US5111626A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-contained modular unit
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-10-22
•
Granted: 1992-05-12
•
Expires: 2010-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A modular unit having a double shelled module housing closed by a door secured by a locking system and being substantially portable and self-contained requiring only an AC plug and telephone and television lines. A service unit supplies all water and collects all waste from the modular unit which contains a shower, toilet, lavatory and sleeping facilities.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey L. Fortune
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:56
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H3/00; E04H3/02; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/348; E04B1/34869
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A portable modular unit comprising a modular housing having; an outer shell, an inner shell, electrical conduits, plumbing, television lines and telephone lines routed between said inner shell and said outer shell, structural foam filling the space between said inner shell and said outer shell, an entry door extending though one side of said modular housing into an interior space defined by said modular housing; a utility space defined by inner walls extending from said inner shell, and separating said utility space from said interior space; a service door extending through one side of said modular housing into said utility space; and a service unit removably coupled to said modular housing and located in said utility space.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A portable modular unit comprising a modular housing having; an outer shell, an inner shell, electrical conduits, plumbing, television lines and telephone lines routed between said inner shell and said outer shell, structural foam filling the space between said inner shell and said outer shell, an entry door extending though one side of said modular housing into an interior space defined by said modular housing; a utility space defined by inner walls extending from said inner shell, and separating said utility space from said interior space; a service door extending through one side of said modular housing into said utility space; and a service unit removably coupled to said modular housing and located in said utility space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A modular unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said entry door is secured by a locking system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A locking system as claimed in claim 2 comprising an electronic numeric key pad with programmable changeable unique multi digit codes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A modular unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said service unit comprises: a water tank; a waste tank; a waste discharge pump coupled to said waste tank; a battery coupled to said waste discharge pump; hose connections for coupling said water tank and said waste tank to said modular housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said service unit further comprises a substantially rectangular housing enclosing said battery, water tank, waste tank and connections; wheels coupled to the bottom of said housing; and a hand brake coupled to said housing
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A modular unit as claimed in claim 4 further comprising: a fluid system; an electrical system; and control logic means for controlling said electrical system and said fluid system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
131 words
A modular unit as claimed in claim 6 wherein said fluid system comprises: a pressure water pump coupled to said water tank of said service unit; said pressure water pump coupled to a water heater, lavatory, a shower and a vacuum toilet; a solenoid operated water shut-off valve regulating water flow from said pressure water pump which is closed by said control logic means when said service unit is improperly connected to said module unit; said water heater coupled to said lavatory and said shower; a solenoid operated valve regulating water through said shower, controlled by said control logic means; a lavatory pump coupling said lavatory to said waste tank; a shower pump coupling said shower to said waste tank; and a toilet pump coupling said toilet to said waste tank.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said water tank is coupled to said pressure water pump by a quick disconnect coupling.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said lavatory pump is coupled to said waste tank by a quick disconnect coupling.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said shower pump is coupled to said waste tank by a quick disconnect coupling.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said interior space can be partitioned into separate areas by sliding panels.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said interior space can be partitioned into separate areas by an accordion divider.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
A portable modular unit as claimed in claim 7 further comprising: a settee attached to said inner shell; an upper berth pivotally joined to said inner wall above said settee; and a desk pivotally attached to said inner shell next to said settee.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A portable modular unit as claimed in claim 13 wherein said settee in convertible into a lower berth.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
154 words
A portable modular unit comprising: a generally cubical modular housing defining an interior space having; an outer shell, an inner shell, electrical, plumbing, television and telephone services routed between said inner and said outer shells, structural foam filling the space between said inner and said outer shells, a removable service unit coupled to said modular housing having; a water tank, a waste tank, a waste discharge pump coupled to said waste tank, a battery coupled to said waste discharge pump, hose connections for coupling said water tank and said waste tank to said modular housing, a seat in said interior space, attached to said inner shell; a toilet concealed by said seat and connected to said service unit; a shower unit in said interior space, attached to said inner shell and coupled to said service unit, and a lavatory in said interior space, attached to said inner shell and coupled to said service unit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
154 words
A portable modular unit comprising: a generally cubical modular housing defining an interior space having; an outer shell, an inner shell, electrical, plumbing, television and telephone services routed between said inner and said outer shells, structural foam filling the space between said inner and said outer shells, a removable service unit coupled to said modular housing having; a water tank, a waste tank, a waste discharge pump coupled to said waste tank, a battery coupled to said waste discharge pump, hose connections for coupling said water tank and said waste tank to said modular housing, a seat in said interior space, attached to said inner shell; a toilet concealed by said seat and connected to said service unit; a shower unit in said interior space, attached to said inner shell and coupled to said service unit, and a lavatory in said interior space, attached to said inner shell and coupled to said service unit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
A portable modular unit as claimed in claim 15 wherein said seat further comprises: a box structure having; a top surface, a toilet opening, and dispenser openings, a hinged lid having a cushioned top which covers said top surface; and a backrest coupled to said inner shell.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A portable modular unit as claimed in claim 15 further comprising logic control means for controlling said couplings form said service unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
A portable modular unit as claimed in claim 15 wherein said shower unit further comprises: a shower pan hingedly coupled to said inner shell; and a shower head coupled to said inner shell by a flexible tube.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A shower unit as claimed in claim 18 wherein said shower pan is sloped towards a drain which is coupled to said service unit.
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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) | 1995-05-12 | 1995-11-11 | 1996-05-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-05-12 | 1999-11-11 | 2000-05-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-05-12 | 2003-11-11 | 2004-05-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |