WO2015127506A1

WO2015127506A1 - A transportable building

Info

Publication number: WO2015127506A1
Application number: PCT/AU2015/050049
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Wheeley LEA
Original assignee: Miihome Ip Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-02-26
Filing date: 2015-02-11
Publication date: 2015-09-03

Abstract

A transportable modular building including: a floor module; an expandable wall module is provided for expanding and then fastening to the floor module; one or more footings support the floor module, the footings are height adjustable and can provide a space beneath the floor module where an anchor for anchoring the building can be located.

Description

A TRANSPORTABLE BUILDING

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to transportable buildings. BACKGROUND

[0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Transportable buildings are suitable for temporary accommodation.

[0004] Traditionally, transportable buildings colloquially termed "portables" are transported on the back of trucks to desired locations. However, portables are unwieldy and large which complicate their unloading from a truck with a crane.

[0005] JP05306548 discloses a collapsible transportable building with

interconnected panels that can advantageously be collapsed during transportation. However, a crane is still required on site to lift the heavy collapsed building from a truck.

[0006] The Applicant has perceived that cranes are not always present in remote mining or disaster relief areas where transportable buildings are required.

[0007] The preferred embodiment provides a transportable building better suited to remote mining or disaster relief areas where a crane is not present.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transportable modular building including:

a floor module;

an expandable wall module for expanding and then fastening to the floor module; and

one or more footings for supporting the floor module.. [0009] Each module may include one or more hollows to reduce weight and facilitate manual handling. Preferably, the modules may be manually handled individually and assembled on site without the need for a crane.

[00010] The module may include a roof module for fastening to the expanded wall module. The roof module may include one or more formations for containing the wall. The formations may include a rebate or channel in which the wall module is locked. Alternatively, the roof module may include a cap for capping the wall. The cap may include a peripheral lip for containing the wall. Fasteners may extend through the lip and into the wall. The fasteners may be spring loaded locking pins to facilitate quick assembly and release.

[00011] The floor module may include a planar panel. The panel may include lines of weakness to facilitate folding of sections of the panel. The panel may be folded to form a strengthening structure defining hollows. The strengthening structure may include a raised platform. The platform may be supported by supports. The floor module may further include a floor container for containing the platform. The floor module may include one or more formations for containing the wall. The formations may include a rebate or channel in which the wall module is locked. Alternatively, the floor module may include a receptacle for receiving the wall. The receptacle may include a peripheral lip for containing the wall. Fasteners may extend through the lip and into the wall. The fasteners may be spring loaded locking pins to facilitate quick assembly and release.

[00012] The wall module may include a hinge for connecting adjacent wall panels, the hinge defining a line of weakness. The hinge may be polymeric, extruded and/or integrally formed from one-piece. The hinge may form a waterproof seal with the adjacent panels.

[00013] In one embodiment, the line of weakness may include a channel defined in a strip. The wall panels may limit opening of the hinge to not more than a threshold. The threshold may be 90 degrees for a corner or 180 degrees for a plane. The hinge may be recessed in the adjacent wall panels.

[00014] Alternatively, the line of weakness may include necking interconnecting a pair of channels of the hinge. The channels may receive the panels. The hinge may be constrained to being opened no more than 180 degrees. [00015] The wall module may be concertinaed. The wall module may be endless. The wall module may include hingedly connected wall panels.

[00016] Each footing may include a height adjustable footing support for supporting the floor module. Each footing may include a plug for being received in a socket of the floor module. Each footing may include another plug for being received in the floor module or another floor module.

[00017] Each footing support may include a base plate for being anchored to the ground with spikes. Each footing support may include a body extending from the base plate, and a saddle for threadably engaging with the body so that the saddle can be adjusted to level the floor module on uneven or sloping ground. Each footing may include a support for pivotally mounting to the base plate so that the support can remain vertical on uneven or sloping ground. The body may include a tube and a head for fitting to the tube. The tube may include a cut out to enable internal access. The saddle may include a floor module support for supporting the floor module and a threaded shaft extending from the floor module support. Each footing may include fastening means for fastening with an anchor. The anchor may be pivotally fastened to the footing to accommodate for uneven or sloping ground.

