US2057444A - Building construction - Google Patents

Description

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed May l2e, 1931 2 sheets-sheet 1 Qct. 13, 1936. ,1.J. @REILLY 2,057,444

`BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed May 26f 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ffl Patented Oct. 13, 1936 PATENT oFFlcE ,y

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION John .lames OReilly, Woodside, Long Island, N. Y.

Application May 26, 1931,V Serial No. 540,111

17 Claims.

This invention relates to improved structures and structural elements and methods and has for its primary object to provide greater flexibility with complete structural safety in the design and construction of buildings and other structures through the use of the materials and methods hereinafter described.

It is a more particular object of my invention to provide a method whereby structures may be l0 assembled from factory finished units with greater speed, safety and economy than has ever been possible heretofore with other materials and methods. T

My invention also contemplates providing nearly perfect insulation against heat and cold in the factory finished units while maintaining their nearly universal architectural and structural characteristics and without impairing their value from a standpoint of safety and/or economy.

A still further object of my invention is to provide homes and other buildings which will not burn, rot, corrode, crack or become infested with vermin, and which while virtually immune to earthquake or tornado may yet be readily transported from place to place and set on any sort of foundation or floated on water.

With the above and other objects in View the invention consists in the structures and structural materials and methods and other features hereinafter described, shown or disclosed, and in the form, assembly, constructio-n and relative arrangements newly disclosed and in the processes involved, and in the relative arrangement and construction of the several parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and subsequently incorporated in the subjoined claims.

In the drawings in which I have shown several practical embodiments of my invention:

Figure l is a sketch in plan showing a plurality of metal plates placed in spaced relation face downward for the purpose of welding same together from the back.

Figure 2 is a sketch in plan showing the intermediate framing which is designed to hold theouter and inner sheathing together.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section in plan taken through the assembled sheathing and frame near the lower left hand corner of same.

Figure 4 is a section in plan taken through two units of the outer walls of the house (Figure 9) where they come together to form the left hand rear corner of same. The view is fragmentary.

Figure 5 is a section in plan taken through fragments of two assembled wall units where they come together to form the right hand front corner of the house (Figure 9). A section in elevation through fragments of the left hand wall and the second floor would be similar, providing, thatl 5 it is understood that the wall section (x9) would not stop at the second floor level, but would continue on to the roof, and that the facings might differ.

Figure 6A is a section in plan taken through l0 two fragments ofV wall units showing how they might be brought together in mitred arrangement at the corner of the house. This is an embodiment of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a sectionin plan-taken through two 15 fragments of wall sections, or two fragments of partition sections, showing how they might be brought together butt to butt fashion in a structure different from that shown in Figure 9.

Figure 8 is a section in elevation taken through 2 0 a fragment of the floor section :cl and a fragment of the partition section zcl2. It shows the fastening of a partition section tothe ceiling and inverted it wouldshow the fastening of a partition unit tol the floor. f 25 Figure 9 is a diagrammatic sketch of the factory finished units assembled together to form a house. The front facade section has been omitted from this view andthe interior has been rendered partly in perspective. 30

Figure 10 is a section in elevation taken through a fragment of the factory finished roof unit :r4 Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sketch section taken in elevation through an embodiment of the floor `3.5 and partition construction disclosed in Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary section in plan taken through the jamb of window olli. A section through the head or sill would be very similar differeing possibly in the matter of trim. 40

Referring in more detail to the drawings (Figure 1) the symbol a refers to any individual plate in the group. These plates are preferably steel or steel alloy but other materials may be used. The six plates shown in the View are arranged to 45 form the outer sheathing for the front facade of a small home. The symbol ol refers to a winddow opening, o2 refers to. a door opening. The symbol al refers to the edges of the metal plates which are turned up around the openings and ,50 around the outer edges of the sheathing. The sheets are to be arc welded to each other continuously along the seams indicated by s in the view to obtain a single piece of sheathing which may be readily factory finished on its face with a view to completely hiding the welded seams. Six other sheets are assembled in a similar manner to form the inner sheathing for the front facade of the house shown in Figure 9.

