U.S. patent application number 13/409562 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-31 for methods of constructing buildings using steel containers.
The applicant listed for this patent is Gottfried Balfantz, III. Invention is credited to Gottfried Balfantz, III.
Application Number | 20130025214 13/409562 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47596059 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130025214 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Balfantz, III; Gottfried |
January 31, 2013 |
Methods of Constructing Buildings using steel containers
Abstract
A building is provided, comprising at least two shipping
containers, said containers comprising a top wall, a bottom wall,
and two opposed side walls, said containers being mounted to a
foundation in a spaced-apart, parallel manner, wherein portions of
the adjacent inner side walls of said containers are removed, and
further wherein a roof is attached to the top walls of said
containers.
Inventors: |
Balfantz, III; Gottfried;
(Metairie, LA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Balfantz, III; Gottfried |
Metairie |
LA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47596059 |
Appl. No.: |
13/409562 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61503045 |
Jul 27, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/79.9 ;
52/745.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 1/34315 20130101;
E04H 1/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/79.9 ;
52/745.13 |
International
Class: |
E04H 1/00 20060101
E04H001/00 |
Claims
1. A building, comprising: at least two shipping containers, said
containers comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, and two opposed
side walls, said containers being mounted to a foundation in a
spaced-apart, parallel manner, wherein portions of the adjacent
inner side walls of said containers are removed, and further
wherein a roof is attached to the top walls of said containers.
2. The building of claim 1, wherein substantially all of the
adjacent inner side walls are removed.
3. The building of claim 1, wherein the foundation is reinforced
concrete slabs.
4. The building of claim 1, wherein the foundation is a raised
platform.
5. The building of claim 1, further comprising at least one
additional container, said additional container being stacked
perpendicularly on the top walls of the at least two shipping
containers.
6. The building of claim 1, further comprising at least on
additional container, said additional container being stacked
parallel on the top wall of one of the shipping containers.
7. A method of constructing a building, comprising: providing at
least two shipping containers, said containers comprising a top
wall, a bottom wall, and two opposed side walls, mounting said at
least two containers to a foundation in a spaced-apart, parallel
manner, removing portions of the adjacent inner side walls of said
containers, and attaching a roof to the top walls of said
containers.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein substantially all of the adjacent
inner side walls are removed.
9. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of stacking
at least one additional container, perpendicularly on the top walls
of the at least two shipping containers.
10. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of stacking
at least one additional container parallel to the top wall of one
of the shipping containers.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/503,045, with a filing date of Jul.
27, 2011, which is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety by
reference hereto.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to methods of
constructing buildings for commercial and residential use, and in a
particular though non-limiting embodiment, to a method of
constructing buildings using a combination of standard construction
materials and steel containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] There are many known methods in the art for constructing a
building. Typically a building is constructed on-site, requiring
many hours of skilled labor and using common construction supplies,
such as brick, mortar, and lumber. Such supplies are often very
costly. Furthermore, typical construction may not be strong or
durable enough in certain areas of the country more prone to
earthquakes, hurricanes, and other serious weather.
[0004] Recently, more cost-effective methods of construction have
been proposed. One such method is to fabricate a building of steel
in a factory and then move the building to the desired site. This
method has proven to be faster and less expensive than traditional
construction methods.
[0005] However, the metal used in such construction is very heavy
and expensive to transport. Also, when using a traditional
pre-fabricated metal building, there is a subsequent inability to
expand the interior user space. Furthermore, steel buildings are
frequently not as aesthetically pleasing, and do not have the look
or feel of a traditionally constructed building. There is,
therefore, a long-standing yet unmet need for methods of
constructing homes in a stronger, economical and time-efficient
manner, while still pleasing prospective owners aesthetically.
[0006] Turning for a moment to a seemingly unrelated issue, as more
products are shipped to the U.S. from overseas, particularly Asia,
ever greater numbers of metal shipping containers have begun
stacking up in the major shipping ports. Consequently, it is
oftentimes less expensive to buy new shipping containers in Asia
than it is to ship the old containers back to the U.S. Moreover,
the useful life of a standard shipping container is only about five
(5) years. After that time, the containers just sit empty in
abandoned shipyards.
[0007] A standard shipping container range from 19 feet to 55 feet
long, 7 feet to 9 feet wide and 8 feet to 10 feet high. The
containers are typically made of stronger steel than standard
steel, known as Cor-ten steel, which does not rust or corrode.
Furthermore, the steel is mold-resistant. The floor of a standard
shipping container is made of hardwood and is constructed to
withstand several tons of internal weight. The containers are built
to withstand typhoons, tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes.
[0008] Due to their durability, adaptability, light weight, low
cost, and ease of stackability, new ideas for reusing the
containers are currently being sought.
[0009] The shipping containers have been used in the past as
storage units, temporary secure spaces at construction sites, and
make-shift shelters. Furthermore, the containers have been used as
small offices, workshops, or even employee quarters.
[0010] Therefore, there is also a long-standing yet unmet need to
design methods of using the shipping containers in new and novel
ways.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] A building is provided, including at least two shipping
containers, said containers comprising a top wall, a bottom wall,
and two opposed side walls, said containers being mounted to a
foundation in a spaced-apart, parallel manner, wherein portions of
the adjacent inner side walls of said containers are removed, and
further wherein a roof is attached to the top walls of said
containers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and
advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the
following detailed description, read in conjunction with the
following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like
elements and wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing side (1A) and top
views (1B and 1C) of a 10-story embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a side view of a
configuration according to an example embodiment, with the
recessed-in option on either one side or both.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a side view of a
configuration according to an example embodiment, with the
recessed-in option on either one side or both.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a side view of a
configuration according to an example embodiment, with the
recessed-out option on either one side or both.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a side view of a
configuration according to an example embodiment, with the
recessed-out option on either one side or both.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a side view of a
configuration according to an example embodiment, raised with
additional containers and the option of vertical containers.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a side view of a
configuration according to an example embodiment, with stacked
and/or detached containers including an example roof
configuration.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a top view of a
configuration according to an example embodiment, including
attached or detached unit groups.
[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates the support detail according to example
embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] In an example embodiment of the present invention, metal
shipping containers or other suitable metal containers are used in
combination with traditional construction methods and materials in
order to produce a hybrid-construction building. In example
embodiments, the shipping container(s) serve as strong structural
elements of the building. Unlike more traditional, all-metal
pre-fabricated buildings, hybrid-construction buildings look and
feel more like traditional buildings, yet still have the advantages
of a pre-fabricated metal building, including faster construction,
simplified labor, and reduced construction costs.
[0023] The cost of purchasing the shipping containers is less than
that of traditional construction materials, such as bricks and
mortar. Furthermore, using the containers as the structural element
of a building requires a smaller and less expensive foundation than
traditional materials.
[0024] In exemplary embodiments, the shipping containers are used
as modular elements that can be combined and connected in a manner
to form larger, stronger structural frames for a building.
[0025] The variety of examples embodied in FIGS. 1-9 is provided to
illustrate a sample of arrangements. The examples of arrangements
and configurations are not intended to limit the possibilities of
interior or exterior configuration of containers or the use of
interior spaces.
[0026] FIGS. 1-9 illustrate example embodiments of structures for
residential use or light commercial spaces. According to example
embodiments, the structures range from one to ten stories high,
stacked either at a parallel or perpendicular to each other.
Further examples are stacked at a 90 degree angle flush at the
corners to form a square or rectangle configuration, with the
option to move one side or both sides in or out, up to eight feet
depending on the interior or exterior space desired.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 1, an example embodiment of a building
30 is provided. Containers 20 are set parallel to each other on
raised support cubes or reinforced concrete slabs. Containers 10
are likewise parallel to each other and stacked on top of
containers 20, so that containers 20 and containers 10 are
perpendicular to each other. The corners of containers 10 and
corners of containers 20 are flush with each other. Next, another
set of containers 20 are stacked on top of containers 10 in the
same manner, and so on and so forth. As shown in FIG. 1A, example
embodiments are 10 stories high.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 1B, containers 10 and containers 20 are the
same size, thereby forming a square configuration. In a further
example embodiment, containers 10 and containers 20 are different
sizes, forming a rectangle configuration, as shown in FIG. 1C.
[0029] Turning to FIGS. 2 & 3, a further example embodiment of
a building 30 is provided. In FIG. 2, the corners of containers 20
are, for some stories, flush with the corners of containers 10, but
depending on the need or desire for more or less space, the
containers 20 and 10 are stacked in a manner such that the corners
of containers 20 are recessed-in on either one side or both, up to
8 feet (see, e.g., stories 3, 5, and 6).
[0030] Turning to FIGS. 3, 4 & 5, a further example embodiment
of a building 30 is provided. In this embodiment, the containers 20
are stacked on top of containers 10 so that additional space
between containers 20 is provided. The corners of containers 20 and
10 are stacked in a manner on some stories such that the corners of
containers 20 are recessed-out on either on one side or both, up to
8 feet (see, e.g., stories 1, 3, 7, and 9).
[0031] Turning now to FIG. 6, additional containers 20 are provided
at the bottom of the building 30, stacked vertically, to gain open
space or height below the building 30.
[0032] Turning next to FIG. 7, various roof 40 options are
illustrated on various stacked and/or detached containers.
[0033] Turning now to FIG. 8, an example embodiment for a
multi-family dwelling and/or a light commercial complex is
provided. Multiple buildings 30 may be joined with additional
containers 50.
[0034] The containers are mounted to a foundation in a
spaced-apart, parallel manner, thereby forming the sides of one
floor of the structure. In between the containers, the space is
enclosed to form the rest of the interior space, using construction
methods already known to those of skill in the art. Access between
the containers and the enclosed space is provided via doors or
other means cut into the containers.
[0035] The containers provide actual additional usable space. In
order to further increase the usable space of the building, the
steel containers need only be spaced further apart or closer
together depending or desired space. A common roof is installed
over the containers and the enclosed space. In further exemplary
embodiments, doors and windows may be cut into either (or both) the
steel containers or the enclosed space.
[0036] According to example embodiments, the structures range from
one to ten stories high, stacked at a parallel and/or perpendicular
and/or 90 degree angle flush at the corners to form a square and/or
rectangle configuration with the option to move one side or both
sides in or out up to eight feet depending on the interior or
exterior space desired.
[0037] FIG. 9 illustrates example embodiments of support cubes and
concrete slabs. The steel containers may be mounted on a raised
platforms (support cubes), thereby rendering the completed
structure ideal for water front construction. Typical concrete
foundations will be installed to meet local code and have recessed
areas for the container in an attempt to line-up the floor
elevations, if desired.
[0038] In still further embodiments, the metal shipping containers
with additional anchoring could serve as an emergency shelter in
case of a serious storm or other inclement weather, such as
earthquakes, tornadoes, and the like.
[0039] The foregoing specification is provided only for
illustrative purposes, and is not intended to describe all possible
aspects of the present invention. While the invention has herein
been shown and described in detail with respect to several
exemplary embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that minor changes to the description, and various other
modifications, omissions and additions may also be made without
departing from the spirit or scope thereof.
* * * * *