U.S. patent application number 11/993805 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-27 for prefabricated service pod.
Invention is credited to Gary McLuskey.
Application Number | 20100126082 11/993805 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36788616 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100126082 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McLuskey; Gary |
May 27, 2010 |
PREFABRICATED SERVICE POD
Abstract
The present invention relates to a prefabricated service pod
comprising: a central framework adapted to accommodate at least one
utility means, said utility means being selected from: an
electricity supply, a telecommunications/data supply, a water
supply, a waste fluid drainage conduit, and a ventilation supply;
and at least two sections attached to said framework selected from:
a kitchen section, a bathroom section, and a staircase section. The
present invention also describes a method of constructing a
building using a prefabricated service pod.
Inventors: |
McLuskey; Gary; (London,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLACK LOWE & GRAHAM, PLLC
701 FIFTH AVENUE, SUITE 4800
SEATTLE
WA
98104
US
|
Family ID: |
36788616 |
Appl. No.: |
11/993805 |
Filed: |
June 23, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
June 23, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2006/002328 |
371 Date: |
February 11, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/79.7 ; 52/143;
52/185; 52/220.1; 52/236.3; 52/745.02; 52/79.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 1/34869
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/79.7 ;
52/79.1; 52/220.1; 52/236.3; 52/185; 52/143; 52/745.02 |
International
Class: |
E04H 1/02 20060101
E04H001/02; E04C 2/52 20060101 E04C002/52; E04H 1/04 20060101
E04H001/04; E04F 11/02 20060101 E04F011/02; E04H 1/12 20060101
E04H001/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 23, 2005 |
GB |
0512863.2 |
Mar 10, 2006 |
GB |
0604903.5 |
Claims
1. A prefabricated service pod comprising: a central framework
adapted to accommodate at least one utility means, said utility
means being selected from: an electricity supply, a
telecommunications/data supply, a water supply, a waste fluid
drainage conduit, and a ventilation supply; and at least two
sections attached to said framework selected from: a kitchen
section, a bathroom section, and a staircase section.
2. A service pod in accordance with claim 1, wherein the service
pod of the present invention further comprises an entertainment
section attached to said framework.
3. A service pod in accordance with any of claims 1-2, wherein the
central framework of accommodates the at least one utility means in
at least one void located within said framework.
4. A service pod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein
the central framework comprises a plurality of voids therein to
accommodate said at least one utility means.
5. A service pod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein
the central framework of the service pod has a lattice construction
and is adapted to accommodate the at least one utility means within
the voids in said lattice.
6. A service pod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein
the central framework of the service pod has a plurality of
attachment means adapted to accommodates the at least one utility
means adjacent thereto.
7. A service pod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein
all of said utility means are accommodated within/adjacent to the
framework.
8. A service pod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein at
least one of the utility means can be substantially integrated in
the service pod.
9. A service pod in accordance with any of claims 1-7, wherein all
of the utility means are substantially integrated in the service
pod.
10. A service pod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein
the central framework is arranged to form a cage-like structure
having open sides thereto to permit access to the sections attached
to the central framework.
11. A service pod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein
the pods is provided in a single storey format.
12. A service pod in accordance with any of claims, wherein the pod
is provided in a multi-storey format.
13. A service pod in accordance with claim 12, wherein the
multi-storey pod is integrally formed.
14. A service pod in accordance with claim 12, wherein the
multi-storey is formed in single storey component parts to be
connected to each other and/or adapted to communicate with each
other on-site.
15. A service pod in accordance with any of claims 12-14, wherein
the communication between multi-storey pods is provided by at least
one of: the at least one void in the central framework of each
component part of the pod being adapted to communicate with an
adjacent component pod, the at least one integrated utility means
of each pod being connected with or adapted to communicate with an
adjacent component pod, and/or a staircase portion allowing ease of
access to a user from one component pod to an adjacent component
pod.
16. A service pod in accordance with any of claims 12-15, wherein
at least one of the pods is preferably provided with a staircase
section to permit a user an ease of access to each storey of the
pod.
17. A service pod in accordance with any of claims 12-16, wherein
the pods are arranged to be stacked substantially directly on top
of each other.
18. A service pod in accordance with any of claims 12-16, wherein
the pods are arranged such that only a portion of the upper pod is
stacked on the lower pod.
19. A service pod in accordance with any of claims 17-18, wherein
the stacking of the component storeys of a multi-storey service pod
may be achieved by directly connecting adjacent pods to each
other.
20. A service pod in accordance with any of claims 17-18, wherein
the stacking of adjacent pods is by connecting them to internal
and/or external structures of the building in suitable spaced
relation to each other to permit communication between said
component pods.
21. A service pod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein
the framework is adapted to divide the internal space of a room
into two or more distinct spaces or rooms.
22. A service pod in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein
the pod is provided with removable or retractable transport
means.
23. A service pod in accordance with claim 22, wherein the
transport means are provided in the form of wheels or rollers
mounted on legs that can be mechanically raised and lowered into
the pod.
24. A method of constructing a building wherein: a building
envelope is constructed, said envelope comprising at least external
walls, floors, ceilings, and a roof; the envelope is provided with
a service pod access means; and a service pod in accordance with a
first aspect of the present invention is subsequently introduced
into the building envelope.
25. A method in accordance with claim 24, wherein the service pod
access means is provided in an external side wall to permit access
to the interior of the envelope to the service pod.
26. A method in accordance with any of claims 24-25, wherein after
the service pod has been introduced into the envelope via the
service pod access means, the external wall is sealed.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to prefabricated service pods
and specifically but not exclusively, prefabricated service pods
that can be used in the construction of buildings and the like.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Prefabricated building units are well known and allow an
entire room including the exterior walls, ceiling and floor
together with the room's interior fittings to be constructed in a
factory located remotely from a building site in a controlled
factory environment. These building units can then be delivered to
the site, typically by road, where they can be secured in position.
Once secured into position the utilities can be installed, such
utilities including a supply of electricity, water,
telecommunications etc. Therefore, in a relatively short period of
time from the completion of a building's foundations, a building
can be erected and ready for occupation.
[0003] These prefabricated building units have several clear
advantages over traditional buildings and building methods as they
reduce building time, the cost of producing the finished building
is minimised as a result of lower labour costs and buildings
materials costs. Also, as the production of prefabricated building
units is relatively straightforward to standardise, economies of
scale can further reduce the cost and build time yet further.
[0004] Whilst such known units are capable of existing as
stand-alone buildings in their own right, they are often joined
with a series of like or similar units to create a larger building.
For example, such units can be used to provide houses, apartments,
university accommodation, hotels, offices, business premises such
as fast food restaurants and the like.
[0005] Traditionally, the known building units have only been used
to provide somewhat functional buildings due, in part, to their
inexpensive nature and their general appearance. Indeed, one
drawback with these units is that it is difficult to alter the
external appearance of the finished building, and this can
compromise their suitability for a particular purpose. A further
drawback is that it is inefficient to transport whole building
units from the factory to the building site as a large proportion
of the transported unit is the interior of a room and, in effect,
empty space. This drawback can be particularly problematic where
national law restricts the size of the units that may be
transported on public roads. Also, the size and weight of the
building unit needs to be carefully considered as large and heavy
units require specialised on-site lifting apparatus which is
expensive to operate and, thus, reduces the economic efficacy of
such units.
[0006] A further drawback is that known prefabricated building
units are often deemed not to be sufficiently robust to be used for
anything other than mere functional buildings, such as single
storey temporary offices, schools and the like.
[0007] Notwithstanding these drawbacks there is a general desire to
produce more mainstream buildings which utilize at least some of
the benefits inherent to prefabricated building units.
[0008] One such market which would encourage the adoption of these
benefits would be the first time home-buyers market. Increasingly
first time buyers find themselves priced out of the housing market
and the provision of inexpensive housing, particularly near large
cities, is likely to be desirable.