Figure 2 is a sketch in plan showing the intermediate framing which is designed to hold the outer and inner sheathing together. This entire frame as indicated in view is formed by arc weld- -ing metal plates together. Further details for the making of these frames may be found in pending patent application Serial #331,308 led January 9th, 1929. The symbol b4 indicates aY wall stud made from a metal plate and each one of these wall studs is arc Welded to the header or cross framing member at each end' of' thej studs indicated by the symbol b2 in the sketch. The symbol b5 indicates a shorter header or cross framing member used for framing outv at the head and sill of the openings ol and o2.

In Figure 3 the symbol CW indicates the arc welding of the bentparts of the sheathing al to the stud b4; These bent parts are similarly welded to the cross headerbZ at the top and bottom of each opening and to the studs b4 at both sides of the openings. The general View of the fastening of the bent parts al to the cross header b2 at the top and bottomk of thefacade would be very similar except for the different arrangement of the intermediary members b2 and b4. When all of this welding hasl been completed the unit is tested and made airtight. The symbol SW is usedk to indicate that the inner and outer sheathing is spot Welded to the intermediary framing. This spot welding may be either continuous or intermittent along the studs and on both sides of same.

The symbol' P indicates the finish applied to the metal plates under ideal conditions in the factory. This finishing coatv which is preferably of the baked-on enamel type isV now in common use on many types ofA metal products. It covers and to a great extent hides the hidden jointV HJ and the arc welding deposits W in back of what were formerly seams s in Figure 1.

Figure 4 the symbol fl indicates finishing materials of a monolithic stucco type applied directly to the metal plates a which have been roughened for the purpose of providing a good clinching surface. The View also shows the method used for fastening two wall units where they come together at the corner of the house, or the method used for fastening the roof to the top of the wall, or if inverted it would show the method for fastening the first iioor to the bottom of the Wall, but in order to visualize the latter two arrangements it would be necessary toA rst consider the View as a fragmentary section taken through the wall section :r9 and the roof section :1:4 or the Wall section :C9 and the first floor section m6. It should be noted that' the floor androof sections may project beyond the outer face of the wall sections or finish flush with same. It will also be noted that any predetermined part or parts of the plates a or-the bent portions of same al may be left exposed or free of finishing materials. This is for the purpose of providing aA ready means for field welding of the various factory finished sections which form the house (Figure 9) or any other type of building. Thisfield welding is preferably electric arc welding and is accomplished by inserting an arc welding electrode into the open joints JW' touching same to the metal parts of the sections and' the leveling screeds I3 and withdrawing same slightly to formL an arc which deposits molten metalsasindicatedat JW.

These welding deposits are kept back of the face of the units to facilitate finishing off these joints with suitable materials and hiding the Welding deposits. Metal leveling screeds 13 are used in between the units as shown, and the units are Welded to each other and to the metal leveling screeds. The method of arc welding through an open joint has been described more fully in pending patent application Serial #322,285 filed November 27th, 1928, and elsewhere.

Figure 5 shows the method of field fastening and the use of a cornice moulding m at the intersection of a wall (or partition) and ceiling units. The two units shown in this View are factory finished'outside f2 with Wire laths Welded to the plates a and stucco of the monolithic type, that is poured` on in one coat instead of being plastered on in several coats. On the inside the nish is the same as described for Figure 3. The cornice moulding m has been arc Welded to the inner plate a' through the Welding hole H4. This method-of welding through a small hole has been described in more detail in pending patent application Serial #331,308 led'January 9th, 1929.

In Figure 6 theA symbol f3 indicates a factory finish applied to the plates a which have aggregates indicated by the symbol G partly embeddedin the metal plates and partly exposed to provide a good clinching surface. This type of iinish hasy been explained inl more detail in Letters Patent #1,807,323 issued May 26th, 1931.

In Figure 7 the symbol aaindicates that the metal sheets have a polished surface and do not require additional finishing materials as they are highly rust resistant. They have been welded together as shown at JW and the welding deposits have been brought out beyond the face of the units and thenmachined or ground off flush, as shown, with the outersurfaces of the polished metal plates aa. It should be noted that the sections shown inA Figure 7 are made from two sheets of metal one back and one front and an intermediate frame and that there is no seam welding such as s Figure l. A plurality of these smaller sections would be welded together as shown in Figure 7 to form a facade such as x9.

In Figure 8 the fastening is again indicated by the Welding deposits JW connecting the two sections back and front and the leveling screeds 13. The sections have factory nishes fl, f2 and f3. The various finishes in the views are shown with a View to giving some of the numerous finishes which may be applied to the plates. Others would naturally occur to anyone familiar with the art, also, combinations of those shown or indicated herein.

'Ihe symbol R4 Figure 8 indicates a reinforcing member around the opening o1 in the partition stud b2. This hole or opening is cut in the neutral axis of the stud and is used for exhausting the air from the interior of the section.

In Figure 9 the interior has been rendered partly perspective to indicate more clearly the arrangements, disposition, openings, etc. Each unit forms a complete wall r9 or a complete oor xl() or 1:6 or a complete partition mi2 or a coinplete roof m4. While not shown in perspective the one roof section x4 covers the entire roof projecting slightly beyond the outer face of the Wall all around to shed rain without dripping on the wall. The symbol 030 indicates a door and frame in the partition unit .1:I2. The symbol o4 indicates a stairwell opening in the floor unit xl Il. The symbol oIU indicates a window and frame in the Wall unit x9. All openings'are trimmed completelyat the factory and include either glazed windows or doors wherever they occur. `The concealed piping necessary to the building is built into the sections or units in the factory and connected in the ield in the general manner described in pending patent application Serial #331,308 iiled January 9th, 1929.

In Figure 10 the metal plate a on the underside of the roof section is kept free of iinishing materials as shown at COI to provide a ready means for welding the roof section to the wall section. The construction in this view is slightly different from that disclosed in Figure 3. `Alternate joists bl2 are welded'to the upper sheathing. Lower alternate joists bllll are welded to thelower sheathing. This welding is preferably arc welding. The two layers of metal sheathing are completely insulated from each other except at the ends and sides where b4 is Welded to the top and bottom sheathing. Certain other joists may be welded to the top and bottom sheathing where the construction warrants saine but the heat loss will be greater. This type of `construction is very practicable for the outer walls, roof and ground floor.

In Figure 11 the partition sections or units mi2 are carried through `continuously from ground floor to roof and the floor sections .rl are welded to the wall and partition sections. This construction is especially valuable for a structure more than two stories in height having typical floor layouts.

The sections shown in Figure 9 may be varied to produce a structure of any size by anyone who familiarizes himself with the art. In a tall building on a relatively narrow base the partitionsl may be supported in tension from the roof, or the entire structure may be designed with a view to reciprocal support as described in pending patent application #408,265 filed November 19th, 1929.

In Figure 12 the symbol m3 indicates an inner or outer trim welded to the plate a through the welding hole H4. The symbol L indicates three separate lights of glass with the insulating muntins m4 separating them. These insulating muntins add to the insulating value of the structure by preventing the air from circulating between the lights of glass for any great distance.

Similar symbols refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

The foregoing and the drawings largely explain the invention which is primarily a method of erecting or fabricating a plurality of factory finished metal sections and then assembling the said sections into a structure. This idea has been partly proposed previously, in Letters Patent #1,807,323 issued May 26th, 1931 to the present applicant. Y

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show the construction of a wall unit. Figure 10 shows the construction of a roof unit. The floor and partition units are made in a similar manner, excepting that intermediate floors such as the second floor in Figure 9 may or may not be insulated as will be explained hereinafter. The units of. course diiier somewhat in shape, size, number of plates in sheathing, size, strength Vand number and disposition of supporting members, thickness, number and arrangement of openings, finishes, rtypes of insulation, and in other details but all are constructed in virtually the same manner and as described.

In making a unit individual plates are provided and laid on a platform face downward to equal the size of the unit desired. The edges of these individual plates a are bent upward where they form an outer edge of the unit andaround the interior openings. They are welded continuously alongV the seams s to make them airtight and form one side of the sheathing for the unit.

Another similar side of sheathing is made in the same manner for the opposite face of the unit. The turned up edges are less than half the thickness of the unit. The two sides are then placed around a frame of interior supporting members, such as shown in Figure 2, and welded thereto as previously described. Theairmay be pumped from the interior of the unit unless it has been lled with insulating materials, or if so desired the unit may not be insulated excepting by the natural air space in the interior. If the air has been pumped from the interior of the unit it should have been previously tested to make certain that it is airtight. This may be done by immersing it in water, pumping air into the-interior with an ordinary service station air hose, and watching for air bubbles in the water.

