U.S. patent application number 10/494951 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-17 for mobile container.
Invention is credited to Kuebler, Ulrich.
Application Number | 20050055891 10/494951 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7705027 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050055891 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuebler, Ulrich |
March 17, 2005 |
Mobile container
Abstract
A mobile container has a functional space and a technical module
for power supply and/or air conditioning of the functional space.
The technical module can be extended from and retracted into the
container and is provided with a closing plate facing the container
exterior. The technical module has a second closing plate facing
the container interior. Devices are provided to firmly connect the
inner closing plate with the container when the technical module is
in its extended position and to firmly connect both closing plates
with the container when it is in its retracted position.
Inventors: |
Kuebler, Ulrich; (Markdorf,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CROWELL & MORING LLP
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GROUP
P.O. BOX 14300
WASHINGTON
DC
20044-4300
US
|
Family ID: |
7705027 |
Appl. No.: |
10/494951 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
November 5, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/DE02/04056 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/79.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 1/3431
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/079.1 |
International
Class: |
E04H 001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 8, 2001 |
DE |
101 54 848.6 |
Claims
1-9. (Cancelled)
10. Mobile container having a functional space and a technical
module for power supply and/or air conditioning of the functional
space wherein the technical module is extendable from and
retractable into the container and has a first closing plate facing
a container exterior, whereas the technical module has a second
closing plate facing the container interior, and apparatus is
provided to firmly connect the second closing plate with the
container when the technical module in its extended position and to
firmly connect the first and second closing plates with the
container in its retracted position.
11. Mobile container as claimed in claim 10, wherein the container
has a rectangular floorplan, and the technical module is disposed
on a transverse side and is displaceable parallel to a longitudinal
axis of the container.
12. Mobile container as claimed in claim 10, wherein means is
provided on at least one of the two longitudinal sides of the
container for expanding the volume of the functional space.
13. Mobile container as claimed in claim 12, wherein the means
comprises at least one of slide-out assemblies and apparatus for
folding individual areas of a shell of the container.
14. Mobile container as claimed in claim 10, wherein the cross
section of the technical module is substantially the same as the
cross section of the container.
15. Mobile container as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first
closing plate is firmly connectable to the container ring bolts
with the technical module in a retracted position.
16. Mobile container as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second
closing plate is firmly connectable to the container bolts with the
technical module in an extended position.
17. Mobile container as claimed in claim 10, wherein guide pins are
provided on the second closing plate, to engage with receiving
bores on the container for a positive-locking connection the
technical module in a retracted position.
18. Mobile container as claimed in claim 10, wherein guide pins are
provided on the second closing plate to engage with receiving bores
on the container for a positive-locking connection with the
technical module in an extended position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile container having a
functional space and a technical module for power supply and/or air
conditioning of the functional space, wherein the technical module
is extendable from and retractable into the container and has a
first closing plate facing a container exterior.
[0002] Today, containers are used in a wide variety of applications
as mobile workspaces or living quarters. For independent use in
areas without adequate infrastructure, or for operational
independence, these containers have not only a functional space,
i.e., the actual workroom or living space, but also a technical
space housing units and systems for air conditioning, power supply
and control of the functional space (e.g., DE 299 18 368 U1). Such
a container is depicted in FIG. 1A. A fixed internal wall W
separates the functional space FR from the technical space TR.
[0003] This separation into functional space and technical space is
also used for expandable containers in which the functional space
is expanded on one or two sides (so-called 1:2 or 1:3
configurations illustrated in FIG. 2a in contrast to the 1:1
configuration shown in FIG. 1A) by way of slide-out assemblies
and/or foldable sidewalls (EP 0 682 156 A1, DE G 92 16 313 U1).
Other containers with 1:2 configurations are disclosed, for
example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,756, U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,782, GB
Patent No. 2 006 298 A and U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,698.
[0004] A drawback in building the technical space within the
container is that it reduces the interior volume. Furthermore, the
presence of the internal partition requires an external access to
the technical space, which reduces the torsional rigidity of the
entire container during transport and thereby limits standard
transports (e.g., multiple stacking for sea transport).
[0005] The German publication "Deutsche Bauzeitung," No. 3, pp.
257-258, describes a mobile container in which the technical space
is configured as a slide-out technical module. This, however,
solves only the problem of the reduced interior volume of the
container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a container
with optimized torsional rigidity based on the container described
in the German publication "Deutsche Bauzeitung," No. 3, pp.
257-258.
[0007] This object is attained by providing a mobile container in
which the technical module has a second closing plate facing the
container interior, and apparatus is provided to firmly connect the
second closing plate with the container when the technical module
in its extended position and to firmly connect the first and second
closing plates with the container in its retracted position.
