Abstract:
A construction set and method for assembling a Relocatable Habitat Unit (RHU) requires a plurality of flat panels that include male (M) and female (F) connectors located on their respective peripheries. The entire RHU can then be assembled using a single, hand-operated tool to engage a selected M with a selected F. First the floor is established and leveled. Next, starting at a corner, the walls are erected around the floor. Finally, the roof is created. A same, hand-operated tool is used for each task.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a Divisional of, and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/043,759, filed on Mar. 6, 2008, entitled Relocatable Habitat Unit, and currently co-pending. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains generally to Relocatable Habitat Units (RHUs) for use in simulating an environment for a military combat training scenario. More particularly, the present invention pertains to an RHU that can be assembled and disassembled on-site, using panels that can be maneuvered, positioned and interconnected by no more than two men. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a system and method for the complete assembly of an RHU using only a same, single, hand-operated tool. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Military training must necessarily be conducted in an environment that will simulate anticipated combat operations as accurately as possible. For a comprehensive training program, this requires the ability and flexibility to relocate and set-up several different types of training environments. In general, training sites may need to selectively simulate either an urban, suburban or an open terrain environment. 
     For a training site, the realism that can be attained when simulating a particular environment can be dearly enhanced by introducing indigenous persons (i.e. actors) into the training scenario. Further, in addition to the indigenous persons, urban and suburban environments can be made even more realistic when trainees are confronted by obstacles, such as buildings (e.g. habitats). In most instances, such structures can be relatively modest. Nevertheless, their integration into the training scenario requires planning. 
     Providing realistic buildings for a training environment requires the collective consideration of several factors. For one, the buildings need to present a visual perception that is accurate for the particular training scenario. Stated differently, they need to “look the part”. For another, it is desirable that structures assembled on the training site be capable of disassembly for relocation to another training site and subsequent use. With this last point in mind, an ability to easily assemble and disassemble a building (i.e. training aide) is a key consideration. 
     Heretofore, military combat training scenarios have been conducted either on open terrain, or at locations where there have been pre-existing buildings. The alternative has been to bring prefabricated components of buildings to a training site, and then assemble the components to create the building. Typically, this has required special equipment and considerable man-hours of labor. 
     In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a construction set and method for assembling and disassembling an RHU, at a training site, with as few as two persons. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a construction set that requires the use of only a same, single, hand operated tool for the assembly and disassembly of an entire RHU. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a construction set for the assembly and disassembly of an entire RHU that is relatively simple to manufacture, is extremely simple to use, and is comparatively cost effective. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A Relocatable Habitat Unit (RHU) in accordance with the present invention is assembled using a plurality of substantially flat panels. For this assembly operation, each panel includes male (M) and female (F) connectors. Specifically, these connectors are located along the periphery of the panel. Importantly, all of the male connectors can be engaged with a respective female connector using the same tool. Thus, an entire RHU can be assembled and disassembled in this manner. Further, each panel is sufficiently lightweight to be moved and positioned by one person. As a practical matter, a second person may be required to use the tool and activate the connectors as a panel is being held in place by the other person. 
     In detail, a construction set for use with the present invention includes a plurality of panels and only the one tool. Each panel has a periphery that is defined by a left side edge, a right side edge, a top edge and a bottom edge. Selected panels, however, can have different configurations that include a door or a window. Still others may simply be a solid panel. In particular, solid panels are used for the floor and ceiling (roof) of the RHU. Essentially, there are wall panels, floor panels, and ceiling panels. Each panel, however, regardless of its configuration, will include at least one male connector and at least one female connector that are located on its periphery. 
     In addition to the wall, floor, and ceiling panels, the construction set also includes corner connections and ceiling attachments. Specifically, corner connections are used to engage wall panels to each other at the corners of the RHU. The ceiling attachments, on the other hand, allow engagement of roof panels with the top edges of wall panels. 
     The placement and location of male (M) and female (F) lock connectors on various panels of the construction set is important. Specifically, along the right side edge of each wall panel, between its top edge and bottom edge, the lock configuration is (FMMF). Along its left side edge, the lock configuration is (MFFM). Further, along the top edge the lock configuration is (MM), and along the bottom edge it is (M or F [depending on the connector of the floor panel]). 
     Unlike the panels, the corner connections are elongated members with two surfaces that are oriented at a right angle to each other. The lock configurations for a corner connection are (F-F) along one surface and (-FF-) along the other surface. Like the corner connections, the ceiling attachments also present two surfaces that are at a right angle to each other. Their purpose, however, is different and accordingly they have a (FF) lock configuration on one surface for engagement with the fop edge of a wall panel. They also have either a (MM) or a (FF) configuration along the other surface for connection with a ceiling panel. 
     Importantly, in addition to the above mentioned panels, connections and attachments, the construction set of the present invention includes a single hand tool. Specifically, this hand tool is used for activating the various male (M) connectors for engagement with a female (F) connector. For the present invention, this tool preferably includes a hex head socket, a drive that holds the hex head socket, and a ratchet handle that is swivel attached to the drive. 
     For assembly of the RHU, the first task is to establish a substantially flat floor. This is done by engaging male (M) connectors on a plurality of floor panels with female (F) connectors on other floor panels. The floor is then leveled using extensions that can be attached to the floor. Next, a wall is erected around the floor of the RHU by engaging a male connector on the right side edge of a respective wall panel with a female connector on the left side edge of an adjacent wall panel. Recall, the lock configurations on the left and right edges of wall panels are, respectively, (FMMF) and (MFFM). Additionally, the bottom edge of each panel in the wall is engaged to the floor using mutually compatible male (M) and female (F) connectors. Finally, the roof is created for the RHU by engaging male (M) connectors on ceiling panels with female (F) connectors on other ceiling panels. The ceiling attachments are then engaged to the assembled roof. In turn, the ceiling attachments are engaged to the top edge of a wall panel using mutually compatible male (M) and female (F) connectors. All connections for the assembly of the RHU are thus accomplished using the same tool. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an assembled Relocatable Habitat Unit (RHU) in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of an RHU; 
         FIG. 3  is an elevation view of three panels for an RHU shown positioned for connection of their respective male (M) and female (F) connectors; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a single wall panel of an RHU positioned for engagement with a corner section and a ceiling attachment; and 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of portions of two panels from an RHU, with portions broken away to show the interaction of male (M) and female (F) connectors in their operational relationship with a tool that is used to assemble the RHU in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a Relocatable Habitat Unit (RHU) in accordance with the present invention is shown and is generally designated  10 . As shown, the RHU  10  includes a plurality of individual panels, of which the generic panel  12  (sometimes hereinafter referred to as a wall panel) is exemplary. The panel  12  is substantially flat, and is rectangular in shape with a width “w” of approximately four feet and a length “l” of approximately eight feet (i.e. the panel  12  is a 4×8). Alternatively, a panel  12  may be dimensioned as a 4×4. The depth of the panel  12  can vary slightly but, in general, will only be two or three inches. Preferably, the panel  12  is made of a light-weight composite polymer foam type material. 
     For the present invention there are essentially three different types of panels  12 . These are generally denominated by their structural function in the RHU  10  and are: a wall panel  12 , a ceiling panel  14  and a floor panel  16 . Further, the wall panels  12  may have any of three different configurations. Specifically, these configurations are shown in  FIG. 1 , and are: a door panel  18 , a solid panel  20  and a window panel  22 . Regardless of configuration, however, the exterior of each wall panel  12  can be dressed to appropriately simulate the desired indigenous environment.  FIG. 1  also shows that the RHU  10  is supported by a plurality of adjustable extensions, of which the extensions  24   a  and  24   b  are exemplary. 
       FIG. 2  shows that in addition to the panels  12 , the RHU  10  includes a plurality of corner connections  26 , of which the corner connections  26   a  and  26   b  are exemplary. Further,  FIG. 2  shows there is a plurality of ceiling attachments  28 , of which the ceiling attachments  28   a  and  28   b  are exemplary. As will be more fully appreciated with further disclosure, these corner connections  26  and ceiling attachments  28  are used to interconnect panels  12 . 
     It is an important aspect of the present invention that the panels  12 , the corner connections  26  and the ceiling attachments  28  have compatible male (M) and female (F) locking connectors. For example,  FIG. 3  shows a door panel  18 , a solid panel  20  and a window panel  22  placed in side-by-side relationship with their respective M and F locking connectors positioned for engagement. Details of the structure involved will, perhaps, be best appreciated by cross referencing  FIG. 3  with  FIG. 4 . 
     In  FIG. 4  a panel  12  is shown to have a substantially rectangular periphery  30  that is defined by a left side edge  32 , a right side edge  34 , a top edge  36  and a bottom edge  38 . Further,  FIG. 4  shows that the panel  12  includes a ledge  40  that extends along the bottom edge  38  and outwardly from the periphery  30 . The purpose of ledge  40  is to rest on a floor panel  16  of an assembled RHU  10  (i.e. when a wall panel  12  has been engaged with the floor panel  16 ), to thereby provide additional support for the panel  12 . 
       FIG. 4  also shows that a corner connection  26  is an elongated member having a first surface  42  and a second surface  44 . For purposes of the present invention, the first surface  42  needs to be oriented at a right angle (i.e. orthogonal) to the second surface  44 . Importantly, the first surface  42  is provided with F locking components that are aligned as (F-F). Thus, the first surface  42  of corner connection  26  is compatible with the alignment (MFFM) shown for locking connectors on the left side edge  32  of the panel  12 . Stated differently, the top and bottom M lock connectors on the left edge  32  of panel  12  will lock, respectively, with the top and bottom F lock connectors on first surface  42  of corner connection  26 . Note also that the alignment of locking connectors on the second surface  44  of corner connection  26  is (-FF-), This is likewise compatible with the alignment (FMMF) that is typical for the right side edge  34  of a panel  12  (see also  FIG. 3 ). 
