Emergency Habitat for Catastrophes

Abstract

A modular building architecture is presented. The building structure includes a square or round-shaped modular unit and a loft positioned as an upper story to the modular unit. The modular unit comprises a roof that includes rain water collection gutters and channels or downspouts leading the collected rain water to rain barrels. The collected rain water is then pumped for use in the modular unit. The modular unit also comprises a bathroom and a kitchen that include smaller sized appliances and fixtures. The modular units create a modular system that allows for varying sized structures for various facilities. For example, multiple modular units can be connected together to construct an extended building structure or a medical or service facility. The additional modules would not include a kitchen, bathroom or upper story loft, but would provide additional living and/or sleeping quarters.

Description

BACKGROUND

The availability of adequate shelter is one of the fundamental needs of a substantial portion of the human population, either due to displacement after a natural disaster or other circumstances. Often as a result from natural disasters, which could last many weeks, sometimes months, inhabitants of areas exposed to flooding as a result of hurricane or other natural or man-made conditions will have to wait long time periods before public utilities, such as drinking water, and electricity supply, and sewer system are restored. In the interim, lack of a good source of food, drinking water, electricity, and other public utilities can lead to illness and loss of human life.

Lack of potable water, lack of electrical energy, and the rapid accumulation of sewage in the inhabitants' surroundings quickly weaken the resistance of surviving inhabitants against infections, exhaustion, and deterioration of health. Currently, the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) utilizes mobile homes to meet the needs of homeowners displaced due to natural disasters. However, the use of mobile homes has many drawbacks. For example, the available width of the living space is limited since these vehicles are designed to be driven or towed on highways. The rooms in such vehicles are typically very narrow regardless of the length of the mobile home. Further, the mobile homes are required to rely upon public utilities and thus require permits before the mobile homes can be occupied. Additionally, the mobile homes are expensive to maintain, are not easily stored and may contain large amounts of formaldehyde in their interior structure. Accordingly, a need exists for an inexpensive, easy to set up, re-usable, easily stored shelter with self-contained utilities to temporarily or permanently house people displaced due to natural disasters or other circumstances.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises a building structure that includes a modular unit. The modular unit is typically a square structure, but could also be a round structure. The modular unit comprises a roof that includes rain water collection gutters and channels or downspouts leading the collected rain water to rain barrels. The collected rain water is then pumped for use in a shower or toilet, and possibly kitchen and bathroom sinks of the modular unit.

The modular unit also comprises a bathroom and a kitchen that include smaller sized appliances and fixtures. Additionally, the modular unit comprises a loft to provide additional living quarters for the inhabitants. Typically, the modular unit would also contain an outside upper access to the loft for safety.

The modular units create a modular system that allows for varying sized structures for various facilities. For example, multiple modular units and/or extensions can be connected together to construct an extended building structure or a medical, service or storage facility. The additional modules or extensions would provide additional living and/or sleeping quarters and typically would not include a kitchen, bathroom or upper story loft, but could include a kitchen, bathroom or loft, if desired. Typically, the building structure can be installed, dismantled, removed, stored and reinstalled over and over again.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a square-shaped building structure of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a building structure further comprising a bathroom, kitchen and loft.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the roof of the building structure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the building structure further comprising self-contained water tanks.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of multiple modular units connected together back-to-back to form an extended house or facility.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a round building structure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of multiple modular units connected together side-by-side to form an extended house or facility.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a building structure with extensions connected to the right and left of the modular unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof.

Lack of potable water, lack of electrical energy, and the rapid accumulation of sewage in an inhabitants' surroundings due to a natural disaster or other catastrophe, quickly weaken the resistance of surviving inhabitants against infections, exhaustion, and deterioration of health. Currently, FEMA utilizes mobile homes to meet the needs of homeowners displaced due to disasters. However, there are many drawbacks for the use of mobile homes, such as the available width of the living space, the requirement to rely upon public utilities and the expense associated with maintaining and storing the mobile homes. Accordingly, a need exists for an inexpensive, easy to set up, re-usable, easily stored shelter with self-contained utilities to temporarily or permanently house people displaced due to natural disasters or other circumstances.

Accordingly, the disclosed modular building structure provides for an inexpensive, easy to set up, re-usable and easily stored structure. The building structure includes a square or round-shaped modular unit and a loft positioned as an upper story to the modular unit. The modular unit comprises a roof that includes rain water collection gutters and channels or downspouts leading the collected rain water to rain barrels. The collected rain water is then pumped for use in the modular unit. The modular unit also comprises a bathroom and a kitchen that include smaller sized appliances and fixtures. The modular units can be used to create a modular system that allows for varying sized structures for various facilities. For example, multiple modular units can be connected together to construct an extended building structure or a medical or service facility. The additional modules would provide additional living and/or sleeping quarters and typically would not include a kitchen, bathroom or upper story loft, but could include a kitchen, bathroom or loft, if desired. Thus, the modular building structure can be installed as temporary or permanent housing with or without infrastructure (water and sanitary sewer) available. It solves the problem of significant lost time for families who have had their homes damaged or destroyed due to a disaster.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a building structure 100. The building structure 100 comprises a modular unit 102. The modular unit 102 is typically a square structure that is anchored to the ground, however it can also be anchored to any other suitable stationary structure without altering the overall concept of the invention. The modular unit 102 typically has a wood or steel frame, but could also be made out of laminated plastic with no formaldehyde, or any other suitable building material without altering the overall concept of the invention. The modular unit 102 can be pre-fabricated, assembled at a plant and then transported to the desired site, via a flat bed truck or airlifted. Or, the modular unit 102 can be constructed on site. The modular unit 102 can be lived-in as soon as it is constructed. Displaced homeowners can move into the modular unit 102 the day it is constructed. Two experienced workers should be able to construct the modular unit 102 in one day. The pre-fabrication/modular construction of the modular unit 102 will allow it to be re-used and easily stored. The modular unit 102 can be stored by stacking in a warehouse.

Furthermore, the modular unit 102 comprises a roof 104. The roof 104 includes rain water collection gutters 106 and channels or downspouts 108 leading the collected rain water to the rain barrels 116. The collected rain water is then pumped for use in a shower or toilet, and possibly kitchen and bathroom sinks of the modular unit 102.

In more detail, FIG. 2 illustrates a building structure 200 that comprises a modular unit 102. The modular unit 102 comprises a bathroom 204 and a kitchen 206. The kitchen 206 includes appliances that are smaller or sized to fit a mobile home. For example, the kitchen 206 typically includes a sink, oven, stove, refrigerator, microwave and cabinets. The bathroom 204 is similarly sized and typically includes fixtures such as a shower stall, toilet, sink and cabinets.

Additionally, the modular unit 102 comprises a loft 208 for sleeping positioned as an upper story to the modular unit 102. The loft 208 is accessed by an internal ladder 210 or other suitable structure such as a staircase. The loft 208 is for sleeping on cots, air mattresses, sleeping bags or beds. Typically, the modular unit 102 would also contain an outside upper access 212 to the loft 208 for safety.

Furthermore, FIG. 3 illustrates a building structure 300 that comprises a modular unit 102. The modular unit comprises a bathroom (not shown) and a kitchen 306. A loft 308 is positioned as an upper story to the modular unit 102 for sleeping. Furthermore, the modular unit 102 comprises a roof 310. The roof 310 includes rain water collection gutters 312 and channels or downspouts 314 leading the collected rain water to the rain barrels 316. The collected rain water is then pumped for use in a shower or toilet, and possibly kitchen and bathroom sinks of the modular unit 102. The roof 310 can also include skylight panels 318, solar panels 320 and/or a wind turbine 322. The skylight panels 318 provide light to the modular unit 102. The solar panels 320 and/or the wind turbine 322 provide electricity to the modular unit 102.

FIG. 4 illustrates a building structure 400 wherein the utilities are self-contained. The building structure 400 comprises a modular unit 102 that is anchored to the ground or other stationary structure, but does not rely upon public utilities. Specifically, the water and sanitary systems are self-contained and typically need to be serviced regularly. For example, the rear-view of the modular unit 102 shows four large tanks (404, 406, 408 and 410) positioned underneath the floor 414 of the modular unit 102. Tank 404 receives rainwater which is pumped for use in the shower and toilet, and possibly kitchen and bathroom sinks. Tank 406 holds potable water for drinking at the sinks. Tank 408 holds sewage. Tank 410 holds used water from sinks and shower. Tanks 408 and 410 need pumped out periodically. Typically, a service road 412 is built along the back of the modular unit 102. This service road 412 allows service trucks to access the tanks (404, 406, 408 and 410). For example, tank 406 will need to be filled with potable water if there is not enough rain, and the sludge from tank 408 will need to be pumped out periodically, similarly to a rural home's septic system. Because the utilities are self-contained, the number of permits required is lessened, which allows displaced homeowners to move into the unit the day it is constructed, without waiting 30-60 days to obtain permits as with a mobile home.

Furthermore, typically the utilities are self-contained, but do not have to be. For example, the modular unit 102 can also rely upon public utilities if needed, just as a mobile home would. Thus, the modular unit 102 can be installed as temporary or permanent housing with or without infrastructure, such as water and sanitary sewer available. Additionally, a roof top air-conditioning (AC) system or a combined AC and heat pump roof top system could be installed on the modular unit 102. The roof top AC and combined AC and heat pump systems could be utilized with public utilities or generator systems in the modular unit 102.

Furthermore, FIG. 5 illustrates a building structure 500 comprising multiple modular units 102 and 504 connected together back-to-back. The multiple modular units 102 and 504 create a modular system that can be used to create a customized building structure specific to the inhabitant(s). For example, if it is necessary to increase the size of the building structure due to a larger family, another modular unit 504 can be connected to the first modular unit 102. The multiple modular units 102 and 504 are connected together back-to-back, to form the extended building structure 500, entrance from modular unit 102 to modular unit 504 would be through the kitchen 512 of modular unit 102. The modular units 102 and 504 can be bolted together or secured in any suitable fashion by any suitable fastening means. Modular unit 504 would merely provide additional living and/or sleeping quarters for the inhabitants, and typically would not include a kitchen or bathroom, but could include a kitchen or bathroom if desired. An additional loft 508 would be included positioned as an upper story to the modular unit 504, enjoined to the loft 506 positioned as an upper story to the modular unit 102. The lofts 506 and 508 would also be connected together back-to-back to create an enlarged sleeping area. The lofts 506 and 508 would have a single point of access 514 from the interior of the modular unit 102. The utility tanks (516, 518, 520 and 522) below modular unit 102 would be positioned to the rear of the modular unit 102, underneath the floor 524. The utility tanks include four large tanks (516, 518, 520 and 522) turned towards the side 510 of the modular unit 102 for access. Tank 516 receives rainwater which is pumped for use in the shower and toilet, and possibly kitchen and bathroom sinks. Tank 518 holds potable water for drinking at the sinks. Tank 520 holds sewage. And, tank 522 holds used water from sinks and shower. Tanks 520 and 522 need pumped out periodically. And tank 516 will need to be filled with potable water if there is not enough rain. Typically, the additional modular unit 504 would not include the utility tanks (516, 518, 520 and 522), however the utility tanks could be included in modular unit 504 if desired. If included in modular unit 504, the utility tanks would be positioned as in modular unit 102, to the rear of the modular unit 504, underneath the floor and turned towards the side of the modular unit 504 for access.

Additionally, multiple modular units 102 and 504 can be used to construct a medical or service facility. The additional modular units 504 would provide additional living and/or sleeping quarters or medical examination rooms. Further, the additional modular units 504 typically would not include a kitchen or bathroom, and an upper story loft is optional, but a kitchen, bathroom and loft could be included, if desired. Multiple modular units 102 and 504 can also be used to form a cluster of homes or a village for areas destroyed by a natural disaster. Further, the building structure 500 can be installed, dismantled, removed, stored and reinstalled over and over again. Or the building structure 500 can be installed on a permanent basis for a home in outlying areas. Thus, the modular system allows for varying sizes for various facilities, as needed, such as to construct medical or service facilities in disaster or war zones or outlying areas. Or, the building structure 500 can be used for short-term applications to shelter displaced victims during natural disasters.

Furthermore, FIG. 6 illustrates a building structure 600 comprising a round modular unit 602. The round modular unit 602 contains the same internal structures as the square modular unit discussed supra. For example, the modular unit 602 comprises a bathroom (not shown) and a kitchen 606. The kitchen 606 includes appliances that are smaller or sized to fit a mobile home. Typically, the kitchen 606 would include a sink, oven, stove, refrigerator, microwave and cabinets. The bathroom is similarly sized and typically includes fixtures such as a shower stall, toilet, sink and cabinets.

Additionally, the modular unit 602 comprises a loft 608 for sleeping positioned as an upper story to the modular unit 602. The loft 608 is accessed by an internal ladder 610 or other suitable structure such as a staircase. The loft 608 is for sleeping on cots, air mattresses, sleeping bags or beds. Typically, the modular unit 602 would also contain an outside upper access 614 to the loft 608 for safety.

Furthermore, the round modular unit 602 comprises a roof 616. The roof 616 includes rain water collection gutters 636 and channels or downspouts 618 leading the collected rain water to the rain barrels 620. The collected rain water is then pumped for use in a shower or toilet, and possibly kitchen and bathroom sinks of the modular unit 602. The roof 616 can also include skylight panels 622, solar panels 624 and/or a wind turbine 626. The skylight panels 622 provide light to the modular unit 602. The solar panels 624 and/or wind turbine 626 provide electricity to the modular unit 602.

Additionally, the round modular unit 602 includes self-contained utilities. The water and sanitary systems are self-contained and will need to be serviced regularly. For example, four large tanks (628, 630, 632 and 634) positioned underneath the floor of the modular unit 602 hold water and sewage. Tank 628 receives rainwater which is pumped for use in the shower and toilet, and possibly kitchen and bathroom sinks. Tank 630 holds potable water for drinking at the sinks. Tank 632 holds sewage. Tank 634 holds used water from sinks and shower. Tanks 632 and 634 need pumped out periodically. Typically, a service road (not shown) is built along the back of the modular unit 602. The service road allows service trucks to access the tanks (628, 630, 632 and 634). For example, tank 630 will need to be filled with potable water if there is not enough rain, and the sludge from tank 632 will need to be pumped out periodically, similarly to a rural home's septic system.

Furthermore, typically the utilities are self-contained, but do not have to be. For example, the round modular unit 602 can also rely upon public utilities if needed, just as a mobile home would. Thus, the round modular unit 602 can be installed as temporary or permanent housing with or without infrastructure, such as water and sanitary sewer available.

FIG. 7 illustrates a building structure 700 comprising multiple modular units 102 and 702 connected together side-by-side. The multiple modular units 102 and 702 create a modular system that can be used to create a customized building structure specific to the inhabitant(s). For example, if it is necessary to increase the size of the building structure due to a larger family, another modular unit 702 can be connected to the first modular unit 102. The multiple modular units 102 and 702 are connected together side-by-side, to form the extended building structure 700, entrance from modular unit 102 to modular unit 702 would be through a side entrance in modular unit 102. The modular units 102 and 702 can be bolted together or secured in any suitable fashion by any suitable fastening means. Modular unit 702 would merely provide additional living and/or sleeping quarters for the inhabitants, and typically would not include a kitchen or bathroom, but could include a kitchen or bathroom if desired. An additional loft 706 would be included positioned as an upper story to the modular unit 702, enjoined to the loft 704 positioned as an upper story to the modular unit 102. The lofts 704 and 706 would also be connected together side-by-side to create an enlarged sleeping area. The lofts 704 and 706 would have a single point of access (not shown) from the interior of the modular unit 102.

Further, the utility tanks (708, 710, 712 and 714) below modular unit 102 would be positioned to the rear of the modular unit 102, underneath the floor for access. Tank 708 receives rainwater which is pumped for use in the shower and toilet, and possibly kitchen and bathroom sinks. Tank 710 holds potable water for drinking at the sinks. Tank 712 holds sewage. And, tank 714 holds used water from sinks and shower. Tanks 712 and 714 need pumped out periodically. And tank 708 will need to be filled with potable water if there is not enough rain. Typically, the additional modular unit 702 would not include the utility tanks (708, 710, 712 and 714), however the utility tanks could be included in modular unit 702 if desired. If included in modular unit 702, the utility tanks would be positioned as in modular unit 102, to the rear of the modular unit 702, underneath the floor for access.

Additionally, multiple modular units 102 and 702 can be used to construct a medical, service or storage facility. The additional modular units 702 would provide additional living and/or sleeping quarters, medical examination rooms or storage rooms. Further, the additional modular units 702 typically would not include a kitchen or bathroom, and an upper story loft is optional, but a kitchen, bathroom and loft could be included, if desired. Multiple modular units 102 and 702 can also be used to form a cluster of homes or a village for areas destroyed by a natural disaster. Further, the building structure 700 can be installed, dismantled, removed, stored and reinstalled over and over again. Or the building structure 700 can be installed on a permanent basis for a home in outlying areas. Thus, the modular system allows for varying sizes for various facilities, as needed, such as to construct medical or service facilities in disaster or war zones or outlying areas. Or, the building structure 700 can be used for short-term applications to shelter displaced victims during natural disasters.

FIG. 8 illustrates a building structure 800 comprising a modular unit 102 and at least one extension 802 connected on either or both sides of the modular unit 102. The modular unit 102 and extension(s) 802 create a modular system that can be used to create a customized building structure specific to the inhabitant(s). For example, if it is necessary to increase the size of the building structure due to a larger family, extension 802 can be connected to the right side and the left side of the modular unit 102. The modular unit 102 and extensions 802 are connected together side-by-side, to form the extended building structure 800. Entrance from modular unit 102 to extensions 802 would be through a side entrance in modular unit 102. The modular unit 102 and extensions 802 can be bolted together or secured in any suitable fashion by any suitable fastening means. The extensions 802 would merely provide additional living and/or sleeping quarters for the inhabitants, and typically would not include a kitchen or bathroom, but could include a kitchen or bathroom if desired. Further, only modular unit 102 would have a loft positioned as an upper story to the structure, however if needed, the extensions 802 could also have lofts (not shown) positioned as an upper story to the structure.

Additionally, modular unit 102 and extensions 802 can be used to construct a medical, service or storage facility. The extensions 802 would provide additional living and/or sleeping quarters, medical examination rooms or storage rooms. Multiple building structures 800 can also be used to form a cluster of homes or a village for areas destroyed by a natural disaster. Further, the building structure 800 can be installed, dismantled, removed, stored and reinstalled over and over again. Or the building structure 800 can be installed on a permanent basis for a home in outlying areas. Thus, the modular system allows for varying sizes for various facilities, as needed, such as to construct medical, service or storage facilities in disaster or war zones or outlying areas. Or, the building structure 800 can be used for short-term applications to shelter displaced victims during natural disasters.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

1. A building structure, comprising:

at least one modular unit;

wherein the at least one modular unit comprises a bathroom and a kitchen;

self-contained utilities; and

a roof with rain water collection gutters and channels leading the collected rain water to rain barrels.

2. The building structure of claim 1, further comprising a loft positioned as an upper story to the at least one modular unit.

3. The building structure of claim 2, wherein there is an outside upper access to the loft.

4. The building structure of claim 1, further comprising a second modular unit connected to the at least one modular unit to enlarge the building structure.

5. The building structure of claim 4, further comprising multiple modular units connected together and utilized to produce a facility.

6. The building structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one modular unit has a wood frame.

7. The building structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one modular unit has a steel frame.

8. The building structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one modular unit has a laminated plastic frame.

9. The building structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one modular unit is pre-fabricated.

10. The building structure of claim 1, wherein the roof contains solar panels for providing electrical energy to the building structure.

11. The building structure of claim 1, wherein the roof contains a wind turbine for providing electrical energy to the building structure.

12. The building structure of claim 1, wherein the roof contains sky lights for providing light to the building structure.

13. The building structure of claim 1, wherein a crawl space or base in the lower region of the modular unit contains chambers or tanks for holding water.

14. The building structure of claim 13, wherein the tanks receive rain water, hold potable water for drinking, hold sewage and hold used water from sinks and shower.

15. The building structure of claim 1, wherein public utilities are used for electrical, water and sewer.

16. The building structure of claim 1, wherein the modular unit is a square-shaped structure.

17. The building structure of claim 1, wherein the modular unit is a round structure.

18. A building structure, comprising:

a first modular unit;

wherein the first modular unit comprises a bathroom and a kitchen;

a second modular unit, connected to the first modular unit;

a loft positioned as an upper story to the first and second modular unit, designed for sleeping;

self-contained utilities; and

a roof with rain water collection gutters and channels leading the collected rain water to rain barrels.

19. The building structure of claim 18, further comprising multiple modular units connected together to produce a facility.

20. A building structure, comprising:

a first modular unit;

wherein the first modular unit comprises a bathroom and a kitchen;

a loft positioned as an upper story to the first modular unit;

a crawl space or base in the lower region of the first modular unit that contains chambers or tanks for holding water, wherein a first tank receives rain water, a second tank holds potable water for drinking, a third tank holds sewage and a fourth tank holds used water from sinks and shower;

a roof with rain water collection gutters and channels leading the collected rain water to rain barrels which is then pumped into the first tank; and

solar panels and a wind turbine positioned on the roof for providing electrical energy to the building structure.