CA1061559A - Portable greenhouse - Google Patents

Portable greenhouse

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Publication number
CA1061559A
CA1061559A CA293,995A CA293995A CA1061559A CA 1061559 A CA1061559 A CA 1061559A CA 293995 A CA293995 A CA 293995A CA 1061559 A CA1061559 A CA 1061559A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
roof
panels
panel
adjacent
greenhouse according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA293,995A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Christopher Fries
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA293,995A priority Critical patent/CA1061559A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1061559A publication Critical patent/CA1061559A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Abstract

Invertor: CHRISTOPHER FRIES
Title: PORTABLE GREENHOUSE

Abstract of the Invention A portable greenhouse has a light-transmitting roof section of a panel of synthetic resin which is foldable along a score line extending between the ends of the panel and also a pair of end panels attachable to the roof section adjacent the ends thereof to define the ends of the greenhouse.

Description

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12 Backgro~nd of the Invention 13 In recent years there has been a great inc~ease in the 14 interest in the growing of both vegetahles and house plants by the American public. This increase in interest has 16 resulted from numerous factors, including the impact of ~ 171 inflation upon the cost of foods and the desire to have - 18 growing plants to beautify the home. !
19 While some sections of the co~ntry are blessed with mild climates which facilitate year-round outdvor gardening 2I without excessive hardship on the plants, many parts of the 22 c~untry are not so blessed. In many areas, particulaely in 23 the northern parts of the country, the effects of wind, ! 241 rain, fog and cold both shorten the growing season and 1 25 present signifi~ant additional stresses to plants so i ! ¦ exposed. In conventional outdoor gardening such e~Eects 27 limit both the types of plants which may be grown and also
2~ the amount, due to the short growing season. Additionally, : . 29 plants grown indoors frequently suffer fro~ excessively dry i 30 warm air and radical fluctuations in temperature between day - j ~ 32 -~ ~
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and night. This environment is particularly unhealthy for many plants which require warm, semi-tropical environments.
For both of the above situations there heretofore have been few satisfactory answers other than the construction of costly greenhouses or special greenhouse windows for homes.
Particularly has this problem prevented the growing of plants in fixed beds outdoors.
Summary of the Invention In view of the foregoing problems it is an object of this invention to provide a portable greenhouse which is inexpensive and simple in design and assembly. It is a furtherobject of this invention to provide such a greenhouse in which assem~ly requires only folding of a roof panel and attachment of a pair of end panels thereto. It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a greenhouse in which the structural panels are ; .
extruded, internally ribbed panels of synthetic resin.

Briefly, the portable greenhouse of this invention comprises a light-transmitting roof section of synthetic resin and a pair of end panels, one each removably attached to the ends o the roof section. The roof sect,ion comprises a panel having opposed end edges and opposed lateral edges with at least one fold line extending between the end edges and disposed between the lateral edges, the roof panel being folded along that fold line to form a roof section having open ends. The end panels at least partially close these open ends, with portions of each end panel being slotted to straddle portions of the roof section.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention all of the panels are internally ribbed extrusions of polypropylene. The roof ~anel includes one slot adjacent each end thereof , - 2 -`
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1 ¦ an'd extending transversely of the score line'. One end 2 I panel, which is also slotted, is receivable through each
3 I roo slot and engages the sides of the roo~ section to 1
4 I maintain them in a predetermined folded configuration. In S ~ this embodiment, the predetermined configuration preferably 6 ¦ is in the shape of a mansard roof.

¦ Brief Description of the Drawings 9 ¦ Fig. 1 is a pictorial view of a greenhouse acco~ding to 10 ¦ this invention;
11 ¦ Fig. 2 is a plan view of the unfolded rooE panel and 12 one of the end panels that make up the greenhouse o Fig. l;
13 Fig. 3 is an enlarged frag~entary view of a portion of 14 ¦ the material from which the panels of the greenhouse of Fig.
15 I 1 are constructed;
16 ¦ Fig. 4 is an alternative embodiment of the greenhouse 17 I of this invention having a plurality of roof panels joined 18 ¦ together; I
19 I Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the greenh'ouse of Fig. 4.

