Claims, exactly as published
A connector block (100a) for offsite construction of a building, comprising: a first buttress element (102) and a second buttress element (104) defining, respectively, a first location portion (108) and a second location portion (106), the first location portion and the second location portion being configured, respectively, to receive first and second structural elements extending at transverse angles, preferably right angles, to each other; the first buttress element (102) comprising a first side wall (112) opposite a second side wall (114), the first side wall (112) and the second side wall (114) defining an access space between them for a connector (126, 180, 181) to be accessed, the second buttress element (104) comprising a first side wall (112) opposite a second side wall (114), the first side wall (112) and the second side wall (114) defining an access space between them for a connector (126, 180, 181) to be accessed, the second side wall (114) of the first buttress element (102) and the second side wall (114) of the second buttress element (104) together defining a third location portion (110) configured to receive a third structural element extending transversely, preferably orthogonally, to the first and second structural elements
Plain English, unofficialThis claim describes a connector block for offsite building construction that has two buttress elements, each forming a location portion for receiving a structural element, with the two elements arranged so their location portions accept structural elements extending at transverse (preferably right) angles to one another. Each buttress element has opposing first and second side walls that create an access space for reaching a connector, and the second side walls of the two buttress elements together form a third location portion for receiving a further structural element that extends transversely (preferably orthogonally) to the first two structural elements.
A connector block according to claim 1, wherein the connector block comprises a base plate that forms a base of each buttress element and interconnects the buttress elements
A connector block according to claim 2, wherein the base plate defines a part of the third location portion
A connector block according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the base plate includes an aperture defining a lifting point for the connector block
A connector block according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one attachment element (120a, 120b), each attachment element being configured to connect to one of the first buttress element and the second buttress element in a selected one of two orientations, each attachment element being configured to provide a connection between one of the buttress elements and a structural element. 23
Plain English, unofficialThe connector block includes at least one attachment element that can connect to either the first or second buttress element in one of two selectable orientations. Each attachment element serves to establish a connection between a buttress element and a structural element.
A connector block according to any preceding claim, wherein the buttress elements include holes for receiving connectors to connect to attachment elements and/or structural elements, optionally wherein the connectors are bolts, further optionally wherein the holes include integrated nuts configured to engage with the bolts
Plain English, unofficialThis connector block includes buttress elements with holes for receiving connectors that link to attachment elements and/or structural elements. The connectors may be bolts, and the holes may contain integrated nuts designed to engage with those bolts.
A connector block according to any preceding claim, wherein each buttress includes two opposing side walls, one of the said opposing side walls defining the first location portion and the other of the said opposing side walls defining a part of the third location portion
Plain English, unofficialEach buttress in the connector block has two opposing side walls, with one side wall forming the first location portion and the other side wall forming part of the third location portion.
A connector block according to claim 7, wherein each buttress element includes a third side wall that interconnects the opposing side walls
A connector block according to claim 8, wherein each third side wall is positioned on an interior side of the connector block
A connector block according to any preceding claim, wherein the connector block is L-shaped or substantially L-shaped
Plain English, unofficialThis connector block has an L-shaped or substantially L-shaped configuration, incorporating the features of any of the preceding claims to which it refers.
A system for offsite construction of a building, comprising: a plurality of structural elements; at least one connector block according to any preceding claim, the connector block being configured to interconnect the structural elements
Plain English, unofficialThe system includes multiple structural elements and at least one connector block, as previously described, that joins these structural elements together for constructing a building offsite. The building is assembled at a location away from its final site before being transported and installed.
A system according to claim 11, wherein the releasable connection is provided by connectors, optionally wherein the connectors are bolts, further optionally wherein the bolts are receivable by integrated nuts of each connector block
A system according to any of claims 12 or 12, wherein the connector block is manufactured from a plurality of plates, optionally wherein the plates are engaged by way of at least one mortise and tenon joint
Plain English, unofficialThe system includes a connector block formed from multiple plates, which may be joined together using at least one mortise and tenon joint.
A system according to claim 13, wherein the plates are welded together
A system according to any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the structural elements comprise elongate members
Plain English, unofficialThis system includes structural elements that are elongate members, as described in relation to the system of any of claims 11 to 14. The elongate members serve as the physical structural components referenced in those preceding claims.
A system according to any of claims 11 to 15, further comprising at least one floor portion, ceiling portion, and/or wall portion that connects to the structural elements to form a floor, ceiling, and/or wall, respectively
Plain English, unofficialThe system includes at least one floor portion, ceiling portion, and/or wall portion, each of which attaches to the structural elements described in claims 11 to 15. These portions form a floor, ceiling, and/or wall, respectively, when connected to the structural elements.
A method of manufacturing a connector block according to any of claims 1 to 10, the method comprising the step of: forming the first buttress element and the second buttress element from a plurality of plates that engage together
Plain English, unofficialThis method of manufacturing a connector block, according to any of claims 1 to 10, includes the step of forming the first buttress element and the second buttress element from a plurality of plates that engage together.
A method according to claim 17, wherein the plates engage together using mortise and tenon joints
A method according to claim 17 or claim 18, further comprising the step of welding the plates together
A method according to any of claims 17 to 19, further comprising the step of forming holes in the plates
Plain English, unofficialThe method includes forming holes in the plates, as described in one or more of claims 17 through 19.
A method of constructing a structure using at least one connector block according to any of claims 1 to 10, the method comprising: connecting a plurality of structural elements together using the at least one connector block
Plain English, unofficialThis claim covers a method of building a structure by joining multiple structural elements together with at least one connector block as described in claims 1 to 10. The method consists of the step of connecting these structural elements using the connector block.
A method according to claim 21, further comprising connecting a first structural element to the first location portion and/or a second stmctural element to the second location portion of the at least one connector block
A method according to claim 22, further comprising connecting a third structural element to the third location portion of the at least one connector block
A method according to any of claims 21 to 23, wherein, prior to the connection of the first and second structural elements, the method comprises the step of connecting an attachment element to at least one of the buttress elements of the at least one connector block, the attachment element connecting to the structural element
Plain English, unofficialBefore the first and second structural elements are joined, an attachment element is connected to at least one buttress element of the connector block. This attachment element then connects to a structural element.
A method according to any of claims 21 to 24, further comprising the step of connecting at least one floor portion, wall portion, or ceiling portion, to form a floor, wall, or ceiling, respectively. 26
Plain English, unofficialThis method includes the additional step of connecting at least one floor portion, wall portion, or ceiling portion to one another, thereby forming a floor, wall, or ceiling. This step is performed in combination with the method described in any of claims 21 to 24.