Expandable unit, in particular for houses or offices

Abstract

An expandable unit in particular for houses or offices, which is produced in the form of a container and is unusually capable of achieving a very good ratio between the initial and final volumes, comprises a basic module provided with at least a roof supported by uprights, and at least one extractable module operatively associated with the basic module so as to translate relative thereto. The extractable module comprises a base and a roof, which are parallel to the roof of the basic module, and side walls which connect the base and the roof so as to form a parallelepiped, open on one side corresponding to the side that is inside the basic module. The extractable module comprises at least an outer portion and an inner portion, slidable relative to one another. The base of the inner portion comprises at least a first portion and a second portion connected to one another by hinges.

1 . An expandable unit in particular for houses or offices, produced in the form of a container, wherein it comprises a basic module provided with at least a roof supported by uprights, and at least one extractable module operatively associated with the basic module so as to translate relative thereto, the extractable module comprising a base and a roof which are parallel to the roof of the basic module and side walls which connect the base and the roof so as to form a parallelepiped, open on one side corresponding to the side that is inside the basic module.  
   
   
       2 . An expandable unit ( 10 ) according to  claim 1  in which the basic module ( 18 ) comprises, on at least one side, an abutment element ( 54 ), and in which the extractable module ( 24 ) comprises, on at least one side, an abutment element ( 56 ) which can interact with the abutment element ( 54 ) of the basic module ( 18 ) in the expanded position of the expandable unit ( 10 ).  
   
   
       3 . An expandable unit according to  claim 2  in which the abutment element of the basic module comprises an appendage which extends inwardly relative to the expandable unit, the appendage having a plate, one end of which is fixed to the appendage, and a contact portion.  
   
   
       4 . An expandable unit according to  claim 3 , in which the abutment element of the extractable module comprises an appendage which extends outwardly relative to the expandable unit for a distance such as to interact with the appendage of the abutment element, the appendage having a contact portion which can interact with the plate of the abutment element to achieve electromagnetic impermeability between the basic module and the extractable module, and a sealing element which can adhere to the contact portion of the abutment element in order to achieve impermeability to water between the basic module and the extractable module.  
   
   
       5 . An expandable unit according to  claim 1 , in which means for bearing on the ground are provided, disposed in the vicinity of the coiners of the expandable unit.  
   
   
       6 . An expandable unit according to  claim 5  in which the means for bearing on the ground are mounted on a frame of the expandable unit so as to be pivotable about an axis.  
   
   
       7 . An expandable unit according to  claim 5 , in which the expandable unit comprises a recess for housing the means for bearing on the ground, in a retracted position.  
   
   
       8 . An expandable unit according to  claim 5  in which the means for bearing on the ground comprise at least one electromechanical cylinder, with the piston of which a support foot of the expandable unit is associated.  
   
   
       9 . An expandable unit according to  claim 1  in which the extractable module comprises a base provided with at least a first portion and a second portion connected to one another by hinges.  
   
   
       10 . An expandable unit according to  claim 1  in which two extractable modules are provided, disposed on opposite sides of the basic module.  
   
   
       11 . An expandable unit according to  claim 1  in which the basic module comprises means for engagement on basic modules or on extractable modules forming part of adjacent expandable units.  
   
   
       12 . An expandable unit according to  claim 1  in which the extractable module comprises means for engagement on basic modules or on extractable modules forming part of adjacent expandable units.  
   
   
       13 . An expandable unit according to  claim 1  in which the extractable module comprises at least two portions slidable relative to one another.  
   
   
       14 . An expandable unit according to  claim 1  in which the extractable module comprises an outer portion comprising the roof, the side walls and the base of the extractable module, defining a parallelepiped that is open on two facing sides.  
   
   
       15 . An expandable unit according to  claim 14  in which the extractable module comprises an inner portion comprising the side wall which defines a side wall of the expandable unit in the contracted configuration, a roof, a base, and connecting side walls between the base and the roof.  
   
   
       16 . An expandable unit according to  claim 15  in which the base of the inner portion comprises at least a first portion and a second portion connected to one another by hinges.  
   
   
       17 . An expandable unit according to  claim 15  in which the inner portion comprises an abutment element disposed on the edge that is inside the expandable unit and extending outwardly relative to the expandable unit, the abutment element being able to interact with an abutment element of the outer portion when the expandable unit is in the expanded condition.  
   
   
       18 . An expandable unit according to  claim 1 , in which guides are provided between the extractable module and the basic module.  
   
   
       19 . An expandable unit according to  claim 18  in which each guide comprises a tubular element associated with the extractable module and a seat fixed firmly to the roof of the basic module for housing the tubular element.  
   
   
       20 . An expandable unit according to  claim 19  in which an end of the tubular element is fixed firmly to a frame of the extractable module.  
   
   
       21 . An expandable unit according to  claim 19 , in which the tubular element comprises at least four regions of contact with elements of the seat.  
   
   
       22 . An expandable unit according to  claim 21  in which the tubular element comprises inclined planes which define regions of contact with elements of the seat.  
   
   
       23 . An expandable unit according to  claim 22  in which the inclined planes constitute upper and lower regions of contact with elements of the seat.  
   
   
       24 . An expandable unit according to  claim 19  in which each guide comprises rolling elements housed in the seat and interposed between the seat and the tubular element.  
   
   
       25 . An expandable unit according to  claim 13  in which further guides are provided and permit relative translation of the two portions.  
   
   
       26 . An expandable unit according to  claim 25  in which the further guides comprise wheels coupled with a cross-member.  
   
   
       27 . An expandable unit according to  claim 26  in which at least some of the wheels have a peripheral recess which interacts with a “V”-shaped edge of the cross-member.