ELEVATED ACCOMMODATION ASSEMBLY

Abstract: An accommodation assembly for use as a temporary studio in outside broadcasting comprises a plurality of support legs (2) erectable to upstand from ground level, structural elements (7 to 9) erectable into an accommodation structure (6), and means, such as an electric hoist motor (10) and a chain (11'), arranged to cause the accommodation structure (6), when erected, to self-climb the erected support legs (2) from ground level to an elevation thereabove.

Description: ELEVATED ACCOMMODATION ASSEMBLY DESCRIPTION This invention relates to an elevated accommodation assembly and is especially, but not exclusively, related to such an assembly for providing temporary accommodation, such as an outside broadcast studio, in a working environment of limited space. In service areas associated with, say, sports events, the space available is usually extremely limited, in view of the ever increasing volume of accommodation and equipment required to provide outside broadcast coverage of such events. This is particularly so in motor racing, especially Formula 1, wherein so-called "paddocks", which provide service areas at motor racing venues , have become extremely cramped in view of the increasing public demand for outside broadcast coverage of motor racing events over the past several years. One method of overcoming this serious lack of space in service areas, such as those discussed above, has been to erect or otherwise provide temporary units, such as studios and other types of allied accommodation and equipment storage space, which may be supported in elevated positions upon scaffolding, one above the other, on a temporary basis. However, that has been found to be unsatisfactory, in that the vehicles assembly and disassembly of the supporting scaffolding is very labour intensive and, thus, expensive. Also, the assembled scaffolding is cumbersome and unsightly. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an elevated accommodation assembly which eliminates, or at least substantially reduces, the disadvantages associated with providing temporary accommodation in, say, a service area of limited space, as discussed above. Thus, a first aspect of the invention provides an accommodation assembly comprising a plurality of support legs erectable to upstand from ground level, structural elements erectable into an accommodation structure, and means arranged to cause the accommodation structure, when erected, to self-climb the erected support legs from ground level to an elevation thereabove. With such an inventive assembly, when the support legs are erected to upstand, preferably generally vertically, from ground level, the accommodation structure can be erected from its structural elements, for example, respective floor, wall and/or roof elements, at ground level in conjunction with the erected support legs and then caused to self-climb those legs to a desired elevation above ground level, preferably at the top of the legs. For an accommodation structure having a floor element of generally rectangular shape, it is preferred to employ four erectable support legs, to provide a vertical support leg at each corner of the accommodation structure. However, any suitable number of support legs may be employed, depending upon the required strength and stability of the accommodation assembly when the accommodation structure is at a desired elevation above ground level. Throughout this specification, the term "self- climb", or derivative thereof, such as "self- climbing", is used in relation to the ability of the accommodation structure, when erected, to raise itself up the erected support legs without the assistance of any extraneous raising or lifting means additional to the components of the inventive assembly. The means arranged to cause the erected accommodation structure to self-climb the erected support legs, may be of any suitable form. In the preferred embodiment of accommodation assembly to be described in greater detail hereinbelow, such self- climbing means comprises an electric hoist associated with each support leg, for example at each corner of a generally rectangular accommodation structure, each hoist having an electric motor fixed to the structure and one or more flexible elongate members, such as chains, connected operably to the electric motor and extending up the associated support legs, preferably outside the leg, and over pulleys, preferably two, located at the top of the support leg, to provide a so-called "roller beam". Such chains are preferably double-reaved with respect to the electric motor and the roller beam, such that the load exerted upon the support leg, when being self-climbed by the erected accommodation structure, is distributed substantially evenly on both sides of the leg. Alternatively, such self-climbing means associated with each erected support leg, may be fixed at the top or base thereof and operably connected to the erected accommodation structure, preferably a structural floor element thereof, by a chain(s) of suitable strength. Once the accommodation structure has self-climbed the support legs to the desired elevation above ground level, it can then be secured firmly to each support leg preferably at the top thereof . According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of erecting an accommodation structure at an elevation above ground level, which method comprises erecting a plurality of support legs upstanding from ground level, erecting an accommodation structure at the bases of the upstanding support legs and causing the so-erected accommodation structure to self-climb the legs to a desired elevation above ground level. In a preferred inventive method of erecting an elevated accommodation structure in accordance with the invention, a floor element of the accommodation structure is first mounted upon a base leg member of each support leg to which is pivotally attached a main leg member in its lower, generally horizontal position. Then, those main leg members are pivoted upwardly with respect to their base leg members, to provide a corresponding number of generally vertical support legs. A roof element of the accommodation structure is then erected such that it is supported above the floor element by means of wall elements secured therebetween. At this stage, the accommodation structure is substantially fully assembled at the bases of the vertical support legs. Subsequently, the accommodation structure is caused to self-climb the vertical support legs upon which it is mounted, to the desired elevation above ground level, as discussed above in relation to the first aspect of the invention. In this preferred embodiment, the wall elements of the accommodation structure comprise upstanding elongate structural elements secured between the floor and roof elements which also comprise elongate structural elements. In this condition, the accommodation structure is in the form of a framework which may be suitably clad to provide substantially closed accommodation at the desired elevation above ground. Alternatively, such cladding can be carried out prior to the erected accommodation structure being caused to self-climb the generally vertical support legs . When the accommodation structure has self-climbed the vertical support legs and is at its desired elevation above ground level, a space may be provided between the underside of the floor element of the accommodation structure and the ground, which may be used for any practical purpose, such as the parking of an associated vehicle, such as an outside broadcast trailer. Two or more (plurality) accommodation structures may be used, to provide a multi-storey accommodation assembly. In order that the invention may be more fully understood, a preferred embodiment of accommodation assembly for providing temporary accommodation, such as an outside broadcast studio, and a method of erecting an accommodation structure, will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 to 4 and Figures 5A and 5B are respective elevational views of an accommodation assembly during its successive stages of erection; Figures 6 and 7 are respective side and end elevational views of the fully-erected accommodation assembly; and Figures 8 to 10 are respective perspective views of the erected accommodation assembly from above and one end, above and the other end, and below and the other end of the assembly, with a trailer parked beneath the accommodation structure of the erected assembly. Referring firstly to Figure 5A of the drawings, an accommodation assembly for use as a temporary studio in outside broadcasting, comprises four (only two shown) vertical support legs 2 each comprising a base leg member 3 with a foot 4 resting on the ground. To each base member 3 is pivotally connected a main leg member 5. An accommodation structure 6, as shown in Figure 4 at ground level and in Figures 5A and 5B at an elevation above ground level, comprises a generally horizontal floor element 7, a plurality of wall elements 8 whose lower ends are secured to respective sides of the floor element 7 and which are inclined to the vertical, and a roof element 9 which is secured firmly to the upper ends of the wall elements 8. As shown in Figures 1 to 4 and Figures 5A and 5B, as well as in Figures 6 and 7, components of the accommodation assembly, such as, the vertical support legs 2 and the floor, wall and roof elements 7 to 9 of the accommodation structure 6, are of an open framework construction, although in Figures 8 to 10, those components have been clad, as indicated at 2' and 7 ' to 9 ' . Further cladding (not shown) is usually provided on the wall and roof elements 8', 9 ' , to provide a substantially closed accommodation structure which may be provided with windows and access doors, where necessary. On erection of the accommodation assembly, as shown in Figures 1 to 4 and Figure 5A, the four base leg members 3 are located at ground level with their feet 4 on the ground, and the floor element 7 of the accommodation structure 6 is mounted upon those base leg members 3 at each corner thereof, as shown in Figure 1. Main leg members 5, which are pivotally connected at their lower ends to respective base leg members 3, are in an initial, generally horizontal position and, as such, cannot be seen in Figure 1. Then, the four main leg members 5 are pivoted with respect to the base leg members 3 into their vertical positions, as shown in Figure 2, to form the four erected support legs 2. The roof element 9 is then mounted upon the support legs 2, as shown in Figure 3, and raised into the position shown in Figure 4. The roof element 9 is then supported above the floor element 7 by the six spaced wall elements 8 which are inclined outwardly and to the vertical. At this stage of erection, the accommodation structure 6, as shown in Figure 4, is now ready to self-climb the support legs 2. At each corner of the floor element 7 is provided an electric hoist motor 10 mounted securely thereto. Each electric hoist motor 10 is provided with a chain 11' which extends upwardly on either side and exterior of the associated support leg 2 and over a roller beam 11 which is located at the top of the support leg 2 and comprises two pulleys (not shown) arranged such that the load exerted upon the support leg 2 when being self-climbed by the erected accommodation structure 6, is distributed substantially evenly on both sides of the leg 2, to maintain the stability thereof. Thus, each electric hoist motor 10 is connected operably with its associated support leg 2 via the chain 11 A which may be double-reaved, to provide the self-climbing ability of the erected accommodation structure 6. In this manner, the accommodation structure 6 when erected at ground level, as shown in Figure 4, can self-climb the four support legs 2 to an elevation above ground level, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B . Once at that elevation, the accommodation structure 6 can be secured firmly to the top end of each support leg 2. In Figure 5B, an outside broadcast trailer 12 is shown parked in the space provided between the underside of the floor element 7 of the now-elevated accommodation structure 6 and ground level. Similarly, Figures 6 and 7 show side and end views of the elevated accommodation structure 6 with the trailer 12 parked thereunder. The clad floor, wall and roof elements 7' to 9' , as well as the clad support legs 2 ' , are shown in Figures 8 to 10. Additional cladding (not shown) can be used to provide a substantially closed, elevated accommodation structure 6, with doors and windows where necessary. Figures 8 to 10 also show stairways 13, 14 for providing access to the parked trailer 12 and the elevated accommodation structure 6, respectively. Thus, it can be seen that the invention provides temporary accommodation which is suitable for use in limited spaces, such as the paddocks or other service areas at, say, motor racing venues, thereby increasing, and usually doubling, the amount of available working space. Although the embodiment of accommodation assembly described above has one accommodation structure 6, it is to be appreciated that two or more such structures 6 can be provided, whereby each can self-climb the support legs 2, in turn, to a required elevation above ground level, thus providing a multi-storey accommodation assembly. With such a multi-storey arrangement, it is preferred that only the uppermost accommodation structure 6 has a roof element 9, in which case, the floor element 7 of an upper accommodation structure 6 may serve also as a flat roof element of the lower structure 6 immediately below.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An accommodation assembly comprising a plurality of support legs (2) erectable to upstand from ground level, structural elements (7, 8, 9) erectable into an accommodation structure (6), and means (10, 11, 11') arranged to cause the accommodation structure (6), when erected, to self-climb the erected support legs (2) from ground level to an elevation thereabove. 2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the structural elements (7, 8, 9) of the accommodation structure (6) comprise respective floor, wall and/or roof elements. 3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the accommodation structure (6) is of generally rectangular shape, in plan, when erected and has a support leg (2) at each corner thereof. 4. An assembly according to claim 1, 2 or 3 , wherein said self-climbing means (10, 11, 11') comprises an electric hoist associated with each support leg (2) when erected. 5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein each electric hoist comprises an electric motor (10) fixed to the erected accommodation structure (6). 6. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein each electric motor (10) is connected operably to an elongate flexible member (11'), such as a chain, which extends up the associated support leg (2), when erected, and over a pulley (11) located at the top of the upstanding support leg (2). 7. An assembly according to claim 6, wherein the elongate flexible member (11') extends over two pulleys (11) at the top of the upstanding support leg (2), with the pulleys (11) providing a roller beam. 8. An assembly according to claim 7, wherein the elongate flexible member (11') is double-reaved with respect to the electric motor (10) and the roller beam (11), such that the load exerted upon the support leg (2), when being self-climbed by the erected accommodation structure (6), is distributed substantially evenly on both sides of the support leg (2). 9. An assembly according to claim 6, 7 or 8 , wherein the elongate flexible member (11') extends up the outside of its associated support leg (2). 10. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the erected accommodation structure (6) is arranged to be secured firmly to each upstanding support leg (2) at a desired elevation above ground level, after it has been caused to self-climb the support legs (2). 11. An assembly according to any preceding claim including a plurality of accommodation structures (6) erectable into a multi-storey assembly of such structures ( 6 ) . 12. An elevated accommodation structure (6) when erected from an accommodation assembly according to any preceding claim. 13. A method of erecting an accommodation structure at an elevation above ground level, which method comprises erecting a plurality of support legs (2) to upstand from ground level, erecting an accommodation structure (6) at the bases of the upstanding support legs (2) and causing the so-erected accommodation structure (6) to self-climb the legs (2) to an elevation above ground level. 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein: a floor element (7) of the accommodation structure (6) is mounted upon a base leg member (3) of each support leg (2) to which is pivotally attached a main leg member (5) in a lower, generally horizontal position; the main leg members (5) are pivoted upwardly with respect to their base leg members (3), to provide a corresponding number of upstanding support legs (2); a roof element (9) of the accommodation structure (6) is erected and supported above the floor element (7) by means of wall elements secured therebetween; and causing the so-erected accommodation structure (6) to self-climb the upstanding support legs (2) upon which it is mounted, to an elevation above ground level . 15. A method according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the floor, wall and roof elements (7, 8, 9) is clad, to provide substantially closed accommodation at an elevation above ground level. 16. A method according to claim 15, wherein said at least one floor, wall and roof element (7, 8, 9) is clad either prior to or after the erected accommodation structure (6) has been caused to self- climb the upstanding support legs (2). 17. A method according to any of claims 13 to 16, wherein the upstanding support legs (2) are clad. 18. A method according to any of claims 13 to 17, wherein a space is provided between the elevated accommodation structure (6) and ground level. 19. A method according to any of claims 13 to 18 including erecting a plurality of accommodation structures (6) and causing the so-erected structures (6) to self climb the legs (2) in turn, to provide a multi-storey accommodation assembly.

Inventors: WILLSON RONAN PETER, WILLSON, RONAN, PETER
Applicants: TRILOGY ENTERTAINMENTS PLC, WILLSON RONAN PETER, WILLSON, RONAN, PETER
Application year: 1998
Main classification: E04H1
IPC codes: E04H1