DESCRIPTION

FIELD OF APPLICATION

[0001] The present invention refers to a ship cabin structure and method of assembly of a prefabricated cabin .

PRIOR ART

[0002] It is known to provide a floating floor on the deck of a ship.

[0003] This type of floor calls for the floor surface to be separated from the deck of the ship and/or from the vertical walls of the ship structure by means of a layer of material adapted to provide acoustic insulation with regard to vibration transmission.

[0004] Generally, the floor surface is made of cementitious material or metal sheet, whereas the layer of acoustic insulating material is made of mineral wool.

[0005] The cabin structure is also made once the flooring has been placed on the deck, so that the cabin walls are also decoupled from the ship deck.

[0006] The individual walls of each cabin are then assembled one by one to build the perimeter of the cabin.

[0007] This construction technique is used often and is effective at decoupling the deck from the floor surface to reduce the transmission of structural noise between the deck and cabin and thus reduce airborne noise inside the cabin.

[0008] Although the prior art is amply appreciated and used, it is not without drawbacks.

[0009] As mentioned earlier, in areas provided with a floating floor, first the floating floor needs to be installed and then the cabin assembled.

[0010] One limitation of the prior art is that a floating floor is incompatible with the installation of prefabricated cabins.

[0011] Assembly with prefabricated cabins is particularly valuable when it is used in other areas of the ship where no floating floor is called for.

[0012] This assembly technique essentially requires that a prefabricated cabin be made and, once it has been made, it is brought on board the ship, positioned on the deck, and then locked into position.

[0013] This technique of cabin construction is particularly appealing because it keeps the tasks that need to be done on board the ship to a minimum. So, considering the high number of cabins needed on a cruise ship, for instance, the advantage it achieves is all the more obvious and significant .

[0014] As mentioned earlier, the construction technique with prefabricated structures, however, is not compatible with the floating floors of the prior art.

[0015] Indeed, in the case of a known type of floating floor it is not possible to install cabins with a prefabricated structure basically for two reasons.

[0016] First, the travel of the prefabricated cabin is impeded due to the reduced vertical space given the thickness of the floating floor.

[0017] In addition, the weight of the prefabricated cabin and the means used to move it would damage the floating floor .

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Consequently, there is a need to overcome the drawbacks and limitations cited in reference to the prior art .

[0019] For this reason, there is a need to have a prefabricated cabin structure that allows for installation on parts of the deck of a ship where a floating floor is to be used.

[0020] This would make it possible to combine the advantages of using a floating floor with the advantages of using a prefabricated cabin in the cabin assembly operations .

[0021] In addition, an additional purpose of this invention is to provide a cabin structure that makes for more effective acoustic insulation between the ship's structure and the cabin compared to prior art systems.

[0022] Yet another purpose of this invention is to provide a prefabricated cabin structure and a corresponding installation method that makes it possible to decrease the transmission of vibrations from the ship's structure to the cabin compared to the systems used in the prior art .

[0023] This need is met by a prefabricated cabin structure according to claim 1 and by a method of assembly of a prefabricated cabin according to claim 15.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Further features and benefits of the present invention will be understood more clearly from the following description of its preferred and non-limiting embodiments, in which:

[0025] - figure 1 is a schematic view of a prefabricated cabin structure according to the present invention, installed on a ship's deck;

[0026] - figure 2 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a portion of the prefabricated cabin structure according to the present invention;

[0027] - figure 3 is a cross-sectional schematic view of portions of two prefabricated cabin structures according to the present invention, placed side by side; [0028] - figure 4 shows a partial cross-sectional perspective schematic view of a portion of a prefabricated structure according to this invention;

[0029] - figure 5 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a portion of a prefabricated cabin structure according to one possible embodiment of this invention;

[0030] - figure 6 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a component of the structure shown in figure 5; and

[0031] - figure 7 shows a plan schematic view illustrated according to a plane with a cross-section parallel to the plane of a ship's deck, with a prefabricated cabin structure of a ship according to one embodiment of this invention .

[0032] The elements or parts of elements that are in common between the embodiments described below will be indicated with the same number references.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Figure 1 shows a ship cabin structure according to one embodiment of this invention, indicated as a whole with reference number 12.

[0034] Cabin structure 12 comprises at least one wall 14 provided with fastening means 16 for fastening said wall 14 to a deck 18 of a ship.

