IP Library Granted Patent US 12,442,185
Granted Patent B2
US 12,442,185 · App. 18/249,365 · Granted Oct 14, 2025

Multi-story building having podium level steel transfer structure

Inventors: Arlan E. Collins (Seattle, WA); Mark L. Woerman (Seattle, WA); Mark D'Amato (Seattle, WA); Eric P. Hinckley (Superior, CO); Calder Danz (Seattle, WA); Christopher J. Allen (Aloha, OR); Dale V. Paul (Poulsbo, WA)
Assignee: Innovative Building Technologies, LLC
E04B5/04B66B11/0005B66B19/00E04B1/02E04B1/08E04B1/24E04B1/2403E04B1/3483E04B1/34869E04B1/612E04B1/6125E04B2/60E04B5/10E04B9/008E04B9/04E04B2001/2415E04B2001/2418E04B2001/2451E04B2001/2481E04B2001/6191E04B2001/6195E04B5/02E04B2103/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,442,185
App. No.
18/249,365
Granted
Oct 14, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A building includes a podium level steel transfer structure configured to receive vertical loads and lateral loads from upper portions of the building. The building may be a low-rise building or a mid-rise building. The podium level steel transfer structure may be at least partially pre-constructed such that final assembly may occur at a job site with reduced skilled labor. Transverse members of the podium level steel transfer structure may include engagement features extending vertically therefrom, and configured to align, engage, and retain at least one interior demising wall and at least one exterior wall in an orthogonal relationship through multiple fasteners. The engagement features may include a steel member with a trapezoidal profile having one or more angular notches, one or more captive fasteners, and at least one alignment hole.

Claims (33)

1. A podium level steel transfer structure for a building, the podium level steel transfer structure comprising:

a vertical member configured to extend vertically from a ground plane, the vertical member being substantially rectangular in cross section, the vertical member having a first end configured to be joined to a foundation located on the ground plane and a second end configured to receive and transfer loads and forces of the building to the foundation;

a longitudinal member configured to extend orthogonal to the vertical member and parallel to the ground plane, the longitudinal member having two end plates arranged on respective ends of the longitudinal member, each of the two end plates being configured to join at the second end of the vertical member; and

a transverse member configured to extend orthogonal to the vertical member, orthogonal to the longitudinal member, and parallel to the ground plane, the transverse member comprising a first distal end having a first engagement feature configured to align, engage, and retain an interior load-bearing wall panel, the first distal end configured to rest upon the second end of the vertical member, the transverse member further comprising a second distal end having a second engagement feature configured to align, engage, and retain the interior load-bearing wall panel, the second distal end configured to rest upon the second end of the vertical member,

wherein the second end of the vertical member comprises at least three end plates welded thereon, and wherein each end plate of the at least three end plates comprises one or more captive fasteners welded thereto configured to receive and retain fasteners engaged with one or more of the longitudinal member or the transverse member.

2. The podium level steel transfer structure of claim 1 , wherein the vertical member, longitudinal member, and transverse member are formed from metal.

3. The podium level steel transfer structure of claim 1 , wherein each end plate of the at least three end plates is configured to receive and retain fasteners inserted through respective end plates of the longitudinal member and the transverse member.

4. The podium level steel transfer structure of claim 1 , wherein the second end of the vertical member comprises an end plate welded thereon and configured to support the first distal end or the second distal end of the transverse member.

5. The podium level steel transfer structure of claim 1 , wherein the vertical member is formed from structural steel having a rectangular cross section, and wherein a thickness of sides of the rectangular cross section are dimensioned to receive and support transferred loads from upper levels of the building.

6. The podium level steel transfer structure of claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal member is formed from a steel I-beam or two or more steel channels welded to one another.

7. The podium level steel transfer structure of claim 1 , wherein each of the two end plates of the longitudinal member are welded onto respective ends of the longitudinal member.

8. The podium level steel transfer structure of claim 1 , wherein the transverse member is formed from a steel I-beam or two or more steel channels welded to one another.

9. The podium level steel transfer structure of claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal member further comprises a central portion arranged to support and engage with both of the first distal end and the second distal end of the transverse member.

10. The podium level steel transfer structure of claim 1 , wherein the first distal end of the transverse member comprises an end cap extending along an axis defined by the transverse member and configured to rest on top of the second end of the vertical member, wherein the first distal end further comprises an end plate welded between the end cap and a main body of the transverse member, and wherein the end plate comprises one or more through holes configured to receive fasteners that engage with the second end of the vertical member.