When the insulating is satisfactory the plates may be pressed against the sides of the studs and spot welded thereto. Necessary iinishes are then applied to the outer exposed surfaces. If there are door or window openings in the unit these are completely factory iinished with sash, doors, glass, trim, hardware, etc., before the outer surfaces are iinished in order that these parts may be finished at the same time as the rest of the unit. Doors are hung and hardware applied to same in the current manner with which all builders are fully acquainted. The application of the various iinishes shown and indicated as P, fl and f2 require no further explanation for those familiar with the arts involved. The finish f3 is fully explained in the patent referred to. However, it should be noted that when the iinish f3 is used or the polished plates aa that the interior frame of supporting members is arc welded to the back of the sheathing plates a or aa as spot welding is not suitable. This is accomplished by welding the back of one sheathing to the frame, and then welding the other sheathing at the bent portions al of the first sheathing, and relying upon the partial vacuum in the interior to keep the unfastened sheathing from vibrating.

When the units are constructed as shown in Figure l0 the frame of supporting members (Figure 2) may not be used. Alternate joists b|0 could be arc welded to the back of the lower sheathing and the other joists blZ could be arc welded to the back of the upper sheathing. To the back of either layer of sheathing could be welded both end joists b4 and both cross framing members b2, and the other layer of sheathing could then be applied and welded in the manner explained previously to joists bil and the cross framing members b2 at thebent portions only. The joists bl? may be deeper and thicker than the joists bl!) if there is any economy to be obtained. This would depend to a great extent to the load or burden in each individual case. The main idea of this type of framing is to insulate the two layers of sheathing as much as possible and prevent the loss of heat across the joists such -as would occur in the construction shown in Vthe construction shown in Figure 10. However,

construction, insulation or type of finish would each take precedence under different circumstances, and for this reason some of the various embodiments are shown.

The stair construction I prefer to use has been previously disclosed in pending patent application Serial #331,308, filed January 9th, 1929, and that application also discloses a type of floor which may be used to advantage. Same being a wood parquet backed with metal for welding to the plates of the floor construction which could be left exposed or free from finishing materials for this purpose. This same pending application shows the method used for welding trim and wood backed with metal flooring through a welding hole.

Customary oorings or floor coverings may be applied in the traditional manner.

The exterior wall and roof surfaces and the interior wall and ceiling surfaces may be provided with shop applied nishes of nearly universal scope. The present application does not pretend to explain all of the` different combinations possible as they would naturally occur to anyone familiar with the art. It should be borne in mind that the finish indicated by the symbol f I is poured on a surface, which has been previously roughened, in one coat, or it may be projected with a cement gun.

All of the exterior units should be insulated as thoroughly as possible. For this reason I prefer the structurally insulating frame shown in Figure 10 for all exterior units. I also prefer to exhaust some air from the interior of these units, or else to ll the interior of same with granulated cork, or place therein other materials suitable for insulating purposes.

The method used for obtaining a vacuum is virtually the reverse of filling a pneumatic tire. When the air is to be exhausted from the interior of a unit the hole o1 Figure 8 would be provided in each interior supporting member and in one outside supporting member. The air is pumped out very slowly through this one small outer hole through a vacuum pump line having a male thread engaging a female thread cut in the hole. When the air has been pumped out sufficiently the pump line is removed and a screw quickly inserted in the hole and welded airtight. Because of the size of the hole compared to the size of the unit and its interior capacity check valving, etc., is not necessary. It should be remembered that when the air has been pumped from the interior of a unit that the sheathing of plates a will have a tendency to buckle inwardly. They should, therefore, be properly designed to resist this pressure in connection with the proper spacing of the interior supports b4 or by lateral bracing such as b5 between the joists, or by a combination of all three. Any final unevenness in the plates a would present a serious difliculty unless it could be hidden by a heavy layer of facing materials. The construction shown in Figure 3 is suitable for interior units even without insulation. Insulated it would have certain ad vantages for exterior wall units on very high structures, or for wide trussed roofs and in some cases might be structurally advisable for the construction of a ground floor.

It will be understood that the finish indicated by symbol ,f3 in the present application generally shows all of the aggregates symbol G concealed. However, some or all of these aggregates may be arranged to form a pattern or bond and left exposed by omitting the outer cementitious materials cm Figures 6 and 8.

The windows are assembled in the unit as follows: Outer trim, rst then loosely, the cute-.l glass, rst muntin frame, middle glass, second muntin frame, inner glass, then the inner trim is applied, and the outer and inner lights of glass are wedged tight and puttied in the usual way.

