US3862526A

US3862526A - Foldable a-frame mobile home

Info

Publication number: US3862526A
Application number: US314051A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph B Loughlin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-12-11
Filing date: 1972-12-11
Publication date: 1975-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 1992-01-28

Abstract

A mobile home is expandable into an A-frame configuration. A base support structure forms a floor member and a floor extension structure is foldable in a first position for transporting the home and foldable in a second position to form an extension of the floor member. The floor extension structure is releasably secured to a hinge member enabling the floor extension structure to move in a plane parallel to the base support structure. Side wall members are formed in a plane perpendicular to the home when the home is in a transportable position and at an angle to the support structure when the home is in a livable position. Sealing means are formed along the edge of the side wall members to provide a weather tight seal between the side wall and an adjacent wall. The seal is formed of a channel positioned along one of the members and contains a longitudinally extending slot. A T-shaped member having a leg insertable in the slot and gasket material on eithrer side of the leg forms a sealing arrangement between the members. Telescoping legs are extendable from a channel member for positioning the side wall members in a livable position. The top of the A-frame is provided with a ridge cover member hinged on one end to one of the upper portions of the side wall member to provide an environmental cover for the junction of the side wall members.

Description

1 1 Jan. 28, 1975 1 1 FOLDABLE A-FRAME MOBILE HOME Joseph B. Loughlin, 9172 Christine, Huntington Beach, Calil. 92646 22 Filed: Dec. 11, 1972 211 Appl. No.: 314,051

[76] lnventor:

[52] US. Cl 52/70, 52/595, 296/23 G [51] Int. Cl E041) U344 [58] Field of Search 52/64, 69, 66, 70, 625, 52/595', 296/23 G, 23 H, 23 F, 23 D, 16/172 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 231.935 9/1880 Seng 16/130 670,032 3/1901 Parmentier 16/172 1,578,408 3/1926 Plday 16/172 2,167,557 7/1939 Stout 52/69 2,205,549 4/1955 West 52/595 X 2,751,635 6/1956 Donnahuc 52/69 2,845,663 8/1958 Harr 52/70 X 2,920,919 l/1960 Spencer 52/66 3,008,175 11/1961 Biedinger ct al.... 16/128 R 3,012,291 12/1961 Rice i 52/70 X 3,054,151 9/1962 Shanklant 52/23 3,070,850 l/l963 McClure 52/69 3,290,718 12/1966 Keierleber 16/128 R 3,302,341 2/1967 Konopasek 52/66 X 3,400,969 9/1968 Ahrens 52/625 X 3,460,297 8/1969 Fritz 52/69 X 3,481,643 12/1969 Campbell 52/618 X 3,583,123 6/1971 Holmgren 52/618 X 3,617,086 11/1971 King et al. 52/69 3,653,165 4/1972 West 52/69 3,667,800 6/1972 Cuthbert.. 52/64 X 3,714,746 2/1973 Barlow 52/69 Primary Examiner-Frank L. Abbott Assistant Iiraminer-Leslie A. Braun Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Nilsson, Robbins, Bissell, Dalgarn & Berliner 1 1 ABSTRACT A mobile home is expandable into an A-frame configuration. A base support structure forms a floor member and a floor extension structure is foldable in a first position for transporting the home and foldable in a second position to form an extension of the floor member. The floor extension structure is releasably secured to a hinge member enabling the floor extension structure to move in a plane parallel to the base support structure. Side wall members are formed in a plane perpendicular to the home when the home is in a transportable position and at an angle to the support structure when the home is in a livable position. Sealing means are formed along the edge of the side wall members to provide a weather tight seal between the side wall and an adjacent wall. The seal is formed of a channel positioned along one of the members and contains a longitudinally extending slot. A T-shaped member having a leg insertable in the slot and gasket material on either side of the leg forms a sealing arrangement between the members. Telescoping legs are extendable from a channel member for positioning the side wall members in a livable position. The top of the A-frame is provided with a ridge cover member hinged on one end to one of the upper portions of the side wall member to provide an environmental cover for the junction of the side wall members.

5 Claims, 26 Drawing Figures PATENTED 3,862,526.

sum u UF' 4 1 FOLDABLE A-FRAME MOBILE HOME BACKGROUNIS- OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the invention The invention relates in general to expandable mobile homes and more particularly to a mobile-home having an A-frame configuration when positioned on a site in a livable position and of generally rectangular thetically undesirable. Non-box-shaped homes, typically ofA-frame or other type configuration have been built which are'expandable from a box shape configuration once the home has rea'ched'the site. However, such non-box-shaped homes are relatively difficult to manufacture as well as difficult to assemble once the homes have reached the residence site.

While conventional mobile homes merely require the securing of the two halvesof the box shapes together, theexpandable A'-frame type mobile home has greatly increased the cost of assembly. On the other hand, the typicalA-frame home requires but a single van to transport the home to the site unlike the conventional boxshaped home which is transported to the site in two halves. v i

In order'to overcome the attendant disadvantages of prior art mobile homes, both of box-shape and non-box shape configuration, the present invention provides a relatively economical home which is aesthetically pleasing and does not contain a mobile home look". The home is collapsed into a conventional trailer boxlike shape for transportation along the. highways by means'of only a single van, thereby meeting all the usual vehicle codes as they apply to trailer transports.

Once the home has reached the designated site in a trailer park or other residence, the home is expanded into an aesthetically pleasing A-frame home which can be anchored to the site and thereby is exceedingly stable as well as attractive.

ln addition, the home can be assembled at the site and expanded by a minimum number of workmen unlike priorart A-frame type homes which are expandable only by means of large numbers of men which form an assembly crew-The present invention therefore enables a relatively low-cost mobile home to be assembled on a mobile home-type site yet does not have the mobile home configuration. In addition, the home is fabricated by using similar or the same type modules for various portions of the structure.

Through the utilization of jigs and fixtures, the home can be pre-assembled in a true, mass-productionfashion. The home could also be used not only for a mobile home but also for low-cost housing which can be preassembled at the factory and transported to a site and then converted into a permanent home as well. In addition, the home can be multi-storied due to its A-frame type construction enabling a maximum amount of livable floor space to be provided from a minimum size transported home. Moreover, the building design lends itself for use as barracks, portable schools, portable hospitals, mountain retreats, as well as numerous other types of buildings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An expandable mobile home comprises a base support structure forming a floor member. A floor extension structure is foldable in a first position for transporting the home and foldable in a second position to form an extension of the floor member. The floor extension structure is releasably secured to a hinge member, enabling the floor extension to move in a plane parallel to the base support structure. Additionally, the base support structure is positioned in a plane parallel to the ground on which the house is to be mounted. A plurality of side wall members formed in a plane perpendicular to the home when the home is in a transportable position and in an angle to the support structure when the home is in a livable position enables a mobile home to have a generally A-frame type configuration. Sealing means formed along the edge of the side wall member provide a weather tight seal between the side wall and adjacent wall members and comprise a channel positioned along one of the members and having a longitudinally extending slot. A T-shaped member having a leg insertable in the slot and a gasket material formed on either side of the leg forms the sealing arrangernent between the members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is aperspective view of the A-frame mobile home made in accordance with the invention in a fully assembled configuration;

. FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the mobile home of FIG. 1 in a collapsed, transportable configuration;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the, mobile home of FIG. 2 with the rear porch section ina livable position;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the mobile home with the rear porch section in a travel position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view, partlyin section, illustrating the floor extension and end wall connections of the mobile home;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, in exploded form, illustrating a hinge member used to interconnect the permanent floor with the floor extension illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view, in section, showing the hinge member interconnecting the permanent and floor extension members taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the hinge member taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side view illustrating the floor extension and side wall of the mobile home illustrated in FIG. 5, in a collapsed transportable position;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view, in section, of the floor and side wall taken along the line l0-l0 of FIG., 5;

FIG. 11 is a view, partly in section, illustrating the sealing arrangement of the side wall taken along the line lll1 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, illustrating the interconnection between the side wall and the floor extension taken along the line l2l2 of FIG.

' tension portion showing the interconnection therebetween, as well as the sealing arrangement, taken along the line 14-14- of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of the rear portion of the mobile home illustrating the technique for raising the upper-side walls of the home;

FIG. 16 is a-partial perspective view of the mobile home illustrating a portion of the upper side wall in a raised position;

FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view of the mobile home illustrating the technique for raising the upper room partitions and the upperglass members;

FIG. 18 is asectional view of the room partitions illustrating the technique for securing the partitions to a floor member taken along the line 18-18 of FIG. 17;

,FIG. 19 is a perspective view, partly in section, illustrating the technique for raising the upper portion of tions of the side wall in an assembled position illustrating the assembly for covering the double hinged arrangement of FIG. 22; FIG. 24 is'a partial view of the side wall members of FIG. 23 illustrating the slidable panel for covering the double hinge and taken along the line 2424 of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a partial side view illustrating the cover ridge member and the technique for its assembly; and FIG. 26 is-a perspective view, in exploded form of the ridge cover of FIG. 25.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a preferred embodiment of an A-frame mobile home 50, which is made in accordance with the principles of the invention. The mobile home is illustrated as having an A- frame construction such as is typically utilized inmountain or retreat-type, cabins. However, such a home could also be used in city or suburban areas,,as-wellas for non-residential purposes, such as temporary school or hospital buildings.

As illustrated in FIG..2, the mobile home 50'of FIG. 1 is shown in its transportable configuration. The home is illustrated as resting on a pair of wheel members 52 positioned to handle loads in accordance with the interior layout of the home and is generally to the rear of the center of the home. A jack 54 and a hitch 56 whichillustrated embodiment shown in FlG. .2, the mobile home 50 is of generally rectangular configuration and can be transported on public highways in accordance with existing regulations. The present'invention encompasses the various features of a mobile home as illustrated in FIG. 2 so that it can be transported to a site and then erected in a manner as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The mobile home 50 contains a rear porch section 62 which, as shown in FIG. 4, is folded up so that it is flush with the rear of the vehicle. The porch section contains a generally rectangular platform 64 and is hinged at one end 66 thereof so that it can be folded flush with the rear wall 68 of the mobile home. In addition, a pair of legs 72 is utilized adjacent the free end of the platform 64 so that the porch can rest on the ground. When folded up, the rear legs 72 are hinged to the bottom surface 74 of the platform 64, enabling the legs to fold flush when the home is being transported as illustrated in FIG. 4. H

When it is desired to assemble the home, the platform 74 is lowered and the legs 72 folded in the manner illustrated in FIGS. l and 3. The platform 64 can be locked in positionas shown in FIG. 4 for transportation purposesbyv any conventional technique, such as by sliding bolts or other latching devices.

Referring once again to FIG. 1, the mobile home when fully assembled is formed of a first side wall 76 and a second side wall 78 which intersect at the ridge ofthe home and have a ridge cover 80 positioned over the intersection of the first side wall 76 and second side wall 78 so as to provide a sealing member for covering the home. The lower portion of the

side walls

76 and 78 contains a first lower side wall 82 and a second lower side wall 84 which are spaced apart and form a continuation of the upper half of the side walls. The

lower side walls

82 and 84 of each of the first and second side walls are similar and only one pair of lower side walls will be described.

The

lower side walls

82 and 84 are flush with the side of the home when disassembled. Intermediate the two

lower side walls

82 and 84 is a central wall 86 which is permanently fixed with respect to the mobile home. Interconnecting each end of the central wall 86 with the

lower side walls

82 and 84 are inner triangular portions 88 which have hinges 90 at their end surface 92 adjoining the central wall 86 and are positioned with their angled surface 94 adjacent the interior ends 96 of the

lower side walls

82 and 84. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the triangular portions 88 fold flush with the central wall 86 when the home is being transported and can be folded at right angles to the central wall 86 by means of the hinges 90. The central wall 86 which is fixed, contains windows 98 therein for external viewing from the home.

When the platform 64 is folded down in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1, a conventional glass sliding door 102 arrangement provides access between the interior of the mobile home and the rear porch section 62. However, it should be understood, that conventional doors could be utilized in place of the sliding glass door 102 should it be deemed desirable. Outer triangular portions 104 are identical in size and shape to the inner triangular portions 88 and are used to position the ends of the

side walls

82 and 84 adjacent the rear and front ends of the home, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the outer triangular portions are secured to the side edge of the rear wall 68 by means of hinges 106. A similar arrangement is utilized for securing the outer portions to the front wall of the home (not shown). The

outer triangular portions 104 are folded in the manner shown in FIG. 1 by movement along the hinges 106 so that they are moved from a position adjacent the sliding glass door 102, as shown in FIG. 3, to a position adjacent the

side walls

82 and 84.

