CN211143846U - Foldable house - Google Patents

Abstract

A collapsible dwelling comprising a front wall set, a rear wall set, opposed side wall sets, a roof set and a floor set, wherein the wall sets are collapsible so as to be received between the floor set and at least one of the roof sets, and the floor set defines at least one recess, the or each recess being dimensioned to receive a domestic appliance placed thereon when one of the wall sets is in a collapsed configuration.

Description

Foldable house

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a collapsible dwelling.

Background

The use of collapsible structures for residential purposes is known. The comfort of occupants in such a collapsible structure may depend on the availability of air conditioning associated with insulation.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a collapsible dwelling comprising:

a front wall kit;

a rear wall kit;

opposing side wall assemblies;

a roof assembly; and

a floor kit, wherein the wall kit is collapsible so as to be received between the floor kit and at least one of the roof kits, and the floor kit defines at least one depression, the or each depression being dimensioned to receive a domestic appliance mounted thereon when one of the wall kits is in a collapsed configuration.

The wall kit may be dimensioned such that the dwelling is substantially rectangular when viewed from above. The wall assembly may be configured to be operatively folded inwardly with respect to the roof and floor assembly such that the roof assembly may be folded downwardly toward the floor assembly.

The wall sets may be dimensioned such that the home is an elongated rectangle, with the side wall sets defining the long sides (major side) of the home and the front and rear wall sets defining the short sides (minor side) of the home.

The flooring kit may include a floor support structure and a flooring (flooring) disposed on the support structure. Each side wall kit may be pivotally connected at a lower edge to a corresponding side edge of the floor support structure. The lower hinge assembly may be inserted between the corresponding side wall assembly and the associated side edge of the floor support structure to facilitate the pivotal connection. The roofing assembly may include a roof support structure and a roofing membrane (rooming) disposed over the roof support structure. Each side wall kit may be pivotally connected at an upper edge to a corresponding side edge of the roof support structure. The upper hinge assembly may be interposed between the corresponding side wall assembly and the associated side edge of the roof support structure to facilitate the pivotal connection. Each side wall assembly may include a longitudinally extending intermediate hinge assembly to allow the side assemblies to fold inwardly as the roof assembly is lowered toward the floor assembly.

The front and rear wall assemblies may be pivotally mounted to one of the floor support structure and the roof support structure for inward pivotal movement to accommodate the roof assembly being lowered towards the floor assembly. In one example, the front and rear wall kits may be pivotally mounted to the front and rear edges of the floor support structure.

The floor support structure may comprise a series of elongate structural elements, such as joists, extending a length of the floor kit to support the floor covering. The joists may be spaced apart such that the floor covering may be configured to allow the or each recess to be defined between successive joists.

Drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates a three-dimensional view of a collapsible dwelling in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a side view of a collapsible dwelling with the canopy (awning) and steps in an extended position.

Figure 3 shows a front end view of the collapsible dwelling.

Figure 4 shows a side cross-sectional view of a collapsible dwelling.

Figure 5 shows another side cross-sectional view of the collapsible dwelling.

Figure 6 shows a bottom plan view of the collapsible home.

FIG. 7 shows a top plan view of a collapsible dwelling.

FIG. 8 shows an end view of the collapsible dwelling in a partially collapsed state.

FIG. 9 shows a partial cross-sectional end view of the collapsible home in a partially collapsed condition.

Fig. 10 shows a plan view from above of a collapsible canopy for a collapsible dwelling.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a portion of a collapsible dwelling, showing the canopy in a collapsed state.

Fig. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a portion of a collapsible dwelling with the canopy shown in an extended state.

Fig. 13 shows a plan view from above of a portion of a collapsible dwelling, showing the stair members in a collapsed state.

FIG. 14 illustrates a partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of a collapsible dwelling, showing the stair members in an extended condition.

Fig. 15 shows the step member in a stowed state.

FIG. 16 shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of a collapsible dwelling with one of the front and rear wall kits in a collapsed condition.

FIG. 17 shows a schematic cross-sectional end view of a collapsible home in a collapsed state.

FIG. 18 shows a schematic cross-sectional end view of a collapsible home in a partially collapsed state.

FIG. 19 shows an end view of a portion of a collapsible dwelling in a collapsed configuration.

Fig. 20 shows the portion of fig. 19 in a partially collapsed configuration.

FIG. 21 illustrates a cross-sectional end view of a portion of a collapsible dwelling in a partially collapsed configuration.

Fig. 22 shows a cross-sectional end view of the portion of fig. 21 in a collapsed configuration.

Fig. 23A to 23E illustrate various aspects of a bed and bed hanger support kit for use in a collapsible container.

FIG. 24 shows a cross-sectional end view of a lower corner set of a collapsible dwelling.

