WO2005093181A1

WO2005093181A1 - Modular container convertible into a pre-fabricated building

Info

Publication number: WO2005093181A1
Application number: PCT/IB2005/000151
Authority: WO
Inventors: Franco Maria Leone Travan
Original assignee: TRIMED-PRO Srl
Current assignee: TRIMED-PRO Srl
Priority date: 2004-03-02
Filing date: 2005-01-21
Publication date: 2005-10-06
Anticipated expiration: 2006-09-02
Also published as: ITBZ20040001U1

Abstract

Modular container (50) convertible into a pre-fabricated building comprising a central structure (51) of substantially standardized size, and a plurality of structural elements (68-78) articulated with respect to the central structure (51) in order to be selectively arranged in a closed condition, wherein they are reciprocally folded and arranged inside the bulk of the central structure (51), or in an open condition, wherein they are arranged outside the central structure (51) in order to define the inner volume of the pre-fabricated building. The central structure (51) comprises a frame (52) consisting of a plurality of vertical metal elements (59, 60, 63, 64) and a plurality of lower and upper horizontal metal elements (57, 58, 61, 62), a main floor (55) solid with the lower horizontal elements (58, 62) of the frame (52) and a main ceiling (56) solid with the upper horizontal elements (57, 61) of the frame (52), so that the central structure (51) has a substantially parallelepiped shape, free on the four lateral sides.

Description

"MODULAR CONTAINER CONVERTIBLE INTO A PRE-FABRICATED BUILDING" * * * * * FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns a modular container convertible into a pre-fabricated building, used preferably but not exclusively as a module for setting up a field hospital, both during an emergency and also during a normalization phase. It cannot be excluded that the container according to the invention can constitute part of a mobile office for building sites, an emergency residential module or other. To be more exact,, the container according to the invention comprises a transportable central structure, with a substantially standardized size and, folded up inside, a plurality of structural elements such as walls, floors, ceilings and other, which can be selectively positioned outside the central structure using simple manual operations, in order to define the pre-fabricated building. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Modular containers are known, made by means of a plurality of structural elements, mainly metal, which are reciprocally articulated with respect to a central structure, with specific articulation systems, so as to define a closed condition with minimum bulk, and an open condition, in which they achieve a pre-fabricated building of limited size. In their closed condition, so that they can be transported by road, conventional containers are of a size that comes within that of standard containers, that is, with a length varying up to 12 m and a width of not more than 2.5 m. Moreover, in order to ensure a good structural robustness of the building defined, it is necessary that, in the open condition, the structural elements are arranged relatively near the central structure in order to reduce the possible camber of the ceiling, which consequently entails a reduction in the size of the pre-fabricated building thus defined. Therefore, conventional convertible containers are mainly used in a commercial and/or emergency residential field, where it is not necessary to introduce bulky equipment inside them, or create particularly extensive spaces. Such conventional convertible containers are not very suitable for use as an emergency medical healthcare structure, such as for example field hospitals or suchlike, since this application requires extensive spaces inside the building defined, for example to transport patients on beds or wheelchairs, or to install relatively bulky equipment, such as for example autoclaves, X-ray machines, operating rooms or other. Moreover, when used in the emergency medical healthcare field, the container must also be movable, transportable and immediately usable; it must also be completely reusable when the place where it is used is repeatedly modified. These characteristics need an equipped space inside the container, that is, the container must be complete immediately with the necessary plant engineering, equipment and apparatus, in order to reduce the times required for installation in situ. Moreover, it is still not possible to use the same containers for medical healthcare applications after the emergency phases, since this double use requires the container to simultaneously possess the different characteristics specific for each phase of use, characteristics which are often contradictory, to the extent that the market offers products intended either for the emergency only, or only for the subsequent normalization step. In this way, conventional containers only partly solve the problem of creating suitable operating spaces, but in any case, they have their limitations in size or quality, which reduce the possibility of applying them to the emergency phase only. One purpose of the present invention is therefore to achieve a modular container convertible into a prefabricated building, which in its closed condition has standardized sizes so that it can be transported by road, and which in its open condition defines an inner volume sufficient to allow medical healthcare equipment, even bulky, to be installed, so that it can be used in the field of healthcare both during the emergency phase and also in the subsequent normalization phases. Another purpose of the present invention is to achieve a modular container which in its open condition can define inside it a relatively extensive volume, while yet guaranteeing optimum stability and structural strength. Another purpose of the present invention is to achieve a modular container that can be configured quickly and easily from open to closed condition and vice versa. The present Applicant has devised, tested and embodied this invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is set forth and characterized in the main claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea. In accordance with the above purpose, a modular container convertible into a pre-fabricated building according to the present invention comprises a central structure of substantially standardized size, for example suitable so that the whole container can be transported by road, by air or by sea, and a plurality of structural elements, such as for example floors, ceilings, walls or other, articulated with respect to said central structure. The structural elements can be selectively arranged in a closed condition, wherein they are folded reciprocally inside the bulk of the central structure, or in an open condition, wherein they are arranged outside the central structure in order to define the inner volume of the pre- fabricated building. According to a characteristic feature of the present invention, the central structure comprises a frame consisting of a plurality of vertical metal elements and a plurality of upper and lower horizontal metal elements, a main floor, solid with the lower horizontal elements, and a main ceiling, solid with the upper horizontal elements. This configuration of the frame, the main floor and the main ceiling gives the central structure a substantially parallelepiped shape, free on the four lateral sides. This conformation of the various vertical and horizontal metal elements thus defines a bearing central structure, to

