U.S. patent application number 11/558798 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-15 for system and method for establishing a protected work and storage space.
Invention is credited to James H. Boschma, Gregory Gottlieb, Michael McNabb, Callum R. Sullivan.
Application Number | 20080110105 11/558798 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39367831 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080110105 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boschma; James H. ; et
al. |
May 15, 2008 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING A PROTECTED WORK AND STORAGE
SPACE
Abstract
A storage facility for an airship includes a wall that is made
from a plurality of box-like ISO containers. The wall surrounds an
area on the ground, and a semicylindrical member is affixed to the
top of the wall. This creates an enclosed volume over the area for
the storage and protection of the airship. Buttresses for
supporting the wall can be made from additional containers, and
restraints can be used to secure the containers of the facility to
each other.
Inventors: |
Boschma; James H.;
(Huntsville, AL) ; McNabb; Michael; (Huntsville,
AL) ; Sullivan; Callum R.; (New Market, AL) ;
Gottlieb; Gregory; (Hailsham, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NYDEGGER & ASSOCIATES
348 OLIVE STREET
SAN DIEGO
CA
92103
US
|
Family ID: |
39367831 |
Appl. No.: |
11/558798 |
Filed: |
November 10, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/80.2 ; 52/270;
52/745.05 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 1/3483 20130101;
E04H 6/44 20130101; E04B 2001/34884 20130101; E04B 1/342
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/80.2 ; 52/270;
52/745.05 |
International
Class: |
E04B 2/14 20060101
E04B002/14; E04B 7/08 20060101 E04B007/08; E04B 1/35 20060101
E04B001/35 |
Claims
1. A storage facility which comprises: a plurality of containers
arranged to define a substantially rectangular shaped area having a
length and a width, wherein a first plurality of the containers
create a first side for the facility and a second plurality of the
containers create a second side for the facility, with the first
side and the second side respectively extending along the length of
the area with the area therebetween; and a semicylindrical member
having a first linear edge and a second linear edge, with the first
edge affixed to the first side and the second edge affixed to the
second side to establish a roof for the facility.
2. A facility as recited in claim 1 wherein each container has a
top panel and a bottom panel parallel thereto, and wherein the
first side of the facility and the second side of the facility each
include a stack of containers, and further wherein each stack
comprises: a base container; and at least one elevated container,
wherein the bottom panel of the elevated container is juxtaposed to
the top panel of the base container.
3. A facility as recited in claim 2 further comprising a plurality
of elevated containers, wherein adjacent containers in a stack are
juxtaposed at an interface where the bottom panel of a first
container is installed against the top panel of a second
container.
4. A facility as recited in claim 1 wherein the semicylindrical
member is from a Quonset hut.
5. A facility as recited in claim 1 further comprising a third
plurality of containers extending between the first side and the
second side to establish a closed end for the facility.
6. A facility as recited in claim 1 wherein each container is an
ISO container.
7. A facility as recited in claim 1 further comprising a plurality
of restraints, wherein each restraint is attached to at least two
containers to secure the containers to each other.
8. A facility as recited in claim 1 further comprising: a first
buttress for supporting the first side of the facility; and a
second buttress for supporting the second side of the facility.
9. A facility as recited in claim 8 wherein the first buttress and
the second buttress each comprise a plurality of containers.
10. A facility as recited in claim 1 wherein the first side and the
second side of the facility, and the semicylindrical member are
dimensioned to create an enclosed volume for storage and protection
of an airship.
11. A storage facility for protecting an airship which comprises: a
plurality of box-like containers arranged in a U-shaped
configuration to create a wall along a periphery of a substantially
rectangular area, wherein the wall has a top; and a semicylindrical
member having a first linear edge and a second linear edge, with
the first edge and the second edge thereof affixed to the top of
the wall to establish a roof over the area, with the wall and the
semicylindrical member being dimensioned to create an enclosed
volume for storage and protection of the airship.
12. A facility as recited in claim 11 wherein each container has a
top panel and a bottom panel parallel thereto, and wherein the wall
of the facility includes a plurality of stacks of containers, and
further wherein each stack comprises: a base container; and a
plurality of elevated containers, wherein adjacent containers in a
stack are juxtaposed at an interface where the bottom panel of a
first container is installed against the top panel of a second
container.
13. A facility as recited in claim 11 further comprising a
plurality of restraints, wherein each restraint is attached to at
least two containers to secure the containers to each other.
14. A facility as recited in claim 11 further comprising a
plurality of buttresses for supporting the wall.
15. A facility as recited in claim 14 wherein each buttress
comprises a plurality of containers.
16. A method for manufacturing a storage facility which comprises
the steps of: providing a plurality of box-like containers, with
each container having a top panel and a bottom panel; stacking the
plurality of containers to create a wall along a periphery of a
substantially rectangular area, wherein the wall has a top; and
affixing a semicylindrical member to the top of the wall to
establish a roof over the area, with the wall and the
semicylindrical member being dimensioned to create an enclosed
volume for storage and protection of the airship.
