Wheelchair accessible home addition system

Abstract

A wheelchair accessible home addition system is provided that includes a trailer, a prefabricated dwelling unit, and a connector, which together allow for the rapid installation of a wheelchair accessible bedroom and bathroom with an optional kitchenette that can be temporarily or permanently attached to an existing home. A more temporary installation may be accomplished using the trailer assembly, which includes four integral crank-down support jacks that can be engaged and secured for hurricane winds with cable tie downs. In this way, the dwelling remains on the trailer during use. A more permanent installation may be accomplished by using a metal support frame under the dwelling that allows the dwelling to be placed on a site built pile foundation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wheelchair accessible home addition system comprising:
 a bottom support, the bottom support being attached to a chassis of a trailer during a temporary installation and being attached to a foundation during a permanent installation, wherein the bottom support overhangs the chassis in a direction along a wheel axle of the trailer;   a dwelling unit attached to the bottom support, the dwelling unit including a floor, a roof, a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall opposite the first side wall, wherein the roof includes a roof membrane, a vent space beneath the roof membrane, and a roof structural insulated panel, wherein the roof panel includes a first support layer, a second support layer, and an insulation layer between the first support layer and the second support layer;   a ceiling beneath the second support layer, the ceiling including framing attached to the second support layer and ceiling boards attached to the framing, wherein the ceiling includes a first section and a second section, wherein the first section extends from the back wall to a first section edge, and wherein the second section extends at an upward angle from the first section edge to the front wall;   a bedroom area in the dwelling unit, the bedroom area formed by the first side wall and portions of the front wall and the back wall;   a bathroom area in the dwelling unit, the bathroom area being adjacent to the bedroom area and formed by the second side wall and portions of the front wall and the back wall;   a hoist track system including a trolley system and a support system, wherein the trolley system includes a rail track extending directly and only from the bedroom area into the bathroom area, the rail track conveying a wheel truck assembly that supports and conveys a coupler for a lift, wherein the support system includes a first member attached to the roof panel via a plurality of bolts passing through the first support layer, the second support layer, and at least a portion of the first member, and a second member attached to the roof panel via a second plurality of bolts passing through the first support layer, the second support layer, and at least a portion of the second member, wherein the rail track is supported between the first member and the second member, wherein the hoist track system runs between the first ceiling section and the second ceiling section, and wherein the rail track, the first member, and the second member are located above the ceiling boards;   a first exterior door in the front wall between the bedroom area and the bathroom area; and   a second exterior door in the back wall between the bedroom area and the bathroom area.   
     
     
         2 . The home addition system according to  claim 1 , further including a connector designed and configured to be removably attached when the home addition is installed on a first end to the back wall, the first end encompassing the second door, and designed and configured to be removably attached on a second end to an existing building, the second end being opposite the first end. 
     
     
         3 . The home addition system according to  claim 1 , wherein the foundation includes a plurality of posts and a plurality of joists supported by the posts, and wherein, during the permanent installation, the bottom support is supported by the plurality of joists. 
     
     
         4 . The home addition system according to  claim 1 , further including a single continuous structural insulated floor panel. 
     
     
         5 . The home addition system according to  claim 1 , further including a block disposed beneath the second support layer and between the first member and the second member, wherein the block is configured to further stabilize the first member and the second member. 
     
     
         6 . The home addition system according to  claim 1 , further including a window section in the bedroom area, the window section spanning across a corner formed by the front wall and the first side wall. 
     
     
         7 . The home addition system according to  claim 1 , further including a table attached to the back wall in the bedroom area, the table being foldable between an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         8 . The home addition system according to  claim 1 , further including a drain pipe extending from the dwelling unit and connecting to a sewage system. 
     
     
         9 . The home addition system according to  claim 1 , wherein the dwelling unit is constructed as a unitized shell with a continuous connection among the roof, the floor, the back wall, and the front wall via a structural insulated roof panel, a structural insulated floor panel, a structural insulated back wall panel, and a structural insulated front wall panel. 
     
     
         10 . A wheelchair accessible home addition system comprising:
 a metal support frame designed and configured to be secured to a chassis of a trailer and designed and configured to be supported on a foundation when the frame is not secured to the trailer;   a dwelling unit secured to the metal support frame, the dwelling unit having a front, a rear, a first side, a second side, and a roof, and including a bedroom area defined by the front, the rear, and the first side and a bathroom area defined by the front, the rear, and the second side, wherein the bathroom area is adjacent to the bedroom area and wherein the dwelling unit further includes:
 a hoist track system including a track running directly and only between the bedroom area and the bathroom area, 
 a first door on the front, and 
 a second door on the rear; and 
   a connector having a connector roof, a floor, a first side wall, and a second side wall, wherein the connector is attached on a first end to an outside of the rear of the dwelling unit, the first end surrounding the second door, and on a second end to an existing building.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the connector includes a plurality of telescoping metal scaffolding support members, each of the plurality of telescoping support members secured on one end to the rear of the dwelling unit and on an opposite end to the existing building, wherein at least one of the telescoping support members is in the connector roof, the floor, the first side wall, and the second side wall, and wherein each telescoping support member is adjustable during installation between a length of six feet and a length of nine feet. 
     
     
         12 . A wheelchair accessible home addition system comprising:
 a bottom support, the bottom support being a metal frame;   a dwelling unit on the bottom support, the dwelling unit including a roof panel, a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall opposite the first side wall and including:
 a bedroom area formed by the first side wall and portions of the front wall and the back wall, 
 a bathroom area adjacent to the bedroom area and formed by the second side wall and portions of the front wall and the back wall, 
 a hoist track system attached only to the roof panel, the hoist track system including a track extending directly and only between the bedroom area and the bathroom area, 
 a first exterior door in the front wall between the bedroom area and the bathroom area, and 
 a second exterior door in the back wall between the bedroom area and the bathroom area; and 
 a connector attached on a first end to an outside of the back wall of the dwelling unit, the first end surrounding the second door, and on a second end to an existing building, wherein the connector includes a plurality of telescoping metal scaffolding support members, each of the plurality of telescoping support members secured on one end to the rear of the dwelling unit and on an opposite end to the existing building. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , further including a ceiling attached to the roof panel, wherein the ceiling includes a first section and a second section, wherein the first section extends from the back wall to a first section edge, and wherein the second section extends at an upward angle from the first section edge to the front wall. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the track is disposed between the first section and the second section of the ceiling. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the track is attached to a plurality of support members, the plurality of support members being attached to the roof panel and located between the roof panel and the ceiling. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of support members are each secured to the roof panel via a plurality of through-bolts, wherein the track is secured to the plurality of support members, wherein the track supports a trolley, the trolley including nylon wheels, and wherein the trolley is connected to a carabiner that supports a lift. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 16 , further including a rope extending from the bedroom area and the bathroom area and positioned such that an occupant on the lift pulling on the rope moves the trolley along the track. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the connector includes a connector first side wall, a connector second side wall, a connector roof, and a connector floor, and wherein at least one of the telescoping support members is in the connector roof, the connector floor, the connector first side wall, and the connector second side wall. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of telescoping support member has an adjustable length during installation. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the length is adjustable between a length of five feet and a length of nine feet.