CA2409125A1 - Foldable transportable shelter - Google Patents
Foldable transportable shelter Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2409125A1 CA2409125A1 CA 2409125 CA2409125A CA2409125A1 CA 2409125 A1 CA2409125 A1 CA 2409125A1 CA 2409125 CA2409125 CA 2409125 CA 2409125 A CA2409125 A CA 2409125A CA 2409125 A1 CA2409125 A1 CA 2409125A1
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- Prior art keywords
- shelter
- configuration
- unfolded
- wheels
- perspective
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/343—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport
- E04B1/344—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport with hinged parts
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Tents Or Canopies (AREA)
Abstract
A foldable transportable shelter comprising a box-like body being deployable from a transport configuration, wherein the box-like body has wheels and is adapted to be hitched by a vehicle, and a unfolded shelter configuration, wherein the box-like body has walls thereof unfolded to form a shelter. Roof trusses are provided to interconnect the walls to provide for lateral expansion of the shelter and support for roof panels.
Description
FOLDABLE TRANSPORTABLE SHELTER
TECHNICAL FIELD
Ioooil The present invention generally relates to transportable shelters and, more particularly, to a transportable shelter which is foldable in order to facilitate the transport thereof.
BACKGROUND ART
tooo2l Transportable shelters are well known and used in a plurality of industries and/or activities, such as the forestry and construction industries. For instance, events which are temporary and which require shelter facilities conveniently use transportable shelters in order to reduce costs and accelerate the settling operations.
foo03~ U. S 'Patent No. 4, 741, 133 issued on May 3, 1988 to Kutzner discloses a transportable shelter having a rectangular-prism shaped rigid structure of the dimensions of a freight trailer which is transportable as such, in a position referred to as transport state. The transportable shelter, in order to enlarge the inner space thereof, has at least one side wall that can be moved generally parallel to its transport state position and towards the outside. The moveable side walls of the transportable shelter can be folded in accordionlike fashion while the floor and the ceiling of the rigid frame are fastened thereto. These shelters are also heavy, bulky, expensive, and time-consuming and labor-intensive to install and transport.
fooo4) Although transportable shelters have been disclosed in the prior art, these have been known to have generally rectangular prism shapes similar to freight trailers. These transportable shelters are thus well adapted to be transported by the typical freight trucks.
However, in some instances, these known transportable shelters are pulled and displaced by vehicles smaller than the typical freight trucks, in which case they represent a substantial load by their drag-prone configuration, a problem that does not occur with freight trucks due to the size thereof. Tt is also difficult or impossible to transport these shelters in hard-to-reach areas along secondary unpaved roads and through narrow gravel roads in bush areas.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
tooos) It is a feature of the present invention to provide a foldable transportable shelter which substantially overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.
tooos) According to the above feature of the present invention, from a broad aspect, the present invention provides a foldable transportable shelter comprising a box-like body being deployable from a transport configuration, wherein the box-like body has wheels and is adapted to be hitched by a vehicle, and a unfolded shelter configuration, wherein the box-like body has walls thereof unfolded to form a shelter, and roof trusses being provided to interconnect the walls to provide for lateral expansion of the shelter and support for roof panels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Looo~) A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
tooos) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable transportable shelter constructed in accordance with the present invention, in a transport configuration;
tooo9) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shelter in the transport configuration, as attached to a vehicle;
tooiol FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the shelter as supported by wheels for being unfolded from a transport configuration to an unfolded shelter configuration;
tools) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the shelter in preparation for a lateral expansion;
TECHNICAL FIELD
Ioooil The present invention generally relates to transportable shelters and, more particularly, to a transportable shelter which is foldable in order to facilitate the transport thereof.