11. The podium level steel transfer structure of claim 10 , wherein the first engagement feature extends into the end cap and is welded onto and within the end cap.

12. The podium level steel transfer structure of claim 11 , wherein the first engagement feature comprises at least one oblique notch configured to engage with the interior load-bearing wall panel.

13. The podium level steel transfer structure of claim 1 , wherein the second distal end of the transverse member comprises an end cap extending along an axis defined by the transverse member and configured to rest on top of the second end of the vertical member, wherein the second distal end further comprises an end plate welded between the end cap and a main body of the transverse member, and wherein the end plate comprises one or more through holes configured to receive fasteners that engage with the second end of the vertical member.

14. The podium level steel transfer structure of claim 13 , wherein the second engagement feature extends across the end cap and is welded onto the end cap to form another end plate.

15. The podium level steel transfer structure of claim 14 , wherein the second engagement feature comprises at least one oblique notch configured to engage with the interior load-bearing wall panel.

16. A building, comprising:

one or more levels formed from prefabricated interior and exterior panels and substantially parallel to a ground plane defined by a foundation; and

a podium level steel transfer structure arranged to receive and support loads from the one or more levels and transfer the loads to the foundation, the podium level steel transfer structure comprising:

a vertical member being substantially rectangular in cross section and extending vertically from the ground plane, the vertical member having a first end configured to be joined to the foundation and a second end configured to receive and transfer the loads;

a longitudinal member extending orthogonal to the vertical member and parallel to the ground plane, the longitudinal member having two end plates arranged on respective ends of the longitudinal member, at least one of the two end plates being joined at the second end of the vertical member; and

a transverse member extending orthogonal to the vertical member, orthogonal to the longitudinal member, and parallel to the ground plane, the transverse member comprising a first distal end having a first engagement feature configured to align, engage, and retain an interior load-bearing wall panel of at least one of the one or more levels, the first distal end configured to rest upon the second end of the vertical member, the transverse member further comprising a second distal end having a second engagement feature configured to align, engage, and retain the interior load-bearing wall panel, the second distal end configured to rest upon the second end of the vertical member,

wherein the second end of the vertical member comprises at least three end plates welded thereon, and wherein each end plate of the at least three end plates comprises one or more captive fasteners welded thereto configured to receive and retain fasteners engaged with one or more of the longitudinal member or the transverse member.

17. The building of claim 16 , wherein each end plate of the at least three end plates is configured to receive and retain fasteners inserted through respective end plates of the longitudinal member and the transverse member.

18. The building of claim 16 , wherein the longitudinal member is formed from a steel I-beam or two or more steel channels welded to one another, and wherein each of the two end plates of the longitudinal member are welded onto respective ends of the longitudinal member.

19. The building of claim 16 , wherein:

the first distal end of the transverse member comprises an end cap extending along an axis defined by the transverse member and configured to rest on top of the second end of the vertical member, wherein the first distal end further comprises an end plate welded between the end cap and a main body of the transverse member, and wherein the end plate comprises one or more through holes configured to receive fasteners that engage with the second end of the vertical member;

the second distal end of the transverse member comprises an end cap extending along an axis defined by the transverse member and configured to rest on top of the second end of the vertical member, wherein the second distal end further comprises an end plate welded between the end cap and a main body of the transverse member, and wherein the end plate comprises one or more through holes configured to receive fasteners that engage with the second end of the vertical member;

the first engagement feature extends into the end cap and is welded onto and within the end cap; and

the second engagement feature extends across the end cap and is welded onto the end cap to form another end plate.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2025
From: INNOVATIVE BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
To: VENTURE LENDING & LEASING VIII, LLC; VENTURE LENDING & LEASING IX, INC.
Reel/Frame 072776/0205 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 17, 2023
From: COLLINS, ARLAN E.; WOERMAN, MARK L.; D'AMATO, MARK
To: INNOVATIVE BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 063348/0228 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 17, 2023
From: COLLINS, ARLAN E.; WOERMAN, MARK L.; D'AMATO, MARK; HINCKLEY, ERIC P.; DANZ, CALDER; ALLEN, CHRISTOPHER J.; PAUL, DALE V.
To: INNOVATIVE BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 063349/0582 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 63178515 · Apr 22, 2021
Provisional Application 63104239 · Oct 22, 2020
Related Publication 20230383521A1 · Nov 30, 2023
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