WO1984000573A1

WO1984000573A1 - Transportable container, vehicle or building comprised of nestable elementary volumes

Info

Publication number: WO1984000573A1
Application number: PCT/FR1983/000143
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ginette Doquin
Original assignee: Ginette Doquin
Priority date: 1982-07-26
Filing date: 1983-07-11
Publication date: 1984-02-16
Also published as: ZA835376B; IT1194319B; FR2530778A1; IT8322081A1; IT8322081A0; EP0114846A1

Abstract

Device used as a transportable container, vehicle or building and comprised of rigid plane elements forming nestable elementary volumes to form a reduced transport volume, which elements may be spread out to expand the useful space, said device being characterized in that certain of said rigid plane elements are hinged between each other and dimensioned and arranged so that said elementary volumes (V1, V2, V3...), comprising at least one floor and one side surface, may be interconnected by rotation about ridges (A1, A2...).

Description

CONTAINER, VEHICLE OR TRANSPORTABLE BUILDING FORM OF NESTABLE ELEMENTARY VOLUMES

The subject of the invention is a device intended to constitute containers, trailers, useful volumes integrated into a truck, houses or mobile buildings for residential, industrial or commercial use, having a space requirement reduced to the road gauge and offering the possibility of constituting useful spaces of expandable volume.

It has already been proposed, for example in patent US-A-3653165 (WEST) to constitute extensible volumes from a reduced volume by fitting elementary volumes into one another, by sliding. Such a device poses production problems in terms of sliding and floor shifts generally have to be carried out. In addition, the space inside the reduced volume is difficult to use. Finally the possibilities of extension are very limited.

In patent BE-A-680807, an "expandable construction is described comprising a central core whose walls can be extended at least on one side by panels so as to form at least one enclosure adjacent to the central core, characterized in that the additional panels of each aforementioned adjacent enclosure, comprise a floor and three walls forming a non-deformable assembly pivoting in block around hinges situated at the edge of the floor of the central core and connecting the floor of this core to that of the corresponding block ".

In this construction, the fixed central core has a ceiling and the side blocks fit into each other, not inside, but outside the fixed core. It is therefore impossible to garnish them in the deployed state. The roofing elements, completely separated from the volumes, are housed, in the non-deployed position, in a free space provided above the ceiling of the central core. In the unexpanded state, the assembly is therefore neither protected against the weather nor inviolable. In addition, there is therefore a central drop preventing any stacking of such assemblies one above the other to constitute multi-storey buildings. The elementary volumes are not articulated with one another along the common edges of their floors, so that an overall flat floor cannot be produced and the exploitable height in the deployed position is not maximum.

The invention proposes to at least partially eliminate these drawbacks and limitations of the devices of the prior art.

A first object is therefore to allow the stationary and mobile volumes to be filled with objects which will remain in the folded device for transport.

According to the invention, this result is obtained by means of a device composed of rigid planar elements, some of which are articulated with one another, forming at least two elementary volumes nestable one inside the other by rotation of a mobile volume around an edge of a fixed volume, to constitute a reduced transport volume and deployable for the extension of the useful space, characterized in that the fixed volume comprises a floor, two end walls and at most one side wall and the movable volume or volumes all come to fit inside this fixed volume.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises rigid planar elements hinged together forming an envelope independent of the volumes and which folds down so as to cover the upper face and at least partially the lateral faces of the device once folded, none of the said fixed and mobile volumes with no roofing element.

Thanks to this additional measure, combined with the above, it is possible to achieve complete protection against the weather, of the device once folded and even during movement (see for example Figure 10).

Another additional measure, preferably used, consists in using elementary volumes articulated together according to the common edges of their floors. It gives the deployed device a flat overall floor.