' which the static functions are mainly remitted, and a plurality of structural elements which have a function of partial static collaboration and also of bracing the central structure and making it rigid. The central structure of the container according to the invention thus has standardized sizes suitable for transport, and is particularly solid and strong, so that it allows to arrange the structural elements in such a manner as to define a relatively extensive inner volume of the pre-fabricated building, able to accommodate even bulky hospital equipment and to allow patients to be transported on beds and wheel chairs. In a preferential form of embodiment, the frame comprises a first half-frame consisting of two horizontal metal elements, such as for example a first and a second cross- piece, and two vertical metal elements, such as for example two uprights that connect the first and the second cross- piece, and a second half-frame consisting of two horizontal metal elements, such as for example a third and a fourth cross-piece, and two vertical metal elements, such as for example two uprights that connect the third and the fourth cross-piece. Advantageously, each cross-piece and each upright consists of a metal profile, for example with a substantially H-shaped cross section. In another form of embodiment of the present invention, the structural elements are folded in groups able to define, in their open condition, corresponding extension sectors. To be more exact, two or more groups of structural elements can be articulated for example to the central structure, so as to define an equal number of extension sectors. Each group of structural elements can consist for example of a ceiling, a floor and one or more walls, hinged to each other and to the central structure, so that once open they combine with other adjacent structural elements of other groups, so as to define with them the pre- fabricated building. In this way, the inner volume of the pre-fabricated building thus defined is at least equal to about three times the inner volume of the original central structure. This solution allows to considerably reduce the transport costs compared with conventional containers, with the same volume of the building defined. With this solution it is also possible to equip every group of structural elements with a specific plant engineering or with machines necessary to make every extension sector functioning for the use for which it is planned, such as for example a radio-diagnostic room, an operating room, a laboratory, a surgery, a patients' ward, a laundry room, a sterilization ward and others. It is clear that, within the specific application of the modular container according to the invention to a medical healthcare use, apart from the above equipment, each extension sector has all the hygiene-functional characteristics as laid down by the law for residential and hospital premises of analogous use. In any case, apart from its application in the medical healthcare field, it cannot be excluded that the container according to the invention can be prepared for a residential and/or commercial use too, in the same way already complete with all the plant engineering necessary for the specific final use, and also with all the furnishings, instruments, equipment and machinery required to perform the planned functions. Passage from the closed position to the open position occurs by means of the successive opening of the extension sectors according to precise operating sequences, and is made possible by specific technical and structural solutions of the articulations between the structural elements and the central structure. Moreover, in the open condition, the structural elements cooperate with each other in sealed manner, so as to limit the risk of possible infiltrations of water or other from the outside. The container according to the invention is easy and quick to configure from its open to its closed position and vice versa, which makes it immediately inhabitable and functionally operational. This advantage allows the modular container according to the present invention to be made operative in a limited time and to be moved repeatedly and made to function again, keeping its characteristics and functionality unchanged. Moreover, the modular container according to the invention has optimum flexibility and adaptability to the specific and different requirements present in general in the residential field and, in particular, in the social- healthcare and hospital field. Further advantages given by the possibility of providing an already complete and functioning modular container are that it allows to reduce both the costs of assembly and also the number of specialized personnel required; it also allows to perform, directly during the working step in the factory, all the verifications and inspections of the various plant systems and also of all the equipment installed. In fact, in the state of the art, these inspection steps are normally carried out by specialized technical personnel on site, with consequent traveling costs, and difficulties in executing the possible additions and modifications that might become necessary according to the results of the inspections. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some preferential forms of embodiment, given as a non- restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein: - fig. 1 is a schematic view of a modular container according to the present invention;

