EXPANDABLE EXPEDITIONARY CONTAINER SYSTEM

Abstract

A containerized expeditionary system that can be expanded from a compact, container sized unit to significantly increase the interior space, thereby allowing for use as a shelter, laundry, office, restroom, etc., or combinations therein. The system has a body with a pair of end walls, a pair of side walls, a floor, and a roof defining an interior space. A set of doors can be opened to allow a series of panels pivotally coupled to the body to be moved from a stowed configuration into a deployed configuration where the panels extend out of body to form an enclosure defining a second interior space that combines with the first interior space. The panels are positioned in the ends of the container to maximize the internal space so that the container can include all of the necessary equipment to provide the desired functionality at a location.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/184,437, filed on May 5, 2021.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to temporary facilities and, more specifically, to a containerized system for providing a temporary facility.

2. Description of the Related Art

Temporary facilities are frequently used by governments and private companies to support responders, incident management, critical infrastructure operations, and displaced populations. For example, in the event of an emergency or natural disaster, including technological, intentional, and terrorism risks, emergency management operations need to provide shelter, food, potable drinking water and sanitary facilities for responders as well as for impacted populations. As the location of the event is usually unexpected, emergency management operations need to be able to easily transport the facilities to the particular site and then quickly and efficiently deploy the facilities for use. As a result, current approach for providing temporary facilities include the use of standard shipping containers that are outfitted with the requisite components to be used as shelter, kitchens, bathrooms, and the like. As it is not always possible to transport a full-sized container to a location in need of support, a smaller container that is easier to transport may be used. The use of a smaller container, however, results in a temporary facility that is correspondingly smaller as well. As a result, there is a need for in the art for an approach that can provide the largest facility possible while reducing the size of the container needed to support and transport the facility.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an expandable expeditionary container system that can provide temporary facilities at a location. The system may be outfitted in a standard shipping container, such as a Tricon container, that can be deployed into a larger configuration to maximize the amount of enclosed space available for the particular facility to be provided. The system has a body having a pair of end walls, a pair of side walls, a floor, and a roof defining an interior space. The system includes a set of doors a that are capable of movement between a closed position where the set of doors form at least one of the pair of end walls and an open position permitting access to the interior space. A series of panels are pivotally coupled to the body within the interior space proximately to the set of doors. The series of panels are positioned in the body to be movable between a stowed configuration, wherein each of the series of panels is contained within the interior space of the body, and a deployed position, wherein each of the panels extends out of the interior space to form an enclosure defining a second interior space in communication with the interior space of the body. The series of panels may be pivotally coupled to the body so that, in the stowed configuration, the panels extend in parallel to the set of doors in the closed position and, in the deployed configuration, the series of panels extend in parallel to the pair of side walls. The series of panels may comprise five panels with at least four of the panels pivotally connected to the body. The fifth of the series of panels may be pivotally connected to one of four panels to form the last wall of a new enclosure in communication with the original interior space of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an expandable expeditionary container system according to the present invention in a stowed configuration.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an expandable expeditionary container system according to the present invention in a deployed configuration.

FIG. 3 is an end view of an expandable expeditionary container system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is partial top view of an expandable expeditionary container system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of an expandable expeditionary container system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an expandable expeditionary container system according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a draw latch for releasably securing panels of the present invention in a deployed configuration.

FIG. 8 is partial cutway view of the present invention in the deployed configuration according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary bunk configuration for an expandable expeditionary container system according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary kitchen configuration for an expandable expeditionary container system according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary combination laundry and office configuration for an expandable expeditionary container system according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, wherein like numeral refer to like parts throughout, there is seen in FIG. 1 an expandable facility system 10 that can be easily transported in a first configuration and then deployed into a second configuration to provide a temporary facility that has a larger internal space than in the first configuration. System 10 comprises a body 12 having a cuboid frame 14 supporting a first pair of opposing end walls 16 and 18, a second pair of opposing sidewalls 20 and 22 extending perpendicularly to opposing end walls 16 and 18, a roof 24, and a floor 26 that enclose an interior space 28 within body 12. At least one of end wall 16 or end wall 18 comprises a door assembly 30 having a pair of doors 32 and 34 that are hingedly mounted to frame 14 to be opened outwardly from body 12, thereby permitting access to interior space 28. A second of pair of doors 36 and 38 may be hingedly mounted to frame 14 to form end wall 18. Preferably, opposing sidewalls 20 and 22 comprise solid panels but may include doors, access, panels, and the like. Roof 24 is preferably formed from a solid panel. Floor 26 may include one or more pockets 40 mounted thereunder that are dimensioned and oriented to allow a conventional forklift to engage container 10. Roof 24 may include a twist lock casting 42 in each corner of frame 14 to provide connection points for movement via cranes, for stacking with other systems 10 (or even conventional shipping containers), for loading onto vehicles, and for interconnecting a helicopter sling for transport via helicopter into locations that are not easily accessible via ground transportation. Interior space 28 may include finishing, such as subfloors, wall panel or drywall, insulation, etc. as well as electrical conduits and plumbing as desired for habitation to support a particle type of temporary facility. Body 12 is shown in FIG. 1 in a first stowed configuration and preferably comprises a standard Tricon-type container but could comprise other standard sized containers, such ISO containers, as well as custom containers including the requisite components described herein.

