Patent US4074476A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4074476A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tubular dwelling construction
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-12-02
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Granted: 1978-02-21
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Expires: 1995-12-02
Abstract
Abstract A tubular modular unit having an integrally formed outer structure, floor, and ceiling is provided which may be directly supported upon the ground. A plurality of the tubular units may be placed one on top of another in a stacked configuration to provide for a large capacity housing complex. Cylindrical units are disclosed as being the preferred embodiment, wherein sanitary chambers and a water tank are provided interiorly of the unit. End towers which provide lateral support for a stacked configuration of the units are also utilized as a source of water supply and sewage disposal. Tubular units having elliptical, rectangular, etc., cross-sections may also be advantageously used within the principles of the present invention.
Inventors
- 👤 Imanol Ordorika
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:58
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/348; E04B1/34815; E04B2001/0053
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
356 words
A plurality of tubular dwellings arranged in a stacked configuration, each of said dwellings have side walls integrally cast with an upper segment and a lower segment to form a self-supporting modular unit, each of said units comprising: a. an interior floor and ceiling also integrally cast or formed with said side walls and said upper and lower segments, at least a portion of ceiling and said upper segment providing for an upper internal chamber for containing water or the like, said floor and said lower segment providing for a lower internal chamber for containing sewage or the like; b. means arranged on said upper segment for feeding water or the like through an inlet into said upper internal chamber; c. means arranged on said lower segment for draining sewage or the like from said lower internal chamber; and d. a plurality of supporting ledges disposed along an exterior surface of said unit; wherein a first bottom row of said units are placed side-by-side, said units being supported upon a foundation of a gravel bed or the like in a plurality of ditches in the ground, at least a second and a third row of said units being stacked upon said first row, each of the even-numbered rows being provided at both ends thereof with complementary rooms which complete said even-numbered rooms, wherein each unit in said second row is supported by two of said units in said first row, said ledges of each of said units in said second row abutting against corresponding ledges on said two units in said first row, wherein means for providing lateral support are arranged proximate to said units to secure said units in a stacked configuration said means comprising a tower adjacent to each end of said rows, each of said towers being embedded into the ground, the arrangement including precast arches bridged across the upper segments of each side-by-side unit in the uppermost row of said stacked configuration, and an upper floor disposed against said precast arches and against said upper segments of said uppermost row of units, each of said units being provided with a ventilating means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
356 words
A plurality of tubular dwellings arranged in a stacked configuration, each of said dwellings have side walls integrally cast with an upper segment and a lower segment to form a self-supporting modular unit, each of said units comprising: a. an interior floor and ceiling also integrally cast or formed with said side walls and said upper and lower segments, at least a portion of ceiling and said upper segment providing for an upper internal chamber for containing water or the like, said floor and said lower segment providing for a lower internal chamber for containing sewage or the like; b. means arranged on said upper segment for feeding water or the like through an inlet into said upper internal chamber; c. means arranged on said lower segment for draining sewage or the like from said lower internal chamber; and d. a plurality of supporting ledges disposed along an exterior surface of said unit; wherein a first bottom row of said units are placed side-by-side, said units being supported upon a foundation of a gravel bed or the like in a plurality of ditches in the ground, at least a second and a third row of said units being stacked upon said first row, each of the even-numbered rows being provided at both ends thereof with complementary rooms which complete said even-numbered rooms, wherein each unit in said second row is supported by two of said units in said first row, said ledges of each of said units in said second row abutting against corresponding ledges on said two units in said first row, wherein means for providing lateral support are arranged proximate to said units to secure said units in a stacked configuration said means comprising a tower adjacent to each end of said rows, each of said towers being embedded into the ground, the arrangement including precast arches bridged across the upper segments of each side-by-side unit in the uppermost row of said stacked configuration, and an upper floor disposed against said precast arches and against said upper segments of said uppermost row of units, each of said units being provided with a ventilating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
The plurality of tubular dwellings arranged in a stacked configuration as described in claim 1 wherein precast arches are bridged across the upper segments of each side-by-side unit in an uppermost row of said stacked configuration, wherein an upper floor is disposed against said precast arches and said upper segments of said uppermost row of units, each of said units being provided with a ventilating means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The plurality of tubular dwellings arranged in a stacked configuration as described in claim 1 wherein each of said towers comprises a water tank adapted to supply water to said units, and also comprises a cistern adapted to receive sewage or the like from said units.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The plurality of tubular dwellings arranged in a stacked configuration as described in claim 3 wherein said towers provide support for stairways which lead to each individual unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
The plurality of tubular dwellings arranged in a stacked configuration as described in claim 3 wherein at least two columns of said stacked rows are arranged adjacently, each of said columns having a tower disposed at the ends of said rows, wherein said towers provide support for stairways which lead to each individual unit, said stairways providing access from units in one column to units in the other column.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The plurality of tubular dwellings arranged in a stacked configuration as described in claim 4 wherein means for ventilating said units are provided in each of said units.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
142 words
A plurality of tubular dwellings disposed with their axes horizontal and arranged in engagement with each other in a plurality of horizontal rows stacked one on top of another with each row being supported by the next lower row, each of said dwellings having a continuous side, bottom and top wall which is curved with respect to the axis of the dwelling whereby horizontal passages extending transverse to the axes of the dwellings are formed between dwellings; means forming a ventilation passage from each dwelling into at least one of said horizontal passages; a horizontal roof structure supported on the uppermost now of dwellings; and at least one vertical tower disposed at the end of each row of dwellings, each tower being embedded at its lower end in the ground and having a sidewall providing lateral support for the rows of dwellings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
142 words
A plurality of tubular dwellings disposed with their axes horizontal and arranged in engagement with each other in a plurality of horizontal rows stacked one on top of another with each row being supported by the next lower row, each of said dwellings having a continuous side, bottom and top wall which is curved with respect to the axis of the dwelling whereby horizontal passages extending transverse to the axes of the dwellings are formed between dwellings; means forming a ventilation passage from each dwelling into at least one of said horizontal passages; a horizontal roof structure supported on the uppermost now of dwellings; and at least one vertical tower disposed at the end of each row of dwellings, each tower being embedded at its lower end in the ground and having a sidewall providing lateral support for the rows of dwellings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
A building comprising two groups of stacked tubular dwellings as in claim 7, said groups being arranged in spaced-apart parallel coextensive relationship such that the ends of the tubular dwellings in one group face the ends of the tubular dwellings in the other group, said building including horizontal pedestrian bridges at the level of each row connecting the ends of the dwellings in a row in one group with the ends of the dwellings in the corresponding row in the other group.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A plurality of stacked tubular dwellings as in claim 7 wherein at least one of said towers includes an integral co-axial water tank at its upper end for supplying water by gravity to the dwellings and an integral co-axial cistern at its lower end for receiving sewage from the dwellings.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A plurality of stacked tubular dwellings as in claim 7 wherein said roof structure is disposed on a plurality of precast arches which are bridged across the curved top walls of adjacent dwellings in the top row.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-02-20 | 1981-08-22 | 1982-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-20 | 1985-08-22 | 1986-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-20 | 1989-08-22 | 1990-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |