US3602388A

US3602388A - Folding enclosure

Info

Publication number: US3602388A
Application number: US804579A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles H Hurkamp
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-03-05
Filing date: 1969-03-05
Publication date: 1971-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 1988-08-31

Abstract

A folding enclosure has a nonfolding top, a nonfolding base, a left-hand side which has upper and lower panels that can be folded into position between the top and base, has a right-hand side which has upper and lower panels that can be folded into position between the top and base, has a plural-section door at the left-hand side of the front thereof with the upper section thereof hinged to the upper panel of the left-hand side and with the lower section thereof hinged to the lower panel of that lefthand side, has a plural section door at the right-hand side of the front thereof with the upper section thereof hinged to the upper panel of the right-hand side and with the lower section thereof hinged to the lower panel of that right-hand side, and has a multisection closure for the rear end thereof which has the sections thereof hinged to the four panels of the sides. The sections of the plural-section doors and the sections of the multisection closure are pivoted into face-to-face engagements with the inner surfaces of the panels of the sides, and then those sides are folded into position between the top and base to permit the enclosure to fold into a small space.

Description

United States Patent Charles H. Hurkamp 444 Carolwood Lane N. 13., Atlanta, Ga. [21] App]. No. 804,579

[22] Filed Mar.5, 1969 [45] Patented Aug. 31, 1971 [72] Inventor [54] FOLDING ENCLOSURE Primary ExaminerJordan Franklin Assistant Examiner-George H. Krizmanich ArtorneyKingsland, Rogers. Ezell, Eilers & Robbins ABSTRACT: A folding enclosure has a nonfolding top, a nonfolding base, a left-hand side which has upper and lower panels thatcan be folded intoposition between the top and base, has a right-hand side which has upper and lower panels that can be folded into position between the top and base, has a plural-section door at the lefthand side of the front thereof with the upper section thereof hinged to the upper panel of the left-hand side and with the lower section thereof hinged to the lower panel of that left-hand side, has a plural section door at the right-hand side of the front thereof with the upper section thereof hinged to the upper panel of the right-hand side and with the lower section thereof hinged to the lower panel of that right-hand side, and has a multisection closure for the rear end thereof which has the sections thereof hinged to the four panels of the sides. The sections of the plural-section doors and the sections of the multisection closure are pivoted into face-to-face engagements with the inner surfaces of the panels of the sides, and then those sides are folded into position between the top and base to permit the enclosure to fold into a small space.

PATENTED AUGBI l9?! SHEET 2 BF 3 lA/VENTOR: LES H. Hun/mug HTTo RNEY6 FOLDING ENCLOSURE This invention relates to improvements in folding enclosures. More particularly, this invention relates to improvements in enclosures which can be extended to define and enclose a large space and which can be folded into a small space.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved enclosure which can be extended to define and enclose a large space and which can be folded into a small space. i

Where large numbers of products and goods are shipped, it frequently is desireable to place those products and goods within shipping containers that can be handled as units. The

use of such shipping containers ofiers substantial economiesparticularly where those shipping containers are filled during return, as well as outgoing, trips. Unfortunately, however, it is not always possible to fill all shipping containers during return trips; and, where that is the case, the empty shipping containers occupy space which could be used more profitably for shipping products and goods. Consequently, it would be desirable to provide a folding enclosure which could be extended to define and enclose a large space and which could be folded into a small space. The present invention provides such a folding enclosure; and that folding enclosure has a nonfolding top, a nonfolding base, a left-hand side which has upper and lower panels that can be folded into position between the top and base, has a right-hand side which has upper and lower panels that can be folded into position between the top and base, has a plural-section door at the left-hand side of the front thereof with the upper section thereof hinged to the upper panel of the left-hand side and with the lower section thereof hinged to the lower panel of that left-hand side, has a plural section door at the right-hand side of the front thereof with the FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the rear end of the folding enclosure shown in FIG. 1, and it shows that folding enclosure in its foldedcondition,

FIG. 6 is a sectional view through the folding enclosure shown in FIG. 1, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 6-6 in FIG. 3,

FIG. 7 is a sectional view through the folding enclosure shown in FIG. 1, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 77 in FIG. 8,

FIG. 8 is another sectional view through the folding enclosure shown in FIG. 1, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 8-8 in FIG. 1,

FIG. 9 is a further sectional view through the folding enclosure shown in FIG. 1, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 9-9 in FIG. 3,

FIG. 10 is a sectional view, on a larger scale, through the I folding enclosure shown in FIG. 1, and it is taken along the upper section thereof hinged to the upper panel of the righthand side and with the lower section thereof hinged to the lower panel of that right-hand side, and has a multisection closure for the rear end thereof which has the sections thereof hinged to the four panels of the sides. The sections of the plufaces of the panels of the sides, and then those sides are folded into position between the top and base to permit the enclosure to fold into a small space. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a folding container with pluralsection doors and with a multisection closure that can have the sections thereof pivoted into face-to-face engagement with the inner faces of the' panels of foldable sides of that folding container before those sides are folded into position between the top and base of that folding container.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention should become apparent from an examination of the drawings and accompanying'description.

In the drawings and accompanying description a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described but it is to beunderstood that the drawings and accompanying description are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the invention and that the invention will be defined by the appended claims.

In the drawings, FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the front end of one preferred embodiment of folding enclosure that is made in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, and it shows that folding enclosure in its folded condition, l I

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the front end of the folding enclosure shown in FIG. 1, and it shows that folding enclosure in its extended condition,

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the left-hand side of the folding enclosure shown in FIG. 1 and it shows that folding enclosure in its extended condition,

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the rear end of the folding enclosure shown in FIG. 1, and it shows that folding enclosure in its extended condition,

plane indicate by the line 10-10 in FIG. 2,

FIG. ll'is an elevational view, on a scale intermediate those of FIGS. 1 and 10, of the locking assemblies for the plural-section doors of the folding enclosure, and it shows those locking assemblies in unlocked position.

FIG. 12 is an elevational view, on the scale of FIG. 1 1, and it shows the locking assemblies for the plural-section doors of the folding enclosure in locking position,

FIG. 13 is a sectional view, on the scale of FIG. 10, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 13-13 in FIG. 12,

FIG. 14 is a sectional view, on the scale of FIG. 10, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 14-14 in FIG.-12,

FIG. 15 is a sectional view, on the scale of FIG. 10, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 15-15 in FIG. 4,

FIG. 16 is a sectional view, on the scale of FIG. 10, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 16-16 in FIG. 4,

FIG. 17 is a sectional view, on the scale of FIG. 10, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 6-6 in FIG. 3,

' FIG. 18 is a sectional view, on the scale of FIG. 10, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 6-6 in FIG. 3,

FIG. 19 is a sectional view, on a scale intermediate those of FIGS. I and 10, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 19-19 in FIG. 2,

FIG. 20 is a sectional view, on the scale of FIG. 19, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 20-20 in FIG. 19,

FIG. 21 is a sectional view, on a scale intermediate those of FIGS. 1 and 10, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 21-21 in FIG. 4, and

FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic view showing the application of a raising force to the top of one of the folding enclosures provided by the present invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the numeral 30 denotes the base of one preferred embodiment of folding enclosure that is made in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention. That base will preferably be made with a channellike perimetral frame and with plates secured to the upper and lower surfaces of that frame, as shown particularly by FIGS. 16, 19 and 21. However, if desired, that base could be made solid, as indicated by FIGS. 6-8 and 18. In either event, that base will be sturdy and rugged, and will be nonfolding.

As shown particularly by FIGS. 6 and 7,

angles

32 and 34 are secured to the upper surface of the base 30, adjacent the side edges of that base; and those angles extend along the full lengths of the sides of that base. As shown particularly by FIGS. 16, 19 and 21, an angle 36 is secured to the upper surface of the base 30 adjacent the rear edge of that base. The confronting edges of the

angles

32, 34 and 36 are suitably secured together, as by welds. Caps 40 are provided for the four corners of the base 30; and, as shown particularly by FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper portions of the confronting edges of the caps 40 at the front of the folding enclosure are cutaway to define rectangular notches. Openings 41 are provided in the caps 40; and those openings are dimensioned to accommodate hooksor pins.

A block 43 is secured to the channel 32 and to the base 30, adjacent the front edge of that base, as shown particularly by FIGS. 19 and 20. That block has a recess 88 therein, and that recess extends to the upper surface of that block. A similar block, not shown, is secured to the channel 34 and to the base 30 adjacent the front edge of that base. The recess 88 in the block 43 and its counterpart recess in the block, not shown, will confront each other.

The numeral 42 denotes a panel which is pivotally secured to the upper edge of the angle 32 by a number of spaced hinges 44, as shown particularly by FIGS. 3 and 6. The numeral 46 denotes a panel which has the lower edge thereof pivotally secure to the upper edge of the panel 42 by a number of spaced hinges 48, as shown particularly by FIGS. 3 and 6. Whenever those panels are in the position indicated by FIGS. 3 and 6, those panels constitute the left-hand side of the folding enclosure provided by the present invention.

The numeral 50 denotes a panel which is pivotally secured to the upper edge of the angle 34 by spaced hinges 52, as shown particularly by FIGS. 3 and 6. The panel 42 and the panel 50 have the same heights, as shown by FIG.'6. The numeral 54 denotes a panel which has the lower edge thereof pivotally secured to the upper edge of the panel 50 by a number of spaced hinges 56, as shown particularly by FIGS. 3 and 6. Whenever the

panels

50 and 54 are in the position indicated by FIG. 6, those panels constitute the right-hand side of the folding enclosure provided by the present invention.

