Patent Description:
Extendable or expandable containers are standard product, mainly used for field applications as mobile hospital buildings, but also as accommodation, administrative or service units. In the case of extendable containers, lateral extension is approximately equal to the width of the container and as the container is usually extended to both sides, resulting object, including the container, is thereby substantially three times as wide as the container itself.

In the case of expandable containers, one or both of the longitudinal walls of the container are usually lowered, where the lowered wall at the same time serves as a floor for the shelter extension of the container. Such shelter is then formed by a cover, supported by a metal or inflatable structure. In this case, the lateral extension is approximately equal to the height of the container, and as the container is usually such expanded along both longitudinal sides, resulting shelter/building has thereby the width of the container substantially increased by double the height of the container.

Expandable container shelter having inflatable structure of the shelter is disclosed for example in <CIT>.

With regard to the fact that the above mentioned solutions provide extension of existing container space practically only by double the width or the height of the container, if there is a requirement for larger place to be covered, as for example patient ward of a field hospital, separate tents or other shelters have to be connected to the container.

Creating larger space associated with the container using elements which forms a part of the container in its transportation or storage configuration is partially solved by <CIT>. This document discloses a structure which includes a container which forms a housing and, mounted to the housing a plurality of walls which are pivotally interconnected and which are movable between a compact stored configuration and an extended operative configuration. These walls are being extended from longitudinal sides of the container by means of vertical hinging supports at the ends of the longitudinal sides of the container and vertical pivotal supports with which the walls are mutually connected. This solution allows for enclosing larger area, however, if this area is to be covered, said walls cannot be used as supporting for attaching a roof supports. Roof support, in this case a canvas, is provided in this solution in the form of a mast embedded in the ground and centrally positioned within the enclosure formed by the walls. Then, the canvas is stretched from the mast, and attached to the walls.

Document <CIT> discloses transportable building, which has floor, side walls and roof. The room cell enclosing walls, ceiling and floor elements are hinged to a central stiffened support core. These hinged elements can be folded against the support core for transporting purposes. The hinged elements incorporate also fittings and service cables and pipes. This arrangement of hinged elements allows for creating a building widened from central part on both sides for no more than is the height of the building. The central stiffened support core is an original structure to be built with each building, which does not make use of or profit from existing standardized transportation container.

Document <CIT> discloses arrangement of an expandable, mobile accommodation of activities comprising a central structure having along at least one of its longitudinal sides a longitudinal side wall that is movable in parallel motion outwards together with folding floor and roof sections. Front and rear side walls are arranged to be swung out and connected to other parts. The front and rear side walls are arranged to initially be swung out and at the top portions and bottom portions of the inner sides provided with guide means for the movement of the longitudinal side wall. The guide means consist of rails attached to the front and rear side walls and provided with rack rail surfaces, which mesh with driven pinions attached to the end edges of the longitudinal side wall. The central structure does not make use of or profit from existing standardized transportation container, rather it is individual mobile platform. Further this expandable mobile structure utilizes the arrangement of mutually connected wall, foldable roof and floor sections to be extended by use of power driving means, which makes the structure rather complex.

Document <CIT> discloses a mobile multi-purpose unit in a cuboid form. Said unit consists of a lower part, two fixed front walls optionally a top, and mobile bottom parts, optionally a mechanism for the unfolding thereof, and optionally supporting strips. The mobile unit can also be formed from wall parts. It can also be formed from lateral parts, optionally from roof carriers and optionally from roof parts. Once unfolded, the mobile bottom parts form a bottom with the central bottom part, the surface of said bottom being no larger than seven times the cuboid surface. All of said parts, optionally the mechanism for the unfolding thereof, optionally the supporting strips, optionally the roof carrier, and optionally the roof parts, are incorporated into the cuboid. This mobile unit utilizes the arrangement of mutually connected foldable side walls, foldable floor plates, and separate roof parts that are designed to be able to provide support for another such mobile unit to be built atop. The unit does not make use of or profit from existing standardized transportation container, rather it is specifically built structure.

Object of this solution is to provide improved expandable container shelter, entirely transportable and storable in a single transportation container, which is able to provide maximum possible covered area when the container is expanded to its working configuration, without a need for adding external elements not comprised within this container. Proposed solution maximizes applicability of expandable container shelters.

Said object is fulfilled by expandable container shelter according to appended claim <NUM>, particularly such that uses transportation container as a container, for example made on the basis of intermodal container, also known as the ISO container, with lengths of <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> ft and <NUM> ft, respectively, where this container comprises elements pivotally connected to the container in vertical mounts at the ends of longitudinal side of the container, provided for creating a structure designed for extending the inner space of the container to a shelter connected with this container at the longitudinal side of the container. Expandable container shelter according to this technical solution is characterized in that elements provided for creating the structure designed for extending the inner space of the container to the shelter connected with this container are at least on one longitudinal side of the container composed of one pair of supporting frames. The supporting frame comprises at least one horizontal beam and has length in the range up to dimension equal to inner length of the container. The shelter roof supports, which are inflatable beams, are then connected to said supporting frames. A connection of the roof supports to the supporting frame is of course understood also the connection of these supports to the supporting frame through other elements which can be present on this frame and can form a part of said supporting frame, such as various auxiliary beams, slats, shaped mounts, profile anchors and similar.

In order to improve and support positioning of the supporting frames, it is preferred that the supporting frame is at least at one point of its length from its pivotal mount in the container provided by a member for securing its horizontal position.

In order to create the shelter space enclosed from all sides, or to provide transversal reinforcement of the supporting frames, it is preferred that an auxiliary frame for providing transversal connection of the supporting frames in their opened position is mounted on the supporting frame in the area of its end opposite to its pivotal mount in the container. Then the shelter roof supports can be oriented in direction transversal to the length of the container, whereby they are connected to the auxiliary frame and the container. The auxiliary frame in its folded position can be inserted in the supporting frame in order to save space.

Supporting frames can be placed inside the container in one plane, whereby applies that maximal sum of lengths of the supporting frames is equal to the value of the inner length of the container; in other words maximal value of the sum of lengths of the supporting frames is equal to the value of the inner length of the container.

Further, the supporting frames can be placed inside the container in different planes, whereby maximal length of single supporting frame can be equal up to the value of the inner length of the container.

It is preferred when the inflatable beams are permanently connected to at least one supporting frame or to the container.

With regard to maintaining original dimensions of the container, particularly ISO container, that is important for managing of standardized transportation of containers, it is preferred when the supporting frame, the auxiliary frame, roof supports and roof are in transport or storage configuration of the container placed in the inner space of the container such that they do not project out over the outline of the container.

The technical solution further described in examples of embodiments is depicted in attached drawings schematically showing on:.

Further described examples of embodiments of expandable container shelters according to this technical solution refer to <FIG>. Said figures show shelters <NUM>, or their parts on one side of a container <NUM>, however, these figures, at the same time, illustrate also examples of embodiments with the shelters <NUM> at both sides of the container <NUM> because building of the shelter <NUM> at the other side of the container <NUM> is in fact analogous. The invention concerns only arrangements whereby the shelter roof supports are inflatable beams, other disclosures are provided for information only.

In general, embodiment of the expandable container shelter according to this technical solution, which is the most preferred in regard of maximal area covered and handling, comprises the container <NUM>, two pairs of horizontally swivelling supporting frames <NUM> comprising auxiliary swivelling frames <NUM> and two roofs <NUM>, attached on inflatable beams <NUM>, where one pair of swivelling supporting frames <NUM> together with one roof <NUM> attached on the inflatable beams <NUM> is placed at one long side of the container <NUM>, and the other pair of the swivelling frames <NUM> together with the other roof <NUM> attached on the inflatable beams <NUM> is placed at the opposite long side of the container <NUM>. In this way, symmetrical, sufficiently rigid structure composed of the container <NUM> and two shelters <NUM> placed by long sides of said container <NUM> is created.

Further, generally the most preferred position of opened supporting frames <NUM> is mutually parallel and perpendicular to the container <NUM>. However, it is possible also to create an object of different shape, for example trapezoidal or rhombic, by applying different lengths of the supporting frames <NUM>.

The first example of embodiment of the expanded container shelter according to this technical solution described hereinafter, is shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Pair of supporting frames <NUM> is mounted in vertical pivotal mounts on the opposite ends of the container <NUM> on each longitudinal side of the container <NUM>. Specifically, each one of the supporting frames <NUM> is with its one end mounted in one pivotal mount. Each supporting frame <NUM> comprises a pair of horizontal beams <NUM> with vertical reinforcements <NUM> and auxiliary frames <NUM> at free ends of the supporting frames <NUM>. These auxiliary frames <NUM> have in this example similar structure as supporting frames <NUM>, thus comprise a pair of horizontal beams <NUM> with vertical reinforcements <NUM>. This particular arrangement of supporting frames <NUM> and auxiliary frames <NUM> is shown in <FIG>.

In closed configuration, the supporting frames <NUM> are placed inside the container <NUM> in different planes and thus maximal length of one supporting frame <NUM> can practically be equal to dimension of the inner length of the container <NUM>. The auxiliary frame <NUM> of the supporting frame <NUM> is in this example provided such that it does not project out over the thickness of the supporting frame <NUM>. This is advantageous in regard of space saving when the supporting frame <NUM> is folded. The auxiliary frame <NUM> is in this example pivotally mounted in the supporting frame <NUM> by its one edge. Length of the auxiliary frame <NUM> is in this example equal to half of the distance between the supporting frames <NUM> in opened working position, i.e. when unfolded supporting frames <NUM> are parallel.

After setting up the container <NUM> at desired place, supporting frames <NUM> are one after the other opened. Afterwards, the auxiliary frames <NUM> are unfolded from these frames <NUM>. It is preferred to secure opened supporting frames <NUM>, and if appropriate, also the auxiliary frames <NUM> in their pivotal mounts. It is possible the structure such created further preferably stabilize by connecting the ends of the auxiliary frames <NUM> with members <NUM> for securing of horizontal position of the supporting frames <NUM> and/or the auxiliary frames <NUM>, which can be commonly used, preferably height-adjustable, supports, legs, baseplates, and similar, or also wheels, runners and similar, which can help even during the step of unfolding of the frames <NUM>, <NUM>. This structure, if necessary, can be further strengthened also using corner reinforcements <NUM> which can stabilize the frames <NUM>, <NUM> against each other, or the supporting frames <NUM> against the container <NUM>, or diagonal reinforcements <NUM>, <NUM> which reinforce the frames <NUM>, <NUM> individually. Said steps are schematically shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. Sides of the frames <NUM>, <NUM> can be preferably in advance covered by solid or flexible material, thereby preparing walls of future object and saving time for installation.

Afterwards, said structure is ready for installation of the roof <NUM>. The roof <NUM> comprises, in this example, beam <NUM> which are at one end connected to the container <NUM> and at the other end to the auxiliary frames <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, or the beams <NUM> are connected to opposite supporting frames <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In this example of embodiment, roof <NUM> supports <NUM> are arcuate inflatable beams. The roof <NUM> is conventionally of canvas type, made of flexible material, or combination of flexible and not flexible material, preferably impregnated or coated fabric.

Making use of arcuate inflatable beams as roof <NUM> supports <NUM> is very advantageous due to following reasons.

The arcuate inflatable beam <NUM> is easily transportable, folded or rolled, together with the shelter <NUM> roof <NUM>. The beam <NUM> can be permanently connected with material of the roof <NUM>. Folded or rolled roof <NUM> including deflated beams <NUM> can be stored in the container <NUM> separately.

Preferably it is however possible to connect at least one side of the roof <NUM> together with one side of the roof beams <NUM> permanently to the container <NUM>, in the case the beams <NUM> are arranged in direction transversal to the length of the container <NUM>; or the beams <NUM> can be permanently connected to at least one supporting frame <NUM> in the case when the beams <NUM> are arranged in direction accordant to the length of the container <NUM>.

During transportation, folded roofs <NUM> together with deflated beams <NUM> are contained inside the container <NUM>. One side of deflated beams <NUM> is then preferably suspended under a ceiling of the container <NUM> in holders, for example in guiding grooves, to be possible for the ends of the beams to be easily moved to the edge of the container <NUM>, i.e. to working position, when the shelter <NUM> roof <NUM> is being assembled.

Remaining part of the beams <NUM> and the roofs <NUM> is then hanging folded under the ceiling of the container <NUM>, or this part of the beams <NUM> and roofs <NUM> is lying folded at the bottom of the container <NUM> and only a part of said beams <NUM> and roofs <NUM> corresponding approximately to the height of the container is hanging. It is preferred to suspend the roofs <NUM> completely, because a space is then left at the bottom of the container <NUM> for storing of other possible parts of the shelters <NUM>, for example floor, or if necessary auxiliary inflatable tent, as well as technical equipment such as air conditioning unit, power generators or air compressor that can be used also for inflating the beams <NUM>. Said arrangement is not shown in figures, as it is sufficiently clearly described and conceivable.

The roofs <NUM> such placed and accessories are during transportation thus practically situated in central part of the container <NUM> and closed by pair of supporting frames <NUM> from both sides. It is preferred, in order to maintain standard dimensions of the container <NUM>, especially in the case of ISO container, when outer side of the outer supporting frame <NUM> does not project out over the outline of the container <NUM>.

After the roof <NUM> with beams <NUM> is unfolded, free end of the beams <NUM> is attached, with known anchoring members, to the opposite side of the structure, i.e. to the auxiliary frames <NUM>, or to the opposite supporting frame <NUM>. Afterwards, the roof <NUM> is attached on the periphery with commonly available attaching means used for canvas type roofs, usually to the edges of the shelter <NUM> structure, which are in this case the container <NUM>, supporting frames <NUM> and auxiliary frames <NUM>. Possible ways of attaching of roof <NUM> periphery vary upon requirements for waterproofing, air-proofing, time of installation and other conditions, while their embodiment, if it is over the entire periphery, does not influence functionality of the assembly itself.

In the case, a floor is also a part of the container <NUM>, preferably coiled on a roll inside the container <NUM>, it is unrolled as the first to protect the roof <NUM> against dirtying of its inner side. Afterwards, the roof <NUM> is unfolded on the floor and further work continues as described in preceding paragraph.

Roof beams <NUM> are then inflated, thereby stretching the roof and strengthening the entire structure of the shelter <NUM>. Inflating the beams <NUM> is carried out in known ways form known sources of compressed air, for example by means of standardized compressor hoses and connectors from a compressor or air cylinder, if appropriate by means of electric blower and similar.

It is not necessary, however appropriate for the sake of thoroughness, to mention that when building the shelters <NUM> on both sides of the container <NUM>, it is advisable to at least open the supporting frames <NUM> from the container <NUM> on both sides of the container <NUM> simultaneously due to optimal mass balance.

Short sides of the container <NUM>, that is front and rear walls, can be provided by swivelling wall serving as access floor, onto which an inflatable tent can be folded during transportation, or they can be provided by regular access doors, or technical equipment can be placed onto one of the sides, either permanently placed outside on holders, or during transportation, placed inside the container <NUM> and closed by the wall of the transportation container.

Another example of embodiment of expandable container shelter according to this technical solution described hereinafter is shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In this example of embodiment, the bottom structure of the shelter <NUM> composed basically of the container <NUM>, supporting frames <NUM> and auxiliary frames <NUM>, is substantially identical with that as described above in the example of embodiment according to <FIG> and <FIG>. Instead of inflatable beam <NUM>, the support <NUM> is provided as solid beam. Various knows forms of arcuate, bent or straight beams, made of metal, composite, wood, or other suitable material can be used as the solid beam <NUM>.

In the case of use of solid beams <NUM>, arcuate or bent, which upper edge is longer than roof span, that is the distance between longitudinal edge of the container <NUM> and auxiliary frames <NUM>, or between the supporting frames <NUM>, i.e. arcutate or bent beams, it is expected that material of the roof <NUM> folded or rolled separately without the beams <NUM>.

During installation of the roof <NUM>, the beams <NUM> are attached to the bottom structure of the shelter <NUM> and the roof <NUM> is stretched upon their surface, or in suspended configuration, the roof <NUM> is pulled to the beam <NUM>, or the beams <NUM> are installed from the underside as the last ones and the entire roof <NUM> is stretched by pushing the beams <NUM> into their given position on the bottom structure of the shelter <NUM>. Also, as schematically shown in <FIG>, the roof <NUM> can be installed between the beams <NUM> by means of Keder slid into a luff groove provided in the beams <NUM>. These mentioned ways of installation of the roof <NUM> can also be similarly used with the inflatable beams <NUM>.

Another example of embodiment of expandable container shelter according to this technical solution described hereinafter is shown in <FIG>.

In this example, straight beams <NUM> are used whose upper edge has approximately the same length as is the roof <NUM> span, that is in this example the distance between the supporting frames <NUM>. The roof <NUM> is permanently attached to the beams <NUM> and is stored inside the container in folded or so called accordion shape. In such case, installation would be most preferably carried out by unfolding the roof <NUM> by means of a guiding rail or groove in the supporting frames <NUM> guiding the ends of straight beams <NUM>.

In this example of embodiment, the supporting frames <NUM> can be shaped as shown in <FIG>. It is preferred then, in order to increase rigidity of such structure to provide the supporting frames <NUM> at their end with members <NUM> for securing their horizontal position, e.g. in the form of legs.

Further, in this example of embodiment according to <FIG>, in the case of connecting of free ends of the supporting frames <NUM> with the auxiliary frame <NUM> at least in the form of horizontal beam <NUM>, the roof supports <NUM> can be arranged parallel to the supporting frame <NUM>. Then, the roof <NUM> would unfold by means of guiding rail or groove on the container <NUM> and the auxiliary frame <NUM>.

Example of embodiment of expandable container shelter according to this technical solution, where the supporting frames <NUM> are placed in closed configuration inside the container <NUM> in one plane and maximal value of the sum of lengths of the supporting frames <NUM> is equal to the value of the inner length of the container <NUM>, is shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

In the example of embodiment shown, length of the supporting frame <NUM> is equal to the half of the inner length of the container <NUM>. The supporting frames <NUM> can be provided as extendable. It means that sliding extension part <NUM> is slid in the supporting frame <NUM>, which, after the supporting frame <NUM> is opened, slides out and extends the supporting frame <NUM> by the length of this extension part <NUM>. This particular embodiment is shown in <FIG>.

Claim 1:
Expandable container shelter, where this container comprises elements pivotally connected to the container in vertical mounts at the ends of a longitudinal side of the container, provided for creating a structure designed for extending the inner space of the container to a shelter connected with this container at the longitudinal side of the container characterized in that the elements provided for creating the structure designed for extending the inner space of the container (<NUM>) to the shelter (<NUM>) connected with this container (<NUM>) are at least on one longitudinal side of the container (<NUM>) composed of one pair of supporting frames (<NUM>), where each supporting frame (<NUM>) comprises at least one horizontal beam (<NUM>), wherein the supporting frame (<NUM>) has length in the range up to a dimension equal to i the inner length of the container (<NUM>), where the expandable container shelter further comprises shelter (<NUM>) roof (<NUM>) supports (<NUM>), which are inflatable beams connected to the supporting frames (<NUM>).