Patent Application
20180312331
The present invention is in the field of cargo container attachments, particularly, attachment adapters.
In recent years, usage of cargo containers, often called cargotainers, for construction of home, businesses, and offices has increased. This may be due to a number of reasons: relatively low cost compared to traditionally available options, availability of shipping containers, and overall value. In an effort to make repurposing of a cargo container more economical, owners may opt to do refurbishing work themselves. However, due to the corrugated nature of the surfaces of cargo containers, adding a vent or other attachments may require more skill, more time, and more equipment than the owners may possess. Hiring a professional to do refurbishing may be the only option for many people, which may be costly.
Additionally, presently existing solutions for a typical person may only be a stopgap, and may not be long-lasting, as the solutions may be prone to environmental deterioration, such as rust, or simply may not be attached securely enough, to be used as a permanent solution. Therefore, what is clearly needed is a relatively easy, and long-lasting way for an average person to add attachments to cargo container.
In one embodiment of the present invention, an adapter for a vent appliance for a cargo container having corrugated panels is provided, comprising a base portion formed of sheet material, having an outer boundary and an inner boundary, the inner boundary enclosing an area sufficient to accommodate a twelve-inch diameter circle, the base portion shaped to closely conform to geometry of the corrugated panels of the cargo container, an intermediate portion joined in an airtight manner to the inner boundary of the base portion, presenting a surface at a height above an upper extremity of the corrugated geometry of the base portion, and an interface providing a through opening in the surface of the intermediate portion within the area enclosed by the inner boundary of the base portion.
In one embodiment, the boundaries of the base portion are rectangular, the inner boundary having an overall length and width dimension, each dimension greater than twelve inches. Also in one embodiment, the surface of the intermediate portion is a flat surface, and the interface providing a through opening in the surface comprises a short cylindrical section joined to be airtight with the surface. Also in one embodiment, the boundaries of the base portion are rectangular and the surface of the intermediate portion is a flat surface, having an overall length and width sufficient to implement a door or a window through the surface of the intermediate portion. Also in one embodiment, the adapter is formed of fiberglass-reinforced plastic. And in one embodiment the adapter has a plurality of through-holes around a periphery of the base portion, for engaging fasteners to fasten the base portion to a corrugated panel of the cargo container.
In another aspect of the invention, an adapter system for a vent appliance for a cargo container having corrugated panels is provided, comprising an adapter having a base portion formed of sheet material, having an outer boundary and an inner boundary, the inner boundary enclosing an area sufficient to accommodate a twelve-inch diameter circle, the base portion shaped to closely conform to geometry of the corrugated panels of the cargo container, an intermediate portion joined in an airtight manner to the inner boundary of the base portion, presenting a surface at a height above an upper extremity of the corrugated geometry of the base portion, and an interface providing a through opening in the surface of the intermediate portion within the area enclosed by the inner boundary of the base portion, and a gasket having thickness and upper and lower surfaces, formed in the geometry of the base portion of the adapter, for providing a seal between the adapter and a corrugated panel of the cargo container.
In one embodiment, the upper and lower surfaces of the gasket have an adhesive coating, for adhering the gasket to both a corrugated panel of the cargo container, and to the base portion of the adapter. Also in one embodiment, the gasket further comprises peel-off paper or plastic coverings over the adhesive coatings.
In another aspect of the invention a method for adapting a vent appliance to a cargo container having corrugated panels is provided, comprising providing an adapter having a base portion formed of sheet material, having an outer boundary and an inner boundary, the inner boundary enclosing an area sufficient to accommodate a twelve-inch diameter circle, the base portion shaped to closely conform to geometry of the corrugated panels of the cargo container, an intermediate portion joined in an airtight manner to the inner boundary of the base portion, presenting a surface at a height above an upper extremity of the corrugated geometry of the base portion, and an interface providing a through opening in the surface of the intermediate portion within the area enclosed by the inner boundary of the base portion, cutting an opening through a corrugated panel of the cargo container, the opening sized to be within the inner boundary of the adapter, placing a gasket having thickness and upper and lower surfaces, formed in the geometry of the base portion of the adapter, for providing a seal between the adapter and a corrugated panel of the cargo container, in a position around the opening cut through the corrugated panel of the cargo container, and placing the adapter onto the gasket placed on the corrugated panel of the cargo container.
In one embodiment of the method, the gasket further comprises adhesive coatings on the upper and lower surfaces, covered by a paper or plastic film, further comprising a step for peeling away the paper or plastic films before placing the gasket. Also in one embodiment, the gasket and the base portion of the adapter have a plurality of matching holes for fasteners, and further comprising a step for inserting and securing fasteners through the holes into the corrugated panel of the cargo container. And in one embodiment the method further comprises a step for joining the vent appliance to the interface in the intermediate portion of the adapter.
What is generally provided in embodiments of the present invention is an adapter shaped substantially to the corrugated sides or roof of a shipping container, to allow a person to easily add attachments while maintaining a weatherproof seal.
Intermediary section 104, which is positioned between base 102 and collar 106, acts as sort of a funnel. While base 102 sits flat on a surface of the cargo container to create a seal around the perimeter of adapter 100, intermediary section 104 may be hollow. The size of intermediary section 104 in this embodiment is substantially larger than the diameter of collar 106, thus allowing one to cut an opening with a diameter larger than the diameter of collar 106. This may allow more surface area for air to disperse as it enters, or gather as it exits. The size difference between intermediary section 104 and collar 106 also allows for more flexibility in installing adapter 100, since the extra space may allow the user to be more lenient towards size and positioning of cutting an opening. In other embodiments, the size and shape of the intermediary portion may be any shape or size, depending on the needs and requirements of the user.
Collar 106 in this example protrudes from intermediary section 104 at a distance to allow enough area to fasten a venting device to the collar. In this embodiment, collar 106 has a diameter sized to fit a standard 12″ whirlybird wind turbine, or a powered ventilation device. In other embodiments, the collar may be adapted for various shapes and sizes to fit other devices, for example, and without limitation, the collar may take a square shape, or the collar may protrude more or less. In other embodiments, still, the collar may not be present at all. This may be useful in a case, for example, where a user seeks to install a skylight or a window.
Holes 204 may be pre-drilled to fit standard screws, or other fastening means. A user may additionally use holes 204 as a guide to mark or drill holes onto surfaces of a cargo container. The use of fasteners may be best suited when adapter 200 is intended to be mounted vertically, such on a wall or door, or when adhesive may not be secure enough.
It should be understood that the features shown in the above embodiments are not required to be present together, and other embodiments may possess any combination of features found in the above example embodiments without deviating from the inventive concept of the present invention.
At step 616, after the gasket has been installed or the sealant has been applied, the adapter is placed within the marked boundary, and on top of the gasket or sealant, ensuring the base of the adapter makes substantial contact with the gasket or sealant. At step 618, the adapter is fastened to the surface by applying firm pressure around the perimeters of the base of the adapter to ensure a good seal with the adhesive of the gasket, or with the use of screws or other types of fasteners. After this point, the user is free is install their attachment.
It will be apparent to one with skill in the art, that the embodiments described above are specific examples of a single broader invention which may have greater scope than any of the singular descriptions taught. There may be many alterations made in the descriptions without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
