CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to prefabricated houses and more specifically to a portable domeshaped prefabricated house able to be installed quickly and conveniently.

BACKGROUND

[0001] In general, prefabricated houses are known in a wide variety type depending on the purposes of use. In some cases, supporting structures are designed independently of the wall and roof elements, which fill out the supporting structure. Although construction is cumbersome and takes a lot of time to disassemble and reassemble, the tent walls have a simple installation process, but the shape of the tent is easily deformed by an external force.

[0002] In addition, one of the prevalent problems with prefab houses is storage space and changing the size of a prefab house easily. In the previous cases with independent supporting structures, redesigning new supporting structures to increase house space, is needed.

[0003] In order to solve the previous problem, in some cases, such as conventional dome structures, the wall elements themselves are incorporated into the house construction, but these types of prefabricated houses with curve-shaped panels are exposed to external tensions. Also, the dome structures are not capable of providing an interior living space with sufficient area, in addition, there is a problem with providing a simple strong connection between panels in a conventional dome structure.

[0004] In addition, an object of the connections of present disclosure is to be able to support various loads more firmly, while manually are releasable. SUMMARY

[0005] The following brief summary is not intended to include all features and aspects of the present application, nor does it imply that the application must include all features and aspects discussed in this summary.

[0006] The present disclosure objects to resolving the problems of the prior types of portable prefabricated homes by inventing an improved prefabricated house. In the present disclosure, assembling (reassembling and disassembling) is much easier whereas an unskilled person could easily assemble it. The easy assembling causes by using a number of high-performance simplified connection members, both on the surrounding walls or/and floor. Besides, to meet the better carrying and shipping requirements of portable prefab homes, the panels are high-density lightweight panels that also included an insulated layer to keep the temperature as desired in cold weather conditions. The disclosure provides the ability to easily change the size of the prefab house by incorporating extra side panels as well as an extra ceiling part and extra flooring pieces into the prefab house by means of said high-performance connections. Moreover, the panels have a specific design: semi-curve shape panels having angular surfaces. This specific design, in addition to providing larger internal space and withstanding powerful winds, reduces the limits of other curved-shape homes since the panel design is more proportionate to human height. Furthermore, the disclosure provides the capability of using the prefabricated house on various types of surfaces and lands such as soft base or stony ground and even a sloped surface by designing and applying different types of support bases and flooring. Moreover, the prefab body parts may be multilayered and can be thermally insulated, humidity-proof, and heat-proof against fires as high as 400

Celsius. [0007] In one general aspect, the application describes a prefabricated dome-shaped house with a new design in panels and floor, and specifically, this application discloses two simplified connection means, one for coupling side panels and another one for connecting floor panels.

[0008] The dome-shaped house according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a plurality of elongated side panels having an angular surface with a polygon shape in the cross-section view, each having a bottom end and an upper end; a support base that is coupled to the bottom end of the plurality of the elongated side panel by a plurality of ordinary connecting methods; a roof fixed on the top of the elongated side panels which can be connected to the upper end of the plurality of the elongated side panel, wherein each elongated side panel can be connected to the adjacent elongated side panel by means of a plurality of manually releasable dual connection assembly.

[0009] In one aspect, each of the plurality of dual connection assembly to coupling elongated side panels may comprise a first element and a second element, each element located along the side of one elongated side panel that is supposed to connect to each other, while each of them is positioned at a same distance from the upper end and the bottom end of each elongated side panels. Each of said first elements and the second elements might have been formed with circumferential grooves into which, a locking protrusion can be adapted. The locking protrusion in the first element may support an engaging portion comprising a fastening element which is configured to be hooked into the locking protrusion in the second element by moving the engaging portion into the circumferential groove.

[00010] In one aspect, the plurality of elongated side panels may comprise at least two layers of fiberglass and one heat insulator layer placed between two layers of fiberglass layers. [00011] In the present disclosure, two types of floors can be used depending on the type of land and ground conditions where the fabricated house is assembled and installed. Two types of floors for the flat and uneven grounds.

[00012] In one aspect, the support base for the flat grounds may comprise a plurality of floor panels where each floor panel can be connected to the adjacent floor panel by means of a plurality of double clamping assembly.

[00013] In one aspect, the plurality of floor panels could be a generally flat, plate-like element with a plurality of grooves extending through the underside of the panels. Moreover, the plurality of floor panels may comprise at least one coupling protrusion extending through the upper side edge of the floor panel.

[00014] In one aspect, the bottom end of the plurality of elongated side panels could be secured to the coupling protrusion of the floor panel through the use of a plurality of bolts.

[00015] In one aspect, to accelerate assembling the prefabricated house some of the elongated side panels could be initially molded as a double frame.

[00016] In one aspect, the double clamping assemblies are configured to couple each floor panel to the adjacent floor panels and may comprise a first part which is in a dual mode and hereinafter is called a dual first part, as well as a second part. Each dual first part may accurately be positioned on the opposite side edges at a certain and same distance of each floor panel. The dual first parts can be formed by placing two floor panels accurately side to side. The second part may comprise at least two outer elements that have an inner peripheral surface formed as a tapered surface and an outer surface which is interacting with the dual first parts while the coupling of the adjacent floor panels occurs. Moreover, the second part may comprise at least two inner elements which can be arranged between the outer elements having an outer peripheral surface formed as a tapered surface interacting with the inner taper surfaces of the outer segments, and an inner peripheral surface formed with a plurality of extending threaded bores along its circumference. The second part of the double clamping assembly may comprise at least one clamping bolt inserted through openings on the outer element into the threaded bores of inner elements. Each outer element could be locked into the dual first parts by making approach the inner elements to each other thorough tightening said clamping bolt.

[00017] In one aspect, a side panel-shaped door having a door lock and handle may connected to the adjacent elongated side panels through a hinge portion

[00018] In one aspect, a transparent skylight frame cab be formed on the upper side of side panelshaped door.

[00019] In one aspect, the roof may comprise a ceiling panel connected to the upper end of side panels and a seal ring located along the edges of the ceiling panel. Also, the roof may comprise a solar panel to supply the electricity needed in the heating and lighting systems, an angle adjustment panel, and a height adjustment bar changing the angle of the solar panel throughout the day according to the angle of sunlight. Moreover, the roof may comprise a ventilation lid controlling the inside air condition, a solar panel, a lamp, a satellite internet antenna, an AC system, an inverter, and charge controller, and electrical equipment passed through a space located proximal to the edge of elongated side panels.

[00020] In one aspect, the support base for relatively uneven grounds may comprise a chassis mounted on the ground via a plurality of expansion bolts. Moreover, the support base may comprise a resistant heavy-duty canvas connected with fasteners to the chassis. [00021] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the internal space size of the prefab house can be increased by incorporating extra side panels, extra floor panels, and at least one extra ceiling panel into the said dome-shaped house.

[00022] In one aspect, each edge of the adjacent side panels and adjacent floor panels having a weather-resistant sealing strip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00023] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present disclosure, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will now be illustrated by way of examples. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example in association with the accompanying drawings in which:

[00024] The disclosure will now be described by reference to the preferred embodiments.

[00025] FIG. 1 shows an overall view of a dome-shaped house in accordance with an exemplary and non-limiting implementation of present disclosure;

[00026] FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of an elongated side panel, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00027] FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of an elongated side panel, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; [00028] FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a dual connection assembly, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00029] FIG. 3B shows a top view of a dual connection assembly, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00030] FIG. 4A shows a top view of a support base, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00031] FIG. 4B illustrates a top view in an exploded perspective of a floor panel, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00032] FIG. 4C illustrates a bottom view in an exploded perspective of a floor panel, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00033] FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of a double clamping assembly shown in a locked or engaged condition, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00034] FIG. 5B shows a cross-sectional side view of a double clamping assembly, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00035] FIG. 5C shows a cross-sectional top view of a double clamping assembly, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00036] FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of a double elongated side panel, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00037] FIG. 7 shows a front view of a door panel connected from one side to the adjacent elongated side panel by using at least one hinger; [00038] FIG. 8 shows a front view of a skylight frame which may form on the upper side of side panel-shaped door, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00039] FIG. 9A shows a perspective view of a roof, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00040] FIG. 9B shows a front view of a roof, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00041] FIG. 10A illustrates a top view of a support base in uneven ground, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00042] FIG. 10B illustrates a top view of a chassis of support base in uneven ground, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00043] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a dome-shaped house with increasing the space of the house, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00044] FIG. 12 illustrates a front view of an extra elongated side panel added to increase the space of the house, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00045] FIG. 13 illustrates a top view of an extra support base added to increase the space of the house, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[00046] FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of an extra ceiling part added to increase the space of the house, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [00047] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present disclosure, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following discussion.

[00048] Aspects of the disclosure are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” and “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough description of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the disclosure.

[00049] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present disclosure, as to its structure, arrangement, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following discussion.

[00050] Aspects of the disclosure are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” and “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough description of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the disclosure. [00051] FIG. 1, illustrates a general perspective view of a dome-shaped house, according to one implementation, which includes general prefab elements of the dome-shaped house, mainly: a plurality of elongated side panels 10, a support base 20, a side panel-shaped door 30, a double elongated side panels 40, a roof 50, and a skylight frame 60. The prefab body parts may be multi-layered and can be thermally insulated, humidity -proof, and heat-proof against fires as high as 400 Celsius.

[00052] In further figures, the main elements are disclosed in more detail. The disclosed details are not intended to be limited to the implementations shown but is to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

[00053] As shown in FIG.2A, and FIG.2B the dome-shaped house contains a plurality of elongated side panels 10 consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, each elongated side panel 10 may have an angular surface. This angular surface in the cross-section view could have a polygon shape as shown in Fig.2B. In an exemplary embodiment, the surface of each panel may consist of sections that are not parallel to each other. The sections in an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure could be quadrilateral. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, although each panel is semi-curve, the semi-curve shape could be angular in sectional view due to its sections. In an exemplary embodiment which is illustrated in FIG.l and FIG.2A, each said elongated side panel 10 could have a lower end 13 which may couple to the support base 20, and an upper end 14 which could be connected to the said roof 50. [00054] In an ordinary embodiment, elongated side panel 10 can be connected to the adjacent elongated side panel 10 by means of a plurality of dual connection assembly 12 to form the internal space of the fabricated house.

[00055] FIG.3A and FIG.3B, clarify in more details what was disclosed generally in Fig.2A and illustrate a dual connection assembly 12 which is configured to couple one elongated side panel 10 to the adjacent elongated side panels. In an exemplary embodiment, the dual connection assembly 12 could include a first element 122 and a second element 121, each located along the opposite side edges (16a and 16b) and both elements are located at a certain distance from the upper end and the bottom end of each elongated side panels 10. In an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, each of said first elements 122 and the second elements 121 are formed with circumferential grooves 126 into which, a locking protrusion 125 could be fitted. The locking protrusion 125 in the first element 122 can support an engaging portion 123 comprising a fastening element 124.

[00056] FIG .3A and FIG.3B according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, clarify an unlocked or disengaged condition in which the fastening element 124 can be configured to be hooked into the locking protrusion 125 in the second element 121 by moving the engaging portion 123 into the circumferential groove 126.

[00057] In the disclosed disclosure, as shown in Fig.4A and further in Fig.lOA, at least two types of the support base 20 can be used depending on the type of the land and ground conditions where the prefab house is assembled and installed, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[00058] FIG.4A illustrates an ordinary embodiment of support base 20 for flat grounds, according to this disclosure with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the support base 20 could comprise a plurality of floor panels 21. In one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of floor panels 21 could be a generally flat, plate-like element with a plurality of grooves 26 extending through the underside of the panels as illustrated in FIG.4B. The size of those plurality of grooves in a floor panel might be different. Based on FIG.4A and FIG.4B, the plurality of floor panels 21 may further include at least one coupling protrusion 22 extending through the upper side edge of the panels. Mounting and securing of different support bases 20 on the ground can be accumulated by different means, in one exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, at least one bolt hole might be embedded in the plurality of floor panels as shown in FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C or an integrated floor base as shown in FIG. 4A, for receiving a fastener therethrough to mount on the ground. In such embodiment, each edge of the adjacent floor panels may include a weather-resistant seal such as rubber tape.

[00059] In one exemplary embodiment where the plurality of floor panels is used as the support base, each floor panel 21 may be connected to the adjacent floor panel via a plurality of double clamping assembly 24 as shown in Fig. 4A.

[00060] Referring back to the exemplary implementation shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B each of the coupling protrusion 22 of the floor panels 21 may comprise at least one bolt hole 11 which my configured to couple the base support 20 to the elongated side panels 10 by means of a fastening means such as a bolt, screws, or the like.

[00061] Referring back to FIG. 2A, the bolt hole and its position in the lower end 13 of one elongated side panel 10 have been illustrated. The bolt hole 11 in the coupling protrusion 22 and elongated side panel 10 can be designed and embedded in a certain position and when the bolt holes are totally consistent with each other, the base support and side panels 10 can be coupled by receiving a fastener.

[00062] FIG. 5A and FIG.5B, which clarify in more detail what has been disclosed generally in Fig.4A, illustrating the connection between the plurality of floor panels 21 wherein each floor panel can be connected to the adjacent floor panel. In this exemplary embodiment, the double clamping assembly 24 could include a first part which is in a dual mode and hereinafter is called a dual first part 241 and a second part 243. Each dual first part 241 could accurately be positioned on the opposite side edges 28a and 28b at a certain distance of each floor panel. In this exemplary embodiment, the dual first parts 241 can be formed by placing two floor panels 21 accurately side to side.

[00063] In an exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the second part 243 of the double clamping assembly 24 may include at least two outer elements 242 having an inner peripheral surface and an outer surface. In this exemplary embodiment, the inner peripheral surface could be formed as a tapered surface, and the outer surface could interact with the dual first parts 241 in coupling process between two adjacent floor panels 21.