- fig. 2 is a cross section of the container according to the present invention made in correspondence with a bottom extension sector;

- fig. 3 is a cross section of the container according to the present invention made in correspondence with an intermediate extension sector;

- fig. 4 shows an enlarged detail of the container in fig. 2;

- fig. 5 shows an enlargement of the detail V in fig. 2;

- fig. 6 shows an enlargement of the detail VI in fig. 2;

- fig. 7 shows an enlargement of the detail VII in fig. 2;

- fig. 8 shows an enlargement of the detail VIII in fig. 2;

- fig. 9 shows an enlargement of the detail IX in fig. 2;

- fig. 10 shows an enlargement of the detail X in fig. 2;

- fig. 11 shows an enlargement of the detail XI in fig. 3;

- fig. 12 shows an enlargement of the detail XII in fig. 3; - fig. 13 shows an enlargement of the detail XIII in fig. 3;

- fig. 14 shows a sectioned side view of the container according to the present invention in an open condition;

- fig. 15 shows an enlargement of the detail XV in fig. 14; - fig. 16 shows an enlargement of the detail XVI in fig. 14;

- fig. 17 shows an enlargement of the detail XVII in fig. 14;

- fig. 18 shows an enlargement of the detail XVIII in fig. 14;

- figs. 19-25 show some steps in the conversion of a first form of embodiment of the modular container according to the invention; - figs. 26-37 show some steps in the conversion of a second form of embodiment of the modular container according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERENTIAL EMBODIMENTS With reference to the attached drawings, a modular container 50 according to the present invention is able to be selectively configured either in a closed condition, wherein it has a substantially standardized bulk for transport, that is to say, up to about 12 m in length and about 2.5 m in width, or in an open condition, wherein it defines a pre-fabricated building having an inner volume at least three times more than that defined in the closed condition. The modular container 50 according to the invention comprises a central structure 51 and a plurality of structural elements 68-78, articulated with respect to each other and with respect to the central structure 51. In the closed condition of the modular container 50, the structural elements 68-78 are folded and arranged inside the bulk of the central structure 51, while in the open condition of the modular container 50 they are arranged in a desired manner outside the central structure 51 in order to define the above-mentioned pre-fabricated building. To be more exact, as shown in fig. 1, the central structure 51 comprises a frame 52 consisting substantially of a first half-frame 53, a second half-frame 54, a main floor 55 and a main ceiling 56, connected with each other so as to confer on the central structure 51 a substantially parallelepiped shape and substantially free on the four lateral sides. The first half-frame 53 comprises an upper cross-piece 57, a lower cross-piece 58, a rear upright 59 and a front upright 60 attached to each other, for example by welding, screwing or other. The rear upright 59 and the front upright 60 connect the corresponding ends of the two cross- pieces, upper 57 and lower 58, so as to confer on the first half-frame 53 the shape of a substantially rectangular frame . The second half-frame 54 comprises an upper cross-piece 61, a lower cross-piece 62, a rear upright 63 and a front upright 64 connected to each other, for example by welding, screwing or other. The rear upright 63 and the front upright 64 connect the corresponding ends of the two cross- pieces, upper 61 and lower 62, so that the second half- frame 54 also has a shape substantially like a rectangular frame. The main floor 55 has a substantially rectangular shape and a width of about 2.5 m and a length of up to about 12 m, according to the type of pre-fabricated building provided. The main floor 55 is attached above the two lower cross-pieces 58 and 62, in order to connect them to each other, and protrudes laterally from the two half-frames 53 and 54 by some tens of centimeters. The main ceiling 56 is attached above the two upper cross-pieces 57 and 61 to connect them together, and has a surface substantially equivalent to that of the main floor 55. Optionally, above the main ceiling 56 a plurality of eyebolts can be provided, or other elements suitable to allow the modular container 50 to be lifted, for example by a crane. As said, at the sides of the central structure 51 a plurality of structural elements 68-78 are articulated, in this case grouped together, in order to define respective extension sectors: bottom 65, intermediate 66 and head 67. To be more exact, the groups of structural elements that define the bottom extension sectors 65 comprise a mobile ceiling 68 (fig. 2), hinged horizontally to the main ceiling 56, a mobile floor 69, hinged horizontally to the main floor 55, a bottom wall 70 hinged vertically to the respective rear upright 59 or 63, and a lateral wall 71 hinged vertically to the bottom wall 70. Along the hinging edge between the bottom wall 70 and the lateral wall 71 a supporting element 79 is provided, which in the open position functions as a structural element for the pre- fabricated building defined. The groups of structural elements that define the intermediate extension sectors 66 (fig. 3) comprise a mobile ceiling 72, hinged horizontally to the main ceiling 56, a mobile floor 73 hinged horizontally to the main floor 55, and a lateral wall 74 hinged horizontally to the mobile floor 73. To be more exact, the groups of structural elements that define the head extension sectors 67 comprise, substantially specular with respect to the bottom extension sectors 65, a mobile ceiling 75, hinged horizontally to the main ceiling 56, a mobile floor 76 hinged horizontally to the main floor 55, a head wall 77 hinged vertically to the respective front upright 60 or 64, and a lateral wall 78 hinged vertically to the head wall 77. Along the hinging edge between the head wall 77 and the lateral wall 78 a supporting element 80 is