FIG. 25 shows a cross-sectional end view of an upper corner set of a collapsible dwelling.

FIG. 26 shows a cross-sectional end view of a more detailed upper corner set of the collapsible dwelling.

Fig. 27 shows a side cross-sectional view of a canopy kit of a home in an extracted (extended) state.

Fig. 28 shows a side cross-sectional view of the canopy assembly in a stowed state.

Fig. 29 shows an end view of the canopy assembly.

Detailed Description

In fig. 1 to 7, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a collapsible dwelling in accordance with the present invention.

The dwelling 10 includes a front wall kit 12, a rear wall kit 14, opposing side wall kits 16, a roof kit 18, and a floor kit 20.

The wall sets 12, 14, 16 are collapsible so as to be received between the floor set 20 and the roof set 18. The floor kit 20 defines two recesses 22. The recess 22 is dimensioned to receive a domestic appliance in the form of an air conditioning unit 24 mounted thereon when the respective front and rear wall sets 12, 14 are in the collapsed configuration. It should be appreciated that the floor kit 20 may define one or more than two recesses 22 for receiving associated household appliances. The household appliance may be an appliance or other form of accessory used in a residence.

The wall assemblies 12, 14, 16 and the floor and roof assemblies 20, 18 are sized such that the home 10 is substantially rectangular when viewed from above. In particular, the kit is dimensioned such that the house 10 is an elongated rectangle, with the side wall kits 16 defining the long sides of the house 10 and the front and rear wall kits 12, 14 defining the short sides of the house 10. The wall assemblies 12, 14, 16 are configured to be operatively folded inwardly about the roof and floor assemblies 18, 20 such that the roof assembly 18 may be folded downwardly toward the floor assembly 20.

The floor kit 20 includes a floor support structure 24 and a floor covering 26 disposed on the support structure 24. Each side wall kit 16 is pivotally connected at a lower edge to a corresponding side edge of the floor support structure 24. The lower hinge assemblies 28 are inserted between the corresponding side wall assemblies 16 and the associated side edges of the floor support structure 24 to facilitate the pivotal connection. The roof assembly 18 includes a roof support structure 30 and a roof deck 32 disposed on the roof support structure 30. Each side wall set 16 is pivotally connected at an upper edge to a corresponding side edge of the roof support structure 30. The upper hinge assemblies 34 are inserted between the corresponding side wall assemblies 16 and the associated side edges of the roof support structure 30 to facilitate the pivotal connection. Each side wall assembly 16 includes a longitudinally extending intermediate hinge assembly 36 to allow the side wall assembly 16 to fold inwardly as the roof assembly 18 is lowered toward the floor assembly 20.

The front and rear wall assemblies 12, 14 may be pivotally mounted to respective ends of the floor support structure 24 for inward pivotal movement to accommodate the roof assembly 18 being lowered toward the floor assembly 20. In this example, the front and rear wall kits 12, 14 may be pivotally mounted to the respective front and rear edges of the floor support structure 24.

The floor support structure 24 includes two opposing side support beams (beams) 38 and a series of spaced joists 40 secured to the beams 38 and extending between the beams 38. Each lower hinge assembly 28 is secured to a corresponding side support beam 38. Each hinge assembly 28 includes a hinge block 42 that is seated on the corresponding side support beam 38. One leaf of an offset hinge (offset hinge)44 is seated on the hinge block 42.

Each side wall kit 16 includes two wall members or panels in the form of a lower panel 46 and an upper panel 48 that extend a length of the dwelling 10. The lower edge of the panel 46 or the frame member of the panel 46 is secured to the other leaf of the offset hinge 44 so that the panel 46 can pivot inwardly about the support beam 38 with clearance between the panel 46 and the floor covering 26. The lower edge of upper panel 48 is pivotally connected to the upper edge of lower panel 46 along a length of dwelling 10 by means of intermediate hinge assembly 36. The middle hinge assembly 36 may include a conventional hinge wherein one leaf is secured to the upper edge of the lower panel and the other leaf is secured to the lower edge of the upper panel. Thus, as the lower aspect plate 46 pivots inwardly, the upper panel 48 may pivot outwardly with respect to the lower aspect plate 48, thereby allowing the side wall kit 16 to collapse downwardly.

The roof support structure includes two opposing roof support beams 50 aligned with the side support beams 38. Each upper hinge assembly 34 is secured to a corresponding roof support rail 50. Each upper hinge assembly 34 includes a hinge support block 52 that is seated on the upper edge of the corresponding roof support rail 50 and panel 48. The leaves of the hinge 54 are fastened to the corresponding block 52. This allows the upper panel 48 to pivot inwardly about the roof support rail 50 with clearance between the upper panel 48 and the roof deck 32.

The manner in which side wall kit 16 is collapsed can be seen in fig. 19 to 22. Each panel has been truncated for clarity.

Cross beams 68 (fig. 24) are placed on the side support beams 38 at each of the front and rear of the dwelling 10. Each of the front and rear wall kits 12, 14 includes a panel 56. The panel 56 is placed on the longerons 68 using the hinge assemblies 58. The hinge assembly 58 includes an offset hinge 70. One blade of the offset hinge 70 is secured to the longerons 68. The hinge block 72 is secured to the other leaf of the offset hinge 70. The lower edge of the panel 56 is secured to the hinge block 72. This allows the panels 56 to pivot inwardly toward the floor covering 26 and outwardly to generally align with the outside edges of the longerons 68 to form the front or rear side of the house 10.

The hinge assembly 58 is configured to allow the panel 56 to be pivoted inwardly toward the floor covering 26 to cover the floor covering. The offset hinges 44 are configured such that the side wall kit can cover the floor covering 26 without interference. An example of such a collapsed configuration can be seen in fig. 17.

The household appliance or accessory may be mounted internally on one or both of the panels 56. The household appliance in this example is any air conditioning unit 60. The household appliance 60 extends into a residential space within the residence 10. In this case, the air conditioning unit 60 may be a low-Package Thermal Air Conditioner (PTAC) and a heat pump. The PTAC may be a twin pipe unit (twin unit). Such air conditioners do not require an external condenser. One example of a suitable air conditioning unit is an air conditioning unit within the Powrastic Vision (trade Mark) series. The floor covering 26 defines appropriate recesses 62 between successive joists 40. The recess 62 and its air conditioning unit 60 are positioned such that the recess 62 receives a portion of the corresponding unit 60 protruding from the panel 56.

A corner fitting 64 is arranged at each corner of the floor kit 20. For example, the corner fittings 64 are mounted on the side support beams 38, as can be seen in FIG. 24. The corner fittings 64 have a right angle profile to accommodate the side support beams 38, thereby defining the feet 12 for the dwelling.

Brackets 74 are placed between the side support beams 38 below the longerons 68. The step member 66 is slidably retained between the bracket 74 and the longerons 68 so that it can be displaced outwardly to form a step for a dwelling and inwardly to a rest position. The step member 66 may take a variety of forms, for example, it may take the form of a grid, or may carry a tread pattern for safety. A locking device, such as a locking pin or fastener 75, may be releasably engaged with the step member 66 to lock the step member in a stowed condition, for example, for storage and transportation.

Each upper hinge assembly 34 includes a hinge block 52 that rests on the roof support rail 50 and the upper panel 48. The leaves of the hinge 54 are secured to the corresponding hinge block 52. Thus, the panel 48 can be pivoted to an operative position in which it is generally aligned with the roof support rail 50, and can be pivoted to an inoperative position (fig. 26) in which it is generally aligned with the roof decking 32.

The roofing support brackets 80 are positioned inboard of the roof support beams 50 and are configured to support roofing panels 82 between the support beams 50 to define the roofing 32.

Canopy support brackets 84 are also placed inside the roof support beams 50. A collapsible canopy assembly 86 is mounted on the support bracket 84. The canopy assembly 86 includes opposing runners 88 that are mounted on the support bracket 84. A canopy panel or platform 90 is mounted on the slide channel 88 so that it can slide along the slide channel 88 between an extracted position (see fig. 1, 2, 5, 12 and 28) and a stowed position (see fig. 4, 11, 25, 26 and 27).

The canopy assembly 86 can include a canopy support 91 (fig. 10) for supporting the canopy panel 90 in the extracted position.

The canopy assembly 86 includes a series of positioning bolts (fig. 25) that extend through one or more runners 88 into a canopy panel 90 so that the canopy panel 90 can be secured in a desired position, such as in a stowed position, for storage and transport.

For convenience, the home 10 may include various interior accessories. For example, as shown in fig. 23A-E, the home 10 may include a bed set 92. The bed set 92 includes a bed hanger support 94 arranged on one of the wall sets within the dwelling 10 and configured to allow the bed 96 to be removably suspended to one of the wall sets using a locking device 97, such as a sliding bolt latch fastened to the wall set using a bolt that can engage the bed 96. In operation, the bed 96 is positioned vertically, as opposed to its generally horizontal orientation. The sliding bolt latch 98 may then be used to engage the bed 96, thereby maintaining the bed in this vertical orientation in a space-saving manner. The size of the bed 96 may be determined so that it will remain within the house 10 when the house 10 is stowed. Alternatively, the bed 96 may be removed prior to folding the home.

The floor covering 26 includes opposed floor support brackets 98 (fig. 24). The floor support bracket 98 supports a structural floor member, such as a floor panel 100. The depression 22 is defined by a receptacle 102 having walls with an expanded mesh. The floor panel 100 is shaped to receive a container 102 extending between the joists 40. The expansion grid may be metallic and may have suitable strength to provide protection for the air conditioning unit 24 when in the container 102.

