EP2141296A2

EP2141296A2 - Deployable unit for a transport vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP2141296A2
Application number: EP09161436A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luís Antonio Gomez Romero
Original assignee: Ideas Proyectos e Innovaciones SL
Current assignee: Ideas Proyectos e Innovaciones SL
Priority date: 2008-06-30
Filing date: 2009-05-28
Publication date: 2010-01-06
Also published as: EP2141296A3; ES2304331A1; ES2304331B1

Abstract

This is a module which can be located on a vehicle in a fixed manner or which can be separated therefrom, and can also be unfolded and then folded back up again, the capacity thereof can be increased by two, three or more times the initial size and then can refold upon itself to remain in its original shape. It has an array formed by bellowed articulated panels (8, 9) which articulate with respect to a silage side (3) and with respect to one of the sides of the front wall (4) and the rear wall (5), which in folded situation is on the sides of the module (10, 20, 30, 40) and in unfolded situation is constituted on prolongations of the front wall (4) and rear wall (5), respectively, considerably increasing the volume of the module.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The main object of the present invention relates to a module or room or container, which can be located on a vehicle in a fixed manner or which can be separated therefrom, and can also be folded up and unfolded again, being able to increase the capacity thereof by two, three or more times the initial capacity and then be folded back up to the original shape thereof.
This room, module or container can be separated from the vehicle which transports it, if so desired, to also use it, or to also be stored and even placed one on top of another, still being used for the intended purpose.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

We are used to seeing how vehicles of greater or lesser size transport boxes on their platforms which have been transformed in various ways, or caravans, even being extended to increase their size so that they can be used as dwellings by their users in daily trips for workers, stallholders, etc. We also see them as commercial or cultural lures, with travelling exhibitions, outpatient departments, hospitals, libraries, etc. which travel round different towns and cities. In all of these cases, the useable premises are reduced to the surface area of the platform which transports it, except in the cases where they are enlarged with limited extensions. Therefore, when large surfaces are needed, there is no other option but to use large tonnage articulated vehicles with several axles. This results in a much higher cost, as it requires vehicles of large dimensions.
We are also used to seeing, such as in cases of emergencies of greater or lesser seriousness, tents being used to house hospitals, operating theatres or information offices for these emergencies, or for any other necessity.
These tents, in spite of their quality and the materials with which they are manufactured, do not gather the best conditions for the use for which they have been devised.
In all cases, the surfaces that these containers use to provide a
In all cases, the surfaces that these containers use to provide a service are very limited in most of the cases. Occasionally, it is necessary to bring another vehicle with a much larger container to complement the first or bring another new one, with the additional corresponding costs. In any case, the service that is intended to be provided always falls short.
The same thing happens with the tents, which do not gather the best conditions to be set directly on the ground, even if they have floors of different types. On the other hand, when these types of tents are used in emergencies, they do not gather the best conditions, as they almost always coincide with completely adverse weather conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The module object of the present invention begins from the basic incorporation of a floor, a front wall, a rear wall and silage sides, whereto are articulately joined floor extensions initially folded in vertical position, with the possibility of swinging down until they constitute an extension of the floor. The module fundamentally stands out because it has been provided that between each one of the silage sides and the floor is disposed an array of joined bellowed panels which, once unfolded, lead to the displacement of the silage sides towards the exterior to transform the initial module surface, increasing it by two, three or more times in accordance with the purpose and need for which it is going to be used. In any case, the module is devised so that in the initial folded position the room of the module will be completely free so that it can be used for whatever the necessity may be.
