DIRECTION ACCORDING TO DESIGNS OF ANY SHAPE"

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TECHNICAL FIELD OF APPLICATION The living module according to the present invention is a metal element, transportable when dismantled into its component parts stacked on pallets , and easily re-assembled in the place of use with simple mechanical operations . The limited weight of the components makes possible both transport and assembly operations even without the use of mechanical means . In an emergency, which is the main field of application of the present invention, suitable mechanical means for lifting and transport are often not available , and there is only a work force , often not very specialized, available . In such circumstances the only living modules available consist of tent structures , which by their very nature provide a very much lower quality of life than prefabricated metal structures and furthermore , when they are used for emergency health services and in front-line hospitals , do not allow adequate disinfection and sterilization, which are necessary for such structures .

STATE OF THE ART

To create living spaces in a short time and without using mechanical means , almost the only solution offered by the market are tent structures of various shapes and sizes . The main limit of such tent structures is the poor level of quality found in such solutions (heat insulation and resistance to atmospheric agents ) . This limited quality level is critical , in emergency situations too, due to the living units used for purposes of hygiene and health, such as first aid centers and small field hospitals . In such constructions , also in an emergency, it is necessary to guarantee health and hygiene conditions of disinfection and

sterilization _/ which is practically impossible in tent structures . For such constructions of a health and hygiene character it would be more appropriate to have a type of construction which is closer to traditional constructions in its technical characteristics . For such requirements the market provides a wide series of prefabricated modules , light or heavy, able to be dis-assembled or pre-assembled, of different shapes , sizes and materials , which in any case have the same characteristic that they require mechanical means so that they can be moved to the place of use and assembled and positioned for use . But it is precisely the mechanical lifting and transport means that are lacking in emergency situations, so that, forgetting considerations of hygiene as above, it is in any case necessary to fall back on the solution of tents , as the only one available on the market at present. The technological challenge according to the present invention is therefore to produce a living module with the technical characteristics of living modules which are prefabricated and made of light metal , but which (due to the limited weight of its components and ease of assembly even without mechanical lifting means ) is maneuverable and can easily be positioned in use , comparable to a tent, and which can therefore be used in all such situations where at present the tent is the only living system that can be used. And it is precisely this technological challenge that constitutes the innovative element of the present patent .

TECHNICAL PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED The design problem at the basis of the present patent is synthetically defined as the construction of an extendable and sectional unitary module ( so as to cover spaces of any size ) which in its technical characteristics is a metal prefabricated building of high quality level, but which in

movement and assembly does not require the use of mechanical means , and which includes rather simple and rapid operations like those required for tent structures . In this general definition all the technical problems are included which have had to be faced, problems which are reported synthetically hereafter.

A — Modularity of the module and flexibility in the shapes and sizes of the areas that can be covered by said module . - The basic module is limited in its size by the standard sizes of road transport, so that it does not require any special transport . The base size of the module is therefore 2.5 x 2.5 m with a height of 2.5 m too. The surfaces that can therefore be covered by the module are spaces of any size and shape inscribed in a reticular grid of the same size as the module ( 2.5 m) . Guaranteeing real modularity means that, in the juxtaposition of several modular units to obtain bigger spaces , the same component element ( for example the common edge wall ) is used by both contiguous units without requiring the doubling of said common elements .

B - On site mobility of the component elements without needing to use mechanical means — Entails structural optimization of the elements that make up the module and a careful choice of the materials and construction techniques so as to guarantee a weight of not more than 100 Kg, that is , a weight that can easily be moved manually by three people .

C — Easy assembly — The operations required for assembly must be particularly simple and quick, they must not require any specialized personnel or training, the similar pieces (outer walls and inner doors ) are interchangeable without prejudicing the assembly operations which therefore do not include a rigid sequence of the elements to be

installed and the operations to be performed. D — Simple and rapid installation — The installation of the component modules of the structure to be achieved must not include any preparation of the ground on which they are assembled and therefore the modules must be able to adapt to irregularities and different levels in any country ground.

E — Water proofing of the individual modules and the system formed by several modules — Each individual module must be able to discharge the rain water that falls thereon, and this must be possible even when the module is in position inside a chain formed by several modules . Therefore , there must be no system of total coverage of several unitary modules connected together, seeing that such a system of total coverage would be differentiated according to the modalities of composition of the unitary modules .