The house shown (Figure 9) may be arranged for artificial ventilation, or Ventilating double hung windows or Ventilating doors may be installed. The house may be arranged for gas or electric heating or outside heating service to eliminate the cost of an ordinary heating plant with cellar, chimney, etc. However, nothing new is proposed herein either in Ventilating equip ment or heating apparatus as the stuff now on the market is thought to be suitable and its installation is thoroughly understood.

The roughing of the metal plates for finish ,fl

is accomplished by criss crossing lines of arc Weld deposits across their outer surfaces. The cutting of the openings in the sheets a and the turning up of the edges al is accomplished in the manner familiar to those acquainted with the art of sheet metal fabrication.

Soldering, brazing, etc., may be substituted for welding in all or part of the Work providing it is agreeable to the governing authorities.

The screeds 'I3 are merely long metal bars having a square or rectangular cross section preferably. They are used for perfect leveling and aligning of the units, and in some cases two or more might be necessary front or back or both for perfect shimming.

After the eld welding has been completed the joint welding JW may be covered with suitable materials such as mortar, plaster, stucco, soft metal, etc., to provide a finish for the welding joints. The Welding holes H4 are similarly treated. The excess material projecting beyond the finished face of the units may then be ground off ush with same. 'I'his work may be done either by hand or with a mechanical grinder.

The vertical and horizontal supporting members may be aligned as far as practicable in the field for the purpose of providing reciprocal support and for other purposes as explained in detail in pending patent application Serial #408,265 filed May 29, 1930.

It will be further understood that because of the universal scope of architectural, structural, legal and economic demands in building construction that much of the value of any material or method lies in its possibilities for universal application, but that it would be impractical to attempt to show more than a few embodiments of the invention which I consider of the most importance in the present application. Other nishes, arrangements, combinations, etc., would obviously become apparent to anyone familiar with the art as they faced individual problems. Angles, Ts, bars, Zs, channels, I beams, etc., might be substituted for the plates b2, b4, etc., in the frame or materials other than metal might be substituted. Additional trim, knickknacks, etc., may be applied. 'I'he roof could be pitched to any degree of slope or kept perfectly flat. Walls might follow the outline of a geometrical figure or curve. A structure of any size could be erected, or nearly universal application could be provided for the invention from the present disclosure by anyone thoroughly acquainted with the art of building construction.

The structure illustrated in the drawings Figure 9 is designed for placing on the bare earth. Service connections such as water, gas, electricity,

sewers, etc., are to be made with fiexible leadv pipe in a ditch dug under the center of the structure. For other or larger structures Aany standard type of foundation could be used, preferably, the continuous type described in pending patent application Serial #408,265, led November 19th, 1929, and indicated in fragmentary form in Figure 1l of the drawings filed with that application.

For the insulating muntins m4 FigureA l2 I prefer to use medium hard rubber. These Inuntins run vertically and horizontally and are fastened where they intersect to form a frame by means of notches in the manner commonly used by sash makers. The lights of glass L Figure 12 are of standard manufacture.

It will be understood also, that the units x6, x9, :1:10, :1:12, :c4 or some of them might be used in conjunction with other standard building materials in ways which would naturally suggestthemselves to the mind of any experienced builder facing a given situation in actual practice. The present application may be considered a continuation in part of U. S. Patent #1,807,323 and pending applications #322,285, #331,308 and #408,265 filed by the present applicant as noted hereinbefore. i

From the foregoing Vit may be readily seen that anyone thoroughly familiar with building construction materials and methods could readily construct a building from the units herein described. I have disclosed herein several practical embodiments of the invention which I consider of the most importance. Nevertheless, because of the wide scope of architectural, structural, legalv and economic requirements in building construction, it must be clearly understood that the invention may also be exemplified in numerous other alternative constructions, and Igthereforel reserve all such legitimate changes as may be: fairly embodied Within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

l. In building construction the combination in a major structural air-tight hollow metal part` forming such as a complete wall of separate intermediary structural supporting members such as studs spaced precisely in close order array be'- tween two spaced layers of outer sheathing and welded thereto forming thus a plurality of separate compartments, With air exhausted for insulating purposes from the interior of each of the said compartments through re-inforced holes fashioned in the neutral axis of the said structural supporting members without material structural weakening of same, and an architectural finish on the exposed surfaces of the aforesaid layers of outer sheathing concealing suiciently for all practical purposes their welded seams also anyslight buckling in the said sheathing due to the lack of normal air pressure in the interiors of the aforesaid separate compartments with means for assembling the aforesaid major structural part with a plurality of other somewhat similar parts in precise architectural and reciprocal structural relation and carefully concealed field welded continuity to provide such as a Ycornplete dwelling without damaging the said architectural finish.