The object intended to be achieved is to use this module or container temporarily and with a great manoeuvrability, starting from a floor design in accordance with the measurements which correspond to a lorry, articulated or not, pickup truck or tow truck, so that the transport is carried out without requiring special traffic permits.
Therefore, in some cases the module will be transported to the destination point in a fixed manner, where it will be unfolded in accordance with the necessities for which it was intended, being used for the period which is required and once the task thereof has been completed, it will once again be folded up and, as it is self-transportable, transferred to another destination or a warehouse where it will await a new mission.
This module can be self-transportable or can be unloaded at the destination point and, just as in the previous case, once its mission has been completed, will be folded up and sent to a new destination or warehouse.
In the event that it is an independent module, which can be situated in any place, it has the special feature that one or more modules can be placed on top of it, and can be unfolded there, which would achieve an array of several floors.
Once its mission has been completed, this module or these modules placed one on top of each other, will be folded up and, as in the previous cases, will be transported to a new destination as a set or independently, or will be sent to be stored.
Now upon being stored, just as we indicated before, these independent modules can be stacked one on top of the other in folded position.
This module can be unfolded and refolded, the folding of its parts to achieve the useful surface can be carried out in various ways, depending on the spaciousness that one wants to lend it, as according to the size and the surface which one wants to increase, the folding would be made in one way or another.
The construction of this module can be done in various ways, with highly favourable results and in accordance with the needs of the user. It is also considered that this module additionally incorporates various hydraulic or mechanical systems which must be applied to achieve the folding desired.
As has been described above, the module is generally shaped for a floor, with silage sides, a front wall, rear wall and a floor extension, as well as for the aforementioned articulated bellowed panels which articulate with respect to the silage sides and to one of the sides of the front wall and the rear wall. The floor extensions are articulated with respect to the floor, are in a vertical position in their folded position and horizontal in their unfolded position, so that upon extending the bellowed panels towards the exterior the silage sides move by sliding on the floor extension, thus increasing the useful area and therefore the volume of the module.
The module can have a roof, for example a lean-to roof or a gabled roof. Complementary to this roof, the module incorporates roof extensions which are constituted in extensions of both sides of the roof in the unfolded position.
In one possible embodiment the roof extensions are articulated with respect to the roof, they are in vertical position in their folded position and are constituted as an extension of the roof in unfolded position.
In another possible embodiment, each one of the silage sides forms a right angle angular array with the roof extension, which can be moved between a retracted position wherein the roof extension is introduced underneath the roof, and a completely unfolded position wherein the initial volume of the module is considerably increased.
On the other hand, as the module has been described, it can constitute a tow truck, having for this purpose a towing support which facilitates its towing.
Likewise, is has been provided that in the case of a module equipped with a gabled roof, the module can be stacked below or in the case of a module without a roof or with a lean-to roof, it can be stacked below and above.
The advantages of this module are the following:

1-Any type of need is resolved in a very short time period, with the advantage that once its task has been completed, it would fold up and return to its warehouse or other destination.
2-A single module of the same system, once unfolded, is equal in terms of surface area to three or more of the normally used modules and which are currently on the market, whether it be for exhibitions, classrooms, information, bathroom fittings, offices, libraries, outpatient departments, etc.
3-These modules can be coupled one on top of another, not only to store them, but also so that they fulfil the task for which they have been built.
4-No special license is required for the transport of these modules, they are simply coupled to or loaded onto the vehicle which transports them.
5-Once they have arrived at their destination, it is solely required to unfold the module directly on the same vehicle, or unload it onto the ground.
6-Once its task has been completed, the module folds back up and is ready to be moved to a new destination or to a warehouse.
7-When the module is stored in the corresponding place, it only occupies the surface of the vehicle which has transported it, and in the event that it is autonomous, it occupies the floor space thereof, but bearing in mind that other modules can be stored on top of it.
8-The surface area occupied by these rooms, modules or containers on vehicles, folded up, is equivalent, at a minimum, to one third of the space that they would take up unfolded. It would also result in a reduction of storage space, in the event that they are independent.
9-For the installation of these modules, whether they are coupled to a vehicle or independent, no preparation of the lot where they are going to be unfolded is necessary whatsoever.
10-The necessity of a large useful surface area is resolved, with less space for the transport and storage, by using fewer elements, with a lower cost thereof and of transportation.
11-A much smaller transportation vehicle is required for a single necessity with a reduction in cost thereof and of the expenses which it entails, increasing the useful area by a minimum of three times. This situation would not be possible if it were carried on another two vehicles of the same characteristics.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to complement the description being made and with the purpose of helping towards a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, wherein the following, in an illustrative and non-limitative character, has been represented:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the module object of this invention which has been represented without a roof for better viewing of the interior thereof.
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the module in accordance with a first embodiment of the type which incorporates a gabled roof, in folded position, wherein the front wall has not been represented for better viewing of the interior thereof.
Figure 3 shows a view of the module of the previous figure, after the unfolding of the articulated floor extensions.
Figure 4 shows a view of the module of the previous figure, after the unfolding of the roof extensions.
Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the previous module during the unfolding of one side of the bellowed panels.
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the previous module during the unfolding of the other side of the bellowed panels.
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the previous module in a completely unfolded position.
Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a module in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention with a lean-to roof in the folded position, wherein the frontal face has not been represented.
Figure 9 shows a perspective view corresponding to this second embodiment after the unfolding of the floor extensions.
Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the module of the second embodiment corresponding to the unfolding operation of the bellowed walls and of an angular L-shaped array formed by one silage side and a roof extension.
Figure 11 shows a cross-section of the previous figure according to A-A.
Figure 12 shows a view of the module of the previous figure in the situation wherein it is completely unfolded.
Figure 13 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a module with gabled roof, wherein the unfolded floor extensions are observed.
Figure 14 shows a perspective view of this third embodiment wherein the left silage side is observed in unfolded position and the right silage side in unfolded position, showing the unfolding step with a dotted line.
Figure 15 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a module wherein it is observed that this is a tow truck equipped with a hook, without roof and with a folding/unfolding operating system similar to that of the first embodiment.
Figure 16 shows a plan view of the module of the previous figure during the unfolding of the bellowed walls thereof from one of its sides.
Figure 17 shows a perspective view of the module of the previous figure during the unfolding thereof towards both sides.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the figures, several embodiments of the unfolding module object of this invention are described.
In figures 2 to 4 a first embodiment is observed wherein the module (10) is made up of a floor (1), a gabled roof (2), silage sides (3), and a front wall (4) and a rear wall (5) which is also represented in figure 1, where the roof (2) has been dispensed with for a better viewing of the interior thereof. In this case it is additionally considered that it has roof extensions (6) and floor extensions (7) which are articulated to both sides with relation to the gabled roof (2) and the floor (1), respectively, which in folded situation are in vertical position and in unfolded position constitute extensions of the roof (2) and of the floor (1), respectively. Additionally, on both sides of the front (4) and rear walls the module (10) has an array formed by articulated bellowed panels (8, 9) which articulate with respect to the silage side (3) and with respect to one of the sides of the front (4) or rear wall, which in folded situation are on the sides of the module, as observed in figure 2, and in unfolded situation are constituted in extensions of the front (4) and rear wall, respectively, thereby increasing the volume taken up by the module (10), as observed in figure 7.
In figures 8 to 12 a second embodiment of the module (20) is represented, made up of a lean-to roof (2'), a floor (1), silage sides (3'), front wall (4) and rear wall (5). Just as in the previous case, it has a floor extension (7) and an array formed by bellowed panels (8, 9), wherein angular arrays have been provided formed by the silage sides (3') and a right angle roof extension (6'), which can be moved between its retracted position with the roof extension (6') introduced underneath the roof (6), situation represented in figure 10, and its unfolded position thus increasing the volume occupied by the module (20), as can be observed in figure 12.
A third embodiment of the module (30) is observed in figure 13 similar to the one proposed in the second embodiment of the module (20) wherein the roof consists of a gabled roof (2"), and the roof extensions (6") are also gabled, observing the movement of the silage side (3").
A fourth embodiment of the module (40) is observed in figures 15 and 16 which is very similar to the first embodiment of the module (10) wherein unlike this one does not have a roof and wherein the floor (1) has a towing support (41), this fourth module (40) being constituted on a tow truck.