[0008] The container according to the present invention has a
technical module which can be retracted into and extended from the
container and which houses power supply and/or air conditioning
units and systems and possibly other technical supply and control
units. The interior of the container, in its operational
configuration, can thus be expanded to its full volume (e.g., the
standard interior volume of a 20' ISO container). The technical
module can be extended while the container is in its operational
state. A further advantage is that the container according to the
present invention remains operational even in its transport
configuration when the technical module is retracted. External
cabling, hoses, etc. are also not necessary.
[0009] According to the present invention, the technical module has
two closing plates facing the container interior and exterior.
These closing plates can be firmly connected with the container in
both the retracted and extended position of the technical module.
In the transport position (technical module retracted) both the
inner plate and outer plate are connected, e.g., bolted, to the
container. The outer plate then forms an outside wall of the
container. The firm connection of the two plates with the container
substantially increases the torsional rigidity of the container. In
the operational configuration, only the inner plate is firmly
connected to the container. In this configuration, the inner plate
also serves as the boundary between the functional space and the
outside.
[0010] In one advantageous embodiment, the container is configured
in such a way that in the retracted position of the technical
module the outer closing plate is firmly connected, e.g., bolted,
to the container. In addition, a firm connection between the inner
closing plate and the container is ensured by one or more guide
pins which engage with a receiving bore in the container for a
positive-locking connection. An additional, e.g., bolted,
connection between the inner closing plate and the container is not
necessary in this case. The described configuration using guide
pins thus makes it possible to rapidly move the technical module
from its extended position to its retracted position.
[0011] In another advantageous embodiment, additional guide pins
are disposed on the inner closing plate in such a way that these
additional guide pins engage with receiving bores in the container
to provide a positive-locking connection when the technical module
is in its extended position. In addition, the inner closing plate
is firmly connected, e.g., bolted, to the container.
[0012] The units located in the technical space often have a
considerable amount of weight. The solution according to the
invention, i.e., to firmly connect both closing plates of the
technical module with the container when the technical module is in
its retracted state, makes it possible to transmit to the container
the forces of these units acting on the container directly at the
point of their origin.
[0013] The mobile technical module is advantageously supported on
rollers or rails. Sliding seals may be used to seal the functional
space toward the outside on the side formed by the displaceable
technical module. Another embodiment uses inflatable seals, which
are inflated after the technical module has reached its end
position.
[0014] The container can be transported analogously to standard
containers (e.g., 20' ISO containers). The increased torsional
rigidity allows multiple stacking to a greater extent (e.g., for
sea transport).
[0015] In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the
container is configured as a cuboid with a rectangular plan. In
this embodiment, the technical module is provided, in particular,
on one of the transverse sides of the cuboid container and is
displaceable in longitudinal direction. If the cross section of the
technical module is substantially the same size as the cross
section of the cuboid container, the interior volume can be
expanded across the full interior height and width of the
container.
[0016] The concept of the displaceable technical module is, of
course, also suitable for containers with variable interior volume
which have the ability to expand the volume on one or more sides.
If these containers are, for example, expanded on one or both
longitudinal sides, the technical module is advantageously provided
on a transverse side of the container, such that it is displaceable
in longitudinal direction.
[0017] The present invention is particularly suited for standard
20' ISO containers (particularly containers made of steel or
aluminum). It is, of course, also suited for containers with other
dimensions or for fixed truck shells. The functional space can also
be configured as a first aid station or an operating room.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of the invention when considered in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings.
[0019] FIGS. 1A-1C are schematic plan views of several embodiments
with a non-expandable interior volume (so-called 1:1 configuration)
in which FIG. 1A shows a prior art a container.
[0020] FIGS. 2A-2B are schematic plan views of the embodiments with
expandable interior volume (1:3 configuration) in which FIG. 2A
shows a prior art container.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an embodiment according
to the present invention with expandable interior volume (1:3
configuration).
[0022] FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment according to the
present invention with an additional diagonal strut shown in the
retracted and fully extended states.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a side view of another embodiment of the container
according to the present invention illustrating three different
positions (retracted, transitional, extended) of the module.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] FIG. 1A shows a standard 20' prior art container C with an
internal, fixed partition W between the technical space TR and the
functional space FR. The technical space TR reduces the functional
space FR. The additionally required external access door FT
configured as a double door for the technical space TR decreases
the rigidity of the container C, particularly during transport. The
internal partition W, on the other hand, increases the
rigidity.