GENERIC DEFINITION OF THE INVENTION

The module for which the patent for a utility model is requested, represents the elementary unit of a system to prefabricate living structures . The system provides the possibility to couple several elementary units so as to form structures of much greater size than the elementary structure itself . To be more exact, the elementary unit of the system is constructed on a square reticulate of 2.5 m each side and, on said reticulate, the assembly of several modules can be programmed. The module is constructed in a totally symmetrical manner with respect to its central vertical axis and therefore none of its base dimensions is privileged with respect to the other and, consequently, it is completely irrelevant whether the module is positioned in a certain position or rotated by whole multiples of 90 degrees . The elements that make up the module are the corner uprights , the perimeter walls , the floor and the

ceiling. The corner uprights perform mostly static functions . They have a square shape and allow 2 or 3 or 4 perimeter walls of the module to be attached to each of them. They are equipped with telescopic feet which allow to position the floor of the module horizontally even when there are irregularities and differences in level of the ground where the module is located. The uprights also have a double inner chamber which divides the peripheral edge zone ( intended for the mechanisms to attach the walls ) from the innermost zone which functions as a vertical downpipe into which the gutters inserted in the perimeter walls drain. The perimeter walls can be solid or hollow depending on whether they are the outer faςade walls or inner boundary walls between two contiguous modules . Both types of wall have an identical system of construction and consist of a border frame (outer frame ) into which the mechanisms are inserted that allow the rapid attachment of the walls to the corner uprights . The border frame , moreover, has a bracket-type protrusion on the lower edge on which the floor of the module will be positioned: the frame therefore has static functions of transferring the loads ( its own weight and use load) from the floor to the corner uprights and the relative supporting feet . Furthermore, the border frame , in its upper side , has a finishing with a U-shaped bar, in which the two contiguous roofs are fitted, and which apart from the static functions also functions as a gutter channel into which the rain from the roofs falls . In the case of "solid" perimeter walls , a buffer paneling can be fitted to the border frame, which can be totally blind or can have doors and/or windows of various sizes and shapes . On the contrary, in the case of "hollow" perimeter walls , the wall element is reduced to the border frame alone, while the inner space is totally

hollow so as to constitute a total continuity of volumes between one module and the adjacent one . Furthermore , in hollow perimeter walls , the border frame is suitably cabled and the lighting bodies for the whole module are inserted into the thickness of the frame itself . The floor element is square in shape and consists of an insulating panel suitably reinforced with anti-slip finishing on the walking plane . Given its square and symmetric shape , it is irrelevant whether the floor is positioned in a certain position or rotated by whole multiples of 90 degrees . The floor is simply rested ( for the whole of its perimeter) on the lower edges of the four perimeter walls (whether they be hollow or solid) and is fitted to them at the moment when the corner hooks between the walls and uprights are clamped. The ceiling element, finally, is square shaped and consists of an insulated panel which, for the whole of the edge, has a plate functioning as a drip. The drip plate is inserted in the four gutter channels (U-shaped bars ) which constitute the upper edge of the perimeter walls . Roof and perimeter walls are made solid by means of specific attachment systems . In the roofing element, moreover, the insulated panel is surmounted by a fretted metal sheet so that, in its entirety, said element takes the form of a ventilated roof . ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The advantages of the invention object of the present patent can be shown with respect to the specific field of application for which it is mainly intended. In situations of emergency and catastrophe it is a priority to construct living units with different functions (dwellings , offices , schools , hospitals , etc . ) which must be made very quickly and, generally, without the availability of mechanical lifting and moving means , where the only available resource

is manpower. The solutions offered by the market for this problem are tent constructions and, generally, buildings of a decidedly precarious nature . The device object of the present patent can be used in this first emergency stage because it has ( in the weight of the components , the simplicity and ease of assembly) characteristics totally analogous to those of tent structures . On the contrary, with respect to tents , it has decidedly better technical characteristics ( insulation, resistance, safety, etc . ) comparable with those of normal prefabricated constructions .

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

- SHEET 1 (overall three-dimensional view)

- figure 1 — shows all the components of the module 10 with positioning in space so as to emphasize the reciprocal connection systems . To emphasize the character of modular unity which characterizes the module 10 , the figure shows four unitary modules 10 , next to each other, so as to form a single covered space, completely free and double in size with respect to that of the basic module 10. In the drawing the corner uprights 12 can be seen, with the relative telescopic feet 14 , the "solid" perimeter panels 16 that form the outer buffer of the building, the "hollow" perimeter panels 18 located astride two adjacent modules 10 that allow the spatial extension of the module 10 , the floor panels 20 resting on the perimeter panels 16 , 18 and the roof panels 22 with the system to discharge the rain water. The drawing can also be used as an assembly diagram.

- SHEET 2 (corner upright) - figure 2 — front view of the corner upright 12 : the systems of mechanical hooks 24 can be seen, by which the lateral walls 16 , 18 are joined to the upright 12 , the telescopic foot 14 , adjustable in height, with which the

upright 12 is equipped and the hole 26 in the upper part in which the gutters 28 are inserted, located on the upper edge of the lateral panels 16 , 18.

- figure 3 — lateral view of the corner upright 12 : the systems 24 are visible with which the lateral walls 16 , 18 are attached to the upright 12 , the telescopic foot 14 with which the upright 12 is equipped and the hole 26 in the upper part in which the gutters 28 are inserted, located on the upper edge of the lateral panels 16 , 18 , connecting with the central part of the upright 12 and allowing the water to be discharged.

- figure 4 — location plan of the corner upright 12 : the total symmetry that characterizes the upright 12 is visible , so that it is totally irrelevant how the upright 12 is positioned or if it is rotated.

- figure 5 — three-dimensional view of the corner upright 12 : the systems of mechanical hooks 24 can be seen, by which the lateral walls 16 , 18 are joined to the upright 12 , the telescopic foot 14 , adjustable in height, with which the upright is equipped and the hole 26 in the upper part in which the gutters are inserted, located on the upper edge of the lateral panels , both solid 16 and hollow 18.

- figure 6 — detail of the upper part of the corner upright 12 : it can be seen how the upright 12 is divided inside into two separate chambers 30 , 32 , of which the outer 30 one contains the blocks 24 to which the walls 16 , 18 are attached, while the inner part 32 , totally separate, serves as a vertical down-pipe and is connected to the gutters 28 present in the perimeter walls 16 , 18.

- figure 7 — detail of the lower part of the corner upright 12 : the telescopic foot 14 is visible, which is easy to adjust in height and allows a correct positioning of the

module 10 irrespective of irregularities and different levels in the ground.

- SHEET 3 — (solid perimeter wall)

- figure 8 — front view of the solid perimeter wall 16 : the systems 34 can be seen with which the lateral walls 16 are attached to the upright 12 , the upper side of the border frame functioning as a gutter channel 28 and the lower side of the border frame with the bracket functioning as a support 36 for the floor 20. - figure 9 — vertical section of the solid perimeter wall 16 : the systems 34 are visible with which the lateral walls 16 are attached to the upright 12 , the upper side of the border frame functioning as a gutter channel 28 and the lower side of the border frame with the bracket functioning as a support 36 for the floor 20. It is also possible to see the central buffer system 38 made with a prefabricated panel consisting of outer metal slabs with interposed foaming of insulating material, injected under pressure .

- figure 10 — horizontal section of the solid perimeter wall 16 : the systems 34 are visible with which the lateral walls 16 are attached to the upright 12. It is also possible to see the central buffer system 38 made with a prefabricated panel consisting of outer metal slabs with interposed foaming of insulating material, injected under pressure .

- figure 11 — detail of the upper edge of the solid perimeter wall 16 (the same detail applies for the upper edge of the hollow perimeter wall 18 ) : the upper U-shaped bar is visible functioning as a gutter channel 28 and the mechanisms 40 through which said bar ( and the whole wall ) is connected to the roof structure 22.

- figure 12 — three-dimensional view of the solid perimeter wall 16 : the systems 34 are visible with which the lateral

walls 16 are attached to the upright 12 , the upper side of the border frame functioning as a gutter channel 28 and the lower side of the border frame with the bracket functioning as a support 36 for the floor 20. It is also possible to see the central buffer system 38 made with a prefabricated panel consisting of outer metal slabs with interposed foaming of insulating material, injected under pressure .