The

panels

42, 46, 50 and 54 will preferably be made with channellike perimetral frames and with plates extending into those frames, as shown particularly by FIGS. 10, 13, 14, 19 and 21. However, if desired, those panels could be made essentially solid, as indicated by FIGS. 6, 7, 9, and -18. In either event, the

panels

42, 46, 50 and 54 will be sturdy and rugged.

The numeral 58 denotes a threshold for the front of the folding enclosure provided by the present invention; and the lower edge of that threshold is pivotally secured to the front end of the base 30 by a number of spaced hinges 60, as shown particularly by FIGS. 1, 2 and 19. The rectangular notches in the upper portions of the confronting edges of the caps 40 at the front of the folding enclosure enable the threshold 58 to rotate from the normal solid-line position to the extended dotted-line position in FIG. 19. In that extended dotted-line position, that threshold acts as a ramp to facilitate the rolling of dollies and carts into and out of the folding enclosure provided by the present invention. A latch 84 is pivotally secured to the left-hand end of the threshold 58 by a pivot 86; and that latch is selectively movable into and out of the recess 88 in the block 43. A similar latch is pivotally secured to the right-hand end of the threshold 58 by a pivot 86; and that latch is selectively movable into and out of the recess in the block which is the counterpart of the block 43. Whenever those latches are disposed within those recesses, those latches will hold the threshold 58 in the solid-line position of FIG. 19. However, whenever those latches are moved out of those recesses, those latches will permit the threshold 58 to move to the extended dotted-line of FIG. 19.

The numeral 62 denotes the lower portion of a folding stud which extends between the base 30 and the top 70 of the folding enclosure. The lower end of the lower portion 62 is pivotally secured to the inner edge of the angle 36 by hinges 64, as shown particularly by FIGS. 8 and 16. The numeral 66 denotes the upper portion of the folding stud; and the lower edge of that upper portion is pivotally secured to the upper edge of the lower portion 62 by hinges 68, as shown particularly by FIGS. 4, 6 and 8.

The top of the folding enclosure will preferably be made with a channellike perimetral frame and with plates extending into that frame, as shown particularly by FIG. 15. However, if desired, that top could be made solid with a channellike perimetral frame, as shown particularly by FIGS. 6-8 and 17. In either event, that top will be sturdy and rugged, and will be nonfolding. The perimetral frame of the top 70 includes a channel 76 which extends along the full length of the left-hand edge of that top; and that channel depends downwardly below the lower surface of that top, as shown by FIGS. 6 and 7. That perimetral frame also includes a channel 78 which extends along the full length of the right-hand side of the top 70; and that channel depends downwardly below the lower surface of that top, as shown by FIGS. 6, 7 and 17. The perimetral frame of the top 70 includes a channel 80 which extends along the full length of the rear edge of that top; and that channel has a central rib 82 which helps stiffen that channel. The perimetral frame of the top 70 includes a channel 81 which extends along the full length of the front edge of that top, as shown by FIGS. 1 and 2. The abutting edges of the

channel

76, 78 and 80 and 81 of the perimetral frame of the top 70 are suitably secured together, as by welds. Caps 85 are provided at the four corners of the top 70, and those caps are provided with openings 87 which can accommodate hooks or pins.

The upper edge of the panel 46 is pivotally secured to the inner edge of the lower flange of the channel 76 by a number of spaced hinges 72, as shown by FIGS 3 and 6. The upper edge of the panel 54 is pivotally secured to the inner edge of the lower flange of the channel 78 by a number of spaced hinges 74, as shown by FIGS. 6 and 17. The upper edge of the upper portion 66 of the folding stud is pivotally secured to the inner edge of the lower flange of the channel 80 by spaced hinges 90, as shown particularly by FIGS. 6 and 15.

The hinges 44 are secured to the angle 32 and to the panel 42 so that panel can be pivoted inwardly about the axis defined by those hinges. The hinges 72 are secured to the channel 76 and to the panel 46 so that panel can be pivoted inwardly about the axis defined by those hinges. The hinges 48 are secured to the

panels

42 and 46 so the confronting edges of those panels can be moved inwardly as those panels are pivoted, respectively, about the axes defined by the

hinges

44 and 72.

The hinges 52 are secured to the angle 34 and to the panel 50 so that panel can be pivoted inwardly about the axis defined by those hinges. The hinges 74 are secured to the channel 78 and to the panel 54 so that panel can be pivoted inwardly about the axis defined by those hinges. The hinges 56 are secured to the

panels

50 and 54 so the confronting edges of those panels can be moved inwardly as those panels are pivoted, respectively, about the axes defined by the

hinges

52 and 74.

The hinges 64 are secured to the angle 36 and to the lower portion 62 of the folding stud so that lower portion can be pivoted inwardly about the axis defined by the hinges 64. Similarly, the hinges 90 are secured to the channel 80 and to the upper portion 66 of the folding stud so that upper portion can be pivoted inwardly about the axis defined by those hinges. The hinges 68 are secured to the confronting edges of the lower portion 62 and of the upper portion 66 of the folding stud so those confronting edges can be moved inwardly as those portions are pivoted, respectively, about the axes of the

hinges

64 and 90.

The numeral 92 denotes the upper section of a plural-section door for the left-hand half of the front of the folding enclosure; and that section is pivotally secured to the front edge of the panel 46 by hinges 94. The numeral 96 denotes the lower section of the plural-section door for the left-hand half of the front of the folding enclosure; and that section is pivotally secured to the front edge of the panel 42 by hinges 98. The numeral 100 denotes the upper section of a pluralsection door for the right-hand half of the front of the folding enclosure; and that upper section is pivotally secured to the front edge of the panel 54 by hinges 102. The numeral 104 denotes the lower section of the plural-section door for the right-hand half of the front of the folding enclosure; and that section is pivotally secured to the front edge of the panel 50 by .hinges 106. Thesections 92 and 96 of the door for the lefthand half of the front of the folding enclosure, and the

sections

100 and 104 of the door for the right-hand half of the front of the folding enclosure, are dimensioned so the righthand edge of the section 92 is immediately adjacent the lefthand edge of the section 100, so the bottom edge of the section 92 is immediately adjacent the upper edge of the section 96, so the bottom edge of the section 100 is immediately adjacent the upper edge of the section 104, and so the right-hand edge of the section 96 is immediately adjacent the left-hand edge of the section 104 whenever those doors are in the closed position shown by FIG. 2. The edges of the various sections of the plural-section doors will be provided with yieldable seals or weather stripping, not shown, of standard and usual design to enable those doors and the threshold 58, the top 70 and the

panels

42, 46, 50 and 54 to preclude the entry of water, moisture, dirt, and other foreign material into the front end of the folding enclosure.

The

sections

92, 96, 100 and 104 will preferably be made with perimetral frames and with plates extending into those frames, as indicated by FIGS. and 19 However, if desired, those sections could be made solid, as indicated by FIG. 9. Since it is desirable that the

sections

92, 96, 100 and 104 be moved as a unit, their confronting edges are preferably provided with an interlocking joint as typically illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. This interlocking joint comprises a horizontal groove 105 in the lower edge (or channel) of the upper section, such as the section 92, and a horizontal tongue 106 in the upper edge (or channel) of the lower section, such as the section 96. By putting the grooves 105 in the upper sections, interference during folding is avoided.

The numeral 108 denotes an opening in the outer face of the section 92 of the door for the left-hand half of the front of the folding enclosure; and that opening is immediately adjacent the lower right-hand corner of that section, as shown by FIGS. 11 and 12. A recess 109 is disposed to the left of, but communicates with, the opening 108; and an opening, not shown, is provided in the bottom edge of the section 92 in register with the recess 109. A locking bar 112 is slidably mounted within the section 92; and the lower end of that locking bar is in register with the opening 108, as shown particularly by FIGS. 11 and 12. A horizontally directed slot 114 is provided in the lower portion of the section 92 below the opening 108, as shown particularly by FIGS. 11 and 12; and that slot accommodates a locking pin 116. A pivot 118 is mounted to the left of the opening 108, and that pivot is in register with, and spans, the upper portion of the recess 109, as shown particularly by FIGS. 11-13. The pivot 118 supports a handle 120 which has an arcuate slot 122 therein, and which has a notched dog 124 depending downwardly therefrom. That dog has a slot 126 therein intermediate the notch therein and the pivot 118. A flush head bolt 128 extends through the slot 122 in the handle 120 and seats in a threaded opening adjacent the lower end of the locking bar 112; and a screw 130 extends through the slot 126 in the dog 124 and seats in a threaded opening in the locking pin 116. The bolt 128 will coact with the slot 122 in the handle 120, and the screw 130 will coact with the slot 126 in the dog 124 to force the locking bar 112 to move vertically and to force the locking pin 114 to move horizontally as that handle is rotated.

The upper end of the locking bar 112 will be confined and guided by a suitable groove or opening in a block or bracket, not shown, within and adjacent the upper portion of the section 92. That groove or opening in that block or bracket will permit the upper end of that locking bar to extend upwardly through the upper edge of the section 92 and to extend into an opening or socket in the lower flange of the channel 81 of the top 70. Whenever the upper end of the locking bar 112 is disposed within the opening or socket in the lower flange of the channel 81, the section 92 will be locked against movement relative to the top 70.

The numeral 132 denotes a recess in the upper portion of the section 96 of the door for the left-hand half of the front of the folding enclosure; and the left-hand portion of that recess is in register with the recess 109 in the section 92. An opening, not shown, is provided in the upper edge of the section 96 in register with the opening, not shown, at the bottom of the recess 109 in the section 92. The numeral 136 denotes a locking bar which is disposed within the section 96, and which has the upper end thereof extending into the recess 132. A suitable groove or opening in a block or bracket, not shown, within and adjacent the bottom portion of the section 96 will confine and guide the lower end of the locking bar 136. That groove or opening will permit the lower end of that locking bar to extend downwardly through the bottom edge of the section 96 and to extend into a opening in an angle bracket 172 which is fixedly secured to the threshold 58. Whenever the lower end of the locking bar 136 is in engagement with the opening or recess in the angle bracket 172, the section 96 will be held against movement relative to the base 30.

The number 138 denotes a pivot which is in register with and spans the recess 132 in the section 96, as shown by FIG. 13. A bell crank lever 140 is rotatably supported by the pivot 138; and the upper arm of that lever is engageable with the notch in the notched dog 124 of the handle 120. A slot 142 in the right-hand arm of the bell crank lever 140 accommodates a screw 144 which seats in a threaded opening in the upper end of the locking bar 136. The screw 144 will force the locking bar 136 to move vertically as the bell crank lever 140 is rotated about the pivot 138.

The numeral 146 denotes an opening in the section 100 of the door for the right-hand half of the front of the folding enclosure; and that opening is in the left-hand corner of that section, as shown by FIG. 11. A recess 147 is disposed to the right of, but communicates with, the opening 146; and an opening, not shown, is provided in the bottom edge of the section 100 in register with the recess 147. A locking bar 150 is slidably mounted within the section 100; and the lower end of that locking bar is in register with the opening 146, as shown particularly by FIG. 11. A suitable groove or opening in a block or bracket not shown,.within and adjacent the upper portion of the section 100 will confine and guide the upper end of the locking bar 150. That groove or opening will permit the upper end of that locking bar to extend upwardly through the upper edge of the section 100 and to extend into an opening or socket in the lower flange of the channel 81 of the top 70. Whenever the upper end of the locking bar 150 is in engagement with the opening or socket in the lower flange of the channel 81, the section 100 will be held against movement relative to the top 70.

The numeral 152 denotes a pivot which is in register with I and spans the recess 147; and that pivot supports a handle 154 which has an arcuate slot 155 therein and which has a notched dog 156 depending downwardly therefrom. A flush head bolt 158 extends through the arcuate slot 155 in the handle 154 and seats within a threaded opening adjacent the lower end of the locking bar and that flush head bolt will coact with the slot in the handle 154 to enable rotation of that handle to enforce vertical movement of the locking bar 150. The numeral 159 denotes a socket in the left-hand edge of the section 100; and that socket will be in register with the recess 114 in the section 92 whenever the

sections

92 and 100 are in the closed position shown by FIG. 2. The socket 159 has a diameter large enough to enable the outer end of the locking pin 116 to be moved into that socket; and,-whenever that outer end of that locking pin is in the socket 159, the lower edges of the

sections

92 and 100 will be locked against movement relative to each other.

The numeral 160 denotes a recess in the upper left-hand corner of the section 104 of the door for the right-hand half of the front of the folding enclosure, as shown by FIG. 11. The right-hand side of the recess 160 is in register with the recess 147 in the section 100; and an opening, not shown, is provided in the upper edge of the section 104 in register with the opening in the bottom edge of the section 100. A locking bar 164 is slidably mounted within the section 104; and the upper end of that locking bar extends into the recess 160. A suitable groove or openitig in a block or bracket, not shown, within and adjacent the bottom portion of the section 104 will confine and guide the lower end of the locking bar 164. That groove or opening will permit the lower end of the locking bar 164 to extend downwardly through the lower edge of the section 104 and to extend into a socket or opening within an angle bracket 174. That angle bracket will be suitably secured to the threshold 58; and, whenever the bottom of the locking bar 164 is in engagement with the socket or opening in the angle bracket 174, the section 104 will be locked against movement relative to the base 30.

The numeral 166 denotes a pivot which is in register with and spans the recess 160 in the section 104. A bell crank lever 168 is rotatably supported by the pivot 166; and the upper end of the upper arm of that bell crank lever extends into the notch of the notched dog 156 of the handle 154. A slot 170 is provided in the lower arm of the bell crank lever 168; and that slot accommodates a screw 171 which seats within a threaded opening adjacent the upper end of the locking bar 164. The screw 171 will coact will the slot 170 to enable rotation of the bell crank lever 168 to effect vertical movement of the locking bar 164.

Referring particularly to FIG. 4, the numeral 176 denotes one of the upper sections so the multisection closure for the rear of the folding enclosure; and the numeral 194 denotes the other upper section of that closure. The section 176 is pivotally secured to the rear edge of the panel 54 by hinges 178; and the section 194 is pivotally secured to the rear edge of the panel 46 by hinges 196. A locking bar 180 is slidably mounted within the section 176; and a locking assembly 182, which is generally similar to the locking assembly for the section 92, is provided for the section 176. A locking bar 198 is slidably mounted within the section 194; and a locking as sembly 200, which is generally similar to the locking assembly for the section 100, is provided for the section 194. The locking

assemblies

182 and 200 will differ from the locking assemblies for the

sections

92 and 100 in that the locking pins, which correspond to the locking pin 116, will have the outer ends thereof extending into sockets in the upper portion 66 of the folding stud at the rear of the folding enclosure.

The

numerals

184 and 202 denote the lower section of the closure for the rear of the folding enclosure; and hinges 186 pivotally secure the section 184 to the rear edge of the panel 50, while hinges 204 pivotally secure the section 202 to the rear edge of the panel 42. A locking bar 188 is slidably mounted within the section 184, and a locking bar 206 is slidably mounted within the section 202. A bell crank lever assembly 190, which is similar to the bell crank lever assembly for the section 96, is provided for the section 184. A bell crank lever assembly 208, which is similar to the bell crank lever assembly for the section 104, is provided for the section 202. The lower end of the locking bar 188 can be selectively moved into an opening or socket in an angle bracket 192 secured to the angle 36; and the lower end of the locking bar 206 can be selectively moved into an opening or socket in an angle bracket 210 secured to the angle 36.

The

sections

176, 184, 194 and 202 will preferably be made with perimetral frames and with plates extending into those frames, as indicated by FIG. 21. However, if desired, those sections could be made solid, as indicated by FIG. 9.

The locking

assemblies

182 and 200 can coact with the bell crank lever assemblies 190 and 208 to force the upper ends of the locking bars 180 and 198 into sockets or openings in the lower flange of the channel 80, to force the lower ends of the locking bars 188 and 206 into sockets or openings in the

angle brackets

192 and 210, and to force the outer ends of locking pins. not shown, into sockets in the upper portion 66 of the folding stud. Where that is done, the

sections

176, 184, 194 and 202 will coact with the upper and

lower sections

66 and 62, respectively, of the folding stud to close the rear of the folding enclosure. Yieldable seals or weather stripping, not shown, of standard and usual design can be provided on the edges of the

sections

176, 184, 194 and 202 to effectively coact with the top 70, the base 30, the upper and lower por- I

tions

66 and 52, respectively, of the folding stud, and the

panels

42, 46, 50 and 54 to preclude the entry of water,

moisture, and other foreign material into the rear of the folding enclosure.

Whenever the

sections

92, 96, and 104 are in the closed position shown by FIG. 2, those sections will not only close the front of the folding enclosure but will act as structural members to provide support for the sides and top of that folding enclosure. Similarly, whenever the

sections

176, 184, 194 and 202 and the

portions

66 and 62 of the folding stud are in the position shown by FIG. 4, those sections and those portions will not only close the rear of the folding enclosure but will act as structural members to provide support for the sides and top of that folding enclosure. As a result, whenever the folding enclosure is in its extended position, and the front and rear ends thereof are closed, that folding enclosure is sturdy and rugged. The support, which the

sections

176, 184, 194 and 202 and the

portions

62 and 66 of the folding stud provide for the rear of the folding enclosure, will be so substantial that the front of the top 70 and the fronts of the sides will be resistant to movement even when all of the

section

92, 96, 100 and 104 are moved to open position. As a result, the folding enclosure provided by the present invention can be loaded and unloaded through the front thereof, and yet be self-supporting.

To open the

sections

92,96, 100 and 104 of the doors at the front of the folding enclosure, the use of that folding enclosure will use a screw driver or other tool to rotate the pivots 86 until the latch 84 and its counterpart have been rotated out of the recess 88 and its counterpart, At such time, the threshold 58 will have been moved from the solid-line position to the dotted-line position shown in FIG. 10; and, in the latter position, that threshold will be out of the path of movement of the

sections

96 and 104.

Thereupon, the user of the folding enclosure will insert a finger or a tool in the opening 108 and force the handle to rotate in the clockwise direction from the position shown by FIG. 12 to the position shown by FIG. 11, and'thereafter will insert a finger or a tool in the opening 146 and force the handle 154 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction to the position shown in FIG. 11. Rotation of the handle 120 to the position shown in FIG. 11 will enable the bolt 128 and the slot 122 to effect downward movement of the locking bar 112, and will enable the notched dog 124 to rotate the bell crank lever in the counter clockwise directionthereby enabling the screw 144 and the slot 142 to effect upward movement of the locking bar 136. In addition, the rotation of the handle 120 will enable the notched dog 124 and the screw 130 and slot 126 to move the outer end of the locking pin 116 out of the socket 159 in the secton 100. Rotation of the handle 154 to the position shown by FIG. 11 will enable the bolt 158 and the slot 155 to effect downward movement of the locking bar 150, and will enable the notched dog 156 to rotate the bell crank lever 168 in the clockwise didrection-thereby enabling the slot 170 and the screw 171 to effect upward movement of the locking bar 164. The downward movement of locking

bars

112 and 150 will move the upper ends of those locking bars out of the sockets or opening in the lower flange of the channel 81, and thus will free the

sections

92 and 100 from the top 70; and the upward movement of locking

bars

136 and 164 will move the lower ends of those locking bars out of the sockets or openings in the

angle brackets

172 and 174, will thus free the

sections

96 and 104 from the base 30. The movement of the outer end of the locking pin 116 out of the socket 159 in the section 100 will free the

sections

92 and 100 from each other. As a result, all of the

sections

92, 96, 100 and 104 can be pivoted outwardly to positions indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 9; and, as those sections are so pivoted, they will completely open the front ofthe folding enclosure.

If, for any reason, it became desirable to open only the door for the left-hand half of the front of the folding enclosure, the handle 154 could be left in its raised position; and, after the threshold 58 had been moved to the dotted line position shown by FIG. 19, only'the handle 120 would be rotated from the raised position shown by FIG. 12 to the lowered position shown by FIG. 11. That rotation would free the upper and lower ends, respectively, of the locking bars 112 and 136 and would free the outer end of the locking pin 116. As a result, the upper and

lower sections

92 and 96 could be opened even though the upper and

lower sections

100 and 104 remained locked against movement.

To fold the folding enclosure, a crane or boom can be connected to the top 70 of that folding enclosure by four cables 212, which will have hooks or pins at the lower ends thereof set within the openings 87 in the caps 85 at the corners of that top. The upper ends of the cables 212 can be suitably secured to the lower end of a cable 214 which passes over the sheeve at the outer end of the crane or boom; and then the cable 214 will be tensioned sufficiently to support the top 70 during the folding of the folding enclosure. Thereafter, the user of the folding enclosure will actuate the

locking assemblies

182 and 200 to cause the upper ends of the locking bars 180 and 198 to move downwardly out of engagement with the channel 80, to cause the lower ends of the locking bars 188 and 206 to move upwardly out of engagement with the

angle brackets

192 and 210, and to move the outer ends of the locking pins, not shown, which are comparable to the locking pin 116, out of the sockets in the upper portion 66 of the folding strut. The section 194 will then be pivoted about the hinges 196 until its inner face abuts the inner face of the panel 46, as indicated by FIG. 6. Similarly, the section 176 will be pivoted about the hinges 178 until the inner face thereof abuts the inner face of the panel 54, the secton 202 will be pivoted about the hinges 204 until the inner face thereof is in engagement with the inner face of the panel 42, and the section 184 will be pivoted about the hinges 186 until the inner face thereof is in engagement with the inner face of the panel 50. Catches or latches, not shown, will be used to hold the

sections

184 and 202 in abutting relation with the inner faces, respectively, of the

panels

50 and 42. The

handles

120 and 154 will then be rotated to the positions shown by FIG. 11 to move the upper ends of the locking bars 112 and 150 downwardly out of engagement with the channel 81, to move the lower ends of the locking bars 136 and 164 upwardly out of engagement with the

angle brackets

172, and 174, and to move the outer end of the locking pin 116 out of engagement with the socket 159. Thereafter, the section 96 will be pivoted about the hinges 98 until the inner face thereof abuts the inner face of the panel 42 as indicated by FIG. 9. Similarly, the section 104 will be pivoted about the hinges 106 until the inner face thereof abuts the inner face of the panel 50, the section 92 will be pivoted about the hinges 94 until the inner face thereof abuts the inner face of the panel 46, and the section 100 will be pivoted about the hinges 102 until the inner face thereof abuts the inner face of the panel 54. Catches or latches, not shown, will be used to hold the

sections

96 and 104 in abutting relation with the inner faces, respectively, of the

panels

42 and 50.

At this time, inwardly directed forces will be applied to the confronting edges of the upper and

lower portions

66 and 62, respectively, of the folding stud, and to the confronting edges of the panels of the sidewalls. The upper and

lower portions

66 and 62, respectively, of the folding stud will respond to the inwardly directed forces to move toward the position shown by FIG. 8, the

panels

50 and 54 will respond to the inwardly directed forces to move toward the position indicated by FIG. 7, and the

panels

42 and 56 will respond to the inwardly directed forces to move toward the position shown by FIG. 7. Because the

sections

92 and 194 will overlie and be supported by the panel 46, and because the

sections

100 and 176 will overlie and be supported by the panel 54, those sections will not need to be secured to those panels by catches or latches as the folding enclosure is folded. However, because the section 96 and the section 202 will underlie the panel 42, and because the section 104 and the section 184 will underlie the panel 50, those sections will be secured to those panels by the catches and latches, not shown, during the folding of the folding enclosure. The crane or boom will gradually permit the cable 214 to move downwardly, and thus will permit the top 70 to move downwardly.

At the conclusion of the folding operation, the bottom face of the panel 54 will be resting upon and supported by the upper face of the panel 50, the angle 34 and the hinges 52 will be holding the outer edge of the panel 50 far enough above the upper surface of the base 30 to permit the

sections

104 and 184 to underlie that panel, as shown by FIGS. 6 and 18, the channel 78 and the hinges 74 will be holding the top far enough above the upper surface of the panel 54 to permit the sections and 176 to underlie that top, as shown by FIGS. 6 and 17. The bottom face of the panel 46 will be resting upon and supported by the upper face of the panel 42, the angle 32 and the hinges 44 will be holding the outer edge of the panel 42 far enough above the upper surface of the base 30 to permit the

sections

96 and 202 to underlie that panel, the channel 76 and the hinges 72 will be holding the top 70 far enough above the upper surface of the panel 46 to permit the

sections

92 and 194 to underlie that top. The threshold 58 will overlap the channel 81, as shown by FIG. 8; and the lower portion 62 of the folding stud will be overlying and close to the base 30, while the upper portion 66 of that folding stud will be underlying and close to the top 70. The total overall height of the folded enclosure will be only about one-fifth of the height of that enclosure when that enclosure is in its extended position. This is important, because it enables five of the folding enclosures to be disposed within the space which one fully extended empty folding enclosure would occupy; and hence it makes available, for cargo-carrying purposes, the space which four fully extended empty enclosures otherwise would occupy.

To make the folding enclosure assume its extended position, it is only necessary to attach cables, such as the cables 212, to hooks or pins set within the openings 87 in the caps 85, to connect cable 214 to the upper ends of the cables 212, and to raise upwardly on the cable 214. The top 70 will move upwardly in response to the upward movement of the cable 214; and, automatically, the

panels

46 and 42 will move from their folded positions into vertical positions, the panels'50 and 54 will automatically move from their folded positions into vertical positions, and the

portions

62 and 66 of the folding stud will automatically move from their folded positions into vertical positions. Thereafter, the

sections

176, 194, 184 and 202 will be pivoted into the position shown by FIG. 4 to close the rear of the folding enclosure; and then the

locking assemblies

182 and 200 will be actuated to lock those sections to the top 70, to the base 30, and to the upper portion 66 of the folding stud. At this time, the

sections

92, 96, 100 and 104 will be pivoted into the position shown by FIG. 2 to close the front of the folding enclosure. Thereafter, the handles and 154 will be moved into their raised positions to lock those sections to the top 70 an to the base 30, and to lock the

sections

92 and 100 together. Thereupon, the enclosure will be in its extended position; and one or both of the doors thereof can be opened to permit products and goods to be moved into that enclosure.

If desired, the folding enclosure could be equipped with inflatable tubes of the type disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,375,619 which was granted Apr. 2, 1968. Those inflatable tubes would be disposed at the inner faces of the

angles

32 and 34 and would act upon the lower edges of the

panels

42 and 52. Where such inflatable tubes were used, a crane or boom would not be needed to extend or fold the folding enclosure.

Whereas the drawing and accompanying description have shown and described a preferred embodiment of the present invention it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the form of the invention without affecting the scope thereof.

What I claim is:

I. A folding enclosure which comprises:

a base,

a top,

a sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a second hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a third hinge,

a second sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a fourth hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a fifth hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a sixth hinge,

a plural-section door for part of the front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of the first said sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said first said sidewall, and

a second plural-section door for another part of said front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of-said second sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said second sidewall,

said one section of the first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said first Sidewall and said second section of said first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall,

said one section of said second plural-secton door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said upper panel of said second sidewall and said second section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-toface relation with said lower panel of said second sidewall,

said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said base about the first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, to move said second sections of said first said and said second pluralsection doors into face-to-face relation with said base,

said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said top about said second and said fifth hinges to move said first said sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said top,

said top moving toward said base as said upper and lower panels, respectively, of said first said and said second sidewalls are pivoted inwardly toward said top and said base,

said base and said first said sidewall being formed and dimensioned to define a space into which said second section of said first said plural-section door can be moved by said lower panel of said first said sidewall as said lower panel of said first said sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said base about said first said hinge,

said base and said second sidewall being formed and dimen sioned to define a space into which said second section of said second plural-section door can be moved by said lower panel of said second sidewall as said lower panel of said second sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said base about said fourth hinge,

said top and said first sidewall being formed and dimensioned to define a space into which said one section of said first said plural-section door can be moved by said upper panel of said first said sidewall as said upper panel of said first said sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said top about said second hinge,

said top and said second sidewall being formed and dimensioned to define a space into which said one section of said second plural-section door can be moved by said upper panel of said second sidewall as said upper panel of said second sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said top about said fifth hinge,

said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being held in assembled relation with said top by said second and said fifth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said folding enclosure,

said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being held in assembled relation with said base by said first and said fourth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said folding enclosure,

said confronting edges of said upper and lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being held in assembled relation with each other by said third and sixth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said folding enclosure.