BACKGROUND ART
tooo2l Transportable shelters are well known and used in a plurality of industries and/or activities, such as the forestry and construction industries. For instance, events which are temporary and which require shelter facilities conveniently use transportable shelters in order to reduce costs and accelerate the settling operations.
foo03~ U. S 'Patent No. 4, 741, 133 issued on May 3, 1988 to Kutzner discloses a transportable shelter having a rectangular-prism shaped rigid structure of the dimensions of a freight trailer which is transportable as such, in a position referred to as transport state. The transportable shelter, in order to enlarge the inner space thereof, has at least one side wall that can be moved generally parallel to its transport state position and towards the outside. The moveable side walls of the transportable shelter can be folded in accordionlike fashion while the floor and the ceiling of the rigid frame are fastened thereto. These shelters are also heavy, bulky, expensive, and time-consuming and labor-intensive to install and transport.
fooo4) Although transportable shelters have been disclosed in the prior art, these have been known to have generally rectangular prism shapes similar to freight trailers. These transportable shelters are thus well adapted to be transported by the typical freight trucks.
However, in some instances, these known transportable shelters are pulled and displaced by vehicles smaller than the typical freight trucks, in which case they represent a substantial load by their drag-prone configuration, a problem that does not occur with freight trucks due to the size thereof. Tt is also difficult or impossible to transport these shelters in hard-to-reach areas along secondary unpaved roads and through narrow gravel roads in bush areas.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
tooos) It is a feature of the present invention to provide a foldable transportable shelter which substantially overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.
tooos) According to the above feature of the present invention, from a broad aspect, the present invention provides a foldable transportable shelter comprising a box-like body being deployable from a transport configuration, wherein the box-like body has wheels and is adapted to be hitched by a vehicle, and a unfolded shelter configuration, wherein the box-like body has walls thereof unfolded to form a shelter, and roof trusses being provided to interconnect the walls to provide for lateral expansion of the shelter and support for roof panels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Looo~) A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
tooos) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable transportable shelter constructed in accordance with the present invention, in a transport configuration;
tooo9) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shelter in the transport configuration, as attached to a vehicle;
tooiol FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the shelter as supported by wheels for being unfolded from a transport configuration to an unfolded shelter configuration;
tools) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the shelter in preparation for a lateral expansion;
tool2) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the shelter further in preparation for the lateral expansion;
Lool3) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the shelter being laterally expanded;
tool4) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the shelter further being laterally expanded;
(00151 FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the shelter having been expanded and being immobilized to the ground;
foo161 FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the shelter having a gable thereof being formed;
tool) FIG. 10 is a further perspective view of the shelter having the gable being formed;
tools) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the shelter in an unfolded shelter configuration, with a front entry opened;
fools) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the shelter having the front entry being closed;
f0o2o) FIG. 13 is a further perspective view of the shelter having the front entry being closed;
too2i) FIG. 14 is a still further perspective view of the shelter having the front entry being closed;
Loo22) FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the shelter having a top portion of the front entry closed;
Ioo23) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the shelter having a bottom portion of the front entry being closed;
too24) FIGS . 18A to 18C are perspective views of the shelter 20 in various front entry opening configurations;
too25) FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the shelter illustrating translation directions thereof; and t0026) FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a shelter formed of a plurality of shelters mounted end to end.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
too2~~ Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1, a foldable transportable shelter in accordance with the present invention is generally shown at 20 in its transport configuration. The shelter 20 in its transport configuration is similar in configuration to a trailer and has a boxlike portion sitting on wheel systems. The boxlike portion of the shelter 20 is defined by a front surface 22, a rear surface 24, lateral surfaces 26, top surface 28, and bottom surface 30, all defined by panels. The bottom surface 30 has a front portion 30A thereof, vertically offset with a main portion 30B thereof. For instance, the length is typically of about forty feet, the width of eight feet, and the height of about twelve feet. However, it is obvious that the shelter 20 may be constructed with other dimensions. Wheel systems 32, only one of which is shown in Fig. 1, are secured to the main portion 30B of the bottom surface 30 of the shelter 20. Jacks 34 protrude from opposed sides of the bottom surface 30, in continuation of the lateral surfaces 26. Similarly, telescopic legs 36 are coplanar with the lateral surfaces 26, and protrude downwardly from the bottom surface 30. The wheel systems 32.
each include wheels 38 and a wheel support structure 40. A
fifth-wheel connection system 42 is positioned at a front end of the shelter 20. More precisely, the fifth-wheel connector system 42 is connected at the intersection between the front surface 22 and the portion 30A of the bottom surface 30. Fifth-wheel connection systems are well known in the art, and are used for connecting trailers to vehicles.
