 9 foot panel. Generally, any size panels, including larger panels and smaller infill panels than the examples above may be fabricated on a project-by-project need to complete the building floor system. At the building site, the panel may be attached to end walls, demising walls, utility walls, building utilities, or any combination thereof.
The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and embodiments can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and embodiments are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure includes the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods, reagents, compounds compositions or biological systems, which can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.).
It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).
Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.
As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member. Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 items refers to groups having 1, 2, or 3 items. Similarly, a group having 1-5 items refers to groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 items, and so forth.
While the foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or embodiments, such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or embodiments contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or embodiments can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof.
The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely examples, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or “operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific embodiments of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components.
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/304,858 filed on Mar. 7, 2016, which application is incorporated by reference, in its entirety, for any purpose.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2017/021177 | 3/7/2017 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62304858 | Mar 2016 | US |