[00064] Referring to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG.5A and FIG.5B, the second part 243 may further include at least two inner elements 245 that can be arranged between the outer elements 242. In the exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, the inner elements 245 may have an outer peripheral surface formed as a tapered surface interacting with the inner taper surfaces of the outer segments 242, and an inner peripheral surface formed with a plurality of extending threaded bores along its circumference. The second part 243 could include at least one clamping bolt 244 inserted through openings on the outer element 242 into the threaded bores of inner elements 245 as shown in FIG.5B. In this exemplary embodiment, each outer element 242 can be locked into the dual first parts 241 by making approach the inner elements 245 to each other via tightening of said clamping bolt 244.

[00065] Referring back to the exemplary implementation shown in FIG.2A each of the plurality of the elongated side panels 10 could be manufactured by using different materials such as PVC or other light construction materials. It could further comprise at least two layers of fiber glass and at least one heat insulator layer which may be placed between two layers of fiber glass layers. In one preferred embodiment, the heat insulator layer could be Styrofoam or polyurethane foam.

[00066] In other exemplary embodiment, the plurality of elongated side panels may comprise a space 15 therein located proximal to the edges to pass the electrical equipment such as an electrical wire. Each edge of the adjacent side panels 10 may include a weather-resistant seal such as rubber tape.

[00067] As illustrated in FIG.6, some of the side panels are molded initially as a double frame 40 to accelerate assembling the prefabricated house with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[00068] In an exemplary embodiment according to FIG.l and FIG.7 a side panel-shaped door 30 having a door lock and handle can be bound to the adjacent elongated side panels 10 through a hinge portion 31.

[00069] As shown in FIG.l the skylight frame 60 can be formed on the upper side of side panelshaped door 30. According to this embodiment which is shown in FIG.8 the skylight frame 60 can be connected to the adjacent side panels via at least one dual connection assembly 12 located on each of its sides. In this embodiment, the skylight frame 60 could be made of see- through material such as transparent polycarbonate. [00070] FIG.9A illustrates an ordinary embodiment of roof 50 according to this disclosure which might be in a circular shape. The roof 50 which may comprise at least one ceiling panel 51 connected to the upper end 14 of side panels. In this exemplary embodiment, the roof 50 may further comprise a seal ring 52 located along the edges of the ceiling panel 51.

[00071] The roof 50 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated in FIG.9B, may further include an angle adjust panel 531, and the height adjust bar 532 changing the angle of a solar panel 53 throughout a day according to the angle of sunlight. In this exemplary embodiment, the roof 50 may further comprise a ventilation lid 59 controlling the inside air condition, electrical equipment 54, a lamp 55, a satellite internet antenna 56, and an AC system 57, and an inverter and charge controller 58.

[00072] FIG.10A and FIG.lOB illustrate a top view of the support base in uneven ground to show more details of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In this exemplary embodiment, the support base 20 in relatively uneven grounds may include a chassis 82. In this exemplary embodiment, the support base 20 can be mounted on the ground via a plurality of expansion bolts 83. In this exemplary embodiment, the support base 20 may further include at least a resistant heavy-duty canvas 81 connected to the chassis by using fasteners such as hooks, screws, bolts, nails, clamps, or the like 85.

[00073] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated in FIG.ll, the internal space size of the prefab house can be increased by incorporating extra elongated side panels 70, extra floor panels 71, and at least an extra ceiling panel 72 into the said dome-shaped house.

[00074] FIG.12 illustrates a front view of an extra elongated side panel 70. In an exemplary embodiment, in which at least two extra elongated side panels 70 are added and connected by dual connection assembly 12 to the adjacent elongated side panels 10. [00075] FIG.13 illustrates a front view of an extra floor panel that is used in case of incorporating extra side panels to enlarge the interior space in an exemplary embodiment, at least two of the extra floor panels are added and coupled by double clamping assembly 24 to adjacent floor panels.

[00076] In an exemplary embodiment, in proportion to the enlargement of the interior space that results from adding the extra elongated side panels, the roof will no longer be circular and will become oval as shown in Fig.14.

[00077] Fig. 14, shows the expanded ceiling panel which has an oval shape which could contain inside the ordinary circular space. For enlarging internal space, the expanding floor has been predicted.

[00078] In one implemented embodiment, six double elongated side panel 40 is used in addition to the side panel-shaped door 30 and one elongated side panel 10.

[00079] The inhabitants can connect to the internet using the antenna and modem provided. For personal usage, an electrical outlet is mounted. Whenever needed, the 400-Watt electrical heating system can warm the dwelling’s indoor space.

Applying the prefab parts that can be added to the body and floor, could result in enlarging the internal area and space of the dwelling.