provided, which in the open condition functions as a structural element for the prefabricated building defined. In the closed condition of the modular container 50 the structural elements 68-71 and 75-78 that define respectively the bottom extension sector 65 and the head extension sector 67 are folded in a substantially equivalent and specular manner with respect to each other, and therefore, for simplicity of description, the description of their arrangement in said folded condition is referred only to the structural elements 68-71 that define the bottom extension sector 65. With reference to fig. 2, and the relative details of figs. 5 to 10, in the closed condition, the mobile ceiling 68 is arranged substantially vertical inside the bulk of the main ceiling 56, in line with the lateral edge of the latter, the mobile floor 69 is arranged substantially vertical inside the central structure 51 and close up to the mobile ceiling 68, while the bottom wall 70 and the corresponding lateral wall 71 are folded in book-like manner inside the central structure 51 and close up to the mobile floor 69. In the closed condition of the modular container 50 the structural elements 72-74 that define the intermediate extension sectors 66 are folded (fig. 3) so that the mobile ceiling 72 is arranged substantially vertical inside the bulk of the main ceiling 56, substantially in line with the lateral edge of the latter, while the mobile floor 73 and the corresponding lateral wall 74 are folded in book-like manner inside the central structure 51 and close up to the mobile ceiling 72. The central structure 51 also comprises four lifting jacks 81 (fig. 4), arranged in proximity with the four corners of the main floor 55, which allow, during the positioning of the modular container 50, to level the main floor 55 even if the modular container 50 is arranged on uneven or slightly sloping ground. In this case each of the jacks 81 is actuated manually by means of a crank 115, but it is not excluded that the jacks 81 can also be actuated fluid-dynamically or electronically, also automated. Along the edges- of the main ceiling 56 relative protections 82 are arranged (figs. 5 and 6), made of sheet metal and shaped so as to allow the water possibly present on the main ceiling 56 to flow downwards, laterally to it. Each of said protections 82 defines at the lower part a relative housing seating 83, inside which the articulation members of the various mobile ceilings 68, 72 and 75 are arranged, when they are in the open condition. To be more exact, the mobile ceilings 68, 72 or 75 of the bottom 65, intermediate 66 or head 67 extension sectors, are articulated to the main ceiling 56 by means of visible hinges 84, which can be completely inspected for maintenance, and are equipped with specific packing systems and, during opening, rotate to an invisible position inside the housing seating 83 of the respective protection 82, thus guaranteeing a perfect watertight seal along the whole join between the main ceiling 56 and the mobile ceilings 68, 72 and 75. Moreover, so as to ensure an optimum seal, the mobile ceilings 68, 72 and 75 lie on a plane arranged below the plane on which the main ceiling 56 lies. The static loads induced by the mobile ceilings 68, 72 and 75 on the main ceiling 56 are supported only by the system of hinges 84. The mobile floors 69, 73 and 76 are articulated to the main floor 55 through rod-type hinges 85 (figs. 7 and 8) which, apart from ensuring resistance to the greater stresses which occur in the floors than in the ceilings, also allow to displace the axis of rotation well below the trodden plane, with a consequent perfect co-planarity of the floors between the central structure 51 and the relative extension sector 65, 66 or 67. This solutions entails that, in the open condition, the continuity of the floors must be restored by positioning mobile covering blocks, not shown ^uhere, which cover the rod-type hinges 85, in any case allowing inspections during the maintenance steps. Each mobile floor 69, 73 and 76 comprises, along the perimeter of its trodden plane, a raised frame 89 which, in the open condition, has the function both of creating a skirting board solid with the floor, and also of distancing the join between the mobile floor 69, 73 and 76 and the relative walls 70, 71, 74, 77 and 78 from the trodden plane. Along a lateral edge of the main floor 55 there is a supporting step 86, while along a corresponding inner edge of each mobile floor 69, 73 and 76, there is an abutment step 87, which in the open condition rests on the supporting step 86, so as to release the rod-type hinge 85 from possible mechanical stresses due to walking or the positioning of equipment on the relative mobile floor 69, 73 or 76. Moreover, along an outer edge of each mobile floor 69, 73 and 76 there is a positioning base 88 which, once resting on the ground, creates a further resting point on the outermost side of the respective mobile floor 69, 73 or 76, so as to ensure that the floor is horizontal irrespective of the ground on which it rests and of its probable non- planar and irregular nature. During opening, the walls 70, 71 and 77, 78 rotate freely at a sufficient distance both from the relative mobile floor 69, 76 and also from the mobile ceiling 68, 75, opening like a book. Along a lower edge, the lateral wall 71, 78 comprises a first abutment profile 90 (figs. 9 and 10) which cooperates in sealed manner, by means of a packing 91, with a corresponding shoulder 92 provided along the outer edge of the relative mobile floor 68, 76, on the opposite side with respect to the positioning base 88. Along an upper edge, the lateral wall 71, 78 comprises a second abutment profile 93 which cooperates in sealed manner, by means of a relative packing 94, with a relative shoulder 114 provided along the outer edge of the relative mobile ceiling 68, 75. Attachment devices are also provided, of the conventional type and not shown here, such as for example ironware elements, trigger attachments or other, that allow the reciprocal attachment of the mobile ceilings 68, 75, the mobile floors 69, 76, the lateral walls 71, 78 and the bottom walls 70 and, respectively, the head walls 77, so as to consolidate the structure of the bottom 65 and head 67 extension sectors, thus defined. With reference to fig. 3, and the relative details of figs. 11 to 13, the mobile ceiling 72 is substantially equivalent to that described before, with reference to the bottom 65 and head 67 extension sectors. In the intermediate extension sectors 66, on the contrary, the manner of reciprocal arrangement of the mobile floor 73 and the relative lateral wall 74 is substantially different, also considering the different articulation system of the lateral wall 74. The lateral wall 74 is hinged to the outer edge of the mobile floor 73 by means of a hinge 96 which allows the selective positioning of the lateral wall 74 between a closed position wherein it is substantially parallel to the mobile floor 73, and an open position wherein it is substantially perpendicular to the latter. In the open position the lateral wall 74 has its lower edge arranged in sealed cooperation, obtained by means of a packing 97, with the outer edge of the mobile floor 73, while an upper edge cooperates in sealed manner, obtained by means of a packing 98, with a shoulder 99 provided on the outer edge of the mobile ceiling 72. Fig. 14 shows a lateral view, partly sectioned, of two contiguous extension sectors, in this case the bottom extension sector 65 and the head extension sector 67, in the open condition, while in the enlarged details shown in figs. 15-18, the reciprocal coupling systems between the relative mobile ceilings 68, 75, the mobile floors 69, 76, the lateral walls 71, 78 and the bottom 70 and head 77 walls are shown in detail. It should in any case be understood that even the possible reciprocal coupling of the mobile ceilings 68 and 72 and between the mobile ceilings 72 and 75, and also between the mobile floors 69 and 73 and between the mobile floors 73 and 76, can occur in analogous manner to that described hereafter. It can be seen in the figures that the two adjacent mobile ceilings 68, 75 are reciprocally coupled in lock-in manner, in order to guarantee a continuous insulation of the various extension sectors. To be more exact, the mobile ceiling 68 comprises, along one lateral edge, a protection sheet 100 shaped so as to enclose at the upper part a corresponding lateral edge of the adjacent mobile ceiling 75, whereas the latter has an abutment blade 101, able to contact the lower part of the lateral edge of the mobile ceiling 68 with a supporting function. The two adjacent mobile floors 69, 76 are also reciprocally coupled in lock-in manner and, in this case, the mobile floor 69 comprises along one lateral edge a supporting profile 102 on which the adjacent mobile floor 76 rests with the lower part of a lateral edge. The mobile floor 76, on the contrary, comprises along the upper part of its lateral edge a positioning profile 103 arranged in contact with a packing 104, in turn arranged along the corresponding lateral edge of the adjacent mobile floor 69, so as to ensure the watertight seal of the coupling between the two. Moreover, a further packing 105 is provided, arranged between the two lateral edges of two adjacent mobile floors 69, 76 in order to guarantee even more the watertight coupling between the two. The lock-in coupling of the two mobile ceilings 68, 75 and between the two mobile floors 69, 76 are offset vertically, so as to allow the complete opening of all the structural elements of every extension sector 65, 66 and 67, without interfering with the structural elements of the adjacent extension sector. As shown in the details in figs. 17 and 18, the coupling of the mobile ceilings 68 and 75 and the mobile floors 69 and 76 of the bottom 65 and head 67 extension sectors with the relative bottom 70 and head 77 walls, is substantially achieved in the same way as said mobile ceilings 68 and 75 and said mobile floors 69 and 76 couple with the relative lateral walls 71 and 78. In fact, both the bottom wall 70 and the head wall 77 comprise along a respective lower edge a first abutment profile 106 which cooperates in sealed manner, obtained by means of a packing 107, with a corresponding shoulder 108 provided along the outer edge of the relative mobile floor 69, 76; whereas along an upper edge thereof, said walls 70 and 77 comprise a second abutment profile 109 which cooperates in sealed manner, obtained by means of a relative packing 110, with a relative shoulder 111 provided along the outer edge of the relative mobile ceiling 68, 75. The conversion of the container 50 from its closed condition to its open condition occurs, with reference to figs. 19 to 25, in the following way. Once it has been transferred by normal means of transport to the place where it is to be used, the container 50 must be positioned in the desired site by lifting it with suitable mechanical means such as a crane or other, for example using the specific eyebolts provided on the upper surface of the main ceiling 56. As shown hereafter, no specific preparation is needed of the ground on which the container 50 is positioned, since it is equipped with lifting jacks 81 which, as we said, allow it to be leveled substantially on any type of uneven or slightly sloping ground. A subsequent step provides to open the structural elements to define the various extension sectors, and hence the functional volume of use of the pre-fabricated building. In this case, the various structural elements 68-71 and 75-78 are opened in sequence, starting from those arranged on the right of the central structure 51, to define the relative bottom 65 and head 67 extension sectors. To be more exact, for the group of structural elements 68-71 that defines the bottom extension sector 65, the relative mobile ceiling 68 is lifted, the relative mobile floor 69 is lowered and a first supporting rod 112 is positioned, which allows the provisional support of the mobile ceiling 68 in a substantially horizontal position. Subsequently, the opening of the bottom extension sector

