Abstract:
A mobile multi-functional shelter unit, for use as a general working area or for storing and maintaining heavy machinery. The mobile multi-functional shelter unit includes a central structure that has a deployed state and a non-deployed state as well as means for translating from the deployed state to the non-deployed state. The central structure has a base section, a central floor mounted on top of the base section, track means for raising a vehicle from a ground surface onto and off of the central floor. The central structure supports a raisable roof assembly and a lateral pullout assembly.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/244,107 filed Sep. 21, 2009. This application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to mobile shelters. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mobile multi-functional shelter unit for use as a portable working area and garage for heavy machinery. Other applications include but are not limited to mobile classrooms, mobile training facilities, mobile simulators, mobile dormers and mobile hospitals. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The present invention relates to a mobile multi-functional shelter unit for use as an expandable/extendible working area. There are many designs for structures that can be used as mobile shelters but most are small in scale and do not readily accommodate the needs associated with the various other applications that such a shelter should have, such as the ability to maintain and store heavy machinery, to serve as a mobile classroom or training facility, to run simulators, as well as the ability to serve as a facility that would be available for use as a hospital or as a dormitory. 
     A few types of shelters are known to the applicant: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,765,499 discloses a collapsible but having a roof that lifts on four hydraulic jacks. This roof is supported by two long beams which can also be used as support for a crane bridge. The hut, supported on wheels or on skids, has large doors at both ends and can be used as a welding shop or a hospital. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,308,845 discloses a mobile service station having a ramp to wheel a vehicle inside. The roof to the trailer is expandable and the side wings are extendible. A compressor and gas tank are carried on the frame of the truck. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,505,767; 3,645,559; and 7,112,029 all disclose methods for transporting a building on a frame, using detachable gooseneck devices at the front and at the back of the frame. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,260 discloses a trailer for transporting a railway car. The trailer has a detachable front portion and a rear bogey. The rear bogey has an engine and a hydraulic pump is mounted on it. The rear bogey can also move independently of the front portion because of the hitch that is provided. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,028 discloses a mobile oil change trailer where the floor has a reservoir built in it. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,712,414 discloses an expandable structure with a raisable roof and slide-out wings that move on guide rails. 
     Therefore, there is still presently a need for a mobile multi-functional shelter unit, for use as a general working area (for example, as a classroom, training facility, hospital, dormitory, simulator) or a garage that can accommodate heavy machinery, which is easily transportable, ecological, safe for workers and quickly expandable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile multi-functional shelter unit that satisfies the above mentioned need. 
     Accordingly, the present invention provides a mobile multi-functional shelter unit comprising:
         a central structure, the central structure comprising:
           a base section comprising:
               first and second opposite longitudinal sides;   first and second opposite extremity ends;   meeting points between each opposite longitudinal sides and each adjacent extremity end defined as lower meeting points; and   a central floor mounted on top of the base section;   
               a frame section mounted on the base section comprising:
               a bottom portion comprising:
                   bars having a top end and a bottom end vertically mounted from the bottom end to each lower meeting point defining opposite longitudinal side sections of the frame and opposite front and back sections of the frame; and   
                   a top portion comprising:
                   upright beams mounted longitudinally to the top ends of the bars forming a support mount;   
                   
               a raisable roof assembly mounted on the support mount and comprising:
               beams raisably mounted to the support mount for supporting translation of the roof assembly from a lowered position to an elevated extended position;   a roof section mounted on top of said beams comprising:
                   opposite long sides forming opposite sidewalls comprising an upper section and a lower section;   opposite short sides comprising an upper section and a lower section;   a roof panel mounted onto the upper section of the sidewalls and the upper section of the short sides; and   
                   a roof deployment system engaging said sidewalls and said short sides to concurrently elevate together translating the roof assembly between the lowered position and the elevated extended position; and   
               
           a pullout assembly expandedly mounted on pullout slider beams affixed to each opposite longitudinal side of the base section of the central structure, the pullout assembly comprising a pullout assembly deployment system for translating the pullout assembly between a retracted state, positioned inside the central structure, and an expanded state projecting from the central structure.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description and upon referring to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the central structure in a non-deployed state according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the base section and the frame section according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the base section illustrating how the raisable roof assembly is mounted onto the frame section according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the central structure illustrating the raisable roof assembly in its extended state according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the central structure illustrating the roof section in its extended state, the pullout assembly in its expanded state and the door in between its up position and its down position according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the central structure in its deployed state illustrating heavy machinery entering the central cavity from one extremity end and an accessory power system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the central structure in its deployed state illustrating the roof assembly in its extended state, the pullout assembly in its expanded state and the door in its up position, with an accessory power system according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the central structure in a non-deployed state, illustrating the roof assembly in a lowered state, and the pullout assembly in a retracted state, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of the central structure shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the central structure shown in  FIG. 8 , in a partially-deployed state, illustrating the roof assembly in an elevated state, and the pullout assembly in a partially expanded state; 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of the central structure shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the central structure shown in  FIG. 8 , in a deployed state, illustrating the roof assembly in an elevated state, and the pullout assembly in an expanded state; 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of the central structure shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is an interior perspective view of a shelter unit according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of the central structure and the power system mounted onto a powered vehicle according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 16A to 16D  are perspective, detailed, partial top and partial side views respectively of a base section according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 17A to 17D  are perspective, top, side and detailed side views respectively of main beam of the base section according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 9 , the present invention provides a mobile multi-functional shelter unit  100 . The mobile multi-functional shelter unit  100  includes a central structure  1  configurable between a non-deployed state, as shown in  FIG. 1  and a deployed state (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) with means for translating from the non-deployed state to the deployed state. 