The top surface of the rear wall 68 contains hinges 108 having a triangular upper glass member 112 secured thereto which, when in the transportable position illustrated in FIG. 3, is folded down so that it is adjacent the wall 68. The triangular upper glass member 112 together with the end portions 104 when assembled for the window portion 116 which forms the upper part of the glass member 112 can be opened, enabling fresh air to enter the mobile home primarily at the top of the home, where large amounts of heat tend to accumulate.

After the rear porch has been assembled in the manner illustrated in FlG. 3, the

lower side walls

82 and 84 are spaced outwardly at an angleso that they are in the assembled position shown in FIG. 1. Mounted within rafters 122 positioned on the interior surface of the

side walls

82 and 84, are telescoping legs 124. The legs 124 are telescoped downwardly and can be positioned either directly on the ground'or set in concrete blocks 126 having recesses 128 therein for positioning the legs therein. The legs 124 enable the side walls to remain erect at an angle andare utilized to stabilize the entire home.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the floor structure which is required for the A-frame home once the

lower side walls

82 and 84 have been extended outwardly is shown in greater detail. The mobile home contains a permanent floor 132 which forms the base support structure for the home, and an extension floor 134 which issecured to the permanent floor 132 by means of a hinge arrangement 136. The floor construction of both the floor extension 134 as well as the permanent floor 132 can'be corrugated aluminum as illustrated in FIG. 5 which provides a good walking surface and is lightweightfor ease in assembly. Other floor construction techniques could also be used, of course.

The hinge arrangement 136 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 6 and comprises a generally U-shaped channel member 142 which is permanently fixed to the permanent floor 132 by feet sections 144 and a mating channel section 146 which is permanently fixed to the floor extension 134 at its feet 148. The channel member 142 contains a pair of side walls 152, 154 which extend upwardlyfrom the feet 144 and are joined together by means of a top wall 156. The front end of the top wall contains a groove 158. A pair of brackets 162, 164 are secured to the outer surfaces of the side walls 152 and 154, respectively, and a cylindrical pin 166 is secured between the brackets 162 and 164 above the groove 158.

The U-shaped channel member 146 is formed of a pair of side walls172, 174 which are joined at one end to the feet 148 and at their other end are joined together by means of a top wall 176. A forward extension 178 of the top wall is of reduced width, enabling the forward extension to be positioned as a tongue within the groove 158.

Thetop wall 176 of the channel member 146 contains a plurality of longitudinally extending

slots

180, 182, 184, 186 and 188. The slot 180 is formed in the forward extension 178, and the

slots

182 and 184 are positioned in front of the

slots

186 and 188. A pivotable bracket member 192 is formed of a base plate 194 having a plurality of .downwardly extending threaded bolts 196 extending therefrom and positionable in the slots formed in the top wall 176. Each of the bolts is fastened to the top wall 176 by means of a nut 198. In addition, the longitudinally extending slots enable the bracket 192 to be axially movable with respect to the mating channel section 146.

The front end of the bracket 192 contains a semicylindrical curved member 202 integral therewith, whose radius of curvature is such that the bracket 192 can be positioned on the cylindrical pin 166 with respect thereto. In addition, a pair of vertical ridges 204 and 206 extends from one end of the member 194 to the top of the curved section 202 to form reinforcing members.

When the mobile home is in an assembled position as illustrated in FIG. 5, the curved member 202 is positioned over the cylindrical pin 166 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and the bolts 196 are positioned in the front end of the

slots

180, 182, 184, 186 and 188. The bracket member 192 is movable in the slots when the floor extension 134 is initially secured to the permanent floor 132 and the forward extension 178 is moved in the groove 158 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 6. Then the bolts 196 are secured in the slots in a desired position, thereby locking the bracket 192 to the pin 166 and hence lockingthe floor extension 134 to the permanent floor 132. FIG. 9 illustrates the floor extension 134 in a folded position, such as when the home is being transported.

After the floor extension 134 has been fixably secured to the permanent floor 132, as shown in FIG. 5, the inner triangular portions 88, and outer triangular portions 104, pivot so that they form end walls for attachment to the

side walls

82 and 84. The floor extension 134 contains a bracket 222 which forms an exten- I sion of the floor end cap 223, illustrateed in FIG. 10,

which is secured by means of screws 224 to the

portions

88 and 104. The end cap 223 is secured to the inv terior top and bottom surfaces of the floor extension by means of flanges 226 and 228, respectively, which extend parallel to the floor surface.

A weather seal is formed between the

lower side walls

82 and 84 and the

triangular portions

88 and 104. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the inner surface of the

lower side walls

82 and 104 contains edgewise extending rafters 232. Positioned adjacent the end rafter at each end of the

side walls

82 and 84, is a generally rectangular shaped hollow channel member 234 into which the telescoping portion of the leg 124 slides. In addition, the front surface 236 of the hollow member 234 contains a slot 238. The legs 124 have the same configuration as the channel member 234, with the outer surface of the legs being adjacent the inner surface of the channel member. The end 242 of the

members

88 and 104 contains a generally U-shaped bracket portion 244 secured thereto, and contains a forward extending flange 246 which fits into the slot 238. Positioned on either side of the flange 246 is gasket material 248. When the flange 246 is inserted in the slot 238, the gasket material 248 will abut against the front surface 236 of the hollow channel member 234, forming a tight environmental seal therewith.

To secure the floor extension 134 to the

side walls

82 and 84, a generally Z-shaped member 252 is utilized as shown in FIG. 12. The member 252 contains a bottom portion 254 and a side portion 256 formed at right angles to each other, which abut the bottom and the end of the free end of the floor extension 134. The other end of the side portion 256 is integrally formed with a generally hoolvshaped portion 258. Attached and at right angles to the rafter 232 is an inverted U-shaped channel spreader 262 adjacent the end of the floorextension 134. An offset bracket 264 is secured to the inner face of the inverted channel spreader 262. A lower portion of the bracket 264 abuts the outer surface of the spreader 262 and is secured thereto by means of a nut 266 and bolt 268 arrangement. The offset end of the bracket 264 is inserted into the hookshaped portion 258 of the Z-shaped member 252. The nut and

bolt

266 and 268 can be loosened, enabling the bracket 264 to be moved downwardly or upwardly in the direction shown by the arrows in FIG. 12, so that the bracket 264 can be correctly positioned in the portion 258 or released therefrom during disassembly of the home. In addition, it should be noted in FIGS. 12,

and 13 that the telescoping arrangement formed by the hollow channel member 234 and the telescoping legs 124 enables an adjustable positioning of the legs 124 by means of a bolt 272 which passes through the hollow channel member 234 and the leg 124. Then the leg 124 can be secured in a predetermined position by means of a nut fastened on the bolt 272.

Referring now to FIG. 14, there is illustrated a hinge 278, which is used to secure the inner triangular portion 88 to the central wall 86 and the outer triangular portion 104 to the front and rear walls. Formed along the edge of the portion 104, adjacent the rear wall 68 is a generally U-shaped hollow member 282 with the central portion of the U adjacent the portion 104. The hollow member 282 contains an L-shaped section 284 extending from one side of a leg inwardly toward the portion 104. The edge of the rear wall 68 adjacent the portion 104 contains a hollow beam 286. A T-shaped member 288 has a top leg 290 adjacent the beam 286 and a leg 292 extending into the U shaped hollow member 282 with the leg 292 having one surface adjacent the L-shaped section 284. Gasket material 294 is positioned between the top leg 290 and the hollow member 282 so as to form an environmental seal. As can be readily seen, the hinge 278 enables the portion 104 to move freely so that it can be closed in the position shown in FIG. 3 adjacent the rear wall 68 or rotated 180 as positioned in FIG 14 as well as FIG. when in an assembled position.

Once the

lower side walls

82 and 84 have been positioned with respect to the

triangular portions

88 and 104, and the telescoping legs 124 have been secured in the concrete blocks 126, the mobile home is sufficiently stabilized so that the upper half of the home can be assembled. Referring now to FIG. 15, the upper half of the side wall is formed of a first section 302 and a second section 304. The sections are folded over on top of each other, with the bottom surface of the section 302 resting on an edge surface 305 formed above an upper floor 306 of the mobile home. The edge surface 305 is the top of an interior wall 307. In addition, temporary cross beams could be used to support the

sections

302 and 304 when in the collapsed position of FIG. 15. A double hinge 308 secures one end of the two

sections

302 and 304 together. The double hinge is positioned adjacent the outer surfaces of the first section 302 and the second section 304 so that they can be assembled in a plane parallel and adjacent to the

lower side walls

82 and 84.

