AU2010224333A1

AU2010224333A1 - A Collapsible Dwelling

Info

Publication number: AU2010224333A1
Application number: AU2010224333A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ian Douglas Harrison; Alan Robert McGaw
Original assignee: MADDEL HOLDINGS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: MADDEL HOLDINGS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2009-09-22
Filing date: 2010-09-20
Publication date: 2011-04-07

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION A COLLAPSIBLE DWELLING The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performance known to me: 1 A COLLAPSIBLE DWELLING TECHNICAL FIELD 5 The present invention relates to a collapsible dwelling which may be readily transported to site. Particular applications of the invention include situations where it is necessary to rapidly provide semi-permanent housing in refugee and disaster areas. 10 BACKGROUND There are many situations where large numbers of temporary and semi permanent dwellings may need to be rapidly deployed and installed. For example, in the event of a natural disaster such as an earthquake, or due to 15 human activity, such as war, huge numbers of people may be displaced from their homes and require shelter in a very tight timeframe. One type of temporary dwelling that has been used in the past is the tent. However, tents require the transportation of tent poles or metal frames, which 20 may be unwieldy, and in some circumstances dangerous. Furthermore, the installation of a tent can be a difficult operation, especially where the people involved have been injured or otherwise distressed. A further disadvantage is that the guy ropes of a tent pose an obstacle which may cause people to trip and injure themselves. 25 Yet another disadvantage of tents is that they traditionally offer limited thermal insulation and protection from the elements. An additional disadvantage of tents is that they are not readily partitioned so 30 that while a large tent may provide shelter for several people, it may not provide privacy and security for the inhabitants. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved transportable dwelling which addresses one or more of the above described problems.

2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a collapsible dwelling formed of rigid sheets and capable of being folded from 5 an erect configuration for providing shelter, to a compact configuration for transportation. The rigid sheets may comprise materials such as cardboard, twin walled, fluted polypropylene boards, plywood and the like. 10 Preferably said dwelling includes: a first sheet divided into at least first and second sections along one or more first hinge lines; a number of sheets hingedly connected to the first sheet and extending 15 from the first sheet in the erect configuration; a foldable roof fastened between two or more of the first sheet and the number of sheets; wherein upon the first and second sections being folded along said hinge lines to oppose each other in the compact configuration, 20 said number of sheets fold to fit therebetween. Preferably, each of the number of sheets includes one or more hinge lines that lie substantially parallel to the one or more first hinge lines in the compact configuration. 25 Where the sheets are made of cardboard, or twin walled, fluted polypropylene boards then the hinge lines may be provided as creases or other suitable lines or weakness formed therein. Alternatively, where the rigid sheets are made of plywood, for example, then the hinge lines may be formed by one or more 30 discrete, metal or plastic hinges. In a preferred embodiment said dwelling includes: a floor divided into at least first and second sections by a pair of hinge lines; 3 walls, hingedly attached to the floor and extending from the floor in the erect configuration; a foldable roof located between the foldable walls in the erect configuration; 5 wherein upon the first and second sections being brought to oppose each other in the compact configuration, said walls and roof fold to fit within said hinge lines. In a preferred embodiment the floor includes an opposing pair of bases 10 located on either side of said pair of hinge lines. The bases may comprise boxes. The bases may hold ballast. Preferably the ballast comprises one or more 15 containers of water. The foldable walls preferably comprise a rectangle of opposing side walls and opposing front and rear walls. 20 Preferably one or more of the side walls and opposing front and rear walls are hinged at a sufficient distance from the floor to accommodate other of the walls between themselves and the floor in the compact configuration. Openings such as doors, windows and vents may be formed into said walls. 25 In a preferred embodiment the opposing side walls are divided into upper and lower sections by respective side wall hinge lines. Preferably the respective side wall hinge lines are drawn toward each other in 30 the compact configuration. Stiffening ribs may be attached along the inside and/ or outside of said walls to increase rigidity.

4 Flaps or flanges may be located along the edges of said walls and said roof to facilitate fastening. Alternatively, a hook and loop fastener system, such as Velcro@, may also be used. 5 The flaps or flanges may bear a plurality of lace holes to facilitate fastening of the walls and the roof to each other by lacing. An awning may be attached to the dwelling. Preferably the awning is triangular in shape and is hingedly connected to the roof. The awning 10 preferably includes a medial fold line corresponding to a fold line of the roof. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a multi-room dwelling comprised of a cluster of dwellings as previously described, wherein the dwellings are disposed in a radial formation with apexes of the awnings of 15 the dwellings at the center of said cluster. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be 20 discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: 25 Figure 1 is a side elevation of a dwelling according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a front elevation of the dwelling of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a plan view of the dwelling of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a development view of the component parts of a dwelling 30 according to preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is an exploded isometric view of said dwelling according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

5 Figure 6 is a perspective, and somewhat stylized, view of the rear, left hand side and roof of a dwelling according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 7 to 13 depict the step by step folding of a dwelling according to 5 a preferred embodiment of the present invention from an erect configuration shown in Figure 7 to a compact configuration as shown in Figure 13. Figure 14 is a perspective, and somewhat stylized view of a cluster of four dwellings according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 15 is a perspective, and somewhat stylized view of a cluster of six 10 dwellings according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figures 1, 2 and 3 are respectively side, front and plan views of a portable 15 dwelling 1 according to a preferred aspect of the present invention in an erected configuration. The various component parts of the dwelling 1 are set out in Figure 4 while Figure 5 is an exploded isometric view of the rear, top and left hand side of 20 the dwelling. Figure 6, is a somewhat stylised perspective view of the rear top and left hand side of dwelling 1 in an erected configuration. The various components shown in Figure 4, apart from left and right hand side floor cores 13 and 21, are preferably formed of twin-walled, fluted 25 polypropylene board or as it is sometimes less precisely called. 'corrugated polypropylene sheet'. Alternatively, cardboard that has been treated for water resistance, or other types of structural sheeting, e.g. plywood, might also be used. Twin walled, fluted polypropylene board is preferred at the present time because it can be creased to form durable hinge lines as required. Where the 30 sheets are made of cardboard, or fluted polypropylene board then hinge lines may be provided as creases or other suitable lines or weakness. Alternatively, where the rigid sheets are made of plywood, for example, then the hinge lines may be formed by one or more discrete, metal or plastic hinges.

6 The dwelling 1 includes two rectangular bases 15 and 19 that are folded to form open-topped boxes. The bases may be used for general storage however in the preferred embodiment they contain floor cores 13 and 21 comprised of a plurality of plastic tubes for filling with water in order to provide 5 both ballast and storage for potable drinking water. A floor top 17 is fastened over the left and right floor bases 15 and 19. A longitudinal gap 16 is left between the left and right floor bases 15 and 19 with corresponding hinge lines being formed along the edges of the gap. As will 10 be described later, upon the left and right floor bases being folded towards each other, the gap 16 provides sufficient space to house the remaining components therebetween. Left and right side walls 3 and 5 each include floor, front wall, rear wall and 15 roof attachment flaps 4A, 6A, 8A, 10A and 4B, 6B, 8B and 10B respectively. Window flaps, indicated by crossed boxes, are formed into the sides of each side wall. Along each of the side walls 3 and 5 there are formed respective hinge lines 12A and 12B which, as the dwelling is folded into its compact configuration, are drawn into the dwelling to thereby fold the side walls 20 approximately in half. Stiffening ribs are hinged along the inside of each side wall a little above the hinge lines 12A and 12B. The stiffening rib 26 of the right side wall 5 is visible in Figure 4. Rear wall 9 is fastened to the floor 17 along its lower edge by a flap of 25 adhesive tape which also operates to hinge the rear wall 9 to the floor 17. Consequently the rear wall 9 may be swung along the edge of flap 23 so that it is brought flat with floor top 17. Parallel hinge lines 25 and 27, corresponding to hinge lines 18 and 20 of floor top 17, are formed down the rear wall 9. Window flaps, indicated by crossed boxes are also formed into 30 the rear wall. A floor attachment flange 27 is formed along the lower edge of front wall 7. The floor attachment flange 27 is fastened to floor top 17 and is of sufficient thickness to hinge the front wall 7 to the top floor at a height above the floor 7 top 17 to accommodate the thickness of rear wall 9. Accordingly, once the rear wall 9 is swung flat on floor top 17, the front wall 7 can then be swung, about floor attachment flange 27, so that it comes to lie flat over the rear wall 9. Medial hinge lines 29, 31, 33, 35 are formed on either side of the midline of 5 the front line. The lateral hinge lines 29 and 35 correspond to hinge lines 27 and 25 of rear wall 9 and 18 and 20 of floor top 17. A door flap is also formed into the front wall 7 as indicated by the crossed rectangle. In an upright configuration the rear wall 9 is fastened to side walls 3 and 5 by 10 means of attachment flanges 8A and 8B. For example, corresponding lace holes may be provided along the edges of the rear wall 19 and flanges 8A and 8B of the left and right side walls 3 and 5. A suitable line, for example a twine or rope can then be used to lace the rear wall to the attachment flanges 8A and 8B. 15 Similarly, front wall 7 is also formed with lace holes down its outer edges corresponding to lace holes formed in attachment flanges 6A and 6B of left and right side walls 3 and 5. Once again, a suitable line can then be used to lace the front wall to attachment flanges 6A and 6B of the left and right side 20 walls. In an alternative embodiment other fastening systems may be used. For example, a hook-and-loop fastening system might be used such as Velcro@. A roof 23 is provided with a medial triangular peak 37 formed along its 25 rearward edge. The triangular peak 37 is defined by a medial fold line 53, which forms the apex of the peak, and lateral hinge lines 55 and 57, which defines the outer edges of the triangular peak. The medial fold line 53 and the lateral hinge lines 55 and 57 converge to a midpoint on the forward edge 59 of the roof 23. In its erected state the apex of the triangular peak is level with the 30 upper edge of front wall 7. Attachment flaps 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, each fitted with lace holes (not shown), extend from the edges of the roof 23 to facilitate lacing of the roof to left side wall 3, right side wall 5, front wall 7 and rear wall 9.

8 A triangular awning 11 is hinged along its base 61 to the front edge 59 of roof 23. Three hinge lines splay out from a midpoint of the base 61 being a medial line 63 and opposing diagonal lines 65 and 67. A concave arcuate cut out 69 5 is formed at the tip of the triangular awning 11, opposite base 61. The dwelling 1 may be collapsed into a compact configuration for transportation as will now be described with reference to Figures 7 to 13. 10 Figure 7 is a view of the front and right hand side of the dwelling in the erected configuration with awning 11 extended out in front of front wall 27. The awning 11 is then swung back over hinge 57 so that it lies upon roof 23 as shown in Figure 8. In doing so the awning folds along its medial and diagonal hinge lines 63, 65 and 67 to accommodate the triangular peak 37 of roof 23. 15 Internal side wall ribs 27 are then folded up so that the rear wall 9 can then be swung about flap 23 into the dwelling and brought to rest upon floor top 17 as shown in Figure 9. Similarly, front wall 7 is then swung into the dwelling about flap 27 as shown in Figure 10 until it is brought down to lie upon rear wall 9. The hinge lines 12A and 12B of side walls 3 and 5 are then drawn together as 20 shown in Figure 11 thereby causing the side walls to fold until the left side wall is folded in half and the right side wall is folded to approximately ninety degrees as shown in Figure 12. The right hand side floor base is then folded through ninety degrees about fold 25 line 20 of the floor top 17. In order to bring the right hand side floor base to its final position over the left hand side floor base 15 the floor top 17 is folded through a further ninety degrees about fold line 18. As the floor bases are folded together the rear wall is folded along its hinge lines 25 and 27, the front wall is folded along its hinge lines 29, 31, 33, 35 and similarly the main roof 30 and the awning roof are folded along their medial and diagonal hinge lines. The final compact configuration is shown in Figure 13. It will be noted that in the compact configuration no part of any of the components extend beyond the boundary of the left and right floor base. Consequently, in its compact 9 configuration the dwelling assumes a convenient configuration for stacking on pallets or the like to facilitate ready transportation. The awnings of a number of dwellings may be joined together to form a radial 5 multi-room dwelling with a central courtyard area having a roof formed by the interconnected awnings. For example, Figure 14 shows a radial cluster of four dwellings. A further example is shown in Figure 15 wherein six dwellings have been conjoined. In the somewhat stylised representations of Figures 14 and 15 the arcuate cut out of the apex of the awnings (see item 69 of Figure 10 4) is not present. Where the cut out is used then a central circular vent will be formed once a cluster of dwellings is assembled. Radial clusters can be joined to each other by using a standard dwelling to form a close-in link. This process can be repeated as desired to produce a "molecular structure" layout. 15 A dwelling according to an embodiment of the present invention has a number of advantages as follows: e The dwelling is a compact, packaged, solid walled shelter. * It can be erected without the use of tools or proprietary equipment in 20 less han 30 minutes, by unskilled labour. * Depending on the materials used a field life of from three to ten years is achievable. * Front and back doors, windows and vents can be specifically positioned during manufacture where desired to satisfy specific climatic 25 conditions, i.e. snow zone; high temperature zone; high rainfall zone. e There are no guy ropes required for hold down of the dwelling. e The dwellings may be formed into clusters that provide privacy for women, children and the elderly without reducing any functionality of the system such as ventilation. 30 * Potable water can be stored in the floor bases. Alternatively, storage space for personal items may also be provided in the floor bases. e The dwellings can be collapsed within minutes and relocated and re erected just as quickly.

10 The dwellings can be conveniently stored and transported in their compacted configuration. Specific benefits that dwellings according to the embodiments of the 5 invention confer to the end user are: - Improved living conditions and shelter; - improved sanitation and resistance to the spread of disease; - positive emotional experience; less physical discomfort - relocatable and reusable; 10 - promotion and delivery of conditions of security; dignity and respect and a transition to sustainable living; Benefits that dwellings according to the embodiments of the invention confer 15 to aid organisations are: o Simple; effective; reusable and environmental; o Cost effective and pragmatic solutions; o Easily portable for use in either an emergency response situation or a 20 as a transitional modular solution; o Scalable, sustainable, long lasting module; o Delivers accurately selected short-term and long-term benefits to the end user. 25 In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term "comprises" and its variations, such as "comprising" and "comprised of" is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to 30 specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A collapsible dwelling formed of rigid sheets and capable of being folded from an erect configuration for providing shelter, to a compact configuration for transportation.

2. A dwelling according to claim 1, wherein the rigid sheets comprise twin walled, fluted polypropylene boards.

3. A dwelling according to claim 1 wherein the rigid sheets include: a first sheet divided into at least first and second sections along one or more first hinge lines; a number of sheets hingedly connected to the first sheet and extending from the first sheet in the erect configuration; a foldable roof fastened between two or more of the first sheet and the number of sheets; wherein upon the first and second sections being folded along said hinge lines to oppose each other in the compact configuration, said number of sheets fold to fit therebetween.

4. A dwelling according to claim 3, wherein each of the number of sheets includes one or more hinge lines that lie substantially parallel to the one or more first hinge lines in the compact configuration.

5. A dwelling according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the hinge lines comprise creases or other suitable lines or weakness formed therein.

6. A dwelling according to any one of claim 1, claim 3, claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the hinge lines may be formed by one or more discrete, metal or plastic hinges.

7. A dwelling according to any one of the preceding claims including: a floor divided into at least first and second sections by a pair of hinge lines; 12 foldable walls, hingedly attached to the floor and extending from the floor in the erect configuration; a foldable roof located between the foldable walls in the erect configuration; wherein upon the first and second sections being brought to oppose each other in the compact configuration, said walls and roof fold to fit within said hinge lines.

8. A dwelling according to claim 7, wherein the floor includes an opposing pair of bases located on either side of said pair of hinge lines.

9. A dwelling according to claim 8, wherein the bases comprise boxes.

10. A dwelling according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the bases contain ballast.

11. A dwelling according to claim 10, wherein the ballast comprises one or more containers of water.

12. A dwelling according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the foldable walls comprise a rectangle of opposing side walls and opposing front and rear walls.

13. A dwelling according to claim 12, wherein one or more of the side walls and opposing front and rear walls are hinged at a sufficient distance from the floor to accommodate other of the walls between themselves and the floor in the compact configuration.

14. A dwelling according to any one of claims 7 to 13, including openings such as doors, windows and vents may be formed into said walls.

15. A dwelling according to any one of claims 12 and 13, wherein the opposing side walls are divided into upper and lower sections by respective side wall hinge lines. 13

16. A dwelling according to claim 15, wherein the respective side wall hinge lines are drawn toward each other in the compact configuration.

17. A dwelling according to any one of claims 7 to 16, including stiffening ribs attached along the inside and/ or outside of said walls to increase rigidity.

18. A dwelling according to any one of claims 7 to 17, including flaps or flanges located along the edges of said walls and said roof to facilitate fastening.

19. A dwelling according to any one of claims 7 to 17, including a hook and loop fastening system for attaching said walls to said roof.

20. A dwelling according to claim 18, wherein the flaps or flanges bear a plurality of lace holes to facilitate fastening of the walls and the roof to each other by lacing.

21. A dwelling according to any one of the preceding claims including an awning.

22. A dwelling according to claim 21, wherein the awning is hingedly connected to the roof.

23. A dwelling according to claim 22, wherein the awning includes a medial fold line corresponding to a fold line of the roof.

24. A multi-room dwelling comprised of a cluster of dwellings according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dwellings are disposed in a radial formation with apexes of the awnings of the dwellings at the center of said cluster.

25. A dwelling substantially as described herein with reference to the Figures. * * *