ASSEMBLEABLE AND MODULAR HOUSING UNIT EXHIBITING POWDER IMPRESSION MOLDED CONSTRUCTION
A modularizable and assembleable structure including a plurality of individual and three-dimensional shaped components, each being interengageable along opposingly extending edges in order to establish a three-dimensional and internally accessible structure. The components include a roof, a plurality of walls and a floor, each exhibiting an impression molded plasticized/polymer based construction with an aggregate filler material incorporated therein.
The present application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/719,688, filed Sep. 22, 2005, and entitled “Assembleable and Modular Housing Unit Exhibiting Powder Impression Molded Construction.”
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to modularized and assembleable housing constructions. More specifically, the present invention teaches a multiple (eight) piece assembly of individual and assembleable members for creating a modular structure, such as for use as housing in third world environments.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art is documented with varying types of modularized or component based housing structures. The objective of such assemblies is to quickly and effectively construct a three-dimensional enclosure, and in contrast to the requirements of having to assemble a permanent structure in conventional fashion.
A first example selected from the prior art is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,778,528, to Heifetz et al., and which teaches a prefabricated building module of substantially all plastic construction and which can comprise an entire housing unit of one or more rooms. The module includes walls, floor and ceiling and may include interior partitions to section the unit into a plurality of rooms and to house plumbing, as well as windows, doorways and doors. The walls, floor and ceiling are formed from inner and outer shells of molded reinforced plastic material. An insulating core of polyurethane foam material is sandwiched between the shells. All of the electrical, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and/or gas conduits, junction boxes, terminals and the like can be provided in the insulated core in place and ready for connection and use at the building site.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,347, issued to Walburger, teaches a modular emergency shelter system including a sleeping and storage module having a rectangular box-like structure with curved interior side walls defining a sleeping area, and exterior sidewalls extending to an opposing end defining a separate storage area. The box-like structure is preferably fabricated of molded plastic filled with fire resistant and sound dampening foam, and is watertight to keep out the rain and facilitate hosing out after use. The module further includes electronic locking doors operable from inside or outside the module. The module is configured for securing together a number of similar structures including additional shelter modules stacked one atop another, or vertically-oriented modular utility units such as toilets, showers and dressing rooms.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,240, issued to Miller, teaches a compact sleeping unit which can be mated with similarly configured sleeping units to form a grouping for use in a wide range of situations and settings. Each unit includes a horizontal platform and mattress for the compact sleeping of an occupant and a vertically oriented area for dressing and changing which is accessible to each sleeping area through a passage. The compact sleeping unit of the present invention provides a safe, clean, secure, private, inexpensive, portable and easily erected structure to service humans in a wide range of applications.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,724,142, issued to Worthington, teaches a modular building structure including a plurality of prefabricated modular units arranged to branch outwardly from a common central area and connected together to form a central room. Each modular unit has an open inner end and terminates in an outer end wall. A horizontally disposed floor member partitions each modular unit into an upper room and a lower space. The modular units are conveniently arranged side by side or one on another to provide building structures of a desired size.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTIONThe present invention therefore discloses a novel and nonobvious assembly for creating a modularizable and quickly constructed living shelter, such as in use in third world locations. In one non-limiting embodiment, the present invention discloses a multiple (eight) piece assembly of individual and assembleable members for creating a modular structure. The modularized housing assembly provides a habitable environment satisfying the basic needs of an insulating and sheltered environment, and additional to being configured to collect and retain rainwater, as well provide access for waste discharge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSReference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:
Referring to
According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention is constructed from a plurality of eight individual sections, although it is further understood that any plurality of sections can be interconnected in a manner to erect the construction according to illustration 10. In the embodiment illustrated, a total of eight inter-assembleable sections are provided and include a first upper four plurality of sections 12, 14, 16 and 18, layered upon a second lower four plurality of sections 20, 22 (hidden from view in
Of note, it is understood that associated portions of the roof and floor are incorporated into each of the upper 12-18 and lower 20-26 pluralities of sections. It is further understood that the roof and floor can, alternatively, be incorporated into separate assembleable sections within the scope of the present invention.
