US3727355A

US3727355A - Interlocking panel shelter

Info

Publication number: US3727355A
Application number: US00103651A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Vachon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-01-04
Filing date: 1971-01-04
Publication date: 1973-04-17
Anticipated expiration: 1990-04-17

Abstract

A wall unit and a roof unit each comprising a plurality of edge interconnected panels joined by removable joining strips or hinges. Each roof panel overlies and is engaged with portions of two subjacent wall panels, and each wall panel underlies and is engaged with portions of two overlying roof panels whereby an interlocked structure is provided utilizing, if so desired, no screws, bolts, nails or the like. A floor unit comprising floor panels offset relative to and underlying the wall panels can also be provided.

Description

ABSTRACT A wall unit and a roof unit each com of 1,469,321 10/1923 Kramer....... 1,826,378 10/1931 Bayley......... 3,139,958

826,146 6/1957 Primary Examiner-Henry C. Sutherland Assistant Examiner-Henry E. Raduazo Attorney-Clarence A. OBrien and Harvey B. Jacob-' son 1 16 Miller Street, Auburn, Ala. 36830 Jan. 4, 1971 INTERLOCKING PANEL SHELTER [76] Inventor: Reginald I. Vachon,

[52] US. [51] Int.Cl. [58] Field of 52/262, 82, 81, 71, 70, 237, 92

[56] References Cited United States Patent 1191 Vachon [22] Filed:

[21:] Appl.No.: 103,651

edge interconnected panels join joining strips or hinges. Each roof panel overlies and is engaged with portions of two subjacent wall panels, and each wall panel underlies and is engaged with portions of two overlying roof panels whereby an inter- 1 locked structure is provided utilizing, if so desired, no screws, bolts, nails orthe like. A floor unit comprising floor panels offset relative to and underlying the wall panels can also be provided.

4Clains,3lDrawingFigures v t u u u u P m n m m m u s hr m mmm ems n m mwuwuumw 0o 3 3 0o 6 4 9 4 6 524392 .539 6 0o 9 O .l 3 l 8 06 33688 223332 ll/l 2,256,050 9/1941 Hansen...... Dl99,066 9/1964 PATENTEDAPR 1 m a; 727. 355

SHUT 2 BF 6 6 4 Regina/d Vac/ran 62 IN VENTOR.

PATENTED PR 1 71975 SHEET BF 6 mm 0v 9 VA v I d W m u m. n R m INTERLOCKING PANEL SHELTER The invention herein is concerned with new and useful improvements in collapsible or prefabricated shelters, and more particularly relates to a shelter formed of wall, roof and floor panels interlocked by a plurality of joining strips and connecting channels in a manner whereby a highly rigid shelter can be simply and easily erected, utilizing no additional mechanical fasteners, if so desired, in a minimum amount of time and without necessitating any particular skill.

The shelter of the instant invention is also particularly adapted to be collapsed into a small compact package for storage or transportation purposes, the various components being for the most part, interchangeable and requiring no elaborate procedure in either the disassembly or subsequent assembly of the structure.

When assembled, the structure presents substantially a weather-tight shelter which can, as desired, incorporate both doors and windows.

Structurally, the shelter includes a wall unit formed of a plurality of vertical wall panels edge interconnected by grooved battens so as to form an enclosure. The wall unit is in turn overlaid by the roof unit and, if desired, underlaid by afloor unit, each of which consists of a plurality of gores or generally triangularly shaped panels also edge interconnected by grooved joining strips or battens. The roof and floor panels are so oriented as to respectively overlie and underlie and engage with a pair of adjacent wall panels. At the same time, each wall panel engages and is connected to both a pair of overlying roof panels and underlying floor panels whereby a positive panel retaining interlock is provided completely about the shelter. If so desired, the wall unit, roof unit and floor can have the respective panels thereof hinge interconnected for a facilitating of the assembly and disassembly of the shelter. Likewise, so as to provide a more compact collapsed package, the individual panels can be formed of hinge interconnected sections. While it is contemplated that the shelter can be erected and stabilized without requiring mechanical fasteners such as nails, screws, bolts or the like, the selective use of such fasteners can be used so as to further rigidify the structure. For exam ple, should high wind conditions exist, pins or bolts may be utilized to anchor the roof unit.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an erected shelter constructed in accordance with the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken sub stantially on a plane passing along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 3-3 of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the erected wall unit; FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line 5-5 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line 6-6 in FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of a roof panel or gore; FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a wall panel;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of shelter wherein the panels are hinge engaged;

FIG. 10 illustrates the manner of collapsing the hinge engaged wall panels;

FIG. 11 illustrates the roof unit of FIG. 9 in the collapsed position;

FIGS. 12 through 15 illustrate hinged sectional panels;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional detail illustrating a modified form of roof to wall unit connector;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the detail of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another variation of the shelter;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line 19-19 in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line 20-20 in FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line 21-21 in FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line 22-22 in FIG. 18;

FIG. 23 is an elevational view of one of the wall panels of the shelter of FIG. 8 with two battens associated therewith;

FIG. 24 is a plan view of the basic shelter with a portion of the roof and wall units broken away so as to illustrate the floor unit;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on the plane passing along line 25-25 in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line 26-26 in FIG. 24 illustrating one manner of accommodating the wall panels on the floor panels;

FIG. 27 illustrates a variation of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a partial horizontal cross-sectional view illustrating the wall units engaged on the slab floor;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line 29-29 in FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 illustrates the accommodation of the wall units to a conventional wooden floor; and

FIG. 31 illustrates the use of a channel as a further means for accommodating the lower edges of the wall units.

Referring now more specifically to the. drawings, reference numeral 30 is used to generally designate the shelter comprising the instant invention. This shelter basically includes a wall unit 32 and a roof unit 34.

The wall unit 32, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, is formed of a plurality of vertically orientatable flat panels 36 angularly related to each other so as to form a multi-sided enclosure. The wall unit 36 can incorporate appropriate doors, windows and the like, as desired, note for example the door 38 provided in one of the wall panels illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4. Elongated grooved battens or joining strips 40 are utilized in joining the vertical edges of each pair of adjacent wall panels 36, each of these battens 40 normally extending along the full height of the edges to be joined. The engagement between the battens 40 and panels 36 is effected by the provision of longitudinal grooves 42 within the opposed edges of each batten 40 with such grooves closely receiving the edge portions of the adjacent panels 36. These grooves 42 are so angled, as will be readily appreciated, as to provide for the formation of a complete enclosure on the assembly of a predetermined number of wall panels 36. As an example, it will be noted that the illustrated shelter is octagonal in shape, utilizing eight panels and eight angle forming battens 40. While not deemed essential to the basic stability of the shelter 30, should additional rigidity be desired in the wall unit, such as for example in areas wherein high winds can be expected, knockout pins or the like 44 can be utilized, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Such pins 44 will extend through the battens 40 along the groove edges thereof and through aligned apertures 46 provided in the wall panels 36. As will be noted from FIG. 8, provision for the pin securing of the wall battens 40 will normally occur at the lower portion of the wall panels 36. Finally, it will be noted that the upper edge of each panel 36 is centrally peaked, tapering gradually upward from the opposed side edges thereof.

The roof unit 34 is formed of a series of triangular panels or gores 48 corresponding in number to the wall panels 36. The roof panels 48 are positioned in edge to edge relation with each other over the assembled wall unit 32 and extend inwardly and upwardly to a common peak 50. The roof panels 48 are edge connected by elongated grooved battens 52, either with or without additional locking pins or screws as desired. A typical cross-section through a pair of batten joined roof panels 48 would be similar to the cross-sectional detail of FIG. 6.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 7 in particular, the opposed side edges of each roof panel 48 can have an elongated recessed central portion 54 along a major portion of the length thereof for the accommodation of the corresponding batten 52. In this manner, the batten 52 will stop short of the peaked upper portion of the roof unit 34 and the lower portion of the roof unit which overlies and engages the wall unit 32 as shall be described presently. The edge recesses 54 will be sufficient so as to accommodate the central portion of the corresponding batten while allowing for a substantially edge to edge engagement between the unrecessed portions of a pair of adjoining roof panel side edges. Utilizing this particular construction, the peak portion of the roof unit 34 will normally be finished by the mounting of an appropriate cap 56 thereon. Alternative to the use of foreshortened battens 52 and recessed roof panel edges, full length battens can be provided, as suggested in the variation of FIG. 18, in which event the upper ends of the battens will be beveled so as to internest, and the underlying lower portions of the battens, or the peaked portions of the underlying wall panels 36, notched for mutual accommodation.

It is a particularly significant feature of the invention that each roof panel 38 overlie and interconnect to the upper edge portions of two subjacent wall panels 36. By the same token, each wall panel 36 is to engage with portions of two adjacent overlying roof panels 48. In this manner, even without the use of mechanical fasteners, such as screws, bolts or the like, a highly stable interlocking relationship will be provided between the various components. Incidentally, it will be appreciated that each of the panels, whether wall or roof, overlaps the associated panels to the longitudinal midpoint thereof.

