AU2014101601A4 - A collapsible building structure - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A portable building structure that is convertible between a collapsed storage or transport position and an erected position, the structure including a first side wall member, a second side wall member, a base defining the perimeter of the erected building structure; wherein the first side wall member is pivotable relative to the base about a first hinge axis between a substantially horizontal collapsed position and a substantially vertical erected position the second side wall member is pivotable relative to the base for movement about a second hinge axis between a substantially horizontal collapsed position and a substantially vertical erected position and the first hinge axis is above the second hinge axis with respect to the base such that when the structure is in the collapsed position, the first side wall member lies above the second side wall member

Description

1 2014101601 28 Aug 2014

A COLLAPSIBLE BUILDING STRUCTURE

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a collapsible building structure that can be moved between a collapsed storage and/or transport position and an erected position.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Portable building structures that are available in flat pack form and can be transported and assembled on site are well known. The building structures include garden sheds, garages, class rooms, temporary accommodation and entertainment areas. The buildings are generally supplied in the form of a number of wall and roof panels that must be assembled on site. The building requires a solid foundation such as a concrete slab to be provided. Although many such structures are sold as being able to be erected on a DIY basis, in practice, it is generally very time consuming to construct even a simple garden shed and can be too complicated for some users. Construction also requires the use of power tools. Professional construction is available but this adds significantly to the cost.

[0003] The structures are generally held together by a large number of screws. Once assembled, it is generally not intended for the structure to be disassembled and moved to another location. In many instances, it is desired for building structures to be portable so that they can be moved between sites. Such building structures include work site offices, worker accommodation, disaster relief and the like. These building structures are designed to be transported in the erected position and are suitably mounted onto trailers for transport. In some cases, the buildings are permanently mounted on trailers. It will be appreciated that it requires one truck to transport one building. Whilst it is possible to carry more than one building in a flat pack type arrangement such that the buildings can be assembled on site this is often not desirable in view of time constraints. In many cases it is highly desirable to have a building structure in service as soon as possible after its arrival. This can be for commercial reasons such as setting up worker’s camp or in response to an emergency or disaster situation. Also, as 2 2014101601 28 Aug 2014 mentioned above, it is generally not practical to disassemble such buildings once constructed.

[0004] There are many other applications where it is desired to provide temporary structures that can be quickly assembled and disassembled.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a building structure that may be assembled and disassembled on site.

SUMMARY

[0006] According to a first broad aspect of the disclosure , there is provided a portable building structure that is convertible between a collapsed storage or transport position and an erected position, the structure including a first side wall member and a second side wall member, a base defining the perimeter of the erected building structure ; wherein: the first side wall member is pivotable relative to the base about a first hinge axis between a substantially horizontal collapsed position and a substantially vertical erected position; the second side wall member is pivotable relative to the base for movement about a second hinge axis between a substantially horizontal collapsed position and a substantially vertical erected position; the first hinge axis is above the second hinge axis with respect to the base such that when the structure is in the collapsed position, the first side wall member lies above the second side wall member.

[0007] The building structure may be any suitable building such as, a garden shed, boat shed, storage shed, garage, canteen, aviary, animal enclosure such as stables or kennels, temporary worker accommodation, site office, temporary research facility, temporary disaster relief accommodation, temporary rest room, temporary kitchen, temporary medical facility and the like.

[0008] At a smaller scale, the building structure may be used for a doll house, dog house and the like. 3 2014101601 28 Aug 2014 [0009] The side wall members may be any suitable side wall members depending upon the size and desired end use of the building. The wall members may be an uncladded wall frame, a cladded wall frame or a wall panel.

[0010] For small size applications the frame may simply comprise a top wall frame member and opposed end frame members. It will be appreciated that in some applications cladding is not necessary such as for carports, entertainment areas, market shelters and the like.

[0011] For other applications where greater strength is desired, the frame can include further conventional frame components such as a bottom frame member, studs and nogging.

[0012] The frame is suitably constructed from steel, and preferably galvanised steel. Suitable materials include hollow steel sections.

[0013] The frame may also be constructed of other suitable materials such as timber, a thermoplastics material, a thermoformed plastics material or the like.

[0014] The wall frames may also be cladded. The type of cladding depends upon the end use of the structure. This will be discussed further below.

[0015] The walls may suitably include openings defining doorways, windows and the like.

[0016] The building structure includes a base that defines the perimeter of the building in the use position. The base is suitably an open frame defining the outer perimeter of the building. The base frame may also have internal frame members that may be used to mount internal walls, or other fixtures, or support flooring.

[0017] The base is suitably constructed of a hollow section made from steel that is preferably galvanised.

[0018] An advantage of having a base is that the side wall members are securely fixed to the base and are in proper alignment with respect to both the base and each other. This may be compared to conventional kits in which the walls must be fixed to a ground surface and must be carefully aligned with respect to each other during assembly and construction. 4 2014101601 28 Aug 2014 [0019] The base also assists in providing structural integrity and strength to the structure.

[0020] The base is generally secured to a ground surface by suitable means depending upon the ground surface. Suitably the ground surface has a concrete slab or other suitable surface to which the base may be secured. Other suitable surfaces include a wooden floor or a sheet of a rigid fibre cement material such as is available in Australia under the name “blue board”.

[0021] The wall members are mounted relative to the base about respective hinge axes. The arrangement and type of hinges will of course depend upon the size and/or weight of the wall members. A person skilled in the hinge arts would readily be able to ascertain suitable types of hinges.

[0022] The first hinge axis is above the second hinge axis with respect to the base. This does not mean that the axes are placed directly vertically above each other but that one is higher than the other relative to the base.

[0023] This arrangement of the hinge axis one above each other allows the wall members to lie flat with respect to each other when the wall members are in the collapsed position.

[0024] The manner in which the height of the hinge axis are regulated may be any suitable manner. For example, one or more spacers may be mounted to the base and hinges mounted to the spacer.

[0025] Alternatively, the base may include base frame members of different heights. A working advantage of spaced hinge axes is that the wall thickness can be accommodated so when the structure is in the collapsed position, the collapsed walls will lie flat one on top of each other. Suitably the vertical distance between the hinge axis substantially corresponds to the thickness of the wall.

[0026] The building structure suitably also includes a roof. The roof may be separate from the wall members and may be secured to the erected structure by conventional techniques. The roof may be provided in a single piece or as two more panels connected together by means of a hinge. 5 2014101601 28 Aug 2014 [0027] The roof may be formed from any suitable roofing material. Suitable materials are galvanised steel panels.

[0028] Alternatively the roof may be a frame that supports a rigid sheeting material that may be a plastics material such as Perspex or polycarbonate. Alternatively the sheeting material may be flexible such as for example a tarpaulin material, sunshade material or the like. It will be appreciated that in applications such as greenhouses, a controlled level of light passing through the roof would be desirable.

[0029] The roof may also be attached to first side wall member. Suitably, the roof has a first side edge that is mounted to the first side wall member for movement about a roof hinge axis between a collapsed position in which the roof lies substantially flat against the exterior of the first side wall member and a cover position in which the roof extends across the space between the opposed side walls.

[0030] In one aspect, the roof is a skillion roof. In this case, the top part of the walls are configured so as to provide the required slope.

[0031] In another aspect the roof is a gable roof. The apex of the gable is formed by having the roof in two parts that are hinged together along the roof centre line.

[0032] Depending upon the end use of the structure the roof may be modified after construction so as to install gutters, solar panels and the like.

[0033] The building structure may further include a rear end wall member that is also pivotable relative to the base for movement about a third hinge axis between a substantially horizontal collapsed position and a substantially vertical erected position and the second hinge axis is above the third hinge axis with respect to the base such that when the structure is in the collapsed position, the second side wall member lies above the rear wall member.

[0034] A building structure of this type will have three sides and may be suitable for applications such as carports, entertainment areas, canteens and the like. 6 2014101601 28 Aug 2014 [0035] The building structure may further include a front wall member that is also pivotable relative to the base for movement about a fourth hinge axis between a substantially horizontal collapsed position and a substantially vertical erected position and the third hinge axis is above the fourth hinge axis with respect to the base such that when the structure is in the collapsed position, the rear wall member lies above the front wall member.

[0036] The rear and front wall members may be of similar construction to that described above for the side wall members. That is the wall members may be an open frame, a frame cladded on one or two sides or may be constructed of one or more wall panels. The use of cladding, or panel construction may be selected or varied as desired depending upon the end use of the building structure. The walls may further include service conduits and the like through which service connections for water, gas, electricity, waste water and the like may pass.

[0037] In some applications it may be desirable to provide insulation between external and internal cladding. Suitable forms of insulation are well known.

[0038] The wall members may also be formed form one or more wall panels. Wall panels of sandwich construction are known in the caravan and motorhome arts. Such panels have an exterior external and internal skin, suitably of aluminium or fiberglass and an insulating foam core.

[0039] Suitable sealing may be provided where two edges of respective wall members meet.

[0040] For ease of description the building structure is described as having front and rear walls and opposed side walls. However, no limitation is intended in any way and for practical purposes the side walls could be the front or rear walls and vice versa. The nature of the end use ultimately dictates the side/end wall relationship.

[0041] The relative heights of the hinge axes and order of the walls above each other in the collapsed state dictates the order in which the walls are erected to the vertical position or collapsed to the horizontal position. The side wall to which the roof is mounted is erected first, followed by the opposed side wall. The structure 7 2014101601 28 Aug 2014 is suitably configured such that the walls are stopped from going past the substantially vertical position.

[0042] When the building has a rear wall, when the rear wall is in position, collapse of the side walls is prevented.

[0043] More than one building structure of the present invention may also be linked or joined together. For example, the building structures may be joined together wherein each structure can form a separate room. Two or more of three sided and/or two sided structures may be linked or joined together.

[0044] According to a further broad aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a building comprising at least two building modules linked together, wherein each building module is a building structure of the first broad aspect of the disclosure.

[0045] It will be appreciated that there are various advantages to be enjoyed with a building of this type as the building size may readily be increased by adding another building structure module. Alternatively, the building size may be reduced by collapsing building structure modules that may no longer be required.

[0046] The building structure of the present invention is erected by placing the base on a ground support surface, erecting the first wall to a horizontal position, erecting the second wall to a horizontal position, and if present erecting the rear and front walls in turn.

[0047] If a roof or provided that is attached to the first side wall member, the roof may then be installed by pivoting the roof away from the first side wall so that it extends across the space between the first and second side walls. The free end of the roof is then secured or fixed to the second side wall by suitable means and may be screwed, bolted or glued.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0048] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred buildable structure of the present invention in the storage or transport position; [0049] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the building structure shown in figure 1 with the first side wall member in the erected position; 8 2014101601 28 Aug 2014 [0050] Figure 3 is a top perspective view of the building structure of Figure 1 with the second side wall in the erected position; [0051] Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the building structure of figure 1 with the rear wall in the erected position; [0052] Figure 5 is a detail A of Figure 4; [0053] Figure 6 is a top plan view of the building structure of figure 1 with all four walls in the erected position; [0054] Figure 7 is a front view of the building structure of figure 1 with all four walls in the erected position; [0055] Figure 8 is a side view of the building structure of figure 1 with all four walls in the erected position; [0056] Figure 9 is a top view of the collapsed structure showing the underside of the roof; [0057] Figure 10 is a front perspective view of the building structure of figure 1 with all four walls and the roof in the erected position and [0058] Figure 11 is a rear perspective view of the building structure of figure 1 with all four walls and the roof in the erected position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred building structure 10 of the present invention in the collapsed storage or transport position. The building structure 10 has a first side wall 12, a second side wall 14, a base 16 and a roof 18. The roof 18 is in 2 parts that are hinged together about hinges 20, 22. The structure 10 and erection of the roof 18 will be described in further detail below. It may be seen that the roof 18 lies substantially flat on top of the first side wall 12. The first side wall 12 lies flat over the top of the second side wall 14.

[0060] The building structure 10 also has front and rear walls that are not visible in this figure and will be further described below. 9 2014101601 28 Aug 2014 [0061] The first 12 and second 14 side walls are pivotable relative to the base 16 for movement between the flat storage position and a vertical erected position. Figure 2 shows the first side wall 12 in the erected position. The first side wall 12 pivots between the collapsed and erected positions about a hinge axis 25 formed by two horizontal hinges 24, 26. There is a lower part of the wall 12a that is below the pivot axis 25 is fixed relative to the base 16.

[0062] The side wall 12 has a frame with a top rail 28, and two side frame members 30, 32, each formed from a length of hollow steel square section. Sheet metal cladding is screwed to the frame members 28, 30, 32 to form the wall 12.

[0063] Each hinge 24, 26 is mounted to a support 36, 39 that so that the hinge axis 25 is spaced above the base 16 and the hinge axes for the other walls as discussed further below. The bottom of each spacer is secured to the base 16. The lower part of the wall 12a is secured to the outside of spacers 36, 39.

[0064] In figure 2, second side wall 14 is still lying flat. Erecting the first side wall 12 allows the side of the rear wall 40 and front wall 42 to be seen.

[0065] Figure 3 shows the building structure 10 after the second side wall 14 has been erected. The second side wall 14 has a hinge axis 44 defined by two spaced apart hinges 41, 43 in the same way as for the first side wall 12. The second side wall 14 is constructed in the same manner as the first side wall 12 having top and side frame members 46, 48, 50 to which a metal cladding is fixed thereto.

[0066] The hinges 41, 43 are each mounted on a support 52, 54. The bottom spacer 54 is fixed to the base 16. The second side wall 14 supports have a height that is less than that of the supports 36, 39 of the first side wall 12. As the hinges for the second side wall 14 are mounted on the supports 52, 54, the hinge axis 44 for the second side wall 14 is lower than the hinge axis 25 for the first side wall 12. The vertical spacing between the first side wall hinge axis 25 and the second side wall hinge axis 44 is the same as the width of the frame members of each wall 12, 14. This allows the respective walls 12, 14 to lie flat one on top of the other as shown in figure 1. 10 2014101601 28 Aug 2014 [0067] The second side wall 14 has a bottom section 14a that is below the hinge axis 44 and remains stationary with respect to the base 16. The stationary side wall section 14a is secured to the external face of supports 52, 54.

[0068] Figure 4 shows the building structure 10 now with the rear wall 40 in the erected position. The rear wall 40 is of the same construction as the side walls 12, 14 having a frame with top and side frame members 56, 58, 60 and cladding fixed to the frame. The rear wall 40 pivots about a hinge axis 62 defined by hinges 64, 66. The rear wall 40 has a lower section 40a that lies below the hinge axis 62 and is stationary with respect to the base 16.

[0069] Each hinge 64, 66 is mounted on a support 67, 68 that is fixed to the frame 16. The rear wall supports 67, 68 are lower in height than the supports 52, 54 of the second side wall 14, which in turn is lower in height than the supports 36, 39 of the first side wall 12. This means that the rear hinge axis 62 is below the hinge axis 44 of the second side wall 14 at a vertical height that corresponds to the width of the rear wall 40. This allows the rear wall 40 to lie flat on top of the second side wall 14 when the structure is in the collapsed position.

[0070] Figure 5 is a detail of the section indicated A in Figure 4 that more clearly shows the relationship between the support 39 and hinge 24 on the first side wall 12, the base 16 and the support 67 and hinge 64 of the rear wall 40. The first side wall hinge 24 may be seen to lie above the rear wall hinge 64.

[0071] Figure 6 is a top plan view of the building structure 10 in which the front wall 42 is in the erected position. The frame 16 may be seen and is in the form of a square frame built from a hollow square cross section. The frame 16 also has inwardly projecting supports 74, 76, also of a hollow square cross section. In use, these supports 74, 76 provide a surface upon which the lower part of the frame of the front wall 42 rests when the structure is in the collapsed position.

[0072] The front wall 42 is of essentially the same construction as the other walls having a frame formed from a hollow square cross section, an outer metal cladding and a hinge axis defined by two hinges. Flowever, in this case, the hinge axis of the front wall is not spaced above the base 16 and the hinges are mounted 11 2014101601 28 Aug 2014 directly to the base. Thus the front wall 42 does not have a stationary portion that lies below the hinge axis as per the other walls 12,14, 40.

[0073] Figure 7 shows the front view of the building structure 10 in which all four walls 12, 14, 40, 42 have been erected. The front wall 42 has a cut out portion 80 that is fitted with a doorway.

[0074] When the side walls 12, 14 are pivoted to the erected position the arrangement of the respective hinges and how they are fixed to the supports prevents the walls from being pivoted further than the horizontal position. When the rear wall 40 is in place, the rear wall 40 prevents the side walls 12, 14 from returning to their collapsed position. The front wall 42 provides further support against collapsing of the side walls 12,14. The front 42 and rear 40 walls may be secured in the erect position by any suitable means.

[0075] The roof 18 is shown still folded in two parts and laying substantially flat against the first side wall 12. A fastener 82 fixes the two free ends of the roof together so as to prevent the roof 18 from inadvertently falling open.

[0076] Figure 8 shows how the roof 18 is secured to the outside of the first side wall 12. The roof 18 has an edge 84 that is pivotally attached to a steel strip 86 by two hinges 88, 90. The steel strip 88 is in turn hingedly connected to the side wall 12. The roof is in two sections 18a, 18b that are hinged together about hinges 92, 100. This may be seen in figure 9.

