Abstract:
A free standing modular habitat structure is provided. The modular habitat includes a floor, ceiling and walls that comprise a plurality of prefabricated segments that join together to form the floor, ceiling and/or wall. The segments are made of durable and weatherproof outer skin and an insulated core. The insulated core may include raceways for routing wiring and/or plumbing. The insulated core may also include raceways for vertical support structures. Each segment can be solid or include a prefabricated opening such as a door, a window, or a chimney hole. The modular habitat may be a single room or it may be a multi-room habitat with interior walls and equipped with a kitchen, toilet, and/or shower and other amenities. One advantage of clustering multiple habitats together into a single structure is that clustering increases the overall stability of the structure and its ability to withstand harsh weather and high winds.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention is generally related to disaster relief and is more particularly related to a free standing modular habitat that can be efficiently transported to remote locations and quickly erected to provide temporary or permanent shelter. 
         [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    Recent examples of shelter used during disaster relief include the FEMA trailers deployed in response to hurricane Katrina and the tent cities that have been erected in Haiti in response to the earthquake. The FEMA trailers were saturated with formaldehyde in amounts that exceeded federal limits resulting from the use or substandard materials and poor design (lack of ventilation). Similarly, the tent cities in Haiti do not provide adequate protection from the elements and are also unsanitary, as the outbreaks of cholera there have demonstrated. Therefore, what is needed is a habitat structure that overcomes these significant problems found in the conventional shelters as described above. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Described herein is a modular habitat the solves the problems of the conventional shelters and provides an easy to manufacture, efficient to deploy, and cost effective free standing structure that can be used for temporary or permanent shelter. The modular habitat includes a floor, four walls and a roof. The walls and roof are made of a series of segments that join together to form the wall or roof. Each segment can be solid or include a prefabricated opening such as a door, a window, or a chimney hole. Each segment also includes an insulated core surrounded by a durable skin for weather protection. The durable skin can be made of a variety of materials such as metal or even plastic. The modular habitat may be a simple room or it may be a multi-room habitat with interior walls and equipped with a kitchen, a toilet, a shower, etc. The wall and ceiling segments advantageously include interior spaces (“raceways”) that can be used to carry electrical cables and/or plumbing throughout the structure. 
         [0006]    In on embodiment, the modular habitat is a free standing structure comprising a single habitat. In an alternative embodiment, the modular habitat is a free standing structure comprising multiple habitats. One advantage of clustering multiple habitats together into a single structure is that clustering increases the overall stability of the structure and its ability to withstand harsh weather and high winds. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the toilet can be a composting toilet to minimize the need for plumbing and/or running water. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the kitchen can be a self-contained kitchen to minimize the need for specific electrical and/or water hook ups. 
         [0009]    Advantageously, the various components of the modular habitat can be manufactured and placed on palettes and stored for shipment to any remote location where dependable, easily erected shelter may be needed. In a time of need the palettes may be shipped to their destination and quickly erected to provide temporary or even permanent shelter. Particular benefits of the modular habitat is that it can be used as a temporary or permanent living structure; it is easily and quickly erected; it can be clustered to provided increased stability, it can be interconnected with doorway and/or window segments to provide multi-room structures. 
         [0010]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1A  is a side elevation of an example modular habitat structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1B  is a side elevation of an example alternative modular habitat structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2A  is a cross section view of an example portion of a wall or ceiling segment of a modular habitat structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2B  is a cross section view of an example wall of a modular habitat structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3A  is a side elevation of an example door wall segment of a modular habitat structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3B  is a side elevation of an example window wall segment of a modular habitat structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3C  is a side elevation of an example solid wall segment of a modular habitat structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3D  is a side elevation of an example portion of a wall of a modular habitat structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a top elevation of an example modular habitat structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a top elevation of an example clustered modular habitat structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6A  is a top elevation of an alternative example clustered modular habitat structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6B  is a top elevation of an alternative example clustered modular habitat structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Certain embodiments disclosed herein provide for a free standing modular habitat that can be efficiently transported to remote locations and quickly erected to provide temporary or permanent shelter. For example, one modular habitat structure disclosed herein can be prefabricated and placed on one or more palettes and shipped to a remote location for assembly. Complete assembly of the modular habitat structure can advantageously be accomplished in a short time period to provide quick shelter, for example during disaster recovery. 
         [0024]    After reading this description it will become apparent to one skilled in the art how to implement the invention in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, although various embodiments of the present invention will be described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this detailed description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1A  is a side elevation of an example modular habitat structure  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the modular habitat  100  comprises a floor  110 , a plurality of walls  120 , a roof  130 , a door  140  and a window  150 . There may be more than one window or door. 
         [0026]    The floor  110  can be made of any of a variety of materials that preferably provide protection from contact with the ground and also provide a stable platform to which the modular habitat is erected and secured. In one embodiment, the floor  110  is made of the same material as the plurality of walls  120 . 
         [0027]    The plurality of walls  120  are made of an insulated core and an outer skin that provides protection from the elements. In one embodiment, the outer skin can be made of a metallic or plastic material and the insulated core can be made of a foam material. Advantageously, a hardened foam core provides additional load bearing capability to the plurality of walls  120  while also allowing the walls to be light and efficiently transportable. A wall  120  is segmented into a plurality of segments that interlock to form the wall  120 . The interlocking joint advantageously provides a weatherproofing seal. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, the ceiling  130  is made of the same material as the plurality of walls  120  and is segmented the same fashion. In an alternative embodiment, the ceiling  130  may be made of the same or a different material and be a single large sheet or may comprise fewer larger segments than those that make a wall  120 . 
         [0029]    The wall segments are sized such that a single wall segment forms a solid segment, a segment with a door  140 , or a segment with a window  150 . This advantageously allows the modular habitat  100  to have windows  150  and doors  140  without the complex and time consuming manufacturing of windows  150  and doors  140  during installation of the modular habitat  100 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 1B  is a side elevation of an example alternative modular habitat structure  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the ceiling includes a slope. This alternative embodiment may be advantageous for deployment in a region with lots of precipitation. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2A  is a cross section view of an example wall or ceiling segment  200  of a modular habitat structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the segment  200  comprises an outer skin  210 , an insulated core  220 , a first joint section  230 , a second joint section  240  and an interior cavity  250 . 
         [0032]    The outer skin  210  is made of a metal or plastic or other durable and weatherproof material and also provides load bearing assistance to the segment and complete module habitat structure. The outer skin  210  can be pre-applied during manufacture of the segment  200  and may be made of aluminum, masonite plastic, vinyl, texture coating, wood veneer, or any combination of these or other similar materials. The insulated core  220  provides insulation for the interior of the modular habitat structure and also provides load bearing assistance to the segment and complete module habitat structure. In one embodiment, the insulated core  220  is made of a hardened foam material that provides both insulation and structural support. The hardened foam material is also light weight and thereby makes transportation and assembly more efficient and less costly in man hours. 
         [0033]    The first joint section  230  provides one half of a joint between two wall, ceiling or floor segments. The second joint section  240  also provides one half of a joint between two wall, ceiling or floor segments. In the illustrated embodiment, the first joint section  230  provides the male joint section and the second joint section  240  provides the female joint section. When joined, the first and second joint sections  230  and  240  combine to form a sealed joint between two segments of a wall, ceiling or floor. 
         [0034]    The interior cavity  250  may run down or across the segment  200  to provide a raceway for electrical wires, cabling, plumbing, or other conduit. Advantageously, the design of the modular habitat may include a series of interconnecting interior cavities  250  that provide the means for dynamically providing interior access to electricity and/or plumbing. In one embodiment, the interior cavities  250  may be pre-wired or pre-plumbed to reduce the time required to erect the modular habitat structure configured with electricity and/or plumbing. Additionally, the interior cavity  250  may include an inner skin (not shown) which can be made of a variety of materials and serves to facilitate pulling electrical wires, cables or plumbing (e.g., flexible pipe) through the interior cavity  250  and also serves to protect the insulated core  220  from the electrical wires, cabling, plumbing, or other conduit. The inner skin material may be a metal or plastic material, similar to the outer skin  210  and can be pre-applied during manufacture of the segment  200  and may be made of aluminum, masonite plastic, vinyl, texture coating, wood veneer, or any combination of these or other similar materials. 
         [0035]    In one embodiment, the inner cavity  250  is circular in shape and the inner skin serves to translate vertical load received from the insulated core  220  back to the insulated core. Advantageously, the interior cavity  250  may not completely extend from one side of the segment  200  to the other side of the segment  200 . This allows any load being carried by the insulated core  220  to pass around the interior cavity  250 . The shape of the interior cavity  250  and the shape of and the selection of the material used as the inner skin may also facilitate transferring the vertical load received from the insulated core  250  at the upper portion of the inner skin back to the insulated core  250  at the lower portion of the inner skin. 