17. A method as recited in claim 16 further comprising the step of
securing each container to at least one other container.
18. A method as recited in claim 16 further comprising the step of
supporting the wall with a plurality of buttresses, wherein each
buttress comprises a plurality of containers.
19. A method as recited in claim 16 wherein each container has a
top panel and a bottom panel parallel thereto, and wherein the
stacking step results in a plurality of stacks of containers,
wherein each stack comprises a base container and a plurality of
elevated containers, wherein adjacent containers in a stack are
juxtaposed at an interface where the bottom panel of a first
container is installed against the top panel of a second
container.
20. A method as recited in claim 16 wherein each container is an
ISO container.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention pertains generally to storage and work
place facilities. More particularly, the present invention pertains
to temporary facilities for storing and protecting airships. The
present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as
an airship hangar facility that can be assembled using a plurality
of ISO containers for its sidewalls, and the semicylindrical
portion of a Quonset hut for its roof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Temporary facilities for buildings such as work places,
storage areas, and aircraft hangars are often needed for immediate
use, for relatively short periods of time. Not infrequently, a
requirement for such a facility arises under a variety of different
adverse circumstances and, when raised, will present a number of
unforeseen difficulties. In any event, under such circumstances it
is preferable if temporary facilities can be made using locally
available materials with minimal labor requirements. It is also
preferable if the construction materials are essentially
prefabricated.
[0003] For the particular case that involves an aircraft hangar,
with its associated work places and storage areas, it can easily
happen that the requirement for a temporary facility will arise in
a foreign theater of operations. If so, factors such as the time
for construction, and the availability of construction materials
may become of paramount importance. It happens, however, that
certain materials are frequently available under such circumstances
that can be adapted for use in constructing temporary facilities.
Namely, the so-called "conex container" and the familiar "Quonset
hut" are usually available, or easily obtainable, in any area of
operations.
[0004] In light of the above, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a hangar/storage facility, and a method for
its manufacture, that relies essentially on locally available
construction materials and requires minimal labor requirements. Yet
another object of the present invention is to provide a temporary
hangar/storage facility that is suitable as a hangar for a
lighter-than-air airship. Still another object of the present
invention is to provide a temporary hangar/storage facility that is
suitable as a hangar for a lighter-than-air airship that is simple
to construct, is easy to use, and is relatively cost effective.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with the present invention, a storage and
hangar facility for an airship is made using a plurality of
box-like containers. More specifically, the containers are stacked
and arranged along the periphery of a substantially rectangular
shaped area. In this context, a first plurality of the containers
is used to create a first side for the facility. Similarly, a
second plurality of the containers is used to create a second side
for the facility. As envisioned for the present invention, the
first side and the second side respectively extend along the length
of the rectangular area, with the area located between the two
sides. In a variation of this configuration, a third plurality of
containers can be used to extend between the first side and the
second side to establish a closed end for the facility. Together,
the containers are stacked to establish a wall for the
facility.
[0006] Once various stacks of containers have been arranged to
establish the wall for the facility, a roof can be added.
Specifically, for this purpose, a semicylindrical member, such as
from a Quonset hut, is used. In detail, the semicylindrical member
has a pair of linear edges that are generally parallel to each
other. These edges are then affixed to the top of the wall to
establish a roof for the facility. Together, this roof and the wall
are dimensioned to create an enclosed volume for the storage and
protection of an airship.
[0007] For the construction and assembly of the wall, it is to be
appreciated that each container will have a top panel and a bottom
panel. These panels are both substantially flat, and they are
parallel to each other. As envisioned for the present invention,
the containers are stackable, with each stack including a base
container and, at least one, but more likely, a plurality of
elevated containers. In combination, the bottom panel of an
elevated container is juxtaposed to the top panel of the base
container. When there is a plurality of elevated containers,
adjacent containers in the stack are juxtaposed at an interface,
with the bottom panel of a higher container being installed against
the top panel of a lower container at the interface. Each stack is
then stabilized by restraints (e.g. chains) that are attached to at
least two containers in the stack to secure the containers to each
other. Additional restraints can be then used to secure the stacks
of containers to each other. Further, stacks of containers can be
used to buttress each other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The novel features of this invention, as well as the
invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will
be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar
reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage facility in
accordance with the present invention shown with an airship inside
the hangar of the facility;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of two containers shown
positioned for assembly as a stack of containers; and
[0011] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a storage facility
showing the interaction of stacked containers with a roof for the
facility.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] Referring initially to FIG. 1 a facility in accordance with
the present invention is shown and is generally designated 10. As
shown, the facility 10 includes a side 12, and a side 14, with the
side 14 being positioned substantially parallel to the side 12. The
facility 10 also includes a roof 16 that extends between the sides
12 and 14. Specifically, the roof 16 covers a ground area 18 that
is located below the roof 16 and that extends between the sides 12
and 14. FIG. 1 also shows that the area 18 is preferably
rectangular in shape and will have a length "l" and a width "w".