Each of the assembleable sections is constructed of a three-dimensional, durable and insulating material, such as in one variant including an impression molded plasticized/polymer based construction. In one preferred embodiment, a powder impression molded (PIM) material is provided and which is constructed of a lightweight and durable material, this in a preferred embodiment exhibiting the necessary properties of strength, weight, resiliency and durability, and such as including certain types of plastics or polymers.
In a preferred variant, the powder impression molding (PIM) process includes a powdered thermoplastic resin, fused together with any of a range of reinforcing materials (typically provided in a particulate or granulate form), and the result of which is a strengthened plastic composite exhibiting properties comparable to those of steel. As described above, the PIM process can be employed to create a lightweight and durable three-dimensional component which incorporates into its construction scrap plastic (and such as in particular which is reground and recast with a foam agent).
The molded component is typically coated with a waterproof and antimicrobial material, such as a higher grade plastic. It is also again understood that the individual and assembleable sections can also be constructed of other materials, outside of the PIM process generated materials described above.
Although not shown, it is understood that each of the individual sections is interconnected along opposing edges by such as clips, screw/bolt fasteners or the like. To assist in creating a solid and unitary structure, it is also envisioned that interengageable locations established between the individual sections may also include clamps, cam-actuated surfaces, or other types of tensioning/compressing structure. It is further understood that the housing construction is capable of being quickly delivered and assembled, in one variant without the use of tools, in order to provide immediate and effective shelter, such as for the benefit of individuals located in third world regions or areas devastated by disaster.
As illustrated throughout the several views, additional features associated with the construction 10 include the provision of a doorway, window, and rainwater collection unit. These are illustrated in additional detail at 28 (doorway), 30 (rain collection unit) and 32 (window in
It is important to note that the items 28, 30 and 32 are, in the preferred variant, incorporated into the individual and assembleable pieces 12-18 and 20-26, it being also understood that these may consist of additional attachable components. The doorway 28 and window 32 components are additionally shown in the line art view of
An interior and fluid accessible location of the rainwater collection unit 30 may also include a sink 36 and a faucet 38. An aperture 40 defined in a corner floor location of the assembled construction, see again in
As further illustrated throughout the several views, the assembled floor further exhibits a plurality of spaced apart and downwardly projecting spikes 46, these permitting the assembled structure to be securably embedded within a round location. As previously described, a typical installation application of the present invention contemplates the initial four (lower) attachable components 20, 22, 24 and 26 being aligned relative to one another and driven downward into a substantially level ground location. Following this, they are assembled together, again through the use of fasteners, clips, tensioning clamps, and the like. At this point, the upper four components 12, 14, 16 and 18 are stacked in place upon the lower assembled components 20-26 and likewise interengaged both together and thereupon utilizing additional fasteners.
Additional features include the provision of a rain gutter edge formed along an upper facing and outer perimeter edge (see at 48 in
Referring now to
Illustrated at 80 in
Illustrated at 108 in
Referring to
Referring further to
Referring now to
A downspout (vertically extending run of conduit) 214 connects to a collar 216 at the upper end as well as to a lower mounted cap 218 communicating with a fluid inlet of the three-dimensional and fluid holding base 208. A tank cover 220 secures to an underside of the three-dimensional base 208 to close off the assembly and in order to provide it with its fluid holding capabilities.
A further optional sub-assembly includes the ability to evacuate fluid from the water retaining base, and discloses a hand pump 222 metered to withdraw such as in 8 oz or 16 oz strokes, e.g. through a tube 221 for evacuation out of a spigot 223. The pump is illustrated in reference to a further fluid evacuation sub-assembly generally referenced at 224 and including an upper closed downspout plug 226 and interconnecting pipe end fitting 228 and lower end cap mount 230. In this fashion, the assembly makes possible the ability to store, for extended periods Of time, uncontaminated rainwater within the sealed three-dimensional base and for selective withdrawal later on.
Referring to
Referring further to
The base 292 rises as a function of the water level and the buoyancy of the modular unit, the rods 288 each being displaced downwardly to maintain a seating condition within the ground excavated apertures (these also being understood to include lengths of hollow PVC or pipe embedded into the ground) and prior to the rods 288 each being re-engaged into lower positioned wall situated apertures. It is also appreciated that the rods 288 can each vertically displaceable by means of channels vertically formed into the interconnected sides, as well as mechanically attached clips or the like within the scope of the invention.