[0009] Furthermore, due to increasing numbers of students attending
universities, there is an increasing demand for inexpensive student
accommodation. Universities can often fail to offer all students,
particularly first year students, accommodation. Increasingly
universities are interested in the development of so called study
bedrooms which not only have a sleeping and study area but also an
en-suite shower and toilet area generally arranged in a block of
such study bedrooms.
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved system to produce buildings incorporating at least some of
the advantages and benefits of known prefabricated building units
whilst addressing the associated drawbacks, some of which are
mentioned above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention there
is provided therefore a prefabricated service pod comprising:
a central framework adapted to accommodate at least one utility
means, said utility means being selected from: an electricity
supply, a telecommunications/data supply, a water supply, a waste
fluid drainage conduit, and a ventilation supply; and at least two
sections attached to said framework selected from: a kitchen
section, a bathroom section, and a staircase section.
[0012] Preferably the service pod of the present invention can
further comprise an entertainment section attached to said
framework.
[0013] The central framework of the service pod preferably
accommodates the at least one utility means in at least one void
located within said framework. The central framework may comprise a
plurality of voids therein to accommodate said at least one utility
means.
[0014] The central framework of the service pod may have a lattice
construction and be adapted to accommodate the at least one utility
means within the voids in said lattice.
[0015] Alternatively, the central framework of the service pod may
possess plurality of attachment means adapted to accommodates the
at least one utility means adjacent thereto.
[0016] The service pod of the present invention is adapted to
accommodate at least two utility means within the void(s) or
adjacent to the framework. Preferably the service pod of the
present invention is adapted to accommodate at least three utility
means within the void(s) or adjacent to the framework. Even more
preferably, all of said utility means can be accommodated
within/adjacent to the framework.
[0017] Access means may be provided to facilitate ease of
installation and maintenance of the utility means during the use of
the pod.
[0018] At least one of the utility means can be substantially
integrated in the service pod. Preferably at least two of the
utility means are substantially integrated in the service pod. Even
more preferably, all of the utility means are substantially
integrated in the service pod. The integration of the utility means
can be facilitated during the construction of the pod such that
when the pod is introduced to the construction site, it can simply
be plugged in and/or connected to the basic utility means provided
in the building.
[0019] The central framework may extend laterally to provide a roof
and/or a floor to the pod. The pod may be arranged to form a
cage-like structure having open sides thereto to permit access to
the sections attached to the central framework.
[0020] As used herein the term "bathroom section" shall be taken to
mean any section which a user of the pod may use to typically wash
themselves. Each bathroom section may comprise at least two of: a
wash basin, a bath, a shower cubicle, a toilet.
[0021] As used herein the term "kitchen section" shall be taken to
mean any section which is typically equipped for preparing and
cooking food. Each kitchen section may comprise at least two of: a
sink, an oven, a hob, a refrigerator, a dishwashing machine, a
washing machine, a tumble dryer, one or more work surfaces.
[0022] As used herein the term "staircase section" shall be taken
to mean any section which comprises a series of steps and a
supporting structure therefor.
[0023] As used herein the term "entertainment section" shall be
taken to mean any section which is adapted to house typical
entertainment apparatus commonly found in a domestic building such
as a television, a computer, a music player. This section is
preferably provided with a series of suitable outlets to
accommodate such apparatus, including electrical sockets and/or
telecommunication sockets and/or modem sockets. This section may
also comprise one or more sliding or hinged doors to conceal the
section either wholly or partially.
[0024] As a service pod in accordance with the present invention is
intended to be incorporated within the interior of a constructed
building it offers several advantages over the known prior art.
[0025] As mentioned above, when prefabricated buildings are erected
it is generally difficult to impart a pleasing aesthetic external
appearance to the building. A service pod in accordance with the
present invention permits a builder, typically a building
contractor, to erect the envelope of a building in accordance with
a traditional building and, when this envelope nears completion,
the service pod can be introduced. In this regard the service pod
of the present invention offers a series of advantages over
traditional building methods and some of these advantages are set
out below.
