The invention relates to multiple occupancy accommodation. More particularly the invention relates to such accommodation intended for temporary occupation as in an hotel or motel or the like.

It is known to provide a module for accommodation by building a frame and locating panel members within the frame. It is necessary to reinforce the frame at appropriate locations to ensure that loads are transferred or isolated as required. Typically the frame members are of large volume and weight. Such technology is exemplified by WO-A-82/03418, GB-A- 2266907, GB-A-2039561 and WO-A-94/16160. While such technology is suitable for its purpose it is not suitable for structures which are to be assembled at one site, dismantled, transported to another site and then reassembled.

Hotels and motels are expensive to erect and maintain. They are usually located on expensive land (or if they are on remote cheaper land the hotel guest or the hotel itself has to pay transport costs from a central location to the hotel). It is one object of this invention to provide relatively cheap temporary accommodation which can readily be moved from

site to site when appropriate.

According to the invention in one aspect there is provided an accommodation module which is substantially free of a reinforcing frame and comprises an elongate floor, two

sidewalls, two end walls and a roof portion, the module being sufficiently large to provide a room at each end, an intermediate portion including a transverse passage in between the two rooms, a frame member bounding the passage and a window being present in each end wall wherein the walls comprise lengths of generally planar sheet metal supported at the corners by angle members whereby the side walls define a monocoque structure.

Preferably each side wall and end wall is made up of two parallel lengths of planar sheet metal typically galvanised alloy steel, held by rivets fixed to ribs which are spaced apart along the lengths. The walls may be of plastics coated steel aluminium, fibreglass or the like.

Most preferably internal members and/or external members are present to reduce the risk that the planar walls will move and so to provide stiffness. Such members may take the form of vertical bars and/or horizontal bars. As a practical matter it is necessary to secure two elongate sheets together to form each side wall. This is done by rivets secured to vertical ribs whose purpose is not to act as a bracing frame but to stiffen the sheets against deflection. The sheets can be made of relatively thin sheet from say less than about 1.7 mm thick. When the side walls are subjected to wind forces the riveted joints ensure that the load is applied across the full area of the stressed skin and there is no separating of the sheets one from another. Adhesives or other securing means may be used instead or in

addition to rivets.

Preferably the comer members are made of hot rolled angle steel. In a preferred feature the frame member bounding a passage is made up of four sides each side element being of L section and arranged so that one leg of the L faces inward behind the other element. The frame member preferably has built up sides made of hot rolled steel and the comers are full penetration butt weld joints.

Preferably the roof comprises generally parallel longitudinal roof lengths each comprising two overlapping sheets with reinforcing ribs, one roof length overlapping the other and sealing mastic being present to seal the joint.

Preferably one or each end portion incorporates a connector whereby one module may be mounted on another such module in vertical alignment.

Preferably a module of the invention has a length of 7 to 16 metres, typically about 9 metres, a height of about 2.4 to about 3 metres and width of about 2.6 to 3.6 metres.

It will be noted that the invention in its preferred embodiment provides a system of connecting modules or boxes constructed primarily from cold rolled sheet steel of preferably approximately 1.5 mm thickness, such modules being inherently very rigid thus requiring no bracing when being lifted and transported. The modules are monocoque structure i.e. with no structural frames with only four vertical comer angle members taking vertical loads and two picture frame members transferring differential loads. In use the primary vertical loads are transferred through the vertical angle members at each comer

connected e.g. riveted, to the sheet skin whereby working in concert with the sheet steel skin such angle members are restrained and prevented from buckling and can therefore be designed with minimal cross sectional area. For this reason they can be of angle section and no thicker save in exceptional circumstances. As a result of the monocoque structure the whole of the centre of the two long sides can be removed (for a corridor space connecting the modules) and differential loads can be transferred uniformly by the picture frame member (made up of angle section) riveted to and working in concert with the sheet steel skin. The modules span between their extreme comers transferring bending loads through the sheet steel sidewalls which acts as a stressed external skin. Because in a building the modules are connected only at the external comers, one module can be moved without dislocation or collapse and without transferring loads of magnitude detrimental to adjacent modules. Noise and vibration transfer between modules is minimised because the modules are connected at the comers only.