Each of the roof panels 48 engages those portions of the upper edges of the two subjacent panels along the full length over the overlaid portion from the center of one wall panel 36 to the center of the other wall panel 36. The inclination of the upper edges of the wall panels 36' is so related to the angular orientation of the roof panels 48 as to insure this desired edge to surface engagement. The engagement between the roof panels 48 and'the underlying wall panels 36 is effected by means of a channel 58 affixed to the undersurface of each roof panel 48 and following the configuration of the upper edges of the subjacent wall panels 36 for a reception thereof as illustrated in FIG. 5. As desired, either the wall battens 40 can terminate short of the upper ends of the wall panel for the accommodation of the depending connecting channels 58, or the connecting channels 58 can be notched, at the central portions thereof, for accommodation of the wall battens 40. These roof panel mounted channels 58, while preferably screwed or otherwise permanently affixed to the roof panels 48, can be in the nature of a detachable element as suggested in FIGS. 16 and 17. Noting these figures, the channel or channel member, herein designated by reference numeral 58', can be in the nature of a single element, rather than the two part channel defining construction of FIG. 5, and will incorporate a downwardly directed panel receiving groove 60 and an upwardly directed T-shaped slot 62 for the reception of the T-head of an appropriate rotatable fastener 64. The fastener 64, noting FIG. 17, has the T- head thereof introduced through an elongated slot 66 in the roof panel 48 and is subsequently rotated to locking engagement within the slot 62 in an obvious manner. It is contemplated that the weight of the roof unit 34 will easily retain the channel received upper end portions of the wall panels and effectively tie the structure together. However, if circumstances deem an additional interlock desirable, appropriate pins, bolts or screws can also be extended through the

wall receiving channels

58 and 58. Such a construction will be generally in accord with that shown in the cross-sectional detail of FIG. 21 and appropriate holes 68 can be preformed along the upper edge portion of each of the panels 36 for this purpose.

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate a variation of the basic shelter 30, designated by reference numeral 70. In the shelter 70, both the roof unit 72 and the wall unit 74 have the

panels

76 and 78 respectively interconnected by elongated or piano-type hinges 80. These hinges 80, with regard to each of the units 72 and 74, are alternatively positioned to the opposite sides of the panels so as to enable an accordion type folding thereof as suggested in FIGS. 10 and 11. In this manner both the erection and collapsing of the shelter 70 will be greatly expedited. Further, maintaining the components interconnected upon a collapsing of the shelter 70 facilitates the handling thereof. The use of detachable roof and wall panel interconnecting channels 58 would be of particular value in this variation of the invention so as to enable, upon removal of the channels 58', a complete flat collapsing of the roof panels 76. Incidentally, the free edges of the end panels of both of the units 72 and 74 can, in the erected construction, be ultimately connected by one of the previously described battens so as to complete the enclosure.

Depending upon storage facilities and space limitations, the individual roof and wall panels can in themselves be collapsible. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 12 through 15, each panel can be formed in two sections hinged together either longitudinally ortransversely. These panels, when combined in a completed structure and both batten and channel joined to. adjacent panels, assume a sufficient degree of rigidity so as to insure a stable structure. FIGS. 18-23 illustrate a variation of the structure, designated by reference numeral 82, wherein the wall panels 84 and the roof panels 86 are slightly arcuate so as to define a cylindrical wall unit 88 and a conical roof unit 90. As will be appreciated from FIGS. 19 and 20, the connecting battens 92 are also generally arcuate, at least insofar as the arrangement of the panel receiving grooves therein, so as to conform to and combine with the wall panels 84 and roof panels 86 in forming the desired arcuate configuration. In view of the cylindrical and conical configurations of the wall and

roof units

88 and 90 respectively, a close conforming of the circular upper edge of the wall unit to the undersurface of the roof unit will be effected. The desired offsetting of the roof panels 86 relative to the wall panels 84 so as to achieve the overlapping of each panel with two adjacent panels of the other unit is also of primary significance in regard to this form of the invention. Accordingly, each wall panel 84, centrally within the upper edge thereof, is provided with a positioning notch 94 which receives a V-shaped rib 96 provided in the overlying roof batten 92. Note FIG. 20 in particular for this feature. If so desired, an enlarged recess can be provided in the upper edge of each wall panel 84 for the accommodation of the entire lower portion of the corresponding roof batten 92 for a direct engagement of the roof panels 86 with the upper edges of the wall panels 84, in which case the slight space 98, also indicated in FIG. 20, between the parallel upper wall unit edge and the overlying undersurface of the roof unit will not be present. In any event, the space 98 is to a large part completely enclosed by the depending roof panel mounted channels 100 which receive the upper edge portions of the wall panels. Were channels of the type designated by reference numeral 58' in FIG. 16 utilized rather than the channels 100 illustrated in FIG. 21, this slight spacing 98 would be utilized to accommodate the portion of the channel interconnecting the two side sections which retain the wall panels therebetween.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing, the shelter can be considered complete when utilizing only the wall unit and roof unit. However, if so desired, a floor unit 102 can also be utilized.