A beam 312 is secured to the upper surface of the second section 304 in FIG. 15 and is extended in a plane parallel thereto outwardly past an intersecting plane with the concrete blocks 126. A block and tackle arrangement 314 is attached to the bottom outer edge 316 of the beam and at the other end to the concrete blocks 126. When the free end of the wiring 318 of the block and tackle arrangement is pulled downwardly in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 15, the

roof sections

302 and 304 are raised until as shown in FIG. 16, the first section 302 is in a plane parallel to the

lower side walls

82 and 84, and positioned adjacent thereto. Then as shown in FIG. 17, the upper glass member 112 can be raised into position adjacent the inner surface of the first section 302. Additionally, upper partitions 322 which form room partitions for the second floor of the A-frame are raised as shown by the dotted arrow in FIG. 17 as well. The room partition 322 is normally hinged to the floor 306 by means of a hinge 324. When in a raised position an L-shaped bracket 326 is secured at the corner of the junction of the floor 306 and the unhinged surface of the room partition 322, by means ofa nut and bolt arrangement 328. securing the room partitions in an upright position as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18.

The room partitions 322 are generally triangular in shape so as to define the upper A-frame surface of the mobile home. In addition, a slidably telescopic boom 334 is positioned along the

edges

336 and 338 of the room partition 322. One of the booms is raised upwardly as illustrated in FIG. 19 and a pin 339 is utilized to secure the boom which is then used to raise the second section 304 of the side wall. A block and tackle arrangement 340 is attached to the top of the boom 334. Wiring 341 similar to the wiring 318 is secured to the free end of the roof section 304 and a workman standing on the upper floor 306 can then pull the wiring which in turn raises the roof section 304 so that it is in a plane parallel and adjacent to the

side walls

82 and 84 and the first section 302.

The double hinge 308 enables the roof sections to fold in two sections and then be assembled in the plane parallel to the

side walls

82 and 84. After both sides of the roof section have been raised, the telescoping boom 334 is then released by means of a pin 339 and positioned back into the wall partitions 322, as shown in FIG. 21. Also, the block and tackle arrangement 340 and the wiring 341 can be removed.

It should be pointed out at this time that the

lower side walls

82 and 84, as well as the

upper portions

302 and 304, are formed of aluminum-clad polystyrene panels, which provides insulation as well as providing a lightweight and decorative construction. When the

sections

302 and 304 have been assembled, it should be noted in FIG. 21 that one of the panels does not cover the double hinge arrangement at the outer surface of the junction of the

sections

302 and 304. One of the panels 342 is slidably movable so that after the

sections

302 and 304 have been assembled as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the slidable panel can be moved downwardly so as to cover the double hinge 308. The' p'anel 342 is secured to arafter 344 by means of a nut 346 and bolt 348 arrangement. The nut and bolt are movable in a slot 352 formed in the rafter. When the nut 346 is loosened, the panel 342 can be moved downwardly until in the desired position. Then the nut 346 is once againtightened. Typically, this position is also at the bottom of the slot 352.

After the

upper roof sections

302 and 304 have been secured, the roof ridge cover 80 may then be placed over the junction of the two adjoining upper second roof sections 304. The roof ridge cover 80 comprises a flat top member 362 which forms the top of the mobile home and a first free side section 364 and a second side section 366 which is hinged at one end 368 to one of the second sections 304. When the ridge cover 80 is rotated from the dotted line position shown in FIG. 25 to the top position shown in solid lines, the home is now completely enclosed. A bracket 372 having a depressed central portion 374 which forms an opening 376 between the bracket and the inner surface of the top member 362 of the cover 80 enables an L-shaped ridge fastener 382 having an end portion 384 to be inserted into the opening 376. The fastener 382 is then positioned so that its arm 386 can be secured to a rafter member 388 by means of a nut 392. Thus, should high winds occur, the ridge cover 80 would be positively secured to the home. In addition, sealing members, such as gaskets could be provided on the inner surface of the

side sections

366 and 364 of the roof ridge cover 80.

These sealing members would provide an environmental seal with the outer surface of the second section 304.

Further, insulation may be provided by means of sheets of thin metal skin 394 positioned under the side walls as illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23. Moreover, the insulation arrangement illustrated in FIG. 11 can be used between the

edges

336 and 338 of the room partition 322 and rafters formed on the interior surface of the

sections

302 and 304. Such an arrangement, in addition, tends to keep the partitions 322 in an upright position. The sealing arrangement can also be used along the edges of the upper glass member 112.

