U.S. patent application number 10/553290 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-14 for building construction.
Invention is credited to Rodney Mark Gibson.
Application Number | 20060201072 10/553290 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32733246 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060201072 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gibson; Rodney Mark |
September 14, 2006 |
Building construction
Abstract
As per FIG. 4, a building construction having a main portion 1,
a roof portion 2, and a floor portion 3. The construction may be
formed in the shape of a box-like freight container in which the
roof portion 2 and/or the floor portion 3 provide(s) structural
integrity. The structural integrity is such that the construction
can be picked up by a crane, and/or arranged in a freight vehicle
with a normally loaded freight container on top of it, either case
without causing structural damage. The building construction can be
assembled by swinging the roof portion 2 out from the main portion,
and by swinging the floor portion 3 out from the main portion, not
necessarily in that order, but in each case by way of pivot
connections 4, such that the roof and floor portions become at
least part of the roof and floor of the building construction
respectively when the building construction is installed on
site.
Inventors: |
Gibson; Rodney Mark;
(Wellington, NZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
O M (Sam) Zaghmout;Bio Intellectual Property Service (Bio Ips)
8509 Kernon Ct
Lorton
VA
22079
US
|
Family ID: |
32733246 |
Appl. No.: |
10/553290 |
Filed: |
March 8, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
March 8, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NZ05/00039 |
371 Date: |
November 17, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/69 ;
52/64 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 2001/1283 20130101;
E04B 1/3444 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/069 ;
052/064 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/346 20060101
E04B001/346 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 28, 2004 |
NZ |
532620 |
Claims
1. A building construction having a main portion, a roof portion,
and a floor portion, the roof portion and the floor portion each
being attached to the main portion by way of a respective pivot
connection or connections, the building construction being formed
such that the main portion, the roof portion and the floor portion
can be arranged with respect to one another such that the building
construction is substantially in the shape of a box-like freight
container in which the roof portion and/or the floor portion
provide(s) structural integrity, the structural integrity being
such that the building construction can be picked up by a crane,
and/or arranged in a freight vehicle with a normally loaded freight
container on top of it, in either case without causing structural
damage to the building construction, and wherein the building
construction can be, after being freighted to a desired site,
assembled by swinging the roof portion out from the main portion,
and by swinging the floor portion out from the main portion, not
necessarily in that order, but in each case by way of the pivot
connections, such that the roof and floor portions become at least
part of the roof and floor of the building construction
respectively when the building construction is installed on
site.
2. A building construction according to claim 1, wherein there is a
second roof portion and a second floor portion arranged and able to
function in similar fashion to the first mentioned roof and floor
portions but at an opposite side of the main portion to the first
mentioned roof and floor portions.
3. A building construction according to claim 1, wherein there is a
second roof portion and a second floor portion arranged and able to
function in similar fashion to the first mentioned roof and floor
portions but at an opposite side of the main portion to the first
mentioned roof and floor portions, and wherein the building
construction has locking means for the floor and wall portions such
that they can each be locked in a substantially vertical
orientation when the building construction is in a disassembled
state for freighting.
4. A building construction according to claim 1, wherein there is a
second roof portion and a second floor portion arranged and able to
function in similar fashion to the first mentioned roof and floor
portions but at an opposite side of the main portion to the first
mentioned roof and floor portions, and wherein the roof portions
can be outside of the respective floor portions when the building
construction is in a disassembled state.
5. A building construction according to claim 1, wherein there is a
second roof portion and a second floor portion arranged and able to
function in similar fashion to the first mentioned roof and floor
portions but at an opposite side of the main portion to the first
mentioned roof and floor portions, and wherein the floor portions
can be outside of the respective roof portions when the building
construction is in a disassembled state.
6. A building construction according to claim 1, wherein there is a
second roof portion and a second floor portion arranged and able to
function in similar fashion to the first mentioned roof and floor
portions but at an opposite side of the main portion to the first
mentioned roof and floor portions, and wherein the building
construction is, when in a disassembled state, substantially in the
shape of a standard freight container.