Neighbouring modules may be joined at their comers using different connectors in a variety of ways, for example by a simple push in connecting device made up of either of a 'pad' of dense rubber approximately 160 min x 80 m x 12 mm thick with two steel locating pins passing through the rubber and projecting either side of the mbber for reception in sockets in the comers of the modules, or a steel plate of similar size having pins set in dense rubber

grommets.

In another aspect the invention provides a method of mounting one module of the invention on top of another, the method comprising engaging the intermediate portion of one module and lifting the one module above the other module by lifting means releasably engaged with the intermediate portion.

Preferably the lifting means is a crane with lifting chains passed within and connected to the intermediate portion, e.g. by lifting eyes or the like.

The invention extends to such a building comprising a plurality of modules each arranged in side by side relation. In another aspect the invention provides a multiple occupancy accommodation building comprising at least one column of modules, each according to the invention.

Preferably the column is made up of four modules, and adjacent columns are linked together. Up to seven levels of module can be stacked in a column.

For economy and ease of assembly and disassembly it is preferred that the base module is located approximately 1 metre above the ground. This leaves a gap beneath the lowest module and the ground where all vertical services are collected to run laterally. Preferably outer continuous elongate members such as skirts are present to hide the gap and to give the building a unitary appearance.

It is a much preferred feature of this invention that the module be made of as few components as possible. To that end the module comprises one elongate floor element extending the full length of the module; two sidewalls of equal length and having therein a cavity for the passage or corridor; at least one roof portion extending the length of the module; and two end portions. In one method of the invention of assembling a module the parts are laid out on a base and then the sidewalls and end walls are presented to the respective sides of the module floor raised and then secured together by the comer members. The central frame members are inserted into the corridor openings to provide the necessary strength and lifting capability, following which the roof element, which is

preferably in two halves is added.

In order that the invention may be well understood it will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a partial exploded perspective view of one accommodation module;

Figure 2 is an elevation of one outer comer of the module of Figure 1 showing a connector for joining the module to one above;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a building made up of modules of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a plan view of two parallel modules showing four bedrooms;

Figure 5 is a partial exploded perspective view of another accommodation module of the invention;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the module of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a partial side elevation as Figure 6 drawn to enlarged scale; and

Figure 8 shows schematically a method of making the module of Figure 5.

The module M of Figure 1 is made of two identical end portions 1, and a central box frame member 2. Each end portion is a square section structure having identical side walls 3. The portion also has a floor 4 and roof 5 only part of which is shown. Each side wall is made up of two parallel lengths 6, 7 one above the other of planar sheet metal, typically galvanised alloy steel. The lengths measure 3.75 metres long x 1.2 metres high and 1.6 mm thick. Ribs 8 made up of hollow stmts of channel section steel are spaced apart along the lengths, and held thereto by riveting. These ribs hold the two lengths together. The ribs 8 measure 2.4 mm long and 70 mm deep. The ribs 8 are spaced 450 mm apart. (These dimensions are given by way of illustration and are not crucial to the invention.) The side walls and the end walls defined are a monocoque structure, i.e. a single layer having internal reinforcement which is self-supporting, the outer skin of which is rigid and will resist stresses and be deformation resistant even in the absence of any external frame.

An end wall 9 is present at the outer end of each portion and comprises a steel sheet structure the same as the side walls but a round window 10 is present. The end wall 9 is joined to the adjacent ends of the side walls 3 by riveting of an outer L-shaped vertical length or angle bracket 11 on the outside and by riveting together of ribs 8 in the comer on

the inside.

The floor 4 of each end portion is made of edge lengths 12 and an upper skin 13 and lower skin (not shown) containing a length of corrugated length of steel 14. The roof 5 has the same structure as the walls.

The frame member 2 is a box made up of lengths 20 of steel square section riveted or otherwise joined together at their junctions. The inner end of the lengths 1 are joined to the opposite sides of the frame. The ribs 8 at each end of the walls 3 are shorter to define a gap to receive the bridging lengths 20 and the cross beams 21. Connectors 16 are present as required. In this way a substantially unitary structure is formed.