[0077] In order to erect the roof 18, the fasteners 82 are released and the roof 18 is opened as shown in Figure 9. The roof 18 is then lifted up and across the space defined by the two side walls 12, 14 to the position shown in figure 10 in which the second roof section 18b is secured to the top of the second side wall 14. The hinges 92, 100 may be stop hinges of the type that prevent the hinges from allowing the respective roof sections 18a, 18b from opening out fully to 180Q.

[0078] Figures 10 and 11 show the erected structure. The front 42 and rear 40 walls have a triangular gable 102 that is hingedly connected to the upper part of the front 42 and rear 40 walls. This triangular gable 102 can be pivoted upwards to fill in the open gable section of the roof. The gable 102 can be secured to the 2014101601 28 Aug 2014 12 roof 18 by any suitable means such as gluing, screwing riveting or the like. This provides additional support to the roof 18.

[0079] In order to collapse the building structure, all that is required is to unsecure the free end of the roof from the second side wall and then in turn collapse the front wall, rear wall second side wall and front side wall.

[0080] It will be appreciated that the building structure may be quickly and easily erected. The walls are securely mounted to the base so that it is not necessary to fix the walls to a ground surface as per conventional kit type buildings. The base serves to securely hold the walls together in alignment. Thus, it is not necessary for this to be done during erection. The base can be fixed to a ground surface by bolts, pegs or any other suitable fixing arrangement. The nature of the fixing arrangement may depend upon the end use and how temporary the structure is required. The base further provides structural integrity to the building by positively fixing the lower sections of the walls in position.

[0081] It will be appreciated that various modifications and changes may be made to the invention as described and claimed herein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Claims (17)

1. A portable building structure that is convertible between a collapsed storage or transport position and an erected position, the structure including a first side wall member, a second side wall member, a base defining the perimeter of the erected building structure; wherein: the first side wall member is pivotable relative to the base about a first hinge axis between a substantially horizontal collapsed position and a substantially vertical erected position; the second side wall member is pivotable relative to the base for movement about a second hinge axis between a substantially horizontal collapsed position and a substantially vertical erected position and the first hinge axis is above the second hinge axis with respect to the base such that when the structure is in the collapsed position, the first side wall member lies above the second side wall member.

2. The building structure of claim 1 that further includes a rear end wall member that is pivotable relative to the base for movement about a third hinge axis between a substantially horizontal collapsed position and a substantially vertical erected position and the second hinge axis is above the third hinge axis with respect to the base such that when the structure is in the collapsed position, the second side wall member lies above the rear wall member.

3. The building structure of claim 3, that further includes a front wall member that is pivotable relative to the base for movement about a fourth hinge axis between a substantially horizontal collapsed position and a substantially vertical erected position and the third hinge axis is above the fourth hinge axis with respect to the base such that when the structure is in the collapsed position, the rear wall member lies above the front wall member.

4. The building structure of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one wall member is an uncladded wall frame.

5. The building structure of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one wall member is a wall frame having external and/or internal wall cladding.

6. The building structure of claim 5, wherein each wall has exterior and interior cladding and the wall member further includes an insulation material between the cladding.

7. The building structure of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one wall member is of a sandwich construction.

8. The building structure of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the base is an open frame defining the outer perimeter of the building.

9. The building structure of claim 8, wherein the base frame further includes internal frame members that may be used to mount internal walls, or other fixtures, or support flooring.

10. The building structure of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the structure further includes one or more supports fixed to the base for regulating the respective height of the respective hinge axes.

11. The building structure of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the vertical distance between the first and second hinge axis substantially corresponds to the thickness of the second wall.

12. The building structure of any one of claims 1 to 11 that further includes a roof.

13. The building structure of claim 12, wherein the roof has a first side edge that is mounted to the first side wall member for movement about a roof hinge axis between a collapsed position in which the roof lies substantially flat against the exterior of the first side wall member and a cover position in which the roof extends across the space between the erected side walls.

14. The building structure of claim 13, wherein the roof is a gable roof that has a hinge along the centre line thereof.

15. The building structure of claim 14, wherein the structure has a front wall and a rear wall and the upper part of each front and rear wall has a triangular sheet hinged thereto that can move between a collapsed position and an erect position that covers the gable part of the roof.

16. The building structure according to claim 12, wherein the roof is not attached to any wall member.

17. A building comprising at least two building modules linked together, wherein each building module is a building structure of any one of claims 1 to 16.