21 Description of PLeferred Embodiments The gr~enhouse of this invention is illustrated in Fig.
23 1 and comprises generally a roof section 2 which is formed 24 of a folded roof panel 4, and a pair of opposed end panels 6 2 and 8. Preferably, all of these panels are formed of an 2 extruded, double-wa'lled, internally ribbed synthetic resin 27 panel material such as polypropylene, illustrated in Fig. 3.
2 Due to this internally ribbed configuration, somewbat 29 similar to tha~ of corrugated cardboard, the panels may have 3 very thin, light-weight plastic sections while retaining _3_ '.' . .
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I ¦gr~at s~iffness and strength. Additionally, the air 2 ¦channels 10 formed by the internal ribbing provide for 3 ¦superior thermal insulation characteristics for the 4 ¦material. Preferably, the panels are translucent and
5 ¦incorporate an ultraviolet stabilizing ingredient to reduce
6 ¦degradation oE the plastic by sunlight.
7 The panels from which the greenhouse of Fig. 1 is ¦assembled are illustrated in Fig. 2. Since end panels 6 and ¦8 are substantially identical in configuration, only one of 10 ¦the panels 6 is illustrated. The roof panel 4 is defined by Il ¦opposed end edges 12 and 14 and opposed lateral edges 16 and 12 18. A central score line 20 extending between the end edges 13 ¦12 and 14 is disposed generally centrally of the lateral 14 ¦edges 16 and 18 and defines a fold line, preferably 15 bisecting the panel 4. A pair of intermediate score lines 16 22 and 24 also extend between edges 12 and 14 and are 17 ¦positioned on either side of and generally par~llel to the 18 ¦central sco~e line 20 and define additional f~ld lines. The 19 ¦central score line 20 facilitates folding of the panel 4 to ~0 ¦form the peak or ridge 26 of the roof section 2. Similarly, 21 ¦the intermediate score lines 22 and 24 facilitate the 22 add`itional folds 28 and 30 illustrated in Fig. 1. By 23 folding th~e roof panel 4 along these th~ee score lines, the 24 panel may be formed into a shape ~esembling a mansard roof 25 as illustrated in Fig. 1. In this configuration the roof 26 sec~ion thus comprises a pair of upper roof portions 32 and 27 34 and a pair of side portions 36 and 38.
28 Adjacent each end of the roof panel ate the respective 2 slots 40 and 42 which extend transversely of th~ central 30 score or fold line 20 and preferably between the 31 intermediate scote or fold lines 22 and 24. These 510ts -4~

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1 extend completely through the panel 4 and preerably are o 2 about the same width as the thickness of the panel material, 3 ¦ about 1/16 inch.
: 4 End panel 6 suitably comprises a rectangular panel of - 51 th~ polypropylene extrusion that is dimensioned to be of 6 ¦ slightly less height in the vertical direction than the peak 7 ¦ or ridge 26 of the roof section when erected, for purposes
8 ¦ to be described below. Each of these end panels includes a 91 pair of slots 44 and 46 extending from the bottom edge 10 ¦ partway to the top. These slots preferably are of about 3/8 11 ¦ inch width, or about twice the thickness of the roo~ panel 12 ¦ 4. Preferably, each of these end panels includes an 13 anchoring stake 48, suitably of galvanized steel rod, -- 14 ¦ inserted between a pair of adjacent internal ribs o~ the end 15¦ of panel. The diameter of the anchoring stake 4B is 16 desirably such that it will provide an inter~erence fit 17 within the channel provided by those adjacent ribs to retain 18 the stake ~rictionally in place. I
19 The assembly of the greenhouse of this invention is ~0 illustrated in Fig. 1 and is achieved by first folding roof 21 panel 4 along fold lines 20, 22 and 24 into the mansard roof 22 shape illustrated. Then the bottoms of the end panels Ç and ; 23 8 are inserted through the respective slots 40 and 42, and 24 the side portions 36 and 38 of the roof section 2 are aligned to engage slots 44 and 46 in the end panels. At 26 ,that point, the end panels 6 and B are s1id into the 27 position illustrated in Fig. 1, with the roof scction 2 ` 28 maintained in its configuration by the straddled engagement 29 of the side p~rtions 36 with the slots 44 and 46 in the end 3 panels 6 and B.
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1 While the roo~ section i5 illustrated in Fig. 1 in the 2 ¦ preferr~d configurations of a mansard roof, obviously 3 ¦ configurations such as a triangular section A-rame with 4 only a central fold or score line, or a wedge-shape, or 5 ¦ numerous other configurations within the scope of the 6 ¦ invention could be e~ployed equally suitably. Similarly, 7 ¦ while the end panels 6 and 8 are illustrated as being o 8 slightly less height than the peak 26 of the roof section,
9 ¦ such end panels could equally easily be dimension~ of equal or greater height than roof peak 26, and be only partially 11 ¦ received through the slots 40 and 42. However, by having 12 the end panels 6 and 8 of this slightly lesser height, a 13 small ventilation gap at each end is provided between the 14 top of the end panel and the peak 26 of the roof, a 15¦ frequently desirable feature.
16¦ When the portable greenhouse of this invention is 17¦ assembled as illustrated in Fig. lr it is quite rigid and, 18¦ due to its light weight, may easily be moved to any desired 19¦ location. ~owever, when used outdoors, this desirable light 2Q weight and portability reyuires anchoring of the structure 21¦ to prevent any disturbance by winds. This anchoring is 22 achieved by the insertion of anchor stakes 48 into the earth 23¦ when the greenhouse is in place. ~hese stakes anchor the 241 end panels, which engage the roof section and thus anchor the en~ire greenhouse assembly.
26¦ Due to the simple construction o~ this greenhouse, with 27¦ the use of only scored and slotted flat panels, the 28 structure may easily be folded flat for storage when its u~e 29 i5 not required~ This foldability is furthar enhanced by the desitable usage of polypropylene material in fabricating -6- `

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1 the panels, since polypropylene may be folded repeatedly 2 I without Eracturing or tearing, thus acting as a plastic 3 ¦ hinge.
~ Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate another embo-liment oE the 5 ¦ greenhouse of this invention, elongated to accommodate more 61 plants or a longer flowee bed. In this embodiment the roof 7 ¦ section comprises a plura:Lity of rooE panels (in this case 8 ¦ two panels 4 and 4') overLappingly aligned along their score 9 ¦ and fold lines. These a~jacent rooE panels preEerably are
10 ¦ overlappingly aligned with their adjacent slots ~42 and 40')
11 ¦ superimposed upon one another as illustrated in Fig. 4.
12¦ Thus, an additional end panel 7, suitably identical to end
13 I panels 6 and 8, may be inserted through the superimposed
14 ¦ slot into an engaging arrangement with both of the two
15 ¦ adjacent roof panels. It is for this engagement of two such
16 ¦ adjacent roof panels that the slots 44 and 46 in the end
17 ¦ panels 6, 7 and 8 are desirably made the width equivalent to
18 ¦ two thicknesses of the roof panel material. 'By this
19 I reception of additional end panel 7 through the superimposed slots and its engagement with the two adjacent roof panels, 21 those two roof panels are effectively locked together to 22 form a single elongated roof section 2. In a similar manner 23 any numbe'r oE roof panels may be locked together to fo~m 24 such portable greenhouses of extended lengths. As illustrated in Fig. 5, by approQriate selection of the 26 height of the end panels as described above, a ventilation i 27 gap 50 may be provided along the entire length oE any such 28 elongated greenhouse and between the interior o the - 2 greenhouse and the exterior environmen~. Obviously, if the 3 end panels were o~ a height greater than the maximum height _ r: - i ` , ' .~ ¦

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. 1 o~ the greenhouse, the same effect could be obtail)ed by 2 providing an appropriately positioned and dimensioned hole 3 ¦ through the panel.
4 ¦ While two particularly preferred embo(liments o[ this S invention have been described above in substantial detail, 6 ¦ it is to be understood that the descriptions are only 7 ¦ illustrative of the principles of the invention and are not 8 ¦ to be considered limitative thereo~. Since numerous : 9 ¦ variations and modifications of this greenhouse, all within 10 ¦ the scope of the invention, will readily occur to those 11 ¦ skilled in the art, the scope of this invention is to be 15 limited solely ty tne cl ims appended here-~.