According to a first embodiment, allowing a particularly simple deployment, by unrolling in the manner of a carpet, from the initial volume, the nesting volumes comprise a floor and two end faces and are articulated together according to the common edges of their floors which correspond to their length, volumes of width and height substantially equal to the height and respectively to the width of the reduced volume, alternating with volumes of height and width substantially equal to the width of the reduced volume. According to a second embodiment, on two opposite edges of the floor of an initial volume are articulated by an edge two volumes arranged symmetrically on either side of the initial volume. Other embodiments include the deployment of a volume laterally relative to the initial volume and another volume above the initial volume, or the stacking of several modules each composed of several nesting volumes deployable by rotation around 'edges.

The invention may also include various features relating to the production of openings, roofs, awnings, ramps, stairs and other accessories, allowing the constitution of complete buildings from nesting volumes deployable by rotation around edges. It will be better understood with the aid of the description below, relating to a certain number of examples.

In the attached drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a transportable industrial building, in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, of which,

FIG. 2 schematically represents the volumes, in the intermediate position between the transport position and the deployed position;

Figures 3 to 8 show reinforcement beams forcing the articulated walls that includes such a building;

FIG. 9 schematically represents a ramp with a transformable profile usable in the above building; Figure 10 shows, seen from the end, a vehicle with expandable volume according to the second embodiment mentioned above;

FIG. 11 represents a bungalow produced according to a third embodiment, with a pull-out volume deployed laterally and another deployed above the initial volume; FIG. 12 represents a module of a building composed of two nesting volumes tilting relative to a fixed central volume;

Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the stack of two modules according to Figure 12;

Figure 14 shows a building level composed of a module of the same kind as that of Figure 12, and partially fitted.

FIG. 15 represents a building, each level of which is made up of four modules of the same type as that of FIG. 12, juxtaposed between them;

Figures 16 and 17 show the central part of a level conforming to that of Figure 15 and show the arrangement of the internal stairs;

Figures 18 to 20 show the different modes of crossing the side walls of the nesting volumes nested one inside the other; and

FIG. 21 represents the nested walls of two juxtaposed modules.

The same reference letters designate elements homologous to the various figures.

In FIG. 1, a deployed industrial mobile building is shown, FIG. 2 schematically representing the initial volume V ₁ and the three nesting volumes V ₂ to V ₄ . In this embodiment, the terminal faces V ₁₀ - V ₁₁ of V ₁ are here constituted by fixed volumes V ₅ - V ₆ mounted on a running gear R; these fixed volumes are used to house the heaviest or most cumbersome loads (such as: installation of air conditioning, generator sets and others); V _{1 further} comprises a front face V ₁₂ , a V ₁₃ floor and V ₁₄ roof; V ₂ has two end faces V ₂₀ - V ₂₁ and a floor V ₂₂ ; V ₃ has two end faces V ₃₀ - V ₃₁ and a floor; and V ₄ has two end faces, one of which, V ₄₀ , is visible in FIG. 2, a floor, an upper face V ₄₁ and a front face V ₄₂ provided with a tilting awning door V ₄₂₀ . Joints, symbolized in A1, A ₂ and A ₃ , allow by successive 90 ° rotations, to fold the volume V ₄ inside V ₃ , then the assembly inside V ₂ and finally, V ₂ inside V ₁ . For this purpose, the lengths of V ₁ , V ₂ , V ₃ and V ₄ are slightly decreasing (by quantities corresponding to two wall thicknesses) and the height of V ₃ is substantially equal to the width of V ₄ , while the widths of V ₄ and V ₂ are identical to the height of V ₁ . As an example, V ₁ has a road gauge, with a length of 12 m, a width of 2.50 m and a height of 3.50 m.

