Background Art Services, such as electrical services, piping and telecommunication lines must be distributed throughout most buildings. One problem with existing service channels in buildings is that once the building is constructed, accessing the services for modifications to the building structure may be difficult, time consuming and involve damaging the building structure. For example, if a dwelling is to be expanded to include an extra room, or if additional services are to be added, the service channels are traditionally largely inaccessible inside the walls, floor or ceiling of the building. This may be especially problematic in larger extensions to the house, for example the addition of a further floor to the building or expansion of multiple rooms, as there is typically no central point from which all services may be accessed.

One system developed to address this problem is to provide removable covers over a prefabricated floor. For example, the specification of United States patent 5,996,294 to Forslund et al, describes a prefabricated floor construction designed to be supported on a building floor having a hollow interior portion that defines at least one raceway to route utility conduits therethrough. The raceways are covered by removable panels, and may be covered by a utility post, which replaces a floor panel and facilitates the passage of utility conduits to a required location, such as a workstation. However, the cost of implementation of this system is prohibitive for smaller structures such as households.

Recently, prefabricated and kit-set houses have become increasingly popular.

However, a disadvantage of existing kit-set and prefabricated houses is a lack of

flexibility regarding the design of the house. This lack of flexibility is present both in interior aspects, such as the positioning of walls and more global aspects like the number of stories and rooms within the house. Also, these types of houses typically suffer from the problems associated with service provisioning as outlined above.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a building structure or components therefor which provides accessible service channels so as to overcome or at least alleviate problems in building structures at present.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a building structure or components therefor that enable modification, extension, reduction or upgrading, while maintaining standards of consistency in design and manufacture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of construction that is efficient and flexible.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of commerce for building structures that allows a customer to take advantage of expansion or modification characteristics of the building structure in purchase and/or design.

The above objects are to be read disjunctively with the object to at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further objects of the present invention may become apparent from the following description.

Disclosure of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a building structure including a floor substantially bordered by one or more peripheral walls, a service channel extending upwardly along one of said peripheral walls from said floor and a service wall extending inwardly of the building structure from said service channel, wherein the service channel and service wall are respectively dimensioned to allow access to the interior of said service wall through said service channel and adapted to receive at least one service supply means for supplying one or more services to the building structure.

Preferably, the building structure may include a plurality of interior walls over said floor, wherein only said service wall is fixed in location and orientation, the other interior walls being relocatable within the building structure.

Preferably, the service channel may be adapted to provide access to its interior from the exterior of the building structure.

Preferably, access may be provided substantially along the length of the service channel.

Preferably, the service wall may terminate substantially centrally of the building structure.

Preferably, said at least one service may include water piping and all internal water outlets of the building structure may be connected to said service wall.

Preferably, the building structure may include a kitchen area and an ablutions area located on opposing sides of the service wall.

Preferably, the building structure may include one or more secondary service channels extending through or around one or both of the floor and the ceiling of the building structure from said service channel and or said service wall to retain services therein for supply to parts of the house distant from said service wall and service channel.

Preferably, the secondary service channels may include a U-shaped structure in the perimeter of a floor of the building structure with the opening of the U directed horizontally outwards from the building structure.

Preferably, the building structure may include a floor having a secondary service channel extending around its periphery, wherein each wall of the building structure is secured to the secondary service channel of the floor.

Preferably, the building structure may include a ceiling having a secondary service channel extending around its periphery, wherein each wall of the building structure is secured to the secondary service channel of the ceiling.

Preferably, the building structure may include at least one further secondary service channel extending along a wall of the building structure at a corner of the building structure.

Preferably, the building structure may include a roof secured to the building structure through a roof engagement means engaged with the secondary service channel extending around the periphery of the ceiling.

Preferably, the roof engagement means may be removably engageable with the secondary service channel, whereby additional building structure may be engaged to the secondary service channel extending around the periphery of the ceiling and the roof may be engaged to the additional structure.

Preferably, the roof engagement means may include first and second interlocking angle brackets secured to the roof and the secondary service channel extending around the periphery of the ceiling respectively.

Preferably, the second bracket may include a lip adapted to engage with a first end of said first angle bracket, wherein said first end is distal from the apex of the roof.

Preferably, said first and second angle brackets may be shaped to present substantially parallel surface to each other in use, whereby the first and second angle brackets are engaged by a removable fixing means to secure said substantially parallel surfaces together.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of parts for a building structure including : one or more floor sections and one or more walls engageable with at least selected said floor sections ; a primary service channel locatable between two wall sections; and a service wall shaped and dimensioned extend from said primary service channel, wherein the interior of said service wall may be accessed through said primary service channel ;

wherein said service channel and said service wall are adapted to in use receive at least one service for supply to the building structure.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided building structure components including: a floor section formed from one or more floor units, the floor section including one or more first service channels extending substantially around its periphery; a plurality of wall sections engageable with said one or more first service channels ; and a ceiling section formed from one or more ceiling units, the ceiling section having one or more second service channels extending substantially around its periphery wherein said wall sections are engageable with said one or more second service channels; wherein said first and second service channels are structurally engageable with first and second service channels of another building structure having a like configuration through respective engagement of said first and or second service channels.

Preferably, the building structure components may further include a roof removably engageable with said ceiling, whereby additional building structure is structurally engageable with a building structure constructed from the components by engaging with said second service channels.

Preferably, the building structure components may further include a primary service channel dimensioned so as to in use extend upwardly along or between said peripheral wall sections from said floor and a service wall dimensioned to in use extend inwardly of the building structure from said primary service channel, wherein the primary service channel and service wall are further respectively dimensioned to allow access to the interior of said service wall through said primary service channel and adapted to receive at least one service for supply to the building structure.

Preferably, said primary service channel may extend from the floor section to the ceiling.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a building structure constructed from the components described in any of the preceding four paragraphs.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of constructing at least part a building structure from a plurality of construction units, each construction unit having a primary service channel extending substantially vertically generally from the floor to the ceiling of the unit and at least one secondary service channel extending around a periphery of the floor, said method including providing services communication between any adjacent horizontal units by interconnecting the secondary service channels of each unit, and providing services communication between any vertically adjacent units by interconnecting primary service channels of vertically adjacent units.

Preferably, the method may further include providing structural engagement between horizontally adjacent units via the secondary service channels.

Preferably, each building structure may include one or more further secondary service channels extending around the periphery of the ceiling, wherein the method may further include providing structural engagement between vertically adjacent units through said secondary service channel, whereby said one or more further secondary service channels extending around the periphery of the ceiling comprise said at least one secondary service channel extending around a periphery of the floor of an upper building structure.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of constructing a roof of a building structure, the method including : placing at least one roof panel on to a jig in a required location and orientation relative to the rest of the building structure; inserting an end of the or each roof panel into a rigid frame member;

placing an opposing roof panel into an opposite side of the rigid frame member at a required relative location and orientation; securing the rigid frame member to the opposing panels, thereby securing the opposing roof panels at a fixed relative position and orientation; and securing the or each panel to the building structure.

Preferably, the method may further include removing the jig once the opposing roof panels have been secured to the rigid frame member and the building structure.

Preferably, the method may include securing each roof panel to one or more channels provided around the periphery of the ceiling of the building structure.

Preferably, the method may include securing the roof panels to a foundation by away of reinforcing rods extending between the roof panels and the foundation.

Preferably, the roof may be secured to the channel provided around the ceiling of the building structure by engaging first and second interlocking angle brackets secured to the roof panels and the channel extending around the periphery of the ceiling respectively Preferably, the method may include engaging a lip provided on said second angle bracket with a first end of said first angle bracket, wherein said first end is distal from the apex of the roof.

Preferably, said first and second angle brackets may be shaped to present substantially parallel surface to each other in use, wherein the method further includes engaging the first and second angle brackets by a fixing means to secure said substantially parallel surfaces together.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of commerce for the sale and construction of a building structure, the method including : displaying a representation of a building structure of a building structure to a user on a display means to a customer;

providing a predetermined selection of extensions to the unit and a selection means for the customer to select the extensions and optionally the location of the extension; displaying a representation of the unit plus extension to the user; providing ordering means for the customer to order the extension displayed with the unit.

Preferably, the method may include displaying a building structure to the customer which corresponds to the current form of the house of the customer and providing a list of available extensions to that house for selection by the customer.

Preferably, the method may include communicating display information to the user through a communications network.

Preferably, the communications network may be the Internet, wherein information regarding extensions and units is stored in a storage means accessible by an Internet server.

Preferably, the method may further include storing information on the current form and possible extensions to the building structure of each existing customer..

