IP Library Granted Patent US 11,536,020
Granted Patent B2
US 11,536,020 · App. 15/752,510 · Granted Dec 27, 2022

Connector for a modular building

Inventor: Julian Bowron (Toronto, CA)
Assignee: Z-MODULAR HOLDING, INC.
E04B1/41E04B1/1903E04B1/24E04B1/343E04B1/3483E04G21/142E04H1/005E04B2001/405E04H2001/1283
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,536,020
App. No.
15/752,510
Granted
Dec 27, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A connector assembly, having an upper connector, a pin coupling the upper connector to a lower connector and a gusset plate sandwiched between the upper and lower connectors. Also, disclosed is a hoistable connector assembly, a lifting frame assembly, a coupling system for modular frame units, a method for assembling a module unit using the connector assembly, and a modular frame unit and building having the connector assembly.

Claims (33)

1. A connector assembly comprising a first connector, a second connector, a pin coupling the first connector to the second connector and a gusset plate sandwiched between the first connector and the second connector, the gusset plate having a passage adapted for receiving the pin,

the first connector comprising:

a first connector body having a first connector body column receiving end, a first connector body gusset contact end and a first connector body gusset contact face at the first connector body gusset contact end, wherein the first connector body gusset contact face has an aperture; and

at least a pair of first connector arms, each first connector arm being coupled to and extending from the first connector body;

the second connector comprising:

a second connector body having a second connector body column receiving end, a second connector body gusset contact end and a second connector body gusset contact face at the second connector body gusset contact end, wherein the second connector body gusset contact face has an opening; and

at least a pair of second connector arms, each second connector arm being coupled to and extending from the second connector body;

the pin comprising:

a pin-body having a first end and an opposed second end, the first end adapted for coupling the aperture on the first connector body gusset contact face, and the second end adapted for engaging the opening on the second connector body gusset contact face,

wherein the first end of the pin-body is threaded and engages the aperture in the first connector body gusset contact face, wherein the aperture is threaded, and

wherein the opposed second end of the pin is conical, and the pin has a pin-hole positioned on the pin body.

2. A connector assembly comprising a first connector and a pin coupled to the first connector,

the first connector comprising:

a first connector body having a first connector body column receiving end, a first connector body gusset contact end and a first connector body gusset contact face at the first connector body gusset contact end, wherein the first connector body gusset contact face has an aperture; and

at least a pair of first connector arms, each first connector arm being coupled to and extending from the first connector body;

the pin comprising:

a pin-body having a first end and an opposed second end, wherein the first end is adapted for coupling the aperture on the first connector body gusset contact face,

wherein the first end of the pin-body is threaded and engages the aperture in the first connector body gusset contact face,

wherein the aperture is threaded, and

wherein the opposed second end of the pin is conical, and

the pin has a pin-hole positioned on the pin body.

3. A hoistable connector assembly, comprising the connector assembly as defined in claim 2 and a lifting device detachably attachable to the connector assembly.

4. The hoistable connector assembly of claim 3 , wherein the lifting device comprises a shackle detachably attachable to the pin of the connector assembly.

5. A system of modular frame units for forming a modular building, comprising:

a first module frame unit having a first module frame first end coupled to the first connector;

a second module frame unit having a second module frame first end coupled to the second connector; and

the first connector and the second connected coupled by the pin and sandwiching the gusset plate,

wherein the first connector, the second connector, the pin and the gusset plate are as defined in claim 1 .

6. A method for coupling modular frame units for forming a modular building, comprising:

coupling the first connector to a first connector end of a first module frame unit;

coupling the second connector to a second connector end of a second module frame unit; and

sandwiching the gusset plate and coupling the first connector and the second connector using the pin to form modular frame units, wherein the first connector, the second connector, the pin and the gusset plate are as defined in claim 1 .

7. A modular building comprising the connector assembly as defined in claim 1 .

Assignments (5)
PARTIAL RELEASE OF SECURITY INTERESTS AT REEL/FRAME 057678/0971 Recorded Oct 15, 2024
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: Z-MODULAR HOLDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 069172/0783 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 7, 2021
From: Z-MODULAR HOLDING, INC.; WHEATLAND TUBE, LLC (F/K/A JOHN MANEELY COMPANY); ZEKELMAN INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: GOLDMAN SACHS LENDING PARTNERS LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 057727/0361 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Sep 30, 2021
From: ATLAS TUBE CANADA ULC; ZEKELMAN INDUSTRIES, INC.; Z-MODULAR HOLDING, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 057678/0971 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 17, 2020
From: VECTORBLOC CORP.
To: Z-MODULAR HOLDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 052184/0144 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 14, 2018
From: BOWRON, JULIAN
To: VECTORBLOC CORP.
Reel/Frame 044920/0598 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62205366 · Aug 14, 2015
Related Publication 20190078321A1 · Mar 14, 2019
Cited By (2)
US 1,083,560 US 12,612,780