The roof V ₁₄ is itself formed by several elements hinged together at A ₄ , A ₅ , and with the face V ₁₂ at A ₆ , at a height of approximately 1 m below the top of the faces V ₁₀ - V ₁₁ . The lowering of the roof is carried out so that V ₁₄₂ covers the volume V ₂ and V ₁₄₃ the volume V ₃ , by connecting with the upper face V ₄₁ of V ₄ . It will be noted that the floor of the initial volume V ₁ , once the volumes V ₂ to V ₄ folded for transport, practically retains its payload capacity. The volume V ₁ is not, in the folded state, from the assembly, isolated from its floor by any side wall, since the nesting volumes V ₂ to V ₄ do not have any, with the exception of V ₄₂₀ , which will be folded inside against the ceiling V ₄₁ . In the folded state, V143 is folded against 142, which then constitutes the side wall of the initial container volume V ₁ .

There is shown, in V ₃₀₁ , a tilting ramp for access to a loading opening of the volume V ₃ . Such ramps will be described below. It may be advantageous to have rails on the floors allowing heavy loads to be moved inside the deployed assembly. As the axes of rotation are few, it is possible to achieve a balance of the masses, such that the deployment can be executed in the manner of a mat which is unrolled smoothly, very simply and very quickly, by means of jacks, gears, winches, cables or any other hydraulic, mechanical, pneumatic, electric or other component.

No further assembly is necessary. The horizontality of the floors is obtained by means of jacks, such as C ₁ , C ₂ ... preferably located for each volume near the axis of articulation with the volume already deployed.

Certain roof elements may be made of transparent or translucent material, to provide overhead lighting. In the assembly of Figure 1 are advantageously provided beams, not shown in Figures 1 and 2, but illustrated by Figures 3 to 8. A represents an articulation between two floors of contiguous volumes V _n and V _n + 1, which , in the position of Figures 3, 5 and 7 are orthogonal, while, in the deployed position of Figures 4, 6 and 8, they are in the same plane.

Figures 3 and 4, a flat beam is shown consisting of bands prevailing over the entire length of the floors and articulated in P ₁ , P ₂ , P ₃ , with P ₁ P ₂ = P ₂ P ₃ = AP ₁ = AP ₃ . In the non-deployed position, the angle formed by the two expensive planes is protected, as well as the joint A.

In the deployed position, the beam constitutes a double reinforcement of the floor from below, which compensates for the weakening due to the removal of the right angle between the two floors. In the variant of FIGS. 5 and 6, the beam P ₃ P ₄ P ₅ is triangulated; the distance P ₃ P ₄ = P ₄ P ₅ is greater than the thickness of the floors. Such beaming can accommodate the cables and conduits of the building.

In Figures 7 and 8, there is shown a beam P ₆ formed of a profile preferably hollow core, articulated in K by a face along the outer edge of one of the floors V _n + 1. In position not deployed, this profile fits partially in the angle formed by the two orthogonal floors, which it provides protection.

FIG. 9 schematically represents a ramp which can for example be that shown in V ₃₀₁ , FIG. 1, the stringers of which comprise fixed parts L ₁ and sliding parts L ₂ .

The steps M pivot on one side around axes O ₁ carried by the fixed parts and, on their opposite side, are provided, on one side, with links B articulated in O ' ₁ on the step and in 0- on the moving parts of. stringers. The sliding of L ₂ relative to L ₁ causes the rotation of the connecting rods B, therefore the tilting of the steps around the joints O ₁ . The steps can switch between the position of the figure, where they are in line with one another to form a smooth ramp, to one of the two positions shown in dotted lines; for one of these positions, the steps form a staircase, for the other, a notched non-slip ramp. We could achieve, according to the same design, the canopy V ₄₂₀ of Figure 1: the steps would then play the role of adjustable fencing or protective flap. Instead of the single-sided deployment of the nesting volumes, illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 2, it is possible to carry out a symmetrical deployment, which has the advantage of simplifying the construction and the positioning of the building, and obtaining a balance. perfect.

FIG. 10 illustrates such a device, in which the two mobile volumes V ₂ and V ₃ fit into one another and the removable roof T ₁ T ₂ T ₃ is provided with two articulations A ₁ A ₂ , of so as to fall back on both sides of the volume V ₁ when the assembly is folded.