[0026] Firstly, a building contractor is able to erect the envelope
of the building using largely traditional building techniques, such
as with block-work, bricks, mortar and cement. The envelope of the
building is used here in a general sense to include the foundations
of the building, the outer walls, the roof, internal floors and
ceilings, a layer of plaster on the internal walls, windows and
doors, and typical first-fitting utilities such as sewage, water
supply, electric supply and telecommunication/data supply
cabling/pipework and the like.
[0027] Once the envelope is constructed the introduction of the
service pod can be delayed until the building has been purchased
and/or the purchaser has decided on the specification of the pod.
Since the pod is likely to represent between 15-35% of the total
cost of the building, this delay is of benefit to the contractor
and/or a building developer as the cost of the pod only need be
incurred when the building is near to being handed over to the
purchaser.
[0028] A further benefit of the service pod of the present
invention is that the number of on-site trades people is
substantially reduced. During a traditional construction of a
building there will be a number of different skilled people on the
building site at any one time depending on the progress of the
construction. These trades people include builders, electricians,
plumbers, plasterers, ventilation engineers. Often architects will
be called in to offer instructions and advice on the development of
the building. Generally it is considered problematic for more than
one type of trades person to work on the building at any one time,
thus, the associated coordination contributes to longer
construction times and increased costs.
[0029] The service pod of the present invention may substantially
reduce the number of trades people required in the building
process. Several of the trades people are required to make repeated
visits to the building during construction to work with and
accommodate the introduction of the kitchen, the bathroom, the
telecommunication access points, the ventilation etc. However, once
the basic utility means are placed in the building envelope, the
possible integration of the utility means within the service pod
during manufacture provides the ability to simply plug in/connect
to the present utility means thus alleviating the need for several
trades people to return to the building during installation of the
pod and subsequent to the installation.
[0030] It is to be understood that any reference to a building
envelope does not necessarily have to include all of the components
mentioned above, rather the envelope is intended to indicate that
these components could be put in place using traditional building
techniques but all that needs be present is a general structure in
place into which a service pod in accordance with the present
invention could be introduced. Indeed, the envelope could be made
entirely from a pre-fabricated structure or structures.
[0031] The service pods of the present invention may be provided in
a single storey format. However, the service pods of the present
invention may be provided in a multi-storey format. Such
multi-storey pods may be integrally formed or may be formed in
single storey component parts to be connected to each other and/or
adapted to communicate with each other on-site. The communication
between multi-storey pods can be provided by at least one of: the
at least one void in the central framework of each component part
of the pod being adapted to communicate with an adjacent component
pod, the at least one integrated utility means of each pod being
connected with or adapted to communicate with an adjacent component
pod, and/or a staircase portion allowing ease of access to a user
from one component pod to an adjacent component pod.
[0032] Where the service pods are of a multi-storey format, at
least one of the pods is preferably provided with a staircase
section to permit a user an ease of access to each storey of the
pod.
[0033] Preferably the multi-storey service pods of the present
invention are arranged to be stacked substantially directly on top
of each other. However, the pods may be arranged such that only a
portion of the upper pod is stacked on the lower pod.
[0034] The stacking of the component storeys of a multi-storey
service pod may be achieved by directly connecting adjacent pods to
each other. Alternatively or additionally, adjacent pods may be
connected to internal and/or external structures of the building in
suitable spaced relation to each other to permit communication
between said component pods.
[0035] Whilst there are restrictions on the number of storeys of a
building that can have communicating service pods in accordance
with the present invention, it is generally preferred to use the
multi-storey service pods in buildings of between two to six
storeys in height.
[0036] Preferably the framework of the pod is adapted to divide the
internal space of a room into two or more distinct spaces or rooms.
Preferably the framework is sized to extend into the internal space
of the building to divide the internal space into two or more
distinct spaces or rooms. Even more preferably, the framework is
sized to extend into the internal space of the building to the
internal and/or external walls of the building to divide the
internal space into two or more distinct spaces or rooms.
