EP1723293B1 - Portable cabin and apparatus for transporting portable cabins and the like - Google Patents
Portable cabin and apparatus for transporting portable cabins and the like Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1723293B1 EP1723293B1 EP05717931A EP05717931A EP1723293B1 EP 1723293 B1 EP1723293 B1 EP 1723293B1 EP 05717931 A EP05717931 A EP 05717931A EP 05717931 A EP05717931 A EP 05717931A EP 1723293 B1 EP1723293 B1 EP 1723293B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- cabin
- barge
- portable
- external flange
- portable cabin
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Not-in-force
Links
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract description 8
- 241000581479 Apodichthys Species 0.000 description 8
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 108700023707 TUG1 Proteins 0.000 description 4
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 241000785736 Pholis crassispina Species 0.000 description 2
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003245 coal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000011152 fibreglass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007667 floating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000013505 freshwater Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004941 influx Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004023 plastic welding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007493 shaping process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003351 stiffener Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H1/00—Buildings or groups of buildings for dwelling or office purposes; General layout, e.g. modular co-ordination or staggered storeys
- E04H1/12—Small buildings or other erections for limited occupation, erected in the open air or arranged in buildings, e.g. kiosks, waiting shelters for bus stops or for filling stations, roofs for railway platforms, watchmen's huts or dressing cubicles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPINGÂ
- B63B29/00—Accommodation for crew or passengers not otherwise provided for
- B63B29/02—Cabins or other living spaces; Construction or arrangement thereof
- B63B29/025—Modular or prefabricated cabins
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPINGÂ
- B63B25/00—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby
- B63B25/28—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for deck loads
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPINGÂ
- B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
- B63B35/28—Barges or lighters
Definitions
- the present invention relates to improvements in the design of portable cabins and also to an apparatus for transporting such portable cabins and similar equipment, in particular on water.
- Portable cabins are known in the art. Typically, such portable cabins provide installations which may be transported from site to site and temporarily or semi-permanently installed to fulfil a number of functions. It is known, for example, to use such portable cabins to provide temporary storage space or temporary classrooms for establishments such as schools, colleges etc. Typically, the portable cabins are installed on land and are transported by vehicular transport using a road network. Due to their relative large size and weight, it is necessary to use a crane or similar hoist to load and unload the portable cabins onto and off the vehicular transport.
- the United Kingdom (and many other countries) comprises a substantial network of inland waterways, in particular, canals. These canals provide good communication links and have typically been used in the past to transport bulk materials such as coal using floating barges or similar. However, to date, the design of portable cabins has not lent themselves to transport by inland waterways using transport such as barges.
- Document US 5937591 discloses a portable cabin according to the preamble of claim 1.
- the present invention provides a portable cabin suitable for transporting on a barge comprising an external flange sized to interface on loading with an upper edge of a sidewall of said barge to at least partially cover said edge, wherein the external flange comprises sealing means for forming a sealing contact with said edge.
- the external flange may cover said edge so as to prevent walking on said edge.
- the sealing means forms a water-tight seal, in use, with said edge.
- the sealing means may comprise a polypropylene, rubber or similar seal.
- the cabin comprises side walls and the external flange may extends down at least one side wall of the cabin.
- the cabin may comprise two external flanges, one on each of two side walls.
- the external flanges are located approximately midway up the side walls.
- the cabin typically comprises a basal portion beneath the external flange which is received on loading in a hold of said barge.
- the external flange extends onto an end wall of the cabin.
- the external flange comprises a sloping upper surface.
- the portable cabin may also comprise an access door in an end wall of the cabin.
- an access door is provided in first and second end walls at either end of the cabin.
- a roof of the cabin may comprise sloping edge portions.
- the present invention also provides a barge and portable cabin system comprising a barge suitable for transporting one or more portable cabins and one or more portable cabins as described above, the barge comprising sidewalls having an upper edge sized to interface with an external flange of the one or more cabins on loading of said cabins such that the upper edge is at least partially covered by said external flange or flanges.
- the upper edge may comprise a box beam.
- the barge may comprise sidewalls and a bottom formed from plates.
- the plates are formed as a composite material having inner and outer steel skins and an elastomeric core.
- the one or more cabins are stowed in an open-topped hold.
- the hold comprises steps at an aft and/or stern end of the hold, the steps extending from a floor of the hold to the upper edge of the aft and/or stern.
- the present invention provides a new transportation system involving transport of port able cabins 3 in a barge 2.
- the barge 2 is connected by means of a forward connector 14 to a tug 1 which provides the motive force for moving the barge 2.
- the barge 2 has a length which is significantly greater than its beam.
- the height of the barge 2 is relatively small and the barge comprises a flat bottom with no pronounced keel.
- the barge 2 comprises an open-topped hold 11 in which in use the portable cabins 3 are loaded.
- An aft connector 15 may be provided at the stern 13 of the barge 2 to allow a single tug 1 to connect at the alternative end of barge 2.
- the portable cabin 3 of the present invention comprises a generally parallelepiped form having vertical side walls 30, vertical end walls 31, a floor 37 and a roof 32.
- the roof 32 preferably comprises a central flat section 34 and two sloped sections 33 joining the flat section 34 to the side walls 30.
- the shaping of the roof 32 thus provided allows the portable cabin 3 to have a greater overall height and still be able to pass through areas of restricted height such as tunnels and bridges on inland waterways.
- one or both of the end walls 31 are provided with one or more sets of doors.
- a pair of main access doors 35 are provided as well as a utility access door 36.
- the main access doors 35 allow general access to the interior of the portable cabin 3 whilst the utility access door 36 allows access to one or more utility sections of the portable cabin 3 housing utilities such as water storage tanks.
- the portable cabin 3 comprises an external flange 39 approximately midway up the side walls 30.
- two external flanges 39 are provided, one on either side of the portable cabin 3.
- Each flange 39 comprises a section 43 extending along the side wall 30 and end wall sections 44 at either end of the side wall section 43 which extend the flange 39 round onto the end walls 31 as most clearly shown in Figure 2 .
- the external flange 39 terminates either side of the main access doors 35 and utility access door 36 so as not to impede opening and closing of the doors.
- the external flange 39 comprises a triangular shaped projection having a sloped upper surface 40 and a substantially horizontal lower surface 41.
- An underside of the lower surface 41 is provided with a seal 42 which may be formed from materials such as polypropylene or a rubberised compound. The use of the seal 42 will be described below.
- the body of the portable cabin 3 is manufactured from a material such as glass-reinforced plastic in order to reduce the overall weight of the cabin.
- the cabin 3, excluding internal fittings and the external furniture such as windows and doors, is formed from two or more mouldings. More preferably, the cabin 3 is formed from two mouldings which are joined either by a suitable adhesive or by a plastic welding operation. I n one particularly preferred embodiment the upper half of the cabin 3 is formed as one moulding and the lower half is formed as another moulding and the join between the upper and lower halves is located at the height of the flange 39.
- Pads 38 may be provided on the base of the portabl e cabin 3 to raise the base 37 slightly off the bottom plate 22 of the hull 10 when loaded.
- Figure 4 illustrates the portable cabin 3 of the present invention loaded into the barge 2 of the present invention.
- Both the portable cabin 3 and barge 2 are specifically adapted to interface in a particularly advantageous manner as will be described.
- the construction of the barge 2 has a number of advantageous features.
- the barge 2 has a flat bottomed design with no pronounced keel.
- the hull 10 is formed from a plurality of plates.
- Vertical side plates 21 form the side walls of the hull and a joint at their base by means of box joints 25 to a bottom plate 22. Alternatively, the side plates 21 may be directly welded to the bottom plate 22.
- the upper edge of the side plates 21 is joined to a box beam 20 which runs along the length of the side plates 21.
- the box beam 20 is preferably a square section box formed from steel or other suitable material.
- the box beam's upper surface forms a narrow gunnel (also known as gunwale).
