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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Man traditionally, in his design and construction of structures,
particularly residences, has produced basically static configurations.
They comprise an enclosure providing protection from the elements with
fixed exterior and interior walls. In the field of commercial structures
where utility controls and changing needs are recognized, demountable
partitions or walls have been used. Movable homes heretofore have been
limited principally to mobile homes, rotatable homes or panels and
changable panels. Movable structures in the form of various forms of
transportation have included movable cubicles but designed for transport
and not for living.
BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
I have invented a new architectural system based upon a skeletal structure
which supports a number of movable living units or cubicles. These units
are movable in a horizontal direction to change the exposure, appearance
and even function of the unit. All services are provided via the
supporting portion of the skeletal structure without restricting mobility.
Each unit or cubicle includes at least one movable wall which further
serves to change the exposure, appearance and function of the cubicle.
Novel self forming bannisters are formed employing flexible cables plus
cooperating pulleys on each upper level cubicle and the skeletal structure
to provide pedestrian protection on the elevated gallery.
I have further devised flexible services connection to each movable
cubicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
This invention may be more clearly understood from the following detailed
description and by reference to the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an architectural system in accordance with
this invention;
FIG. 2 is one floor plan of a residence employing the architectural system
of this invention;
FIG. 3 is a second floor plan of a residence employing the architectural
system of this invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment skeletal system of
cubicles in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 5 is a vertical section along lines 5--5 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the interior of a residence employing the
structure of FIG. 4 viewed in the direction of arrow 6 in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a perspective of a movable wall assembly and motor means with
portions broken away to show the wall moving mechanism;
FIG. 8a-8f are simplified vertical sections through a movable wall section
in accordance with this invention shown in a variety of operative
positions;
FIGS. 9-10 are simplified elevational views of a structure in accordance
with this invention including a self forming bannister illustrating a
cubicle in two positions;
FIG. 11 is a vertical section through a corner of a cubicle illustrating
the self forming bannister mechanism;
FIGS. 12a and 12b are simplified representations of the self forming
bannister illustrating its principle of operation.
FIG. 13 is a vertical section through the gallery of FIG. 1 taken along
line 13--13;
FIGS. 14 and 15 are simplified mechanical schematic representations of the
services system of this invention; and
FIG. 16 is a vertical section through a column of the structure of FIG. 1
taken along the line 16--16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The concept of this invention involves the introduction of mobility of
shape, design and function into heretofore static structures. As a result,
the pictoral representation of the full concept must be limited to a few
basic configurations and their functional as well as asthetic relationship
to each other.
Also, mobility itself, including the period of transition between one tact
and a second involves asthetics if not function. As a result, the
following representative configurations must be viewed with the concept of
mobility in mind.
DEFINITIONS
To facilitate an understanding of this invention, a number of terms used
herein and in the claims are defined. They are:
Cubicle: any form of enclosure including descrete wall sections and a
floor; a ceiling is optional.
Tact: one particular arrangement of components including its evolution.
Transition: the movement involved in a tact.
Motor means: electrical, pneumatic, electromechanical or hydraulic
actuators which provide the motive force for making transitions.
Services: electrical mains, hot and cold water piping, sewer and waste
disposal, heating and cooling inlets and discharge conduits, gas lines and
any other services as may be desired.
Gallery: an elevated, generally horizontal structure providing guidance and
support for cubicles.
Now referring to FIG. 1, the basic combination of this invention is
illustrated therein as including a skeletal structure including a primary
frame 10 made up of a pair of main columns 11 and 12 joined by an elevated
main beam 13. The columns 11 and 12 and 13 are preferably rectangular in
cross section and are available to contain services for the structure. The
beam 13 is preferably generally horizontal and at a level above the bases
14 and 15 of columns 11 and 12 equal to two levels of occupancy. When the
system of this invention is a residence, the beam 13 ordinarily defines
the top of a second level.
In such a two level structure, a second horizontal beam 16, designated the
gallery, extends between columns 11 and 12 at an elevation coextensive
with the ceiling of the first level and the floor of the second level. The
upper surface of the gallery beam 16 is a walkway 20 providing pedestrian
access along the length of the second level. A stairway 21 from the first
level, second to said beam 16, provides pedestrian access between levels.
In addition to the primary frame 10, secondary frame members 30 and 40
assist in providing structural support for the system and in defining
cubage or space constituting the living area. Where enclosures are needed
for privacy and protection from the elements, the primary and secondary
frames may support such enclosure. The secondary frame 30 includes a pair
of columns 31 and 32 joined by a pair of beams 33 and 34 with the beam 33
generally at the level of beam 13 and beam 34 generally at the level of
gallery beam 16 by a pair of cross braces 35 and 36.
Secondary frame 40 comprises columns 41 and 42 joined by upper beam 43 and
lower beam 44 at the levels of beams 33 and 34 respectively. The secondary
frame 40 is joined to gallery beam 16 by cross braces 45 and 46.
Supported from the skeletal structure are a number, for example, three
movable living units or cubicles 50, 51 and 52, all mounted for movement
in a generally horizontal direction parallel to gallery beam 16. Cubicles
50 and 52 are at the second level and supported by beams 16 and 34, and 16
and 44 respectively. Cubicle 51 is at the first level and preferably
suspended from beams 16 and 34 at a non interference level below cubicle
50 whereby each cubicle may be moved independently of each other.
It is apparent in the following figures that the cubicles 50 through 52
each include openable walls which are openable either by pivotal movement
about a horizontal axis or by vertical movement. Mechanisms by which the
walls are movable are described and shown below. Suffice it to say that
with each of the cubicles movable and each having at least one openable
wall, the appearance, view, communications and function of each cubicle
and of the entire structure may be changed at will by the resident to meet
his needs or desires. Changes of position of the cubicles and orientation
of the walls may be made to meet time of day, climatic, occupancy use or
other changing conditions. Thus, the structure or residence no longer is a
static one but mobile and variable within the confines of the skeletal
structure. The space within the structure 10 outside of the cubicles 50
through 52 is all useful living space as well. Its size, appearance, and
function also may be changed by movement of the cubicles and their walls.
Cubicle 52 is shown with a door 53 communicating with the walkway 20
whereby one may enter or leave the cubicle 52 via gallery walkway 20.
Cubicle 50 may have a similiar door or may be open to walkway 20.
It is apparent that the walkway 20, being elevated, necessitates a
bannister pair, 54 and 55, on opposite sides of walkway 20, but not
interfering with ingress or egress from cubicles 50 and 52. This is
accomplished in accordance with another aspect of this invention, namely,
a self forming bannister described below.
Another feature of this invention is visible in FIG. 1. It should be noted
that the cubicle 50 is surrounded by what appears to be a low wall 56
having overlapping wall sections 57 and 58 at the outer side of cubicle
50. These low walls 56 through 58 are secured to telescoping sub floors
below cubicle 50 which may each be extended horizontally to provide a full
floor at the second level between beams 16 and 34. These sub floors are
similar to cubicle 50 supported by the beams 16 and 34. The cubicle 52 has
a similar low wall 59.
The versatility of this invention as a residence is apparent from FIGS. 2
and 3 showing the same structure in two different tacts or positions. In
FIGS. 2 and 3 and throughout this application identical reference numerals
are given to identical elements.
Now referring to FIG. 2, a residence 100, employing a skeletal structure 10
and a plurality of cubicles 50 and 52 are shown. The residence 100 is
enclosed within shell or enclosure 101 including four walls 102, 103, 104
and 105 which are substantially self supporting. Walls 103 and 105 engage
main columns 11 and 12 respectively and walls 102 and 104 are independent
of the skeletal structure. These walls may be largely glass depending upon
the climate or of other conventional exterior materials. A roof supported
either by the walls 102 through 105 or the skeletal structure 10 is
employed with this residence 100 but unshown in the drawing.
In FIG. 2, the stairway 21 and the gallery 16 and walkway 20 are all
clearly visible. Likewise the columns 11, 12, 31, 32, 41 and 42 are
visible in FIG. 2. In this case, cubicle 50 holds a bedroom 160 and a bath
161. Side walls 162 and 163 of cubicle 50 are open and in horizontal
positions. The sub-floor 164, having walls 56 and 57, is extended
partially to provide additional living space viewable or accessible from
the bedroom 160. Access to walkway 20 is available to bedroom 160 via the
sub-floor extension 164 or via passage 165 or via sub-floor extension 166.