65 is completed by opening in book-like manner the bottom 70 and lateral 71 walls. In this case, the bottom wall 70 is hinged vertically to the rear upright 63 of the central structure 51. The definitive positioning of the lateral wall 71 and the bottom wall 70 determines the definitive definition of the bottom extension sector 65. In the same way, in order to define the head extension sector 67, the mobile ceiling 75 is lifted, the mobile floor 76 is lowered and a second supporting rod 113 is positioned, which allows the provisional support of the mobile ceiling 75 in a substantially horizontal position. Subsequently the opening of the head extension sector 67 is completed by opening in book-like manner the head 77 and lateral 78 walls. In this case, the head wall 77 is hinged vertically to a front upright 64 of the central structure

51. In this case too, the definitive positioning of the lateral wall 78 and the head wall 77 determines the definitive definition of the head extension sector 67. To be more exact, the first supporting rod 112 and the second supporting rod 113, initially arranged to support the corresponding mobile ceiling 68, 75, once the bottom 70, head 77 and lateral 71 and 78 walls have been arranged, also have the function of a joint between the different bottom 65 and head 67 extension sectors, so as to determine a structural continuity between the lateral wall 71 and the lateral wall 78. The same opening sequence is repeated in specular manner for the bottom 65 and head 67 extension sectors, provided on the left side of the central structure 51. The modular container 50 is thus wholly open and it is therefore possible to proceed with completing the internal finishings, that is, to close the inspection openings in the floor, to open the possible internal dividing walls, to install some equipment or other. In the solution shown in figs. 26 to 37, the conversion of the modular container 50 from the closed condition to the open condition occurs as follows . After the normal steps of positioning on site and leveling of the central structure 51, in this case it is provided to open in sequence the various groups of structural elements, starting from those on the left of the central structure 51, in order to define the relative bottom 65, intermediate 66 and head 65 extension sectors. In this case, three adjacent intermediate extension sectors 66 are provided, but it is not excluded that there can be a different number of said sectors, or that their definitive arrangement with respect to the central structure 51 can be different from that shown in the drawings; for example one of them can be longer than the others, or it can have a different shaped base or other, according to the specific operating requirements of the modular container 50. Each intermediate sector 66 is opened substantially in the same way as already described for the bottom 65 and head 67 extension sectors, except for the lateral wall 74, for which, as already said, a different articulation system is provided, that is: instead of being hinged vertically to the bottom 70 or head 77 wall, it is hinged horizontally to the relative mobile floor 73. It is clear however that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the modular container 50 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention. For example, the profiles shown in the drawings of the various components have a purely indicative value of the bulk of the static structure, but cannot be considered as binding. In fact, the type of profile, the thicknesses and specific characteristics of resistance are defined for every individual component according to the specific requirements of static and dynamic loads to be provided for the whole modular container 50. In the same way, the various extension sectors 65, 66 and 67 are indicated in the constructional details according to an average type, but have to be specifically defined both in the sizes and in the finishings, according to the particular requirements of the modular container 50 to be made. Moreover, in expectation of a possible industrial and serialized production, the modular container 50 can be further improved by providing a componentry technology and processing more specifically adapted to the specific application, optimizing the functionality thereof, and also the times and costs of production. It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of modular container convertible into a pre-fabricated building, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claims