- the side plates 21 and bottom plates 22 are preferably formed from Sandwich Plate System plates produced by Intelligent Engineering of Gerrards Cross, United Kingdom. As shown in Figure 5 , the Sandwich Plate System plates comprise steel exterior plates 23 and an internal elastomeric core 24.
- the composite material has increased strength and stiffness compared to a traditional steel construction and removes the requirement for separate stiffeners on the hold's interior surfaces.
- Traditional barges comprise gunnels along the length of each side of the barge which are used by the crew to move along the length of the barge.
- the gunnels comprise a relatively narrow flat surface on each side of the hold 10. It has been found by the applicant that there are dangers involved in the use of gunnels for moving along barges. In particular, it is possible for a person to fall off such gunnels and this is particularly the case where the hold 11 of the barge contains a load which extends above the height of the gunnels and is not provided with any suitable handholds or similar.
- the need for providing gunnels which can be used as walkways is removed by providing access doors 36 in each end of the portable cabins 3.
- the hold 11 is designed to allow the access doors 35 of the portable cabins 3 to be opened whilst the portable cabins 3 are loaded.
- movement along the length of the barge may be achieved by moving through the interior of successive portable cabins 3.
- the barge 2 is provided with a series of steps at the bow 12 and/or stern 13 ends to ease access to and from the barge's hull 10. The steps rise from a floor of the hold to the upper edge of the side panels at the aft and/or stern.
- a particular advantage of the present invention is the interface between the portable cabins 3 and the barge gunnels as shown in Figures 4 and 5 .
- the external flange 39 interfaces with the box beams 20 of the side walls of the barge 2.
- the external flange 39 covers substantially the entire breadth of the gunnels provided by the upper surface of the boxed beams 20.
- the polypropylene seal 42 seals against the upper surface of the boxed beam 20.
- the second advantage is that a watertight seal is formed between the portable cabins 3 and the barge 2 by means of the sealing interface between the polypropylene seal 42 and the box beam 20. This prevents influx of water into the hold 11 during use of the barge 2 which is known to be a problem with current designs of barge.
- the lower parts of the main access doors 35 and utility doors 36 are provided with higher sills to resist inflow of water.
- the interior of the portable cabins 3 may be fitted out with a wide variety of equipment and internal and external furniture.
- the portable cabins 3 may be provided with work benches, sinks, chairs etc.
- the portable cabin 3 is designed to be self-sufficient by providing utilities such as electricity and water without requiring external hook-up to external sources.
- the portable cabins 3 may be provided with a diesel generator for production of electricity and water tanks for the supply of fresh water and the containment of soiled (black) and semi-soiled water (grey).
- External furniture may be provided in the portable cabins 3 such as windows, escape hatches, security grills and locking devices on doors, windows and escape hatches.
- the cabins 3 may be loaded and unloaded on and from the barge 2 by means of an external hoist or crane or a hoist or crane situated on-board the barge 2.
- the barge 2 may be used for transporting other items such as rubbish skips or raw, bulk materials.
- the barge 2 may be used to transport an excavator or similar machinery for use at a site on or near an inland waterway.
- the barge 2 may optionally be provided with four hydraulically operated legs which can be lowered to rest on the bed of the waterway when the machinery is operated whilst on-board the barge 2.
- the cabins 3 may be transported by road-going vehicular transport if necessary.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
- Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
- Barrages (AREA)
- Loading Or Unloading Of Vehicles (AREA)
- On-Site Construction Work That Accompanies The Preparation And Application Of Concrete (AREA)
- Specific Sealing Or Ventilating Devices For Doors And Windows (AREA)
- Ship Loading And Unloading (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to improvements in the design of portable cabins and also to an apparatus for transporting such portable cabins and similar equipment, in particular on water.
- Portable cabins are known in the art. Typically, such portable cabins provide installations which may be transported from site to site and temporarily or semi-permanently installed to fulfil a number of functions. It is known, for example, to use such portable cabins to provide temporary storage space or temporary classrooms for establishments such as schools, colleges etc. Typically, the portable cabins are installed on land and are transported by vehicular transport using a road network. Due to their relative large size and weight, it is necessary to use a crane or similar hoist to load and unload the portable cabins onto and off the vehicular transport.
- The United Kingdom (and many other countries) comprises a substantial network of inland waterways, in particular, canals. These canals provide good communication links and have typically been used in the past to transport bulk materials such as coal using floating barges or similar. However, to date, the design of portable cabins has not lent themselves to transport by inland waterways using transport such as barges.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable cabin suitable for transport on inland waterways. It is a further object to provide an apparatus in the form of a barge or similar for transporting said cabins on inland waterways which is more suited to the task than known designs. Document
US 5937591 discloses a portable cabin according to the preamble of claim 1. - Accordingly, the present invention provides a portable cabin suitable for transporting on a barge comprising an external flange sized to interface on loading with an upper edge of a sidewall of said barge to at least partially cover said edge, wherein the external flange comprises sealing means for forming a sealing contact with said edge.
- Advantageously the external flange may cover said edge so as to prevent walking on said edge.
- Advantageously the sealing means forms a water-tight seal, in use, with said edge.
- The sealing means may comprise a polypropylene, rubber or similar seal.
- The cabin comprises side walls and the external flange may extends down at least one side wall of the cabin.
- The cabin may comprise two external flanges, one on each of two side walls.
- Preferably, the external flanges are located approximately midway up the side walls. The cabin typically comprises a basal portion beneath the external flange which is received on loading in a hold of said barge.
- Preferably, the external flange extends onto an end wall of the cabin.
- Preferably, the external flange comprises a sloping upper surface.
- The portable cabin may also comprise an access door in an end wall of the cabin. Preferably, an access door is provided in first and second end walls at either end of the cabin.
- A roof of the cabin may comprise sloping edge portions.
- The present invention also provides a barge and portable cabin system comprising a barge suitable for transporting one or more portable cabins and one or more portable cabins as described above, the barge comprising sidewalls having an upper edge sized to interface with an external flange of the one or more cabins on loading of said cabins such that the upper edge is at least partially covered by said external flange or flanges.
- The upper edge may comprise a box beam.
The barge may comprise sidewalls and a bottom formed from plates. Preferably, the plates are formed as a composite material having inner and outer steel skins and an elastomeric core. - In one aspect, the one or more cabins are stowed in an open-topped hold. Preferably the hold comprises steps at an aft and/or stern end of the hold, the steps extending from a floor of the hold to the upper edge of the aft and/or stern.
- Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
Figure 1 shows a perspective schematic view of a tug, a barge and two portable cabins in accordance with the present invention; -
Figure 2 is a perspective schematic view of an embodiment of portable cabin according to the present invention; -
Figure 3 is an end schematic view of the portable cabin ofFigure 2 ; -
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the portable cabin ofFigure 2 loaded into a barge according to the present invention; and -
Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional schematic view of a portion ofFigure 4 . - As shown in
Figure 1 , the present invention provides a new transportation system involving transport of port able cabins 3 in abarge 2. In use, thebarge 2 is connected by means of aforward connector 14 to a tug 1 which provides the motive force for moving thebarge 2. Thebarge 2 has a length which is significantly greater than its beam. In addition, as shown most clearly inFigure 4 , the height of thebarge 2 is relatively small and the barge comprises a flat bottom with no pronounced keel. As shown inFigures 1 and4 thebarge 2 comprises an open-topped hold 11 in which in use the portable cabins 3 are loaded. An aft connector 15 may be provided at thestern 13 of thebarge 2 to allow a single tug 1 to connect at the alternative end ofbarge 2. This avoids the need for the combined tug 1 andbarge 2 to change navigation direction only at wide points of the waterway. Changes of navigation direction can be achieved at any point of the waterway since the tug 1 can detach itself from thebarge 2, change navigation direction and reconnect itself to thebarge 2 at the alternative end. - As shown in
