SHIPPING CONTAINERS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a modular accommodation system and, in particular, to a modular accommodation system constructed from shipping containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is known to use shipping containers to provide portable and prefabricated modular accommodation systems. For example, United States Patent Application Publication Number 2011/0162293, which was published on July 7, 2011 in the name of Levy et al., discloses a volumetric module that can have all of its exterior claddings, windows, doors, interior finishes, cabinetry, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and roofing installed and completed in the factory to minimize work to be completed in the field. There is also provided a method to protect the fully finished building module during transport with a series of demountable transport panels. The finished and protected building module is transported to a site utilizing the intermodal shipping network or by different modes of shipping and transportation. At the building site, the finished building module is placed on a foundation or other form of support. The transport panels are removed from the module to reveal a fully finished building module suitable for use as a habitable building both in singular use as well as the creation of a larger habitable building by joining finished building modules at the building site. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved modular accommodation system constructed from shipping containers which can create buildings with dwelling spaces of varying sizes.

[0004] There is accordingly provided a modular accommodation system comprising a first module and a second module. The first module and the second module each has spaced-apart end walls, a first side wall extending between the end walls and a second side wall extending between the end walls opposite the first side wall. The first side wall of each module is removable. There is a plurality of partition walls which are spaced- apart between the end walls and define a plurality of interior spaces of each module. Each of the interior spaces has fittings which are typical of a specific type of room of a dwelling. The first module and the second module are connectable to one another when the first side wall of the first module and the first side wall of the second module are removed. The first module and the second module have different and complementary fittings such that when the first module and the second module are connected together, at least one dwelling space is formed. The end walls of the first module and the second module may be aligned with one another when the first module and the second module are connected together. [0005] The modular accommodation system may further comprise a third module having spaced-apart end walls, a first side wall extending between the end walls and a second side wall extending between the end walls opposite the first side wall. The first side wall and the second side wall of the third module are both removable. There is a plurality of partition walls which are spaced-apart between the end walls and define a plurality of interior spaces of the third module. Each of the interior spaces of the third module has fittings which are typical of a specific type of room of a dwelling. The first module, the second module and the third module are connectable to one another when the first side wall of each of the first module, the second module and the third module are removed and the second side wall of the third module is removed. The first module, the second module and the third module have different and complementary fittings such that when the first module, the second module and the third module are connected together, at least one dwelling space is formed.

[0006] The fittings of one of the modules may be typical of a bedroom and may include at least one of a bed and a desk. The fittings of one of the modules may be typical of a bathroom and may include at least one of a toilet, a sink, a shower and a tub. The fittings of one of the modules may be typical of a recreation room and may include at least one of a television and a sofa. The fittings of one of the modules may be typical of a kitchen and may include at least one of a stove, a countertop and a sink. The fittings of one of the modules may be typical of a hallway and may include at least one of an entry or exit door and a staircase. The fittings of one of the modules may be typical of a hallway and may include a shaft for housing plumbing, electrical and mechanical components.

[0007] There is also provided a method of constructing a modular accommodation system including a first module and a second module, each module having spaced- apart end walls, a first side wall and a second side wall extending between the end walls, and a plurality of partition walls which are spaced-apart between the end walls and define a plurality of interior spaces of each module, wherein at least one of the side walls of each module is removable. The method comprises removing a removable side wall of the first module and removing a removable side wall of the second module. The first module is positioned relative to the second module such that each one of the interior spaces of the first module is aligned with a corresponding one of the interior spaces of the second module which has complementary fittings typical of a specific type of room. The first module and the second module are connected together, whereby the interior spaces of the first module and the second module are merged to form at least one dwelling space.

[0008] The method may include removing a first removable side wall and a second removable side wall of a third module. The third module may be positioned relative to the first module and the second module such that each one of a plurality of interior spaces of the third module, which is defined by a plurality of spaced-apart partition walls, is aligned with a corresponding one of the interior spaces of at least one of the first module and the second module which has complementary fittings typical of a specific type of room. The first module, the second module and the third module may be connected together, whereby the interior spaces of the first module, the second module and the third module are merged to form at least one dwelling space.