2. A building unit comprising sheathings fastened together as an air-tight shell with an architectural concealment of such as seams, primary supporting members stiffening the sheathing on one main surface of the unit likewise secondary supporting members stiffening the sheathing onthe opposite main surface of the unit-as eparation of the sheathing on the one main surfac'eof'the unit from the secondary supportingemember's likewise a separation of the sheathing .on` the opposite main surface of the unit froin'tl'ie` primary supporting members, and meansfor'assembling the unit readily and precisely, in a structure.`

3. A buildingunit comprising sheathings Vfastened. together as. an air-tight shell with architecturalconcealment of such as seams, internal plate members structurally stiffening the aforesaidshelllongitudinally While braced laterally themselves `by said shell, and means for assembling Vthe unit readily and precisely in a structure.

LA building unit comprising a precisely dimensionedsliell, members structurally stiffening the'aforesaid shell while laterally braced by same, an insulating separation of the two main surfacesof the shell throughout the main body of the` unit, and means for assembling the unit readily Vand precisely in a structure.

5. In construction the combination of a precisely dimensioned air-tight shell composed of a plurality of precisely spaced metal sheathings fastenedxto each other by arc welding deposits, with, ari-'interior plurality of such as precisely spaced joists of Aflat shaped metal, longitudinal stiffening of the aforesaid shell by said joists with reciprocal bracing laterally of the joists by the shell, and means for assembling the aforesaid shell and joists as a unit readily and precisely with other similar units to form such as a building structure.

,6. Inconstruction the combination of a precisely dimensioned air-tight shell composed of a plurality of precisely spaced metal sheathings welded to each other, with an interior plurality of such as spaced joists structurally stiffening one main surface ofthe aforesaid shell longitudinally, another interior,4 plurality of such as spaced rafters structurally stiffening the opposite main s uigfaceofv the aforesaid shell longitudinally, also reciprocal bracing-laterally of the aforesaid joists and' rafters by the aforesaid shell, an insulating separationof the one main surface and its joists from theV opposite .main surface and its rafters throughout the main part of the aforesaid shell,

` andmeans for assembling the shell and joists and rafters as a unit readily and precisely in a structure. p

1A building V.unit comprising a precisely dimensionedair-tightllinetal shell composed of a pluralityj'of .precisely spaced sheathings welded tolle'ach othergwi'th an interior plurality of such as spaced yplates structurally stiffening the ceilirlgsurface ofthe aforesaid shell longitudinally,

anotherfinterior plurality of such as spaced plates structurally' ,stiifening the roof surface of the aforesaid yshell longitudinally, also reciprocal bracing laterally' of its longitudinal stiifeners by said shell, an insulating separation of the ceiling surface and'its' stiffeners from the opposite roof vsurface and its stiifeners throughout the main bodyof the unitpland means for assembling the entire unitvre'adily and precisely as a complete ceiling and 'roof for such as a human dwelling place(I p "-8, .Abuilding'unit comprising two precisely dimensioned'outer half shells each composed of a plurality of precisely spaced metal sheets and both fastened together in precise structural relation to each other as a precisely dimensioned structural shell, primary interior supporting members longitudinally stiifening one half shell while reciprocally braced "laterally themselves by same, secondary interior supporting members longitudinally stiffening the opposite half shell while reciprocally braced laterally themselves by same, a structural separation of one half shell and its stilfeners from the opposite half shell and its stiifeners except at the sides land ends and other remote points of the building `unit for insulating purposes by structural means, and means for assembling the entire unit readily and precisely preferably as a complete roof for such as a dwelling place.

9. A structure composed of a plurality of precisely dimensioned metal -shells composed each of a plurality of precisely spaced metal sheets fastened together, spaced supporting members internally stiffening each of the aforesaid shells, joint spacing members between adjacent shells spacing them apart in precise structural relationship as the walls and the floors and the partitions and the roof of said structure, 'and fastenings such as Vwelding deposits collectively along the aforesaid joint spacing members and the adjacent parts of the aforesaid shells holding them all together as a structure.

