CA2389102A1 - Movable hut - Google Patents

Abstract

A movable hut for winter ice fishing and hunting that can be configured for transport as a sleigh to be drawn by either snowmobiles or other recreational vehicles. In its transport configuration the movable hut is configured as a sleigh that is mounted on a foundation of four skis with springs attached to cross-members traversed by beams running the length of the base. These beams are sheeted in to form the central platform. The central platform has slightly raised sides, which are attached by hinges to side platforms that are half the width of the central platform. These side platforms in the vertical position with two added end pieces form a box sleigh with ample room to carry other conveniences for either ice fishing or hunting. On arrival at destination for hunting or fishing the box sleigh breaks down and extends the side hinged sleigh walls horizontally from its central cavity to form the slightly raised platforms on which seats can be placed. The side platforms have detachable skies on their outside edges which act as outriggers for support. The front and back wall panels are similar except the back wall contains the hinged door. The front and back wall panels are each divided into three hinged panels the center panel being twice the width of the side panels. The side panels fold onto the center panels and the center panels in turn fold by means of hinges down into the cavity of the central platforms raised sides. In the raised position these panels are held rigid by roof rods, cables, turnbuckles and door hinges. Re-enforced fabric covers the roof and sides of the hut in such a way as to add stability to the structure and can be deployed for long periods of time during a fishing season on ice and allows for quick breakdown for transport as required. Holes in the outside platforms with inserts create barriers to cold winds yet permit fishing through the ice. The holes have covers when not in use. A fire shielded back wall is configured for a small wood stove for added comfort from the elements. The hut is pulled by means of a tow-bar attached to a steering mechanism.

Description

MOVABLE HUT
SPECIFICATION:
Field of the Invention This invention relates to a fishing house or hut that is movable and formed of an undercarriage of skis, a tow-bar, platform base, folding back and front wall panels, a door in the back wall panel, roof support rods and sheet material. The hut can be moved whether in a folded, collapsed position or in its fully extended orientation.
Prior Art Ice fishing huts being portable or movable have been devised and used for many years. Mostly the huts had to be small, very light in construction so that they could be transported to the hunting or fishing sights by manual labor. Some designs were developed restricted by the fact that trails were few in number and snow machines and all terrain vehicles were not there until these latter years to provide the power needed to pull elaborate folding structures through the mountains and forest trails. A variety of structures were invented that were either very small so they could be carried or to heavy and bulky to be pulled up hills through winding rough trails. This" Movable Hut" can be moved in very little time and with minimal inconvenience. The innovations incorporate A suspension system that allows increased speed over rough trails unlike skids that were solid and increased the vibrations with speed and shifted equipment or the load to cause damage to both load and hut.
A folding hut that is unique in that all parts are interconnected to remain as a single unit whether fully deployed or in a collapsed orientation except for the five roof rods. This reduces the risk of misplacing parts and ensuring the right elements are in place while raising the structure.
A steering system that allows maneuverability around sharp corners while being towed offers significant improvement over straight skids seen on other structures. It allows for easy navigation around obstacles and avoids tipping.

MOVABLE HUT
A semi-transparent re-enforced fabric allows available light to penetrate unlike a solid material or fabric.
A regular door re-enforced by double solid sheeting rather than the conventional flaps as in a tent.
A shaped barn type roof of re-enforced fabric allows the natural elements such as wind to shed any snow accumulations on the roof of the hut in winter.
The stove and stovepipes are secured in such a way as to prevent fire damage with the hut in a deployed orientation.
Stabilizing skies that allow support to the outer floor of the hut while in the deployed orientation and while being moved to another location.
A cable system re-enforces all components of the hut against its external climatic forces (wind and snow) while deployed.
A sleigh in which the main hut structure is folded in the bottom in such a way as to allow ample room for supplies or furnishings.
The sleigh is strong enough to enable a machine to travel at normal speed while in tow. Permitting the users to be able to fish in comfort through the two fishing holes in the interior of the hut especially during cold weather.
The folding hut can be moved while in a deployed orientation.