FIG. 11 represents an original deployment mode, in which the volumes V ₂ and V ₃ , substantially equal to the initial volume V ₁ , are deployed horizontally respectively on the ground and above V ₁ . V ₁ advantageously contains the kitchen and the sanitary facilities, V ₂ constitutes a living room and V ₃ bedrooms. Once V _{2 is} deployed, its roof constitutes a terrace. The multiplicity of possible arrangements obtained by juxtaposition of the volumes by one of their initial faces or by development, or even by stacking, makes it possible to constitute a wide variety of premises, even of very large dimensions.

FIG. 12 represents a module with bilateral deployment and FIG. 13 illustrates two modules of this type stacked one on the other. The basic volume V ₁ plays the role of container of the volumes V ₂ and V ₃ , V ₃ folding in V ₁ , then V ₂ , in V ₁ . The central volume V ₁ has end walls formed by blocks V ₁₀ in the thickness of which are formed conduits V ₁₀₀ for smoke, ventilation and the like. The block V ₁₀ forms an upper shoulder V ₁₀₁ and a lower shoulder V ₁₀₂ . When stacking the modules, the lower shoulder of the upper module fits into the upper shoulder of the lower module and the conduits

V ₁₀₀ are connected to each other.

For its part, the volume V ₃ is provided with a projecting part

V ₃₀ which fits into the upper shoulder V ₁₀₁ during folding.

V ₃₀₂ conduits, formed in the projecting parts of the volumes V ₃ also connect to each other when the modules are stacked. Volume V ₁ is initially equipped. Figure 14 shows the set deployed. We see that V, is provided, at the opposite end to the block V ₁₀ , with a staircase section forming an external accessory volume V ₁₀₃ . When the modules are stacked, the staircase portions, each provided with a landing, will be connected. In such a stack of modules, each module can be provided with a floor, which then serves as a ceiling for the lower module: only the last upper module will then be provided with a roof. We can also provide each module with a ceiling, which serves as a floor for the upper module. The first lower module then uses the ground as a floor. Various combinations of these two solutions are also possible and two modules, one with a floor, the other with a ceiling, can be combined to form a single space with double height. FIG. 15 shows a building made up of several stacked levels, each comprising four symmetrical triple modules two by two A ₁ A ₂ and B, B ₂ . Figures 16 and 17 illustrate, respectively in perspective and in plan, the central volume C formed by the four modules of a level, truncated at the angles by which they are juxtaposed. It can be seen that each module delimits the central volume by a portion of lateral partition provided with a door and, at mid-height, with a median half-landing. The floor of each element is also provided with a lower (for A ₁ and A ₂ ) or upper (for B ₁ and B ₂ ) half-landing inside volume C. A portion of stairs connects the half lower landing and the middle half-landing of each of the modules A ₁ and A ₂ , while for B ₁ and B ₂ , a portion of stairs connects the middle half-floor to the upper half-landing.

For A ₂ and B ₁ , FIG. 16 thus shows that starting from the lower level constituted by the juxtaposition of the lower half-level of A ₂ and of an upper half-level of a module situated below, one reaches by a portion of stairs to a median landing formed by the juxtaposition of the median half-bearings of A ₂ and B ₁ , then, by another portion of stairs, to an upper landing formed by the juxtaposition of a half-landing lower belonging to the upper module and the upper half-bearing of B ₁ . Then we continue to climb inside the upper module. On the other hand, starting from the lower half-level of A ₁ , we access the middle half-level of A ₁ , juxtaposed with the middle half-level of B ₂ and, from there, we access the upper module: the two paths which just described do not meet. We finally made a staircase and landings inscribed in the volume of the modules, not hampering their folding, and made up of positions that automatically set up and assemble with each other when the modules are put in place.