[0009] The modules may be connected together by bolting together the end walls of the modules. The end walls of the modules may be connected together with a connector plate. The modules may also be connected together by bolting together the partition walls of the modules. The modules may be disconnected from one another and the side walls of each module may be reattached.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The invention will be more readily understood from the following description of the embodiments thereof given, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Figure 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a first embodiment of an improved modular accommodation system showing roofs and walls of modules thereof partly broken away; [0012] Figure 2 is a top plan view of the modular accommodation system of Figure 1 showing the modules spaced-apart;

[0013] Figure 3 is a top plan view of the modular accommodation system of Figure 1 showing the modules connected together; [0014] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 3 showing a connection between end walls of adjacent modules;

[0015] Figure 5 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the modular accommodation system of Figure 1 showing the modules of Figure 4 connected by a connector plate; [0016] Figure 6 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the modular accommodation system of Figure 1 showing the modules of Figure 5 connected by the connector plate;

[0017] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of another portion of Figure 3 showing a connection between adjacent modules; [0018] Figure 8 is a top plan view of an alternative layout of the first embodiment of the improved modular accommodation system;

[0019] Figure 9 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of an improved modular accommodation system showing modules thereof spaced-apart;

[0020] Figure 10 is a top plan view of the modular accommodation system of Figure 9 showing the modules connected together;

[0021] Figure 11 is a top plan view of a third embodiment of an improved modular accommodation system showing modules thereof spaced-apart;

[0022] Figure 12 is a top plan view of the modular accommodation system of Figure 11 showing the modules connected together; [0023] Figures 13A to 13X are top plan views showing various layouts of the modular accommodation system shown in Figure 1 ; [0024] Figures 14A to 14F are top plan views showing modular accommodation systems similar to that shown in Figure 1 connected together;

[0025] Figures 15 A to 15H are top plan views showing other modular accommodation systems similar to that shown in Figure 1 connected together; [0026] Figure 16 is an exploded, perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an improved modular accommodation system; and

[0027] Figure 17 is a fragmentary, end view of the modular accommodation system of Figure 16.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Referring to the drawings and first to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a first embodiment of an improved modular accommodation system 10. The modular accommodation system 10 includes a first type of module, for example, bedroom modules 12a and 12b. The modular accommodation system 10 also includes a second type of module, for example, bathroom modules 14a and 14b. The modular accommodation system 10 further includes a third type of module, for example, a hallway module 16. The modules may be shipping containers or may be constructed from shipping containers. The bathroom module 14a is disposed between the bedroom module 12a and the hallway module 16 in this example. Similarly, the bathroom module 14b is disposed between the bedroom module 12b and the hallway module 16 in this example. The bedroom modules 12a and 12b are substantially the same in structure and function. Accordingly, only the bedroom module 12a is described in detail herein with the understanding that the bedroom module 12b has substantially the same structure and functions in substantially the same manner. Likewise, the bathroom modules 14a and 14b are substantially the same in structure and function. Accordingly, only the bathroom module 14a is described in detail herein with the understanding that the bathroom module 14b has substantially the same structure and functions in substantially the same manner. [0029] The bedroom module 12a includes spaced-apart end walls 18 and 20. There is a first side wall 22 extending between the end walls 18 and 20. The side wall 22 is removable and has a greater length than the end walls 18 and 20 in this example. A second side wall 24, shown partly broken away in Figure 1, extends between the end walls 18 and 20 opposite the side wall 22. The side wall 24 also has a greater length than the end walls 18 and 20 in this example. There is a plurality of partition walls, for example partition walls 26a, 26b and 26c, which are spaced-apart between the end walls 18 and 20. The partition walls 26a, 26b and 26c are substantially parallel to the end walls 18 and 20 in this example but may be at different angles to the end walls 18 and 20. The bedroom module 12a also includes a roof 28, shown partly broken away in Figure 1, and a floor 30. The end walls 18 and 20, the side walls 22 and 24, and the partition walls 26a, 26b and 26c together define interior spaces, for example interior spaces 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d, in the bedroom module 12a. The interior spaces may be furnished with fittings such as a bed 33 and a desk 35 as shown for the interior space 32a. The interior spaces may be furnished prior to transporting the modules to a site. There may be windows, for example windows 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d, in the side wall 24 of the bedroom module 12a corresponding to the location of the interior spaces 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d respectively.

[0030] The bathroom module 14a includes spaced-apart end walls 36 and 38. There is a first side wall 40 extending between the end walls 36 and 38. The side wall 40 is removable and has a greater length than the end walls 36 and 38 in this example. A second side wall 42 extends between the end walls 36 and 38 opposite the side wall 40. The side wall 42 also has a greater length than the end walls 36 and 38 in this example. There is a plurality of partition walls, for example partition walls 44a, 44b and 44c, which are spaced-apart between the end walls 36 and 38. The partition walls 44a, 44b and 44c are substantially parallel to the end walls 36 and 38 in this example but may be at different angles to the end walls 36 and 38. The bathroom module 14a also includes a roof 46, shown partly broken away in Figure 1, and a floor 48. The end walls 36 and 38, the side walls 40 and 42, and the partition walls 44a, 44b, and 44c together define interior spaces, for example interior spaces 50a, 50b, 50c and 50d, in the bathroom module 14a. The interior spaces 50a, 50b, 50c and 50d may include additional partition walls to form smaller spaces within. For example, the interior space 50a includes partition walls 51a and 51b which define a bathroom 53. The interior spaces 50a, 50b, 50c and 50d may be furnished with fittings such as a toilet 55, a sink 57 and a shower 59 as shown for the interior space 50a. There are doors, for example doors 52a, 52b, 52c and 52d in the side wall 42 of the bathroom module 14a, which allow passage into and from the interior spaces 50a, 50b, 50c and 50d respectively.

[0031] The hallway module 16 includes spaced-apart end walls 56 and 58. There is a first side wall 60, shown partly broken away in Figure 1, extending between the end walls 56 and 58. The side wall 60 is removable and has a greater length than the end walls 56 and 58 in this example. A second side wall 62 extends between the end walls 56 and 58 opposite the side wall 60. The side wall 62 is also removable and has a greater length than the end walls 56 and 58 in this example. The hallway module 16 does not include partition walls which are spaced-apart between the end walls 56 and 58 in this example but may include partition walls in other examples. The hallway module 16 also includes a roof 64, shown partly broken away in Figure 1, and a floor 66. There may be one or more shafts, for example shafts 68a and 68b, in the hallway module 16 which extend between the roof 64 and the floor 66 for housing plumbing, electrical and mechanical components. Plumbing, electrical and mechanical components may also be housed underneath the respective floors 30, 48 and 66 of the bedroom module 12a, the bathroom module 14a and the hallway module 16. There may be one or more doors, for example, doors 70a and 70b in the respective end walls 56 and 58 of the hallway module 16 to allow passage into and from the modular accommodation system 10.

[0032] The modules in this example have substantially the same dimensions. Accordingly, the end walls of the modules have the same lengths and the side walls of the modules have the same lengths in this example. Furthermore, the partition walls of the modules in this example are positioned to align with the partition walls of adjacent modules. This causes the interior spaces to be dimensioned or positioned within the modules so as to fit together as described below. However, it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the modules in the modular accommodation system may have dimensions different from one another.

[0033] Referring now to Figure 3, the bedroom module 12a is shown with the side wall 22 removed, the bathroom module 14a is shown with the side wall 40 removed, and the bedroom module 12a and the bathroom module 14a are shown connected together. The end walls 18 and 20 of the bedroom module 12a are generally aligned with the end walls 36 and 38 of the bathroom module 14a when the bedroom module 12a and the bathroom module 14a are connected together in this example. The bedroom module 12a and the bathroom module 14a are connected at the end walls 18 and 36 by one or more bolts, for example, bolt 13 as shown in Figure 4. The bolt 13 is received by apertures 15 and 17 in respective flanges 19 and 21 which extend inwardly from respective columns 23 and 25 of the end walls 18 and 36. The bedroom module 12a and the bathroom module 14a are also connected at the end walls 18 and 36 by one or more connector plates, for example, connector plate 27 as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The connector plate 27 is substantially rectangular in this example but may be other shapes. The connector plate 27 includes projections 29 and 31 which are generally cylindrical in this example but may be other shapes. The projections 29 and 31 are received by respective openings 33 and 35 in the columns 23 and 25 which are complementary in shape to the projections. The bedroom module 12a and the bathroom module 14a are connected at the end walls 20 and 38 in substantially the same manner.

[0034] Referring back to Figure 3, the partition walls 26a, 26b and 26c of the bedroom module 12a are generally aligned with the partition walls 44a, 44b and 44c of the bathroom module 14a when the bedroom module 12a and the bathroom module 14a are connected together in this example. The bedroom module 12a and the bathroom module 14a are connected at the partition walls 26a, 26b, 26c, 44a, 44b and 44c by bolts, for example, bolts 37 and 39 as shown for the partition walls 26a and 44a in Figure 7. The bolts 37 and 39 are received by respective apertures 41 and 43 in a flange 45 extending from a column 47 in the partition wall 26a. The bolts 37 and 39 are also received by respective apertures 49 and 51 in a flange 53 extending from a column 55 in the partition wall 44a. The bedroom module 12a and the bathroom module 14a are connected at the partition walls 26b, 26c, 44b and 44c in substantially the same manner. The bedroom module 12b and the bathroom module 14b are connected together in substantially the same manner as described above for the bedroom module 12a and the bathroom module 14a.

[0035] Referring back to Figure 3, the interior spaces 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d of the bedroom module 12a and the interior spaces 50a, 50b, 50c and 50d of the bathroom module 14a are merged when the bedroom module 12a and the bathroom module 14a are connected to form corresponding dwelling spaces 72a, 72b, 72c and 72d. The dwelling spaces 72a, 72b, 72c and 72d are self-contained units of accommodation which may be used by one or more households. The dwelling spaces 72a, 72b, 72c and 72d are fully equipped and furnished in this example.

[0036] The hallway module 16 is shown in Figure 3 with the side walls 60 and 62 removed and connected to the bathroom modules 14a and 14b. The end walls 56 and 58 of the hallway module 16 are generally aligned with the end walls 36 and 38 of the bathroom module 14a and end walls 74 and 76 of the bathroom module 14b when the hallway module 16 is connected to the bathroom modules 14a and 14b in this example. The hallway module 16 is connected to the bathroom modules 14a and 14b in substantially the same manner as described above for the bedroom module 12a and the bathroom module 14a. The hallway module 16 functions as a corridor when connected to the bathroom modules 14a and 14b, and allows passage into and from the dwelling spaces. The side wall 24 of the bedroom module 12a and a side wall 78 of the bedroom module 12b function as exterior side walls of the modular accommodation system 10 when all the modules are connected together. [0037] The removable side walls may be reattached to the modules before transporting the modular accommodation system to another site. This allows the modules to be transported separately for convenience and cost-effectiveness. Once the modules have arrived at the next site, the side walls of the modules may be removed again to connect the modules together as described above.