2'. A folding enclosure which comprises:

a base,

a top,

a plural-section door for part of the front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of the first said sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said first said sidewall,

a second plural-section door for another part of said front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of said second sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said second sidewall,

said one section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-Face relation with said upper panel of said second sidewall and said second'section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-toface relation with said lower panel of said second sidewall, I i

said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said top about said second and said fifth hinges to move said first said section of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said top,

a structural member that spaces the lower edge of said lower panel of said first said sidewall above said base a distance at least as great as the thickness of said second section of the first said plural-section door to define a space into which said second section of said first said plural-section door can be moved by said lower panel of said first said sidewall as said lower panel of said first said sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said base about said first said hinge, and

a second structural member that spaces the lower edge of said lower panel of said second sidewall above said base a distance at least as great as the thickness of said second section of said second plural-section door to define a space into which said second section of said second plural-section door can be moved by said lower panel of said second sidewall as said lower panel of said second sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said base about said fourth hinge,

said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being held in assembled relation with said base by said first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said folding enclosures,

said confronting edges of said upper and lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being heldin assembled relation with each other by said third and sixth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said folding enclosure.

3. A folding enclosure which comprises:

a base,

a top,

said one section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said upper. panel of said second sidewall and said second section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-toface relation with said lower panel of said second sidewall,

said upper panels of said first said and'said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said top about said second and said fifth hinges to move said first said sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said top,

a frame member that spaces the upper edge of said upper panel of 'said first said sidewall below said top a distance at least as great as the thickness of said one section of the first said plural-section door to define a space into which said one section of said first said plural-section door can be moved by said upper panel of said first said sidewall as said upper panel of said first said sidewall is is pivoted inwardly toward said top about said second hinge, and

a second frame member that spaces the upper edge of said upper panel of said second sidewall below said top a distance at least as great as the thickness of said one section of said second plural-section door to define a space into which said one section of said second plural-section door can be moved by said upper panel of said second sidewall as said upper panel of said second sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said top about said fifth hinge,

said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewall being held in assembled relation with said top by said 4. A folding enclosure which comprises:

a base,

a top,

a sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top' by a second hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a third hinge,

said one section of the first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said first sidewall and said second section of said first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the'inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall,

said one section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said upper panel of said second sidewall and said second section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-toface relation with said lower panel of said second sidewall,

a structural member that spaces the lower edge of said lower panel of said first said sidewall above said base a distance at least as great as the thickness of said second section of the first said plural-section door to define a space into which said second section of said first said plural-section door can be moved by said lower panel of said first said sidewall as said lower panel of said first said sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said base about said first said hinge,

a second structural member that spaces the lower edge of said lower panel of said second sidewall above said base a distance at least as great as the thickness of said second section of said second plural-section door to define a space into which said second section of said second plural-section door can be moved by said lower panel of said second sidewall as said lower panel of said second sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said base about said fourth hinge, and

the adjacent edges of said upper and lower panels of said first said sidewall confronting the adjacent edges of said upper and lower panels of said second sidewall whenever said folding container is in its folded condition,

said top overlying and said base underlying said adjacent edges of said upper and lower panels of said first said sidewall and said adjacent edges of said upper and lower panels of said second sidewall whenever said folding container is in its folded condition.

5. A folding enclosure which comprises:

a base,

a top,

a second sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a fourth hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a fifth hinge, and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a sixth hinge,

aplural-section door for part of the front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of the first said sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said first said sidewall,

said one section of the first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation wt the inner face of said upper panel of said first sidewall and said second section of said fist said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall,

a structural member that spaces the lower'edge of said lower panel of said first said sidewall above said base a distance at least as great as the thickness of said second section of the first said plural-section door to define a space into which said second section of said first said plural-section door can be moved by said lower panel of said first said sidewall as said lower panel of said first said sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said base about said first said hinge,

a second structural member that spaces the lower edge of said lower panel of said second sidewall above said base a distance at least as great as the thickness of said second section of said second plural-section door to define a space into which said section of said second plural-section door can be moved by said lower panel of said second sidewall as said lower panel of said second sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said base about said fourth hinge,

a frame member that spaces the upper edge of said upper panel of said first said sidewall below said 'top a distance at least hinge great as the thickness of said one section of said first said plural-section door to define a space into which said one section of said first said plural-section door can be moved by said upper paneliof said first said sidewall as said upper panel of said first said sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said top about said second hinge, and

said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being held in assembled relation with said base by said first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said folding enclosure,

said confronting edges of said upper and lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being held in assembled relation with each other by said third and sixth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said holding enclosure.

6. A folding enclosure which comprises:

a base,

a top,

said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said base about the first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, to move said lower panels into generally parallel relation with said base,

said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said top about said second and said fifth hinges to move said upper panels into generally parallel relation with said top,

said confronting edges of said upper and lower panels of said first said ad said second sidewalls being held in assembled relation with each other by said third and said sixth hinges, respectively, through out the folding and ex tending of said folding enclosure,

a closing element hinged to said upper panel of said first said sidewall adjacent one end of said first said sidewall,

a second closing element hinged to said upper panel-of said second sidewall adjacent one end of said second sidewall,

said third hinge being disposed outwardly of a line connectalignment of said first said and said second and third.

hinges as said upper and lower panels of said first said sidewall are moved to extended position,

whereby the downwardly directed forces which said top applies to said upper and lower panels of said first said sidewall via said second hinge, when said folding enclosure is in its extended position, will coact with the outv wardly directed force which the first said closing element applies to said upper panel of said first said sidewall to tend to keep said first said sidewall from folding inwardly,

said sixth hinge moving outwardly beyond the dead center alignment of said fourth hinge and said fifth and sixth hinges a said upper and lower panels of said second sidewall are moved to extended position,

whereby the downwardly directed forces which said top applies to said upper and lower panels of said second sidewall via said fifth hinge, when said folding enclosure is in its extended position will coact with the outwardly directed force which said second closing element applies to said upper panel of said second sidewall to tend to keep said second sidewall from folding inwardly.

7. A folding enclosure which comprises:

a base, I

atop,

a sidewall wit a lower panel hinged to said base by a hinge and'with an upper panel hingedto said top by a second hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a third hinge,

a plural-section door for part of the front of said folding enclosure that-has one section thereof hinge to said upper panel of the first said sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said first said sidewall,

. said one section of the first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said first sidewall and said second section of said first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall,

said one section ofsaid second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said upper panel of said second sidewall and said second section of said second plural-section door being pivotable .into face-toface relation with said lower panel of said second sidewall,

said lower panels ofsaid first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said base about the first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, to move said second sections of said first said and said second pluralsection doors into face-to-face relation with said base.

said top moving toward said base as said upper and lower panels, respectively, of said first said and said second sidewalls arepivoted inwardly toward said top and said base,

a multisection closure that is disposed adjacent the rear of said folding enclosure I one section of said multisection closure being hinged to said upper panel of said first said sidewall and being pivotable into face'to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said first said sidewall,

a second section of said multisection closure being hinged to aid lower panel of said first said sidewall and being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall,

a third section of said multisection closure being hinged to said upper panel of said second sidewall and being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said second sidewall, and

a fourth section of said multisection closure being hinged to said lower panel of said second sidewall and being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said second sidewall,

said base and said first said sidewall being formed and dimensioned to define a space into which said second section ofsaid first said plural-sectiondoor and into which said second section section of said multisection closure can be moved by said lower panel of said first said sidewall as said. lower panel of said first said sidewall is pivoted inwardlytoward said base about said first said hinge, v v 1 said bare and said'second sidewall being formed and dimensioned to define a space into which said second section of said second plural-section door and into which said fourth section of said multisection closure can be moved by said lower panel of said second sidewall as said lowerpanel of said second said sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said base about said fourth hinge,

said to and said first said sidewall being formed and dimensioned to define a space into which said one section of said first said plural-section door and into which said one section of said multisection closure can be moved by said upper panel of said first said sidewall as said upper panel ofsaid first said sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said top about said second hinge,

said top and said second sidewall being formed and dimen- I sioned to define a space into which said one section of said second plural-section door and into which said third section of said multisection closure can be moved by said upper panel of said second sidewall as said upper panel of said second sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said top about said fifth hinge,

said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being held in assembled relationwith said top by said second and said fifth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said folding enclosure,