What is claimed is:

1. An expandable mobile home comprising:

a base support structure forming a floor member;

a floor extension structure foldable in a first position for'transporting said home and foldable in a second position to form an extension of said floor member;

and

' means for releasably securing said floor extension structure to a hinge member enabling said floor extension structure to move in a plane parallel to said base support structure during assembly thereof with a first portion of said hinge member being permanently fixed to said floor member and a second portion of said hinge member being permanently fixed to said floor extension structure when said floor extension structure is moved in a plane parallel to the base support structure during assembly,

said hinge member being formed of a pin fixedly positioned on one of said hinge member portions and a rotatable plate having a semi-cylindrical end rotatable on said pin adjustably positioned on the other of said hinge member portions in a plane parallel to the plane of said floor to which said other hinge member is secured, said rotatable plate having vertical reinforcing ridges formed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of said plate; said floor extension structure being foldable between said first and second position when said hinge member is in a second position.

2. An expandable mobile home of generally A-frame configuration comprising:

a base support structure formed in a plane parallel to the ground on which said home is positioned;

a plurality of side wall members formed in a plane perpendicular to said home when said home is in a transportable position and at an angle to said base support structure when said home is in a livable position, the upper portion of said side wall member being foldable in two sections secured to each other by means of a double hinge and a panel of said side wall member being slidable for covering said double hinge from external view when said home is in a livable position;

sealing means formed along the edge of said side wall members for providing a weather tight seal between said side wall members and an adjacent wall member comprising a channel positioned along one of said members and having a longitudinally extending slot;

a mating member having a leg insertable in said slot;

gasket material formed on either side of said leg and in a plane perpendicular to said slot and leg forming a sealing arrangement between said members; and

a slidable telescopic boom formed as an integral portion of said wall member for providing a mounting point for a block and tackle arrangement used during assembly of said upper portion of said side wall member.

3. An expandable mobile home in accordance with claim 2 wherein said side wall member contains a channel member secured thereto, a telescoping leg extendable from said channel member for positioning said side wall member in said livable position.

4. An expandable mobile home in accordance with claim 2 wherein said side wall memberis secured to a base support structure by an adjustable securing means formed on said channel member.

5. An expandable mobile home in accordance with claim 2 wherein said upper portion of said side wall member is positioned adjacent a second upper portion side wall member so as to define a top of said A-frame, and a top cover hinged at one end to one of said upper portion side wall members for providing an environmental cover for the junction of said side wall members.

Claims

1. An expandable mobile home comprising: a base support structure forming a floor member; a floor extension structure foldable in a first position for transporting said home and foldable in a second position to form an extension of said floor member; and means for releasably securing said floor extension structure to a hinge member enabling said floor extension structure to move in a plane parallel to said base support structure during assembly thereof with a first portion of said hinge member being permanently fixed to said floor member and a second portion of said hinge member being permanently fixed to said floor extension structure when said floor extension structure is moved in a plane parallel to the base support structure during assembly, said hinge member being formed of a pin fixedly positioned on one of said hinge member portions and a rotatable plate having a semi-cylindrical end rotatable on said pin adjustably positioned on the other of said hinge member portions in a plane parallel to the plane of said floor to which said other hinge member is secured, said rotatable plate having vertical reinforcing ridges formed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of said plate; said floor extension structure being foldable between said first and second position when said hinge member is in a second position.

2. An expandable mobile home of generally A-frame configuration comprising: a base support structure formed in a plane parallel to the ground on which said home is positioned; a plurality of side wall members formed in a plane perpendicular to said home when said home is in a transportable position and at an angle to said base support structure when said home is in a livable position, the upper portion of said side wall member being foldable in two sections secured to each other by means of a double hinge and a panel of said side wall member being slidable for covering said double hinge from external view when said home is in a livable position; sealing means formed along the edge of said side wall members for providing a weather tight seal between said side wall members and an adjacent wall member comprising a channel positioned along one of said members and having a longitudinally extending slot; a mating member having a leg insertable in said slot; gasket material formed on either side of said leg and in a plane perpendicular to said slot and leg forming a sealing arrangement between said members; and a slidable telescopic boom formed as an integral portion of said wall member for providing a mounting point for a block and tackle arrangement used during assembly of said upper portion of said side wall member.

4. An expandable mobile home in accordance with claim 2 wherein said side wall member is secured to a base support structure by an adjustable securing means formed on said channel member.