Abstract:
The invention relates to a shelter module that is easy to set up and take down, and is intended, for example, as emergency accommodation to house persons who have become homeless as the result of natural events (earthquakes, fires, storms, tsunamis) or events of war. The invention furthermore relates to a shelter module that serves as a playhouse, animal housing, military or expedition accommodation, and the like. The shelter module is composed of hollow or textured chamber panels and has excellent inherent stability.

Description:
CLAIM FOR PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(a) to German Patent Application No. 10 2008 057 973.4, filed Nov. 19, 2008. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a shelter module that is easy to set up and take down, and is intended, for example, as emergency accommodation to house persons who have become homeless as the result of natural events (earthquakes, fires, storms, tsunamis) or events of war. The invention furthermore relates to a shelter module that serves as a playhouse, animal housing, military or expedition accommodation, and the like. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Usually, persons/people are accommodated in so-called “Red Cross tents” in emergency situations; these are large tents that are easy to transport and can be set up using simple means. A disadvantage of these tents is that setting them up requires special knowledge, so that assembly can only take place under the supervision of trained personnel. Another disadvantage is the lack of heat insulation of these tents, so that use under climatically or meteorologically extreme conditions is not possible or only possible with great restrictions. 
         [0004]    In addition, transportable large containers are in use, which are brought to the location of use using special vehicles. Such housing containers, whose wall and ceiling regions generally possess insulation made of polyurethane foam, allow use even under climatically disadvantageous conditions. 
         [0005]    A disadvantage of these containers is their relatively high production costs, as well as the fact that transport of the large housing containers is only possible by means of special equipment. Thus, use of housing containers in catastrophe and war areas is frequently not possible, since the transport paths are only passable with restrictions, as a result of the effects of the catastrophes, and the required number of containers cannot be made available within a short period of time. 
         [0006]    Also, emergency accommodations in the form of small tents are used, such as those described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,388. These demonstrate the advantage that they are transportable in compact form, and can be set up using simple means. 
         [0007]    However, a disadvantage of these tents is that as a result of their design, they have a plurality of openings through which rain or vermin can penetrate, for example. Furthermore, because of the releasable connections of the individual side parts, they demonstrate insufficient stability and are furthermore complicated to set up. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is the task of the invention to make available a shelter module that can be transported easily, even under extreme conditions, and in space-saving manner, and that can be set up and taken down quickly, safely, and in stable manner, by one to two persons, without hoists or any special equipment. Furthermore, it is a task of the invention to make available a shelter module that can be disassembled, can be used in the most varied climate and weather zones, and furthermore can be produced in simple and cost-advantageous manner. 
         [0009]    This task is accomplished by means of a shelter module having four or more side walls, for accommodating people and animals, which can be set up and taken down easily, and comprises one or more roof element(s). The shelter module is characterized in that the side walls and the roof element or roof elements of the shelter module are made from hollow chamber panels or textured chamber panels. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a shelter module with twelve side walls and roof elements that form a storage area, 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows a shelter module with  4  side walls, 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an exploded drawing of the shelter module from  FIG. 2 , 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a schematic representation of a U fold for connecting one side part with another, or for connecting a side part and a roof element, 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  shows a connection of two abutting edges with one another, using a so-called projection, 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  shows a connection of two abutting edges with one another, using a so-called L fold, and 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  shows a connection of two abutting edges with one another, using a so-called double-L fold. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    The present invention is described in greater detail in the following exemplary embodiment: 
         [0018]    Within the scope of the present invention, the term shelter module is understood to mean a playhouse, animal housing, a shelter, an expedition shelter, a storage unit, particularly a material storage unit, expedition housing, military housing, a shade screen, a wind screen, a hide, a garden shed, and the like. 
         [0019]    Within the scope of the invention, it has proven to be advantageous to use so-called hollow chamber panels or textured chamber panels in the design of the shelter module according to the invention. The hollow or textured chamber panels can be produced from a plurality of materials, such as cellulose and/or plastic and/or metal. Within the scope of the invention, it has proven to be advantageous if the hollow or textured chamber panels are produced from a thermoplastic material, particularly preferably from a plastic selected from among polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), HDPE, polyurethane, PET, ABS, polystyrene, and polypropylene (PP), as well as polymer blends of the aforementioned polymers, as well as mixtures of at least partly recycled polymers and bio-composites, or comprise one or more of the plastics mentioned above. By means of the use of the materials mentioned above for the production of the textured or hollow chamber panels, the shelter module according to the invention is given lasting weather resistance and a long storage life, which can actually last for years. The shelter module according to the invention can therefore be stored, for example in containers, for many years, until it is used in a crisis region, without being damaged as a result. According to one embodiment of the invention, hollow or textured chamber panels made of polypropylene have proven to be particularly preferred. 
         [0020]    Hollow chamber panels, which also include so-called textured chamber panels, are generally produced by means of extrusion, primarily of thermoplastic plastics, such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyurethanes, and polypropylene (PP), as well as mixtures of the plastics mentioned above. In this connection, the layers, which are also referred to as belts, i.e. outer and inner belts, and the crosspieces that connect them, are produced by extrusion, by means of a die that corresponds to the cross-section of the panel. 
         [0021]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the side parts of the shelter module or the side parts and at least one or more roof element(s) are made from so-called textured chamber panels. Textured chamber panels are components made using a sandwich construction, where structures, usually circular structures, for example honeycomb-shaped or nub-like structures, are disposed between two support layers. Such textured chamber panels are disclosed, for example, in DE 10 2006 004 626 A1 and in U.S. Pat. No. 3,876,492. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the side parts of the shelter module or the side parts and at least one or more roof element(s) are made from so-called textured chamber panels that are produced from a thermoplastic plastic material, particularly a plastic selected from among polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyurethane (PU), and polypropylene (PP). 
         [0022]    The textured chamber panels that are preferably used are textured chamber panels that comprise a support layer that has elevations formed on one or both sides of the support layer, whose face surfaces form a contact surface for accommodating at least one other cover layer, where the face surfaces of the elevations and the cover layer affixed to them are connected with one another with force fit, shape fit and/or material fit. Furthermore, a textured chamber panel that comprises a support panel having elevations formed on one side, where at least one cover layer rests against the face surfaces, is preferred. 
         [0023]    An alternative embodiment of the textured chamber panels that are preferably used provides that the support layer has elevations formed on one or both sides, and that a cover layer, if applicable having a plurality of perforations, is provided on each side of the elevation, where the support layer forms a parting layer between a first and a second chamber that are formed. In this way, the textured chamber panel can be configured as an essentially closed panel-shaped body, which, however, allows a plurality of functions because of the perforations in the cover layers. 
         [0024]    The elevations in the support layer preferably have a honeycomb-shaped, nub-shaped, conical-stump-shaped, cylindrical, or polyhedral geometry and/or a geometry that includes an undercut. In this connection, the nub-shaped, conical-stump-shaped or cylindrical elevations have a diameter in the range of 2 to 15 mm, preferably in the range of 3 to 7 mm. Their height can also be varied as a function of the installation situation. The height of the elevations can vary over wide ranges and can vary in accordance with the requirements regarding the insulation properties of the textured chamber panel, and lies in the range of 1 to 100 mm, preferably in the range of 3 to 20 mm, particularly preferably in the range of 4 to 10 mm, very particularly preferably in the range of 4 to 8 mm. 
         [0025]    According to another special embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the perforations of the cover layer of the textured chamber panels on one side of the support layer differ in number and/or size and/or shape from those in the opposite cover layer. In this way, an essentially closed chamber can be formed on one side, while the opposite chamber is configured to be open. 
         [0026]    According to another preferred embodiment, it is provided that an air-permeable, liquid-permeable and/or vapor-permeable coating is provided on the cover layer that faces the outside of the shelter module. This coating can be configured as a woven textile made of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or as a film having a perforation, or the like. Such an outer layer can be applied by means of gluing or laminating it on. 
         [0027]    According to another advantageous embodiment of the textured chamber panel, it is provided that an insulation layer is provided in at least one chamber, between the support layer and the cover layer. Such an insulation layer can be provided by means of a foam material or the like, which is configured as an open-pore or closed-pore element. 
         [0028]    According to another advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the insulation layer is air-permeable, liquid-permeable and/or vapor-permeable. The insulation layer can be coordinated with these properties, depending on the uses. 
         [0029]    The textured chamber panel has at least one cover layer composed of a film made of plastic, having a thickness of 0.1 mm to 2 mm. Preferably, the film is formed from polyethylene, HDPE, polyethylene terephthalate, polyurethane, polypropylene, polystyrene, ABS or the like. 
         [0030]    According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the support layer is configured as a molded plastic panel, which has a cover layer composed of a film-like plastic on one or both sides. 
         [0031]    The hollow chamber or textured chamber panels used within the scope of the invention have a thickness in the range of 2 to 101 mm, preferably in the range of 3 to 20 mm, particularly preferably in the range of 4 to 10 mm, very particularly preferably in the range of 5 to 8 mm. Depending on the thickness of the hollow chamber or textured chamber panels, the insulation properties of the shelter module according to the invention can thus be adapted to the climate zones, in each instance, in which the shelter module is supposed to be used. 
         [0032]    Within the scope of the invention, textured chamber panels that are sold by Triplex-Kunststoff GmbH, Germany, under the trade names TRIPLEX 3, TRIPLEX 5, and TRIPLEX 10, have proven to be particularly advantageous Likewise, textured chamber panels made of polypropylene, which are distributed by friedola® TECH GmbH, Germany, under the trade name CON-Pearl®, are preferred as being suitable. Furthermore, textured chamber panels from Kaysersberg Plastics, which are distributed under the trade names Akyver® and Akylux® and Bubble Guard®, are preferred as being suitable. Furthermore, textured chamber panels that are distributed under the trade names TriPly®, Cross X, Cross M, Cross H by IPR Sohner Plastic, Michigan, USA, and under the trade names ISO-Protect®, ISO-Clean® by HUBER+SUHNER AG, Fehraltorf, Switzerland, are suitable. 
         [0033]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the materials and/or plastic panels from which the shelter module according to the invention is produced are at least partly transparent, thereby making it possible to do without interior lighting during the day. Also, transparent components can be integrated into the individual side parts and roof elements, for example as windows. 
         [0034]    The side parts and roof elements of the shelter module according to the invention can be connected with one another in firm and, at the same time, releasable manner, using connection elements. In this regard, the connection means can be a rivet, a cable tie, a reusable cable tie, a hook-and-loop closure, or also a rope. Also, multiple connection means or different connection means can be used to connect the individual parts or elements. Connections made with the connection means mentioned above allow the shelter module according to the invention to be set up and taken down rapidly. 
         [0035]    For permanent set-up of the shelter module, it can also be practical to glue the side parts to one another at their abutting edges, or to permanently connect them with one another using rivets, snap rivets, self-fastening rivets, shear pins, pressure rivets, binding rivets, binder screws, assembly clamps, quick connectors, quick clamps, quick closures. 
         [0036]    According to an advantageous embodiment, the side parts are welded to one another at their abutting edges. Also, it can be provided, according to a general embodiment of the invention, that the side and roof parts of the hollow or textured chamber panels are welded at their edges, for example in order to prevent penetration of moisture or vermin. 
         [0037]    Because of the inherent stability of the hollow chamber or textured chamber panels that are used to set up the shelter module, which are connected with one another by means of folded connections and/or fastening means, a permanent, stable shelter module is made available, in which it is possible to do without frame structures, particularly profile elements, in advantageous manner. Thus, according to one embodiment of the invention, the shelter module does not comprise a frame structure into which the hollow chamber or textured chamber panels that represent the side walls are inserted. The shelter module according to the invention is therefore characterized in that it does not have a frame structure, for example composed of profile strips for accommodating the side edges of the hollow chamber or textured chamber panels. According to another embodiment of the invention, the shelter module can comprise a base frame, particularly composed of profile strips for accommodating the bottom edges of the side parts, which facilitates setting up the shelter module according to the invention. 
         [0038]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the circumference of the shelter module according to the invention is less at the top than at the bottom, thereby causing the side parts to be inclined with reference to the horizontal. The incline of the individual side walls can be varied over broad ranges, and is generally selected in such a manner that the angle of the side wall lies in a range from 91° to 130°, preferably in a range from 100° to 120° to the horizontal, the ground. The resulting incline imparts additional stability to the module according to the invention. 
         [0039]    According to another embodiment according to the invention, two or more of the side walls are connected with one another by folds, and thus form so-called side parts. In this connection, “fold-connected” or “fold connection” is understood to mean that the side walls of the shelter module are connected at the edge between two adjacent side walls, by way of a fold or bend. Thus, the shelter module can have the shape of a hexagon, for example, and comprise two side parts each having two fold connections, which together form the six side walls of the shelter module. In this connection, the adjacent side parts of the shelter module can be connected with one another at the abutting edges at which the side parts abut one another. 
         [0040]    The shelter module according to the invention generally has four to twelve, preferably four to six or twelve, particularly preferably four or twelve side walls. 
         [0041]    According to another general embodiment of the invention, the side parts have projections at the abutting edges, in which openings such as holes or slits for accommodating connection means are located. When the side parts are connected with one another, these projections lie on top of one another and are firmly but nevertheless releasably connected with one another using the connection means. In this regard, the projections generally have a length of 2 to 15 cm, preferably a length of 3 to 8 cm, particularly preferably a length of 4 cm. The projections thereby allow an almost wind-tight connection of two adjacent side parts at their abutting edge. 
         [0042]    The roof of the shelter module according to the invention can have one or more roof element(s), for example one or more roof panel(s). The one or more roof panel(s) or roof elements is/are attached, in this connection, by means of one or more of the fastening means described above, selected from among a rope, a cable tie, a reusable cable tie, or a tab at the upper edge of one or more side parts. In this way, a simple and, at the same time, releasable connection between the side parts and the roof is guaranteed. 
         [0043]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the side parts have a projection at their top edge, to which the roof element or the roof element(s) is/are attached. In this regard, the projections generally have a length of 2 to 15 cm, preferably a length of 3 to 8 cm, particularly preferably a length of 5 cm. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one roof element is attached to the projection of at least one side part by way of a U fold, thereby guaranteeing a stable, wind-tight and rain-tight connection between side part and roof. Preferably, this U fold is permanently fixed in place using fastening means. A representation of such a fixed U fold is found in the figures. 
         [0044]    To fasten the shelter module according to the invention to the substratum, simple tent pegs are sufficient. For secure fixation of the position of the shelter module according to the invention, tensioning devices can optionally be provided, which are preferably releasably connected to the roof element and/or a side wall. These tensioning devices, for example ropes, allow fixation of the shelter module to a tent post or tent stake, which can be fixed in place in the ground of the set-up location. Thus, secure fixation of the position of the relatively light shelter module is possible by means of preferably four to eight such tensioning devices, particularly in areas where stormy or gusty winds have to be expected. 
         [0045]    Hold fixation can also take place using tent pegs or tent stakes. For this purpose, the side parts have a projection at the bottom, with openings for accommodating tent pegs or tent stakes, through which these fastening elements can be inserted for anchoring the shelter module to the ground. 
         [0046]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the shelter module comprises one or more floor element(s). The floor element can be, for example, a simple tarpaulin, which separates the interior from the ground. According to another embodiment of the invention, the floor element comprises sandwich construction elements consisting of a foam core, such as a hard polyurethane foam core, with a plastic or metal coating on both sides. The material used for the floor element is resistant to moisture and extreme ambient temperatures, over the long term. Furthermore, a sandwich construction element offers sufficient insulation at a comparatively low thickness of approximately 0.5 to 2 cm. According to another embodiment of the invention, the floor element comprises a sandwich element that corresponds to Enkadrain® ST from Colbond Geosynthetics GmbH, Obernburg, Germany. In this connection, a sandwich element of this type serves for thermal insulation and, at the same time, evens out slight irregularities in the ground. Furthermore, the floor element can also be present in the form of a basin that is produced from hollow or textured chamber panels. 
         [0047]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the floor element furthermore comprises accommodation means for accommodating the bottom edges of the side parts. These accommodation means can be rails made of plastic or metal, which form a base frame into which the side parts are pushed when the shelter module is set up. Also, the accommodation means can be a groove, for example a milled region in the floor element. Setting up the shelter module according to the invention is significantly simplified by the accommodation means indicated above, and furthermore, these contribute to increasing the stability of the shelter module. 
         [0048]    The shelter module according to the invention can furthermore comprise multiple roof elements that together form a cavity, a storage area, that serves for storage or safekeeping purposes. Also, the roof can have a design such that it serves for collecting and/or storing rainwater. 
         [0049]    The dimensions of the shelter module according to the invention can vary in broad ranges, as a function of its use. For example, the dimensions can be from 400×500×500 mm up to 3500×4000×6000 mm, for example 300×300×300 mm to 6000×6000×6000 mm. 
         [0050]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the shelter module comprises a door that is integrated into a side wall. According to another embodiment of the invention, a side wall itself represents the door. In this regard, a fold connection to the adjacent side wall, for example, can function as a hinge. 
         [0051]    A significant advantage of the invention consists of the absence, for the most part, of standardized small parts, such as screws and nuts. In this way, it is ensured that assembly at the set-up location can take place quickly and without complications, since completeness of the components of the shelter module is guaranteed. Likewise, a possible loss of small parts during disassembly and transport of the disassembled shelter module is practically excluded. 
         [0052]    Because of the formation of shape-fit connections and the use of simple connection means, it is possible to do without assembly tools, to a great extent. 
         [0053]    For transport, the individual elements of the shelter module can be laid or folded together into a packet or stack, where the side parts, for example, can be folded together in the manner of an accordion. The shelter module allows easy and reliable set-up, even by technically unskilled persons, because of its simple structure. The size of the component modules is dimensioned in such a way that the components can safely be handled by a single person. 
         [0054]      FIG. 1  shows a view of the shelter module  1  according to the invention, having a dodecagonal base shape. The side walls  2  can be seen, as can a roof element  3  that is shown in the form of a storage area, along with a door  5 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 2  shows a view of the shelter module  1  according to the invention with four side walls  2 , a floor element  12 , projections  10 , as well as a door  5  and roof element  3 . The structure of the shelter module  1  shown in  FIG. 2  can be seen in the exploded drawing in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0056]    One possibility for permanently connecting the side parts  6  firmly with one another is shown in  FIG. 4 . This involves a so-called U fold. In order to guarantee the permanence of this fold  4 , it can be fixed in place by means of glue or connection elements selected from the group of ropes, cable ties, reusable cable ties, hook-and-loop closures, or the fixation means  9  described above. This U fold  4  can also be used to connect the roof element  3  or the roof elements  3  that have projections  10  to the top edges of the side parts  6 , also for connecting the roof elements  3  with one another. 
         [0057]    The connection of two side parts  6  with one another, using a so-called projection  10 , is shown in  FIG. 5 . Here, two adjacent side parts  6  can be seen, which each have a projection  10 , by way of which the two side parts  6  are permanently and firmly connected with one another, for example using cable ties as fastening means  9 . For a simple connection, the projections  10  can have openings  11  for passing the fastening means  9  through. 
         [0058]    The connection of two side parts  6  with one another, using a so-called L fold  13  or double-L fold  14 , is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Here, two adjacent side parts  6  can be seen, which each have a projection or two projections, by way of which the two side parts  6  can be permanently and firmly connected with one another, for example using cable ties as fastening means  9 . 
       REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST 
       [0059]      1  shelter module 
         [0060]      2  side wall 
         [0061]      3  roof element(s) 
         [0062]      4  U fold 
         [0063]      5  door 
         [0064]      6  side part 
         [0065]      7  fold connection 
         [0066]      8  side part storage area 
         [0067]      9  fastening means (cable tie) 
         [0068]      10  projection 
         [0069]      11  opening 
         [0070]      12  floor element 
         [0071]      13  L fold 
         [0072]      14  double-L fold