AU2004202437B2 - A Relocatable Structure - Google Patents

Description

A RELOCATABLE STRUCTURE Field of the Invention.

The present invention relates to relocatable structures and in particular, to relocatable buildings which offer a more substantial structure and expanded areas within for use within the building.

Background Art.

Relocatable structures are well known particularly those used in the construction industry and for camping and the like.

The relocatable structures used in the construction industry are often termed "demountables" and are generally a complete structure which are both small and light enough to be transported as a whole on the rear of a large truck.

Alternatively, the demountables are transported in disassembled kit form and are assembled on site. These structures offer a substantial building being very solid once constructed but they sacrifice ease of assembly and disassembly for this substantial nature.

In the alternative form wherein the structure is transported in its assembled form, the buildings are of a set size, often quite small, and they must be lifted to and from the truck into position using heavy lifting equipment such as a crane or the like.

In an attempt to overcome the problem of substantial structures being heavy or time-consuming in assembly and disassembly, folding type structure have been provided.

One such attempt provides a building having a roof constructed of a plurality of plates connected by hinges at the common edges between pairs of adjacent plates. The plates are initially arranged folded together, with lower edges of the outer plates hingeably connected to an upper edge of side walls. The side walls are also hingeably connected at each end of each side wall to a pair of end walls constructed of a plurality of wall panels. The wall panels are hingeably interconnected along common vertical edges, and are initially arranged folded together. Unfolding the roof plates causes the side walls of the structure to move apart and the end walls to simultaneously unfold until the end walls are fully distended, at which position the end walls stop the roof plates from unfolding further, and retain the roof plates in a folded plate configuration. A floor constructed of a plurality of hingeably connected floor panels arranged initially in a folded position may also be provided, with each outer panel attached to a side wall. When the side walls move apart, said floor panels unfold to form a flat floor.

This attempt to overcome the issue of weight and complexity of relocatable structure only partially succeeds. As will be noted by a person skilled in the art, the provision of a folding relocatable structure as outlined above which is large enough to provide a useable area within, still results in an extremely heavy device.

Also due to the weight of the panels which are all linked together hingedly, the force required to fold and unfold the structure described above is substantial, particularly when the structure is to be folded.

The structure of the present invention may be used as a relocatable home, particularly a caravan. Many caravan parks in Australia are located in floodzone classified areas. Therefore cabins and relocatable home cannot be situated on permanent sites in these parks due to safety risks. Only caravans that are roadregistrable may be used. These caravans usually have canvas awnings as these are the only type of awning which can be disassembled quickly enough, allowing the caravan to be towed away.

Many people who prefer the low-cost accommodation offered by caravan parks desire more substantial relocatable homes with expanded living areas offering more comfort. The provision of a relocatable structure which has a large useable space within and a substantial construction may meet a previously unmet need.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

Summary of the Invention.

The present invention is directed to a relocatable structure, which may at least partially overcome some of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice; In one form the invention resides in a relocatable structure comprising a wheeled chassis, a main body portion associated with the chassis, the main body portion having a floor, a roof and at least one support member extending therebetween and at least one panel member operatively associated with any one or more of the floor, the roof or the at least one support member wherein the at least one panel member is movable between a storage condition in which the at least one panel member is configured to at least partially enclose a first area and a use condition in which the at least one panel member is configured to at least partially enclose a second area, the second area being larger than the first area.

The wheeled chassis may preferably comprise one or more chassis members. The chassis may also comprise one or more wheel assemblies. The chassis may suitably be adapted for use as a trailer or as particularly preferred, a caravan. The wheels may suitably be of the pneumatic type suitable for travel over considerable distances. The trailer or chassis may also comprise other features common to trailers of this type such as suspension, power-assisted lighting and brakes.

The relocatable structure may be towed behind a vehicle such as a car.

Alternatively, the relocatable structure may be self propelled and contain an engine, steering and the like for instance such as with a motor home).

The chassis typically has a means for attachment to a towing vehicle in the form of a ball and socket hitch means for hitching said chassis to the rear of a towing vehicle positioned substantially toward one end of the chassis.

The trailer, chassis or caravan may be registrable as a vehicle under applicable legislation in the area or region. This feature may be particularly important to the function of the invention as stated above as only towable caravans may be eligible to be used in caravan parks lying in flood-zone classified areas. The maximum width of a road-registrable vehicle is 2500 mm in total. The wheeled chassis may preferably be adapted to support a structure of this width when in its storage condition.

The chassis may further include levelling means.

The chassis may also be streamlined or of low drag depending on the drag created by the main body portion which is likely to be significant.

The main body portion comprises a floor and a roof. As can be appreciated, the main body portion will generally be substantially rectangular in shape. The floor and the roof may be planar panel members and may be manufactured in a substantially similar manner. The panels may be constructed mainly of materials which are sufficiently strong and rigid but also relatively light in weight such as light steel or aluminium.

Typically, .the main body portion will contain fixtures such as the bathroom, kitchen etc which would be difficult if not impossible to have on the "expandable" portion of the relocatable structure.

The panels may be partially or fully insulated and may also be clad with any type of cladding to offer further protection from the elements or aesthetic qualities. Alternatively, the panels may lack insulation and cladding.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the main body portion may comprise a floor, a roof and three side walls. The side walls may be the support members and may support the roof and maintain the space between the floor and the roof at all times and define a fixed portion of the main body portion. The provision of three side walls allows the roof to be supported at all times and does not place undue stress on the walls. As may be appreciated, if two opposed side walls were provided, the side walls may require bracing of some form particularly when assembling and disassembling the structure due to the large loads or bending stresses imposed on the side walls.

The floor, roof and three side walls define an opening in the remaining side of the structure. This opening may preferably be the mid point of the second area. The opening may be temporarily closed or obstructed by the at least one panel member provided according to the invention when the structure is in the storage condition and may be open or unobstructed when the structure is in the use condition.

The opening may preferably be temporarily closed or obstructed by the at least one panel member when the structure is in the storage condition.

Permanent fixtures may be required in the structure, particularly when the structure is in the form of a caravan or relocatable dwelling, and these may be a kitchen, bathroom, toilet or the like and may all be located in the fixed portion of the main body portion. Provision for the connection of an external power supply may also be made on the main body portion. There may be a self contained power supply associated with the main body portion.

As state above, the at least one support member extending between the roof and the floor of the structure may be or comprise fixed side walls. In an alternative configuration, the at least one support member may comprise a substantially upright beam member. Suitably there may be more than one support member. Preferably, at least three support members may be provided. There may be a combination of fixed side walls and beam members provided or alternatively the support members may be all fixed side walls or all beam members.

3 0 In the case that the support members are fixed side walls then three fixed side walls may be provided. When the support members are beam members, the number of beam members provided may depend on the number of fixed side wall members provided. For example, if two adjacent fixed side walls are provided, only one beam member may be necessary. If no fixed side walls are provided, then there may preferably be at least three beam members, and most suitably, one beam member located at each corner of the floor. The provision of fewer fixed side walls and more beam members may suitably allow a greater area to be covered when the structure is in the second condition.

The at least one panel member provided may define a temporary portion of the main body portion. There may suitably be more than one panel member. The actual number of panel members may vary depending upon the number of fixed side walls, the size of the structure and the like. The panel members themselves may be of any dimension but the size of the panels will generally be related to the size of the main body portion.

The panel members are designed to be moved from the storage position to the use position to define an enclosure or greater area than that defined when in the storage condition. There are preferably more than one type of panel member, namely temporary floor panel members, temporary roof panel members and temporary wall panel members.

The panel members may preferably be slidably associated with the main body portion or according to a particularly preferred embodiment are hingedly associated with the main body portion. The panel members may also be either slidably or hingedly associated with each other. For example, a temporary wall panel member may be associated with a temporary floor panel member which may both be associated with a temporary roof panel member. The panel members are suitably only permanently connected to one other panel member to allow ease of assembly and disassembly but the panel members may be temporarily attached to more than one other panel member or to any part of the main body portion when in the use condition.

3 0 The structure is preferably moved from the storage condition to the use condition by folding movements.

The panel members and the main body portion may include windows and doors or the like which are suitably integrally formed in the panels or portion. In order to minimise the thickness of the panel members, the window and doors may preferably be narrow in cross-section. This may allow a reduction in weight.

The structure may additionally comprise removable or foldable leg members allowing the support of the temporary portion of the structure when in the use position. The leg members may be spaced about the structure and may be located to allow the assembly of the structure in the use condition by unfolding the panel members and then unfolding the leg members to support the temporary portion of the structure. The leg members may be length adjustable to assist the levelling of the structure.

The structure may further comprise bracing means allowing the structure in both the use and the storage condition to be more stable. The bracing members may preferably be beam members which may be removable or relocatable depending on the condition which the structure is assuming.

In use, the structure may suitably take the form of a caravan. The caravan may be towed onto the site and levelled with standard corner stands. A temporary roof panel which is hingedly attached to the roof of the main body portion may be raised and propped temporarily in position. The temporary floor panels which are hingedly attached to the floor of the main body portion are then lowered onto leg members or levelling stands. Temporary side wall members which are hingedly attached to opposed side walls of the main body portion or to the temporary floor members may then be folded out between the temporary roof member and the temporary floor members. The roof may then be lowered onto the side walls. Each of the temporary panel members may be temporarily attached to the adjacent members or the main body portion completing the erection of the structure.

In a more particular form, the invention comprises a relocatable structure which comprises a first part and a second part, the first part comprising a floor, walls, and a roof to define a first enclosure, the second part able to be erected to increase the size of the relocatable structure, and collapsed to reduce the size of the relocatable structure, the second part comprising at least one floor panel which is attached relative to the first part and which is movable between a retracted position where the floor panel is positioned substantially vertically, and an extended position where the floor panel is substantially horizontal, at least one side wall panel which is movable between a retracted position and an extended position where the side wall is substantially at right angles to the floor panel and defines a substantially vertical wall.

The relocatable structure may be provided with "expandable" portions on one side of the main boy portion, or on both sides, or on one end, or on both ends, or any combination thereof. A roof extension is also envisaged.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a relocatable structure in the retracted position where it can be towed behind a car.

Figure 2 illustrates the relocatable structure in the expanded position.

Figure 3 illustrates the other side of the relocatable structure of Figure 1.

Figure 4 illustrates erection of the roof panel.

Figure 5 illustrates dropping down of the floor panels.

Figure 6 illustrates erection of the side wall panels.

Figure 7 illustrates folding out of the end wall panels.

Figure 8 illustrates the setup of the veranda and steps.

Detailed Description of the Invention.

According to an aspect of the invention, a relocatable structure is provided. In particular, the relocatable structure may be used as a relocatable temporary dwelling such as a caravan or the like.

The relocatable structure is designed to change from a compact form that can be towed behind a car (see figure to a much larger structure illustrated in figure 2, and this can be done in less than one hour.

In the compact form (see figure the structure comprises a wheeled chassis 10. The chassis can be made from conventional steel members to provide a chassis framework under which ground wheels can be fitted. The usual suspension members etc. may also comprise part of the chassis. In the particular embodiment, four ground wheels are provided, but this may of course vary.

In the compact form, the structure comprises approximately one half of the size of the fully extended structure. Specifically, in the compact form, the structure comprises a finished external side wall 11 containing windows, etc. Side wall 11 in the particular embodiment is made from three panels 1 la-1 c, the panels being joined by finishing strips (trims) 1lId. In the compact form, the structure also contains a finished front wall 12 which contains a fitted door 13, and a finished rear wall 14 which also contains a door. When in the compact form, the structure has a width of about 2.5 metres which enables it to be towed behind a car, and will have a length of up to 10 metres. This of course can vary and no particular limitation should be placed on the particular length and width of the structure.

In the compact form, the other side of the structure (see figure 3) contains various folded panel members. Specifically, the other side of the structure contains a roof panel 15 which is hingedly mounted about a substantially horizontal axis to the remainder of the structure to enable the roof panel to be hinged between a collapsed position illustrated in figure 3, and an erect position illustrated in figure 4.

The manner by which the roof panel is hinged can vary but may comprise a pair of pivot pins, or a plurality of pivot joints and the like. No particular limitation should be placed on the precise manner by which the roof panel is attached to the remainder of the structure to enable the roof panel to move between the collapsed (vertical) position illustrated in figure 3, and the erected (horizontal but still slightly inclined) position illustrated in figure 4. The roof panel 15 may be insulated if desired, and will preferably be corrugated to facilitate water running from the roof. However, no particular limitation should be placed on the precise configuration of the roof panel.

The roof panel 15, when in the collapsed position (figure may be temporarily locked to the remainder of the structure to hold the roof panel in this collapsed position during transportation. The roof panel is positioned such that the external part is on the outside which will also protect the remaining panel members that sit behind the roof panel during transportation.

Temporary prop members (see figure 4) may be provided to enable the roof panel to be temporarily held in the erected position (figure These prop members are also illustrated in figure Referring to figure 4 and figure 5, when the roof member 15 has been erected, the other panels are now visible. Specifically, the panels that sit immediately behind roof panel 15 comprise floor panels, and in this particular embodiment, three floor panels are provided 16a-16 c. Of course, a larger or lesser number of floor panels may also be used. Each floor panel comprises floor beams 17 which are spaced apart typically between 0.5-2 metres to provide sufficient rigidity to the floor. These beams 17 may be made of wood, metal, or any other suitable material. Typically, the beams 17 will have a length of between 1.5-3 metres but again this can vary to suit.

Attached to some of the beam members (and best illustrated in figure are post members 18. These post members 18 are hingedly mounted to the bottom of each floor panel 16a-16c. This enables the post members 18 to hinge downwardly as each floor panel 16a-16c is dropped down from the vertical position illustrated in figure 4 to the horizontal position illustrated in figure 6. Figure 5 particularly illustrates the middle floor member 16b in the process of being moved from the vertical to the horizontal position. Typically, the post members 18 have some degree of length adjustability to compensate for uneven ground surfaces. Any suitable means to provide length adjustability may be used. Also, the post members may be provided with lower feet if desired. Also, the post members may be provided with side bracing if desired. The post members will typically be made from metal box section and will typically have a length of between 0.2-1.5 metres although this can vary to suit. In the particular embodiment, each floor panel 16a-16c is provided with one post member 18. While it is preferred that the post members are hingedly mounted to the floor panels, it is envisaged that the post members may also be separate and may be attached underneath the respective floor panel as the floor panel is moved into the horizontal position.

Each floor panel 16a- I 6c is hingedly mounted relative to the remainder of the structure. In the particular embodiment, each floor panel is hinged along a lower horizontal edge relative to the original floor which forms part of the compact form of the structure.

Referring to figure 6, once each floor panel has been moved to the horizontal position, the external side wall panels 19a-19c, can be erected. In the particular embodiment, three side wall panels are provided. Each panel is approximately square or slightly rectangular and contains a pre-fitted window. Each panel may be insulated, and in the particular embodiment, contains external cladding.

The side wall panels 19a-19c are hingedly mounted to the outer edge of a respective floor panel 16a-16c. Thus, referring to figure 5, the middle floor panel 16b is being dropped down but this floor panel actually contains a folded flat side wall panel 19b which is hinged to floor panel 16b along the outer edge 20. Again, the means by which the side wall panel is hinged to the respective floor panel may vary.

The side wall panels 19a-19c, when moved to the vertical position (see figure 6 and figure can lock into the bottom of roof panel 15 to provide a strong rigid unit. Any suitable locking means may be provided including one or more physical locks, a rib that passes into a channel, a projection that passes into a recess, a pair of mating press lock arrangement and the like. It is preferred however that the locking means is releasable such that the entire arrangement can be collapsed back into the transport position illustrated in figure 1 and figure 3.

Once the side wall panels 19a-19c have been positioned, the two end wall panels 21a, 21b can be swung out. Each end wall panel is hinged about the vertical axis 22 and, in the collapsed position, the end wail panel sits between side panel 19a (or side panel 19c) and the collapsed roof panel 15. Once the roof panel has been erected (figure the floor panels have been swung down (figure 5) and the side panels have been erected (figure the end wall panels can now be swung out and connected to the roof panel and the edge of the respective side wall panel to complete the enclosure. Each end wall panel may be provided with a window, may be insulated, and may contain external cladding.

The next step is illustrated in figure 8, and requires setting up of the veranda and the steps 26. The veranda roof 23 is hingedly attached to the relocatable structure, and the collapsed position of the veranda roof 23 is illustrated in figure 1 and figure 4. The steps and railings comprise modular units that are stored within the collapsed relocatable structure and which can be easily removed and placed. Also, trim strips 25 are fitted between the various wall panels to provide weatherproofing and aesthetic appeal.

The completed arrangement is illustrated in figure 2.

The structure can be quite easily "collapsed" back to the transport position illustrated in figure 1, by reversing the assembly procedure.

The interior can be built to any particular requirement for instance depending on whether the structure is intended for rental, as a permanent home, and the like.

In the present specification and claims, the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (13)

1. A relocatable structure which comprises a first part and a second part, the first part comprising a floor, walls, and a roof to define a first enclosure, the second part able to be erected to increase the size of the relocatable structure, and collapsed to reduce the size of the relocatable structure, the second part comprising at least one floor panel which is attached relative to the first part and which is movable i between a retracted position where the floor panel is positioned substantially i vertically, and an extended position where the floor panel is substantially horizontal, Owherein the at least one floor panel is provided with a post member, the post member I 10 being hingedly mounted to the bottom of the floor panel, at least one side wall panel which is movable between a retracted position and an extended position where the side wall is substantially at right angles to the floor panel and defines a substantially vertical wall.

2. The structure as claimed in claim 1, including at least one end wall panel that is movable between a retracted position where the end wall panel substantially overlies part of the first part, or substantially overlies part of the floor panel or substantially overlies part of the side wall panel, and an extended position where the end wall panel is substantially vertical.

3. The structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the end wall panel is attached relative to the first part.

4. The structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including at least one roof panel that is movable between a collapsed position where the roof panel is substantially vertical, and an erect position where the roof panel is substantially horizontal.

The structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one roof panel is hinged relative to the first part.

6. The structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one floor panel is hingedly mounted to the first part. 00 14

7. The structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one side wall panel is hingedly mounted adjacent an edge of the at least one floor panel. c

8. The structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising CI between 2-4 floor panels.

9. The structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising C 10 between 2-4 side wall panels.

The structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a chassis and ground wheels to enable the structure to be towed.

11. The structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one side wall panel is attached relative to the at least one floor panel.

12. The structure as claimed in claim 1 1, wherein the side wall panel, when in the retracted position, substantially overlies the floor panel.

13. A relocatable structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying illustrations.