[0035] According to a possible embodiment, wall 14 may comprise an insulating layer covered with finish surfaces such as sheet metals.

[0036] The term "wall" in the present description refers to a substantially flat surface intended to divide internal spaces and which, in use, sits substantially perpendicular to the position of deck 18.

[0037] In the embodiment shown in figure 1, cabin structure 12 is shown with two walls 14, however this does not prevent the cabin structure from comprising a plurality of walls which may be consecutive to each other. For example, in the embodiment shown in figure 7, there are four walls 14 positioned to form a cabin structure 12 having a square base.

[0038] Figure 2 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of fastening means 16. Fastening means 16 comprise:

[0039] - a mounting bracket 20 adapted to be secured to deck 18;

[0040] - a connecting bracket 22 adapted to be secured at at least an edge portion 24 of wall 14; and

[0041] - at least one elastic element 26 provided between mounting bracket 20 and connecting bracket 22.

[0042] According to a possible embodiment of this invention, the mounting bracket 20 may have a C-shaped cross-section comprising two arms 28, 30 and a connection portion 32. Connection portion 32 is adapted to be secured to a deck 18 of a ship. [0043] According to a possible embodiment, mounting bracket 20 may be made of metal such as steel. If mounting bracket 20 is made of metal, it may be secured to deck 18 by means of welding, for instance. In this regard, figure 2 shows a weld bead 21 connecting the outer side surface of an arm 30 to deck 18.

[0044] As can be seen in the figures, mounting bracket 20 may be adapted to partially contain elastic element 26 between arms 28, 30 so as to protrude from mounting bracket 20 toward said connecting bracket 22.

[0045] Mounting bracket 20 may comprise a fastening bolt 34 protruding from connection portion 32 in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of two arms 28, 30.

[0046] According to a possible embodiment shown in figure

3, fastening bolt 34 may be provided with side projections 35 adapted to engage with a corresponding hole 36 on the elastic element 26. In this case the connection between fastening bolt 34 and corresponding hole 36 is an interference connection.

[0047] In one alternative embodiment, fastening bolt 34 protruding from connection portion 32 in a direction substantially parallel to that of two arms 28, 30, is provided with a threaded portion 38. Here again, elastic element 26 is provided with a hole 36 adapted to engage with fastening bolt 34. As can be seen in the example of figure 3, elastic element 26 may be locked into position on mounting bracket 20 with a nut 40 that engages with a shoulder provided on hole 36.

[0048] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, connecting bracket 22 may be provided with a C-shaped cross-section comprising a central body 42 and a first and a second branch 44, 46.

[0049] Central body 42 can be secured to edge portion 24 of wall 14 so that first and second branches 44, 46 protrude from edge portion 24. First and second branches 44, 46 are adapted to partially contain between them elastic element 26 so that it can protrude from connecting bracket 22 toward mounting bracket 20.

[0050] According to a possible alternative embodiment, connecting bracket 22 has an H-shaped cross-section comprising a central body 42 and a first and a second branch 44, 46, and a third and a fourth branch 48, 50.

Central body 42 is designed to be put in contact with edge portion 24 of wall 14 so that first and second branches 44, 46 protrude from edge portion 24. First and second branches 44, 46 are adapted to partially contain between them elastic element 26 so that it can protrude from connecting bracket 22 toward mounting bracket 20. Third and fourth branches 48, 50 are designed to at least partially contain edge portion 24 of said wall 14.

[0051] According to a possible embodiment, wall 14 is connected to connecting bracket 22 with connection means 52 provided at third and fourth branches 48, 50. Connection means 52 may, for example, be a bolt, rivets, or other elements known to a person skilled in the art.

[0052] As can be seen in figure 4 and figure 7, connecting bracket 22 and mounting bracket 20 extend in the longitudinal direction for the entire length of corresponding wall 14.

[0053] According to alternative embodiments, brackets 20, 22 could have breaks in continuity along the longitudinal length of wall 14, and be arranged in positions corresponding to each other at regular intervals, for instance.

[0054] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, elastic element 26 may be a so-called metal dowel. Advantageously, elastic element 26 may be a metal dowel with steel mesh.

[0055] Advantageously, the metal dowel is designed to ensure the non-combustibility required by the fire certification (class B) of cabin structure 12.

[0056] According to a possible embodiment of this invention, elastic element 26 may be inserted with an interference fit between arms 28, 30 of mounting bracket 20 and between first and second branches 44, 46 of connecting bracket 22.