[00018] The building may further include a bridge for bridging adjacent footings. The bridge may include a fastening means for fastening an upright. The fastening means may include a tube from which a threaded shaft extends. The tube may define a cut out to enable internal access.

[00019] The building may further include an anchor for anchoring the building. The anchor may hang from the building. The anchor may substantially occupy the space under a floor of the building.

[00020] The anchor may be fastened to a floor module, in turn, mounted on the footings. The anchor may include a receptacle for receiving site material. The

receptacle may include a limp sheet. The receptacle may further include tethers. The tethers may extend from the limp sheet. The tethers may form a grid. The anchor may include length adjusters for adjusting the effective length of the tethers to thereby adjust the height of the receptacle. Each length adjuster may include a buckle arrangement. The buckle arrangement may include a buckle tether for attaching a buckle to a floor of the building. The floor may define slots through which the buckle tethers pass. Each buckle may be a cam buckle.

[00021] The anchor may be fastened to the footings. The anchor may be assembled on site from parts. The anchor may include a frame, and a receptacle for being supported by the frame. The receptacle may include a limp sheet , and fasteners for fastening the sheet to the frame. The limp sheet may form a carry bag for the unassembled modules. The anchor may receive site materials. The frame may include a quartet of tubes. The frame may include couplers for coupling the tubes together.

[00022] The building may further include an awning. The awning may include a sheet and uprights for supporting the sheet. The awning may further include lateral supports for supporting respective uprights.

[00023] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-room building including transportable buildings forming respective rooms. The multi-room building may have a gabled roof.

[00024] The multi-room building may include footings for supporting floor modules of the transportable buildings. The multi-room building may include a bridge extending between adjacent footings and an upright extending from the bridge to which the transportable buildings can be anchored.

[00025] The multi-room building may include sealers for sealing gaps between adjacent transportable buildings. The sealers may include adhesive tape for sealing adjacent roof modules of adjacent transportable buildings. The sealers may include sealing members for sealing walls or floor modules of adjacent transportable buildings. Each sealing member may include a T-shaped resilient seal.

[00026] Solar cells may be mounted to a roof module and a battery may be located beneath a floor module. A mains power supply connection may be provided. A hatch in the floor module may be provided for access to a power source. The multi-room building may include electrical connectors for interconnecting and providing power between the transportable buildings. [00027] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container for containing the transportable modular building. Preferably, the container is a HiCube ISO shipping container which advantageously facilitates transportation to a site using a truck or aircraft (plane or helicopter). The container may rest on its side to increase floor space.

[00028] The container may further include a pair of hingedly connected doors which can be opened to form a container porch floor and roof. The container may further include a wall module for fastening to extend between the porch floor and roof.

[00029] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for forming a transportable modular building on site, the method including the steps of:

supporting a floor module on one or more footings;

expanding a wall module; and

fastening the expanded wall module together with the floor module.

[00030] The method may further include the step of containing the expanded wall with a roof module and/or the floor module. The method may further include the step of folding a component of the floor module to form an internal strengthening structure.

[00031] The method may further involve the step of driving spikes obliquely guided by footings for supporting the floor module.

[00032] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hinge for connecting adjacent wall panels of a transportable building, the hinge defining a line of weakness.

[00033] The hinge may include a pair of wall engagement members interconnected by a resilient interconnecting member defining the line of weakness. The wall engagement members may include channels. The wall engagement members may be formed from rigid polymer whereas the interconnecting member may be formed from soft polymer. The wall engagement members and interconnecting member may be co- extruded. [00034] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a footing arrangement for supporting a floor of a transportable building, the footing arrangement including:

footings; and

an anchor for anchoring the footings.

[00035] The anchor may be fastened to the footings. Alternatively, the anchor may be fastened to the floor, in turn, mounted to the footings.

[00036] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an anchor for anchoring a transportable building, the anchor including a receptacle for receiving site material.

[00037] According to an eight aspect of the present invention, there is provided a building assembly including:

a building; and

an anchor for anchoring the building.

[00038] According to an ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a footing for a transportable building, the footing including:

fastening means for facilitating fastening with an anchor.

[00039] Preferably, the footing further includes height adjustment means for adjusting the height of the floor module. The footing may further include angle adjustment to accommodate for uneven or sloping ground.

[00040] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a floor panel for a transportable building, the panel including lines of weakness to facilitate folding of sections of the panel.

[00041] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00042] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[00043] Figure 1 a is a plan view of a transportable modular building in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[00044] Figure 1 b is a perspective view of the transportable modular building of Figure 1 a;

[00045] Figure 2a is a perspective view of a folding panel of a floor module of the building of Figure 1 ;

[00046] Figure 2b is a perspective view of an internal floor strengthening structure formed by folding the folding panel of Figure 2a;

[00047] Figure 2c is a perspective view of a floor module containing the strengthening structure of Figure 2b;

[00048] Figure 3a is a perspective view of channels and hinges that can be affixed to the building of Figure 1 ;

[00049] Figure 3b is a perspective view of wall and roof modules of the building of Figure 1 ;

[00050] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a first exemplary hinge of the wall module of Figure 3;

[00051] Figure 5a is a perspective view of a second exemplary hinge of the wall module of Figure 3 when adjacent wall panels extend in a common plane;

[00052] Figure 5b is a perspective view of the hinge of Figure 5a when wall adjacent panels extend orthogonally; [00053] Figure 6a is a perspective view of a height-adjustable footing of the building of Figure 1 in a lowered configuration;

[00054] Figure 6b is a perspective view of the footing of Figure 6a in a raised configuration;

[00055] Figure 7a is a perspective view of a modular multi-room building including transportable buildings of Figure 1 ;

[00056] Figure 7b is a plan view of the building of Figure 7a;

[00057] Figure 8a is an end perspective view of a shipping container, turned on its side, for transporting the unassembled transportable modular building of Figure 1 ;

[00058] Figure 8b is an end perspective view of the shipping container of Figure 8a with an end wall module fitted to form a building;

[00059] Figure 8c is a plan view of the building of Figure 8b;

[00060] Figure 9a-i shows the steps involved in assembling the modular building of Figure 1 ;

[00061] Figures 10a-d show the steps involved with assembling a footing of a transportable modular building in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[00062] Figures 1 1 a-d show the steps involved with assembling an anchor frame to the footing of Figure 10; and

[00063] Figures 12a-f show the steps involved with assembling a footing arrangement including the footing of Figure 10 and the anchor frame of Figure 1 1 ;

[00064] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a transportable modular building including an awning;

[00065] Figures 14a to 14d show the sequential assembly of a multi-room building including a quartet of transportable buildings; [00066] Figure 15 shows a hinge for connecting adjacent wall panels, in various configurations; and

[00067] Figure 16 shows an anchor for anchoring a building in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00068] According to a first of the present invention, there is provided a transportable modular building 100 as shown in Figure 1 . The building 100 includes a floor module 102, an expandable wall module 104 for expanding and fastening to the floor module 102, and a roof module 106 for fastening to the expanded wall module 104.

Advantageously, each module 102, 104, 106 internal hollows to reduce weight, and can be manually handled individually and assembled on site without the need for a crane. The building 100 further includes footings 108 for supporting the floor module 102. The building 100 is described in detail below.

[00069] Turning to Figure 2c, the floor module 102 includes a planar panel 200. The floor module 102 includes an external floor module surface 202 (including edges 214 and a vinyl finish laid over platform 206), and a strengthening structure 204 shown in Figure 2b concealed by the surface 202. The strengthening structure 204 defines an upper platform 206 supported by spaced apart joist supports 208 defining hollows. Turning to Figure 2a, the strengthening structure 204 is formed from a planar folding panel 210 defining routed lines of weakness 212 to facilitate folding of sections of the panel 210. The folding panel 210 of Figure 2a is folded to form the strengthening structure 204 of Figure 2b.

[00070] Turning to Figure 2a, the floor module 102 further includes a pair of edges 214 in which the strengthening structure 204 is received. Each edge 214 defines recesses 216 for receiving respective joist supports 208. The folded panel sections forming the joist supports 208 are adhered together and the joist supports 208 are adhered to the edges 214.

[00071] The floor module 202 includes peripheral rebate or channel formations (not shown) for containing a bottom end of the wall module 104. The wall module 104 is seated in the formations and locked into place with fasteners (e.g. nut and bolt, rivet, etc.).

[00072] Turning to Figure 3, the concertinaed and endless wall module 104 defines at least one opening (e.g. door or window). The wall module 104 includes two central hinges 300 for hingedly connecting adjacent side wall panels 304, and four corner hinges 302 for interconnecting panels 304 at the building corners. Each hinge 300, 302 forms a vertical waterproof seal with the adjacent wall panels 304. Each hinge 300, 302 further is polymeric, extruded, integrally formed from one-piece and defines a line of weakness.

[00073] Turning to Figure 4 in a first example, the line of weakness 400 includes a V- shaped channel 402 defined in a planar strip 404. The side wall panels 304 come together to limit opening of the hinge 300 to not more than 180 degrees for a plane of the side wall panels 304. Other adjacent wall panels 300 can be located closer together, and have beveled or mitered edges, to limit opening of the hinge 300 to not more than 90 degrees for wall panels 304 forming corners of the wall module 104. The hinge 300 is recessed in the adjacent wall panels 304.

[00074] Turning to Figure 5 in a second example, the line of weakness includes necking 500 interconnecting a pair of extruded channels 502 of the hinge 300. The channels 502 receive the wall panels 300 and the hinge 300 is constrained to being opened no more than 180 degrees.

[00075] Each wall panel 304 includes a honeycomb structural core defining hollows, and plates between which the structural core is located. The roof module 106 is of the same general construction as the wall panels 304. Similar to the floor module 102 described above, the roof module 106 includes peripheral rebate or channel formations (not shown) for containing a top end of the wall module 104. The wall module 104 is inserted in the formations and locked into place with fasteners (e.g. nut and bolt, rivet, etc.).

[00076] Turning to Figure 6, each footing 108 includes a tubular body 600 defining linear paths along which two star picket spikes 602 can travel to obliquely enter the ground beneath the building 100. The body 600 defines two pairs of opposed and misaligned holes 604 defining each path. The paths and spikes 602 are divergent. Each footing 108 also includes a height adjustable threaded support 606 for supporting the underside and edge of the floor module102. Each support includes an L-shaped bracket 608 from which a threaded shaft 610 extends. The threaded shaft 610 can be turned within the body 600 to level the floor module 102 and building 100 when situated on uneven ground. Upon desired height adjustment, threaded fasteners 612 extend through the L-shaped bracket 608 to secure the floor module 102. A lock nut 614 secures the threaded shaft 610 in height position.

[00077] Turning to Figure 7, there is provided a modular multi-room building 700 including a 2x4 array of eight transportable buildings 100 forming respective rooms 702. Alternatively, the multi-room building 700 may include a 2x2 array of four transportable buildings 100 or any other length array. The multi-room building 700 has a gabled roof 704 owing the angled roof modules 106.

[00078] Turning to Figure 8, there is provided a HiCube ISO shipping container 800 for containing the unassembled transportable modular buildings 100, 700. The container 800 is advantageously transported to the assembly site using a truck or aircraft (plane or helicopter), or rail or sea. The shipping container 800 is turned 90 degrees onto its side after its contents including building 100 are emptied on site. In this manner, the room is approximately 2.7metres wide and 2.35 metres high, thereby maximizing the usable floor area and allowing for central circulation with beds, desks, etc. located on the sides.

[00079] Turning to Figure 8a, the container 800 further include a pair of hingedly connected end doors 802 which can be opened to form a container porch floor and roof held open by a pair of porch struts 804 once the container 800 is turned 90 degrees onto its side. The container 800 further includes an end wall module 806, with a door 808 and windows 810, for fastening at the container end to extend between the porch floor and roof 802. Accordingly, the container 808 can be used as a further building for temporary accommodation or other uses.

[00080] Figure 9 shows a method for forming the transportable modular building 100 on site.

[00081] Figure 9a shows initial placing of the footings 108 on site. [00082] Figure 9b shows using the unattached floor module 102 used to correctly space the loose footings 108 at its periphery.

[00083] As shown in Figure 9c, the spikes 602 are driven obliquely into the ground and guided by the footings 108.

[00084] As shown in Figure 9d, the footings 108 are height adjusted to ensure the floor module 102 will be level. The floor module 102 is fastened to the level footings 108.

[00085] Figure 9e shows the initial standing of the collapsed wall module 104, not typically weighing more than 100kg and able to be manually handled by two people, on the floor module 102.

[00086] Figure 9f shows expanding the wall module 104 by unfolding the sides.

[00087] Figure 9g shows fastening the fully expanded wall module 104 into formations in the floor module 102 to contain the wall module 104.

[00088] Figure 9h shows the positioning of the roof module 106 onto the expanded wall module 104.

[00089] Figure 9i shows fastening the roof module 106 to the fully expanded wall module 104 by inserting the wall module 104 into formations in the roof module 102 to contain the wall module 104. The roof module 106 typically weighs about 40kg and can be readily handled.

[00090] Figure 9i shows the fully assembled building 100.

[00091] An alternative footing arrangement is provided for supporting the floor module 102 of the transportable building 100. The footing arrangement includes a quartet of footings 1000 best shown in Figure 10d and a central anchor 1200 best shown in Figure 12d for anchoring the footings 1000. [00092] Turning to Figure 10, each footing 1000 includes a multi-part height adjustable footing support 1002 for supporting the floor module 102. Each footing support 1002 includes a base plate 1004 for being anchored through holes 1006 with spikes into the ground or bolts into concrete. The footing support 1002 includes a boxlike body 1008 extending from the base plate 1006, and an upper saddle 1010 (or stirrup) for threadably engaging with the body 1008. The body 1008 includes a rectangular tube 1012 and a head 1014 for fitting in the tube 1012.

[00093] The saddle 1010 includes a floor module support 1016 for receiving and supporting the floor module 102, and a threaded shaft 1018 extending down from the floor module support 1016. A lock nut 1020 can be used to lock the saddle 1010 at a desired height and orientation. Fasteners 1022 pass through a mounting channel of the saddle 1010 and the floor module 102 therein. The footing support 1002 is pivotally mounted to the base plate 1004 with a pivot pin 1024 to suit the base plate 1004 resting on uneven or un-level ground. The footing 1000 also includes fastening protrusion 1026 for fastening with the anchor 1200 as explained below.

[00094] The anchor 1200 is assembled on site from multiple parts, and includes a square frame 1 100 whose assembly is shown in Figure 1 1 . The frame 1 100 includes a quartet of tubes 1 102 and corner couplers 1 104 for coupling the tubes 1 102 together. Initially as shown in Figure 1 1 a, a spigot 1 106 is pivotally mounted with a bolt to the fastening protrusion 1026 of the footing 1000 to once again account for uneven or un- level ground. The spigot 1 106 is received in the tube 1 102 as shown in Figure 1 1 b. Next, a spigoted collar 1 104 is inserted over the tube 1 102 as shown in Figure 1 1 c. A spigot 1 108 of the spigoted collar 1 104 receives another tube 1 102 as shown in Figure 1 1 d.

[00095] Figures 12a-f show the steps involved with assembling a footing arrangement 1202 including the footing 1000 of Figure 10 and the anchor frame 1 100 of Figure 1 1 .

[00096] Initially, a flat pack kit 1204 shown in Figure 12a is provided including the building modules 102, 104, 106 and the unassembled footing arrangement 1202.

[00097] In Figurer 12b, the supports 1000 are height adjusted and an unfolded receptacle 1206 is positioned between the supports 1000. The receptacle 1206 includes a limp sheet 1208, and loop fasteners 1210 for fastening the sheet 1208 to the frame 1 100. The limp sheet 1208 forms a carry bag for carrying the unerected flatpack kit 1204 including modules 102, 104, 106.

[00098] In Figure 12c, the frame tubes 1 102 are passed through the loop fasteners 1210 and attached to the supports 1000.

[00099] In Figure 12d, the basket receptacle 1206 supported by the frame 1 100 receives site materials at hand including soil, rocks, debris etc. to create the anchor 1200. The anchor 1200 provides sufficient downloads so that the building 100 can withstand significant wind loading.

[000100] In Figure 12e, the floor module 102 is fastened with bolts to the supports 1000.

[000101] In Figure 12f, as before, the wall module 104 is assembled on the floor module 102, and so on.

[000102] Turning to Figure 13, the building 100 further includes a awning 1300 selected from many possible awnings of various size. The awning 1300 includes a roofing sheet 1302 and telescopic uprights 1304 for supporting the sheet 1302. The awning 1300 further includes lateral supports 1306 for extending between respective uprights 1304, and also cantilevered from the wall module 104 or roof module 106. Guide ropes 1308 are used to anchor the uprights 1304.