- SHEET 4 — (hollow perimeter wall)

- figure 13 — front view of the hollow perimeter wall 18 : the systems 34 are visible with which the lateral walls 18 are attached to the upright 12 , the upper side of the border frame functioning as a gutter channel 28 and the lower side of the border frame with the bracket functioning as a support 36 for the floor 20. - figure 14 — upper horizontal view of the hollow perimeter wall 18 : the upper U-shaped bar is visible , with static functions ( integrating part of the frame) and also functions as a gutter channel 28 , and the attachment mechanisms 40 for the roof structure 22. - figure 15 — lateral left view of the hollow perimeter wall 18 : the systems 34 are visible with which the lateral walls 18 are attached to the upright 12 , the upper side of the border frame functioning as a gutter channel 28 and the lower side of the border frame with the bracket functioning as a support 36 for the floor 20. As can be seen, the hollow panel 18 is reduced to its border structure alone ( frame ) while the inner part is totally hollow so as to allow the continuity of spaces between one module 10 and the adjacent one . - figure 16 — lateral right view of the hollow perimeter wall 18 : the systems 34 are visible with which the lateral walls 18 are attached to the upright 12 , the upper side of the border frame functioning as a gutter channel 28 and the

lower side of the border frame with the bracket functioning as a support 36 for the floor 20. As can be seen, the hollow panel 18 is reduced to its border structure alone ( frame ) while the inner part is totally hollow so as to allow the continuity of spaces between one module 10 and the adjacent one .

- figure 17 — horizontal section view of the lower edge of the hollow perimeter wall 18 : it can be seen how the lower edge has static functions and is an integral part of the frame which is the hollow perimeter wall 18 itself . The lower edge is shaped so as to protrude as a bracket with respect to the line of the whole perimeter wall 18 and in this way constitutes a continuous support 36 for the floor structure 20. - figure 18 — three-dimensional view of the hollow perimeter wall 18 : the systems 34 are visible with which the lateral walls 18 are attached to the upright 12 , the upper side of the border frame functioning as a gutter channel 28 and the lower side of the border frame with the bracket functioning as a support 36 for the floor 20. As can be seen, the hollow panel 18 is reduced to its border structure alone ( frame ) while the inner part is totally hollow so as to allow the continuity of spaces between one module 10 and the adjacent one . - figure 19 — three-dimensional view of the upper edge ( gutter channel 28 ) of the hollow perimeter wall 18 and constructional drawing of the elements that make it up: the U-shaped bar, having static functions and function as a gutter channel 28 , is visible, the terminations of the gutter channel 28 with the down-pipes which are inserted into the corner upright 12 and connect the gutter channel 28 with the vertical descendant represented by the central part of the corner upright 12 , the attachment systems 40 of

the roof structure 22. The present detail of the upper edge of the lateral panel 18 , having static functions and function as a gutter channel 28 , applies integrally also for the solid perimeter wall 18 shown in sheet 3. - SHEET 5 - (floor)

- figure 20 — lower horizontal view of the floor element 20 consisting of an insulated multi-layer panel 42 with anti- slip treatment for the walking surface and stiffening beams 44 to limit the elasticity thereof . The panel 42 rests , for the whole of the development of its edge, on the brackets 36 present in the perimeter panels both hollow 16 and solid 18. The height of the floor 20 is exactly gauged with the size of the lower edge of the hollow perimeter panel 16 , 18 , so as not to create breaks in continuity between the contiguous floor surfaces . figure 21 — vertical section of the floor element consisting of an insulated multi-layer panel 42 with anti- slip treatment for the walking surface and stiffening beams 44 , bolted to the multi-layer panel 42 , to limit the elasticity thereof .

- figure 22 — three-dimensional view of the floor element 20 consisting of the insulated multi-layer panel 42 and the stiffening beams 44 bolted thereto .

- SHEET 6 (roof element) - figure 23 — horizontal upper view of the roof element 22 consisting of a two-metal panel 46 with inside insulation material foamed under pressure . On the insulating panel (with suitable bars 50 interposed to function as spacers ) the upper part made of fretted metal sheet 52 is screwed, so as to constitute in its entirety a ventilated roof structure .

- figure 24 — front vertical view of the roof element 22 consisting of an insulated two-metal panel 46 and the

fretted metal sheet 52 above in order to constitute in its entirety a ventilated roof structure . The metal bar 50 located at the edge of the insulated panel functions as a dripper 54 which will discharge into the gutter channels 28 (upper edge of the perimeter walls 16 , 18 ) . With mechanical attachment systems 40 the roof element 22 is then attached to the rest of the structure (upper edge of the perimeter walls 16 , 18 ) .