MOVABLE HUT
The following searches were done on the CIPO database using a key word search and each find was compared against the Movable Hut application. None of the patents found contained elements of the Movable Hut application.
Shelter Hut Huts 711846 Fish Hut WinterNil Fishing Huts Nil Tent Ice FishingNil Hunting Huts Trailer tent 779159 Dwelling 1230213 Sleigh House Nil 926076 Fish Hut 2115213 Ice Fishing Nil Cabin Ice Fishing Nil Shanty MOVABLE HUT
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Inherent in known types of movable huts the uses for ice fishing or hunting applications require that supplies and other support items need to be carried in convoy to remote areas.
Consequently requiring a lot of time and effort in deploying huts and partaking of the selected sporting activity.
The movable hut can be configured for transport by one lone individual and is able to carry all the necessary supplies and support items the individual needs for an outing in a single trip. At destination once unloaded of supplies pulling a few select pins permit the individual to change the movable hut from its transport configuration to its deployed hut configuration. A wood stove for heating and wind proof ice holes at each corner of the hut for a leisurely day of ice fishing.
Fishing not very good. Then the individual may move the hut as is by retracting the ice hole telescopic tubes and move to another destination on the lake or river and reconfigure for fishing.
The advantages of the movable hut are its ease of mobility, carrying supplies and protection from the elements for an enjoyable day of sporting activities.
Reference to the specifications provide more details on the Movable hut that further describe the configuration that permit a user of this hut to transport it and deploy it easily with minimal amount of time required and by a lone individual..

MOVABLE HUT
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is made clearer through the following drawings and descriptions.
FIG. I
(A) Illustrates the movable hut without its reinforced covering so that we can see the interior parts of the hut, which is constructed within and in accordance with the present invention.
(B) Illustrates the movable hut in the folded position with its two ends attached to form a box sleigh ready to receive interior furnishings and roof rods in preparation for travel.
FIG. 2 (A) Illustrates the movable hut with its re-enforced covering permanently secured to the front and back walls except for the bottom edges of the outer platforms where the covering is attached by elastic cord or budge-cord to hooks on the underside of the outer detachable support skis.
FIG. 3 (A) A view of the steering cross-member with a steering pin. Also showing is the center platform in which the folded back and front panels will rest.
(B) A spring loaded bolt and hitch allowing the hut to rock sideways as well as absorb shock while being pulled.
(C) Side view of the split cross-member for steering, the drawbar, the spring-loaded swivel pin, The channel iron to which the ski is attached as well as the steel frame attached to the tow-bar.
(D) The drawbar and frame.
(E) Blocks to stop springing when placed between the skis and springs when the hut is stationary and fully extended.
(F) Shows the spring, ski, and channel iron and solid cross-member.
(G) Shows the platform support beams running crossways to the cross-members.
FIG. 4 (A) Illustrates the back of the hut with the door and panels folded into the bottom center platform. The side platforms with the outrigger skis attached are elevated vertically. The two MOVABLE HUT
ends of the box sleigh can be removed and used as tables.
(B) Shows the front box sleigh end and also the side platforms raised with the outrigger skis removed. The front center wall has been raised from the platform high enough to allow the front folded panel to hinge onto the top of the folded back panel.
(C) A top view of the center and side platforms with corner hinge pins.
Fishing hole locations are shown.
(D) A horizontal view of the platforms with the outrigger skis in the support position.
FIG. 5 (A) Illustrates the rear door, center and side panels (B) Shows the front center and side panels with stovepipe.
FIG. 6 (A) Interior stove pipes going through a fireproof steel sheet with an exit hole. A ring and rod secure the pipes to the front wall panel with washers and butterfly nuts.
(B) Stove.
(C) Outside stove pipes with ring and rod to secure the pipes at a safe distance from the wall panel.
(D) Shows the roof and wall support rods.
(E) Metal stops are attached to the inside frame of the door.
(F) Rod ends with bolt locks for one end of the roof and wall panel support rods. This allows the pin to be retracted when inserting the rod and locked alter the pin is inserted.
(G) A stationary pin at other end of rods.
(H) Metal plates with holes. When secured they re-enforce the corners of the panels and accept the roof rods and their bolts and pins.
(I) Metal plates for the very top of the front and back wall panels to accept the rod pins and bolts.
eyehooks are attached to the plates to which a turnbuckle and cable are tightened to retain the wall to the rod.
Picture #1 on Page #27 (A) Show the Movable hut being drawn in its open Hut configuration to a new fishing location.