Below the cubicle 50 and its extensions 164 and 166, the first level may
be seen constituting other living space. The cubicle 52 includes a
subfloor extension 175 with side walls 180 and 181, all defining
additional living space. Access to the bedroom 170 is obtained via walkway
20 and corridor 182. The living space defined by subfloor 175 is open
directly to walkway 20.
It is apparent from FIG. 2 that either cubicle and its associated
extensions, when moved horizontally, change the total spacial impressions
of the space on both levels.
FIG. 3 is a floor plan of the same structure as in FIG. 2. In this case,
however, cubicle 50 is moved to the left, extension 166 is closed and
walls 167, 168 and 169 are now open, presenting a totally different
appearance in cubicle 50. Cubicle 52 now has walls 172, 173 and 174, all
open, and second extension 190, with side walls 191 and 192, is extended
to provide additional living space associated with cubicle 52.
In both FIGS. 2 and 3, a walkway extension 20a is present providing an
elevated side passage at the second level from which the asthetic features
of this invention are visible.
A better understanding of this invention is possible by the comparison of
FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawing. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the
skeletal structure 10, cubicles 50, 51 and 52, stairway 21, walkway 20
with selected movable walls open in different manners. FIG. 5 shows in
vertical section the same elements and their respective positions. The
asthetic effect to one viewing the residence from the interior is seen in
FIG. 6. The viewer's position is identified by the number 6 appearing in
FIGS. 4 and 5, and the direction of viewing by the arrow associated with
the number 6.
These figures clearly show that the movable walls may assume intermediate
and angular positions and in so doing may provide functions, (wall 200
becomes a ramp and asthetic wall 163 becomes a cantilevered ceiling.) The
boldness of the large panels add to the appearance as well. In FIG. 6, the
gallery 16 becomes a massive architectural form superimposed with the
linear bannister 54.
The broad variety of wall positions available to the occupant of structures
in accordance with this invention is apparent from the foregoing. A
mechanism for achieving the several forms of movement is illustrated in
FIG. 7. There, a typical movable wall 163 is adjoined by fixed wall
sections 260 and 261. Contained within fixed wall section 261 is a motor
262 driving a gear box 263 having three shaft output. The outer shaft 264
drives a pair of spur gears 265 and 266 on respective fixed racks 270 and
271 to move the motor 262 gear box 263 in a vertical direction within the
fixed wall.
A second shaft 272 extends coaxially with the shaft 264 through respective
slots 273 and 274 in walls 261 and 163. The shaft 272 is rigidly connected
to a rectangular box 275 within the wall 163, box 275 having relatively
broad faces transfers torsional stress to a larger area of the inside
surface of the wall 163. This transfer of torsional stress is via rollers
276 and similar rollers on the opposite side of box 275 and spaced along
its length. Rotational forces applied to shaft 272 cause rotation of box
275 which in turn causes rotation of wall 163 about the common axis of the
shafts 264 and 272.
The box 275 includes a slot on one face through which a spur gear 280
extends into engagement with a rack 281 secured to the wall 163. Gear 280
is secured to the third shaft 282 from the gear box 263. A similar spur
gear 283 and rack 284 are secured to shaft 282 and wall 163 to apply
balanced drive forces to the wall 163 when shaft 282 is rotated. The shaft
282 extends through edge slots and is journalled in additional idler spur
gear 285 in fixed wall 260. The idler gear 285 engages rack 286 to
maintain the axis of all shafts horizontal at all times. The motor 262 is
preferably an electric motor, however, pneumatic or hydraulic motors will
work as well. Controls for the gear box, unshown in the drawing, similarly
may be actuated or operate electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically to
operate the wall.
Suffice it to say that by selective operation of motor 262 in conjunction
with gear box 263, the axis of the door may be moved to the top or bottom
of the room wall as well as in an intermediate position as shown by
operation of shaft 264; the wall may be driven upward or downward by
rotation of shaft 282 and the wall may be rotated by operation of shaft
272. This allows an infinite number of positions to be produced.
FIGS. 8a- f show typical positions of wall 163 with respect to fixed wall
162 all through action of the motor 262. It should be noted in FIGS. 8a- f
that the wall height A of fixed wall 162 is slightly greater than the
maximum excursion of the movable wall 163.
Given the mobility of cubicles possible in accordance with this invention
and the centermost gallery, a need exists for a movable bannister to
protect pedestrians on the gallery regardless of the position of the upper
cubicles. FIGS. 9 and 10 show simplified versions of a structure following
this invention to illustrate the need.