7. A building construction according to claim 1, wherein there is a
second roof portion and a second floor portion arranged and able to
function in similar fashion to the first mentioned roof and floor
portions but at an opposite side of the main portion to the first
mentioned roof and floor portions, and wherein the building
construction is, when in a disassembled state, substantially in the
shape of a standard ISO freight container.
8. A building construction according to claim 1, wherein there is a
second roof portion and a second floor portion arranged and able to
function in similar fashion to the first mentioned roof and floor
portions but at an opposite side of the main portion to the first
mentioned roof and floor portions, and wherein the building
construction is, when in a disassembled state, substantially in the
shape of a standard ISO 40 foot freight container.
9. A building construction according to claim 1, wherein there is a
second roof portion and a second floor portion arranged and able to
function in similar fashion to the first mentioned roof and floor
portions but at an opposite side of the main portion to the first
mentioned roof and floor portions, and wherein the building
construction has, when in a disassembled state, a removable corner
protector arranged over at least part of an external edge of the
disassembled construction to provide a measure of protection and/or
strength to the construction when it is being transported.
10. A building construction according to claim 1, wherein there is
a second roof portion and a second floor portion arranged and able
to function in similar fashion to the first mentioned roof and
floor portions but at an opposite side of the main portion to the
first mentioned roof and floor portions, and wherein the building
construction has a plurality of removable corner protectors each
arranged along a different external edge of the building
construction to provide a measure of protection and/or strength to
the building construction when it is being transported.
11. A building construction according to claim 1, including framing
and panels wherein the panels can be fitted between parts of the
framing to create internal and/or external walls.
12. A building construction according to claim 1, wherein the
structural integrity is such that the building construction can,
when in a disassembled state, be picked up by the crane at or
adjacent four corners of the building construction without causing
structural damage to the building construction.
13. A building construction according to claim 1, wherein the
building construction is at least partially clad when in a
disassembled state.
14. A building construction having a main portion, a roof portion,
and a floor portion, the roof portion and the floor portion each
being attached to the main portion by way of a respective pivot
connection or connections, the building construction being formed
such that the main portion, the roof portion, and the floor portion
can be arranged with respect to one another such that the building
construction is substantially in a disassembled box-like shape
which can be freighted to a desired site, the building construction
being formed such that when it is on site it can be assembled by
swinging the roof portion out from the main portion, and by
swinging the floor portion out from the main portion, not
necessarily in that order, but in each case by way of the
respective pivot connections, such that the roof and floor portions
become at least part of the roof and floor of the building
construction respectively when the building construction is
installed on site, the building construction being formed such that
when the roof portion is swung out to an installed position by way
of its pivot connection or connections the roof portion is angled
upwards away from the main portion so that parts of the roof
portion most remote from the main portion are substantially higher
than parts of the roof portion immediately adjacent the main
portion, and wherein the position of contact between the roof
portion and the main portion is inherently covered by the roof
portion to substantially assist in resisting rain water entering
the building construction when the building construction is
completely installed.
15. A building construction according to claim 1, substantially as
herein described with reference to FIGS. 1-10.
16. A building construction according to claim 1, wherein the
building construction is certified as a shipping container for use
on container ships.
17. A building construction according to claim 14, formed
sufficient for ISO certification as a shipping container for use on
container ships when in the disassembled box-like shape, and
wherein the roof portion provides an outside wall of the box-like
shape, the construction being such that in order for assembly to
occur the roof portion must be swung out from the main portion
before floor portion.
18. A building construction having a main portion, two roof
portions, two floor portions, beams, wall panels, and windows; the
roof portions and the floor portions each being attached to the
main portion by way of respective pivot connections; the building
construction being formed such that the main portion, the roof
portions and the floor portions can be arranged with respect to one
another such that the building construction is substantially in the
shape of a box-like freight container in which the roof portions
and the floor portions provide structural integrity, the structural
integrity being such that the building construction can be picked
up by a crane, and/or arranged in a freight vehicle with a normally
loaded freight container on top of it, in either case without
causing structural damage to the building construction; and wherein
the building construction can be, after being freighted to a
desired site, assembled by swinging the roof portions out from the
main portion, and by swinging the floor portions out from the main
portion, not necessarily in that order, but in each case by way of
the pivot connections, such that the roof and floor portions are
supported by the beams and become at least part of the roof and
floor of the building construction respectively when the building
construction is installed on site; the assembled disposition being
such that for each roof portion parts of the roof portion most
remote from the main portion are substantially higher than parts of
the roof portion immediately adjacent the main portion, the
building construction also being such that the wall panels and
windows are adapted for fitting between the beams and the roof and
floor portions to provide weather proofing for the assembled
building construction after the floor and roof portions have been
swung out and after the beams have been secured at extremities of
the roof and floor sections.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a building construction. A
particularly preferred form of the invention relates to a building
construction which is at least initially transportable and
substantially in the shape of a freight container, and which can be
assembled to provide a shelter, for example a dwelling.
BACKGROUND
[0002] It is known to manufacture dwellings in a substantially
complete form, except for connections to services, so that they can
be transported by a large road vehicle, for example a truck, to a
desired site. A problem with such dwellings is that it is often
impractical to freight them long distances such as from one country
to another. It is accordingly an object of at least one form of the
present invention to go at least some way towards addressing this
problem, or to at least provide the public a useful choice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a
building construction having a main portion, a roof portion, and a
floor portion, the roof portion and the floor portion each being
attached to the main portion by way of a respective pivot
connection or connections, the building construction being formed
so that the main portion, the roof portion and the floor portion
can be arranged with respect to one another such that the building
construction is substantially in the shape of a box-like freight
container in which the roof portion and/or the floor portion
provide(s) structural integrity, the structural integrity being
such that the building construction can be picked up by a crane,
and/or arranged in/on a freight vehicle with a normally loaded
freight container on top of it, in either case without causing
structural damage to the building construction, and wherein the
building construction can, after being freighted to a desired site,
be assembled by swinging the roof portion out from the main
portion, and by swinging the floor portion out from the main
portion, not necessarily in that order, but in each case by way of
the pivot connections, such that the roof and floor portions become
at least part of the roof and floor of the building construction
respectively when the building construction is installed on
site.
[0004] Optionally there is a second roof portion and a second floor
portion arranged and able to function in similar fashion to the
first mentioned roof and floor portions but at an opposite side of
the main portion to the first mentioned roof and floor
portions.
[0005] Optionally the building construction has locking means for
the floor and wall portions such that they can each be locked in a
substantially vertical orientation when the building construction
is in a disassembled state for freighting.
[0006] Optionally the roof portion or portions can be outside of
the respective floor portion or portions, as the case may be, when
the building construction is in a disassembled state.
[0007] Optionally the floor portion or portions can be outside of
the respective roof portion or portions, as the case may be, when
the building construction is in a disassembled state.
[0008] Optionally the building construction is, when in a
disassembled state, substantially in the shape of a standard
freight container, for example an ISO container.
[0009] Optionally the ISO container is a 40 foot container.
[0010] Optionally the building construction has, when in a
disassembled state, a removable corner protector arranged over at
least part of an external edge of the disassembled construction to
provide a measure of protection and/or strength to the construction
when it is being transported.
[0011] Optionally the building construction has a plurality, eg
four, removable corner protectors each arranged along a different
external edge of the disassembled construction to provide a measure
of protection to the construction when it is being transported.
[0012] Optionally the building construction includes framing and
panels, and wherein the panels can be fitted between parts of the
framing to create internal and/or external walls.
[0013] Optionally the structural integrity is such that the
building construction can, when in a disassembled (eg un-erected
state), be picked up by the crane at or adjacent four corners of
the building construction without causing structural damage to the
building construction.
[0014] Optionally the building construction is at least partially
clad when in a disassembled (eg un-erected) state.