(oo2sl Referring now to Fig. 2, the shelter 20 in its transport configuration is shown being connected to a vehicle 44. The vehicle 44 is typically a tractor, a truck such as a pick-up truck, or any other vehicle adapted for carrying loads. Therefore, the vehicle 44 supplies complementary parts of the fifth-wheel connection system 42, whereby the vehicle 44 can be secured to the shelter 20. In Fig. 2, the vehicle 44 is shown on the verge of being separated from the shelter 20. In order to do so, the front jacks 34 must raise the shelter 20 such that the shelter 20 _ 5 _ is supported thereby. In the transforming operation of the shelter 20 from its transport configuration to a shelter configuration, it is preferred that wheels 46 be operatively mounted to bottom ends of both the front and the rear jacks 34. The wheels 46 are positioned so as to have a rolling direction normal to the lateral surfaces 26 of the shelter 20, i.e., with a rotational axis parallel to the lateral surfaces 26. The jacks 34 are well known in the art and are preferably manually actuated, e.g., through handles 48.
100291 Referring to Fig. 3, the shelter 20 in its transport configuration is in position for the transforming operations to take place. The shelter 20 is supported by the wheels 46 of the front and rear jacks 34, and is separated from the vehicle 44. It is pointed out that the shelter 20 can be put away in its transport configuration, and in such a case the shelter 20 rests on the front jacks 34 (without wheels 46) and the wheels 38.
Ioo3o~ Referring to Fig. 4, the top surface 28 is shown consisting of a pair of top wall portions 50, both hinged to a beam 52, generally positioned at a center of the shelter 20. The top wall portions 50 are also hinged at outer edges thereof to lateral wall panels 54. Arrows A4 illustrate that the top wall portions 50 are brought towards one another. In doing so, the lateral wall panels 54 will be lifted from the lateral surfaces 26 of the shelter 20.
Hinges 56 between the top wall portions 50 and the lateral wall panels 54 enable angle changes therebetween, so as to form a roof for the shelter 20.
Ioo3i) Referring to Fig. 5, the hinging of the top wall portions 50 is stopped by the top wall portions 50 being coplanar. At this point, the hinges 56 are generally colinear, and the lateral wall panels 54 form a typical slanted roof.
100321 Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the shelter 20 is shown expanding laterally. More precisely, the lateral surfaces 26 are spaced from one another by various mechanisms in the shelter 20. For instance, telescopic beams, hinged beams and structures, and the like enable the shelter 20 to be expanded laterally. More specifically, roof trusses 62 (a few of which are visible) being hinged at side posts (not shown) and at the king post (not shown) will enable the expansion of the shelter 20. Furthermore, the wheels 46 of the jacks 34 will enable and participate in this expansion. The front surface 22 and the rear surface 24 remain in position during this lateral expansion. In Fig. 6, the shelter 20 is half expanded laterally, but the top wall/ portions 50 and the lateral wall panels 54 are fully deployed from the lateral surfaces 26.
Ioo3a~ Referring to Fig. 8, the shelter 20 is shown having reached its lateral expansion limit, in which the roof trusses 62 are fully extended, thereby preventing further spacing of the lateral surfaces 26. The top wall portions 50 and the lateral wall panels 54 are generally coplanar. In this position, the roof trusses 62, being fully expanded, provide rigidity to the shelter 20. The wheels 46 are no longer of use, whereby they can be removed by expanding the telescopic legs 36. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 9, the shelter 20 is now supported by the telescopic legs 36. The wheels 46 of the jacks 34 are removed and replaced by base plates 47, and the jacks 34 are adjusted vertically thereafter to help in supporting the shelter 20.