Further aspects of the present invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, may become apparent from the following description, given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings Figure 1: shows a perspective cut-away view of a building structure according to one aspect of the present invention including a primary service channel and secondary service channels.

Figure 2: shows a perspective view of the peripheral walls and service wall of a building structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4: shows secondary service channels extending through and around the floor and around the ceiling of a building structure; Figure 5 : shows the interfacing connection of service channels at a peripheral mid point of the building structure of Figure 1; Figure 6: shows the interfacing connection of service channels at a central point of the building structure of Figure 1; Figure 7: shows the interfacing connection of service channels at a corner of the building structure of Figure 1; Figure 8: shows the interfacing connection of wall panel members of the building structure of Figure 1; Figure 9: shows the interfacing connection of wall panel members and service channels in a corner of the building structure of Figure 1 ; Figure 10: shows the connections of the roof of the building structure of Figure 1; Figure 11 : shows an enlarged view of the engaging portions of the roof members and walls of the building structure of Figure 1; Figures 1 1 a & 1 1 b : show the interfacing connection of the rigid frame member with the roof members and the rigid frame member in isolation respectively.

Figure 12: shows possible extensions to a building structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 13: shows a block diagram of a system for implementing a method of commerce of an integrated building. structure.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention Figure 1 shows a cut-away perspective view of a building structure, in this example a house, constructed according to the present invention. The building

structure, generally referenced 1, includes a roof 2, exterior walls 3 and a floor 4 defining the upper perimeter of the building structure 1. Although the following description is given in reference to the house shown in the accompanying drawings, it will readily be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the principles of the invention may be applied to many different building structures.

A primary service channel 5 is provided on the exterior of the building structure 1 along a wall 3. The primary service channel 5 may alternatively extend up the inside of wall 3 or extend inside the wall 3. The exterior being preferred to allow easiest access to the primary service channel 5.

The primary service channel 5 is adapted to receive the services entering into the building structure 1. These services may include electrical services, telecommunication services, and piping for gas, or water. The primary service channel 5 is located and dimensioned to be easily accessible and extends vertically up the height of the wall 3 to which it is attached. Suitable isolation between the services in service channel 5 may be provided to comply with any building standards or alternatively selected services may be placed in a service channel 5 with others entering the building structure via a different route, which may, for example be a separate service channel.

The primary service channel 5 is adapted to allow easy access to its interior and thus easy access to the services. This may be achieved by providing a removably engageable cover for the primary service channel. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the entire service channel 5 is a cover, which may be removed to provide access to its interior.

Substantially adjacent to the primary service channel 5, located on the opposite side of the wall 3 is a service wall 6. The service wall 6 allows the services to be transferred from the primary service channel 5 into the interior of the building structure 1. The service wall 6 is sufficiently wide to carry these services, and therefore may be wider than other interior walls within the building structure 1. Service wall 6 is fixed, whereas other interior walls may be varied from building structure to building structure of varied within the life time of the single building structure 1. This may provide increased flexibility in design without a substantial increase in cost. The service wall 6 terminates substantially towards the centre of the building structure 1. In a preferred

form of the invention, the service wall 6 carries all water services into the building structure 1. The kitchen and ablutions areas may be located on opposing sides of the service wall 6.

The floor 4 of the building structure 1 includes a number of secondary service channels 7 extending throughout the building structure 1. By following the service channels, substantially any point within the building structure 1 may be reached from the service wall 6 and hence service channel 5. The secondary service channels 7 extend to the perimeter of the building structure 1, allowing interfacing connection with service channels forming part of extensions to the building structure 1. Service channels 7, are also provided in the ceiling of building structure 1 to allow expansion of the building structure 1 to include a second floor. This predetermined interfacing connection of services allows a modularity to be developed, wherein a building structure may be constructed in stages, adding a unit at a time. The addition of extra units is simplified by the interfacing connection of service channels 7.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the walls and floor of a building structure.

The service wall 6 and the service channels 7 around the perimeter of the floor and ceiling are the only fixed components. Other walls may be positioned according to requirements.

Referring now to Figure 3, a section of the building structure 1 is shown particularly illustrating the secondary service channels 7. The interior service channels, referenced 7a may be accessed from the perimeter of the building structure as required by forming apertures in the perimeter service channels referenced 7b. The service channels 7 are distributed throughout the floor of the building structure 1 as shown in Figure 2 and also throughout the ceiling of the building structure 1. As the service channels 7 are present in the ceiling of the building structure 1, a second story may be relatively simply and quickly added, and the ceiling of the first level functioning as the floor of the first level for the second level.