The floor unit 102, other than being flat as opposed to peaked, will be similar to the basic, roof unit 34, incorporating a plurality of triangular panels or gores 104 edge connected by elongated grooved battens 106. The floor panels will be orientated so as to correspond in position with the associated roof panels 48. In other words, the floor panels 104 are offset relative to the wall panels 36 so as to underlie and interconnect two superjacent wall panels. Each wall panel 36, by the same token, overlying and engaging two subjacent floor panels 104. This basic construction has been illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25.

FIG. 26 details one manner of securing the wall panels 36 to the underlying floor panels 104, such consisting of the provision of a wall panel receiving recess 108 within the floor panels 104 for the reception of the lower edge portions of the wall panels 36. It will of course be appreciated that the battens 40 associated with the wall panels will terminate above the corresponding floor panels 104. By the same token, the recess 108 will normally extend through the floor panel connecting battensl06 for an accommodation of the joint spanning wall panels 36.

FIG. 27 illustrates an alternate means for engaging the wall panels 36 with the floor panels 104. In this form, an upwardly directed pocket 110 is provided for the lower edge portions of the wall panels 36 by a pair of laterally spaced upwardly projecting parallel ribs' 112. In this variation, as will be appreciated from FIG. 27, retaining pins 114 can be extended through the parallel ribs 112 and the portions of the wall panels 36 received therebetween.

With reference to FIGS. 28-31, attention is directed to the fact that a one-piece floor slab, or for that matter a conventional floor, can also be modified so as to more specifically accommodate the shelter. FIGS. 29 and 30 illustrate the provision of a wall panel seating groove or pocket 116 in both a concrete slab floor and a wooden floor. The recess 116 will of course follow the contour of the building and provide in effect for a locking of the lower portions of the wall panels to the floor.

FIG. 31 illustrates a variation wherein the shelter is accommodated to a one-piece floor area through the utilization of channel strips 118 providing wall panel receiving upwardly directed pockets 120. Such strips 118 can be bolted or otherwise secured to the floor. Further, if so desired, the strips 1118 can be utilized in conjunction with a concrete floor, being embedded therein so as to define a preformed slot.

It will be appreciated that any appropriate materials can be used, such as wood, aluminum, or the like. The panels should of course possess a certain degree of structural stability so as to be self-sustaining. The various battens and channels in turn are particularly adapted to be formed of extruded aluminum.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a highly unique structure has been defined. This structure is readily assemblable from a piluralityof wall, roof and, if so desired, floor panels interconnected by means of elongated joining strips in a manner whereby, under normal circumstances, a structurally stable construction is defined without resort to nails, screws, or the like.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An interlocking panel shelter comprising a wall unit and a roof unit, said wall unit comprising a plurality of vertically'positionable wall panels and means for joining adjacent ones of the wall panels to define an area bounding wall, said roof unit comprising a plurality of roof panels positionable in overlying relation to said wall panels and means for joining adjacent ones of said roof panels, each roof panel being positionable in overlying relation to a portion of a pair of subjacent wall panels, each wall panel being positionable in un derlying relation to a portion of a pair of superjacent roof panels, and means for joining the roof and wall panels to the subjacent and superjacent pairs of panels respectively, said means for joining the roof and wall panels to the subjacent and superjacent pairs of panels respectively comprising downwardly directed channels fixed to and depending from the roof panels for a snug sliding reception of the upper edge portions of the corresponding wall panels therein, the means for joining the adjacent wall panels and the means for joining the adjacent roof panels comprising elongated joining strips incorporating grooves along the opposed longitudinal edges thereof for the reception of the adjoining edges of the corresponding panels, said wall panels being angularly related to each other, said roof panels being triangular and, when assembled, defining a generally conical roof, the upper edge of each wall panel being configured so as to parallel and closely underlie the overlying portions of the roof panels, an equal number of wall panels and roof panels being provided, each roof panel overlying approximately one half of each of the underlying wall panels with each wall panel, by the same token, underlying approximately one half of each of the overlying roof panels, each wall panel being centrally peaked, tapering gradually upward from the opposed vertical side edges thereof, the taper of each panel upper edge conforming to the inclination of the associated roof panels so as to lie closely thereagainst.