Ioo341 Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, the front surface 22 is shown being part of a front wall 23. The front wall 23, which supports the fifth-wheel connection system 42, is hinged in a middle thereof such that a bottom portion of the wall 23 can be hinged inwardly into the shelter 20, as shown by arrow A9 of Fig. 9, until the bottom portion of the wall 23 abuts against the adjacent roof truss 62, to which it is secured. Furthermore, flaps 58 are folded to a rear surface of the front wall 23, and the flaps 58 are unfolded to define a gable 64 of the roof of the shelter 20. A similar action is executed in the back of the shelter 20, wherein _ 7 _ the rear surface 24 is provided with flaps. The arrows A10 show a direction in which the bottom surface 30, consisting of a bottom wall 31, must be hinged in order to define a bottom portion 66 of lateral walls 68 of the shelter 20.
The lateral walls 68 are formed of the bottom portions 66 (which were a floor of the shelter 20 in its transport configuration) and of the lateral walls 26.
(0035) Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, arrows All illustrate the unfolding of the flaps 58 to form the gable 64, which is then pushed upward. All roof trusses 62 are translationally mounted to the studs 60 supporting the lateral walls 26 of the shelter 20. The roof trusses 62 shape the roof to a typically pitched roof, or gable roof shape, with the gables 64 positioned at the front and rear of the shelter 20. It is pointed out that the roof trusses 62 may be used to retain the bottom portions 66 of the lateral wall 68, by having the bottom portions 66 secured thereto. Therefore, upon displacement of the roof trusses 62, the bottom portions 66 may be simultaneously deployed to form the lateral walls 68.
Loons) Still referring to Fig. 11, the wheels 38 and a wheel support structure 40 are shown still mounted to the bottom portions 66 of the lateral wall 68 of the shelter 20.
As the bottom portions 66 have been hinged outwardly, the wheels 38 and the wheel support structures 40 are in this awkward position.
too3~) It is obvious that the wheel support structures 40 can be detached from the bottom portions 66, along with the wheels 38, for instance when the shelter 20 stays in an unfolded shelter configuration, as illustrated in Fig. 11.
(oo3a) Figs. 12 to 19 illustrate various openings of a front entry 70 of the shelter 20 in its unfolded shelter configuration. More precisely, the lateral wall 68 has portions thereof adjacent to the front entry 70 and the rear entry (not shown), consisting of a plurality of hinged panels 72. Also, the hinged panels 72 are either part of the lateral surfaces 26 or the bottom portions 66, such that they may be unfolded individually to provide various openings to the front entry 70. In Figs. 12 to 15, the hinged panels 72 of the lateral surfaces 26 are unfolded to create a front entry wall 74. Accordingly, in the configuration illustrated in Fig. 15, the front entry 70 and the rear entry (not visible) can be substantially closed, so as to provide greater front and rear sheltering, while being open to circulation in and out of the shelter 20. In Fig. 16, the hinged panel 72 of the bottom portions 66 are shown in the process of being closed. In Fig. 17, the front entry 70 is shown fully closed.
Ioo391 In Figs. 18A to 18C, the hinged panels 72 of both the lateral surfaces 26 and the bottom portions 66 are shown being interconnected to open and close simultaneously:
Figs. 18A and 18B illustrate the hinged panels 72 being set into position to provide two permanent opening configurations. In Fig. 18A, the shelter 20 has an opening of approximately four feet. In Fig. 18B, the opening has an opening of about 15 feet. In Fig. 18C, the opening has the width dimension of the shelter 20, namely around 22 feet.
Ioo4o~ In Fig. 19, arrow A19 illustrates the shelter 20 in its unfolded shelter configuration being translated. The wheels 46 must be kept in jacks 34 such that the shelter 20 is supported by wheels. In order to enable the shelter 20 to be displaced in any direction, the wheels 46 are mounted to the jacks 34 by swivel joints (not visible).
Ioo4i7 In Fig. 20, three shelters 20 are shown positioned end to end to form a shelter 20'. It is obvious that further shelters 20 can be added to this series of shelters to increase the size of the shelter 20'.
Loo42~ The beams are typically fabricated of steel or aluminum, whereas the various panels consist of tarps or rigid materials, such as plastic, or aluminum or steel sheets. The typical dimensions for the shelter 20 are of 22 feet of width, 12 feet from the ground to a bottom of the _ g _ gable 64, 40 feet of length, and nine feet from the ground to a bottom of the roof trusses 62. The shelter 20 may be transformed from its transport configuration to its unfolded shelter configuration using various types of actuation, e.g., hydraulic, electrical, cables or winches, and all these steps can be achieved by one person. The actuation is used for lift the top wall portions 50 and the lateral wall panels 54, space the lateral surfaces 26 apart, and lift the roof trusses 62 to their predetermined height in the unfolded shelter configuration.
Ioo43~ It is within the ambit of the present invention to cover any obvious modifications of the embodiments described herein, provided such modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Lool3) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the shelter being laterally expanded;
tool4) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the shelter further being laterally expanded;
(00151 FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the shelter having been expanded and being immobilized to the ground;
foo161 FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the shelter having a gable thereof being formed;
tool) FIG. 10 is a further perspective view of the shelter having the gable being formed;
tools) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the shelter in an unfolded shelter configuration, with a front entry opened;
fools) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the shelter having the front entry being closed;
f0o2o) FIG. 13 is a further perspective view of the shelter having the front entry being closed;
too2i) FIG. 14 is a still further perspective view of the shelter having the front entry being closed;
Loo22) FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the shelter having a top portion of the front entry closed;
Ioo23) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the shelter having a bottom portion of the front entry being closed;
too24) FIGS . 18A to 18C are perspective views of the shelter 20 in various front entry opening configurations;
too25) FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the shelter illustrating translation directions thereof; and t0026) FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a shelter formed of a plurality of shelters mounted end to end.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
too2~~ Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1, a foldable transportable shelter in accordance with the present invention is generally shown at 20 in its transport configuration. The shelter 20 in its transport configuration is similar in configuration to a trailer and has a boxlike portion sitting on wheel systems. The boxlike portion of the shelter 20 is defined by a front surface 22, a rear surface 24, lateral surfaces 26, top surface 28, and bottom surface 30, all defined by panels. The bottom surface 30 has a front portion 30A thereof, vertically offset with a main portion 30B thereof. For instance, the length is typically of about forty feet, the width of eight feet, and the height of about twelve feet. However, it is obvious that the shelter 20 may be constructed with other dimensions. Wheel systems 32, only one of which is shown in Fig. 1, are secured to the main portion 30B of the bottom surface 30 of the shelter 20. Jacks 34 protrude from opposed sides of the bottom surface 30, in continuation of the lateral surfaces 26. Similarly, telescopic legs 36 are coplanar with the lateral surfaces 26, and protrude downwardly from the bottom surface 30. The wheel systems 32.
each include wheels 38 and a wheel support structure 40. A
fifth-wheel connection system 42 is positioned at a front end of the shelter 20. More precisely, the fifth-wheel connector system 42 is connected at the intersection between the front surface 22 and the portion 30A of the bottom surface 30. Fifth-wheel connection systems are well known in the art, and are used for connecting trailers to vehicles.
(oo2sl Referring now to Fig. 2, the shelter 20 in its transport configuration is shown being connected to a vehicle 44. The vehicle 44 is typically a tractor, a truck such as a pick-up truck, or any other vehicle adapted for carrying loads. Therefore, the vehicle 44 supplies complementary parts of the fifth-wheel connection system 42, whereby the vehicle 44 can be secured to the shelter 20. In Fig. 2, the vehicle 44 is shown on the verge of being separated from the shelter 20. In order to do so, the front jacks 34 must raise the shelter 20 such that the shelter 20 _ 5 _ is supported thereby. In the transforming operation of the shelter 20 from its transport configuration to a shelter configuration, it is preferred that wheels 46 be operatively mounted to bottom ends of both the front and the rear jacks 34. The wheels 46 are positioned so as to have a rolling direction normal to the lateral surfaces 26 of the shelter 20, i.e., with a rotational axis parallel to the lateral surfaces 26. The jacks 34 are well known in the art and are preferably manually actuated, e.g., through handles 48.
100291 Referring to Fig. 3, the shelter 20 in its transport configuration is in position for the transforming operations to take place. The shelter 20 is supported by the wheels 46 of the front and rear jacks 34, and is separated from the vehicle 44. It is pointed out that the shelter 20 can be put away in its transport configuration, and in such a case the shelter 20 rests on the front jacks 34 (without wheels 46) and the wheels 38.
Ioo3o~ Referring to Fig. 4, the top surface 28 is shown consisting of a pair of top wall portions 50, both hinged to a beam 52, generally positioned at a center of the shelter 20. The top wall portions 50 are also hinged at outer edges thereof to lateral wall panels 54. Arrows A4 illustrate that the top wall portions 50 are brought towards one another. In doing so, the lateral wall panels 54 will be lifted from the lateral surfaces 26 of the shelter 20.
Hinges 56 between the top wall portions 50 and the lateral wall panels 54 enable angle changes therebetween, so as to form a roof for the shelter 20.
Ioo3i) Referring to Fig. 5, the hinging of the top wall portions 50 is stopped by the top wall portions 50 being coplanar. At this point, the hinges 56 are generally colinear, and the lateral wall panels 54 form a typical slanted roof.
100321 Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the shelter 20 is shown expanding laterally. More precisely, the lateral surfaces 26 are spaced from one another by various mechanisms in the shelter 20. For instance, telescopic beams, hinged beams and structures, and the like enable the shelter 20 to be expanded laterally. More specifically, roof trusses 62 (a few of which are visible) being hinged at side posts (not shown) and at the king post (not shown) will enable the expansion of the shelter 20. Furthermore, the wheels 46 of the jacks 34 will enable and participate in this expansion. The front surface 22 and the rear surface 24 remain in position during this lateral expansion. In Fig. 6, the shelter 20 is half expanded laterally, but the top wall/ portions 50 and the lateral wall panels 54 are fully deployed from the lateral surfaces 26.
Ioo3a~ Referring to Fig. 8, the shelter 20 is shown having reached its lateral expansion limit, in which the roof trusses 62 are fully extended, thereby preventing further spacing of the lateral surfaces 26. The top wall portions 50 and the lateral wall panels 54 are generally coplanar. In this position, the roof trusses 62, being fully expanded, provide rigidity to the shelter 20. The wheels 46 are no longer of use, whereby they can be removed by expanding the telescopic legs 36. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 9, the shelter 20 is now supported by the telescopic legs 36. The wheels 46 of the jacks 34 are removed and replaced by base plates 47, and the jacks 34 are adjusted vertically thereafter to help in supporting the shelter 20.
Ioo341 Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, the front surface 22 is shown being part of a front wall 23. The front wall 23, which supports the fifth-wheel connection system 42, is hinged in a middle thereof such that a bottom portion of the wall 23 can be hinged inwardly into the shelter 20, as shown by arrow A9 of Fig. 9, until the bottom portion of the wall 23 abuts against the adjacent roof truss 62, to which it is secured. Furthermore, flaps 58 are folded to a rear surface of the front wall 23, and the flaps 58 are unfolded to define a gable 64 of the roof of the shelter 20. A similar action is executed in the back of the shelter 20, wherein _ 7 _ the rear surface 24 is provided with flaps. The arrows A10 show a direction in which the bottom surface 30, consisting of a bottom wall 31, must be hinged in order to define a bottom portion 66 of lateral walls 68 of the shelter 20.
The lateral walls 68 are formed of the bottom portions 66 (which were a floor of the shelter 20 in its transport configuration) and of the lateral walls 26.
(0035) Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, arrows All illustrate the unfolding of the flaps 58 to form the gable 64, which is then pushed upward. All roof trusses 62 are translationally mounted to the studs 60 supporting the lateral walls 26 of the shelter 20. The roof trusses 62 shape the roof to a typically pitched roof, or gable roof shape, with the gables 64 positioned at the front and rear of the shelter 20. It is pointed out that the roof trusses 62 may be used to retain the bottom portions 66 of the lateral wall 68, by having the bottom portions 66 secured thereto. Therefore, upon displacement of the roof trusses 62, the bottom portions 66 may be simultaneously deployed to form the lateral walls 68.
Loons) Still referring to Fig. 11, the wheels 38 and a wheel support structure 40 are shown still mounted to the bottom portions 66 of the lateral wall 68 of the shelter 20.
As the bottom portions 66 have been hinged outwardly, the wheels 38 and the wheel support structures 40 are in this awkward position.
too3~) It is obvious that the wheel support structures 40 can be detached from the bottom portions 66, along with the wheels 38, for instance when the shelter 20 stays in an unfolded shelter configuration, as illustrated in Fig. 11.
(oo3a) Figs. 12 to 19 illustrate various openings of a front entry 70 of the shelter 20 in its unfolded shelter configuration. More precisely, the lateral wall 68 has portions thereof adjacent to the front entry 70 and the rear entry (not shown), consisting of a plurality of hinged panels 72. Also, the hinged panels 72 are either part of the lateral surfaces 26 or the bottom portions 66, such that they may be unfolded individually to provide various openings to the front entry 70. In Figs. 12 to 15, the hinged panels 72 of the lateral surfaces 26 are unfolded to create a front entry wall 74. Accordingly, in the configuration illustrated in Fig. 15, the front entry 70 and the rear entry (not visible) can be substantially closed, so as to provide greater front and rear sheltering, while being open to circulation in and out of the shelter 20. In Fig. 16, the hinged panel 72 of the bottom portions 66 are shown in the process of being closed. In Fig. 17, the front entry 70 is shown fully closed.
Ioo391 In Figs. 18A to 18C, the hinged panels 72 of both the lateral surfaces 26 and the bottom portions 66 are shown being interconnected to open and close simultaneously:
Figs. 18A and 18B illustrate the hinged panels 72 being set into position to provide two permanent opening configurations. In Fig. 18A, the shelter 20 has an opening of approximately four feet. In Fig. 18B, the opening has an opening of about 15 feet. In Fig. 18C, the opening has the width dimension of the shelter 20, namely around 22 feet.
Ioo4o~ In Fig. 19, arrow A19 illustrates the shelter 20 in its unfolded shelter configuration being translated. The wheels 46 must be kept in jacks 34 such that the shelter 20 is supported by wheels. In order to enable the shelter 20 to be displaced in any direction, the wheels 46 are mounted to the jacks 34 by swivel joints (not visible).
Ioo4i7 In Fig. 20, three shelters 20 are shown positioned end to end to form a shelter 20'. It is obvious that further shelters 20 can be added to this series of shelters to increase the size of the shelter 20'.
Loo42~ The beams are typically fabricated of steel or aluminum, whereas the various panels consist of tarps or rigid materials, such as plastic, or aluminum or steel sheets. The typical dimensions for the shelter 20 are of 22 feet of width, 12 feet from the ground to a bottom of the _ g _ gable 64, 40 feet of length, and nine feet from the ground to a bottom of the roof trusses 62. The shelter 20 may be transformed from its transport configuration to its unfolded shelter configuration using various types of actuation, e.g., hydraulic, electrical, cables or winches, and all these steps can be achieved by one person. The actuation is used for lift the top wall portions 50 and the lateral wall panels 54, space the lateral surfaces 26 apart, and lift the roof trusses 62 to their predetermined height in the unfolded shelter configuration.
Ioo43~ It is within the ambit of the present invention to cover any obvious modifications of the embodiments described herein, provided such modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. ~~A foldable transportable shelter comprising a box-like body being deployable from a transport configuration, wherein the box-like body has wheels and is adapted to be hitched by a vehicle, and a unfolded shelter configuration, wherein the box-like body has walls thereof unfolded to form a shelter, and roof trusses being provided to interconnect the walls to provide for lateral expansion of the shelter and support for roof panels.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2409125 CA2409125A1 (en) | 2002-10-22 | 2002-10-22 | Foldable transportable shelter |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2409125 CA2409125A1 (en) | 2002-10-22 | 2002-10-22 | Foldable transportable shelter |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2409125A1 true CA2409125A1 (en) | 2004-04-22 |
Family
ID=32399765
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2409125 Abandoned CA2409125A1 (en) | 2002-10-22 | 2002-10-22 | Foldable transportable shelter |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2409125A1 (en) |
-
2002
- 2002-10-22 CA CA 2409125 patent/CA2409125A1/en not_active Abandoned
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