- figure 25 — lateral vertical view of the roof element 22 consisting of an insulated two-metal panel 46 and the fretted metal sheet 52 above in order to constitute in its entirety a ventilated roof structure . The metal bar 50 located at the edge of the insulated panel functions as a dripper 54 which will discharge into the gutter channels 28 (upper edge of the perimeter walls ) . With mechanical attachment systems 40 the roof element 22 is then attached to the rest of the structure (upper edge of the perimeter walls 16 , 18 ) .

- figure 26 — detail of the edge of the front vertical view of the roof element 22 showing the metal bar located at the edge of the insulated panel; the bar functions as a dripper 54 to discharge the water directly into the gutter channels 28 which make up the upper edge of all the perimeter walls 16 , 18. - figure 27 - detail of the edge of the lateral vertical view of the roof element 22 showing the metal bar located at the edge of the insulated panel; the bar functions as a dripper 54 to discharge the water directly into the gutter channels 28 which make up the upper edge of all the perimeter walls 16 , 18.

- figure 28 — three-dimensional view of the entire roof element 22 consisting of the insulated two-metal panel 46 , the fretted metal sheet 52 above (ventilated roof

structure ) and the edge profiles functioning as drippers 54 into the gutter channels 28.

- SHEET 7 — (roof element)

- figure 29 — three-dimensional view of all the components of the roof structure 22 with positioning in space so as to emphasize the reciprocal connection and joining systems . To be more exact, it is possible to see the insulated two- metal panel 46 , the spacers 50 and the roof of fretted metal sheet 52 above , the edge profiles functioning as a dripper 54 into the gutter channels 28 (upper edge of the walls both solid 16 and hollow 18 ) .

- figure 30 — detail of the edge of the front vertical view of the roof element 22 emphasizing the metal bar located at the edge of the insulated panel; the bar functions as a dripper 54 to discharge the water directly into the gutter channels 28 which make up the upper edge of all the perimeter walls 16 , 18.

- SHEET 8 — (system to couple together several modules)

- figure 31 — planimetric view from above of a structure 22 created by assembling together four unitary modules 10 , so as to create a single internal continuous space double in size with respect to that of the basic module 10. With the same criterion it is possible to add other modules 10.

- figure 32 — front vertical section of a structure created by assembling four unitary modules 10 , so as to create a single internal continuous space double in size with respect to that of the basic module 10. The solid perimeter panels 16 are used for the outer buffer walls , while in the walls in common between two contiguous modules the hollow wall 18 is used consisting of the frame alone : it is thus possible to have a continuous inner space that is not interrupted in the passage between two modules 10.

- figure 33 — lateral vertical section of a structure

created by assembling four unitary modules 10 , so as to create a single internal continuous space double in size with respect to that of the basic module 10. The solid perimeter panels 16 are used for the outer buffer walls (but they could also be used as inner partition walls ) , while in the walls in common between two contiguous modules the hollow wall 18 is used consisting of the frame alone , in this way obtaining a single and uninterrupted inner space . - SHEET 9 — (system for coupling several modules)

- figure 34 — planimetric view of the floor 20 of an example structure created by assembling four unitary modules 10 , so as to create a single internal continuous space double in size with respect to that of the basic module 10. With the same criterion it is possible to add other modules 10.

- figure 35 — detailed vertical section of the outer buffer wall , built by a solid perimeter wall 16 on which both the floor structure 20 and the roof structure 22 rest . Doors and windows of any type and size can be inserted in the buffer walls . The hollow inner walls 18 ( frame ) are pre- cabled (with cable channels inside the border frame ) and are already equipped with resistant fluorescent bodies which give standard illumination to the whole structure . - figure 36 — three-dimensional view of an example structure created by assembling four unitary modules 10 , so as to create a single internal continuous space double in size with respect to that of the basic module 10. It is an example of the method of coupling the basic modules 10 and the flexibility of the resulting prefabricated system: with the same criterion it is possible to add an infinite number of other modules 10.

DESCRIPTION OF HOW TO REALIZE THE INVENTION

WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

The module 10 can be realized with different materials both metal and not, always keeping substantially its shape and method of assembly. One of the ways to realize it may be to use, for all the structural elements of the module 10 , normal aluminum bars , thus further reducing the weight of the individual components . On the contrary, for the metal sheets that make up the insulated panels , it would be better to use iron sheet and not aluminum sheet, considering its greater indeformability and resistance to impacts . Anchoring hooks of standard type are commonly found on the market .