Multi functional, pre-fabricate, portable, polygon structures featuring over-sized pillars separated by floor-to-ceiling windows; and a central utility core to: a) house electrical, electronic, digital, and mechanical equipment and apparatus for the building function; b) host modular alcoves that house equipment, render storage, or offer amenities for the main building function or CUC activity; and c) provide structural support if needed for the cupola and roof beams
I present a pre-fabricated, modular, site assembled, portable, habitable polygon structure distinguished by large diameter functional pillars surrounding the structural posts; the potential for multi levels accessed by standard or circular staircases; and a compact multi-function central utility core (CUC) to house all electrical, mechanical, digital and plumbing equipment wires, connectors, pipes, cables, vents, and ducts; plus space for a corollary function to the main Gazebo; plus alcoves surrounding this interior space to house specialty equipment germane to the function of that space. The structure can be open-air or glass enclosed in single units or clusters joined by walkways. There are no exterior walls since the facade is simply pillars separated by wide floor-to-ceiling glass windows that allow 360 degree panoramic views from inside the structure. Uses include private residences, retail outlets, banks, cremations memorials, funeral homes, medical clinics, pet, park, or tourist centers, look-outs, restaurants, galleries, and reception centers.
This nonprovisional utility patent application claims the benefit of a previously filed provisional application. The Application number is No. 60/783,376 having an international filing date Mar. 18, 2006 or in words March eighteenth in the year two thousand and six, issued to Denis Hugo Braun, the same individual applicant of this current application. A copy is attached.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTThe rights to this patent application and contents are solely those of Denis Hugo Braun who declares that:
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- 1. he qualifies as a small entity; and
- 2. the application he submits does not contain any component that was developed under any federally sponsored research or development project or nor was funded by any government sponsored research or development project.
Portable polygon structures and Gazebos offer timely solutions to space needs in residential, institutional, or commercial situations where needs are immediate; or the time-line for the usefulness of a structure is uncertain; or where needs of the user may change.
A multitude of previous applications relate to small traditional residential backyard or park structures for shade or band concerts made of wood or plastic and which advance methods to manufacture, erect, use, or maintain the structure. These uninhabitable structures are normally open air, very decorative, feature small exposed posts, have no utilities or core functions, and are single level structures. Here is a list:.
In contrast, this invention relates to very large habitable and sometimes multi-level polygon structures with over-sized large diameter independent pillars that surround and hide the structural posts. These independent pillars can be aesthetic only or sometimes functional wherein the pillars consist of stacked containers, vessels, or niches with a common rear profile and are bound together by vertical brackets that mate and grasp these profiles. I also employ a central utility core to house equipment, provide space for a corollary function to the main Gazebo, host modular alcoves with equipment or storage facilities related to the main building function or CUC function; and if necessary, offer structural support to the roof and roof beams
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to pre-fabricated; single or multi level; multi-application, habitable, enclosed; steel framed polygons for delivery and site assembly anywhere in the world as a turn-key project.
This invention has a large variety of commercial applications:
The main features are:
Superstructure: Metal posts, beams, cross beams, plates, and flanges are fabricated into a superstructure for site assembly of a Gazebo. The superstructure specifications can be designed for different geographic and seismic conditions. Small and medium sized Gazebos can also be designed with additional strength in the cupola and upper support polygon to allow the superstructure to be erected from the top down. The cupola is assembled and then suspended by a mobile crane for the roof beams to be attached, braced, and assembled. Then the crane lifts the superstructure higher for the main posts and cross beams to be assembled. Now the entire suspended superstructure is lowered on to anchor bolts in the concrete pad. This assembly procedure permits cupola windows and mechanical equipment as well as the roof base, roofing materials, and cross beam supports to be installed at ground level thereby saving time and increasing labor efficiency. This assembly method allows the whole superstructure and roof to be assembled in about 2 days.
Cupola: The structure may have several tiered roofs that are aesthetic but also can host air conditioning, exhaust, air purifiers, equipment and vents to service the mechanical operations below.
Pillars: Surrounding the main vertical posts in the polygon Gazebo, are large diameter pillars that can be either aesthetic or functional. The over-sized pillars communicate strength, power, durability, durability and longevity and may be circular or polygon in shape. Pillars with aesthetic qualities consist of panels with decorative facades that are affixed to horizontal brackets at various heights in the interior of the pillar; or they can be functional and consist of similar stacked containers, vessels or niches with identical rear profiles that allow them to sleeve up and down vertical brackets that bind the pillar together. Cap blocks secure the columns of stacked containers; preventing them from being extracted. Lights around the perimeter of the cap block illuminate the facades of the containers, vessels and niches.
The vertical brackets are shown in the drawings. Each type of polygon pillar requires a different bracket from a series that has common characteristics. Such a representative bracket in the series may have duplicate 90 degree mirrored openings that grasp the adjoining 90 degree comers of the stacked containers, vessels, or niches. Therefore the bracket has a top exterior angle and a lower interior angle that together add to 180 degrees and determine whether the resulting pillar has 5,6,7,8,9,10, 12, 15,20 . . . infinity . . . sides . . . ie whether it is a pentagon, hexagon, octagon, or decagon etc.
Functional pillars serve needs related to the main activity of the Gazebo. For example, the pillars may consist of stacked niches containing urns with cremated remains in a memorial Gazebo; or consist of safety deposit boxes for storing valuables in a depository or bank Gazebo; or consist of shelf slots to store consumables and linens ion a hospital Gazebo or medical clinic.
The objective of these proprietary brackets is to consolidate stacked containers, vessels, or cremation niches into a rigid pillar. Each container has a mirrored rear corner profile that mates with the corresponding indentations, enclosures, and openings of the brackets; having sufficient tolerance spaces to allow the containers to easily sleeve up and down the brackets during installation; but tight enough so that when all the containers are in the polygon pillar, the pillar attains a strength, tightness, and rigidity of it's own.
Windows: Exterior walls are the norm, but glass floor-to-ceiling windows may be installed between the large diameter pillars providing occupants of the structure with abundant natural light and a 360 degree panoramic view. The glass panels are installed in aluminum guides on the floor and ceiling and also fit into a U channel that can be an extension of the vertical pillar bracket. The Gazebo, for use in moderate climates, has no walls but only windows on the exterior and optional interior partitions or curtains in the inside of the Gazebo. The facade of the structure consists simply of pillars and glass.
Central Utility Core: (CUC) The CUC is an interior space in the middle of the Gazebo that is defined by the superstructure and which acts as a central utility core for the placement of electrical, mechanical, plumbing, digital, and communication equipment and control panels as well as ancillary equipment for the whole Gazebo. This includes, but is not limited to, phone, cable and internet lines, computers, servers, DVD, CD, VCR equipment, furnace, air conditioning and heating apparatus, air ventilation ducts; control boxes, electric wiring, electrical control box, electricity meter, copper piping, PVC pipes, water pipes, water meter, hot water heater, water chiller, water purifier, plumbing pipes, sewer pipes, garbage compactor, garbage recycle unit, compost holder, vault or safe, fire extinguishers, video surveillance monitors, printers, copiers, fax, phone junction box, wireless LAN terminals, air purifiers, medical gas, air ventilation and exhaust, appliance and gas exhaust, bathroom exhaust ducts, root cellar, underground cool air ducts, closets for cleaning equipment, central vacuum equipment and hose, and all elements of an “intelligent building”. The objective is to minimize the amount of materials such as plastic, copper, wire, galvanized ducts, and PVC. The co consolidation into a compact space results in a substantial savings in materials for wires, pipes, ducts, cable, and plumbing connections.
CUC Space: In addition, the CUC may contain an internal space for a specific function germane to the principal use of the whole Gazebo. For example, a CUC interior washroom supports a private residence, gallery, or retail outlet. A CUC kitchen supports a restaurant or reception center, a CUC operating theatre supports a small hospital, a CUC laboratory or X-Ray room supports a medical clinic; a CUC vault supports a bank or credit union; and a CUC located secure communications room supports an embassy or consulate.
CUC Alcoves: Modular wedge-shaped alcoves may surround the CUC and have doors or shutters that open either; inward to the interior space; open outward to the main Gazebo; or open in both directions inward and outward.
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- 1. Where the CUC is used to house an operating theatre for example, the alcoves which host specialized equipment usually open inward to the OR.
- 2. Alcoves housing household equipment such as cooking, refrigeration, office, or entertainment equipment, or household storage facilities usually open outward to face the main Gazebo and the windows.
- 3. Alcoves hosting common equipment such as refrigeration, sterilizers, autoclaves, laundry, or storage racks may open both inward and outward.
- 4. The alcoves are modular to allow equipment or function to be easily changed as needs change.
Efficiency Stations: Surrounding the CUC there may be a specialty station relevant to the operational efficiency of the Gazebo. These stations are primarily for institutional and commercial uses of the Gazebo. For example: a nursing station around the perimeter of the CUC operating theatre in a hospital, a serving station around the perimeter of the kitchen CUC in a restaurant, a customer service counter in a bank or retail outlet; and an attendant station around the perimeter of the CUC in a tourist information center.
Circular Staircase: An offset circular staircase allows quick access from one level to another. In many Gazebo applications, this can save time and add to the efficiency of the staff. In a hospital setting, the combination of the perimeter nursing station and the circular staircase allows the minimum number of professional staff to monitor the maximum number of patients.
Sleep Loft: Instead of having an open space to the roof beams on the top level, a ceiling can be installed and the CUC extended upward to join and provide structural support to the roof beams. In this case an additional circular staircase can provide access to a loft space for children to play in a private residence, or for shift workers to rest and sleep in a hospital, look-out, or small airport control tower.
The key innovations are:
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- 1. The material specification of the superstructure plus the welding, bolting, and sleeve technique of assembling the components to allow for top-down assembly of some superstructures while they are suspended in the air by a mobile crane.
- 2. Surrounding the vertical posts in the polygon with independent non-load bearing over-sized pillars made entirely of vertical brackets that bind stacked containers, and vessels (niches) having rear profiles that permit them to sleeve up and down the vertical brackets.
- 3. Using floor to ceiling glass windows between the pillars to generate abundant natural light and render an interior space with a 360 degree panoramic view.
- 4. Having an interior core space that houses all the utility equipment and apparatus as well as provides a space for a specific corollary function that compliments the use of the main Gazebo.
- 5. Surrounding the CUC are a series of modular wedge shaped alcoves to house equipment and specialized apparatus germane to the function of the CUC space or the Gazebo as a whole.
- 6. The creation of a nursing station or service counters around the perimeter of the CUC to add to staff efficiency.
- 7. Using room heaters and air conditioners to negate the need for ducts in the structure.
- 8. Using spiral staircases to allow quick access from other levels of the structure.
- 9. The addition of a sleep loft if a top floor ceiling is installed.
Transition Structures:
In some cases, the structure can perform a whole series of functions over the life of a project. For example, in new urban subdivisions, residents often retain membership in their base Church or Temple until they can collectively raise enough money to build a new facility. This can take 3-5 years. A temporary Gazebo can be erected in 3-4 weeks and be a place of worship until the congregation grows and money is raised for the new permanent Church. When the new Church is complete, the Gazebo converts into a Cremation Memorial and the pillars are converted to host niches and urns.
In wartime, the military and DVA need rehabilitation, assessment, and physiotherapy centers at bases and national guard locations. After these temporary needs are met, the Gazebo can be retrofitted and convert to an out-patient clinic.
In greenfield projects, the Gazebo is the lead structure and functions as the on-site project management office. When construction is complete, the Gazebo converts to the site Sales Office until the project is 80% sold. Then the Gazebo and can be expanded to a 3-5 Gazebo cluster and functions as a community center.
This invention differs from features of a traditional polygon Gazebo by:
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- 1. increasing the size and strength of the cupola components and upper support ring to allow the superstructure to be erected from the top down.
- 2. making the structure multi-leveled to conserve land and make it space efficient.
- 3. utilizing the space between the mini posts in the cupola to house air conditioning compressors, air scrubbers, or other equipment.
- 4. providing over-sized pillars that surround the structural vertical posts to give the appearance of strength, durability, power, and permanence, and longevity.
- 5. utilizing the pillars to host functional containers, vessels, storage units, or niches.
- 6. enclosing the structure with floor to ceiling glass to maximize natural light into the structure and offer the possibility of full 360 degree panoramic views from inside the structure.
- 7. installing a spiral staircase in multi-level Gazebos for quick access to other levels; and access to an optional sleep loft.
- 8. planning a Central Utility Core (CUC) to house all electrical, electronic, digital, and mechanical equipment, wiring, pipes, tubes, connectors, control boxes, computers, monitors, printers, LAN, optical, servers, DVD, CD surveillance equipment and monitors, fire extinguishers, alarm systems., etc.
- 9. utilizing the CUC to house a corollary function to the main function of the Gazebo as in an interior washroom to support a private residence; an interior operating theatre to support a small hospital; a X-Ray room to support a medical clinic; an interior kitchen to support a restaurant; an interior vault to support a bank; an interior communication room to support an embassy; an interior drug depository to support a pharmacy; or an interior vaccine room to support an animal hospital
- 10. surrounding the CUC with modular alcoves that house equipment, storage racks, or amenities related to the main function of the CUC interior or the main function of the whole Gazebo.
- 11. enabling the alcoves to be quickly changed, re-engineered, re-equipped or modified to provide support for other functions.
- 12. utilizing the CUC posts as structural support for the upper copula and roof beams.
- 13. erecting the Gazebos in clusters and joining them with walkways to facilitate more functions in the same complex.
Key Advantages
The process of making and using the invention. A multi-level pre-fabricated portable polygon Gazebo.
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- 1. Wood, aluminum, or steel members can be used to construct the polygon Gazebo superstructure. Usually at least one tiered mini-roof known as a cupola is assembled first. Mini posts affix to a support ring and mini roof beams with connectors welded to them then sleeve into the mini posts and are bolted. The roof beams converge to a polygon member that tops the cupola. For small and light Gazebo structures the cupola is then attached to a mobile crane and lifted into the air.
- If steel is used, then the roof beams, having welded plates at one end, are bolted to plates welded to the upper support ring while cross members are installed along the roof angle to insure that all roof beams are equidistant apart. At this stage, the base plywood and the roofing material or tiles can be installed while the superstructure is at ground level. The mobile crane now raises the entire superstructure higher to accommodate the main vertical posts.
- Next the vertical posts sleeve into the connectors on the roof beams and cross members are bolted to the flanges on the posts at all levels of the superstructure. Once complete, the entire superstructure can be lowered on to anchor bolts in the concrete pad.
- 2. By specifying extra strength in the copula members, the Gazebo can be assembled on site from the top down using a mobile crane as described above. For larger structures generally exceeding 8 tons, the superstructure is assembled in the conventional way starting with the posts and cross members and installing the roof beams to converge on the support ring of the cupola.
- 3. Another component of the superstructure is the creation of a space around the center point of the Gazebo polygon and referred to as the Central Utility Core (CUC). The surface area and shape of this space is defined by vertical posts similar to the main structural posts. In some applications no CUC is necessary such as in a cremation memorial Gazebo where religious statues or sculptures replace a CUC. IN other applications, a CUC is only required on one level, while in most applications, the CUC is useful on all levels. In some instances, the CUC will extend upward to the roof beams and supply structural support to the roof and cupola.
- 4. The CUC may have modular enclosures or alcoves around it's perimeter to house equipment, storage, or apparatus needed for either the principle activity of the space within the CUC or support the main function of the entire Gazebo, The doors to these alcoves may open either inward , outward, or open in both directions to serve both activities. The alcoves are modular and can be changed or replaced if the main function of the Gazebo or CUC were to change in the future. For example:
- In a Greenfield Gazebo the main function may change from a site construction office to a sales office to a community center to a starter church to a church cremation memorial.
- In a DVA medical facility the Gazebo alcoves can convert the CUC from an operating theater complex to a physiotherapy unit, to an out-patient facility.
At a port, rail yard, bus terminus, airport, or warehouse complex where the main function may change from a site construction office to a site observation post to a site medical clinic.
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- 5. Decorative windows or air conditioning compressors and equipment can be installed between the mini posts in the cupola
- 6. The main structural posts in the Gazebo are surrounded with over-sized pillars to communicate strength, power, durability, durability and longevity. These pillars can be circular or polygon in shape. Pillars may be aesthetic only consisting of panels with decorative facades; or they can be functional and consist of staked containers, vessels or niches with identical rear profiles that allow them to sleeve up and down vertical brackets that bind the pillar together. Cap blocks secure the columns of containers and prevent them from being extracted; and may house lights to illuminate the facades of the containers, vessels and niches.
- 7. A typical vertical bracket is shown in the drawings. The objective is to be able to create different pillar shapes with an infinite number of sides for a client while using containers or niches with a standard size and rear profile.
- A typical bracket in such a series will have duplicate opposite openings that grasp the adjoining comers of the stacked containers. These corners are usually at 90 degrees each for a. total of 180 degrees. Therefore the bracket must have the top exterior angle and the lower interior angle that total 180 degrees.
- To determine whether the resulting pillar will have 5,6,7,8,9,10, . . . , infinity . . . sides; simply divide the interior inside angle into 360 degrees to determine the number of sides in the pillar. In other words, make the interior inside angle such that dividing the number into 360 will render a whole number and not a fraction.
Here are the matching extraneous angles needed for brackets to render pillars with 5 sides to 20 sides. There is almost an infinite number of angles until the pillar becomes a straight wall.