Solid fill insulation is added to the floor and/or ceiling panels between service channels 7. The insulation, in addition to providing insulating properties, may also add structural strength to the panels.

Figure 4 shows an enlargement of the region in circle A of Figure 2, illustrating the interfacing connection of service channel 7b with the building structure 1. Each service channel 7b is secured to an"I"-beam extending perpendicular to the service channel 7b. For simple construction and deconstruction if required, bolts are used to connect the service channel 7b to the"I"-beam 8. Panels 9 are provided on either side of the service channels 7b to form the floor 4 of the building structure 1.

Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the interfacing connection of the service channels 7a with the"I"beam 8 at point B in Figure 3. Service channel 7a stops inside "I"-beam 8, abutting the central member of"I"-beam 8. The components are bolted together to form an interlocking floor (or ceiling) of the building structure 1.

Figure 6 shows an enlarged view of the connections in region C of Figure 3.

This interfacing connection is formed at a corner of the building construction. Two service channels 7b are secured to each other using an angle bracket 10. The service channels 7b are connected into a wall 3 by a bolt 11. Figure 6 shows a cladding 12, which may be placed over service channels 7b. The cladding 12 may be removable to allow access to the service channels 7b.

The panels which form the walls 3 of the building structure 1 engage with each other in an interlocking manner. This is illustrated in Figure 7.

Referring to Figure 7a, two panels 13a and 13b interlock in a tongue and groove- type arrangement. The panels 13a and 13b may be secured using screws, rivets, bolts, or other fixing means. The edge of the service panels 13a and 13b may be tapered and plaster placed over the tapered portion to create a smooth transition between the panel members 13a and 13b. Figure 7b shows a plan view of the interfacing connection between panel members 13a and 13b.

Figure 8 illustrates the interfacing connection of two panel members 14a and 14b at a corner of the building structure. A vertical service channel 7c is provided to allow services to run vertically up the corners of the building structure 1 if required.

Panel member 14b includes an extension 15 to cover the end of the panel member 14a.

The opposite side of panel member 14b may be tapered for plastering and the service channel 7c and panel members 14a and 14b are interconnected using a suitable fixing means, for example, screws, rivets, or bolts.

Figure 9 shows a cross-section through building structure 1, illustrating the ceiling and roof section. The roof is formed by opposing roof members 15a and 15b which are secured to each other at a central point by a resilient frame member 16. The roof members 15a and 15b are secured to the ceiling 17 using two brackets 18 and 19 (see Figure 10).

The ceiling 17 includes service channels 7d. Service channels 7d may form the service channels within the floor of any second level which may be added to the building structure 1. It will be appreciated, that due to the roof being secured to the rest of the building structure 1 only along the upper end of the walls 3, if the second level is to be added, the roof can relatively be disengaged from the rest of the building structure 1, the second level added, and the roof secured to the top of the second level.

If required, reinforcing rods may extend between the roof panel members 14a and 14b and the foundation to secure the roof to the foundation. This may be required in areas susceptible to extreme weather conditions.

Referring to Figure 10, an enlarged view of portion D of Figure 9 is shown. The roof member 15a is secured to a first bracket 19 by a number of bolts 21 and/or other suitable fixing means. The bracket 19 extends substantially across the width of the roof members 15a in order to provide a secure engagement with the roof member 15a.

A second bracket 18 is shaped to engage with bracket 19 predominantly to prevent movement of roof member 15a in the direction indicated by arrow A. Bracket 18 is connected to a ceiling member 20 and service channel 7d by bolts 21 a and with bracket 19 by a bolt 22. Thus, to remove the roof, all is required is the removal of the bolt 22 so that the roof may be lifted out of bracket 18. After the roof has been removed, bracket 18 is removed, and a further storey may be added to the building structure 1.

Bracket 18 is then placed on the top of the further storey and the roof replaced on the building structure 1. The service channel 7d forms an integral part of the frame of the building structure 1 and is secured to the wall 3 by a bolt 23.

Referring to Figure 11 a, an enlargement of portion E of Figure 9 is shown.