2. The shelter of claim 1 wherein the roof and wall panel joining downwardly directed channels follow the line of the two underlying half panels and thereby define a pair of channel sections diverging from a central point corresponding to the vertical meeting edges of the two associated wall panels.

3. The shelter of claim 2 including a floor comprising a plurality of floor panels positionable in underlying relation to said wall panels, each floor panel underlying a pair of adjacent wall panels, and means on each floor panel for engaging and retaining the overlying portions of the corresponding pair of wall panels.

4. An interlocking panel shelter comprising a wall unit and a roof unit, said wall unit comprising a plurality of vertically positionable wall panels and means for joining adjacent ones of the wall panels to define an area bounding wall, said roof unit comprising a plurality of roof panels positionable in overlying relation to said wall panels and means for joining adjacent ones of said roof panels, each roof panel being positionable in overlying relation to a portion of a pair of subjacent wall panels, each wall panel being positionable in underlying relation to a portion of a pair of superjacent roof panels, and means for joining the roof and wall panels to the subjacent and superjacent pairs of panels respectively, said wall panels being angularly related to each other, said roof panels being triangular and, when assembled, defining a generally conical roof, the upper edge of each wall panel being configured so as to parallel and closely underlie the overlying portions of the roof panels, an equal number of wall panels and roof panels being provided, each roof panel overlying approximately one half of each of the underlying wall panels with each wall panel by the same token, underylng approximately one half of each of the overlying roof panels, each wall panel being centrally peaked, tapering gradually upward from the opposed vertical side edges thereof, the taper of each panel upper edge conforming to the inclination of the associated roof panels so as to lie closely thereagainst.

Claims

1. An interlocking panel shelter comprising a wall unit and a roof unit, said wall unit comprising a plurality of vertically positionable wall panels and means for joining adjacent ones of the wall panels to define an area bounding wall, said roof unit comprising a plurality of roof panels positionable in overlying relation to said wall panels and means for joining adjacent ones of said roof panels, each roof panel being positionable in overlying relation to a portion of a pair of subjacent wall panels, each wall panel being positionable in underlying relation to a portion of a pair of superjacent roof panels, and means for joining the roof and wall panels to the subjacent and superjacent pairs of panels respectively, said means for joining the roof and wall panels to the subjacent and superjacent pairs of panels respectively comprising downwardly directed channels fixed to and depending from the roof panels for a snug sliding reception of the upper edge portions of the corresponding wall panels therein, the means for joining the adjacent wall panels and the means for joining the adjacent roof panels comprising elongated joining strips incorporating grooves along the opposed longitudinal edges thereof for the reception of the adjoining edges of the corresponding panels, said wall panels being angularly related to each other, said roof panels being triangular and, when assembled, defining a generally conical roof, the upper edge of each wall panel being configured so as to parallel and closely underlie the overlying portions of the roof panels, an equal number of wall panels and roof panels being provided, each roof panel overlying approximately one half of each of the underlying wall panels with each wall panel, by the same token, underlying approximately one half of each of the overlying roof panels, each wall panel being centrally peaked, tapering gradually upward from the opposed vertical side edges thereof, the taper of each panel upper edge conforming to the inclination of the associated roof panels so as to lie closely thereagainst.

4. An interlocking panel shelter comprising a wall unit and a roof unit, said wall unit comprising a plurality of vertically positionable wall panels and means for joining adjacent ones of the wall panels to define an area bounding wall, said roof unit comprising a plurality of roof panels positionable in overlying relation to said wall panels and means for joining adjacent ones of said roof panels, each roof panel being positionable in overlying relation to a portion of a pair of subjacent wall panels, each wall panel being positionable in underlying relation to a portion of a pair of superjacent roof panels, and means for joining the roof and wall panels to the subjacent and superjacent pairs of panels respectively, said wall panels being angularly related to each other, said roof panels being triangular and, when assembled, defining a generally conical roof, the upper edge of each wall panel being configured so as to parallel and closely underlie the overlying portions of the roof panels, an equal number of wall panels and roof panels being provided, each roof panel overlying approximately one half of each of the underlying wall panels with each wall panel, by the same token, underlying approximately one half of each of the overlying roof panels, each wall panel being centrally peaked, tapering gradually upward from the opposed vertical side edges thereof, the taper of each panel upper edge conforming to the inclination of the associated roof panels so as to lie closely thereagainst.