1. Modular container convertible into a pre-fabricated building comprising a central structure (51) of substantially standardized size, and a plurality of structural elements (68-78) articulated with respect to said central structure (51) in order to be selectively arranged in a closed condition, wherein said structural elements (68-78) are reciprocally folded and arranged inside the bulk of said central structure (51), or in an open condition, wherein said structural elements (68-78) are arranged outside said central structure (51) in order to define the inner volume of said pre-fabricated building, characterized in that said central structure (51) comprises a frame (52) consisting of a plurality of vertical metal elements (59, 60, 63, 64) and a plurality of lower and upper horizontal metal elements (57, 58, 61, 62), a main floor (55) solid with said lower horizontal elements (58, 62) of said frame (52) and a main ceiling (56) solid with said upper horizontal elements (57, 61) of said frame (52), so that said central structure (51) has a substantially parallelepiped shape, free on the four lateral sides.

2. Container as in claim 1, characterized in that said frame (52) comprises a first half-frame (53) consisting of two vertical metal elements (59, 60) and two horizontal metal elements (57, 58), and a second half-frame (54) consisting of two vertical metal elements (63, 64) and two horizontal metal elements (61, 62).

3. Container as in claim 2, characterized in that said two horizontal metal elements of said first half-frame (53) comprise a first upper cross-piece (57) and a second lower cross-piece (58), in that said two vertical metal elements of said first half-frame (53) comprise a first rear upright (59) and a second front upright (60), able to connect said first cross-piece (57) and said second cross-piece (58), that said two horizontal metal elements of said second half-frame (54) comprise a third upper cross-piece (61) and a fourth lower cross-piece (62), and that said two vertical metal elements of said second half-frame (54) comprise a third rear upright (63) and a fourth front upright (64), able to connect said third cross-piece (61) and said fourth cross-piece ( 62 ) .

4. Container as in claim 3, characterized in that each of said cross-pieces (57, 58, 61, 62) and uprights (59, 60,

63, 64) consists of a metal profile.

5. Container as in claim 4, characterized in that said metal profile has a substantially H-shaped cross section.

6. Container as in claim 3, characterized in that said main floor (55) has a substantially rectangular shape, is attached above the two lower cross-pieces (58, 62) and protrudes laterally from said two lower cross-pieces (58, 62) by several tens of centimeters.

7. Container as in claim 3, characterized in that said main ceiling (56) is attached above the two upper cross-pieces

(57, 61) and protrudes laterally from said two upper cross- pieces (57, 61) by several tens of centimeters.

8. Container as in claim 7, characterized in that above said main ceiling (56) a plurality of elements can be provided suitable to allow said central structure (51) to be lifted.

9. Container as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said structural elements (68-78) are articulated to the sides of said central structure (51) and are grouped together so as to define in the open condition respective bottom (65), intermediate (66) and head (67) extension sectors.

10. Container as in claims 3 and 9, characterized in that each group of structural elements that defines a bottom extension sector (65) comprises a mobile ceiling (68), hinged horizontally to said main ceiling (56), a mobile floor (69), hinged horizontally to said main floor (55), a bottom wall (70) hinged vertically either to said first upright (59) or to said third upright (63), and a lateral wall (71) hinged vertically to said bottom wall (70).

11. Container as in claim 10, characterized in that a supporting element (79) is provided along the hinging edge between said bottom wall (70) and said lateral wall (71) and is able to function as a structural support for said mobile ceiling (68) in said open condition.

12. Container as in claim 9, characterized in that each group of structural elements that defines an intermediate extension sector (66) comprises a mobile ceiling (72), hinged horizontally to said main ceiling (56), a mobile floor (73) hinged horizontally to said main floor (55), and a bottom wall (70) hinged horizontally to said mobile floor (73).

13. Container as in claims 3 and 9, characterized in that each group of structural elements that defines a head extension sector (67) comprises a mobile ceiling 75, hinged horizontally to said main ceiling (56), a mobile floor (76) hinged horizontally to said main floor (55), a head wall (77) hinged vertically either to said second upright (60) or to said fourth upright (64), and a lateral wall (78) hinged vertically to said head wall (77).

