BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Dwelling complexes are groups of dwelling units designed to accommodate many occupants. These complexes are suitable for many types of environments. In particular, dwelling complexes may be useful in secure holding facilities such as jails and prisons. Often these complexes have mezzanine walkways attached to the side of dwelling units above the ground level. These mezzanine walkways are not integral with the floors inside the upper level dwelling units.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention dwelling complex.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a top elevation of one embodiment of the dwelling complex of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a more detailed isometric view of the flooring system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the joists of the flooring system shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is side elevation of the structure of the dwelling complex of FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 6 is a front elevation of the structure of the dwelling complex of FIGS. 1, 2, and 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a dwelling complex 2 according to the present invention. Dwelling complex 2 includes lower dwelling units 4, upper dwelling units 6, and flooring systems 8. Although some of the Figures illustrate dwelling complex 2 having two lower dwelling units 4, two upper dwelling units 6, and two flooring systems 8, only one lower dwelling unit 4, one upper dwelling unit 6, and one flooring system 8 are necessary for the present invention.
Lower dwelling unit 4 has a circumference defined by at least one wall 10. Upper dwelling unit 6 has a circumference defined by at least one wall 12. Upper dwelling unit 6 is provided above lower dwelling unit 4. In one embodiment, lower dwelling unit 4 and upper unit 6 are a pair of stacked dwelling units.
FIG. 2 is a top elevation of dwelling complex 2 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows the circumference of each upper dwelling unit 6 defined by four walls 12. Referring again to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the circumferences of upper dwelling unit 6 and lower dwelling unit 4, as defined by walls 10 and 12, are congruent and that the circumference of upper dwelling unit 6 is superimposed above the circumference of lower dwelling unit 4.
Flooring system 8 forms a floor 14 between lower dwelling unit 4 and upper dwelling unit 6. In one embodiment, flooring system 8 wholly separates upper dwelling unit 6 from lower dwelling unit 4. Flooring system 8 also extends beyond the circumference of upper dwelling unit 6 sufficiently to form a mezzanine walkway 16 outside upper dwelling unit 6. In one embodiment, flooring system 8 extends under the at least one wall 12 of upper dwelling unit 6. In one embodiment, as shown in the Figures, flooring system 8 also extends beyond the circumference of lower dwelling unit 4.
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of two side by side flooring systems 8. In one embodiment, space between adjacent flooring systems 8 is concealed by mezzanine joint plate 18. In an embodiment of flooring system 8, each flooring system 8 includes floor joists 20 and floor plate 22. Floor plate 22 is affixed to floor joists 20 and provides a flooring surface. Floor joists 20 provide structural support for floor plate 22.
In one embodiment, recesses 24 are formed in the edges of each floor plate 22 on the mezzanine walkway 16. Recesses 24 provide additional room for attaching mezzanine joint plate 18 to mezzanine walkway 16.
FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an embodiment of joists 20 of flooring system 8. In one embodiment, at least one joist 20 supports both floor 14 and mezzanine walkway 16. As illustrated in FIG. 4, each of the longitudinal joists support both floor 14 and mezzanine walkway 16.
FIGS. 5 and 6 are side and front elevations, respectively, of one embodiment of the internal structure of dwelling complex 2. In one embodiment, a doorway 26 is formed in one of the walls 12 of upper dwelling unit 6 and flooring system 8 extends under the wall 12 having the doorway 26.
The foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives, modifications, and variances can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention embraces all such alternatives, modifications, and variances that fall within the scope of the described invention.
Patent Application
20100077675