As shown in Figure 2, a socket 22 is present in the comer of the module and a multi part pin 23 is long enough to be received in the underlying comer socket 22 and that in the module above (not shown). These are dimensioned so that when one module is stacked on another the modules are vertically aligned by reception of the pin in the sockets. One module is lifted on to the other by connecting a chain to the frame and lifting it using a crane. Side bolts 24 may be received in the pin assembly to lock parts in place. As also

shown in Figure 2, two such pins may be mounted in a plate 25 so that adjacent modules

may be engaged side-by-side.

The module M is mounted above the ground to leave a gap for service pipes etc. When modules M are arranged in rows and columns the windows 10 are aligned to give the assembly the unitary appearance of a building. To enhance this a skirt 26 are present along the top and bottom (see Figure 3). This also serves to hide the gap. One end of the building has a stairway and reception area 27, with the usual communal facilities, not shown.

The modules of Figures 1 to 4 are fitted out in a way appropriate to the intended use of the building, typically overnight ensuite accommodation. It is a preferred feature of the invention that each end portion defines sleeping accommodation and the frame 2 a corridor or passageway. An internal skin is connected to the ribs 8. As shown in Figure 4, each room has a bed 28 under the window 10, and a front door 29 adjacent which is shower/lavatory area 30. The services may be passed through the floor or ceiling. The wall 31 between the room and the corridor is curved, giving a distinctive appearance. Each door 29 is lockable, so that individual rooms may be rented out by the hour, day or the like.

A building of Figures 1 to 4 may be erected quickly and cheaply on a convenient site, including in a low cost area. A 20 module building giving a 40 bed complex may be assembled in 48 hours, as little or no site preparation is required. The building may function as an hotel, motel, barracks, sports or festival accommodation, an annexe to a

hospital or public house, refugee centre or the like. The building may be dismantled and relocated, the modules being transported in pairs on a trailer by road.

The module Ml shown in Figures 5 to 8 comprises two rooms 101 sufficiently large to provide sleeping accommodation and separated by a passage or corridor 102. Each room 101 has an end wall 103 with a window 104. A floor 105 extends the full length of the module which is some 9 metres. The module has two elongate side walls 106 each made up of two sections which extend that length and are spaced apart to have an opening 107 which is a precursor for the corridor. The roof 108 comprises two elongate longitudinal half portions 108 A, 108B.

Each wall section is made up of two parallel lengths of planar sheet metal, typically galvanised alloy steel. The lengths are held together by rivets fixed to ribs made up of hollow stmts of general section steel which are spaced apart along the lengths. (This is best shown in Figures 5 and 6). The walls define a monocoque or stressed skin structure, i.e. a single layer having internal stiffeners which resist stress and being resistant to deformation even in the absence of an external frame. The end walls 103 comprise a steel sheet structure the same as the side walls. The end wall is joined to the adjacent end of the side walls by riveting of an outer L shaped comer length 109 outside and by riveting together all

ribs on the inside.

The frame member 110 is made up of four sides each being of L section and arranged so that one leg of the L 110A faces inward behind the outer element HOB. The frame is built

up of hot rolled steel and the comers are full penetration but weld joints. The L frame wall measures 75mm x 113m x 13mm and the interior opening of the frame is 1950mm wide and 2250 mm high.

Each of the two roof length comprises two overlapping sheets with reinforcing ribs (in the same manner as the side walls) and having dependant side walls along three sides leaving the facing inner side open. One roof length overlaps the other and sealing mastic may be present to seal the joints.

The module is made by a sequence of operations shown in Figure 8. The floor assembly 105 and the longer side walls and end walls are formed and then laid alongside the floor in the proper arrangement. The walls are then lifted and connected together by the L-shaped comer members 109. The frame members 110 are then applied following which the roof sections are applied. In this simple way a module having the required strength and made of low weight materials has been formed. Such a module may be connected to others in the method described in relation to Figures 1 to 4.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. For example, plasterboard and like

materials may be added.