Figures 2 and 3 the portable cabin 3 of the present invention comprises a generally parallelepiped form havingvertical side walls 30,vertical end walls 31, afloor 37 and aroof 32. Theroof 32 preferably comprises a centralflat section 34 and twosloped sections 33 joining theflat section 34 to theside walls 30. Advantageously, the shaping of theroof 32 thus provided allows the portable cabin 3 to have a greater overall height and still be able to pass through areas of restricted height such as tunnels and bridges on inland waterways. - As shown in
Figure 2 , one or both of theend walls 31 are provided with one or more sets of doors. In the embodiment illustrated, a pair ofmain access doors 35 are provided as well as autility access door 36. Themain access doors 35 allow general access to the interior of the portable cabin 3 whilst theutility access door 36 allows access to one or more utility sections of the portable cabin 3 housing utilities such as water storage tanks. - In accordance with the present invention, the portable cabin 3 comprises an
external flange 39 approximately midway up theside walls 30. In the illustrated embodiment, twoexternal flanges 39 are provided, one on either side of the portable cabin 3. Eachflange 39 comprises asection 43 extending along theside wall 30 andend wall sections 44 at either end of theside wall section 43 which extend theflange 39 round onto theend walls 31 as most clearly shown inFigure 2 . Also, as shown inFigure 2 it will be seen that theexternal flange 39 terminates either side of themain access doors 35 andutility access door 36 so as not to impede opening and closing of the doors. - As shown in
Figure 5 , theexternal flange 39 comprises a triangular shaped projection having a slopedupper surface 40 and a substantially horizontallower surface 41. An underside of thelower surface 41 is provided with a seal 42 which may be formed from materials such as polypropylene or a rubberised compound. The use of the seal 42 will be described below. - It is preferred that the body of the portable cabin 3 is manufactured from a material such as glass-reinforced plastic in order to reduce the overall weight of the cabin. Preferably, the cabin 3, excluding internal fittings and the external furniture such as windows and doors, is formed from two or more mouldings. More preferably, the cabin 3 is formed from two mouldings which are joined either by a suitable adhesive or by a plastic welding operation. I n one particularly preferred embodiment the upper half of the cabin 3 is formed as one moulding and the lower half is formed as another moulding and the join between the upper and lower halves is located at the height of the
flange 39. -
Pads 38 may be provided on the base of the portabl e cabin 3 to raise thebase 37 slightly off thebottom plate 22 of thehull 10 when loaded. -
Figure 4 illustrates the portable cabin 3 of the present invention loaded into thebarge 2 of the present invention. Both the portable cabin 3 andbarge 2 are specifically adapted to interface in a particularly advantageous manner as will be described. The construction of thebarge 2 has a number of advantageous features. As mentioned above, thebarge 2 has a flat bottomed design with no pronounced keel. Thehull 10 is formed from a plurality of plates.Vertical side plates 21 form the side walls of the hull and a joint at their base by means ofbox joints 25 to abottom plate 22. Alternatively, theside plates 21 may be directly welded to thebottom plate 22. - The upper edge of the
side plates 21 is joined to abox beam 20 which runs along the length of theside plates 21. Thebox beam 20 is preferably a square section box formed from steel or other suitable material. The box beam's upper surface forms a narrow gunnel (also known as gunwale). Theside plates 21 andbottom plates 22 are preferably formed from Sandwich Plate System plates produced by Intelligent Engineering of Gerrards Cross, United Kingdom. As shown inFigure 5 , the Sandwich Plate System plates comprise steel exterior plates 23 and an internalelastomeric core 24. The composite material has increased strength and stiffness compared to a traditional steel construction and removes the requirement for separate stiffeners on the hold's interior surfaces. - Traditional barges comprise gunnels along the length of each side of the barge which are used by the crew to move along the length of the barge. Typically, the gunnels comprise a relatively narrow flat surface on each side of the
