INTRODUCTION

This invention relates to dormitory modules and in particular relates to freestanding modular sleeping accommodation .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In temporary accommodation, or budget hotels and hostels there is often a need to sleep a plurality of people in a single room, usually called a dormitory.

The problem with dormitories is a lack of privacy and security. Furthermore, these days, people that use budget accommodation, such as backpackers, carry a variety of electrical goods such as cameras, phones, iPods et cetera many of which need a source of mains power to operate or to at least recharge batteries. In disasters such as bushfires, earthquakes and tsunamis there is often a need for temporary

accommodation, this need often extends to converting sheds, halls, barns and warehouses into temporary sleeping and living accommodation.

It is these issues that have brought about the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a dormitory module comprising components erectable from a flat pack to define a free standing wall structure of interconnected panels to define an enclosure with an open side arranged to be closed by a screen or door, at least one of the wall panels being pre wired to lighting and at least one power socket whereby assembly of the panels completes an electrical circuit from the lighting and power socket to an outlet lead that can be coupled to a main supply to provide power to the module.

The module may also include a storage/divider that is partially movable to provide access to the bed.

In a preferred embodiment the bed is in the form of a double bunk and the storage/divider unit extends outwardly from the middle of the bed to provide on either side access to one half of the double bunk.

The enclosure is preferably rectangular with one open side with an overhead bar extending across the top of the open side. The overhead bar preferably supports a curtain that can be pulled across to close off the

enclosure .

Preferably, the panels are pre-wired to carry switches and power sockets and adjacent edges of the panels may have electrical couplings that inter fit when the panels are abutted end to end to electrically connect one panel to the adjacent panel.

The storage/divider may be secured to the enclosure and includes storage areas and at least one safe .

In a preferred embodiment the panels that make up the wall structure are constructed of melamine lined particle board with at least one longitudinal edge

carrying appropriate fastening means to enable adjacent panels to be secured in an abutting relationship.

In one embodiment the enclosure has a base including a shower base and at least one wall supports a shower head and tap, the enclosure being closed off by a roof structure that incorporates an extractor fan. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dormitory module in a fully assembled configuration, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the module viewed from a different angle to Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the module illustrating displacement of a storage/divider unit,

Figure 4 is a plan view of the module shown in Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a storage unit/divider,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a frame of the dormitory module, Figures 7A, B and C are elevational views of sides of the frame showing soft wiring connections,

Figures 8A and B are perspective views showing soft wiring junction boxes,

Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the assembly of inner wall panels to the framework,

Figure 10 is a partial view showing the joining of two frame members, Figure 11 is a sectional view illustrating the location of adjustable feet for the frame member,

Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view showing assembly of outer wall panels,

Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view showing assembly of wall capping, Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment comprising a free standing modular shower unit;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the assembled unit from the rear;

Figure 16 is a side elevational view of the unit;

Figure 17 is a sectional view of the unit taken along the lines AA of Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a detailed plan view of the condenser; Figure 19 is a side elevational view of the condenser; and

Figure 20 is a perspective view of the unit with the condenser exploded;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The dormitory module 10 according to a first embodiment is shown in Figures 1 to 13 of the accompanying drawings. The module is designed so that its components can be assembled from a flat pack, not shown. Figures 1 to 13 illustrate the dormitory module 10 in an assembled configuration. The module 10 essentially comprises a free standing wall structure 20 defining an enclosure 11 in which is positioned a bed 30 and a storage/divider unit 40. The wall structure is assembled from a series of rectangular panels 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 that abut end to end to define two ends 21 and 22, a closed side 23, and an open side 24. The wall structure 20 is free standing so that the base is an open structure that stands on the floor. The top 26 of the enclosure is also open. The open side 24 has a cross member 28 positioned across the top that supports a curtain 29 that can be pulled across to close off the open side 24.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 13, the bed 30 is in the form of a double bunk having an upper level 31 and a lower level 32. The head of the bed 30 is located adjacent the end wall 22 and the foot of the bed is adjacent the other end wall 22. One side of the bed 30 abuts the side wall 23 of the enclosure 20.

