GB2337999A - Enclosure for rapid erection within existing building - Google Patents

Abstract

A working enclosure for use as an office, computer room, den or the like includes a flexible roof which enables the enclosure to be erected within a space which has free headroom of less than the natural free height of the enclosure. The enclosure may accordingly readily be erected within existing structures having limited headroom, for example existing garages. The roof may be supported pneumatically or on flexible ribs. The enclosure is pre-constructed and pre-finished to the maximum extent possible to permit quick and easy erection on site within a confined space. A worktop which is secured to at least two adjacent sides and preferably all sides of the enclosure assists in maintaining structural rigidity of the enclosure.

Description

1 21st Century Home Of fice/Computer 1 Potting Shed' Retro Fit Teleworking

Pod 2337999 This invention relates to creation and erection of a prefabricated and prepared workspace within an existing building or structure. The particular design described here is for accommodation in a domestic garage but the principle could equally apply to other buildings and structures.

To prepare and convert structures such as garages and outbuildings for use such as computer rooms, home offices or studios etc requires considerable expense and building work in terms of insulation, damp proofing, services and finishes to achieve a satisfactory environment. Furthermore, this conversion work is permanent and requires further expense to revert to original use and condition.

The purpose of this invention is to enable an immediate insertion of a working environment within but independent of the enclosing structure and to enable it to be dismantled, moved and re erected and re used elsewhere as required.

Accordingly, the invention addresses the following requirements:

(1) Design of a minimum structure (referred to the base structure) required to house, worksurfaces, and support computers, office equipment etc that is lightweight and man handleable and can be erected from within itself and within the confines of a closely enveloping structure.

hereon as (2) Enveloping the workspace structure created with a self supporting, preferably insulating covering (referred to hereon as the 'canopy') to provide maximum headroom within the confines of the surrounding structure.

The base structure consists of:- (a) a floor preferably of composite composition to embody (1) a flexible foam type damproofing underlay.that both prevents damp penetration, and accommodates any irregularities in the existing floor. (2) Insulation (3) internal floor finishes eg. carpet tiles. (b) side walls up to working height preferably insulated and internally prefinished. (c) rear and front sections, similar to sides with front section incorporating door opening and strong door frame to maintain integrity of the rectangular plan structure. (d) work surfaces, which when assembled form integral part of the base structure.

X The base structure to be constructed from as lightweight material as is compatible to meet its design requirements and to be sectiloned and subdivided compatible with packaging, delivery, unloading and manhandling within a confined space. Furthermore, the base structure is to be prefinished and prewi-red and serviced as far as the sectioning will allow.

It is envisaged that in this example the floor will be subdivided into 2, 3, or 4 cross sections and that the corresponding side sections will be prefixed or hinged to the floor section allowing any necessary pre wiring to be accommodated at this junction. Furthermore, the junction shall be arranged as shown in figure 1 to accommodate floor finishes egg. carpet tiles when the attached floor and sides are folded flat.

The erection procedure of the base structure would be as follows:

(1) The rear end wall section of the base structure would be placed against the rear of the enclosing garage or structure.

(2) Abutting folded floor and wall section placed alongside end section, side walls folded out upright and rear section (sitting on protruding floor to ensure continuous damp proofing) to be fixed to floor and side wall by angle brackets or similar.

(3) Middle sections of floors and side walls positioned (4) Front end section positioned (sitting on protruding floor for damp proofing) and fixed to floor and side walls as in (2) (5) Continuous work surface securely fixed to all side walls and end wall sections to stiffen side walls and together with floor to create a rigid box like structure maintained around the front door opening by a strong door frame.Note, although all assembly and fixing can be carried out from within the base structure and within the enclosing structure this is not to preclude the invention from pre assembly either on site or off site where the pre assembled unit can be transported and placed within a building by alternative means.

The foregoing describes a base structure prefabricated to an extent allowing pre wiring and services through the structure.

3 ' An alternative design would embody the prewiring and services within or below the worksurface, allowing the floor and wall sections to be packed and delivered as loose units and assembled in situ, as shown on drawing.

The form described here relates to a design for insertion into a domestic garage but the design and construction principals apply to all straight sided base structures including square. pentagonal, octagonal, septagonal etc which could be employed for insertion into other structures such as garden sheds, outhouses, summerhouses etc.

Once the base structure is firmly in place the second part of the invention relates to a canopy that can be fixed to the base structure, enclosing it to form a controlled environment, that can be self raised to its maximum height or the maximum height that any overhead obstructions, beams, trusses etc will allow.

Two formations are cited that will meet the need.

The first being a pneumatic canopy, consisting of structural tubular ribs and double skinned or air pocketed membrane which can be blown up to form an arch like or vaulted canopy, which will mould around any lower obstructions and maximise headroom available. The canopy would be fixed to the side and end walls by means of press studs or Ivelcro' or screwed beading or similar.

The second being a series of plastic or flexible metal arch like hoops which are fixed to the side walls over which a canopy membrane can be drawn. The flexibility of the hoops accommodating variation in any overhead obstructions and allowing maximum headroom available to be utilised throughout.

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Sht 1/2 Drawing Nos 1,2,3,& 4 Drawing No 1 Fig 1 Front Elevation Fig 2 Side Elevation Fig 3 Plan Ref A Base structure canopy; Air filled pnumatic ribbed arch/vaulted structure suppoorting insulating translucent membrane fixed to base structure with press stud Ivelcrol screwed beading. Flexible structure maximises headroom availabe in and around any overhead obstruction.

Ref B Side walls strengthened and tied together by working surfaces to form rigid box construction Ref C Skirting board/ducting tieing floor section and connecting prewired sections Fig 4 End Elevation Ref D Alternative canopy - series of flexible metal or plastic/carbon fibre hoops fixed to base structure with insulating translucent supported quilt over.

Drawing No 2 Fig 5 Exploded view of base structure prepared component package Drawing No 3 Fig 6 Alternative design/package; Floor and wall sections loose - fitting together as in detail Fig 7.Sides in 2no. sections.

Ref Z All pre wiring and services located in or below worktop.

Fig 7 Ref P Applied or pre fixed ledge bearer screwed and or glued to wall panels working surface screwed down to ledge bearer.

Ref G Junction secured with angle bead/skirting screwed and /or glued to flo6r and side walls.

SO' FAy Shoot 212 Drawing Nos 1.2.3.& 4 Ref E Working surface and side wall junction. Side wall material: laminate finish composite board bonded to board insulation. Surface finished rigid foam boardPegg crate, or cellular plywood or strong cardboard sandwich.

Ref J Loose floor/side wall floor junction: either raised stop bead or tenom joint with locating pins/dowels.

Ref K Carpet tiles Drag go 4 Fig 8 Flat pack section - floor/side walls Ref L Skirting board/ducting tieing sections together as floor level and completing pre wiring circuits Ref M Hinge Ref K Carpet Tiles Ref X Raising block Ref 0 Composite pre finished wall boards Ref P Rigid foam insulation board Ref Q Foam bedding and damp proofing membrane Ref R Pre wiring ducts chased out of foam insulation Fig 9 Alternatives; Design and construction principles apply to straight sided plan forms square, pentagonal, octagonal et to fit in garden sheds, outbuilding, summer houses etc.

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Claims (13)

CLAIMS:

1. A working enclosure for use within an existing structure, the closure comprising interconnected rigid walls, and a roof secured to the walls to close the top of the working enclosure, wherein the roof is formed of flexible material and is supported by flexible supporting means whereby the enclosure may be erected within a space having a free height which is greater than that of the walls and less than that of the free erected height of the enclosure.

2. A working enclosure according to claim 1 wherein the flexible supporting means comprise pneumatic supports.

3. A working enclosure according to claim 2 wherein the roof comprises a double skinned or air-pocketed membrane which can be erected by pneumatic pressure to form an arch-like or vaulted canopy.

4. A working enclosure according to claim 1 wherein the flexible supporting means comprise flexible hoops which are fixed to the side walls and over which the roof is supported.

5. A working enclosure according to any preceding claim wherein at least some of the walls are hingedly connected to a floor structure so that the walls in question may be erected working solely from within the area of the working enclosure.

6. A working enclosure according to any preceding claim including at least one worktop which is secured to at least two adjacent side walls of the working enclosure to add rigidity to the structure of the working enclosure.

7. A working enclosure according to any preceding claim wherein one of the walls is provided with a rigid door frame which contributes to the structural rigidity of the working enclosure.

8. A working enclosure according to any preceding claim wherein the floor and at least one of the walls is pre-formed with wiring ducts to receive wiring in the erected structure.

9. A working enclosure according to any preceding claim wherein the enclosure is pre-wired.

10. A working enclosure according to any preceding claim wherein the working enclosure is provided with a floor having a flexible foam layer on the underside thereof to provide damp proofing and accommodate irregularities in existing floor structures upon which the enclosure is erected.

11. A working enclosure according to any preceding claim where the interior of the enclosure is pre-finished.

12. A working enclosure according to any preceding claim wherein at least one floor panel has fixed to the opposite edges thereof two wall panels, the wall panels being fixed to the floor panel by hinge connections whereby the floor and wall panels may be flat-packed for delivery and the wall panels erected into a vertical position by hinging after the floor panel has been positioned as required.

13. A working enclosure, substantive as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.