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- Top Left: Hexagon single layer
- Top right: Octagon single layer
- Bottom Left: Decagon 10 sides
- Bottom Right Hexagon. Double layer
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- 19a Cooking and food preparation Alcove
- 19b Wet bar Alcove
- 19c Laundry room Alcove
- 19d TV, music and entertainment Alcove
- 19e Pantry and storage Alcove
- 19f Cloths closet Alcove
- 19g Fireplace Alcove
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The Gazebo Superstructure
- 1a Cupola opening
- 1b Mini roof beams
- 1c Mini posts
- 1d Upper support ring
- 1e Roof base plate to attach to the upper support ring
- 1f Roof beams
- 1g Upper cross support members
- 1h Connector from the roof beams top the main post
- 1i Main post with flanges to support cross, joist and balcony beams
- 1j Lower cross support members
- 1k Floor joists
- 1l Central Utility Core (CUC) support ring
- 1m Central Utility Core (CUC) posts
- 1n Balcony extensions
- 1o Main post base plates
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- 2a Central Utility Core support ring
- 2b Central Utility Core extended posts
- 2c Connectors for the CUC post to the roof beam
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- 3a cross support members
- 3b Floor joists
- 3c Central Utility Core support ring
- 3d Upper Cupola support ring
- 3e Balcony extensions
- 3f Niche pillars surrounding the main posts
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- 19a Cooking and food preparation Alcove
- 19b Wet bar Alcove
- 19c Laundry room Alcove
- 19d TV, music and entertainment Alcove
- 19e Pantry and storage Alcove
- 19f Cloths closet Alcove
- 19g Fireplace Alcove
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Claims
1. A pre-fabricated, portable, polygon Gazebo structure erected on site that takes it's shape from a large steel superstructure that consists of an upper cupola and support ring, roof beams, posts, connectors, cross beams and flanges plus a plurality of interior posts all of which define either a single level or multiple level structure; a single or multi-tiered roof; and define an interior central utility core space to house electrical, mechanical plumbing and electronic equipment, a corollary functional space, alcoves to house equipment and storage units germane to that function, a perimeter station to service the building cliental, and in some instances to extend up to the top of the structure to provide structural support for an upper support ring and cupola.
2. A pre-fabricated, portable, polygon Gazebo structure where the main vertical structural posts are surrounded by over-sized large diameter pillars to give the appearance of strength, durability, and longevity whereby the pillars are circular or polygon in shape and are either non-functional and made of panels clad with decorative stone, wood, metal, glass, or mirrors; or are functional and consist of columns of stacked containers, vessels, or niches bound by a series of vertical brackets that clasp the rear profiles of adjoining containers, vessels or niches so that they can sleeve up and down the brackets and be secured by a cap block to prevent their removal and where the spaces between the pillars can remain open or can be glassed-in with floor to ceiling windows allowing abundant natural light into the structure and making the structure habitable.
3. A pre-fabricated, portable, polygon Gazebo structure with a central utility core (CUC) to house all utility, electrical, electronic, mechanical, office, and digital equipment and apparatus plus space for a corollary function to the main Gazebo use such as a washroom, kitchen, operating theatre, X-ray room, MIR room, imaging room, control room, vault, secured communication room, specialty storage facility, or document archive; plus a series of perimeter alcoves to house specialty equipment or storage related to the main Gazebo use or the corollary function taking place in the CUC interior space.
- 3.1 A CUC that contains but is not limited to: electric wiring, electric control box, electricity meter, water pipes, water meter, hot water heater, water chiller, water purifier, plumbing pipes, sewer pipes, garbage compactor, garbage recycle unit, compost holder, copper piping, PVC pipe, vault or safe, fire extinguishers, video surveillance, computer, servers, monitors, printers, fax, phone junction box, cable, fiber optic cables, wireless LAN terminals, TV, CD and DVD players, speakers, furnace, heating, air conditioning, air purifiers, medical gas, air ventilation and exhaust, appliance heat and gas exhaust, bathroom exhaust ducts, air circulation, root cellar, underground cool air ducts, closets for cleaning equipment, central vacuum equipment and hose.
- 3.2. A CUC that provides interior space for a corollary function to support the main use of the Gazebo accompanied by modular wedge-shaped alcoves around the perimeter that support either the main Gazebo function; or corollary function of the CUC and has doors that either open outward to the whole Gazebo and house specialty equipment pertaining to the principal function of the Gazebo; or open inward to the interior of the CUC and house specialty equipment pertaining to the corollary function of the CUC; or open both outward and inward with supplies or equipment critical to both functions.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 16, 2007
Publication Date: Sep 20, 2007
Inventor: Denis Braun (Wiezikon)
Application Number: 11/724,820
International Classification: E04H 3/00 (20060101);