hold 10. It has been found by the applicant that there are dangers involved in the use of gunnels for moving along barges. In particular, it is possible for a person to fall off such gunnels and this is particularly the case where the hold 11 of the barge contains a load which extends above the height of the gunnels and is not provided with any suitable handholds or similar. According to the present invention, the need for providing gunnels which can be used as walkways is removed by providingaccess doors 36 in each end of the portable cabins 3. The hold 11 is designed to allow theaccess doors 35 of the portable cabins 3 to be opened whilst the portable cabins 3 are loaded. Thus, movement along the length of the barge may be achieved by moving through the interior of successive portable cabins 3. Preferably, thebarge 2 is provided with a series of steps at thebow 12 and/or stern 13 ends to ease access to and from the barge'shull 10. The steps rise from a floor of the hold to the upper edge of the side panels at the aft and/or stern. - A particular advantage of the present invention is the interface between the portable cabins 3 and the barge gunnels as shown in
Figures 4 and 5 . As shown, with the portable cabins 3 loaded into the hold 11, theexternal flange 39 interfaces with thebox beams 20 of the side walls of thebarge 2. In particular, theexternal flange 39 covers substantially the entire breadth of the gunnels provided by the upper surface of the boxed beams 20. The polypropylene seal 42 seals against the upper surface of the boxedbeam 20. Two particular advantages arise from this arrangement. Firstly, a walkable surface of the gunnel is removed which prevents anyone attempting to walk along the side walls of thebarge 2 alongside the loaded cabins 3. In this way, individuals are encouraged to move safely along the length of thebarge 2 through the interiors of the cabins 3 as described above. The second advantage is that a watertight seal is formed between the portable cabins 3 and thebarge 2 by means of the sealing interface between the polypropylene seal 42 and thebox beam 20. This prevents influx of water into the hold 11 during use of thebarge 2 which is known to be a problem with current designs of barge. - Preferably, the lower parts of the
main access doors 35 andutility doors 36 are provided with higher sills to resist inflow of water. - The interior of the portable cabins 3 may be fitted out with a wide variety of equipment and internal and external furniture. For example, the portable cabins 3 may be provided with work benches, sinks, chairs etc. In a preferred embodiment the portable cabin 3 is designed to be self-sufficient by providing utilities such as electricity and water without requiring external hook-up to external sources. The portable cabins 3 may be provided with a diesel generator for production of electricity and water tanks for the supply of fresh water and the containment of soiled (black) and semi-soiled water (grey).
- External furniture may be provided in the portable cabins 3 such as windows, escape hatches, security grills and locking devices on doors, windows and escape hatches.
- In use, the cabins 3 may be loaded and unloaded on and from the
barge 2 by means of an external hoist or crane or a hoist or crane situated on-board thebarge 2. - The
barge 2 may be used for transporting other items such as rubbish skips or raw, bulk materials. In addition, thebarge 2 may be used to transport an excavator or similar machinery for use at a site on or near an inland waterway. Thebarge 2 may optionally be provided with four hydraulically operated legs which can be lowered to rest on the bed of the waterway when the machinery is operated whilst on-board thebarge 2. - The cabins 3 may be transported by road-going vehicular transport if necessary.
Claims (20)
- A portable cabin (3) suitable for transporting on a barge (2) comprising an external flange (39) sized to interface on loading with an upper edge (20) of a sidewall (21) of said barge (2) to at least partially cover said edge (20), characterised in that the external flange (39) comprises sealing means (42) for forming a sealing contact with said edge (20).
- A portable cabin as claimed in claim 1 wherein the external flange (39) covers said edge (20) so as to prevent walking on said edge (20).
- A portable cabin (3) as disclosed in claim 1, comprising two or more mouldings in the form of upper and lower mouldings joined at the height of the external flange (39).
- A portable cabin (3) as claimed in claim 3 wherein the sealing means (39) forms a water-tight seal, in use, with said edge (20).
- A portable cabin (3) as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the sealing means (42) comprises a polypropylene, rubber or similar seal.
- A portable cabin (3) as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cabin (3) comprises side walls (30) and the external flange (39) extends down at least one side wall (30) of the cabin.
- A portable cabin (3) as claimed in claim 6 wherein the cabin (3) comprises two external flanges (39), one on each of two side walls (30).
- A portable cabin (3) as claimed in claim 7 wherein the external flanges (39) are located approximately midway up the side walls (30).
- A portable cabin (3) as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cabin (3) comprises a basal portion (37, 30) beneath the external flange (39) which is received on loading in a hold of said barge (2).