     As better shown in  FIG. 2 , the central structure  1  also includes a base section  2  comprising first  3  and second  4  opposite longitudinal sides, first  5  and second  6  opposite extremity ends, and meeting points between each opposing longitudinal sides and each adjacent extremity end defined as lower meeting points  7 . The central structure also has a central floor  8  mounted on top of the base section  2 . 
     Also shown in  FIG. 2 , the central structure  1  includes a frame section  10  mounted on the base section  2 . The frame section  10  has a bottom part with bars  10 A having a top end and a bottom end vertically mounted from the bottom end to each lower meeting point defining opposing longitudinal side sections of the frame and opposing front and back sections of the frame. The frame section also has a top part having upright beams  10 B mounted longitudinally to the top ends of the flat bars  10 A forming a support mount for a raisable roof assembly. 
     As better shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the central structure  1  also includes a raisable roof assembly  11  comprising beams  12  raisably mounted to the support mount for translating the roof assembly  11  from a lowered position to an elevated extended position (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
     As better shown in  FIG. 3 , the roof assembly  11  also includes a roof section  13  mounted on top of the beams  12  and comprises opposing long sides forming opposing sidewalls  14  having an upper section and a lower section, opposing short sides  15  having an upper section and a lower section, a roof panel  16  mounted onto the upper section of the sidewalls and the upper section of the short sides. 
     As better shown in  FIG. 4 , the central structure  1  also includes a roof deployment system  200  engaging the sidewalls and the short sides to concurrently elevate together bringing the roof assembly from a lowered position to an extended position  20 , a volume between the roof assembly and the central floor and the frame defining a central cavity. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the central structure  1  includes a pullout assembly  21  expandedly mounted on pullout slider beams  22  affixed to each opposing longitudinal side of the base section of the central structure  1 . The pullout assembly  21  comprises a pullout assembly deployment system  210  for translating the pullout assembly  21  between a retracted state, positioned inside the central structure  1 , and an expanded state projecting from the central structure  1 . 
     Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the shelter unit  100  comprises an ascending ramp  9 A supported on the first opposite extremity end of the base section  2 , the ascending ramp  9 A being adapted to raise a vehicle from a ground surface onto the central floor at the first opposite extremity end of the base section. 
     Preferably, the shelter unit  100  further comprises a descending ramp  9 B supported on the second opposite extremity end of the base section, the descending ramp being adapted to lower the vehicle from the central floor to the ground surface at the second opposite extremity end of the base section. The ascending ramp, the base section and the descending ramp form an integral rail assembly  220  supporting the vehicle during a displacement of the vehicle through the shelter unit  100 . 
     Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the roof assembly  11  further comprises at least one door assembly  17  with guides  18  on each opposite lower section of at least one of the short sides of the roof section. The door assembly  17  comprises a door  19  moveably mounted on the roof assembly  11  and a door positioning adjustment system for positioning the door  19  between an up position to a down position. In the down position, the door  19  is in contact with a corresponding opposite extremity end of the base section  2 . 
     Preferably, the door  19  is a sectional door sized to close openings formed at an end of the shelter unit when the roof assembly is positioned at both the lowered position and the elevated extended position. 
     Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the shelter unit  100  further comprises a power system  101  for powering the central structure  1 . 
       FIGS. 8 to 13  illustrate a typical deployment sequence for the shelter unit, illustrating in particular the deployment of the roof assembly and the pullout assembly. 
     Preferably, as better shown in  FIG. 14 , the central floor  8  comprises at least one aperture  80  and the shelter unit further comprises a reservoir  230  positioned under the central floor  8  for receiving materials traversing the central floor  8  through the at least one aperture  80 . This feature is useful if the shelter unit  100  is to be used as a wash bay. 
     Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the shelter unit  100  further comprises an outrigger system  110  for supporting the pullout assembly  21  in the expanded state with respect to a ground surface. 
     Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the shelter unit  100  further comprises a powered vehicle  102  for providing displacement of the central structure  1 , and the power system  101  is mounted on a wheeled trailer  104 . As shown in  FIGS. 16A to 16B  the central structure further comprises front and rear vehicle attachment interfaces  106 . Thus, the central structure  1  is suspendable through the attachment interfaces  106  between the powered vehicle  102  and the wheeled trailer  104 . 
       FIGS. 17A to 17D  are perspective, top, side and detailed side views respectively of a main beam  120  of the base section  2  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The minimum dimensions illustrated for the main beam  120 , preferably made of W44 steel, allow the base section  2  to support much heavier vehicles than prior art shelter units. 
     One application of the present invention, among others, is to provide a combined garage and wash bay. The unique demands of oil and gas production require a one-of-a-kind solution that saves both time and money. The combined garage and wash bay is a versatile portable building with many applications, ranging from a temperature controlled working area to an environmentally friendly wash bay. 
     The shelter unit in this application has no hydraulic system and functions with electrical and air systems. Preferably, the indoor facility is also a portable building with a four-ton overhead crane. 
     Preferably, the shelter unit is transported by truck and spans 30 feet wide, 40 feet long, and 20 feet high when opened. Set-up and removal is easy: one truck, one person, one hour are required. Users can benefit from the unique design of the floor as a tank, as well as the unit&#39;s rigidity and robustness. 
     Preferably, the shelter unit comes with a floor that can support 90,000 pounds, a four-ton overhead crane, and an Insulated, heated facility with a generator that makes the building self-sufficient. 
     The shelter unit can help businesses operate more efficiently and thrive in harsh environments, while at the same time protect the environment and prevent cross-contamination challenges. Clients can also ensure productivity in the worst conditions. During winter, mechanics working without the shelter unit can spend as much as 30 minutes out of an hour simply warming up. 
     The shelter unit according to the present invention can also help respond to another dilemma faced by clients: stricter government enforcement of mandatory spotless wash regulations. For example there is sometimes a need to haul heavy equipment 250 kilometers from one site to head office to be cleaned, before transporting the equipment to a different work location, only 50 kilometers away from the original site. By combining the garage and wash bay as a unit, companies will now be able not only to do mechanical work and/or welding, but they will also have the option of cleaning their equipment right on site. 
     The shelter unit according to the present invention offers the following advantages and optional features:
         Rapid and easy mounting/dismounting—as it can be accomplished with one truck, one person, in one hour;   A wash bay can be provided to keep equipment clean and prevent costly cross-contamination problems;   Insulated walls, for a more comfortable working area can be provided;   An environmentally friendly design can be provided with a tank built as a floor, to capture any liquid spills that would otherwise damage the environment;   Two 14-foot by 16-foot overhead doors (one at each end) can be provided;   Optional items, can include attached tool boxes, attached work tables, welding equipment, and much more;   A standard air compressor system can be provided with the shelter unit;   An optional security camera system can also be provided;   A diesel generator (50 kW, 3 phase) can be included to power the facility;   The shelter unit is a structure whose high-quality design makes it versatile, durable, and portable;       

     Major benefits of the shelter system may also include:
         Greatly reduced equipment downtime, by having mechanics and equipment readily available for certain applications;   A major reduction in transportation for out-of-order equipment;   The floor built as a tank will drastically lower the risk of oil and gas spills;   Increased staff morale and productivity, with a working environment that can be adjusted to provide relief from outdoor conditions       

     As mentioned above, other applications of the shelter unit include but are not limited to providing mobile classrooms, mobile training facilities, mobile simulators, mobile dormers and mobile hospitals. 
     Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise embodiments and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.