MOVABLE HUT
Picture #2 on Page 28 (A) The roofing material shown at the top of the picture is a semi transparent reinforced fabric that covers part of the structure.
(B) Shows the arrangement of the roof rods.
(C) Show the interior of the Hut and the stove and stove pipe configuration on the back wall with protective fire sheeting (D) Shows interior stovepipe fastened to back wall going through a protective steel sheet that joins the interior and exterior stovepipes.
(E) This picture also shows the reinforced framing around the paneling on the back wall. Note the framing is similar on the front wall.
(F) The piano hinges are clearly seen on each side of the stove where the structure can be folded in on itself.

MOVABLE HUT
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A movable folding hut for fishing and hunting consist of a foundation of four skis with springs, which absorb shock and also swivel independently to follow the contour of rough trails. The back springs swivel by means of a pin and block that is welded to a short piece of channel iron bolted to a hardwood cross-member. The front springs also swivel on a pin and block welded to a longer piece of channel iron and bolted to a movable cross-member. The movable cross-member acts as the steering device by means of a bolt through the center and through a stationary cross-member; a layer of sheet metal on each side and between these two cross -members and down the sides separated by a washer reduce friction and wear. The hut is towed by a drawbar, which is connected to an angle iron frame. The frame is welded to the for-mentioned channel iron bolted to the movable cross-member. There are rubberized bumper pads placed on the underside of the center platform where the nose of the rear skis could come in contact with the hut on rough trails. Four beams separated equally are bolted and run lengthwise to the cross-members and are covered with strong flooring making a central platform. Pieces of material the same length as the beams form a short wall that protrude high enough on its edge to create a cavity into which both front and back panels can fold. A piano hinge is attached to the top edge of these raised sides and attached to folding side platforms creating two outside raised platforms. When the outside platforms are hinged perpendicular to the center platform they create two outside walls of a box sleigh.
Two end pieces are made which connect to these outside vertical wall by means of door hinges with pins to complete the box sleigh. These two end pieces can be used as tables when not in use when the hut is fully extended. The outside platforms must be half the width of the center platform so as to correspond with the front and back folding wall panels. The side platforms when down have skis attached to the outside edges and are secured by bolts with butterfly nuts to make them easily detachable and are there for three purposes, first to act as a brace to the outside platforms when extended, secondly to enable the hut to be pulled when completely erected and thirdly to have hooks attached by which to tie down the re-enforced covering by means of elastic rope. These side platforms have each one fishing hole cut in with covers to fit. The corners of the side platforms also have half door hinges in the perpendicular position connect to the opposite half hinges attached to the box ends by means of hinge pins which secure the sides of the box for travel and secondly when in the horizontal position connect to another set of opposite half hinges by the same pins to the outside bottom corners of both the back and front outside panels securing the outside panels to the outside platforms. The back MOVABLE HUT
wall consists of three panels attached to each other by piano hinges. The center panel is twice the width of the outside panels and equal in width to the inside recessed platform. This center panel also contains the door. The door is paneled on both sides for strength and is also hinged by a piano hinge. The outside back panels are equal in width to the elevated outside platforms. They hinge outwardly and fold onto the inside panel. Hinges attached to the center platform at the bottom and on each side of the door enable the back wall to again fold inwardly into the length of the cavity of the inside platform. The front wall is similar except the outside front wall panels are hinged inwardly to fold onto the front center panel which in turn by means of an elevated piano hinge from the center platform allows the front wall to fold down to rest on top of the back wall and fill the center platform cavity. The length of the center platform must always be longer than the height of the back or front walls so as to allow them to fold into the cavity of the center platform. The front and back wall panels including the windows and door openings have their inside edges all reinforced by edging material that is glued and screw nailed for a stronger structure. The front and back walls are held apart by means of rods with pins on one end and bolt type locking pins on the other end. Metal plates are made to fit the top center and top corners of the back and center panels and also the outside top corners of the outside back and front panels. Each plate is securely attached and drilled to accept the pins of the rods. A cable is attached to hooks and turnbuckle at the bottom of the center plates and when tightened hold the center panels solidly against the rods. Similarly cables with turnbuckles are attached to eyes on the corners under the outside rods down to hooks placed near the center and edge of the outside platforms. These cables when tightened also hold the outside panels against the outside rods as well as helping to support the outside platforms.
The roof and sides of the hut are covered by re-enforced semi transparent fabric which is attached to the outside edges of the top and also outside edges of the front and back outside wall panels by staples and re-enforced by means of screws and strapping. The re-enforced fabric over the roof is supported by the rods which are set at such an angle so as to easily shed snow or rain. The bottom edges of the re-enforced fabric have eyelets, which are then traversed by budge-cord, which is attached to the hooks on the underside of the frame holding the outer support skis. The rods, cables, corner hinges and fabric covering all contribute to an extra strong hut needed to withstand snow, rough trails, wind and the weight of persons occupying the hut. Four hardwood blocks are made to fit between the springs and the skis when the hut is extended and stationary to eliminate any springing motion. A budge-cord with a hook is connected to the top inside of the door by means of an attached eye and the other end clamped to the center of the center left roof rod creating a door closer. A strap is attached to the door as a door MOVABLE HUT
handle that will not interfere with the folding of the hut. Thin metal sheets cover the floor under the stove and back wall so as to fireproof the hut from the heat of the stove. The stove is attached to a plywood base for travel when placed into the sleigh so as not to move around while the hut is in the folded position. The stove is removed from this base when the hut is extended and secured to the center floor. An inside stove pipe is attached to the stove and the other end with an elbow goes through a fire proof metal square in the front wall and is secured there by a ring and rod attached to the front wall with butterfly nuts and washers. The outside pipe also with an elbow goes up the back wall and clears the roof fabric and also is held securely by a ring, rod, nuts, washers and butterfly nuts securing the pipe at a safe distance from the wall. Tapered tubes of the same diameter as the holes in the outside floors are placed between the ice and the floor panels directly over the ice hole and the others are placed from within the hut through the cut floors. This joins the first tube in a telescopic manner creating a seal that prevents cold air from entering the movable hut while fishing.