[0037] Preferably the service pod is provided with an integrated
warm air recovery means to improve energy efficiency and
insulation. Sections of the pod may also be provided with
radiators, panel heaters, storage heaters, low-level heaters and/or
focal point fireplaces and the like.
[0038] Preferably the service pod is provided with an integrated
boiler/hot water cylinder to provide hot water and heating to the
pod. The boiler may be located in within any section of the pod,
but preferably in the kitchen section or staircase section.
[0039] To improve the ability to transport a service pod of the
present invention and improve the ease with which the pod can be
secured in position within the building envelope, the pod may be
provided with removable or retractable transport means. Preferably
the pod will be provided with retractable transport means which are
adapted to be raised and lowered as required. Suitable transport
means may be provided in the form of wheels or rollers mounted on
legs that can be mechanically raised and lowered into the pod.
[0040] The present invention provides numerous benefits over
traditional building methods and currently known pre-fabricated
buildings. Building contractors are presented with the option of
retaining their traditional building skills to build a building
envelope without the need to work with a large number of trades
people, thus reducing the construction time and the associated
cost. Also due to the ease of installation of the service pods of
the present invention, the contractor will be able to produce rapid
construction programs, low disruption risks and reduced defects
on-site.
[0041] As each service pod will be manufactured off-site in a
substantially repeatable way, quality control can be imparted to
the manufacturing process. As a consequence of the resulting
standardisation and quality control, the level of insurance
required to cover the construction work can be reduced.
[0042] As the service pods offer a degree of internal
standardisation to the construction, architects will benefit from
the freedom to design the building envelope knowing that the
varying designs will improve the consumer desirability without
necessarily increasing the building contractors' or property
developers' costs.
[0043] Property developers will benefit from a unique building
envelope identity and a cost efficient manufacturing process that
will deliver housing faster and more efficiently, allowing a more
controlled management of their financial investment.
[0044] The service pod may also be environmentally friendly and can
be largely or wholly manufactured with sustainable and recyclable
materials and components that provide increased construction
efficiency and continued product efficiency development. The size
of the pods can render them suitable for inexpensive
transportation, which in turn caused less harm to the environment.
The off-site construction process means less material waste on site
while the building envelope is constructed.
[0045] The pods may be provided with integral electricity and/or
water meters to allow users to monitor their rate of consumption
thereof. Main water pipework, soil pipework, electricity cabling,
telecommunication cabling and associated isolation valves can be
provided adjacent to or on the same side of the pod to permit an
ease of access thereto. Preferably a suitable access means will be
provided adjacent said meters/pipework/cabling/valves to facilitate
said ease of access.
[0046] It is expected that the service pod of the present invention
should benefit the end user due to reduced housing costs, improved
reliability of the build quality of the finished building whilst
providing a traditionally constructed building envelope.
[0047] Also, the transport means that can be present on the service
pod may provide the potential to upgrade and resell the service
pod, thus the pod will provide an adaptable and flexible life-long
solution for the building and the user.
[0048] According to a second aspect of the present invention there
is provided therefore a method of constructing a building
wherein:
a building envelope is constructed, said envelope comprising at
least external walls, floors, ceilings, and a roof; the envelope is
provided with a service pod access means; and a service pod in
accordance with a first aspect of the present invention is
subsequently introduced into the building envelope.
[0049] Preferably, the service pod access means is provided in an
external side wall to permit access to the interior of the envelope
to the service pod. Such an arrangement would allow convenient
access and the service pod could be pushed/rolled into the desired
position within the pod.
[0050] Once the service pod has been introduced into the envelope
via the service pod access means, the external wall can be sealed
by any convenient means, such as via a window(s), a door(s) and/or
by a continuation of the materials used to build the external walls
(block-work, bricks, etc).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0051] Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of
example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:
[0052] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a plan view of a first embodiment
of the pod.
[0053] FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional side view of the first
embodiment.
[0054] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a plan view of a lower storey of a
second embodiment of a pod.
[0055] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a sectional side views of the lower
storey of a second embodiment at opposite ends of the lower storey
of the second embodiment.
[0056] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a plan view of the upper storey of
the second embodiment of the pod.
[0057] FIG. 10 illustrates a sectional side view of the upper
storey of the second embodiment.
[0058] FIG. 11 illustrates a side elevation of a bathroom
section.
[0059] FIG. 12 illustrates a side elevation of a kitchen
section.
[0060] FIG. 13 illustrates a side elevation of a stair section and
a toilet.
[0061] FIG. 14 illustrates a side elevation of a stair section.
[0062] FIG. 15 illustrates a side elevation of a bathroom
section.
[0063] FIG. 16 illustrates a side section of a stair section.
[0064] FIGS. 17 A & B illustrates a plan view for the layout of
two studio apartments within a building.
[0065] FIGS. 18 A & B illustrates a plan view of a two storey
first house type.
[0066] FIG. 19 illustrates a plan view of a two storey second house
type.
[0067] FIGS. 20 A, B & C illustrate a plan view of a three
storey third house type.
[0068] FIGS. 21A, B, C & D illustrate a plan view of a four
storey fourth house type.
[0069] FIGS. 22 A & B illustrate a plan view of a two storey
fifth house type
[0070] FIGS. 23 A, B & C illustrate a plan view of a three
storey sixth house type
[0071] FIGS. 24 A, B & C illustrate a plan view of a three
storey seventh house type
[0072] FIG. 25 illustrates a sectional side view of one end section
of the pod, including pipework;
[0073] FIG. 26 illustrates a sectional side view of one end section
of the pod, excluding pipework;
[0074] FIG. 27 illustrates a perspective view of a pod including a
kitchen section and a staircase section;
[0075] FIG. 28 illustrates a perspective view of a pod including a
bathroom section and a staircase section;
[0076] FIG. 29 illustrates a perspective view of the opposite side
of the pods illustrated in FIGS. 27-28, including a staircase
section;
[0077] FIG. 30 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative
opposite side of the pods illustrated in FIGS. 27-28, including a
staircase section with a bathroom section combined;
[0078] FIG. 31 illustrates a perspective view of a pod including a
bathroom section and a staircase section (not shown);
[0079] FIG. 32 illustrates a perspective view of a ventilation
system of a pod.
[0080] FIG. 33 illustrates a perspective view of the hot and cold
water supplying of a pod.
[0081] FIG. 34 illustrates a perspective view of a drainage pipe
layout of a pod.
[0082] FIG. 35 illustrates a perspective view of electricity and
data cabling for a pod.
[0083] FIG. 36 illustrates a perspective view of the base of the
frame work for a pod.
[0084] FIG. 37 illustrates a perspective view of the skeleton of
the frame work for a pod.
[0085] FIGS. 38-58 illustrate perspective views of a pod on an
incremental basis during the build up from the initial skeleton
frame work through to a finished pod comprising a kitchen and
bathroom section.
DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT
[0086] The plan view illustration of FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate how
the sections are attached around a frame work (1). To one side of
the framework is a bathroom section (2) comprising a shower (3), a
wash basin (4) and a toilet (5). To the other side of the framework
(1) is a kitchen section (6). The kitchen section (6) comprises a
sink (7), a washing machine (8), an oven and hob (9), a dishwasher
(10), a refrigerator (11) and located in spaced relation above the
refrigerator (11) is a hot water cylinder (12). Ventilation pipes
(13) allocated to an unoccupied side of the framework, i.e. a side
of the frame work to which neither the bathroom section nor kitchen
section are attached and communicate with pipes running through a
void within the framework (1). The pod illustrated also includes a
macerator (14) and a heater (15). Cabling points (42) can be
provided to the two ends of the pod, these points can be used to
provide numerous connectivity points such as television sockets, a
electricity sockets, telecommunications sockets, burglar alarm
controls, fire alarm controls, smoke/heat detector points, as can
be seen more clearly with reference to FIGS. 25-26 as described
below.
[0087] The sectional side view illustrated in FIG. 3 further
illustrates how a pod may be fitted with a bathroom section (2) to
one side of the framework (1) and a kitchen section (6) to the
other side of the framework (1). The pod may fit below a floor slab
of an upper storey with a small gap being present between the base
of the slab and the top of the pod.
[0088] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a second embodiment of a pod which
is specifically a lower level of a two storey pod. On one side of
the pod is attached a kitchen section (6) and the other side is
attached a staircase section (16). To avoid any wasted space, at
the raised end of stairs (17) there is sufficient room underneath
for a small bathroom section (2) comprising a toilet (5) and a wash
basin (4).
[0089] FIG. 6 illustrates how a small bathroom section (2) can be
accommodated in the space under the rising set of stairs (17).
Again the space between the top of the pod and the lower surface of
the floor slab may be present.
[0090] FIG. 7 is a sectional side view from the other end of the
pod. It can be seen how the stairs (17) of the staircase section
(16) can permit the pod of the lower storey to access the upper
storey by virtue of a gap in the floor slab of the upper storey
which is arranged to allow access to the upper storey when a user
approaches the highest stair (17) of the staircase section
(16).
[0091] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a plan view of the upper pod of a
section embodiment which have, to one side of the framework (1), a
staircase section (16) and, to the other side of the framework, a
bathroom section (2). The bathroom section in this embodiment
comprises a bath (18) together with a wash basin (4) and a toilet
(5). Additionally a hot water cylinder is provided in the non-used
space of the staircase section (16).
[0092] FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the pod and illustrates
the space over the stairs which may accommodate the hot water
cylinder.
[0093] FIGS. 11-13 illustrate a side elevation of a bathroom
section (2), a kitchen section (6) and a staircase section with
small bathroom section in the space underneath the stairs (17)
respectively.
[0094] FIGS. 14-16 illustrate a side elevation of a staircase
section (16) without a bathroom section in the space underneath the
stairs (17), a bathroom section (2) and the upper part of a
staircase section with the space above the stairs and room for a
hot water cylinder respectively.
[0095] FIGS. 17 A & B illustrate a plan view of two studio
apartments with a pod located therein. These studio apartments
could be stacked one on top of the other and accessed via a
circular staircase (18).
[0096] FIG. 18 B illustrates the lower floor of a two storey house
type with FIG. 18 A illustrating the upper storey. In FIGS. 18
A&B the staircase section of staircase section (16) of the pods
permits access between the two storeys.
[0097] FIGS. 19-24 illustrate alternative arrangements of house
types in which lower and other storeys can be accessed via
staircase sections (16) of the pods and there is further
illustration of how the pods may be arranged in different locations
within the internal space of a building.
[0098] FIGS. 25-26 illustrate side elevations of end views of the
pod. Specifically, these figures illustrate an end view of the pod
which can function as an entertainment section as it is .+-.25
provided with a collection of sockets/cabling points (42) to permit
convenient connection to electrical appliances such as televisions,
computers, music centres and the like. FIG. 25 further illustrates
main water pipework, soil pipework, electricity cabling,
telecommunication cabling, isolation valves (not shown). Although
not shown, suitable access means can be provided adjacent said
meters/pipework/cabling/valves to facilitate said ease of
access.
[0099] One embodiment of a lower storey of a multi-storey pod is
illustrated in FIG. 27 in which a kitchen section (6) has been
provided to one side of the framework and a staircase section (16)
has been provided to the other side of the pod. Electrical sockets
(38) have also been provided to the end section of the pod to
permit convenient access to an electrical power supply to the room
defined by the pod adjacent to that end section of the pod.
[0100] A further embodiment of a lower storey of a multi-storey pod
is illustrated in FIG. 28 in which a bathroom section (2) has been
provided to one side of the framework and a staircase section (16)
has been provided to the other side of the pod. Electrical sockets
(38) have also been provided to the end section of the pod to
permit convenient access to an electrical power supply to the room
defined by the pod adjacent to that end section of the pod.