[0015] According to a further aspect of the invention there is
provided a building construction having a main portion, a roof
portion, and a floor portion, the roof portion and the floor
portion each being attached to the main portion by way of a
respective pivot connection or connections, the building
construction being formed such that the main portion, the roof
portion and the floor portion can be arranged with respect to one
another such that the building construction is substantially in a
disassembled box-like shape which can be freighted to a desired
site, the building construction being formed such that when it is
on site it can be assembled by swinging the roof portion out from
the main portion, and by swinging the floor portion out from the
main portion, not necessarily in that order, but in each case by
way of the respective pivot connections, such that the roof and
floor portions become at least part of the roof and floor of the
building construction respectively when the building construction
is installed on site, the building construction being formed such
that when the roof portion is swung out to an installed position by
way of its pivot connection the position of contact between the
roof portion and the main portion is inherently overhung on both
sides of that position of contact by the roof portion to
substantially assist in resisting rain water entering the building
construction when the building construction is completely
installed. In this aspect of the invention the building
construction may incorporate any or all of the other features,
abilities, and arrangements mentioned previously.
[0016] Optionally the building construction of any of the above
mentioned aspects is certified as a shipping container for use on
container ships.
[0017] References to a building construction and/or to a dwelling
as used herein should not, without more, be taken as implying only
an installed arrangement of the construction or dwelling. The terms
may refer to the building construction or dwelling when in an
assembled or a disassembled state. Further, the terms should not be
taken as limited to only a package of all of the parts normally
used in a building construction or dwelling.
DRAWINGS
[0018] Some preferred forms of the invention will now be described
by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings,
of which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dwelling in accordance
with the present invention
[0020] FIG. 2 is an alternative perspective view of the
dwelling,
[0021] FIG. 3 is a skeletal perspective view of part of the
dwelling when in a disassembled state,
[0022] FIG. 4 is a skeletal perspective view of part of the
dwelling when in a partially assembled state,
[0023] FIG. 5 is also a skeletal perspective view of part of the
dwelling when partially assembled, but at a more advanced stage of
assembly than in FIG. 4,
[0024] FIG. 6 is a conceptual end view of part of the dwelling when
in a disassembled state,
[0025] FIGS. 7 and 8 are end views detailing various stages in the
assembly of the dwelling,
[0026] FIGS. 9 and 10 are end views detailing more advanced stages
in the assembly of the dwelling, and
[0027] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a 40 foot container
loaded on a road vehicle to demonstrate the general dimensions of
the dwelling when in a completely disassembled state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a dwelling according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the
disassembled (eg un-erected) dwelling is generally box like and is
substantially in the dimensions of a standard 40 foot freight
container. The dwelling has a central framework 1 to which are
attached two roof sections 2 and two floor sections 3 such that one
roof and one floor section is either side of the central framework
1. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, installation of the dwelling
involves swinging the roof sections 2 outwards and upwards and
swinging the floor sections 3 outwards and downwards. The swinging
motion is in each case facilitated by pivot connections 4 between
the central framework on the one hand and the roof and floor
sections on the other. Preferably each roof or wall section 2 and 3
has a plurality of the pivot connections 4 spaced between each end
thereof.
[0029] The manner in which the roof and floor sections 2 and 3
swing outwards with respect to the central framework 1 is further
demonstrated between FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. FIG. 6 shows the dwelling in
a disassembled state with the roof sections 2 in each case arranged
outside their respective floor sections 3. While this is the
preferred disassembled state, in alternative embodiments the floor
sections may be outside their respective roof sections. FIG. 7
shows the roof sections 2 being swung towards an assembled (eg
erected) position by way of the respective pivot connections 4. The
movement of the roof sections 2 is demonstrated at 2a and 2b. FIG.
8 shows similar movement of the floor sections 3, but downward. The
movement of the floor sections 3 is demonstrated at 3a and 3b.
[0030] FIG. 9 shows a more advanced stage of assembly of the
dwelling with vertical beams 5 secured at the extremities of the
roof and floor sections. These beams provide support for the roof
sections 2 and serve to fix these against movement with respect to
the floor sections 3.
