SPECIFICATIONAn improved portable buildingThis invention relates to portable buildings and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a portable building suitable for erection in emergency situations and conditions.
According to this invention, a portable building comprises a container for housing the component parts thereof during transportation wherein the empty container forms an integral part of the erected building.
Preferably, the extended portion of the erected building is connected to at least one wall of the container which forms the initial support structure from which the extended portion of the building is erected.
Preferably, also, the container is of rectangular shape and the extended portion of the erected building extends from and is connected to one side wall of the container.
The framework of the extended portion of the erected building, preferably, comprises rafters and stanchions wherein the rafters are of uniform length and the stanchions are of uniform length.
Preferably, the framework includes cladding rails which are of the same length as the rafters. Preferably, also, the rafters, stanchions and cladding rails are of the same shape in cross section.
The container is, preferably, adapted to contain therein during transportation, the rafters, stanchions, cladding rails and cladding panels for forming the extended portion of the erected building and the walls of the container have at least one door and at least one window formed therein.
A preferred embodiment of this invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:Figure 1 is an end elevation of an erected building;Figure 2 is a plan view of the erected portable building;Figure 3 is a plan view of an interior layout of a portion of the building formed by a container;Figure 4 is a plan view of an alternative interior layout of the portion of the building formed by the container; andFigure 5 is an end elevation of part of the framework of the extended portion of the building.
Referring now to the drawings, a portable building comprises a first portion which is formed from a container 10 of standard freight container dimensions and a second portion 12 which is erected from components which are housed in the container 10 during transportation. The walls of the container 10 are provided with one or more conventional doors 14 and windows 16 which provide access and light to the accommodation provided in the container 10 after the components for forming the second portion 12 of the building have been removed therefrom.
Two alternative arrangements of internal accommodation provided in the container 10 are shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings. The arrangement shown in Figure 3 being suitable for use as office premises where the second portion 12 of the building is to be used, for example, as a workshop or store and the arrangement shown in Figure 4 being suitable for use as living accommodation.
However, it would be appreciated that other alternative internal arrangements can be provided in the container 10 portion of the building without departing from the scope of this invention.
The second portion 12 of the building comprises a framework indicated generally at 18 in Figure 5 of the drawings, the framework 18 being formed of upright stanchions 20 of substantially a U-shape in cross section, rafters 22 having the same cross sectional shape as the stanchions 20, and cladding rails 24 also having the same cross sectional shape as the stanchions 20. The stanchions 20 are of uniform length and the rafters 22 and cladding rails 24 are also of uniform length.
The erection of the framework 18 on unprepared ground is achieved by utilising one side wall of the container 10 as the initial support structure and starting point for the erection of the framework 18.
The stanchions 20 are connected to anchors 26 of inverted T-shape fabricated from material of corresponding cross sectional shape to the stanchion material. The anchors 26 can be sunk into the ground or, where the framework 18 is being erected on stable ground such as, on rock or concrete, the stanchions 20 are secured by conventional ground engaging bolts (not shown).On erection of the framework 18, cladding sheets 28 formed of conventional building materials are secured thereto to complete the second portion 12 of the building.
The framework 18 is bolted together in conventional manner and the cladding sheets 28 are also bolted thereto. This form of construction together with unification of the lengths of stanchions, rafters and cladding rails not only facilitate speedy erection of the building but also enables the building to be dismantled, the components thereof rehoused in the container 10 and the building transported in the container 10 to another location by utilisation of conventional container transport.
1. A portable building comprising a container for housing the component parts thereof during transportation, wherein the empty container forms an integral part of the erected building.
2. A portable building according to Claim 1, wherein the extended portion of the erected building is connected to at least one wall of the container which forms the initial support structure from which the extended portion of the building is erected.
3. A portable building according to Claim 2, wherein the container is of rectangular shape and the extended portion of the erected building extends from and is connected to one side wall of the container.
4. A portable building according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the framework of
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