[0025] FIG. 1B shows a container C according to the invention,
based on a standard 20' container, in its transport configuration,
i.e., with completely retracted technical module TM. In this
embodiment the technical module TM is arranged on the transverse
side of the container C and is displaceable in the longitudinal
direction. In this position, the volume of the functional space FR
corresponds to the volume of the container C shown in FIG. 1A. Both
closing plates AA, A1 of the technical module TM are bolted to the
container. This increases the rigidity of the container C.
[0026] FIG. 1C shows the container C according to the invention
depicted in FIG. 1B but in its operational configuration, i.e.,
with fully extended technical module TM. The inner closing plate A1
of the technical module TM is fixed, e.g., bolted, to the end frame
member of the container. In contrast to the prior-art container
shown in FIG. 1A, the volume of the functional space FR is now
increased by the hatched area.
[0027] FIG. 2A shows a prior art expandable container C. On the
longitudinal sides, an additional box element Z can be extended
from the basic container C to expand the usable interior volume of
the functional space FR. Here, a number of different systems are
known, all of which can be combined with the solution according to
the invention. For example, an additional box element Z may consist
of a horseshoe-shaped component, such that the ceiling and floor
areas required for a complete external seal are formed by container
sidewalls, which can be folded up or down (DE G 92 16 314 U1). In
another prior-art design, the additional box element Z is formed by
a cuboid component such that only the side facing the basic
container is open. In addition, a lowering mechanism may be
provided to lower the floor area of the additional box element to
the level of the floor area of the basic container (EP 0 682 156
A1). As a function of the design, the interior heights in the area
of the additional box element Z are lower than in the basic
container. For the rest, the basic container with a separate
technical space according to FIG. 2A corresponds to the container
illustrated in FIG. 1A.
[0028] FIG. 2B, which is based on the prior art container depicted
in FIG. 2A, shows a container C according to the invention with a
displaceable technical module TM. The technical module TM is fully
extended. The space thus obtained (hatched) is particularly
valuable because it is located within the area with maximum
interior height.
[0029] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a container according to
the invention. This embodiment essentially corresponds to the
container C of FIG. 2B, which can be expanded by two additional box
elements Z. The technical module TM can be extended and retracted
by telescopic rails TS. The figure also shows the two closing
plates AI, AA of the technical module TM. On the sidewalls of the
technical module TM, parallel to its displacement direction, air
conditioning intake and outlet areas L may be advantageously
provided. This simplifies the incoming and exhaust air routing for
the air conditioning system. The remaining areas in the sidewalls
of the extended technical module TM can be used to access the
technical module.
[0030] FIG. 4 shows side views of the container C according to the
invention, i.e., in the retracted state (top) and in the fully
extended state. The bottom view shows an additional diagonal strut
DS, which improves stability in the extended state. The technical
module Z can be retracted and extended using, for example, a winch
unit with a strap. Such measures are known per se, e.g., from EP 0
682 156 A1.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows a particularly advantageous embodiment of the
container according to the invention in a side view illustrating
the three different positions of the technical module:
[0032] Top: technical module TM (with technical space TR) retracted
into container C (with functional space FR),
[0033] Center: transition between retracted and extended
position,
[0034] Bottom: technical module TM fully extended.
[0035] The embodiment shown in this figures is distinguished by the
use of guide pins ZBI, ZBA on the two sides of the inner closing
plate AI of the technical module. One guide pin ZBI is disposed on
the side facing the container interior. The other guide pin ZBA is
disposed on the side of the closing plate AI facing the exterior.
The guide pins ZBI, ZBA secure the position of the displaceable
technical module TM relative to the container C. The function and
advantages of the guide pins will now be described in greater
detail.
[0036] The top illustration of FIG. 5 (position 1) shows how the
guide pin ZBI engages with the receiving bore in the container C
for a positive-locking connection when the technical module is in
its retracted position. In this embodiment, the receiving bore is
arranged, for example, in a member PI on the sidewall of the
container C. The force of the technical module TM in longitudinal
direction of the container is produced by bolts S with which the
outer closing plate AA of the technical module is fixed to the end
frame member PA of the container from the outside (position 2). For
this purpose, a threaded bore GB is provided on the end frame
member PA. Hence, the bolts S, arranged in a single plane, enable
not only the firm connection between the outer closing plate AA and
the end frame member PA but also provide the positive locking
connection between the inner closing plate AI and the inner member
PI because of the guide pins ZBI. In this embodiment the technical
module TM can be moved quickly from its extended to its retracted
position.
[0037] The bottom illustration, which depicts the extended position
of the technical module TM (position 3), shows how the inner
closing plate AI is connected by bolts S to the end frame member PA
of the container C from the inside. Here, too, there are guide pins
ZBA, which engage with indentations made in the end frame member PA
for a positive-locking connection to ensure the correct positioning
of the technical module TM in relation to the container C.
* * * * *