Claims

Unfolding and refolding module (10, 20, 30, 40) for the transport thereof by vehicle which is made up of a floor (1), silage sides (3) and a front wall (4) and rear wall (5), characterized in that it additionally comprises a floor extension (7), as well as having an array to both sides of the front wall (4) and rear wall (5) formed by articulated bellowed panels (8, 9) which articulate with respect to the silage side (3) and with respect to one of the sides of the front wall (4) and rear wall (5), which in folded situation are on the sides of the module (10, 20, 30, 40) and in unfolded position are constituted on extensions of the front wall (4) and rear wall (5), respectively, the silage sides (3) moving towards the exterior in order to increase the volume occupied by the module (10, 20, 30, 40), wherein the floor extensions (7) are articulated with respect to the floor (1), are in vertical position in folded situation and horizontal position in their unfolded situation.
Unfolding and refolding module (10, 20, 30) for the transport thereof by vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a roof (2, 2', 2").
Unfolding and refolding module (10, 30) for the transport thereof by vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the roof is gabled (2, 2").
Unfolding and refolding module (20) for the transport thereof by vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the roof is a lean-to roof (2').
Unfolding and refolding module (10, 20, 30) for the transport thereof by vehicle according to claims 2 to 4, characterized in that it has roof extensions (6, 6', 6") which are constituted in extensions to both sides of the roof (2, 2', 2") in the unfolded position.
Unfolding and refolding module (10) for the transport thereof by vehicle according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the roof extensions (6) are articulated with respect to the roof (2) and are in vertical position in their folded position.
Unfolding and refolding module (20, 30) for the transport thereof by vehicle according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that each one of the silage sides (3', 3") forms a right angle angular array with the roof extension (6', 6"), which can be moved between its folded position wherein the roof extension (6', 6") is introduced underneath the roof (2', 2"), and its unfolded position.
Unfolding and refolding module (30) for the transport thereof by vehicle according to any of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the roof extensions (6") are gabled.
Unfolding and refolding module (40) for the transport thereof by vehicle according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the floor (1) has a towing support (41), the module (40) being constituted on a tow truck.
Unfolding and refolding module (10, 20, 30, 40) for the transport thereof by vehicle according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that in the case of the module (10, 30) equipped with gabled roof (2, 2") it can be stacked below or in the case of module (40) without roof or with roof (20) equipped with lean-to roof it can be stacked below and above.
Unfolding and refolding module for the transport thereof by vehicle (module 10, figs. 1-2-3-4-5-6 and 7) which is characterized in that it has four fixed parts which are the front wall (4), the rear wall (5), the roof (2) and the floor (1), a prolongation or extension of the roof on one side (6), prolongations or extensions of the floor (7), silage sides (3), prolongations to each side of the front and rear walls by means of folding silage sides (8, 9) joined to each other by means of hinges which permit them to extend and fold as if they were bellows, being in vertical position in their folded situation and unfolded situation (the floor and roof extensions (6 and 7), respectively, in horizontal position in their unfolded situation), the internal part of the module remaining completely free while it is folded.
Unfolding and refolding module for the transport thereof by vehicle (module 20 and 30, figs. 8-9-10-11-12-13 and 14), which is characterized in that the roof extensions are incorporated in a fixed manner and in an L-shape, to the silage sides (3'), so that when the bellowed sides extend they do so at the same time as these covers (6'), which will be housed overlapping inside the van and right below the roof, which in this case is flat.
Unfolding and refolding module for the transport thereof by vehicle (module 40, figs. 15-16 and 17), characterized in that it will unfold and fold except when it does not have a roof. Other modules can be coupled on top, making several floors).
Unfolding and refolding module for the transport thereof by vehicle (module 50, figs. 18-19-20-21 and 22), characterized in that the four basic parts are the front part (4), rear wall (5), roof (2) and floor (1) reduced in width (to support the folding of the bellowed silage sides, the floor extension (7) and roof extension (6)) the floor (1) shall be reduced enough to house thereon the folding of the bellowed silage sides (3-8-9) and the roof (2), shall cover the folding of the bellowed silage sides (3-8-9), the floor extension (6), and the roof extension. Both the floor extension (7) and the roof extension (6) will have an additional fold (6c and 7c) to cover the loss of width of the main module. This module can have a roof or not. It can also have a base below the floor (b) to house the supports whereon the floor extensions will be supported, with their additional folding.