In the above embodiments, the end walls of volumes V ₁ , V ₂ , V ₃ , which must fit into each other, can have different crossing modes sealed, as illustrated in Figures 18 to 20. In Figure 18, the side walls of V ₂ and V ₃ are located on the same side of the wall of V ₁ (here, inside); in Figure 19, they are located on either side of the wall of V ₁ ; in Figure 20, V ₁ has two parallel walls and the walls of V ₂ and V ₃ are housed in the interval between these two parallel walls. These different solutions are suitable depending on the case: that of FIG. 20 makes it possible to make the two faces of the side walls of the volume V ₁ usable, which is advantageous for example in the embodiment of FIG. 1. The solution of FIG. 19 allows, as shown in Figure 21, to juxtapose foldable modules, as is necessary in the embodiment of Figure 15. In all cases, orthogonal returns, whose edges are supported on the opposite wall, even during the deployment operation, come to a stop at the end of this operation. Thus, sealing is ensured even during deployment and blocking is ensured in the final phase.

It should be understood that the embodiments described and illustrated in the drawings, although having advantages which are specific to them and which give them remarkable interest, are not limiting.

Claims

Patent claims.

1. Device serving as a transportable container, vehicle or building composed of rigid planar elements, some of which are hinged together, forming at least two elementary volumes nestable one inside the other by rotation of a mobile volume around an edge of a fixed volume, to constitute a reduced transport volume and deployable for the extension of the useful space, characterized in that the fixed volume comprises a floor, two end walls and at most one side wall and that the or the mobile volumes all come to nest inside this fixed volume.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by rigid planar elements hinged together forming an envelope independent of the volumes and which folds down so as to cover the upper face and at least partially the lateral faces of the device once folded, none of the said volumes fixed and mobile with no roof element.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized by elementary volumes articulated together according to the common edges of their floors.

4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the floors of the different volumes are hinged together in the plane of their internal face.

5. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said elementary volumes are hinged together according to the common edges of their floors which correspond to their length, elementary volumes of width and height substantially equal to the height and respectively to the width reduced volume, alternating with volumes of height and width substantially equal to the width of the reduced volume, so that the assembly can be rolled out like a carpet (Figure 2).

6. Device according to claim 1, in which two mobile volumes are arranged symmetrically on either side of a fixed volume and articulated on two opposite edges of the floor of the fixed volume, characterized by a roof in three elements articulated between them and arranged so that the end elements of the roof cover the side elements of the folded assembly.

7. Device according to claim 1, characterized by a volume articulated on an edge of the floor of an initial volume and deploying laterally and by a volume articulated on an upper edge of the initial volume and deploying above the latter (FIG. 11).

8. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the initial fixed volume comprises at least one end wall shaped as a shoulder for stacking, with embedding, on the corresponding end wall of an identical device (Figure 13).

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that said shoulder serves as a support for the wall of the mobile volume which is opposite the base in the folded position; the deployed assembly constituting a stackable module (FIG. 12).

10. Device according to claim 1, 8 or 9, characterized by a side wall of which a portion cooperates with portions of side walls of other devices of the same kind to form a stairwell, a door being formed in said portion and two half-bearings being fixed respectively on the external face of said portion, one at the level of the floor, the other halfway up the device and stair sections, fixed on the external face of said portion of each device , connecting together the bearings formed by juxtaposition of the half-bearings of such a device with those of said other devices of the same kind.

11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by a beam for protecting the angle formed by two articulated walls and for reinforcing the joint.

12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by a canopy or an access ramp to a wall of one of the nesting volumes, comprising silt portions in relative longitudinal sliding, blades, pivoting around 'axes carried by one of the stringer portions and provided with tilting control rods articulated on the other stringer portion.

13. Device according to claim 1, 8 or 9, characterized in that the end walls of the nesting volumes intended to pivot in the same plane comprising orthogonal returns in opposition cooperating with each other to ensure locking in the deployed position.