Expandable container
The present invention relates to an expandable container-like housing structure (1) that includes a main module provided with a door (7), and which further includes at least one expansion module (E1) that includes a number of structural segments, such as a roof part (21) firmly connected to a first wall part (13), a floor part (11), and two second wall parts (33), wherein when the housing structure is expanded, The floor part (11) will swing out about a horizontal axle (12) at floor level, whereafter the first wall part (13) together with roof part (21) are intended to be projected out telescopically from the main module, wherein at least one second wall part (33) is mounted on a vertical axle (35) about which said second wall part (33) is adapted to swing out the roof part (21) and the first wall part (13) such as to form an additional wall to the expansion module (E1).
The present invention relates to an expandable container-like housing which can be transported, for instance, to a suitable temporary erection site on a trailer. Such container-like housings can be used as mobile personnel carriages, toilets or service carriages. The present invention relates in particular to such container-like housings that can be expanded or extended telescopically so as to approximately double the volume of the container or even more.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONSE 447 143 (E04B 1/343) teaches a trailer-transported container-like telescopically retractable house construction that comprises a central main part from which there extend two telescopically extendable side parts which each include a ceiling structure and three side walls located on a respective side of the central main part, where in the compressed state of the container a first side part is intended to surround the central main part while the open side of the second side part is intended to surround both the central main part and the second side part. When the main part of the housing construction is in a retracted state, access is blocked partly by the foldable floor structure and partly by inwardly displaced walls, since the side walls mutually overlap and the long sides will be covered by the upwardly raised floor structure.
This blocked state constitutes a problem in certain instances, since access to the central main part is not possible in the collapsed or retracted state of the housing structure.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTIONWith the intention of solving the aforesaid problem, the present invention provides a telescopically expandable container-like housing construction to which access is fully possible in the retracted state of the housing. When expanding such a housing structure, it is highly beneficial when assistance can be obtained from inside the housing structure such as to increase the speed of expansion.
Another object of the invention is to provide, an expandable container-like housing structure, which is adapted for expansion in a manner that enables optimal sealing to be obtained between the components present in the module.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTIONThe aforesaid objects have been achieved and the aforesaid drawbacks have been eliminated by means of the present invention as defined in the independent Claims. Suitable embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent Claims.
The invention relates to an expandable housing structure that includes a door-mounted main module. The main module also includes heating, water and sanitation connections and fixed electrical installations. The housing structure also comprises an expansion module which includes a number of structural segments, including a ceiling part fixedly connected to a first wall part, a floor part, and two second wall parts. When expanding the housing structure, the floor part is intended to be swung out about a horizontal shaft mounted at the floor level of the main module. The first wall part together with the floor part together with the ceiling part are herewith adapted to be projected out telescopically from the main module. Furthermore, a second wall part is pivotally mounted about a vertical axle about which the second wall part is intended to be swung out subsequent to outwardly displacing the ceiling part and the first wall part, such as to form an additional wall to the expansion module. In this respect, the vertical axle, which consists of a hinge, is placed either at the edge of the first wall part or somewhere along the inner side surface thereof.
The second wall part is provided with locking means that are activated when connecting structural segments of the expansion module and/or the main module.
According to one advantageous embodiment, the second wall part is provided with an expandable seal along at least one of its edges. The seal is adapted to be expanded with air so as to abut one or more of the connecting structural segments. The seal is placed in an aluminum profile on the second wall part and may herewith extend around the full edge of the second wall part.
To enable access to the main module when the housing structure is loaded on a trailer for transportation, the door is placed in a wall plane in the main module parallel with the movement direction of the expansion module. Consequently, neither the first wall part covered by the raised floor structure nor the second wall part, which is folded to a position parallel with the first wall part will prevent access through the door.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe invention will now be described in more detail with reference to reference signs allotted to the accompanying drawings, in which
With the intention of clarifying the expansion sequence, there has been shown in
As will be seen from
The above-described embodiment of a container-like housing structure enables access to the housing structure to be obtained in its compacted state, since there are no walls that prevent passage through either the door or the window.
It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, but that other embodiments are conceivable within the scope of the accompanying Claims. For example, the housing structure can be designed for expansion through a further step sideways using a corresponding expansion principle.
Claims
1. An expandable container-like housing structure (1) comprising a main module which includes a door, and at least one expansion module (E1) that includes a number of structural segments, such as a roof part firmly connected to a first wall part, a floor part, and two second wall parts, wherein when expanding the expansion module the floor part is intended to swing out about a horizontal axle at floor level, whereafter the first wall part together with the roof part are intended to be projected out telescopically from the main module, wherein at least one second wall part is mounted for rotation about a vertical axle so that said second wall part will be swung out to form an additional wall to the expansion module (E1) subsequent to having projected out the roof part and the first wall part.
2. A housing structure according to claim 1, wherein the vertical axle is connected to the first wall part.
3. A housing structure according to claim 1, wherein the second wall part includes locking means for fixation to connecting structural segments of the expansion module and/or the main module.
4. A housing structure according to claim 1, wherein the second wall part includes a pneumatic sealing element along at least one edge thereof.
5. A housing structure according to claim 4, wherein the sealing element includes an air valve which is adapted for expansion with the aid of air to provide sealing abutment with connecting structural segments.
6. A housing structure according to claim 5, wherein the sealing element is placed in a profile rail which, in turn, is fitted to the edge of the second wall part.
7. A housing structure according to claim 6, wherein the sealing element extends completely around the second wall part.
8. A housing structure according to claim 1, wherein the door is located in the main module in a wall plane that extends parallel with the direction of movement of the expansion module (E1).
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 7, 2005
Publication Date: Jun 28, 2007
Inventor: Kimmo Frondelius (Katrineholm)
Application Number: 10/588,783
International Classification: E04B 1/346 (20060101); E04B 7/16 (20060101);