- A portable cabin (3) as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the external flange (39) extends onto an end wall (31) of the cabin (3).
- A portable cabin (3) as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the external flange (39) comprises a sloping upper surface (40).
- A portable cabin (3) as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising an access door (35) in an end wall of the cabin (31).
- A portable cabin (3) as claimed in claim 12 further comprising an access door (35) in first and second end walls (31) at either end of the cabin (3).
- A portable cabin (3) as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a roof (32) of the cabin comprises sloping edge portions (33).
- A barge and portable cabin system comprising a barge (2) suitable for transporting one or more portable cabins (3) and one or more portable cabins (3) as claimed in any preceding claim, the barge (2) comprising sidewalls (21) having an upper edge (2Q) sized to interface with an external flange (39) of the one or more cabins (3) on loading of said cabins (3) such that the upper edge (20) is at least partially covered by said external flange or flanges (39).
- A barge and portable cabin system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the upper edge (20) comprises a box beam (20).
- A barge and portable cabin system as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16 wherein the barge (2) comprises sidewalls (21) and a bottom (22) formed from plates.
- A barge and portable cabin system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the plates (21, 22) are formed as a composite material having inner and outer steel skins and an elastomeric core.
- A barge and portable cabin system as claimed in any of claims 17 to 18 wherein the one or more cabins (3) are stowed in an open-topped hold (11).
- A barge and portable cabin system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the hold (11) comprises steps at an aft and/or stern end of the hold (11), the steps extending from a floor of the hold to the upper edge of the aft and/or stern.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0405062A GB2411623B (en) | 2004-03-05 | 2004-03-05 | Portable cabin and apparatus for transporting portable cabins and the like |
PCT/GB2005/000862 WO2005085559A1 (en) | 2004-03-05 | 2005-03-07 | Portable cabin and apparatus for transporting portable cabins and the like |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1723293A1 EP1723293A1 (en) | 2006-11-22 |
EP1723293B1 true EP1723293B1 (en) | 2009-05-06 |
Family
ID=32088826
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP05717931A Not-in-force EP1723293B1 (en) | 2004-03-05 | 2005-03-07 | Portable cabin and apparatus for transporting portable cabins and the like |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1723293B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE430856T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE602005014343D1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2411623B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2005085559A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2020157521A1 (en) | 2019-01-29 | 2020-08-06 | Sotovikis Dionisios | Floating structure |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
BE738282A (en) * | 1969-09-01 | 1970-02-16 | ||
BE766051A (en) * | 1970-04-23 | 1971-10-21 | Louet Jean M A J | CARAVAN BARGE |
US3800723A (en) * | 1972-03-21 | 1974-04-02 | J Collins | Barge |
US4043285A (en) * | 1976-02-25 | 1977-08-23 | Nordstrom Immo R | Container ship |
GB2142057A (en) * | 1983-06-03 | 1985-01-09 | Pettitt Joinery Company Limite | Garden shed |
GB2187713B (en) * | 1986-03-14 | 1989-11-15 | John Samuel Clive Wintle | A unit for use in construction work |
US5666766A (en) * | 1995-09-15 | 1997-09-16 | Handy Home Products, Inc. | Building constructions |
-
2004
- 2004-03-05 GB GB0405062A patent/GB2411623B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2005
- 2005-03-07 EP EP05717931A patent/EP1723293B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2005-03-07 WO PCT/GB2005/000862 patent/WO2005085559A1/en active Application Filing
- 2005-03-07 DE DE602005014343T patent/DE602005014343D1/en active Active
- 2005-03-07 AT AT05717931T patent/ATE430856T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2005085559A1 (en) | 2005-09-15 |
GB0405062D0 (en) | 2004-04-07 |
DE602005014343D1 (en) | 2009-06-18 |
GB2411623A (en) | 2005-09-07 |
GB2411623B (en) | 2006-09-06 |
ATE430856T1 (en) | 2009-05-15 |
EP1723293A1 (en) | 2006-11-22 |
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