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EP 2 163 712 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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01.12.2010 Bulletin 2010/48 |
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Date of filing: 09.07.2009 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC):
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Container tent for shelter of personal or storage of equipment, particularly in combat
areas
Containerzelt als Unterstand für Personal oder zur Aufbewahrung von Ausrüstung, insbesondere
in Kampfgebieten
Tente de conteneur pour abriter le personnel ou le stockage des équipements, particulièrement
dans les zones de combat
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO
PL PT RO SE SI SK SM TR |
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Designated Extension States: |
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AL BA RS |
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Priority: |
11.07.2008 NO 20083121
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Date of publication of application: |
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17.03.2010 Bulletin 2010/11 |
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Proprietor: Roar Eide Consult |
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1914 Ytre Enebakk (NO) |
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Inventor: |
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- Eide, Roar
NO-1914 Ytre Enebakk (NO)
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Representative: Rygh, Karl Egil Bjørn |
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Zacco Norway AS
Patent Department
Haakon VII's gt. 2
P.O. Box 2003 Vika 0125 Oslo 0125 Oslo (NO) |
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References cited: :
GB-A- 496 036 US-A- 4 722 155
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US-A- 3 293 814 US-B1- 6 298 607
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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[0001] The present invention relates to a container tent for shelter of personnel or storage
of equipment, and in particular a container tent for use in combat areas.
[0002] A mobile building construction is presented by
US 4,722,155, comprising a wall structure intended, togehteher with a roof, to define at least
one room. The wall structure includes two spaced shells defining a gap-like space
having upper openings for filling heavy bulk material such as macadam, gravel or the
like into the space so as to form a safety wall being resistant, especially to firing
or explosive action. In order to release the bulk material, the space is provided
with at least one lower opening allowing the release of bulk material from the wall
structure when transporting the building construction from one ground to another.
[0003] For instance, when the armed forces are participating in operations in combat areas,
such as in Afghanistan, it is a great need for safe spaces for shelter of personnel
or storage of equipment, etc. In this connection, an objective is that such spaces
should be centrally stored and, thereafter, transported into the combat area having
as less net weight and volume as possible. In particular in a folded condition, this
involves that a considerable simplification can be achieved by additionally utilizing
dimensions corresponding to ISO containers. If so, much of the equipment already available
can be used for production and handling of ISO containers. Another objective is that
all components of the space as such should be accommodated within a separate package
and, then, especially enabling more packages to be stacked onto each other. The space
should also be erected into a use position at the current place in the combat area
as easily as possible.
[0004] According to the present invention these current problems are solved by means of
a container tent for shelter of personnel or storage of equipment, particularly in
combat areas, comprising an upper and lower horizontal container element foldably
arranged by means of a support structure in the form of profiles situated near outer
edges of the upper and lower container element, characterized in that a vertical side
element for covering towards the surroundings between the upper and lower container
element is formed by at least two layers of strong fabric sheath mountable at a distance
from each other to provide an open gap between the respective fabric sheets, and that,
after the mounting along the erected upper and lower container element, the gap in
the vertical side element between the respective fabric sheets is filled with gravel
or other mass as to achieve sufficient ballistic properties.
[0005] Advantageous embodiments appear from the dependent claims.
[0006] The container tent according to the present invention is now to be further discussed
by means of preferred embodiments depicted in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a container tent consisting of an upper
and lower horizontal container element and a vertical side element for covering towards
the surroundings in an erected use position;
Fig. 2 shows schematic perspective views of one or more container tents, respectively,
having the upper and lower container element in a folded storage or transport position;
Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of in section of more container tents connected
to each other forming a larger unit;
Fig. 4 shows schematic views in section of details regarding the vertical side element
of the container tent; and
Fig. 5 shows schematic sections of the side element filed with gravel or other mass,
and guidings in the upper container element for extension of the side element along
the erected container elements.
[0007] The foldable container tent according to invention consists of an upper and lower
horizontal container element 1, 2. These are foldably arranged using a support structure
in the form of profiles 3 situated near outer edges of the container elements, see
Fig. 3. In addition to the vertical profiles illustrated, and when needed, the support
structure can be provided with diagonal profiles, not shown. The container elements
and profiles in the support structure are made from a suitable metal, e.g. aluminium.
The fastening and mounting of the support structure to the container elements falls
within the expertise of skilled persons and, thus, is not further discussed herein.
The upper container element 1 can be formed with corner fittings 9 having lift-apertures
for use during lifting and erecting the container tent.
[0008] In addition, it is included in the container tent a vertical side element 4 for covering
towards the surrounding between the erected the container elements 1, 2. The side
element is formed of at least two layers of a strong fabric sheath, selected from
suitable material type, and mountable in distance from each other as to provide for
a free gap 5 between the respective fabric sheets. To achieve sufficient ballistic
properties and, thus, to prevent personnel or other equipment situated in the container
tent, the gap in the side element between the respective fabric sheets is filled with
gravel or other mass after mounting along the container elements, see Fig. 5. It should
be noted that in the folded position, as shown in Fig. 2, the side element and possibly
other accessories can be placed within the space then being provided between the two
container elements.