14. Container as in claim 13, characterized in that a supporting element (80) is provided along the hinging edge between said head wall (77) and said lateral wall (78) and is able to function as a support for said mobile ceiling (75) in said open condition.

15. Container as in claims 10, 12 and 13, characterized in that supporting rods (112, 113) are provided to support the mobile ceilings (68, 72, 75), and define a structural continuity between the lateral walls (71, 74, 78).

16. Container as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said central structure (51) also comprises a plurality of lifting elements (81), arranged in cooperation with said main floor (55), in order to level the positioning thereof.

17. Container as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that along the edges of said main ceiling (56) relative protection elements (82) are arranged, made of sheet metal and shaped so as to allow the water possibly present on said main ceiling (56) to flow downwards, laterally thereto.

18. Container as in claim 17, characterized in that each of said protection elements (82) comprises a housing seating (83), inside which the articulation members of the mobile ceilings (68, 72, 75) are able to be arranged, in said open condition.

19. Container as in claims 10, 12 and 13, characterized in that the mobile floors (69, 73, 76) are articulated to said main floor (55) by means of respective rod-type hinges (85) which not only guarantee resistance to the expected mechanical stresses, but also allow to displace the axis of rotation well below the trodden plane with consequent perfect co-planarity of said mobile floors (69, 73, 76) and said main floor (55).

20. Container as in claim 19, characterized in that each of said mobile floors (69, 73, 76) comprises on the perimeter a raised frame (89) with the function of a skirting board' and of distancing from the trodden plane the join with the relative lateral (71, 74, 78), bottom (70) and head (77) walls.

21. Container as in claim 19 or 20, characterized in that along a lateral edge of said main floor (55) a supporting step (86) is provided, while along a corresponding inner edge of each of said mobile floors (69, 73, 76) an abutment step (87) is provided, able to rest, in the open condition, on said supporting step (86).

22. Container as in any claim from 19 to 21 inclusive, characterized in that along an outer edge of each of said mobile floors (69, 73, 76) a positioning base (88) is provided, able to define a point for the respective mobile floors (69, 73, 76) to rest on the ground.

23. Container as in claims 10 and 13, characterized in that the lateral walls (71, 78) comprise, along a lower edge, a first abutment profile (90) able to cooperate in sealed manner with a corresponding shoulder (92) provided along an outer edge of the relative mobile floor (69, 76)) and, along an upper edge, a second abutment profile (93) able to cooperate in sealed manner with a corresponding shoulder (92) provided along an outer edge of the relative mobile ceiling (68, 75).

24. Container as in claims 10 and 13, characterized in that both said bottom wall (70) and also said head wall (79) comprise, along a lower edge, a first abutment profile (106) able to cooperate in sealed manner with a corresponding shoulder (108) provided along an outer edge of the relative mobile floor (69, 76)) and, along an upper edge, a second abutment profile (109) able to cooperate in sealed manner with a corresponding shoulder (111) provided along an outer edge of the relative mobile ceiling (68, 75).

25. Container as in claim 12, characterized in that said lateral wall (74) has a lower edge able to cooperate in sealed manner with an outer edge of said mobile floor (73), and an upper edge able to cooperate in sealed manner with a corresponding shoulder (99) provided on an outer edge of said mobile ceiling (72).

26. Container as in claims 10, 12 and 13, characterized in that the adjacent mobile ceilings (68, 72, 75) couple laterally in sealed manner, by means of a protection sheet (100) arranged on a first of said mobile ceilings (68, 72, 75) and able to enclose at the upper part a corresponding lateral edge of a second of said mobile ceilings (68, 72, 75), adjacent to the first, and an abutment blade (101) arranged on said second mobile ceiling (68, 72, 75) and able to contact the lower part of the lateral edge of said first mobile ceiling (68, 72, 75).

27. Container as in claims 10, 12 and 13, characterized in that the adjacent mobile floors (69, 73, 76) couple laterally in sealed manner, by means of a supporting profile (102) arranged on a first of said mobile floors (69, 73, 76) on which a second of said mobile floors (69, 73, 76) is able to rest, adjacent to the first, and a positioning profile (103) arranged on said second mobile floor (69, 73, 76) and able to contact the lower part of the lateral edge of said first mobile floor (69, 73, 76).

28. Container as in claims 26 and 27, characterized in that the couplings of said adjacent mobile ceilings (68, 72, 75) and of said adjacent mobile floors (69, 73, 76) are offset with respect to a substantially vertical axis, so as to allow the complete opening of all the structural elements (68-78) of every extension sector (65, 66, 67) without reciprocal interference.