AU597094B2 - Extendable container - Google Patents

Description

tj COMMONWEALTH OF AUS LRALIA PATENTS ACT, 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR OFFICE USE Short Title: Int. Cl.

Application Number: Lodged:a Comple te '-pecif ication Lodged Accepted: Laps'ed: Published: t Priority: Related Art: TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant:- Ridwan Sjarif Adc-ress of Applicant: 22 Murztay Island SYLVANIA, WATERS N.S.W.

2224 Actual Inventor: Ridwan Sjarif Address for Service:. ANDERSON-TAYLOR ASSOCIATES, Registered Patent and Trade Marli; Attorneys of Carina Road Oyster Bay N.S.W. 2225 Complete Specification for the invention ent ,tled: EXTENDIBLS CONTAINER The following statement is a full description of this invention :,ncluding the best method of performing it. known to rue:r oerr~-~ m.

This invention relates to structures and more particularly' although not exclusively discloses an improved method of constructing mobile or transportable shelters.

Existing transportable shelters such as caravans are either of a rigid high profile construction (which creates serious stability and drag problems during towing) or comprise a tent-like component which can be folded down for transport to minimise wind resistance. While in the latter case a compact and readily towable vehicle is obtained the tent is naturally of limited strength and durability and more-.

r" over provides o'ly modest protection from the elements.

tt It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the S'aforementioned disadvantages and accordingly a structure is proposed comprising a plurality of panel units rmvable between a collapsed readily transportable configuration of reduced size in. which said S panel units are nested one inside the other and an expanded configuration which forms a rigid shell usable as a caravan or storage shelter or the like, said panel units being slidab,ly connected by me ans of a I bar/tube assembi with said I bar sliding in a longitudinal slit in said tube and rollers mounted on the flanges of the "i I bar and/or on the inside of the tube to minimise sliding friction.

The currently preferred embodiments of this invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings in which: Figure i shows an exploded schematic view of one form of collapsible structure according to this concept.

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Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of this structure in it's collapsed configuration, Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view similar to figure 2 but with the structure in it's expanded configuration, Figure 4 shows an end view of this structure in it's expanded configuration, Figure 5 shows an exploded schematic view of a second form of collapsible structure, ooo Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the structure of figure 5 in it's collapsed configuration, o .0 e Figure 7 shows 4 -ross-sectional view similar to figure 6 but with the structure in it's expanded configuration, ooo Figure 8 shows an end view of the structure of O o. figure 5 in it's expanded configuration, and Figures 9 to 12 show the preferred form of roller "assembly for linking the panels together'.

Referring first to figure 1 the structure may comprise a set of interfitting panel units numbered 1 to 4.

Each member consists of end panels- 5 and a pair of right angled side panels 6. Although the invention is not limited -3-

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i to any specific dimensions for these members their width and length relative to one another should Le related so as to allow them to nest together in the;manner shown in figure 2. In this collapsed configuration a neat and compact unit is formed which is substantially the same size as only one of said members. A structure or container according to this invention may thus be readily transported with only a minimum of bulk. In use however the members are expandable to the form shown in tigure 3 by first sliding members 1 and '2 as indicated by arrow A and subsequently sliding members 3 and 4 horizontally as indicat-d by arrows B The resulting structure pcovides a two* strong rigid walled shelter or container which may be quickly and simply erected with only a minimum of expertise.

C 9i A second embodiment of this invention is shown in figures to 8. Here there are six panel members numbered 7 to 12.

,~Four of them are similar in construction to those of the first embodiment with end panels 13 and right angled side o'o9o panels 14. In addition however two intermediate members 11 and 12 are provided which each comprise single side panels and 16 and a pair of end panels 17 to20. As with the first embodiment there are no limitations on the size of these members provided that they are dimensioned relative to each other to interf it as shown in figure 6. The resulting collapsed unit thus has a size no larger than each of the intermidiate members. To expand the structure to the form illust'ated in figure 7 the intermediate membprs and associated panel members 7, 8 and 9, 10 are -4-

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i 1 s ii -n~n drawn apart as shown by arrows C and then subsequently the panel members are slid horizontally out from inside the intermediate members. The resulting rigid walled structure illustrated in figure 7 has a volume of up to four times that that of the collapsed unit.

Referring now to figures 9 to 12 the preferred form of mechanical linkage between the panels may comprise a slidably engaging I bar 21 and rectangular tube 22. The tube 22 has a longitudinal slot 23 in one side which receives the web 24 of the I bar as shown. Sets of rollers 24A are also mounted on either the flanges 25 of the I bar #lot S(figure 9) or on the inside 25A of the tube (figure 10) to i engage the opposite component and minimise the sliding friction between the two, In the preferred arrangements S shown in figures 11 and 12 alternate roller mountings are located at each end of the I bar/tube combinations so i as to provide a built-in stop mechanism when the structure I reaches it's fully expanded configuration. In addition it is envisaged that the tube section 22 could be adapted to form a support beam or chassis either for the base of S the structure or along the top when a number of units are stacked one upon another.

As best shown in figures 4 and 8 rails 26 should also be installed adjacent the perimeter of each of the panels or walls so as to additionally secure the:end panels of the structure. Such rails could be of any suitable type provided of course that they allow relative unhindered movement of the panels 1 I- between collapsed and expanded configurations. Further, these rails may also incorporate sealing strips to weatherproof thestructure.

It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the embodiment described provides a novel and unique construction for caravans or indeed any other type of transportable shelter. Clearly however the particular examples disclosed are only the currently preferred forms of this invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a man skilled in the art. For example the invention is not limited to any particular number, shape or size for the panel units ri to any specific mechanism for slidably r* linking them together. Further any suitably rigid and weatherproof material may be used to construct the panels.

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Claims (3)

1. A collapsible structure comprising a plurality of panel units movable between a collapsed readily transpor- table configuration of reduced size in which said panel units are nested one inside the other and an expanded configuration which forms a rigid shell usable as a caravan or storage shelter or the like, said panel units being slidably connected by means of an I bar/tube assembly with said I bar sliding in a longitudinal slit in said tube and rollers mounted on the flanges of the I bar and/or on the inside of the tube to minimise t t sliding friction.

2. The collap'ible structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tube is also adapted to form a support chassis for said structure,

3. A collapsible structure substantially as described herein with reference to figures 5 to 12. Dated this 5th day of February, 1990 Ridwan Sjarif By his Patent Attorney MXCHAEL ANDERSON-TAYLOR fi ii. cW i