Referring to FIG. 2, system 10 may be placed into a second, deployed configuration. In this configuration, doors 32 and 34 of door assembly 30 have been opened to permit access to interior space 28 of body 12. A first panel 50, a second panel 52, a third panel 54, and a fourth panel 56, all of which are hingedly mounted within interior space 28 for pivoting out of interior space to extend from body 12 when doors 32 and 34 are open. A fifth panel 58 may be pivotally mounted to one of first panel 50, second panel 52, third panel 54, or fourth panel 56 oppositely from the end that is pivotally mounted to the interior surface of body 12 to fully enclose a new space formed by first panel 50, second panel 52, third panel 54, and fourth panel 56. Fifth panel 58, or any other panel, may include a door 60 and can additionally include windows or other openings. Alternatively, a conventional doorframe and door may be mounted into sidewall 20 of body 12 and omitted from the expanding section formed by first panel 50, second panel 52, third panel 54, fourth panel 56, and fifth panel 58. Each of first panel 50, second panel 52, third panel 54, and fourth panel 56 are preferably mounted for movement between a stowed configuration where each panel extend in parallel with end wall 16 and thus door assembly 30, and a deployed configuration, where each of first panel 50, a second panel 52, a third panel 54, and a fourth panel 56 have pivoted ninety degrees to extend along a plane that is parallel to the plane formed by sidewalls 20 and 22. The new enclosure formed by first panel 50, second panel 52, third panel 54, fourth panel 56, and fifth panel 58 forms a second interior space that is open to and in communication with the interior space 28 of body 12, thereby forming a larger enclosed and interior space to serve as the desired facilities.

Referring FIGS. 3 and 4, each of first panel 50, second panel 52, third panel 54, and fourth panel 56 are preferably mounted to body 12 via hinges 62 positioned just inside of door assembly 30 so that first panel 50, second panel 52, third panel 54, and fourth panel 56 are stowed adjacent to doors 32 and 34. For example, first panel 50 may be pivotally mounted to the inside of roof 24, second panel 52 may be pivotally mounted to the inside of side wall 20, third panel 54 may be pivotally mounted to the inside of opposing side wall 22, and fourth panel 56 may be pivotally mounted to the inside of floor 26. Fifth panel 58 may be hingedly connected to third panel 54 (or second panel 52). This positioning reduces the amount of interior space 28 needed for first panel 50, second panel 52, third panel 54, and fourth panel 56 and maximizes the amount of new space created when first panel 50, second panel 52, third panel 54, and fourth panel 56 are moved into the deployed configuration. For example, each panel may be mounted 0.5 inches away from each other, except for the joined panels forming the side wall and the end wall, i.e., third panel 54 and fifth panel 58 that is hinged to third panel 54, which may be 0.25 inches apart from one another.

As a result, movement of first panel 50, a second panel 52, a third panel 54, and a fourth panel 56 effectively extend the length of interior space 28 to include the additional space formed by the deployed position of first panel 50, a second panel 52, a third panel 54, and a fourth panel 56. In the example of a Tricon container (type II) outfitted with system 10, the deployed configuration will nearly double the volume of the space enclosed by the standard Tricon configuration (some of the conventional volume would be lost in the stowed configuration due to the stowed panels being positioned in interior space 28 adjacent to door assembly 30). With a corresponding sixth panel 70, seventh panel 72, eighth panel 74, ninth panel 76, and tenth panel 78 installed in the opposing end of body 12 proximate to a second door assembly 80, the deployed configuration of system 10 can nearly triple the volume of the container that has been outfitted with system 10. As should be recognized by those of skill in the art, a support 82 may need to be positioned under fourth panel 56 and ninth panel 76 to maintain level depending on the conditions of the ground on which system 10 is placed. Support 82 may comprise one more cinder blocks, jacks, jack stands, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 7, first panel 50, second panel 52, third panel 54, fourth panel 56, and fifth panel 58 (as well as sixth panel 70, seventh panel 72, eighth panel 74, ninth panel 76, and tenth panel 78) can be secured in the expanded configuration using draw latches 90. More specifically, any two adjacent panels may be secured to each other using a draw latch 90 having a pivotal latch 92 and hook 94 secured to one panel, and a keeper 96 secured to an adjacent panel.

System 10 may therefore be deployed by opening doors 32 and 34 and then pivoting all panels into the deployed configuration. Securing all latches 90 will draw panels together and retain panels in the deployed configuration. System 10 may be easily transitioned back into the stowed configuration by unlatching all latches 90 and then pivoting from their deployed positions back into the stowed configuration. As seen in FIG. 8, draw latches 90 may be positioned as desired at multiple locations about adjacent panels as needed to securely retain panels in the deployed configuration.

Panels may be manufactured using 18 gauge 5052 aluminum sheets as exterior sheets that enclose three-quarter inch polyisocyanurate foam paneling. The aluminum sheets may be adhered to the polyisocyanurate panels using a latex-based adhesive designed for bonding polystyrene foam. The perimeter of the panels may be enclosed with a C-shaped channel member formed from 18 gauge aluminum to enclose the internal foam panel and fastened to the exterior sheets with rivets or shallow screws. Panels may be bolted to hinges 62, which are then mounted to the inside of body 12 using #6 bolts, washers and nuts. Latches 90 may also be mounted to panels using #8 metal screws or rivets.

Referring to FIG. 9, system 10 may be used to provide temporary living quarters 100 by including a shower stall 102, toilet 104, and sink 106, within interior space 28. Twin bunks 108 may be pivotally attached to second panel 52 or third panel 54 that form the side wall of the new enclosed space when positioned in the deployed configuration. Plumbing for shower stall 102, toilet 104, and sink 106 may be included under a subfloor extending on top of floor 26 or within sidewalls 20 and 22, or both. An HVAC unit 110 is included for air conditioning and heating.

Referring to FIG. 10, system 10 may also be used to provide a temporary kitchen 200 by outfitting interior space 28 of body 12 with an oven 202, steam kettle 204, prep table 206, sink 208, HVAC unit 210, hot table 212, and serving window 214. As noted above, electrical supply wiring and plumbing can be installed to support the various components as is known in the art.

Referring to FIG. 11, system 10 may also be used to provide a temporary office and laundry unit 300 by outfitting interior with a water heater 302, one or more laundry washer/dryer stacks 304, desks 306, chairs 308, and folding tables 310. As noted above, electrical wiring, gas supply wiring and plumbing can be installed to support the various components as is known in the art.

Claims

1. A system for providing facilities at a location, comprising:

a body having a pair of end walls, a pair of side walls, a floor, and a roof defining a first interior space;

a set of doors forming at least part of one of the pair of end walls and capable of movement between a closed position and an open position that permits access to the interior space; and

a series of panels pivotally coupled to the body within the interior space proximately to the set of doors and positioned to be movable between a stowed configuration, wherein each of the series of panels is contained within the interior space of the body, and a deployed configuration, wherein each of the series of panels extends out of the interior space to form an enclosure defining a second interior space in communication with the first interior space.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the series of panels are pivotally coupled to the body so that, in the stowed configuration, the series of panels extend in parallel to the set of doors in the closed position and, in the deployed configuration, the series of panels extend in parallel to the pair of side walls.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the series of panels comprises five panels and four of the panels are pivotally connected to the body.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the fifth of the series of panels is pivotally connected to one of the four panels that are pivotally connected to the body.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the fifth of the series of panels includes a door positioned therein.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein each of the series of panels may be releasably secured to at least one other of the series of panels when the series of panels are in the deployed configuration.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein each of the series of panels may be releasably secured to at least one other of the series of panels using a draw latch.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the body is configured as a shipping container.

9. A method of providing a temporary facility, comprising the steps of:

providing a body having a pair of end walls having a set of doors, a pair of side walls, a floor, and a roof defining a first interior space and a series of panels pivotally coupled to the body within the interior space and positioned proximately to the set of doors; and

moving the series of panels from a stowed configuration, wherein each of the series of panels is contained within the interior space of the body, to a deployed configuration, wherein each of the series of panels extends out of the interior space to form a second interior space in communication with the first interior space.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of transporting the body to a location where the temporary facility is needed prior to the step of moving the series of panels from a stowed configuration into the deployed configuration.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the body includes at least one bed, a toilet, and a sink.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the body includes a kitchen and one of the series of panels includes a serving window.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the body includes at least one laundry stack.