         [0036]    In an alternative embodiment, an interior raceway may be configured from top to bottom of a segment  200  such that a vertical support may be inserted to provide additional load bearing and or lateral support to the modular habitat structure. For example, a round raceway may allow a solid metal or wood pole (or a pole made out of any other suitable material) to be driven through a wall segment  200  into the soil beneath the modular habitat structure to provide additional support for the free standing structure. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2B  is a cross section view of an example portion of a wall  120  of a modular habitat structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. The structure in  FIG. 2B  might alternatively be deployed as part of a ceiling or a floor in alternative embodiments. As shown, the portion of the wall  120  comprises three segments  200  that are joined together. Although the illustrated embodiment suggest a tongue and groove type of joint, alternative joints may also be employed as will be understood by those skilled in the art. 
         [0038]      FIG. 3A  is a side elevation of an example door wall segment  200  of a modular habitat structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the wall segment  200  comprises a door  140 . The door is advantageously prefabricated into the wall structure, which simplifies assembly of the modular habitat structure and thereby reduces the time required to erect the modular habitat structure in the field. 
         [0039]    Also shown in the illustrated embodiment are two optional interior cavities  250 . In one embodiment, these interior cavities  250  have support poles driven down through them to provide additional structure support to the modular habitat at the location of the door  140  which, by opening and closing over time may apply a significant amount of stress on the modular habitat structure. 
         [0040]      FIG. 3B  is a side elevation of an example window wall segment  200  of a modular habitat structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the wall segment  200  comprises a window  150 . The window is advantageously prefabricated into the wall structure, which simplifies assembly of the modular habitat structure and thereby reduces the time required to erect the modular habitat structure in the field. 
         [0041]      FIG. 3C  is a side elevation of an example solid wall segment  200  of a modular habitat structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Also shown in the illustrated embodiment is an optional interior cavity  250 . In one embodiment, the interior cavity  250  has a support pole driven down through it to provide additional structure support to the modular habitat. 
         [0042]      FIG. 3D  is a side elevation of an example portion of a wall  120  of a modular habitat structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the portion of the wall  120  includes four segments, one segment includes a door, one segment includes a window, and the other two segments are solid. Although not shown, one or more of these segments may also include interior cavities for routing electrical wires and/or cables, pipes for plumbing or gas, or support structures. 
         [0043]      FIG. 4  is a top elevation of an example modular habitat structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the modular habitat comprises a ceiling  130  that provides an overhang around the modular habitat. In one embodiment, the overhang may be three or four feet. Longer or shorter overhangs may be also be provided. The modular habitat also includes several exterior walls  120  that include segments that provide a door  140  and a window  150 . Additionally, the illustrated modular habitat includes an interior wall having a segment providing a door that separates the bathroom from the rest of the modular habitat. Advantageously, a plurality of the wall segments also include vertical interior cavities  250  that can receive support structures such as metal poles that are driven down into the floor, substructure, or earth beneath the modular habitat to provide additional load bearing and lateral support. 
         [0044]    Also shown in the illustrated embodiment is an optional kitchen comprising a section that includes sink and a cook top range. The optional kitchen may also include sections that comprise cabinets, a refrigerator, a dishwasher or other amenities as desired. Also shown in the illustrated embodiment is an optional bathroom comprising a sink, a toilet and a shower. In one embodiment, a medicine cabinet may be incorporated into a segment of the wall  120 , in a fashion similar to how a window is manufactured as an integral component of a wall segment. Other interior or exterior amenities may also be manufactured into wall segments as desired. 
         [0045]      FIG. 5  is a top elevation of an example clustered modular habitat structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the clustered modular habitat comprises four separate modular habitats that are covered by a ceiling  130  that provides an overhang around the clustered modular habitat. In one embodiment, the walls between the quad units may be double thickness (as shown) or may be single thickness. Additionally, window or door segments may also be included in the interior wall segments to interconnect two or more units of the structure. As shown, the units are arranged so that efficient plumbing can be installed. In one embodiment, interior cavities (not shown) may be incorporated into exterior and/or interior wall segments to increase the overall stability of the structure and its load bearing capability. Additionally, interior cavities (not shown) may also be incorporated into exterior and/or interior wall segments to provide a protected space for routing electrical wires and/or cables and pipes for plumbing and/or gas. 
         [0046]    As will be understood by those skilled in the art, in alternative embodiments the units that comprise the clustered modular habitat structure may each have different floor plans and may each have one or more rooms. 
         [0047]      FIG. 6A  is a top elevation of an alternative example clustered modular habitat structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the clustered modular habitat structure has a single ceiling  130  that covers all twenty of the units in the cluster. Advantageously, this provides a sheltered alley between two separate clusters. 
         [0048]      FIG. 6B  is a top elevation of an alternative example clustered modular habitat structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the two clusters of ten units has a separate ceiling  130  that covers all ten of the units in the cluster. Advantageously, this provides a semi-sheltered alley between two separate clusters with an opening for ventilation. 
         [0049]    The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly not limited.