MOVABLE HUT
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference to the drawings and in particular to Fig. 1 thereof a new and improved movable house or hut for hunting and fishing embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention.
In Fig. I (A) and Fig. 2 (A) there is shown components of the movable hunting and fishing house or hut in the deployed orientation. This invention is collapsible FIG. I (B) and can be pulled in this position or can be pulled in the deployed orientation FIG. 1 (A) and FIG. 2 (A).
The movable house or hut of the present invention includes six major components, ( 1 ) The undercarriage including the support structure. FIG. 3 (G), FIG. 4 (D) (2) The steering, frame and tongue Fig. 3- (A), (B), (C) and (D).
(3) The housing base FIG. 4 - (A) (B) (C) (D) (4) The back wall panels including the door FIG. 5 (A) and front wall FIG. 5-(B) (S) The roof support. FIG. 1, (A), (# 9) (6) The sheet material FIG.2 - # 17 The undercarriage of the structure is made up of the following:
Four skis with springs attached (# 1 ) which swivel up and down by means of single bolts through the leaf spring couplers # 53 and through the stationary couplers # 52 that are welded to channel irons # 26.
of which two are bolted to the back cross-member # 24 and two are bolted to the front cross-member #
54. There are rubberized bumper pads # 62 placed on the underside of the center platform where the nose of the skis could came in contact with the hut on rough trails. Beams #
35 separated equally are attached to and run crosswise to the cross-members #24 and # 25 and of a length determined by the height needed for head room from the center platform (# 4) to the peek of the roof structure so as to accommodate the folding back and front wall panels.
The angle iron steering frame # 23 is welded to the front channel irons # 26 and a steel draw bar # 19 is bolted to it in such a manner as to allow the draw bar to rock up and down against the solid steering frame # 23. The triangular draw bar (# 19) is re-enforced by means of a steel crossbar and corner plates FIG. 3 (D). The hitch # 22 illustrates a long spring loaded bolt to absorb shock penetrating a steel block welded to the draw bar enabling the hut to swivel clock and counter clockwise.
The for-mentioned bolt is then welded to a double plate having drilled holes to accept a draw pin (#
18). This allows the hut to MOVABLE HUT
be coupled with a vehicle. The front cross-member # 54 is covered on the top and sides with steel sheeting # 45 and attached by screw nails to the sides. A large steel washer #
57 separates cross-members # 54 and # 25. Steel sheeting # 45 also covers the undersides of # 25 as were # 54 so as to reduce friction and wear. The large washer # 57 is traversed by a steering bolt # 58 which passes through both the centers of the two front cross-members # 54 and # 25 allowing the steering of the hut around sharp corners when being pulled through narrow bush trails. The hut can be pulled with the draw bar # 19 in the collapsed orientation or deployed orientation.
FIG. 4 illustration (C) the housing base, is a sheeted central platform (# 4) that cover the overall width and length of the beams # 35(Fig. 4 illustration (A)) run crossways to the cross-members shown in# 24 (Fig #3 (F)) and # 25 (Fig #3 (C)), two pieces of material form a short wall running the outside perimeter of the base # 37 (Fig #4 (A)) on its outside edge approximately three quarters of an inch thick, the length of the platform and high enough to form a depression to receive the folded front and back panels. The raised sides are attached securely to the outside beams # 35.
A piano hinge is attached to the top edge of these raised sides # 37 to connect to two outside platforms (# 3) which have been re-enforced by strapping # 51 along the outside edges and ends. Fishing holes #