[000103] Figures 14a to 14d show the sequential assembly of a multi-room building 1400 (see Fig. 14d) including a quartet of transportable buildings 1401 , similar to transportable buildings 100 previously described, forming four respective rooms.

[000104] Turning to Figure 14a, the multi-room building 1400 includes twelve footings 1402, similar to footings 1 000 previously described, for supporting floor modules 1404 (see Fig. 14b) of the transportable buildings 1401 . Each footing 1402 includes a pair of rectangular tubular plugs 1406, which each provide more strength and resistance to over tightening of fasteners 1022 when compared with floor module support 1016. The plugs 1406 of the end rows of footings 1402 are received in respective sockets of the same floor module 1404. In contrast, the plugs 1406 of the centre row of footings 1402 are oriented at 90 degrees to the other plugs 1406 so that plugs are received within adjacent floor modules 1404.

[000105] The rectangular tube 1012 includes a cut out 1408 to enable internal access to the threaded shaft 1018 and pivot pin 1024. The multi-room building 1400 includes a bridge 1410 for bridging adjacent centre footings 1402, and an upright 1412 (see Fig. 14b) extending from the bridge to which the transportable buildings 1401 can be anchored at the top. The upright 1412 is threaded onto a threaded shaft 1414, with lock nut, extending upwardly from the bridge 1410. The bridge 1410 also includes a tube 1416 from which the height-adjustable threaded shaft 1414 extends. The tube 1416 also defines a cut out (not shown) to enable internal access.

[000106] A shown in Figure 14b, a quartet of floor modules 1404 receive, in their underside sockets at the periphery, the plugs 1406 of the footings 1402. The upright 1412 extends upwardly from the floor modules 1404. The upright 1412 also provides a secure tie down anchor to the footing bridge 1410, to which the internal corners of the four floor panels 1404 (which otherwise cannot be tied to the covered footings) can be secured.

[000107] As shown in Figure 14c, each floor module 1404 forms a receptacle for receiving the wall module 104. The floor module 1404 includes a peripheral lip 1418 for containing the wall module 104. The wall modules 104 are tethered to the top of the centre upright 1412 and then pulled outwardly to be expanded. Releasable fasteners (not shown) then extend through the lip 1418 and into the expanded wall module 104. The fasteners can be spring loaded locking pins to facilitate quick assembly and release, but can also include bolts. Panels 304 of the wall modules 104 can be removed or rearranged to suit the internal configuration of the multi-room building 1400.

[000108] Turning to Figure 14d, the multi-room building 1400 includes sealers for sealing gaps between adjacent transportable buildings 1401 . The sealers include acrylic adhesive tape 1420 for sealing abutting roof modules 1422 of adjacent transportable buildings 1401 . The sealers also include sealing members 1424 for sealing wall modules 104 and floor modules 1404 of adjacent transportable buildings 1401 . Each sealing member 1424 includes a T-shaped resilient seal. Adhesive tape can additionally or alternatively seal the wall modules 104 and floor modules 1404. [000109] In a similar manner to the floor module 1404, each roof module 1422 forms a cap for capping the wall module 104. The roof module 1422 includes a peripheral lip 1426 for containing the wall module 104. Fasteners, in the form of either spring loaded locking pins or standard bolts, extend through the lip 1426 and into the wall module 104.

[000110] Solar cells 1428 are mounted to the roof modules 1422 and power storage batteries are located beneath the floor modules 1404. A mains power supply connection is also provided for connecting to 1 10V/240V. A hatch in the floor module 1404 provides for access to these power sources. The multi-room building 1400 includes electrical connectors for interconnecting and providing power between the transportable buildings 1401 . The multi-room building 1400 has a gabled roof.

[000111 ] Figure 1 5 shows a hinge 1500 for connecting adjacent wall panels 304 of a transportable building 100. The hinge 1500 includes a pair of channel wall engagement members 1502, 1504 interconnected by a resilient interconnecting member 1506 defining a line of weakness about which the members 1502, 1504 pivot through 180 degrees. The wall engagement members 1502, 1504 are formed from rigid hard polymer (e.g. ASA, UV stabilised) whereas the interconnecting member 1506 is formed from soft polymer (e.g. Aprene, UV stabilized). The wall engagement members 1502, 1504 and interconnecting member 1506 are co-extruded to form the hinge 1500.

[000112] Figure 1 6 shows an anchor 1600 for anchoring a building in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The anchor 1600 is a useful alternative to the anchor 1200 shown in Figure 12 as it need not be attached to footings 1602 so the footings 1602 can therefore be freely used in any orientation and shared between adjacent buildings.

[000113] Turning to Figure 16a, showing a partially assembled anchor 1600, the anchor 1600 includes a receptacle 1604 for receiving site material 1605 such as dirt and aggregate. The receptacle 1604 includes a limp sheet 1606, and tethers 1608 extending across and from the sheet 1606. The tethers 1608 form a grid and are fastened to the sheet 1606.

[000114] The anchor 1600 includes fastening length adjusters 1610 for adjusting the effective length of the tethers 1608 to thereby adjust the height of the receptacle 1604. Each length adjuster 1610 includes a buckle tether 1612 for attaching a cam buckle 1614 to a floor module 1616 of the building. The floor module 1616 defines slots through which the buckle tethers 1612 pass.

[000115] As can best be seen in Figure 16b, the anchor 1600 is fastened to the floor module 1616, in turn, mounted on the footings 1602. The anchor 1600 hangs from the building and substantially occupies the space under the floor module 1616. The tethers 1608 can be varied in length using the length adjusters 1610 to vary the depth of the receptacle 1604 to suit the terrain over which the building is assembled.

[000116] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[000117] For example, the floor module 102 may include a hollow container which could be filled with material (e.g. sand or water) to anchor it in position.

[000118] In one embodiment, the floor module 102 consists only of the exposed strengthening structure 204.

[000119] In one embodiment, solar cells may be mounted to the roof module 106 and batteries may be located beneath the floor module 102.

[000120] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[000121] Reference throughout this specification to One embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1 . A transportable modular building including:

a floor module;

one or more footings for supporting the floor module.

2. A transportable modular building as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the wall module is endless.

3. A transportable modular building as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the wall module may be concertinaed or include hingedly connected wall panels.

4. A transportable modular building as claimed in claim 1 , further including an anchor for anchoring the building.

5. A transportable modular building as claimed in claim 4, wherein the anchor is located beneath the floor module.

6. A transportable modular building as claimed in claim 4, wherein the anchor includes a receptacle for receiving anchoring material.

7. A transportable modular building as claimed in claim 6, wherein the receptacle include a limp sheet.

8. A transportable modular building as claimed in claim 6, wherein the receptacle includes one or more tethers.

9. A transportable modular building as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each footing includes a height adjustable support for supporting the floor module.

10. A transportable modular building as claimed in claim 1 , further including a roof module, and wherein the roof module and floor module includes fastening formations to facilitate fastening to the wall module.

1 1 . A transportable modular building as claimed in claim 10, wherein the formations include a rebate or channel in which each module is locked.

12. A transportable modular building as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the wall module includes at least one hinge for connecting adjacent wall panels, the hinge defining a line of weakness.

13. A transportable modular building as claimed in claim 12, wherein the hinge forms a waterproof seal with the adjacent panels.

14. A transportable modular building as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the modules are supplied as a transportable flat-pack kit.

15. A multi-room building including transportable buildings as claimed in claim 1 , forming respective rooms.

16. A multi-room building as claimed in claim 15, wherein the multi-room building has a gabled roof.

17. A multi-room building as claimed in claim 15, including an upright to which the transportable buildings can be anchored.

18. A multi-room building as claimed in claim 15, including sealers for sealing gaps between adjacent transportable buildings.

19. A multi-room building as claimed in claim 15, including electrical connectors for interconnecting and providing power between the transportable buildings.

20. A container assembly including:

a transportable building as claimed in claim 1 ; and

a container for containing the transportable modular building.

21 . A container assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the container is a HiCube ISO shipping container.

22. A method for forming a transportable modular building on site, the method including the steps of:

supporting a floor module on one or more footings;

expanding a wall module; and

fastening the expanded wall module together with the floor module.