Containerized transportable building structure and method of assembly

Abstract

Method and apparatus for transforming a plurality of standard-size shipping containers into a finished multi-level building structure of a scale to accommodate humans. Each of the illustrated shipping containers has an open generally rectangular center structural frame which supports panels to provide exterior base, end and top walls. A pair of movable side walls, each having a structural frame and wall panel, are connected to the center frame to complete the enclosure. The containers hold wall and roof sections. Initially the containers are stacked atop one another with their base walls at the bottom. Then, starting at the lowermost container, the side walls, which are hingedly connected along their bottom edges to the center frame, are opened by being pivoted outwardly, downwardly to provide extended floor portions that are in general horizontal alignment with the associated base wall. Then support structures or members are secured to that extended floor portions to provide support for the extended floor portions of the next higher level. Next, the moveable side walls of the next higher container are similarly opened and secured to the support members so as to generally vertically align with the extended floor portions below them. This continues until all the stacked containers have been opened. Finally, wall and roof panels stored in the containers are removed and installed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention generally relates to transportable multi-level building structures. More particularly, the illustrated apparatus is in the form of a multi-level building structure of a scale which will accommodate human beings. The structure is assembled from a plurality of specially designed transformable container units that simulate and serve as shipping containers meeting ISO specifications. It is capable of being opened and assembled on-site with minimal complexity and man hours. [0002] There exist many situations where temporary or transportable housing is needed. For example, during natural disasters people are often displace from their homes. During times of military conflict, barracks, MASH and other buildings are required, often in remote locations. Other situations include temporary offices, such as on-site construction offices and the like. [0003] In the past, tents have widely been used as temporary shelter during natural disaste...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

For example, during natural disasters people are often displace from their homes.

However, it will be readily understood that these structures are incapable of suitably housing individuals or families for a prolonged period of time.

Furthermore, tents do not provide the comforts of living, particularly in adverse weather conditions.

While such mobile homes provide the comfort of living and allow prolonged use, they are very costly.

In addition, although such mobile homes are often transportable to a site via a trailer attached to a semi-truck, such mobile homes are often unwieldy and difficult to transport.

Moreover, such mobile homes are typically not able to be conveniently transported by rail, air, or ships.

As the primary means of transporting such mobile homes is via trailer truck, the width of such mobile homes is limited by the space available on a road, typically eight feet.

However, this increases the complexity and cost of transporting the mobile home unit.

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