Corner fittings 104 are placed on the roof support beams 50 at each corner of the dwelling 10.

In some embodiments, a handling suite 106 is placed on each corner of the home 10. The handling kit 106 is configured such that appropriate cargo handling or similar machinery/devices may be used to lift and manipulate the home 10.

The front and rear wall assemblies 12, 14, the roof assembly 18 and the side wall assemblies 16 are insulated. Panels 46, 48, 56, and 82 of the type described have an outer cladding that includes a core of insulating material. The outer cladding may be a thin sheet of plastic material, reinforced composite material or metal such as aluminium or steel. The insulating material may be a thermal insulating material. The insulating material may also be a flame retardant material. The core of the panel may be a polyisocyanate flame retardant material.

Fig. 4 and 5 show further details of the side wall kit 16. Each side wall kit includes a framing kit having a number of frames 108 into which panel modules 110 are placed. Each panel module 110 may be the same as the panel described previously. As can be seen in fig. 5, each side wall 16 has a central support or spar 112 extending between side support beams 38 and roof support beams 50. Spar 112 is hinged so that it can be folded together with side wall kit 16 in the manner previously described.

As can be seen in fig. 2, for example, the exterior of the frame 108 and panel module 110 is covered by a suitable weather-resistant coating or flashing 120.

The floor kit 20 houses a power supply kit 114. This may include a power input point and a compartment for a rechargeable battery. This may be connected to the air conditioning unit 60 to supply the unit 60 with electrical power.

The door kit 114 is mounted in the front wall kit 12. A window kit 116 is also mounted in the front wall kit 12. Another window kit 116 and door kit 114 may also be placed in the rear wall kit 14.

The exhaust fan 118 may be housed in any wall kit, such as the front wall kit 12.

The use of collapsible structures for residential purposes is known. The comfort of occupants in such a collapsible structure may depend on the availability of air conditioning associated with insulation. The home 10 is particularly useful for maintaining a degree of environmental comfort for the occupants. In addition, the fact that the house 10 can be folded allows it to be conveniently transported to an area or region where it may be temporarily needed. Erection of the dwelling 10 is a simple deployment process. This may be done by suitable machinery to lift the roof assembly 18 while the side wall assemblies 16 are deployed as a result of the lifting or as a result of further manipulation.

By providing the recess 22 allows the wall kit to carry a suitable air conditioning unit, such as the air conditioning unit 60 described above, without requiring the air conditioning units to be removed when the dwelling 10 is collapsed. It will be appreciated that reinstalling the air conditioning unit after erection will result in a time and resource consuming process.

Thus, the home 10 may be applied to events such as a multi-day concert, a seminar, and other similar events.

The claims below should be considered as being incorporated into the foregoing description. Throughout the specification, including the claims, where the context allows, the term "comprising" should be interpreted as including one or more of the integers stated, but not necessarily excluding any other integers.

It is to be understood that the terminology employed above is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The described embodiments are intended to illustrate the invention, not to limit its scope. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the invention can be practiced with various modifications and additions.

When any number or range is described herein, the number or range is approximate, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value and each separate sub-range defined by such separate values is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

Words such as "front", "rear", "back", etc. indicating directions are used for convenience. The inventors contemplate that the various embodiments may be used in an inoperative configuration, such as when presented for sale. Accordingly, such words are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

Claims (5)

1. A collapsible dwelling comprising:

a front wall kit;

a rear wall kit;

opposing side wall assemblies;

a roof assembly; and

a floor kit characterized in that the wall kit is collapsible to be received between the floor kit and at least one of the roof kits, and the floor kit defines at least one depression sized to receive a home appliance placed thereon when one of the wall kits is in a collapsed configuration.

2. The collapsible dwelling of claim 1, wherein the wall assembly is dimensioned such that the dwelling is rectangular when viewed from above, and the wall assembly is configured to operatively fold inwardly with respect to the roof and floor assembly such that the roof assembly may be collapsed downwardly towards the floor assembly.

3. The collapsible dwelling of claim 2, wherein the floor kit includes a floor support structure and a floor covering arranged on the support structure, each side wall kit being pivotally connected at a lower edge to a corresponding side edge of the floor support structure.

4. The collapsible dwelling of claim 2, wherein the roof assembly includes a roof support structure and a roof deck disposed on the roof support structure, each side wall assembly being pivotally connected at an upper edge to a corresponding side edge of the roof support structure.

5. The collapsible dwelling of claim 4, wherein each side wall set includes a longitudinally extending central hinge set to allow the side sets to fold inwardly as the roof set is lowered towards the floor set.

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