Abstract
The invention presents a 7 foot by 6 inch wide utility wall. This prefab wall simplifies the installation of water/drain pipes and electric service for low cost housing and comprising complete plumbing and electric installation.
The wall is comprised of a shower base or bathtub, toilet, sink, water heater, lighting, washing machine and dryer hook-up, as well as a complete electric service including a breaker box, electric outlets and light fixtures. The wall also contains pipes for a sink drain and for hot/cold water for an attached kitchen. The utility wall requires no underground plumbing.
Claims
1. Prefab Utility Wall System consists of a wall that combines plumbing and electric service, and which connects plumbing appliances with fixtures.
2. Prefab Utility Wall System after claim 1 comprises a subfloor underneath the shower or bathtub and toilet, that does not exceed 4 inches in extra height.
3. Prefab Utility Wall System after claim 1 uses the subfloor to house waste pipes for the shower base or bath tub and toilet.
4. Prefab Utility Wall System after claim 1 has all drain pipes above the floor.
5. Prefab Utility Wall System after claim 1 has a maximum weight of 200 pounds.
6. Prefab Utility Wall System after claim 1 has two horizontal support walls each 3 feet long for transportation purposes.
7. Prefab Utility Wall System after claim 1 has a round or oval drain pipe.
Description
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] The above general description of the method and the following detailed description are merely illustrative of the subject invention and modes, advantages and particulars of this invention (can) be readily suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0016] In accordance with the present invention, the Prefab Utility Wall System, FIG. 1, consists of a partial enclosure of 7 feet 6 inches by 3 feet made of either a wood or steel frame. FIG. 2, which is covered on three vertical sides 10, 11, 12; FIG. 3 and the floor, FIG. 3-8, covered with structural plywood or equivalent material. The floor frame is designed so as to provide a space for the drain and water pipes and, if requested, also gas lines. The back wall, 10, or plumbing wall in FIG. 3 also comprises the electric service and wire connections for the water heater as well as the electric outlets for water heater and clothes washer/dryer. The drain pipes for the shower base or bathtub and toilet are underneath the subfloor FIGS. 1-3, 7. Therefore there is no underground piping necessary for the exterior pipe connection.
[0017] The utility wall has been designed so as to fit inside a standard 8 foot shipping container, FIGS. 5 and 7 or on a truck bed which is 8 foot wide. All electricals, plumbing, and appliance components are designed in accordance to the International Residential Code (IRC).
[0018] After connecting the water supply and electric power all appliances will be immediately functional. Likewise after connecting the sewer pipe, FIG. 3-14 to the city sewer or septic system it will also be functional.
[0019] The utility wall can easily be connected with other walls for bathrooms of many sizes and finishes, FIG. 12.
[0020] The presented invention of the Prefab Utility Wall System, FIG. 1, has unlimited use in various building applications, such as in homes, apartments FIG. 5, 6,7; hotels, shelters FIGS. 5-7; housing on oil rigs, low-cost housing, hospitals (multi-stories if requested, and FEMA housing. Using the latter as an example, FEMA could convert and steel or masonry building with water and sewer connection into an emergency shelter rapidly and without large cost outlays.
[0021] Also on existing concrete foundation slabs that remain after a house has been destroyed by tornados, hurricanes or by fire, the present invention offers a faster and cost-saving solution to rebuilding a destroyed building. Furthermore, it would not matter if sewer drain(s) FIG. 6; 1, 2, 3 are located at the perimeter of the concrete slab, FIGS. 6; 1 and 2, as the Prefab Utility Wall would have a 10 to 12 inch offset from the outside edge of the concrete slab FIG. 7-14. In case of FIG. 7-2, it would be easy to frame around.
[0022] Due to the design of a partial subfloor, FIGS. 3-7, underneath the shower base or bathtub the toilet is raised about 4 inches off the floor. This makes it more comfortable for tall, elderly and handicapped persons. Although extra-high toilets are usually more costly, they occasionally required.
[0023] Overall, the Prefab Utility Wall System is unique in that it can be utilized with or without underground plumbing, is comprised of an electric breaker box already wired for outlets, light fixtures, hot water heater, washer and dryer, and other electrical appliances; and it offers substantial cost savings in both labor and material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 demonstrates a three-sided enclosure, consisting of floor 8, back wall 10, right wall 11 and left wall 12. The figure shows all appliances in place: shower base 2, toilets 3, sink 4, electric breaker box 9, and water heater 10.
[0025] The toilet, 3 and shower base 2 mount on a 3 inch high subfloor. The subfloor 7 is comprised of drain pipes, FIGS. 3, 14 and 14A. For bathtub installation, water connections, FIGS. 1 and 33-, 30 and 31, are prepared.
[0026] FIG. 2 shows the framework for the partial enclosure. The frame design is made from wood or steel studs and screw together. Then the outside wall covering, 10, 11 and 12 are screwed to the frame. Structural plywood or equivalent material should be used. The floor parts 7 and 8 are made from heavy plywood. Supports of the subfloor 15, are made from 24 studs. For a bathtub application instead of a shower base the subfloor 7, and the exterior wall 11, will be extended by 2 feet so a standard size, 5 foot long bathtub can be set: FIG. 6, and extended detail 50 (interrupted lines).
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a set-up of the appliances with the drain pipes. Most pipes, 14 and 16 are mounted in the back wall, 10. The pipes 14 and 14A are in cavity between floor 8 and subfloor 7. The drain pipe 16A for the washing machine and kitchen sink are inside wall 12. 15A shows the siphon for the shower or bathtub.
[0028] FIG. 4. The drawing shows a house with an installed Prefab Utility Wall unit. On a new as well as on an existing building a 3 38 opening is necessary. The backside of the utility wall has to face the exterior wall in order to connect to a sewer drain pipe.
[0029] FIG. 5 shows the Prefab Utility Wall with a shower base used in a standard 8 foot by 20 foot shipping container. The installation of the Prefab Utility Wall can easily be performed by opening the two container doors on any standard shipping container.
[0030] FIG. 6 shows the Prefab Utility Wall will be installed with a standard 5 foot long bathtub.
[0031] FIG. 7 demonstrates the use of the Prefab Utility Wall on an existing slab, A: for example following a tornadic or similar event has leveled a structure. In picture 1 there are three drain pipe outlets. The utility wall can be easily set next to any drain outlet. Instead of just using the Prefab Utility Wall, another option is to place a standard shipping container, FIG. 5 or 6, with the Prefab Utility Wall already installed inside of the container, on top of the slab.
[0032] FIG. 8 demonstrates the method of the Prefab Utility Wall with a bathtub instead of a shower base, where 7A is the subfloor and 11A is the sidewall. If a whirlpool is favored in lieu of a bathtub, a whirlpool pump can be connected at 9AA, electrical outlet. The water connections 30, 31+![custom-character]()
will be the same as those for the shower stall.
[0033] FIG. 9 demonstrates the integration of the Prefab Utility Wall as installed in a shipping container, efficiency apartment, or oilfield housing or other structures. The drawing depicts a three-dimensional view of a fully-furnished, standard 20 foot long shipping container. The utility wall will be installed in the same way as mentioned in FIGS. 5+6, through the existing container doors.
[0034] FIG. 10 shows a regular building on a concrete slab foundation, A. The buildinga small househas a 3 3by 8 opening cut-in for installation of the Prefab Utility Wall. The opening can be vertical or horizontal.
[0035] FIG. 11 demonstrates the installation of the Prefab Utility Wall in a 2-story building, II. The 1.sup.st floor I, is identical to the 2.sup.nd floor, with 10 a cut-out showing partial view of the Prefab Utility Wall. For installation on buildings with more than 2 stories, the drawing for the next stories would be equivalent to the first and second stories as shown in FIG. 11.
[0036] FIG. 12 demonstrates two different bathroom layouts. Picture I illustrates a larger bathroom than picture II. Picture I suggests 3 different access door possibilities. Picture II demonstrates a low-cost design with an attached kitchen sink 19 and 20 being the exterior building walls. Layouts for custom designs with the use of basic utility wall is unlimited. This drawing shows only two designs.