8. A folding enclosure which comprises:

a base,

a top,

said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said base abut the first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, to move said second sections of said first said and said second pluralsection doors into face-to-face relation with said base,

said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said top about said second and said fifth hinges to move said first said sections of said fist said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said top,

a multisection closure that is disposed adjacent the rear of said folding enclosure,

one section of said multisection closure being hinged to said upper panel of said first said sidewall,

a second section of said multisection closure being hinged to said lower panel of said first said sidewall,

a third section of said multisection closure being hinged to said upper panel of said second sidewall,

a fourth section of said multisection closure being hinged to said lower panel of said second sidewall,

said one section of said multisection closure being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said first said sidewall,

said second section of said multisection closure being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall,

said third section of said multisection closure being pivotable into face-to-face relation with he inner face of said upper panel of said second sidewall,

said fourth section of said multisection closure being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said second sidewall,

said third hinge being disposed outwardly of a line connecting said first said and said second hinges whenever said folding enclosure is in its extended position but being disposed inwardly of said line whenever said folding enclosure is in its folded position,

said sixth hinge being disposed outwardly of a line connecting said fourth and said fifth hinges whenever said folding enclosure is in its extended position but being disposed inwardly of said line whenever said folding enclosure is in its folded position,

said third hinge moving outwardly beyond the dead center alignment of said first said and said second and third hinges as said upper and lower panels of said first said sidewall are moved to extended position,

whereby the downwardly directed forces which said top applies to said upper and lower panels of said first said sidewall via said second hinge, when said folding enclosure is in its extended position, will coact with the outwardly directed forces which said one section of said first said plural-section door and said one section of said multisection closure apply to said upper panel of said first said sidewall to tend to keep said first said sidewall from folding inwardly,

said sixth hinge moving outwardly beyond the dead center alignment of said fourth hinge and said fifth and sixth hinges as said upper and lower panels of said second sidewall are moved to extended position,

whereby the downwardly directed forces which said top applies to said upper and lower panels of said second sidewall via said fifth hinge, when said folding enclosure is in its extended position, will coact with the outwardly directed forces which said one section of said second plural-section door and said third section of said multisection closure apply to said upper panel of said second sidewall to tend to keep said second sidewall from folding inwardly.

9. A folding enclosure which comprises:

a base,

a top,

a side wall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a second hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a third hinge,

a second plural-section door for another part of said front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged .to said upper panel of said second sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said second sidewall,

said one section of the first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said first said sidewall and said second section of said first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall,

said one section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said upper panel of said second sidewall and said section section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to face relation with said lower panel of said second sidewall,

said one section of said multisection closure being pivotable into face-to-face relation with'the inner face of said upper panel of said first said sidewall,

said third section of said multisection closure being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said second sidewall,

a folding stud that has one portion thereof hinged to said top and that has a second portion thereof hinged to said base and that has said portions thereof hinged together, and

said multisection closure and said folding stud coacting to close said rear of said folding enclosure whenever said folding enclosure is in its extended position andis closed.

10. A folding enclosure which comprises:

a base,

a top,

a sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a second hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a third hinge, i

said one section of the first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said first sidewall and said second section of said first said plural-section door'being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall,

said one section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said upper panel of said second sidewall and said second section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into Face-toface relation with said lower panel of said second sidewall, 1

said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said base about the first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, to move said second sections of said first said and said second pluralsection doors into face tO-face relation with said base,

said one section of said first said plural-section door having a locking bar that is releasably securable to said top,

said second section of said first said pluralsection door having a locking bar that is releasably securable to said base,

said one section of said second plural-section door having a locking bar that is releasably securable to said top, and

said second section of said second plural-section door having a locking bar that is releasably securable to said base.

11. A folding enclosure which comprises:

a base,

a top,

a sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a hinged and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a second hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a third hinge,

a second sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a fourth hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a fifth hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a sixth hinge, v

a second plural-section door for another part of said front of said folding enclosure that has onesection thereof hinged to said upper panel of said second sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said second sidewall,

said one section of said second plural section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said upper panel of said second sidewall and said second section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-toface relation with said lower panel of said second sidewall,

said top moving toward said base as said upper and lower panels, respectively, of said first said and said second sidewalls are pivoted inwardly toward said said top and said base,

said second section of said first said plural-section door having a locking bar that is releasably securable to said base,

said one section of said second plural-section door having a locking bar that is releasably securable to said top,

said second section of said second plural-section door having a locking bar that is releasably securable to said base, and

one of said plural-section doors having a locking pin releasably securable to the other of said plural-section doors.

12. A folding enclosure which comprises:

a base,

a top,

a second sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a fourth hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a fifth hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a sixth hinged,

said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said base about the first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, to move said second sections of said first said and'said second pluralsection doors into face-to-face relation with said base,

said second section of said second plural-section door having a locking bar that is releasably securable to said base one of said plural-section doors having a locking pin releasably securable to the other of said plural-section doors,

said one plural-section door having a locking assembly that actuates the locking bars and said locking pin of said one plural-section door, and

said other plural-section door having a locking assembly that actuates the locking bars of said other plural-section door.

13. A folding enclosure which comprises:

a base,

a top.

said one section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said upper panel of said second sidewall and said second section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-toface relation with said lower panel of said sidewall,

a threshold that is hinged to said base adjacent the front of said base and that normally extends upwardly to overlie the lower edges of said lower section of said plural-section doors,

said threshold being selectively movable downwardly out of the paths of said lower section of said plural-section doors.

14. A folding enclosure which comprises:

a base,

a top,

a second sidewall wit a lower panel hinged to said base by a fourth hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a fifth hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a sixth hinge,

a second plural-section door for another part of said front of said folding enclosure tat has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of said second sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said second sidewall,

said one section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said upper panel of said second sidewall and said second section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-totions of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said top,

a threshold that is hinged to said base adjacent the front of said base and that normally extends upwardly to overlie the lower edges of said lower sections of said plural-section doors,

said threshold being selectively movable downwardly out of the paths of said lower sections of said plural-section doors,

said threshold being secured to said base at a level spaced above the bottom surface of said base, and

said threshold being dimensioned to incline downwardly toward the level of said bottom surface of said base to serve as an inclined ramp whenever said threshold is moved downwardly out of the paths of said lower sections of said plural-section doors.

Claims

1. A folding enclosure which comprises: a base, a top, a sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a second hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a third hinge, a second sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a fourth hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a fifth hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a sixth hinge, a plural-section door for part of the front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of the first said sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said first said sidewall, and a second plural-section door for another part of said front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of said second sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said second sidewall, said one section of the first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said first Sidewall and said second section of said first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall, said one section of said second plural-secton door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said upper panel of said second sidewall and said second section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said lower panel of said second sidewall, said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said base about the first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, to move said second sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said base, said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said top about said second and said fifth hinges to move said first said sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-toface relation with said top, said top moving toward said base as said upper and lower panels, respectively, of said first said and said second sidewalls are pivoted inwardly toward said top and said base, said base and said first said sidewall being formed and dimensioned to define a space into which said second section of said first said plural-section door can be moved by said lower panel of said first said sidewall as said lower panel of said first said sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said base about said first said hinge, said base and said second sidewall being formed and dimensioned to define a space into which said second section of said second plural-section door can be moved by said lower panel of said second sidewall as said lower panel of said second sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said base about said fourth hinge, said top and said first sidewall being formed and dimensioned to define a space into which said one section of said first said plural-section door can be moved by said upper panel of said first said sidewall as said upper panel of said first said sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said top about said second hinge, said top and said second sidewall being formed and dimensioned to define a space into which said one section of said second plural-section door can be moved by said upper panel of said second sidewall as said upper panel of said second sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said top about said fifth hinge, said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being held in assembled relation with said top by saId second and said fifth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said folding enclosure, said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being held in assembled relation with said base by said first and said fourth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said folding enclosure, said confronting edges of said upper and lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being held in assembled relation with each other by said third and sixth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said folding enclosure.

2. A folding enclosure which comprises: a base, a top, a sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a second hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a third hinge, a second sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a fourth hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a fifth hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a sixth hinge, a plural-section door for part of the front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of the first said sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said first said sidewall, a second plural-section door for another part of said front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of said second sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said second sidewall, said one section of the first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said first sidewall and said second section of said first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall, said one section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-Face relation with said upper panel of said second sidewall and said second section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said lower panel of said second sidewall, said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said base about the first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, to move said second sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said base, said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said top about said second and said fifth hinges to move said first said section of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said top, said top moving toward said base as said upper and lower panels, respectively, of said first said and said second sidewalls are pivoted inwardly toward said top and said base, a structural member that spaces the lower edge of said lower panel of said first said sidewall above said base a distance at least as great as the thickness of said second section of the first said plural-section door to define a space into which said second section of said first said plural-section door can be moved by said lower panel of said first said sidewall as said lower panel of said first said sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said base about said first said hinge, and a second structural member that spaces the lower edge of said lower panel of said second sidewall above said base a distance at least as great as the thickness of said second section of said second plural-section door to define a space into which said second section of said second plural-section door can be moved by said lower panel of said second sidewall as said lower panel of said second sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said base about said fourth hinge, said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being held in assemBled relation with said top by said second and said fifth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said folding enclosure, said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being held in assembled relation with said base by said first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said folding enclosures, said confronting edges of said upper and lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being held in assembled relation with each other by said third and sixth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said folding enclosure.