32 have been cut at opposite ends of the outer platforms (# 3). The fishing holes each have fitting covers # 61. The fishing-hole covers #61 facing inwards have steel tabs attached to them to prevent the covers from dropping through the holes. Carriage bolts go through the center of the covers and through the center of outside cross- members, which are of a length greater than the diameter of the hole.
The bolts are tightened using butterfly nuts with washers to hold the covers rigid.
A half door hinge # 31 is located at each corner of the outside platforms (#
3). These half hinges # 31 will later be used to connect both the outside platforms (# 3) and half hinges on the bottom corners of the outside back and front wall panels (# 5) as well as connect the elevated outside platforms # three to a perpendicular position to the other half hinges on the corners of the front # 30 and rear # 29 box ends.
Two cable hooks # 55 are located near the center outside edges of platforms (#
3). Two outrigger support skis (# 2) are connected to a frame made up of three posts (# 7) and a connecting stringer (# 50) of the same size material running along the outside and under the edge of the outside platforms (# 3).
The three posts (# 7) located at equal distances from each other are re-enforced by wall type brackets #
16 located inside of each outside post above the ski and screw nailed to the top side of the support skis MOVABLE HUT
and the posts. Brackets # 16 are located opposite and inversed to each other on either side of the center post and one being screwed to the underside of platforms (# 3) and the post the other screwed to the post and top of the ski (# 2). Four carriage bolts with washers and butterfly nuts (# 33) are needed on each side and spaced equally to secure the frame (# 50) to the outside platforms (#3).
The back wall consists of three separate panels having their inside edges re-enforced by strapping, which have been glued and screwed for added strength. The center panel (# 56) is twice the width of the two outside panels (# 5) which also contains the door (# 6) which is paneled on both the inside and outside and re-enforced by strapping that has been glued and screwed around the inside edges. The outside edges of the door opening are strapped, glued and screwed for strength. The door has a Plexiglas window (# 10) also re-enforced with strapping, glue and screw nails around the edges. A strap (# 21 ) is used as a door handle. The door swings open on a piano hinge (# 8).
The center panel can fold onto the center platform by means of a hinge placed on each side of the door (# 6) at the bottom and inside of the center panel (#56). The hinges are further re-enforced by metal plates attached by screw nails to the strapping at the bottom edge of the door opening and bottom edge of the center panel. Bolts secure the hinge to the center platform (# 3) and through the metal plates and center panel #56 on each side of the door for added strength. There are two metal channel clips # 36 screwed into the back edge of the center platform on each side of the door opening which are used to secure the back box end (#
29). Similarly two more metal channel clips are located on the front edge of the center platform to retain the front box end (# 30). The outside wall panels have a half door hinge (# 31 ) at each of the outside corners which connect to its other half hinge located at the outside corners of the platforms (#
3) using hinge pins. The outside panels (# 5) of the back wall can fold inwardly by means of piano hinges (# 8) to rest on the center panel (# 56). The center panel (# 56) can now fold down into the cavity of the center platform (# 4). Three stops (# 40) are screwed equal distances apart to the strapping of the door frame opposite the door hinge and are protruding into the door entrance in order to stop the door (# 6) from swinging through the door opening. The outside wall panel has a Plexiglas window (# 10) able to slide open for ventilation FIG. 5 A.
The front three panels in FIG. 5 B are of the same dimensions as FIG. 5 A but has the following changes:

MOVABLE HUT
The two outside front panels # 60 using piano hinges fold inwardly to rest against the front center panel # 59 ready to be folded down to the top of the back panels # 56 and (# 5) resting on the center platform (# 4). In order for the front center panel # 59 and its folded front outer panels # 60 are able to accomplish this, the front bottom edge of the front center panel # 59 is shortened to accommodate a crosspiece # 34 attached to the front edge of the center platform (#4) and elevates the piano hinge (#
8), that is screwed to the top inside edges of the cross piece and to the inside strapping of the bottom edge of the front center panel (# 59) high enough to allow the front panels (#
60) to fold inwardly and lay flat on top of the back panels (# 56) and (# S) laying on the center platforms. A sliding Plexiglas window (# 10) is located on the top right side of the front center panel FIG.

5 B allowing for ventilation. Another sliding Plexiglas window (# 10) is located in the center of the outside panel. The openings have grooved pieces of strapping that are screwed and glued to the top and bottom of the opening allowing the Plexiglas window to slide. There are two pieces of strapping attached horizontally across the front center panel with glue and screws Fig. 5 B and wide enough apart to have a piece of sheet metal with a stove pipe hole in it (# 13) able to distance the stove pipe from flammable material.
The outside stovepipe (# 49) is secured to the front center wall panel by a steel ring around the pipe welded to a threaded rod (# 48) keeping the pipe a safe distance from the wall of the hut. A washer and standard nut on the threaded rod outside of the panel and washer and a butterfly nut on the threaded rod inside the panel makes the pipe secure when tightened and also allows for easy removal. Similarly the inside stove pipe (# 47) and ring welded to a threaded rod (# 46) are secured in the same way to keep the pipe at a safe distance from the wall panel and secure when moving the hut.
The roof support consists of five rods (# 9). Each rod has a bolt and lock device (# 39) at one end and a stationary pin (# 38) at the other. The bolts and pins are made to enter the holes in plates (# 41 ) and plates (# 42). The plates (# 41 ) are located at the top outside corners of the front (# 59) and back center panels (# 56) and the outside corners of the outside front (# 60) and back outside panels (# 5). The plates (# 42) of which there are two are located at the top center of the center wall panels. The rods are inserted into the plates with the stationary pin first and then with the bolt retracted are lined up with the opposite plate holes and then inserted and locked. The front top plate (# 42) has an eyehook attached to which a cable (# 14) is attached and secured by cable clamps. The other end of the cable is connected to a turnbuckle also by cable clamps. The turnbuckle has one end made into a hook, which is then hooked into the opposite top plate by means of a drilled hole in the base of the plate. When the turnbuckle is tightened, the center panels are drawn into the rod ends securely. The outside panels are drawn to the MOVABLE HUT
ends of the rods by means of turnbuckles attached to eyes under the plates (#
41 ) and cables (# Ii) to hooks (#55) located near the center edge of the outside platforms by cable clamps. These cables help support the outside platforms as well as retain the outside wall panels against the rod ends when the turnbuckles are tightened.
Two eye hooks (#12) are bolted to the peak of the hut, the eye facing to the outside and the bolt end going through plates (#42), are secured by a washer and nut. A rope is attached to each eye making it easier to raise the front and back center panels (#56) and (# 59).
The sheet material is a re-enforced semi-transparent fabric (# 17), which allows light to penetrate.
Fabric (# 17) is attached to the top outside edges and also the outside edges of the front and back panels. The fabric is further re-enforced by screws and light strapping (#
50). The bottom edges of the fabric have eyelets that are traversed by budge-cords (# 27), which attach to cup hooks on the underside of the frame (# 50) held up by support posts (# 7) and outrigger skis (# 2).

MOVABLE HUT
The use and operation of this invention through the above descriptions should be rather clear and no further explanation will be provided to this end.
The optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention include variations in size, materials, function, shape, form and manner of operation, assembly and use are intended to be encompassed by the present invention The above descriptions should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of this invention.
It is not desired to limit the invention in the above descriptions to the exact construction and operation of the invention as shown. Therefore all modifications that are suitable and equivalents may be resorted to within the scope of this invention.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed is defined as follows:

(1) A movable folding hut that has a foundation or undercarriage of four skis with springs. The leaf springs join the leaf spring couplers and in turn join the stationary couplers welded to pieces of channel iron by the use of coupler pins allowing the skis to rock independently while traveling over rough terrain.

(2) A movable cross-member that acts as the steering device by means of a bolt through its center and through a stationary cross-member. A layer of sheet metal between these two cross-members and sides are separated by a washer that reduces friction, wear, and allows for easy steering.

(3) A draw bar is bolted to an angle iron frame. The frame is welded to a channel iron bolted to a movable cross-member. The drawbar is bolted to the frame in such a way as to allow the draw bar movement up and down against the rigid steering frame. The triangular drawbar is re-enforced by means of a steel crossbar and corner plates. The hitch made up of a long spring-loaded bolt penetrating a steel block welded to the drawbar. The bolt is then welded to a double plate having drilled holes to accept a draw pin. The opposite end of the bolt is threaded receiving the spring, a retaining washer and nut that absorbs shock while being drawn as well as allowing the hut to rotate back and forth in a sideways motion.

(4) The floor structure consists of beams bolted equally and separately run lengthwise to the cross-members and are covered with strong flooring to form a center platform.
A piece of material the same length as the beams is attached to the side of the beams and protrudes high enough to form a cavity which will be deep enough as to accept the front and back folding panels. Platforms of the same length but one half the widths are located and attached by piano hinges on each side of the center platform to the raised edges forming two outside raised platforms, These outside platforms form the outside walls of a box sleigh when hinged to a vertical position.