The storage/divider unit 40 is elongate and rectangular structure that is secured to the bed 30 via a hinge 50 and can be bolted to the bed 30 via a padlock bracket 51. Each corner of the base of the structure is mounted on castors 41 allowing the structure to be moved from the position shown in Figures 1 and 2 to an open position shown in Figures 3 and 4 that provides access to the bed 30. Each storage unit 40 comprises a series of trays or mesh end panels 42 on open shelves to provide storage. The base of the divider includes at least one safe 43 that is secured to the divider and is opened through a combination lock 44. The divider 40 is designed to fit against the mid-span of the bed 30 and has a width that fills the gap between the edge of the bed and the front of the enclosure. The height of the divider 40 equates to the height of the module 10.

The front curtain 29 instead of extending totally across the front of the unit extends from each side to meet the divider 40 to provide privacy from the exterior. A second curtain 35 may be positioned between the foot of the bed and the divider on a rail 36 secured to the top of the wall structure and an upright extending from the bed 30. This rail supports the curtain 35 that can be pulled across the end of the bed. In this manner, one occupant can gain access to the upper bunk from the right hand side of the divider 40 and the other occupant can obtain access to the lower bunk via the curtain at the foot of the bed. This provides privacy between two occupants of the same dormitory module 10.

In a module of this kind each occupant has access to opposite sides of the divider 40 to place clothing and other personal belongings. Two safes 43 are positioned one on top of the other so that one safe is accessible from one side. The castor wheels 41 allow the divider 40 to be displaced through 45° as shown in Figures 3 and 4 to increase access to the bed 30. As shown in Figure 5 the offset hinge 50 and the padlock bracket 51 allows the divider 40 to be secured to the bed and only releasable by unlocking of the padlock (not shown) .

The wall panels 11-16 comprise four wide panels 12, 13, 14, 15 that are joined to two narrower panels 11, 16.

The assembly of the panels is illustrated in Figures 6 to 13. As shown in Figure 6 the panels 11 to 16 include a series of rectangular zinc plated steel frames 69 that are bolted together to form the open rectangular enclosure. The frames 69 are formed of vertical struts 60 that are joined by top and bottom cross members 61 and 62 and parallel bracing struts 63, 64. The frames 69 are bolted together at the top and bottom and are covered on both sides by panels in the form of melamine coated chipboard. As shown in Figure 9, inner panels 65 are secured to the framework through use of double sided tape and are then held in position by vertical aluminium hat sections 70 that locate within the join between the panels. Figure 10 shows a cross-section of the hat section 70. A rectangular channel 71 sits in the gap between adjacent panels 65 and a pair of lateral flanges 72 and 73 rest against the outside of the flanges. A plastics covering 74 fills the gap between the flanges. The lower cross member 62 of the frame 69 supports screw threaded adjustable feet 80 to allow the frame to be evenly supported on a floor surface.

Figure 12 shows the attachment of outer frame members 82 to the metal framework 69, again by the use of double sided tape. Similar hat sections 70 as those shown in Figure 13 are used to join adjacent panels as shown in Figure 15B. In Figure 13, the assembly is finished by screw fixing of cappings to the exposed vertical sides 85, 86 and upper edges 87 and 88.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the wiring that is pre-positioned in the frame. The wires 90 in each frame member terminate in plugs 91 and sockets 92 that are shown in Figures 8A and 8B can be clipped together and located within the frame to conceal the wiring from the exterior. The switches, light sockets and other electrical

appliances are pre-positioned in the wiring loom and when the external panels are attached to the framework

appropriate holes are positioned so that the electrical appliances project from the exterior of the assembly.

Figure 8A shows a junction box assembly 94 positioned at the base of the unit whilst Figure 8B shows a single wiring connection 95.

As shown in Figure 3, the panels 13, 14 of one side 23 have a power socket 54 and a switch 55. The panel 15 behind the head of the bed 30 carries two wall mounted lights 56, 57.

The narrower panel 16 adjacent the bed head has a mirror 58 and a number of electrical sockets 89 to allow use of a number of electrical appliances. There are many other modifications and alterations that can be positioned in the module such as coat hooks, retractable clothes lines, and additional mirrors. A fold away table 60 can be positioned adjacent the bed to be used as a charging station and the electrical power sockets can provide mains power, data and telecommunications.

By soft wiring some of the panels that make up the module, the module can have a single power outlet which then can be plugged into a power board to provide mains power, telephone and data to each module. It is further understood that the lighting can incorporate step down transformers to allow use of LEDS running on 12 volts DC. Reading lights will be positioned to illuminate both bunks of the bed and each bunk would have access to power sockets and switches.