Together, the sides 12 and 14, and the roof 16 enclose a volume
(space) 20 over the area 18 in which an airship 22 can be
hangared.
[0013] As envisioned for the present invention, the facility 10
will be constructed using a plurality of base containers 24, and a
plurality of elevated containers 26. For the facility 10 of the
present invention, the base containers 24 and elevated containers
26 are combined in a plurality of stacks 28. As shown, the stacks
28 are arranged to form the facility 10. By way of example, the
base container 24 and the elevated container 26 seen in FIG. 2 are
shown positioned for combination as a stack 28 (see FIG. 1). It is
to be appreciated that the number of elevated containers 26 in a
stack 28 may vary according to the needs of construction. For
instance, the stack 30 shown in FIG. 1 includes a base container
24' and the elevated containers 26a', 26b', 26c' and 26d'. On the
other hand, the stack 28 includes only the base container 24 and
the single elevated container 26.
[0014] With reference now to FIG. 2 it will be seen that the base
container 24 has a top panel 32, and that the elevated container 26
has a bottom panel 34. In the construction of the facility 10, the
top panel 32 of base container 24 will be juxtaposed with the
bottom panel 34 of elevated container 26, and affixed thereto. The
result is the stack 28 seen in FIG. 1. For purposes of the present
invention, all base containers 24, and all elevated containers 26
are substantially identical. Preferably, the containers 24 and 26
are so-called "conex" (ISO) containers with overall dimensions of
approximately eight feet in width, ten feet in height, and forty
feet in length (8'.times.10'.times.40'). Generally, such containers
are available locally and can be obtained commercially.
[0015] Referring now to FIG. 3, it will be seen that, in addition
to the sides 12 and 14, the facility 10 may also include a closed
end 36. Like the sides 12 and 14, the closed end 36 is also made
from stacks 28 of base containers 24 and a plurality of elevated
containers 26. Further, FIG. 3 also shows that the sides 12 and 14
of facility 10 can be supported by buttresses 38 and 40. More
specifically, and by way of example, the buttress 38 that is shown
supporting side 12 includes the stack 28 and an additional stack
42. In this case the stacks 28 and 42 are positioned in a
side-by-side relationship with the side 12. As envisioned for the
present invention, the buttresses 38 and 40 can be specifically
conformed to meet the particular support requirements for the
facility 10.
[0016] Still referring to FIG. 3, it will be seen that the roof 16
has an edge 44 and an edge 46 that is substantially parallel to the
edge 44. Further, FIG. 3 indicates that the roof 16 is dimensioned
so that the edge 44 can be affixed to the top of side 14, and that
the edge 46 can be affixed to the top of side 12. When so affixed,
the roof 16 is positioned to cover the area 18 (see FIG. 1). As
envisioned for the present invention, the roof 16 can be the same
semicylindrical structure that is used in the familiar "Quonset"
hut.
[0017] As indicated above, the various containers 24/26 that are
used in the construction of the facility 10 need to be somehow
attached, or affixed, to each other. Preferably, this is
accomplished in either of two ways. In both ways, a lower container
(e.g. a base container 24) is attached to a higher container (e.g.
elevated container 26). In one way, however, the higher container
and the lower container are in the same stack. In the other way,
the higher container is in a stack that is adjacent to the stack of
the lower container. For an example of when the containers are in
adjacent stacks, consider the restraint 50 that is shown in FIG. 3.
This restraint 50 is attached, or affixed, directly to the corner
52 of the lower base container 24 that is located in the stack 28.
The restraint 50 is also shown attached, or affixed, directly to
the corner 54 of the higher container 56 that is located in the
adjacent stack 48. Thus, the restraint 50 is oriented diagonally
across both of the stacks 28/48. Now consider the restraint 58 that
is used to interconnect the container 60 in stack 48 with the
container 62 that is also in stack 48. In this case, the restraint
58 is connected to the end 64 of the lower container 60, and to the
end 66 of the higher container 62. Again, somewhat like the
restraint 50, there is a diagonal orientation of the restraint 58.
As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, as many restraints
50/58 may be used as are needed for construction of the facility 10
in its required configuration. As will also be appreciated by the
skilled artisan, the restraints 50/58 may be chains, or straps, or
bands, or any other type tether that is well known in the pertinent
art.
[0018] While the particular System and Method for Establishing a
Protected Work and Storage Space as herein shown and disclosed in
detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the
advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is
merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the
invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of
construction or design herein shown other than as described in the
appended claims.
* * * * *