     Like the corner connections  26 , the ceiling attachments  28  are elongated members. Also, the ceiling attachments  28  have a first surface  46  and a second surface  48 . Like the corner connections  26 , the first surface  46  of the ceiling attachment  28  needs to be oriented at a right angle (i.e. orthogonal) to its second surface  48 . The similarities end there, however. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the second surface  48  of the ceiling attachment  28  includes a pair of F locking connectors that will interact with respective M locking connectors along the top edge  36  of the panel  12 . On the other hand, the first surface  46  may have either M or F locking connectors for engagement with a ceiling panel  14 . 
     The interaction of M and F locking connectors will be best appreciated with reference to  FIG. 5 . There it will be seen that the present invention employs a tool, generally designated  50 . As shown, the tool  50  includes a hex head  52  that is connected to a drive  54 . It will be appreciated by the skilled artisan that the hex head  52  shown in  FIG. 5 , however, is only exemplary of head configurations that may be used for the present invention, In any event, the drive  54  is connected to a swivel ratchet  56  that, in turn, is connected to a handle  58 . As envisioned for the present invention, this tool  50  is all that is required to assemble the RHU  10 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 5 , it will be seen that the panel portions  12   a  and  12   b  have respective F and M locking connectors. As envisioned for the present invention, all M and F locking connectors used for the RHU  10  of the present invention are substantially identical. In detail, the M locking connector is shown to include a hex socket  60  with an attached cam lock  62 . Further, the cam lock  62  is shown to have an upper ramp  64  and a lower ramp  66  that are inclined so there is an increasing taper extending from end  68  back to the hex socket  60 . In contrast, the F locking connector on panel  12   a  is shown to include an upper abutment  70  and a lower abutment  72 . 
     For an engagement between an M and an F locking connector, the connectors need to first be juxtaposed with each other. This can be accomplished in any of several ways. For instance, either side edges  32 / 34  of panels  12  are juxtaposed to each other (e.g. see  FIG. 3 ); ceiling panels  14  and floor panels  16  are respectively juxtaposed (see  FIG. 2 ); a corner connection  26  is juxtaposed with a side edge  32 / 34  of a panel  12  (e.g. see  FIG. 4 ); a ceiling attachment  28  is juxtaposed with the top edge  36  of a panel  12  or with a ceiling panel  14 ; or the bottom edge  38  of a panel  12  is juxtaposed with a floor panel  16 . In each case, it is important that an M locking connector be positioned opposite an F locking connector. 
     Once an M and an F locking connector have been properly positioned with each other, as indicated above, the hex head  52  of tool  50  is inserted into the hex socket  60 . The tool  50  is then turned in the direction of arrow  74 . This causes the ramps  64 / 66  of cam lock  62  to respectively go behind the abutments  70 / 72 . The M and F locking connectors are then engaged. 
     In accordance with the present invention, assembly of the RHU  10  is best accomplished by following a predetermined sequence of steps. First, a plurality of floor panels  16  is engaged together to form a floor for the RHU  10 . The floor is then positioned and leveled by adjusting the extensions  24  that are provided for that purpose. Next, starting at a corner for the RHU  10 , a corner connection  26  is engaged with panels  12 . Note: at this point the respective ledges  40  on panels  12  are positioned to rest on the adjacent floor panel  16 . Also, the bottom edges  38  of the wall panels  12  are engaged through M/F locking connections to the adjacent floor panel  16 . This continues until all wails of the RHU  10  have been erected. As intended for the present invention, door panels  18 , solid panels  20  and window panels  22  can be used as desired in the assembly of the walls for the RHU  10 . 
     After the walls of RHU  10  have been erected, the roof is created. Specifically, ceiling attachments  28  are engaged, as required, with a single ceiling panel  14  (see  FIG. 2 ). This ceiling panel  14 , with its ceiling attachments  28 , is positioned so the ceiling attachments  28  can be connected, via M/F locking connectors, to the top edges  36  of respective panels  12 . Additional ceiling panels  14  and their associated ceiling attachments  28  can then be similarly created, positioned and connected to other ceiling panels  14  and other wall panels  12 , to complete the roof. The RHU  10  is thus assembled, and appropriate set dressing can then be added. 
     Importantly, all of the tasks described above for the assembly of an RHU  10  are accomplished using only the tool  50 . Axiomatically, it follows that the entire RHU  10  is held together with only a plurality of M/F locking connections. 
     While the particular Relocatable Habitat Unit as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.