The construction of the panels and the use of the cross member in the open side gives the free standing wall structure sufficient rigidity to provide a sturdy free standing unit in which the bed can also be free standing. In a preferred embodiment, each module measures 2.1 metres by 1.8 metres and stands to a height of 2.3 metres. The wall panels are preferably made out of chipboard with a laminex or melamine finish in bright colours. The

melamine or laminex finish is specifically designed to allow the walls to be washable. The bed, which in the preferred embodiment is a double bunk, has each bunk of a king single size to provide access for a couple if

necessary.

A second embodiment is shown in Figures 14 to 20 and comprises a modular shower unit 110 designed to be erected from a flat pack. The shower unit is constituted by a rectangular frame 120 which has longer sides 111, 112 that merge into an end wall 113 with an open front wall 114 along which can be secured a hinged door 115. The base 116 of the framework supports a shower base 121 and the top of the enclosure is closed off by a rectangular ceiling panel 122 which is covered by a cover member 123.

The frame 120 is constituted by a series of metal beams that are secured together to define a tall

rectangular enclosure, shown with particular reference to Figures 18 and 19. The frame is covered by side walls 131, 132, 133 of melamine sheeting that is secured to the frame beams. One side wall 132 carries a vanity basin 135 and a mirror 136, a showerhead 137 and a tap 138. The vanity 135 and mirror unit 136 also has a tap 139 and there is a supply of hot and cold water that is fed to the taps and the showerhead 137.

It is understood that the unit may be supplied by separate sources of hot and cold water or, alternatively, can be supplied by a single cold water supply which is fed to the showerhead and/or basin through an electric water heater (not shown) . The underside of the vanity basin and the underside of the shower are coupled to conventional grey water outlets through standard air traps. A P-trap 141 is usually positioned under the shower base 121 and sits between the underside of the shower base and the base 116 of the frame 120. The underside of the base 116 is provided with level adjusters 145 to ensure that the shower base 121 is level to produce adequate drainage.

The rear wall 113 of the enclosure is closed off by a panel 133 that supports a small square-shaped window 146. An exhaust fan and light 150 is positioned in the centre of the ceiling panel 122 and the exhaust fan 150 is ducted out to the exterior through the cover 123. The modular unit is designed to be erectable from a flat pack and is designed in a manner that specialist skills are not required to complete the assembly. Thus the panels are pre-wired with sockets interconnecting the panels and the single power outlet so that the stand-alone shower unit can be simply plugged into a source of

electricity. The water supply lines and the connectors to the taps, showerhead and basin are provided to be simple clip on assemblies which do not require the expertise of a plumber .

In the embodiment shown in Figures 18 to 20, the same free standing shower cubicle has a different roof structure, namely the ceiling plate 122 incorporates a condenser 170. An inline fan 171 draws the steam

condensation in the shower up through a steam duct 172 to pull the air through a filtering unit 173 that is an inclined rectangular drip tray 174 with parallel

perforated aluminium mesh filters 175 through which the air is drawn. This causes the condensation to condense on the barriers 175 and drop down into the drip tray 174 which has an outlet drip line 177 at one end that causes the water to flow back down into the shower drain. The air, after passing through the aluminium mesh filters 175, can then pass through a carbon filter 180, that is a filter of carbon granules which removes odours and other air impurities. A hepa-filter 181 can also be positioned after the carbon filter 180 to remove dust, fluff and debris. Both the carbon filter 180 and the hepa-filter

181 require periodic maintenance and cleaning. The inline 171 fan is driven by an electric motor (not shown) and the condenser 170 finally terminates in an air outlet 185 which is covered by a grill 186. The condenser 170 operates to ensure that any steam or condensation has the water content removed before the air leaves to the

atmosphere. In this way, the shower unit 110 does not cause a build up of condensation in the room in which it is located.

A further optional feature of the condenser is the provision of a cold water radiator 190 at the start of the filtering process. This radiator is fed by a cold water inlet 191 from the shower unit and exits out back to the shower or vanity unit to ensure that there is a loop of cold water flowing through the radiator 190. The radiator cools down the incoming steam or condensation and further enhances the condensing process. The fact that the module can be assembled from a flat pack allows modules to be easily distributed in times of emergency. The panels are coupled together in a simple manner and the electrical couplings are arranged so that there is no need for an electrician to assemble the unit.

It is understood that the dimensions and detail of the modules would vary in accordance with taste and demands. In a more sophisticated unit it is possible to incorporate a toilet with either a removable waste

container, or adapted to be coupled to a waste outlet. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.