In FIG. 9, a skeletal structure 10 supports the gallery 16 and stairway 21.
Cubicle 50 is shown at the right extreme position. Bannister 54 protects
the walkway 20 to the left of cubicle 50. When the cubicle is located
farther to the left as shown in FIG. 10, a need exists for a bannister
both to the left and the right of cubicle 50 and it so appears. This type
of bannister positioning is automatically accomplished employing the
mechanism of FIG. 11.
In FIG. 11, the gallery 16 and a cubicle 50 may be seen. Also, the wall of
extension 166 appears to the left of cubicle 50. The subfloor extension
164 also appears in FIG. 11. The bannister 54 may be seen as a plurality
of cables 54a, b, c and d, extending horizontally in the open space beyond
the wall 58. These cables each pass over a respective sheave or pulley
300-303 to pass downward to similar sheaves or pulleys which redirect them
horizontally under the cubicle 50. They emerge at the opposite end, pass
over similar sheaves or pulleys at the opposite side of cubicle 50 or its
extension and then extend horizontally to a fixed point of securement to
the skeletal structure. Although a single cable might be adequate,
additional cables as shown in FIGS. 9-11 give added protection and add to
the asthetics.
The bannister is self forming and effective despite movement of the cubicle
50 as illustrated in FIGS. 12a and b showing a single cable. In FIG. 12a,
it is obvious that the total length of the cable is X.sub.1 + Y.sub.1 +
X.sub.2 + y.sub.2 + X.sub.3 where Y.sub.1, X.sub.2 and Y.sub.2 are
constants (the height of the sheaves and the width of cubicle 50). In FIG.
12, X.sub.1 and X.sub.3 have reciprocally changed in length but the total
length of the cable remains constant (X.sub.1 + Y.sub.1 + X.sub.2 +
Y.sub.2 + X.sub.3) and the total X displacement is a constant X.sub.1 +
X.sub.2 + X.sub.3. Therefore, using the flexible cable or bendable
material so arranged, a self forming bannister is achieved.
SERVICES
In FIG. 13, the arrangement allowing services to be connected continuously
to each cubicle despite its mobility is illustrated. The gallery 16, as
previously indicated, provides multiple functions including the support of
cubicle 50, the suspension of cubicle 51, the provision of a walkway 20
and services. In FIG. 13, a longitudinal box girder 300 includes a pair of
tracks or guides 301 and 302 for roller assemblies 303 and 304 associated
with respective cubicles 51 and 50. Gallery 16 also includes structural
members 305 and 306 which support the walkway 20 and the lower covering
310.
A services conduit 311, such as a sewer return, is fixed to the cubicle 50
and it exits through the floor of the cubicle. It makes approximately a
90.degree. bend and extends into the gallery 16 below the walkway 20 where
it makes a 90.degree. bend to the horizontal, parallel to the direction of
travel of the cubicle 50. It thereafter is coupled to a flexible conduit
312 extending in a bight or reentrant or hairpin bend out of the page in
the drawing. The bight is retained, extended by a retractor spring 313,
engaging the bight and secured to the gallery 16. The other end of the
flexible conduit 312 is secured to fixed conduit 314 which extends through
gallery 16 to column such as columns 11 or 12 of FIG. 1. The services,
such as conduit 314, extend down through such column to the ground where
they enter the structure. The principal of operation of the services
connection is illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15.
In FIG. 14, the fixed outlet or connection 314 is shown at the bottom while
the movable conduit connection 311 is at the top, similar to sewer
connections. The flexible conduit 312 includes a bight 316 to the right at
traveler pulley 320 secured to the retractor spring 313. As seen in FIG.
15, the fixed outlets 314 and the retractor spring attachment point remain
fixed. The inlet 311 has moved with the difference taken up by the
retractor spring. The same principle is applicable to water inlet, air
conditioning and heating conduits and electrical conduits as well. The
same principle applies for suspended cubicles such as 51 of FIG. 1 except
that the conduit is inverted.
FIG. 16 is a vertical section through column 11 showing a plurality of
services extending upward therethrough. Typical services include gas mains
330, sewer lines and vent 331, electrical main 332 and water lines 333 and
334.
The above described embodiments of this invention are merely descriptive of
its principles and are not to be considered limiting. The scope of this
invention instead shall be determined from the scope of the following
claims, including their equivalents.
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