EP0407536B1 - Extendable rigid structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A structure comprising a first fixed chamber (11) and at least a second chamber (12) encompassing the fixed chamber (11), whereby the second chamber is located so as to be able to slide transverely relative to the axis of the fixed chamber in order to extend the internal volume of the structure. The sliding chamber, or each such chamber, is advantageously located on a structure which slides on rolling means (29). The extendable structure can be moved in the form of a trailer or a semi-trailer (1) or is transportable in the form of a container.

Description

The present invention relates to a rigid construction which offers an expandable interior space and which, if necessary, can be moved in the form of a trailer or a semi-trailer or be transported in the form of a container.

The activities carried out in various fields such as culture, sport, medicine, civil protection, education sometimes require the temporary use of a confined space offering a sufficient useful volume and, in any case, greater than that that a bus, coach, semi-trailer or container would provide, for example. Examples include a mobile medical office, a mobile command center, a traveling movie theater, a traveling exhibit room, a mobile clinic, etc.

In the current state of the art, the required useful spaces can be achieved by the construction of constructions in flexible material, for example a tent, or by the construction of constructions in rigid material, for example barracks, bungalows, containers, etc. The construction of constructions of this kind requires many manipulations and does not quickly offer the final space required for the desired use.

To achieve the extension of the useful space, the intervention of a workforce which can be important (for example the assembly of a tent), the execution preparatory work (for example the pouring of a slab or bases under barracks) or multiple and often delicate manipulations (for example the assembly and adjustment of containers).

By US-A-3719386 is known a rigid extensible construction comprising two telescopic boxes, the first box having at least one open side face and the second box having an open side face so as to at least partially fit the first box, said first box being mounted on a fixed support frame.

The purpose of the present invention is to meet market demand by proposing a rigid construction which, from an initial space imposed by particular conditions, for example transport regulations (size of a container or of a ordinary convoy), quickly creates a larger useful space by requiring only the intervention of a single person.

In accordance with the invention, a rigid extensible construction is proposed comprising at least two telescopic boxes, the first box having at least one open side face and the second box having an open side face so as to at least partially fit the first box, said first box being mounted on a fixed support frame while the second box is mounted on cross members sliding along cross members of the fixed support frame between a retracted position and a deployed position, the cross members carrying a floor, and the frame of fixed support carrying drive means for sliding the sliding crosspieces along the crosspieces. The crosspieces on which the or each second box is mounted carry a floor comprising a horizontal part fixed on the crosspieces and a pivoting part articulated on the fixed part, said pivoting part of the floor being raised to a practically vertical position when the or each second box is in the retracted position, and said pivoting part pivoting about a horizontal axis when said second box is in the deployed position so that the aforementioned pivoting part comes to rest on the crosspieces.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sleepers carrying the or each second box rest at their outer end on rollers rolling on rolling sleepers sliding inside fixed sleepers suspended from said fixed support frame, the ends of the traveling sleepers being provided with retractable crutches intended to support the rolling crosspieces when these are deployed. The roof of the first box is suspended from the roof of the or each second box by pads fixed along one or each lateral edge of the roof of the first box, said pads being housed in slides formed along the inner face of the roof of the or each second box, so that when a second box slides relative to the first box, its roof slides on said pads.

A particular embodiment comprises for the or each second box, crosspieces carrying brackets on which are fixed the side walls and the roof of the box.

The envelope of each second box can be formed with support means forming an integral part of the envelope. It can also be self-supporting.

In an embodiment comprising two sliding boxes, in which a box is mounted for slide laterally on each side of the fixed box, the roofs of the two second boxes overlap when they are in the retracted position, the roof of each second box overlaps the roof of the first box when the second boxes are in the deployed position.

The crosspieces carrying the floor of the first box are mounted on lifting means so that said floor is in the raised position when the or each second box is in the retracted position while the floor of the or each second box is housed below said floor, and in such a way that said floor is brought to a lowered position when the or each second box slides towards its deployed position, the floor of the or each second box in the deployed position extending said floor in the lowered position. The floors can advantageously be mounted on vibration damping devices.