[0101] The staircase section (16) illustrated in FIG. 29 could form
the opposite view of either of the pods illustrated in FIGS. 27-28.
The opening at the top of the stairs is intended to be in
communication with an opening in the floor slab of the upper storey
to allow access to said upper storey. The staircase section (16)
illustrated is intended to communicate with a staircase section
(not shown) in the upper storey pod illustrated in FIG. 31.
[0102] The staircase section (16) illustrated in FIG. 30 could also
form the opposite view of either of the pods illustrated in FIGS.
27-28. A small bathroom section (2) (not visible) is located in the
space underneath the rising set of stairs, this section comprising
a toilet (5) and a wash basin (4). The bathroom section (2) can be
viewed more clearly with reference to FIGS. 4-6 however. The
opening at the top of the stairs is intended to be in communication
with an opening in the floor slab of the upper storey to allow
access to said upper storey. The staircase section (16) illustrated
is intended to communicate with a staircase section (not shown) in
the upper storey pod illustrated in FIG. 31.
[0103] An embodiment of an upper storey of a multi-storey pod is
illustrated in FIG. 31 which can be used in combination with the
pods illustrated in FIGS. 27-30. The upper storey pod includes a
bathroom section (2) has been provided to one side of the framework
and a staircase section (16) (not shown) has been provided to the
other side of the pod.
[0104] Electrical sockets (38) have also been provided to the end
section of the pod to permit convenient access to an electrical
power supply to the room defined by the pod adjacent to that end
section of the pod.
[0105] FIG. 32 provides a perspective view of how a ventilation
system of a pod could operate. Specifically, there is a main fresh
air intake and exhaust air outlet (22) which is in communication
with a heat recovery unit (23). Also in communication with the heat
recovery unit is a kitchen extractor (24) and a bathroom extractor
(25) and washing machine/tumble dryer extractor (26) in order to
extract the heat from all areas of the pod to ensure optimum energy
efficiency.
[0106] Turning now to FIG. 33, a hot and cold supply system is
illustrated. Specifically, there is a water heater (29) which is in
communication with bathroom wash basin (30), a tap on the kitchen
sink (31) and a shower mixer outlet (32). The main water supply is
connected by all of the taps for the cold water supply along with
the water supply into the washing machine and dishwasher (33) and
(34) respectively.
[0107] FIG. 34 illustrates the drainage system for a pod of the
present invention in which all of the waste water outlets are
filtered into a common waste water pipe (35) which flows towards a
macerator (36) and a soil vent pipe leading it away from the pod
and the building within which the pod is located.
[0108] Turning now to FIG. 35 there is a diagram of how the
electricity and data cabling may be provided within a pod. Lighting
(36) may run from power supplied by a lighting ring (37). Power can
be provided to a series of sockets, such as 13 amp sockets (38) via
an electric fuse box, such as a 13 amp ring (39), which is fed
electricity from the main electrical supply and through an
electricity meter (20). The pod may also be provided with a
satellite main cable box (40) and an ASDL main telecommunications
box (41) which can be put into communication with an entertainment
section of a pod.
[0109] The base of the frame work of a pod is illustrated in FIG.
36. The framework is constructed from a lattice work of tubular
rigid material having a generally square cross-section. Providing
the tubular material is substantially rigid and robust, any
material may be suitable, particularly steel, stainless steel,
galvanised steel and hardened plastics materials.
[0110] A completed framework is illustrated in FIG. 37 which has
been built up from the base of the frame work to produce a
cage-like effect to which on one side may be located a bathroom
section and to the other side may be located a kitchen section, and
further including the ability at one end to locate a section for
easy access to utilities and the electricity meter and the
like.
[0111] In the following FIGS. 38-48 the incremental build up of a
pod of the present invention is illustrated as various features are
introduced into and connected with the framework to result in a
completed pod.
* * * * *