10. A'structure composed of a plurality-0f precisely dimensioned air tight metal shells composed each of a plurality of precisely spaced metal sheets welded together, spaced 'supporting members internally stiifening each of the aforesaid shells, joint spacing members between adjacent shells spacing same apart in precise struc-- tural relationship as the walls and the floors and the partitions and the roofs of said structure, vand such as welding deposits collectively 'along the aforesaid joint spacing members vand the adjacent parts ol` the aforesaid shells holding them all together as a structure.

11. A Amobile structure composed of aplurality of precisely dimensioned metal shells 'each composed of a plurality of precisely spaced sheathings fastened to `each other preferably by .arc welding deposits, spaced supporting members internally stiifening each of the vaforesaid shells, joint spacing members between adjacent shells spacing them precisely in structural lrelation to each other, and fastenings such as arc welding deposits collectively along the adjacent parts of the aforesaid joint spacing members andl'shells holding them all together as a structure.

12. A mobile structure composed of a plurality of precisely dimensioned air-tight metal Yshells each composed of a plurality of precisely vspaced sheathings welded lto each other, spaced supporting members internally stiffenin'g each of the aforesaid shells, reciprocal lateral bracing of each and every one of its plurality of stiffeningmem-A bers by each and every one of the aforesaid shells, joint spacing members between adjacent 'shells spacing them precisely vin structural relation to each other, and fastenings such fas `arc Welding deposits collectively along the adjacent parts 'of the aforesaid shells and joint spacing members holding Athem all together as a structure.

13. A structure such as a dwelling place composed of a plurality of precisely dimensioned metal shells, a plurality of spaced metal plates internally stiifening longitudinally each 'and every one of the aforesaid shells and reciprocally @john-444 braced laterally themselves by same, a plurality of jointspacing members between adjacent shells spacing same precisely in their architectural and structural relationship, surfacing materials such as baked-on enamel on certain of the aforesaid metal shells, and fastenings such as arc welding deposits collectively along the adjacent parts of the aforesaid shells and joint spacing members holding them all together as a structure.

14. A structure composed of a plurality of preferably air-tight precisely dimensioned metal shells, a plurality of precisely spaced supporting members internally stiffening each one of the aforesaid shells, an insulating separation except at their sides and ends of the two opposite main surfaces of at least one of the aforesaid shells, a plurality of joint spacing members between all adjacent shells spacing them apart in precise structural relationship, and fastenings such as welding deposits collectively along the aforesaid joint spacing members and the adjacent parts of all of the aforesaid shells holding same all together as a structure.

15. A structure comprising a plurality of precisely dimensioned metal shells, a plurality of spaced supporting members internally stiffening each one of the aforesaid shells, air Iexhausted from the interior of at least one of the aforesaid shells for insulating purposes in the structure, a plurality of joint spacing members between all adjacent shells spacing same apart in their precise structural relationship to each other, and fastenings such as welding deposits collectively along the aforesaid joint spacing members and the adjacent parts of any and all shells holding same all together as a structure.

16. A structure comprising a plurality of precisely dimensioned metal half shells each composed of a plurality of precisely spaced sheathings fastened to each other preferably by welding deposits, a plurality of spaced supporting members fastened to one side of each half shell and reciprocally braced laterally themselves by each such half shell, a structural assembly of all of the aforesaid half shells preferably in matched pairs as the walls and the oors and th-e ceilings and the partitions and the roof of the aforesaid structure, a plurality of joint spacing members between adjacent half shells spacing same apart in precise structural relationship, and fastenings such as arc welding deposits collectively along the aforesaid joint spacing members and the adjacent parts of the half shells holding same all together as a structure.

17. A building frame comprising a welding band for its sides and ends, a plurality of precis-ely spaced plate shaped supporting members fastened to the inside of said band each such supporting member welded flush with one face edge of the said band but held short of being flush with the opposite face edge of same, an alternating arrangement of said spaced supporting members with regard to which face edge of the welding band they are held flush with, and means for laterally bracing the plate shaped supporting members with sheathing and then welding the entire building frame and its sheathing as a unit in a structure.

JOHN JAMES OREILLY.

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