Referring further to
Finally, and referring to
The present invention therefore discloses a novel and nonobvious assembly for creating a modularizable and quickly constructed living shelter, such as in use in third world locations. Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A modularizable and assembleable structure, comprising:
- a plurality of individual and three-dimensional shaped components, each of said components further comprising an impression molded plasticized/polymer based construction, an aggregate filler material incorporated into said impression molded construction; and
- each of said components being interengageable along opposingly extending edges in order to establish a three-dimensional and internally accessible structure.
2. The structure as described in claim 1, further comprising upper and lower pluralities of assembleable components defining, collectively, a roof, a plurality of walls, and a floor.
3. The structure as described in claim 2, further comprising a plurality of ground embedding spikes projecting downwardly from said floor.
4. The structure as described in claim 2, further comprising at least one of a window, a doorway and an exteriorly configured rainwater collection unit integrally formed with said assembleable components.
5. The structure as described in claim 2, further comprising a waste access drainage hole defined in said floor.
6. The structure as described in claim 4, further comprising a sink and faucet communicating with an interior accessible location of said rainwater collection unit.
7. The structure as described in claim 3, further comprising a plurality of interiorly accessible apertures defined in said floor through which is forcibly embedded said spikes.
8. The structure as described in claim 2, further comprising at least one of an exhaust roof vent and updraft vents defined in said roof and walls, respectively.
9. The structure as described in claim 4, said exteriorly configured rainwater collection unit further comprising primary and overflow collections tanks.
10. The structure as described in claim 2, said plurality of walls further comprising interengaging and vertically disposed pins defined along adjoining edges.
11. The structure as described in claim 4, further comprising a perimeter extending gutter collection edge associated with said roof and for redirecting collected rainwater into said collection unit.
12. The structure as described in claim 11, said roof further comprising drainage apertures redirecting water to said collection unit.
13. The structure as described in claim 11, said collection unit further comprising a fluid retaining base, said drainage apertures communicating said roof with said base.
14. The structure as described in claim 13, further comprising a hand pump for withdrawing volumes of fluid from within said base.
15. The structure as described in claim 2, further comprising third world style toilet, incorporated into said floor of said modular housing unit, and including pivoting sewage pipe for selectively accessing at least one exterior excavated waste collection site.
16. The structure as described in claim 2, further comprising a plurality of stackable beds defined in said floor.
17. The structure as described in claim 2, further comprising a wall joining component for interconnecting together at pair of proximately located units.
18. The structure as described in claim 2, further comprising and buoyant housing unit is elevatable, upon each of a plurality of downwardly extending and vertically displaceable rods, actuated in response to a degree of flooding condition.
19. A modularizable and assembleable structure, comprising:
- a plurality of individual and three-dimensional shaped components collectively defining a roof, walls and a floor, each of said components further comprising an impression molded plasticized/polymer based construction, an aggregate filler material incorporated into said impression molded construction;
- at least one of a window, a doorway and an exteriorly configured rainwater collection unit being integrally formed with said assembleable components;
- each of said components being interengageable along opposingly extending edges in order to establish a three-dimensional and internally accessible structure; and
- a plurality of interiorly accessible apertures defined in said floor, through which are inserted a plurality of ground stakes for forcibly embedding into an underlying ground location.
20. A modularizable and assembleable structure, comprising:
- a plurality of individual and three-dimensional shaped components collectively defining a roof, walls and a floor, each of said components further comprising an impression molded plasticized/polymer based construction within which is incorporated an aggregate filler material;
- each of said components being interengageable along opposingly extending edges in order to establish a three-dimensional and internally accessible structure;
- a perimeter extending gutter collection edge associated with said roof and for redirected collected rainwater into a collection unit being integrally formed with at least one of said assembleable components, said collection unit communicating with an interior sink and faucet secured to a selected wall; and
- a waste access drainage hole defined in said floor, a further plurality of interiorly accessible apertures being defined in said floor, through which are inserted a plurality of ground stakes for forcibly embedding into an underlying ground location.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 15, 2006
Publication Date: Apr 5, 2007
Inventor: Miguel Linares (Bloomfield Hills, MI)
Application Number: 11/532,394
International Classification: E04H 6/00 (20060101);