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Claims (14)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A portable greenhouse comprising a light-transmitting roof section comprising a roof panel of synthetic resin having opposed end edges and opposed lateral edges with at least one fold line extending between said end edges and disposed between said lateral edges, said roof panel being folded along said fold line to form said roof section having open ends, and a pair of end panels, one each removably attached to said roof section adjacent each said end edge thereof to at least partially close the ends of said greenhouse, portions of each said end panel being slotted to straddle portions of the adjacent said roof section.
2. A portable greenhouse according to Claim 1 wherein said roof panel score line is disposed generally centrally of said lateral edges.
3. A portable greenhouse according to Claim 2 wherein said roof panel further includes a pair of intermediate fold lines extending between said end edges and disposed on opposite sides of and generally parallel to said centrally disposed fold line, whereby the roof panel may be further folded along the fold lines to form upper roof portions between the opposed intermediate fold lines and side portions between the fold lines and the respectively adjacent lateral edges.
4. A portable greenhouse according to Claim 3 wherein said roof section comprises said roof panel folded and maintained in the shape of a mansard roof.
5. A portable greenhouse according to Claim 1 wherein said roof panel may selectively be erected for use or folded flat along said fold line for storage.
6. A portable greenhouse according to claim 1 wherein said roof panel includes one slot adjacent each said end edge, each said slot extending transversely of said fold line, and wherein each said end panel is at least partially receivable through one of said slots.
7. A portable greenhouse according to claim 6 wherein portions of said end panels are slotted to straddle portions of said roof panel adjacent the ends of said slots, whereby the straddling engagement between the end panels and the roof panel may serve to retain the roof panel in a predetermined folded configuration.
8. A portable greenhouse according to claim 1 wherein said roof and end panels comprise double-walled panels of extruded, internally ribbed synthetic resin.
9. A portable greenhouse according to claim 8 wherein said panels are formed of polypropylene.
10. A portable greenhouse according to claim 1 wherein the height of said end panels is less than the height of said roof section, whereby, upon attachment of the end panels to the roof section, the top of the end panels may be spaced below the roof section such that a gap may remain between the top of the end panel and the top of the roof section to serve as a vent for the greenhouse.
11. A portable greenhouse according to claim 1 wherein said roof section comprises a plurality of said roof panels aligned longitudinally along said fold lines, a portion of one end of each said panel overlapping the adjacent said roof panel, and which further comprises an additional said end panel which is attachable to said overlapping portion of each said adjacent pair of said roof panels to join said roof panels together, whereby the end panels attachable to the outermost end edges of the longitudinally outermost said roof panels define the ends of the greenhouse.
12. A portable greenhouse according to claim 11 wherein each said roof panel includes a slot adjacent each said end edge, each said slot extending transversely of said fold line, and wherein one of said end panels is at least partially receivable through each said slot, whereby, when adjacent roof panels are overlappingly aligned with their adjacent slots superimposed, the reception of one of the additional end panels therethrough may serve to lock the adjacent roof panels together.
13. A portable greenhouse according to claim 1 further comprising anchor means connected to each end panel for selective insertion into the earth, whereby, upon such insertion of the anchor means the greenhouse may be anchored to the earth.
14. A portable greenhouse according to claim 13 wherein said anchor means comprises a stake connected to each said end panel, whereby the greenhouse may be anchored to the earth by insertion of the stakes into the earth.
CA293,995A 1977-12-28 1977-12-28 Portable greenhouse Expired CA1061559A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA293,995A CA1061559A (en) 1977-12-28 1977-12-28 Portable greenhouse

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA293,995A CA1061559A (en) 1977-12-28 1977-12-28 Portable greenhouse

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1061559A true CA1061559A (en) 1979-09-04

Family

ID=4110397

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA293,995A Expired CA1061559A (en) 1977-12-28 1977-12-28 Portable greenhouse

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1061559A (en)

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