The constructions according to the invention can be put in place and deployed without the intervention of qualified labor and without the use of materials or expensive or non-standardized components. In addition, the constructions according to the invention can be implemented both under normal environmental conditions and under restrictive conditions (very low temperature, presence of toxic gases, etc.).

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the envelope of each sliding box can consist of a shell of any rigid material, made in one piece placed and fixed on the brackets by enveloping them. Advantageously, each rigid shell can be formed so that the brackets or any other support structure are an integral part thereof. The shells could also be self-supporting and made integral with sliding means.

In the retracted position, a construction according to the invention forms a space delimited by a compact parallelepipedic envelope which makes it possible to move it in the form of a semi-trailer or a trailer or to transport it by boat, helicopter, truck, railroad iron, in the form of a container.

The interior space of the construction is suitable for a wide range of applications and can contain a large quantity of various materials within the constraints of constraints imposed by the initial volume, these materials being ready to be used as soon as the construction is deployed on square.

An exemplary embodiment in accordance with the invention is described in the following with the aid of the attached drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a construction according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a top view, broken away, of the construction of Figure 1, in the deployed position.

FIG. 3 shows, on an enlarged scale, a sectional view along line III-III of FIG. 1.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing the construction in the deployed position.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an exemplary sliding mechanism used in the construction according to FIGS. 3 and 4.

Figure 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the construction according to the invention.

An exemplary construction in accordance with the invention is shown in FIG. 1. This construction is in the form of a semi-trailer 1 coupled to a motor tractor 2. The structure of construction 1 according to the invention is arranged, as we will see it in detail later, so that the construction is extendable by simple lateral translation on both sides of the longitudinal axis of the coupling as shown in Figure 2. The interior volume can thus be enlarged in a ratio of 1 in the transport position at 2.5, for example in the deployed position for use on site.

The extensibility of the construction is ensured thanks to a particular structure which is described in what follows. The general structure consists of a fixed box 11 mounted here on side rails 13 forming a supporting frame and at least one box movable in translation relative to the fixed box, in this case two side boxes 12 visible in Figures 2 and 4 in particular.

The fixed box 11 comprises a structure made up of two gantries 14 (a front gantry and a rear gantry), and of several parallel sleepers 15 fixed on the side members 13. The sleepers 15 are for example hollow profiles serving as slides for sliding sleepers secured to a mobile box. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, the fixed box further comprises several second crosspieces 16 (FIG. 3) arranged under the first crosspieces 15 to serve as slides for rolling crosspieces to support the sliding structures when they are deployed (see figure 4). A central floor 17 is integral with the fixed structure.

The dimensioning of beams and crosspieces, in particular their cross section, is determined by the load and the conditions of use.

Each mobile box 12 is mounted on a structure to make it slide relative to the fixed box. In the example illustrated, the box 12 is mounted on several brackets 22 fixed on sliding crosspieces 21 are mounted to slide along or inside fixed crosspieces 15. Rolling boxes such as the box 29 (see FIG. 5 ) are advantageously provided to facilitate sliding. The brackets 22 are interconnected by spacers 23. When the sliding crosspieces 21 are deployed, they are preferably supported by rolling crosspieces 26 sliding in the fixed crosspieces 16. The crosspieces 21 roll on the rolling crosspieces 26 by means of rollers 27. The ends of the crosspieces of bearing 26 are supported by retractable crutches 28 (Figure 4).

The sliding control can be carried out by any system: hydraulic, electric, mechanical. FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an embodiment by hydraulic system. Double-acting cylinders 30 are housed inside (or next to) the sleepers 15. They are fixed to the ends of the sleepers 15 and 21 and to the brackets 22. Their total travel corresponds to the maximum deployment of each sliding structure. The cylinders are supplied through a flow divider (not shown) intended to allow movement of the walls strictly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chassis.

It goes without saying that the extensible construction according to the invention need not necessarily comprise two sliding boxes 12 and be extendable on both sides of the fixed box 11. The extensibility can be provided on one side only by means of a single box sliding 12 as illustrated for example in FIG. 6.

The fixed roof is connected at the front and at the rear to the fixed structure 11 and is supported by the upper branches of the brackets 22. The flow of rainwater is provided towards the front and the rear of the construction.

When the construction is in the retracted position (transport position), the side roofs 25 overlap and cover the central roof 19 (Figure 3). This is suspended from each side roof 25 by means of pads 31 housed in slides 32 formed in the inner face of the side roof 25. The inner edge 33 of the roofs 25 is provided with a pad provided for sliding on the roof. that it overlaps.

When the movable boxes 12 are slid to deploy the extensible construction (FIG. 5), their roofs 25 slide on the aforementioned pads 31 and the pad with which the inner edge 33 of each of these roofs is provided slides on the roof with which he cooperates. Preferably, the pads on the inner edges 33 of the roofs 25 slide on a piece of fiction fixed on the roof of the underlying box. In the deployed position (Figure 4), the roofs 25 of the movable boxes 12 overlap the roof 19 of the fixed central box.

Compressible seals are advantageously provided as well as a decompression chamber.

At the front and rear ends of the construction, the vertical walls of the movable boxes slide relative to the central vertical wall, overlapping in the transport position. Compressible seals and decompression chambers are also provided.

The envelope of each box can consist of rigid panels made integral with the respective structures. Materials, dimensions, shapes and insulation are chosen according to the application concerned. Openings can be provided in the walls for doors, windows, skylights or others depending on the applications.

The floors can be equipped with all the material necessary for the application concerned and the layout of the interior space can be freely chosen according to the application, but within the limits of the constraints imposed by the initial volume in the retracted position. It is thus possible to set up exhibition stands with a central circulation corridor or lateral circulation corridors, to arrange a reception area and various activity or meeting areas, to arrange seats for a conference or film projection room, to name a few typical examples.

The floors, which are integral with the fixed and mobile structure (s), can be mounted in various ways depending on the material to be fitted to the interior space. Depending on the case, the floor of each mobile box 12 can be articulated on the structure of the box so as to be able to be raised by pivoting when the mobile box is to be retracted.

In an application in which equipment must be installed on the floor of the fixed box, for example seats for a conference or projection room, the floor 17 of the fixed box 11 can be mounted on lifting means (for example hydraulic cylinders ) allowing this floor to be raised when the construction must be retracted (see Figures 1 and 3). The or each floor 20 then slides with the movable box 12 of which it is integral so as to be housed under the central floor 17 then raised. The floors can be mounted on vibration damping devices.

An advantageous advantage of the construction according to the invention lies in its rapid operational installation and without requiring skilled labor. Installation does not require absolute flatness of the laying surface. The unevenness of the surface can be compensated for by adjusting the horizontality of the floor by a system of crutches resting on the supporting structures. This compensation system can be operated by mechanical or hydraulic control.

Another advantage of the construction according to the invention is that, after installation and use on a site, it can be retracted so as to reduce its size to dimensions allowing it to be moved or transported by current means.

An example of application of the invention is the realization of a traveling cinema hall. A closed tray, as long and as wide as possible, making it possible to have up to 88 cinema seats can be produced from a trailer having for example a width of 6 meters. The widening of the trailer can be obtained by the manipulation of hydraulic cylinders connected to the tractor pump. The tightness between the mobile and fixed boxes is obtained by a system of integrated gutters.

After extension on site, the central floor is laid at the level of the two lateral floors. The seats can be distributed on the central floor and on the side floors. During the retraction, the central floor is raised hydraulically above the level of the seats lining the side floors and the seats fixed on the side floors are brought back with the side floors under the central floor then raised, by the translation of the sliding structures ( see figure 3). The lateral floors then take the place of the central floor. When the construction is in the retracted position, the central floor rests on stops integrated into the brackets.