[0038] The number of dwelling spaces in a given modular accommodation system can be varied by changing the number of partition walls which are spaced-apart between the end walls in each module. The sizes and layouts of the dwelling spaces in a given modular accommodation system can also be varied by spacing apart the partition walls of the modules at different distances between the end walls. For example, as shown in Figure 8, the partition walls 44a, 44b and 44c of the bathroom module 14a may be spaced-apart between the end walls 36 and 38 such that the interior spaces 50a and 50d are larger than the interior spaces 50b and 50c. The partition walls 44a and 44c of the bathroom module 14a accordingly do not align with the partition walls 26a and 26c of the bedroom module 12a in this example.

[0039] Referring now to Figures 9 and 10, there is shown a second embodiment of an improved modular accommodation system 210. The modular accommodation system 210 is generally similar to the modular accommodation system 10 shown in Figures 1 to 8 with the exception that the modular accommodation system 210 includes a fourth type of module, for example, recreation modules 215a and 215b. The recreation module 215a is disposed between a bedroom module 212a and a bathroom module 214a in this example. Similarly, the recreation module 215b is disposed between a bedroom module 212b and a bathroom module 214b in this example. The recreation modules 215a and 215b are substantially the same in structure and function. Accordingly, only the recreation module 215a is described in detail herein with the understanding that the recreation module 215b is substantially the same in structure and functions in substantially the same manner.

[0040] Referring first to Figure 9, the recreation module 215a includes spaced-apart end walls 217 and 219. There is a first side wall 221 extending between the end walls 217 and 219. The side wall 221 is removable and has a greater length than the end walls 217 and 219 in this example. A second side wall 223 extends between the end walls 217 and 219 opposite the side wall 221. The side wall 223 is also removable and has a greater length than the end walls 217 and 219 in this example. There is a plurality of partition walls, for example partition walls 225a, 225b and 225c, which are spaced-apart between the end walls 217 and 219. The partition walls 225a, 225b and 225c are substantially parallel to the end walls 217 and 219 in this example but may be at different angles to the end walls 217 and 219. The end walls 217 and 219, the side walls 221 and 223, and the partition walls 225a, 225b and 225c together define interior spaces, for example interior spaces 227a, 227b, 227c and 227d, in the recreation module 215a.

[0041] The side walls 221 and 223 of the recreation module 215a are removed to connect the recreation module 215a to the bedroom module 212a and the bathroom module 214a as shown in Figure 10. A side wall 222 of the bedroom module 212a and a side wall 240 of the bathroom module 214a, shown in Figure 5, are also removed to connect the recreation module 215a to the bedroom module 212a and the bathroom module 214a as shown in Figure 10. The end walls 217 and 219 of the recreation module 215a are generally aligned with end walls 218 and 220 of the bedroom module 212a and end walls 236 and 238 of the bathroom module 214a when the recreation module 215a is connected to the bedroom module 212a and the bathroom module 214a. The partition walls 225a, 225b and 225c of the recreation module 215a are also generally aligned with partition walls 226a, 226b and 226c of the bedroom module 212a and partition walls 244a, 244b and 244c of the bathroom module 214a when the recreation module 215a is connected to the bedroom module 212a and the bathroom module 214a in this example. The interior spaces 227a, 227b, 227c and 227d of the recreation module 215a, interior spaces 232a, 232b, 232c and 232d of the bedroom module 212a and interior spaces 250a, 250b, 250c and 250d of the bathroom module 214a are merged when the recreation module 215a is connected to the bedroom module 212a and the bathroom module 214a to form self-contained dwelling spaces 229a, 229b, 229c and 229d. The bedroom module 212b, the recreation module 215b and the bathroom module 214b are connected together in substantially the same manner.

[0042] Referring back to Figure 9, a first side wall 260 and a second side wall 262 of a hallway module 216 are shown. The side walls 260 and 262 are removed to connect the hallway module 216 to the bathroom modules 214a and 214b as shown in Figure 10. End walls 256 and 258 of the hallway module 216 are generally aligned with the end walls 236 and 238 of the bathroom module 214a and end walls 274 and 276 of the bathroom module 214b when the hallway module 216 is connected to the bathroom modules 214a and 214b. The hallway module 216 functions as a corridor when connected to the bathroom modules 214a and 214b, and allows passage into and from the respective dwelling spaces 229a, 229b, 229c and 229d and 231a, 231b, 231c and 23 Id. There may be one or more doors, for example, doors 270a and 270b in the respective end walls 256 and 258 of the hallway module 216 to allow passage into and from the modular accommodation s ystem 210.

[0043] Referring now to Figures 11 and 12, there is shown a third embodiment of an improved modular accommodation system 310. The modular accommodation system 310 is generally similar to the modular accommodation system 10 shown in Figures 1 to 8 with the exception that the modular accommodation system 310 includes a bedroom module 312, a bathroom module 314 and a hallway module 316. The bathroom module 314 is disposed between the bedroom module 312 and the hallway module 316 in this example. A first side wall 322 of the bedroom module 312 and a first side wall 340 of the bathroom module 314, shown in Figure 11, are removed to connect the bedroom module 312 to the bathroom module 314 as shown in Figure 12. Referring back to Figure 11, a second side wall 342 of the bathroom module 314 and a first side wall 360 of the hallway module 316 are shown. The side walls 342 and 360 are removed to connect the bathroom module 314 to the hallway module 316 as shown in Figure 12. However, a second side wall 362 of the hallway module 316 is not removed. Instead, the side wall 362 of the hallway module 316 functions as an exterior wall of the modular accommodation system 310.

[0044] Figures 13A to 13X show various layouts of the modular accommodation system disclosed herein. The modular accommodation system may include different numbers of modules. The modular accommodation system may also include modules with different numbers of partition walls to create dwelling spaces of different sizes with different interior space layouts. Figures 14A to 14F show examples of multiple modular accommodation systems as disclosed herein connected together to form a variety of different combinations of layouts. However, these examples are not intended to be limiting. The modular accommodation systems may be connected together to form rows. The modular accommodation systems may also be aligned or slightly offset along a longitudinal axis. Figures 15A to 15H show examples of multiple modular accommodation systems as disclosed herein having different configurations and which are connected together. These examples demonstrate that the modular accommodation systems can be connected together to form various and complex layouts but are not intended to be limiting. The modular accommodation systems may be connected in a U- shaped configuration as shown in Figures 15G and 15H. The modular accommodation system may accordingly be used to build residential complexes with multiple buildings to accommodate, for example, a community of residents.

[0045] Referring now to Figures 16 and 17, there is shown a fourth embodiment of a modular accommodation system 410. The modular accommodation system 410 is generally similar to the modular accommodation system 10 shown in Figures 1 to 8 with the exception that the modular accommodation system 410 includes a second level 102 of modules. The second level 102 of modules in this example includes bedroom modules 482a and 482b, bathroom modules 484a and 484b, and a hallway module 486. The second level 102 of modules is stacked on top of a first level 100 of modules such that like modules are vertically aligned. For example, as best shown in Figure 17, the hallway module 486 of the second level 102 of modules is stacked on top of a hallway module 416 of the first level 100 of modules. The hallway module 486 may have one or more shafts, for example shafts 431a and 431b, extending between a ceiling 488 and a floor 490 which house plumbing, electrical and mechanical components for the second level 102 of modules. Similarly, the hallway module 416 may have one or more shafts, for example shafts 468a and 468b, extending between a ceiling 464 and a floor 466 which house plumbing, electrical and mechanical components for the first level 100 of modules. The shafts 431a and 431b of the hallway module 486 may be aligned with the shafts 468a and 468b of the hallway module 416 when the hallway module 486 is stacked on top of the hallway module 416. The hallway module 416 also includes a staircase 480 to allow access to the second level 102 of modules from the first level 100 of modules. The modules may accordingly be stacked on one another to form modular accommodation systems with multiple layers. [0046] It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that many of the details provided above are by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is to be determined with reference to the following claims.