(5) Two separate end pieces connect to these outside floor pieces when in the vertical position by means of door hinges with pins to complete the box sleigh. Two metal channel clips are screw nailed into the back edge of the center platform on each side of the door and are used to secure the back sleigh box end. Two more channel clips are located on the front edge of the center platform to retain the front box sleigh end.
(6) The side platforms when down have a support ski frame attached to the outside edges by bolts with butterfly nuts. Hooks on the underside of the outside ski frame to tie down the re-enforced covering by means of elastic rope or budge-cord.
(7) The outside platforms have half door hinges attached to the outside corners which when the outside platforms are in the perpendicular position connect to the opposite half hinges attached to the box ends by means of hinge pins which secure the box for travel. Secondly when the outside platforms are in the horizontal position connect to another half set of opposite hinges by the same pins to the outside bottom corners of both the back and front wall panels securing the outside platform to the outside panels.
(8) The back wall made up of three panels are attached to each other by piano hinges that allow each outside panel to fold outwardly and inwardly to lie on the back wall panel containing the door. The wall center panel containing the door has paneling on both sides. The door has metal doorstops. The door is held closed by a budge-cord door closer. The door handle is made out of a strap. A window is located in the door and a sliding window in the left back wall panel. Hinges are placed on each side of the door at the bottom of the center panel in order to connect the center panel with the center floor's back edge enabling the center panel and it's folded outside panels to fold onto the center platform. All edges of windows openings, door openings and wall panels have had extra material added that has been glued and screw nailed for extra strength.
(9) The front wall made up of three panels is also joined by piano hinges that fold inwardly to fold onto the front center panel which in turn by means of an elevated piano hinge from the center platform allows the front wall to fold down to rest on top of the back wall and fill the center cavity. The front wall has a sliding window on each outside wall panels for viewing and ventilation. All edges of window openings, stovepipe openings and wall panels have had extra edging, which has been glued, and screw nailed for extra strength.
( 10) Fireproof material has had a stovepipe hole cut into it and is secured to the front center wall panel. A ring welded to a threaded rod holds the inner stove pipe in place a safe distance from the front wall and secured to it with washers, standard nuts and butterfly nuts. The outside stovepipe is secured to the front wall in the same manner.
(11) The front and back wall panels are held together and reinforced by means of rods with pins on one end and bolt type locking pins on the other end. Metal plates are located at the top centers, the outside corners of the center wall panels and also the outside top corners of the outside panels of both the front and back wall panels. The attached metal plates have holes to accommodate the roof rods.
(12) The top center plates have a wall retaining cable stretched between them under the top rod with cable clamps, turnbuckles, hooks and eyebolts. Outside top corner plates have eyes to which turnbuckles are attached. Cables are clamped to the turnbuckles with cable clamps.
The other ends of the cables are clamped to anchor rings on the center edge of the outside platforms. The rods hold the walls out and the cables when tightened pull the framework in against the rods creating a rigid structure.
(13) Re-enforced semi-transparent fabric is attached to the outside edges of the top and also outside edges of the front and back wall panels by staples and are re-enforced with screws and strapping. Eyelets are put into the bottom edges of the fabric to accommodate the elastic rope that is attached to eyehooks under the outside ski frames.
(14) Thin fireproof sheets cover the floor under the stove and front wall.
(15) The legs of the stove are screw nailed to a plywood base for travel. The stove legs are screw nailed to the floor when the hut is in the extended mode.
(16) Bolted eyehooks through the outside peaks of the roof hold ropes to aid in the raising of the wall panels.
(17) Each of the outside floor panels having each one fishing hole cut into it with matching covers. The holes are of a size to accommodate each two tube like pails that have their bottoms cut out. The tubes are semi- coned. One tube is inserted under the hole between the ice and the side floor panel and the second tube is inserted from inside of the hut through the hole in the floor panel. This creates a seal to any wind and cold from entering from below.
The covers have metal ears attached to their edges to prevent them from falling through the holes. A carriage bolt long enough to go through the top centers of the covers go through a bar on the underside of the floor panels that extends past the diameter of the holes and is secured there by washers and butterfly nuts keeping the hole covered while traveling.