The dual advantage of this system is to have a large number of available places in a reduced footprint during itinerant trips and to have constantly fixed seats and therefore not requiring a long period of implementation. The operation of the assembly is of the order of 15 minutes.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the envelope of each sliding box can consist of a shell of any rigid material, made in one piece placed and fixed on the brackets by wrapping them. In an interesting embodiment, each rigid shell can be formed so that the brackets or any other support structure are an integral part thereof. The hulls could also be self-supporting and made integral with the sliding means.

The example described in the foregoing is an example given by way of illustration and the invention is in no way limited to this example. Any modification, any variant and any equivalent arrangement must be considered to be within the scope of the invention.

Thus, for example, the construction can be carried out without rolling equipment and be in the form of a container or an expandable seated construction.

Claims (8)

1. Extendible rigid construction comprising at least two telescopic box units (11, 12), the first box unit (11) having at least one open lateral side and the second box unit (12) having an open lateral side so as to telescope at least partially over the first box unit (11), the first box unit (11) being mounted on a fixed supporting chassis (13-15), characterized in that the second box unit (12) is mounted on slidable crossbars (21) capable of sliding along the supporting chassis crossbars (15) between a retracted position and an extended position, the crossbars (15) carrying a floor (17), the fixed supporting chassis (13-15) carrying driving means (30) for causing the slidable crossbars (21) to slide along the crossbars (15), and in that the crossbars (21) on which is mounted the or each second box unit (12) carries a floor (20) comprising an horizontal section fixed to the crossbars (21) and a pivotable section hinged to the fixed section, said pivotable section of the floor (20) being raised in a substantially vertical position when the second or each second box unit (12) is in retracted position, and said pivotable section being pivoted about an horizontal axis when said second box unit is in extended position whereby said pivotable section comes to rest on the crossbars (21).
2. Extendible rigid construction as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the crossbars (21) carrying the second box unit (12) are resting at their outer extremities on rollers (27) arranged to roll on rolling crossbars (26) capable of sliding inside fixed crossbars (16) hanging from the fixed supporting chassis (13-15), the extremities of the rolling crossbars (26) being provided with retractable legs (28) for supporting the rolling crossbars (26) when the latters are in extended position; and in that the roof (19) of the first box unit (11) is suspended from the roof (25) of the second box unit (12) by means of pads (31) accommodated in sliding channels (32) formed in the internal surface of the roof (25) of the second box unit (12) such that when a second box unit (12) is made to slide relative to the first box unit (11), the roof thereof is made to slide on said pads (31).
3. Extendible rigid construction as defined in claim 1 or 2, comprising a second telescoping box unit (12) mounted to slide laterally on each side of the first box unit, characterized in that the roofs (25) of both second box units (12) cover each other when said second box units are in retracted position, the roof (25) of each second box unit (12) overlapping the roof (19) of the first box unit (11) when the second box units are in extended position.
4. Extendible rigid construction as defined in either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the crossbars (15) carrying the floor (17) of the first box unit (11) are mounted on lifting means arranged to raise said floor (17) when the second box unit (12) is in retracted position, while the floor (20) of the second box unit (12) is accommodated beneath the floor (17), and to bring said floor (17) towards a lowered position when the second box unit (12) is made to slide towards its extended position, with the floor (20) of the second box unit (12) in extended position being level with said floor (17) in lowered position.
5. Extendible rigid construction as defined in either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floors (17, 20) are laid over vibration damping devices.
6. Extendible rigid construction as defined in either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting chassis (13-15) is equipped with at least one train of wheels.
7. Extendible rigid construction as defined in either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the crossbars (21) on which is mounted the second box unit (12) carry brackets (22) to which are fixed the lateral walls and the roof of the box unit.
8. Extendible rigid construction as defined in either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the casing of each box unit (11, 12) is self-supporting.

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