3. A folding enclosure which comprises: a base, a top, a sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a second hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a third hinge, a second sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a fourth hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a fifth hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a sixth hinge, a plural-section door for part of the front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of the first said sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said first said sidewall, a second plural-section door for another part of said front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of said second sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said second sidewall, said one section of the first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said first sidewall and said second section of said first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall, said one section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said upper panel of said second sidewall and said second section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said lower panel of said second sidewall, said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said base about the first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, to move said second sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said base, said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said top about said second and said fifth hinges to move said first said sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said top, said top moving toward said base as said upper and lower panels, respectively, of said first said and said second sidewalls are pivoted inwardly toward said top and said base, a frame member that spaces the upper edge of said upper panel of said first said sidewall below said top a distance at least as great as the thickness of said one section of the first said plural-section door to define a space into which said one section of said first said plural-section door can be moved by said upper panel of said first said sidewall as said upper panel of said first said sidewall is is pivoted inwardly toward said top about said second hinge, and a second frame member that spaces the upper edge of said upper panel of said second sidewall below said top a distance at least as great as the thickness of said one section of said second plural-section door to define a space into which said one section of said second plural-section door can be moved by said upper panel of said second sidewall as said upper panel of said second sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said top about said fifth hinge, said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewall beiNg held in assembled relation with said top by said second and said fifth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said folding enclosure, said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being held in assembled relation with said base by said first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said folding enclosure, said confronting edges of said upper and lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being held in assembled relation with each other by said third and sixth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said folding enclosure.

4. A folding enclosure which comprises: a base, a top, a sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a second hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a third hinge, a second sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a fourth hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a fifth hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a sixth hinge, a plural-section door for part of the front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of the first said sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said first said sidewall, a second plural-section door for another part of said front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of said second sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said second sidewall, said one section of the first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said first sidewall and said second section of said first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall, said one section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said upper panel of said second sidewall and said second section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said lower panel of said second sidewall, said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said base about the first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, to move said second sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said base, said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said top about said second and said fifth hinges to move said first said sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said top, said top moving toward said base as said upper and lower panels, respectively, of said first said and said second sidewalls are pivoted inwardly toward said top and said base, a structural member that spaces the lower edge of said lower panel of said first said sidewall above said base a distance at least as great as the thickness of said second section of the first said plural-section door to define a space into which said second section of said first said plural-section door can be moved by said lower panel of said first said sidewall as said lower panel of said first said sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said base about said first said hinge, a second structural member that spaces the lower edge of said lower panel of said second sidewall above said base a distance at least as great as the thickness of said second section of said second plural-section door to define a space into which said second section of said second plural-section door can be moved by said lower panel of said second sidewall as said lower panel of said second sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said base about said fourth hinge, and the adjacent edges of Said upper and lower panels of said first said sidewall confronting the adjacent edges of said upper and lower panels of said second sidewall whenever said folding container is in its folded condition, said top overlying and said base underlying said adjacent edges of said upper and lower panels of said first said sidewall and said adjacent edges of said upper and lower panels of said second sidewall whenever said folding container is in its folded condition.

5. A folding enclosure which comprises: a base, a top, a sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a second hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a third hinge, a second sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a fourth hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a fifth hinge, and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a sixth hinge, a plural-section door for part of the front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of the first said sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said first said sidewall, a second plural-section door for another part of said front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of said second sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said second sidewall, said one section of the first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation wt the inner face of said upper panel of said first sidewall and said second section of said fist said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall, said one section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said upper panel of said second sidewall and said second section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said lower panel of said second sidewall, said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said base about the first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, to move said second sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said base, said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said top about said second and said fifth hinges to move said first said sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said top, said top moving toward said base as said upper and lower panels, respectively, of said first said and said second sidewalls are pivoted inwardly toward said top and said base, a structural member that spaces the lower edge of said lower panel of said first said sidewall above said base a distance at least as great as the thickness of said second section of the first said plural-section door to define a space into which said second section of said first said plural-section door can be moved by said lower panel of said first said sidewall as said lower panel of said first said sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said base about said first said hinge, a second structural member that spaces the lower edge of said lower panel of said second sidewall above said base a distance at least as great as the thickness of said second section of said second plural-section door to define a space into which said section of said second plural-section door can be moved by said lower panel of said second sidewall as said lower panel of said second sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said base about said fourth hinge, a frame member that spaces the upper edge of said upper panel of said first said sidewall below said top a distance at least hinge great as the thickness of said one section of said first said plural-section door to define a sPace into which said one section of said first said plural-section door can be moved by said upper panel of said first said sidewall as said upper panel of said first said sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said top about said second hinge, and a second frame member that spaces the upper edge of said upper panel of said second sidewall below said top a distance at least as great as the thickness of said one section of said second plural-section door to define a space into which said one section of said second plural-section door can be moved by said upper panel of said second sidewall as said upper panel of said second sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said top about said fifth hinge, said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being held in assembled relation with said top by said second and said fifth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said folding enclosure, said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being held in assembled relation with said base by said first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said folding enclosure, said confronting edges of said upper and lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being held in assembled relation with each other by said third and sixth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said holding enclosure.

6. A folding enclosure which comprises: a base, a top, a sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a second hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a third hinge, a second sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a fourth hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a fifth hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a sixth hinge, said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said base about the first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, to move said lower panels into generally parallel relation with said base, said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said top about said second and said fifth hinges to move said upper panels into generally parallel relation with said top, said top moving toward said base as said upper and lower panels, respectively, of said first said and said second sidewalls are pivoted inwardly toward said top and said base, said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being held in assembled relation with said top by said second and said fifth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said folding enclosure, said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being held in assembled relation with said base by said first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said folding enclosure, said confronting edges of said upper and lower panels of said first said ad said second sidewalls being held in assembled relation with each other by said third and said sixth hinges, respectively, through out the folding and extending of said folding enclosure, a closing element hinged to said upper panel of said first said sidewall adjacent one end of said first said sidewall, a second closing element hinged to said upper panel of said second sidewall adjacent one end of said second sidewall, said third hinge being disposed outwardly of a line connecting said first said and said second hinges whenever said folding enclosure is in its extended position but being disposed inwardly of said line whenever said folding enclosure is in its folded position, said sixth hinge being disposed outwardly of a line connecting said fourth and said fifth hinges whenever said folding enclosure is in its extended position but being disposed inwardly of said line whenever said foldiNg enclosure is in its folded position, said third hinge moving outwardly beyond the dead center alignment of said first said and said second and third hinges as said upper and lower panels of said first said sidewall are moved to extended position, whereby the downwardly directed forces which said top applies to said upper and lower panels of said first said sidewall via said second hinge, when said folding enclosure is in its extended position, will coact with the outwardly directed force which the first said closing element applies to said upper panel of said first said sidewall to tend to keep said first said sidewall from folding inwardly, said sixth hinge moving outwardly beyond the dead center alignment of said fourth hinge and said fifth and sixth hinges a said upper and lower panels of said second sidewall are moved to extended position, whereby the downwardly directed forces which said top applies to said upper and lower panels of said second sidewall via said fifth hinge, when said folding enclosure is in its extended position will coact with the outwardly directed force which said second closing element applies to said upper panel of said second sidewall to tend to keep said second sidewall from folding inwardly.

7. A folding enclosure which comprises: a base, a top, a sidewall wit a lower panel hinged to said base by a hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a second hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a third hinge, a second sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a fourth hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a fifth hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a sixth hinge, a plural-section door for part of the front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinge to said upper panel of the first said sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said first said sidewall, a second plural-section door for another part of said front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of said second sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said second sidewall, said one section of the first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said first sidewall and said second section of said first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall, said one section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said upper panel of said second sidewall and said second section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said lower panel of said second sidewall, said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said base about the first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, to move said second sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said base, said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said top about said second and said fifth hinges to move said first said sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said top, said top moving toward said base as said upper and lower panels, respectively, of said first said and said second sidewalls are pivoted inwardly toward said top and said base, a multisection closure that is disposed adjacent the rear of said folding enclosure one section of said multisection closure being hinged to said upper panel of said first said sidewall and being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said first said sidewall, a second section of said multisection closure being hinged to aid lOwer panel of said first said sidewall and being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall, a third section of said multisection closure being hinged to said upper panel of said second sidewall and being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said second sidewall, and a fourth section of said multisection closure being hinged to said lower panel of said second sidewall and being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said second sidewall, said base and said first said sidewall being formed and dimensioned to define a space into which said second section of said first said plural-section door and into which said second section section of said multisection closure can be moved by said lower panel of said first said sidewall as said lower panel of said first said sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said base about said first said hinge, said bare and said second sidewall being formed and dimensioned to define a space into which said second section of said second plural-section door and into which said fourth section of said multisection closure can be moved by said lower panel of said second sidewall as said lower panel of said second said sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said base about said fourth hinge, said to and said first said sidewall being formed and dimensioned to define a space into which said one section of said first said plural-section door and into which said one section of said multisection closure can be moved by said upper panel of said first said sidewall as said upper panel of said first said sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said top about said second hinge, said top and said second sidewall being formed and dimensioned to define a space into which said one section of said second plural-section door and into which said third section of said multisection closure can be moved by said upper panel of said second sidewall as said upper panel of said second sidewall is pivoted inwardly toward said top about said fifth hinge, said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being held in assembled relation with said top by said second and said fifth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said folding enclosure, said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being held in assembled relation with said base by said first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said folding enclosure, said confronting edges of said upper and lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being held in assembled relation with each other by said third and sixth hinges, respectively, throughout the folding and extending of said folding enclosure.

8. A folding enclosure which comprises: a base, a top, a sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a second hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a third hinge, a second sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a fourth hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a fifth hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a sixth hinge, a plural-section door for part of the front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of the first said sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said first said sidewall, a second plural-section door for another part of said front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of said second sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said second sidewall, said one section of the first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said first sidewall And said second section of said first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall, said one section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said upper panel of said second sidewall and said second section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said lower panel of said second sidewall, said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said base abut the first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, to move said second sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said base, said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said top about said second and said fifth hinges to move said first said sections of said fist said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said top, said top moving toward said base as said upper and lower panels, respectively, of said first said and said second sidewalls are pivoted inwardly toward said top and said base, a multisection closure that is disposed adjacent the rear of said folding enclosure, one section of said multisection closure being hinged to said upper panel of said first said sidewall, a second section of said multisection closure being hinged to said lower panel of said first said sidewall, a third section of said multisection closure being hinged to said upper panel of said second sidewall, a fourth section of said multisection closure being hinged to said lower panel of said second sidewall, said one section of said multisection closure being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said first said sidewall, said second section of said multisection closure being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall, said third section of said multisection closure being pivotable into face-to-face relation with he inner face of said upper panel of said second sidewall, said fourth section of said multisection closure being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said second sidewall, said third hinge being disposed outwardly of a line connecting said first said and said second hinges whenever said folding enclosure is in its extended position but being disposed inwardly of said line whenever said folding enclosure is in its folded position, said sixth hinge being disposed outwardly of a line connecting said fourth and said fifth hinges whenever said folding enclosure is in its extended position but being disposed inwardly of said line whenever said folding enclosure is in its folded position, said third hinge moving outwardly beyond the dead center alignment of said first said and said second and third hinges as said upper and lower panels of said first said sidewall are moved to extended position, whereby the downwardly directed forces which said top applies to said upper and lower panels of said first said sidewall via said second hinge, when said folding enclosure is in its extended position, will coact with the outwardly directed forces which said one section of said first said plural-section door and said one section of said multisection closure apply to said upper panel of said first said sidewall to tend to keep said first said sidewall from folding inwardly, said sixth hinge moving outwardly beyond the dead center alignment of said fourth hinge and said fifth and sixth hinges as said upper and lower panels of said second sidewall are moved to extended position, whereby the downwardly directed forces which said top applies to said upper and lower panels of said second sidewall via said fifth hinge, when said folding enclosure is in its extended position, will Coact with the outwardly directed forces which said one section of said second plural-section door and said third section of said multisection closure apply to said upper panel of said second sidewall to tend to keep said second sidewall from folding inwardly.

9. A folding enclosure which comprises: a base, a top, a side wall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a second hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a third hinge, a second sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a fourth hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a fifth hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a sixth hinge, a plural-section door for part of the front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of the first said sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said first said sidewall, a second plural-section door for another part of said front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of said second sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said second sidewall, said one section of the first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said first said sidewall and said second section of said first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall, said one section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said upper panel of said second sidewall and said section section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said lower panel of said second sidewall, said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said base about the first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, to move said second sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said base, said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said top about said second and said fifth hinges to move said first said sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said top, said top moving toward said base as said upper and lower panels, respectively, of said first said and said second sidewalls are pivoted inwardly toward said top and said base, a multisection closure that is disposed adjacent the rear of said folding enclosure, one section of said multisection closure being hinged to said upper panel of said first said sidewall, a second section of said multisection closure being hinged to said lower panel of said first said sidewall, a third section of said multisection closure being hinged to said upper panel of said second sidewall, a fourth section of said multisection closure being hinged to said lower panel of said second sidewall, said one section of said multisection closure being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said first said sidewall, said second section of said multisection closure being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall, said third section of said multisection closure being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said second sidewall, said fourth section of said multisection closure being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said second sidewall, a folding stud that has one portion thereof hinged to said top and that has a second portion thereof hinged to said base and that has said portions thereof hinged together, and said Multisection closure and said folding stud coacting to close said rear of said folding enclosure whenever said folding enclosure is in its extended position and is closed.

10. A folding enclosure which comprises: a base, a top, a sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a second hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a third hinge, a second sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a fourth hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a fifth hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a sixth hinge, a plural-section door for part of the front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of the first said sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said first said sidewall, a second plural-section door for another part of said front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of said second sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said second sidewall, said one section of the first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said first sidewall and said second section of said first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall, said one section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said upper panel of said second sidewall and said second section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into Face-to-face relation with said lower panel of said second sidewall, said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said base about the first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, to move said second sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said base, said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said top about said second and said fifth hinges to move said first said sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said top, said top moving toward said base as said upper and lower panels, respectively, of said first said and said second sidewalls are pivoted inwardly toward said top and said base, said one section of said first said plural-section door having a locking bar that is releasably securable to said top, said second section of said first said plural-section door having a locking bar that is releasably securable to said base, said one section of said second plural-section door having a locking bar that is releasably securable to said top, and said second section of said second plural-section door having a locking bar that is releasably securable to said base.

11. A folding enclosure which comprises: a base, a top, a sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a hinged and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a second hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a third hinge, a second sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a fourth hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a fifth hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a sixth hinge, a plural-section door for part of the front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of the first said sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said first said sidewall, a second plural-section door for another part of said front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of said second sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said second sidewall, said one section of the first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said first sidewall and said second section of said first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall, said one section of said second plural section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said upper panel of said second sidewall and said second section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said lower panel of said second sidewall, said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said base about the first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, to move said second sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said base, said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said top about said second and said fifth hinges to move said first said sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said top, said top moving toward said base as said upper and lower panels, respectively, of said first said and said second sidewalls are pivoted inwardly toward said said top and said base, said one section of said first said plural-section door having a locking bar that is releasably securable to said top, said second section of said first said plural-section door having a locking bar that is releasably securable to said base, said one section of said second plural-section door having a locking bar that is releasably securable to said top, said second section of said second plural-section door having a locking bar that is releasably securable to said base, and one of said plural-section doors having a locking pin releasably securable to the other of said plural-section doors.

12. A folding enclosure which comprises: a base, a top, a sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a second hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a third hinge, a second sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a fourth hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a fifth hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a sixth hinged, a plural-section door for part of the front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of the first said sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said first said sidewall, a second plural-section door for another part of said front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of said second sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said second sidewall, said one section of the first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said first sidewall and said second section of said first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall, said one section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said upper panel of said second sidewall and said second section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said lower panel of said second sidewall, said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said base about the first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, to move said second sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said base, said upper panels of said first said and Said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said top about said second and said fifth hinges to move said first said sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said top, said top moving toward said base as said upper and lower panels, respectively, of said first said and said second sidewalls are pivoted inwardly toward said top and said base, said one section of said first said plural-section door having a locking bar that is releasably securable to said top, said second section of said first said plural-section door having a locking bar that is releasably securable to said base, said one section of said second plural-section door having a locking bar that is releasably securable to said top, said second section of said second plural-section door having a locking bar that is releasably securable to said base one of said plural-section doors having a locking pin releasably securable to the other of said plural-section doors, said one plural-section door having a locking assembly that actuates the locking bars and said locking pin of said one plural-section door, and said other plural-section door having a locking assembly that actuates the locking bars of said other plural-section door.

13. A folding enclosure which comprises: a base, a top, a sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a second hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a third hinge, a second sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a fourth hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a fifth hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a sixth hinge, a plural-section door for part of the front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of the first said sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said first said sidewall, a second plural-section door for another part of said front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of said second sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said second sidewall, said one section of the first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said first sidewall and said second section of said first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall, said one section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said upper panel of said second sidewall and said second section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said lower panel of said sidewall, said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said base about the first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, to move said second sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said base, said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said top about said second and said fifth hinges to move said first said sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said top, said top moving toward said base as said upper and lower panels, respectively, of said first said and said second sidewalls are pivoted inwardly toward said top and said base, a threshold that is hinged to said base adjacent the front of said base and that normally extends upwardly to overlie the lower edges of said lower section of said plural-section doors, said threshold being selectively movable downwardly out of the paths of said lower section of said plural-section doors.

14. A folding enclosure which comprises: a base, a top, a sidewall with a lower panel hinged to said base by a hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a second hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a third hinge, a second sidewall wit a lower panel hinged to said base by a fourth hinge and with an upper panel hinged to said top by a fifth hinge and with the confronting edges of said panels hinged together by a sixth hinge, a plural-section door for part of the front of said folding enclosure that has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of the first said sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said first said sidewall, a second plural-section door for another part of said front of said folding enclosure tat has one section thereof hinged to said upper panel of said second sidewall and that has a second section thereof hinged to said lower panel of said second sidewall, said one section of the first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said upper panel of said first sidewall and said second section of said first said plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with the inner face of said lower panel of said first said sidewall, said one section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said upper panel of said second sidewall and said second section of said second plural-section door being pivotable into face-to-face relation with said lower panel of said second sidewall, said lower panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said base about the first said and said fourth hinges, respectively, to move said second sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said base, said upper panels of said first said and said second sidewalls being pivotable inwardly toward said top about said second and said fifth hinges to move said first said sections of said first said and said second plural-section doors into face-to-face relation with said top, said top moving toward said base as said upper and lower panels, respectively, of said first said and said second sidewalls are pivoted inwardly toward said top and said base, a threshold that is hinged to said base adjacent the front of said base and that normally extends upwardly to overlie the lower edges of said lower sections of said plural-section doors, said threshold being selectively movable downwardly out of the paths of said lower sections of said plural-section doors, said threshold being secured to said base at a level spaced above the bottom surface of said base, and said threshold being dimensioned to incline downwardly toward the level of said bottom surface of said base to serve as an inclined ramp whenever said threshold is moved downwardly out of the paths of said lower sections of said plural-section doors.