[0057] In this way, elastic element is substantially embedded between mounting bracket 16 and connecting bracket 22.

[0058] In alternative embodiments that have been described previously in reference to possible embodiments of the mounting brackets, the elastic element may be locked in position with respect to mounting bracket 20 through the use of at least one fastening bolt 34 placed inside hole 36.

[0059] In a possible embodiment, elastic element 26 may be glued to connecting bracket 22. For example, elastic element 26 may be glued at central body 42 of connecting bracket 22.

[0060] In reference to figure 4 and figure 7, fastening means 16 will now be described in reference to the longitudinal direction in relation to edge portion 24 of wall 14.

[0061] According to a possible embodiment, fastening means

16 may comprise a plurality of elastic elements 26 along edge portion 24. Advantageously, a panel of mineral wool 52 may be provided between at least two consecutive elastic elements 26.

[0062] Advantageously, the part of mineral wool 52 in contact with central body 42 of connecting bracket 22 may be glued.

[0063] Alternatively, materials equivalent to mineral wool, which are known per se to a person skilled in the art, may be used.

[0064] According to a possible embodiment, the cabin structure can then be preassembled before being placed on the deck.

[0065] In particular, cabin structure 12 may be provided with fastening means 16 comprising a mounting bracket 20, an elastic element 26, and a connecting bracket 22 before being brought on board the ship to be installed on a deck 18.

[0066] In addition, cabin structure 12 comprising a plurality of walls 14 may be installed to make a prefabricated cabin and be subsequently positioned and assembled on a ship's deck.

[0067] An assembly method for cabin structure 12 described above will now be described.

[0068] The method for assembling a cabin structure 12 and a floating floor 56 on a deck 18 of a ship comprises the steps of :

[0069] (a) providing a cabin structure 12 of the type described above;

[0070] (b) attaching mounting bracket 20 of cabin structure 12 to a deck 18 of a ship;

[0071] (c) arranging floating floor 56 inside cabin structure 12; and

[0072] (d) fastening wall 14 to floating floor 56.

[0073] According to a possible embodiment of this invention, the floating floor comprises at least one layer of mineral wool arranged with a coating of concrete or sheet metal.

[0074] In a possible alternative embodiment, floating floor 56 may be made with at least one layer of metal mesh adapted to afford elasticity to the flooring, covered on the top with sheet metal suitable for walking.

[0075] According to a possible embodiment, between step (b) and step (c) is a step (c' ) wherein a layer of mineral wool 54 is placed between fastening means 16 and floating floor 56.

[0076] Advantageously, the layer of mineral wool 54 is built in between the wall and the floating floor to ensure class B.

[0077] Alternatively, materials equivalent to mineral wool, which are known per se to a person skilled in the art, may be used.

[0078] The advantages that are possible to achieve with the cabin structure and corresponding assembly method described above are therefore now obvious. [0079] First, the use of fastening means 16 between wall 14 and deck 18, of a type comprising an elastic element, affords a noteworthy reduction in low-frequency noise.

[0080] In particular, considering the use of a metal dowel with metal mesh, an average attenuation of between 5 dB and 10 dB is achieved in the low-frequency range (50 Hz to 200 Hz) compared to a conventional installation in which the wall is installed directly on the floating floor. Furthermore, the attenuation is just as significant at high frequencies.

[0081] In addition, a cabin structure designed to form a prefabricated cabin that allows for installation even on parts of a ship's deck where a floating floor is to be used is made available.

[0082] In this regard, the prefabricated cabin may be installed directly on the ship's deck before the floating floor is made, while still maintaining at least the insulation properties that are possible to achieve with a cabin wall installed on a floating floor using the method of the prior art .

[0083] In addition, the insulation properties are increased even more compared to a floating floor installation.

[0084] In this way, the advantages of using a floating floor are combined with the advantages of using a prefabricated cabin in the assembly operations of a cabin .

[0085] Furthermore, with the cabin structure and in particular with a prefabricated cabin according to the present invention, it is possible to decrease the transmission of vibrations from the ship to the cabin compared to systems used in the prior art .

[0086] The assembly of prefabricated cabins on board a ship is therefore possible, including in areas that are to have a floating floor.

[0087] With respect to the embodiments described above, a person skilled in the art may, for the purpose of meeting specific requirements, modify or substitute the described items with equivalent items, without exceeding the scope of the enclosed claims .