[0009] To enable practical mounting of the vertical side element 4 along the outer edges
of the erected upper and lower container element, the respective fabric sheets are
extendable along guidings 6 formed in the container elements, whereby the container
tent is also covered towards the surroundings between the two the container elements.
Further, it is a necessity that an upper and lower portion of each fabric sheet has
a configuration corresponding to the guidings in the container elements. The guidings
6 from the section in Fig. 5 are only meant as an example but, of course, the skilled
person understands that other variants are suited as well and is able to propose other
appropriate solutions.
[0010] Although the fabric sheets in the vertical side element 4 could be made in the form
of a separate and continuous sheet, it seems most practical having a division of each
fabric sheet into more sheet pieces. This is particularly the case when more container
tents, as shown in Fig. 3, are connected as to form a larger unit of container tents
having desired configuration and dimension. The corner fittings 9 can be utilized
in a manner not illustrated, for instance, to couple the respective container tents.
As an example, a way to join the sheet pieces is shown in Fig. 4. A respective pair
of sheet pieces is connected to each other using an extension spring 7 situated in
grommet openings 8 in overlapped portions of the sheet pieces. If needed, it can naturally
be used more than the only and centrally situated extension spring illustrated in
the figure. This type of joining can be used in connection with a vertical door element
10, a vertical window element 11 and corner areas of one separate or more coupled
container tents. If such door and window elements are used as part of the vertical
side element 4, these must naturally be formed in a ballistic satisfactory manner.
Alternatively, doors and windows can be protected by means of shield walls, not illustrated,
then being situated in proper distance therefrom.
[0011] To ensure sufficient ballistic properties on the top of the container tent, the upper
horizontal container element, after being erected, can be covered by gravel, for instance.
If so, the same container element is provided with an indentation in a manner not
illustrated, accommodating the gravel in a sufficient height. As illustrated in Fig.
5, the container element is also formed with openings or slits 12 for entry of gravel
or other material into the gap 5 between the respective fabric sheets in the vertical
side element 4.
[0012] Without constituting any vital features of the container tent according to the present
invention, examples of such can be in the form of:
- In the folded condition the upper and lower container element or a stack thereof can
be coupled in an appropriate manner preventing relative displacement during storage
and transport.
- The lower container element 2 has ducts for heating the container tent.
- The support structure can be articulated in an appropriate manner to the upper and
lower container element 1, 2, whereby erecting into use position occurs by lifting
the container elements from each other as to unfold the support structure to upright
position.
- The upper container element 1 can be provided with solar cells and collectors for
production of electric power and hot water and/or an air-conditioner for supply of
cold or warm air into the container tent.
- Alternatively, the air-conditioner can be installed within the vertical door element
10.
- One of the container elements 1, 2 can be provided with ventilating ducts, preferentially
the upper.
- The guidings 6 in the container elements 1, 2 and the accompanying portion of each
fabric sheet is made in thermal insulating manner.
- A separate camouflage sheet can be used at least having dimensions covering the upper
container element 1. Thereby, recognition is prevented when aircrafts are passing
over the container tent.
1. A container tent for shelter of personnel or storage of equipment, particularly in
combat areas, comprising an upper and lower horizontal container element (1, 2) foldably
arranged by means of a support structure in the form of profiles (3) situated near
outer edges of the upper and lower container element (1, 2), characterized in that a vertical side element (4) for covering towards the surroundings between the upper
and lower container element (1, 2) is formed by at least two layers of strong fabric
sheet mountable at a distance from each other to provide an open gap (5) between the
respective fabric sheets, and that, after the mounting along the erected upper and
lower container element (1, 2), the gap (5) in the vertical side element (4) between
the respective fabric sheets is filled with gravel or other mass as to achieve sufficient
ballistic properties.
2. A container tent according to claim 1, characterized in that the respective fabric sheets in the vertical side element (4) are extendable along
guidings (6) in the upper and lower container element (1, 2) as to cover the container
tent towards the surroundings.
3. A container tent according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that more container tents are situated in a relationship to the upper and lower container
element (1, 2) side-by-side and/or end-by-end as to provide a larger unit of container
tents having a desired configuration and size.
4. A container tent according to claim 3, characterized in that the respective fabric sheets in the vertical side element (4) is composed of more
sheet pieces connected to each other by means of at least one extension spring (7)
placed in grommet openings (8) in a respective pair of sheet pieces.
5. A container tent according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper container element (1) is covered by gravel or other mass as to achieve
sufficient ballistic properties.
6. A container tent according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper container element (1) is formed with openings or slits (12) for entry of
gravel or another material into the gap (5) between the respective fabric sheets in
the vertical side element (4).
7. A container tent according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a vertical door element (10) and possibly at least one window element (11) are include
in vertical side element (4).
1. Containerzelt als Unterstand für Personal oder zur Aufbewahrung von Ausrüstung, insbesondere
in Kampfgebieten, umfassend ein oberes und unteres horizontales Containerelement (1,
2), das mittels einer Stützstruktur in Form von in der Nähe von Außenkanten des oberen
und unteren Containerelements (1, 2) angeordneten Profilen (3) faltbar angebracht
ist,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein vertikales Seitenelement (4) zur Abdeckung gegenüber der Umgebung zwischen dem
oberen und unteren Containerelement (1, 2) durch zumindest zwei Schichten einer starken
Gewebeplane gebildet ist, welche mit einem Abstand zueinander montierbar sind, um
eine offene Lücke (5) zwischen den jeweiligen Gewebeplanen bereitzustellen, und dass
die Lücke (5) im vertikalen Seitenelement (4) zwischen den jeweiligen Gewebeplanen
nach der Montage entlang dem aufgerichteten oberen und unteren Containerelement (1,
2) zur Erzielung von ausreichenden ballistischen Eigenschaften mit Kies oder einer
anderen Masse gefüllt ist.
2. Containerzelt nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die jeweiligen Gewebeplanen im vertikalen Seitenelement (4) entlang von Führungen
(6) im oberen und unteren Containerelement (1, 2) zur Abdeckung des Containerzelts
gegenüber der Umgebung erweiterbar sind.
3. Containerzelt nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mehrere Containerzelte nebeneinander und/oder endweise in einer Beziehung zum oberen
und unteren Containerelement (1, 2) angeordnet sind, um eine größere Einheit von eine
gewünschte Ausgestaltung und Größe aufweisenden Containerzelten bereitzustellen.
4. Containerzelt nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die jeweiligen Gewebeplanen im vertikalen Seitenelement (4) aus mehreren Planenstücken
zusammengesetzt sind, die mittels zumindest einer in Durchführungsöffnungen (8) in
einem jeweiligen Paar von Planenstücken angebrachten Zugfeder (7) miteinander verbunden
sind.
5. Containerzelt nach irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das obere Containerelement (1) zur Erzielung von ausreichenden ballistischen Eigenschaften
mit Kies oder einer anderen Masse gedeckt ist.
6. Containerzelt nach irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das obere Containerelement (1) mit Öffnungen oder Schlitzen (12) zum Eintritt von
Kies oder einem anderen Material in die Lücke (5) zwischen den jeweiligen Gewebeplanen
im vertikalen Seitenelement (4) ausgebildet ist.
7. Containerzelt nach irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein vertikales Türelement (10) und möglicherweise zumindest ein Fensterelement (11)
im vertikalen Seitenelement (4) enthalten sind.
1. Tente de conteneur pour abriter le personnel ou le stockage des équipements, particulièrement
dans les zones de combat, comprenant un élément horizontal de conteneur supérieur
et inférieur (1, 2), arrangé de manière pliable au moyen d'une structure de support
dans la forme de profiles (3) placés près de bords extérieurs de l'élément de conteneur
supérieur et inférieur (1, 2), caractérisée en ce qu'un élément latéral vertical (4) pour couverture s'étendant vers les abords entre l'élément
de conteneur supérieur et inférieur (1, 2) est constitué par au moins deux couches
de bâche de tissu fort apte à monter l'une éloignée de l'autre afin d'établir un écartement
ouvert (5) entre les deux couches de bâche de tissu respectives, et en ce qu'après le montage le long de l'élément de conteneur supérieur et inférieur (1, 2) érigé,
l'écartement (5) dans l'élément latéral vertical (4) entre les couches de bâche de
tissu respectives est rempli de gravier ou d'une autre masse en vue d'obtenir des
qualités balistiques suffisantes.
2. Tente de conteneur selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que les couches de bâche de tissu respectives dans l'élément latéral vertical (4) peuvent
s'étendre le long des guidages (6) dans l'élément de conteneur supérieur et inférieur
(1, 2) pour couvrir la tente de conteneur vers les abords.
3. Tente de conteneur selon les revendications 1 ou 2, caractérisée en ce que plusieurs tentes de conteneur sont arrangées par rapport à l'élément de conteneur
supérieur et inférieur (1, 2) l'un à côté de l'autre et/ou de bout en bout en vue
d'établir une plus grande unité de tentes de conteneur présentant une configuration
et étendue désirées.
4. Tente de conteneur selon la revendication 3, caractérisée en ce que les couches de bâche de tissu respectives dans l'élément latéral vertical (4) sont
composées de plusieurs pièces de bâche l'une reliée à l'autre au moyen d'au moins
un ressort d'extension (7) arrangé dans des ouvertures d'estrope (8) dans une paire
respective de pièces de bâche.
5. Tente de conteneur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que l'élément de conteneur supérieur (1) est couvert de gravier ou d'une autre masse
en vue d'obtenir des qualités balistiques suffisantes.
6. Tente de conteneur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que l'élément de conteneur supérieur (1) est pourvu d'ouvertures ou d'évidements (12)
pour faire entrer du gravier ou un autre matériau dans l'écartement ouvert (5) entre
les couches de bâche de tissu respectives dans l'élément latéral vertical (4).
7. Tente de conteneur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'un élément vertical de porte (10) et éventuellement au moins un élément de fenêtre
(11) sont compris dans l'élément latéral vertical (4).
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description