[0031] FIG. 10 shows a further advanced stage of assembly, wherein
exterior wall panels 6 and windows 7 are fitted to assist in
weather proofing the interior of the dwelling. Internal wall panels
or partitions may also be fitted to divide up the interior of the
dwelling into rooms as desired. Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 and
8, the dwelling may have some permanent internal walls 8 which
assist in providing structural integrity.
[0032] Optionally, interior building components, for example
joinery, floor coverings, wall linings, windows, doors, and
exterior claddings are contained within the central framework 1
when the dwelling is in a disassembled state. In a preferred
embodiment of the invention internal walls, internal and external
doors, and windows, etc, can be positioned to suit the end user's
requirements, for example to compliment services or to maximize
exposure to natural light, etc.
[0033] A benefit of at least some embodiments of the invention is
that the dwelling can be readily transported to a desired site,
installed, and connected to services, all with minimal effort and
relatively low cost. By manufacturing the dwelling such that it is
substantially in the shape of a standard freight container, for
example an ISO 40 foot container, the dwelling may be shipped as
part of a standard stack of containers. By manufacturing the
dwelling to match the size of a standard freight container the
disassembled dwelling can be readily loaded and unloaded by way of
lifting devices, for example cranes, designed for such
containers.
[0034] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a freight
container, for example an ISO 40 foot container as shown in FIG.
11, must be of sufficient structural integrity to withstand the
weight of other containers stacked on top of it such as in a
container ship. Preferably the dwelling can take the weight of an
ISO 40 foot container when loaded to the maximum allowable weight
for such a container under international standards. It will also be
appreciated that the container should have sufficient strength to
withstand the loading inherent on its structure when it is picked
up by a container crane. For example, if a container has
insufficient strength then when it is picked up by its end parts,
or at only a few contact points, it may buckle or incur other
damage.
[0035] Freight containers typically have six sides, each formed
from sheet steel or the like. These sides contribute significant
strength to the overall structure and enable the container to
withstand the forces on it when lifted or placed beneath one or
more other containers in a stack. The dwelling shown in the
accompanying drawings is designed to facilitate open plan living
and, referring to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the basic structure,
when assembled, does not have permanent longitudinally running
walls at the sides (ie at positions 9) of the central framework 1.
To enable the dwelling to withstand the normal forces on a
container use is made of the two wall sections 2 and the two floor
sections 3. When these are in a disassembled state, ie as per FIGS.
3 and 6, they are in vertical alignment in the vicinity of position
9 and thus act as structural walls for the disassembled dwelling.
To assist with this the wall and floor sections 2 and 3 can be
locked at distil parts thereof in the vertical disposition for
freighting.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 9, the dwelling preferably has
longitudinal corner castings 10 which can be fitted to the
longitudinal sides of the disassembled dwelling. These provide a
measure of protection and/or strength to the dwelling during
freighting.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 10, the dwelling is preferably formed such
that when it is installed the angle between vertical corners of the
central framework and the associated roof sections is approximately
110.degree. in each case. This assists in the creation of a more
spacious feel to the interior of the dwelling, and if the angle is
greater then the feeling of spaciousness will be further enhanced.
With further reference to FIG. 10, the pivot connections between
the roof sections 2 and the central framework 1 are positioned such
that when the roof sections 2 are in an installed disposition they
cover the points where the roof structures 2 meet the central
framework 1. This assists in weather proofing the dwelling.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that in the
assembled dwelling a deck area may be fitted in front of at least
one of the floor sections. In alternative embodiments decking may
be fitted to both sides of the dwelling.
[0039] Preferably the central framework 1 and the wall and floor
sections 2 and 3 are formed from a suitable metallic substance, for
example steel, although alternative materials may be used provided
that they impart sufficient overall strength.
[0040] In some alternative embodiments of the dwelling there may be
only one pivoting roof and floor section 2 and 3. In such
embodiments the opposite side of the central framework may have a
permanent longitudinal structural wall.
[0041] While some preferred forms of the invention have been
described by way of example it should appreciated that
modifications and improvements can occur without departing from the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *