CA2138854A1 - Building structure - Google Patents

Building structure

Info

Publication number
CA2138854A1
CA2138854A1 CA 2138854 CA2138854A CA2138854A1 CA 2138854 A1 CA2138854 A1 CA 2138854A1 CA 2138854 CA2138854 CA 2138854 CA 2138854 A CA2138854 A CA 2138854A CA 2138854 A1 CA2138854 A1 CA 2138854A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
building structure
postal
boxes
roof
postal boxes
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2138854
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ralph Bernard Boy
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SOUTH AFRICAN POST OFFICE Ltd
Original Assignee
SOUTH AFRICAN POST OFFICE LIMITED
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by SOUTH AFRICAN POST OFFICE LIMITED filed Critical SOUTH AFRICAN POST OFFICE LIMITED
Priority to CA 2138854 priority Critical patent/CA2138854A1/en
Publication of CA2138854A1 publication Critical patent/CA2138854A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04HBUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H5/00Buildings or groups of buildings for industrial or agricultural purposes
    • E04H5/02Buildings or groups of buildings for industrial purposes, e.g. for power-plants or factories
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04HBUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H1/00Buildings or groups of buildings for dwelling or office purposes; General layout, e.g. modular co-ordination or staggered storeys
    • E04H1/12Small buildings or other erections for limited occupation, erected in the open air or arranged in buildings, e.g. kiosks, waiting shelters for bus stops or for filling stations, roofs for railway platforms, watchmen's huts or dressing cubicles
    • E04H1/1205Small buildings erected in the open air

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Roof Covering Using Slabs Or Stiff Sheets (AREA)

Abstract

A building structure 10 is mobile and has features making it suitable to render postal services. The structure 10 has a support base 11 which is rigid. Postal boxes 26 are provided in an array in each of side walls 12, 14 of the structure. A door 24 gives access to an interior of the structure to service the postal boxes. A walkway 32 and a roof overhang 34 are provided for the convenience of users. The walkway 32 and overhang 34 can be pivoted against and locked against the postal boxes 26. The structure 10 is transportable as a container.

Description

~1388~4 BUILDING STRUCTURE

THIS INVENTION relates to a building structure. It relates more particularly to a building structure suitable for rendering postal services.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, broadly, there is provided a mobile building structure adapted for use in rendering postal services.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, broadly, there is provided a building structure having features rendering it suitable for use in rendering postal services, the building structure being mobile.

More specifically, in accordance with the invention, there is provided a building structure having a rigid support base supporting walls and a roof and which is- mobile, the building structure comprising features to render it suitable for use in rendering postal services, the features including at least a plurality of postal boxes accessible to respective users from 2 1 388~

externally of the building structure, and serviceable by personnel from inside the building structure.

The building structure may have mechanical handling formations whereby it can mechanically be handled to facilitate loading and offloading. The mechanical handling formations may be arranged to direct handling effort to the support base, the support base being suitable to allow loading it onto a load platform of a load vehicle.

The support base may be in the form of a bed and may be suitable to be rested on foundations or slabs forming a support surface.

The postal boxes may be built into at least one wall of the building structure in the form of an array of postal boxes.

The building structure may define an interior and may include a lockable door in a wall of the building structure giving access to the interior. The building structure may have lighting means for lighting up the interior. The lighting means may be solar powered. Thus, the building structure may have one or more solar collectors mounted on the roof.

The building structure may be built of metal to render it secure and vandal proof to a large degree. The building 213~85~

structure may be in form of a steel frame covered by sheeting.
The sheeting may advantageously be in the form of steel sheeting.

The building structure may have ventilating openings covered by grills underneath a roof covering or overhang. They may be provided underneath an overhang at a pitch of the roof.

The building structure may include a walkway arranged in association with the postal boxes to serve users of the postal boxes. It may be positioned along a foot of the or each wall mounting the array(s) of postal boxes. The walkway may be foldable against postal boxes to cover the or some of the postal boxes, when not in use. The walkway may be hinged to the support base and may be pivotal between its operative and inoperative conditions.

In the same fashion, the building structure may include a roof overhang or roof extension arranged above the postal boxes to cover an area in front of the postal boxes. The roof overhang or roof extension may be movable between an operative or erect condition and an inoperative or folded condition against the postal boxes. The walkway and roof extension, when in their inoperative conditions, may substantially cover the array of postal boxes and may be lockable in those condi-tions. This feature facilitates transport and can also be adapted for use as a security barrier.

2138~54 By way of advantageous development, the building structure may be of a shape and size to render it transportable as a container. This has the advantage that existing transport vehicles for containers may be used to transport the building structure. The container transport infrastructure can be used to transport such building structures.

The invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings Figure 1 shows, in three dimensional view from above, a building structure in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 shows the building structure of Figure 1 in side view;
Figure 3 shows the building structure of Figure 1 in cross section although, for ease of drawing, no hatching is indicated;
and Figure 4 shows, in a view corresponding to that of Figure 3, another embodiment of a building structure.

With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, a building structure in accordance with the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The building structure 10 is adapted to render postal services to users, more specifically to offer a postal box facility to users. The building structure 10 is mobile or transportable. It is adapted to be loaded on, transported by and offloaded from, a load platform of a load vehicle. Furthermore, it is adapted to be 21388~4 supported on foundations or slabs provided for that purpose.
Thus, conveniently, the building structure may have handling formations to allow handling, e.g. slinging, during loading, and offloading. More specifically, it is adapted to be handled by means of a crane.

More specifically, the building structure 10 has side walls generally indicated by reference numerals 12 and 14, end walls generally indicated by reference numerals 16 and 18 and a roof generally indicated by reference numeral 20. The building structure 10 is formed on a support base 11 which is rigid and which is adapted to support the building structure when the support base itself is supported at least at predetermined points in a common plane.

The building structure 10 defines an enclosed interior generally indicated by reference numeral 22 in Figure 3 and to which access is obtainable via a door 24 in the end wall 16. The door 24 is lockable.

In each of the side walls 12, 14, a plurality of postal boxes are mounted in the form of arrays generally indicated by reference numerals 26. The postal boxes are positioned such that users can gain access to the respective postal boxes from positions external of the building structure 10 in conventional fashion. Lockable doors are provided on the postal boxes at their outsides. Internally the postal boxes are accessible via open rears of the postal boxes from the interior 22. Post will in use be sorted and placed into the respective postal boxes by personnel operating from the interior 22 of the building structure 10.

In each side wall 12 and 14, conveniently in a longitudinally central position and at an appropriate height, there is provided a mailing or postal slot 28 via which articles to be mailed by the postal authorities can be deposited.

It is to be noted that, apart from the door 24, the building structure has no closures. Thus, to ventilate the interior 22, ventilation means is provided in the roof 20. In this embodiment, the roof 20 is provided with ventilator means in the form of a ventilator generally indicated by reference numeral 30 along the pitch of the roof 20. Ventilation openings are covered by grills e.g. grills in the form of expanded or stretched metal.

To render the building structure 10 more user friendly, and also for security reasons as will be described hereinafter, along each side wall 12, 14, there is provided a walkway 32.
Each walkway 32 extends transversely from a foot of its side wall 12, 14. The walkways are positioned such that users of the postal boxes would walk along the walkways. The walkways slope outwardly at a small angle, say about 5, to promote run off of water.

213~

Similarly, to render the building structure more user friendly and also for security reasons which will become apparent hereinafter, the roof 20 comprises a roof extension 34 alongside each side wall 12, 14 to overhang the area which will be occupied by users of the postal boxes. The roof extensions 34 are arranged to shield the users from the elements such as sun, rain, hail, and the like. They slope outwardly, pitch roof fashion, to promote run off of water, e.g. rainwater, and the like.

Each walkway 32 and each extension 34 is hinged respectively to the foot of the side wall and an edge of the main roof portion 20. Thus, each walkway 32 can be pivoted upwardly to extend partially along its side wall. Similarly, each extension 34 can be pivoted downwardly to extend partially alongside its side wall 12, 14. The arrangements are such that free edges of the respective walkways 32 and extensions 34, at each side of the building structure, will extend alongside each other substantially to cover the whole of the respective side walls 12, 14 and thus to cover the respective arrays of postal boxes. The walkways and extensions can advantageously be locked 20 in their closed conditions. Thus, when in their locked conditions, the extensions 34 and walkways 32 fulfil a security function. Furthermore, the provision of extensions and walkways in the interest of user-friendliness to not substantially enlarge the building structure for transport purposes as the building structure will be transported with the walkways and extensions in the closed conditions.

~13885~
-As security is regarded as of great importance, especially bearing in mind that the building structures in accordance with the invention may be used to render postal services in remote areas, or even areas plagued by unrest, the building structure is designed and built to be vandalproof and secure to a large degree. Thus, it is contemplated that the building structure will be mainly of steel e.g. mild steel. It may be in the form of a framework supported on the support base which framework is covered by means of sheeting such as steel sheeting. It is envisaged that such steel sheeting may be of the order of 3 mm thick. The support base may include a plurality of longitudinally extending beams such as I-beams, which are transversely linked, to render the support base rigid and able to support the rest of the building structure. It is envisaged, that, at predetermined positions in selected localities, foundation surfaces, slabs, or the like will be provided. The building structure will in use be offloaded onto such surfaces.

Further to render the building structure suitable for use in remote areas where electricity may not be available, or where supply of electricity may easily be interrupted, it is envisaged that the interior 22 will be lit by means of solar powered lighting. Thus, provision may conveniently be made to - deploy one or more solar collectors on the roof to provide electricity to the interior.

Further, by way of development, and with reference to Figure 4, an internal counter 38 at a service opening 36 via ~138~5~

which other kinds of postal services can be rendered to users, is provided. The users will still be outside of the building and postal personnel will render the services from inside the building. The service opening 36 and counter 38 are provided at the expense of some of the postal boxes 26. The section, for clarity of drawing, has been taken so that the remaining postal boxes 26 are not shown. The counter 38 can be pivoted as shown at 40 to close the service opening and can be locked in such closed condition. A pair of legs 42 is provided and can be locked in position to support the counter 38 by means of an over-centre-type stay 44.

Further, by way of development, a set of shelves 46 is provided behind an attendant at the counter 38. The shelves are provided against the wall 112, also at the expense of some of the postal boxes 26.

In one embodiment, the length of the building structure may be of the order 6 m and the width, in its condition for transport, may be of the order of 2,5 m. It is believed that such a building structure can be handled as a standard container to be able to use existing transport and mechanical handling facilities available for use with standard containers.

It is generally an advantage that a secure, durable, and mobile or transportable building structure, which is free-standing, is provided adapted to render postal services, especially postal box services, to users. It is important that 21388~4 the building structure, even while remaining in situ, can be rendered secure when required by closing the roof extensions and walkways and locking them in position.

Claims (23)

1. A mobile building structure adapted for use in rendering postal services.
2. A building structure having features rendering it suitable for use in rendering postal services, the building structure being mobile.
3. A building structure having a rigid support base supporting walls and a roof and which is mobile, the building structure comprising features to render it suitable for use in rendering postal services, the features including at least a plurality of postal boxes accessible to respective users from externally of the building structure, and serviceable by personnel from inside the building structure.
4. A building structure as claimed in Claim 3 which has mechanical handling formations whereby it can mechanically be handled to facilitate loading and offloading.
5. A building structure as claimed in Claim 4 in which the mechanical handling formations are arranged to direct handling effort to the support base, the support base being suitable to allow loading it onto a load platform of a load vehicle.
6. A building structure as claimed in Claim 5 in which the support base is in the form of a bed and is suitable to be rested on foundations or slabs forming a support surface.
7. A building structure as claimed in Claim 3 in which the postal boxes are built into at least one wall of the building structure in the form of an array of postal boxes.
8. A building structure as claimed in Claim 3 which defines an interior and which includes a lockable door in a wall of the building structure giving access to the interior.
9. A building structure as claimed in Claim 8 which includes a service opening in a wall and a counter associated with the service opening for rendering postal services.
10. A building structure as claimed in Claim 9 in which the counter is an internal counter which is hinged to the wall, which is pivotal to close the service opening and which is lockable in such closed condition.
11. A building structure as claimed in Claim 9 which includes internal shelving against a wall opposite to the service opening.
12. A building structure as claimed in Claim 8 which has lighting means for lighting up the interior.
13. A building structure as claimed in Claim 12 in which the lighting means is solar powered.
14. A building structure as claimed in Claim 13 which has one or more solar collectors mounted on the roof.
15. A building structure as claimed in Claim 3 which is built of metal to enhance its security and its resistance to vandalism.
16. A building structure as claimed in Claim 15 which is in form of a steel frame covered by sheeting.
17. A building structure as claimed in Claim 15 which has ventilating openings covered by grills underneath a roof covering or overhang.
18. A building structure as claimed in Claim 3 which includes a walkway arranged in association with the postal boxes to serve users of the postal boxes.
19. A building structure as claimed in Claim 18 in which the walkway is foldable against postal boxes to cover the or some of the postal boxes, when not in use.
20. A building structure as claimed in Claim 19 in which the walkway is hinged to the support base and is pivotal between an extended, operative condition and a folded, inoperative condition.
21. A building structure as claimed in Claim 3 which includes a roof overhang or roof extension arranged above the postal boxes to cover an area in front of the postal boxes.
22. A building structure as claimed in Claim 21 in which the roof overhang or roof extension is movable between an operative or erect condition and an inoperative or folded condition against the postal boxes.
23. A building structure as claimed in Claim 3 which is of a shape and size to render it transportable as a container.
CA 2138854 1994-12-22 1994-12-22 Building structure Abandoned CA2138854A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2138854 CA2138854A1 (en) 1994-12-22 1994-12-22 Building structure

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2138854 CA2138854A1 (en) 1994-12-22 1994-12-22 Building structure

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2138854A1 true CA2138854A1 (en) 1996-06-23

Family

ID=4154909

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2138854 Abandoned CA2138854A1 (en) 1994-12-22 1994-12-22 Building structure

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2138854A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20230030774A1 (en) * 2021-07-30 2023-02-02 Joe Paretti Device for Emergency Deployment of a Post Office

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20230030774A1 (en) * 2021-07-30 2023-02-02 Joe Paretti Device for Emergency Deployment of a Post Office
US11859398B2 (en) * 2021-07-30 2024-01-02 Joe Paretti Device for emergency deployment of a post office

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FZDE Dead