Resilient roof member 16 includes two cavities 24a and 24b into which roof members 15a and 15b are inserted. Vertical members 16a provide a stop for the roof members 15a and 15b to hold them in the correct position during construction. The roof members 15a and 15b are secured to the resilient frame member 16a by bolts 25a-d.

Figure 1 1 b shows a portion of the resilient member 16 in isolation. In one embodiment, the resilient member 16 is placed over the joints between two roof panels 15. Alternatively, the resilient member 16 could extend along the entire length of the roof or over multiple panels. Those skilled in the art will recognise that resilient member 16 may also be used to secure walls at a corner of the building structure 1 as an alternative to the corner construction shown in Figure 8.

To construct the roof, a jig (not shown) is positioned in the required position relative to the walls 3 of the building structure 1 and roof panels 15a and 15b are supported on the jig. The jig may be of any shape suitable for temporarily supporting roof panels. The roof panels 15 a and 15b are then engaged with each other using resilient member 16 and then to the walls 3 using brackets 18 and 19. Once this has been completed, the jig may be removed, for example by sliding it further along the roof to add more roof members. Alternatively, the jig may remain in position to form part of the building structure 1. However, in order to provide a roof area with minimal obstructions, it is preferable that the jig is removed.

Referring to Figure 12, a unit 30 of a building structure includes a floor 31, ceiling 32 and roof 33. To add a second storey to the building structure, the roof 11 is removed from unit 30 and walls 40 and ceiling 41 are added as an extension. The roof 33 is then secured to the top of the walls 40 and ceiling 41. Primary service channels (not shown) of the unit 30 and extension walls 40 are aligned so that services available to the unit 30 may be easily accessed and extended through the primary service channels to the second storey. The walls 40 are secured to a secondary service channel in the ceiling of the unit 30.

Alternative extensions may include, for example the addition of further rooms at ground level, as shown by extensions 50 and 60, each of which include their own roofs 51 and 61 respectively or an extended doorway 70. Extra storeys may be added to extensions 50 and 60 or additional rooms added as extensions to extensions 50 and 60.

Secondary service channels through the floor of the unit 30 and each extension 50,60 and 70 are engaged to secure the building structure together.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a wide range of options may be made available regarding the addition of different extensions at different times and in

different locations relative to the first unit to be constructed. This may create difficulties for the customer in choosing the extensions which they require.

In light of this, a method of commerce, which allows the customer to view different options before deciding on the best extensions for their building structure may be required. Referring to Figure 13, a basic unit including no extensions is displayed to the customer on a suitable display device, for example a video display unit (VDU) 100 connected to a computer 101, which may be a personal computer or a server connected directly to the VDU 100 or through a local or wide area network. The computer includes a suitable processing means, referenced gP and communication means to communicate with its environment. Processors and communication interfaces suitable for use with the present invention are well known and therefore will not be described herein.

A list of selections for building expansion may be displayed to the user to select using a suitable input device 102, for example a touch screen, mouse pointer or keyboard. The user may also select the location of the building extension. A building structure including both the basic unit and extension is then displayed to the customer on the VDU 100 for their evaluation.

The information for the display of the unit and extensions may be stored in any suitable storage means. In Figure 13, the information may be stored in read only memory (ROM). Other means of storage may include compact discs, a central database or other information storage and retrieval system. In a preferred form, as presently contemplated, the information may be stored on a database accessible by an Internet server 103 to allow display of various options by terminal servers T through the Internet. Information may also be displayed on terminals T forming part of a local area network 104. A central database connected to a local or wide area network allows widespread access and relatively easy updating of information.

The storage means may also store information on the current form of the building structure of existing customers so that the base unit displayed to the customer is the current form of their building structure including any previously added extensions. The customer can then view changes to their building structure prior to making any decisions.

Additionally, the customer can"zoom in"on the image so that the structural interfacing connection of the units are shown. This allows the customer to view the connection of the primary and secondary service channels.

Once the customer has made a decision regarding any extensions to their building structure, they may place an order, either manually or through the computer 101 or local or wide area network if supplied. The components required to complete the extension are provided in prefabricated packages for quick and simple assembly on site.

Thus, there is provided a building structure including service channels to carry services into the building and a removably engaged roof. Additions or modifications to the building structure may be accommodated by interconnecting service channels of separate units of the building structure. Further, a method of commerce relating to the building structure is also provided.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the appended claims.