AU2005203676B2 - Closure Assembly - Google Patents

Description

17.Aug. 200b 18:05 Wa li ngton-Dunm er Sydney No -1848 P 3 P/00/009 Regulation 3.10

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION CLOSURE ASSEMBLY Invention Title: The invention is described in the following statement, including the best method of performing it known to us: Our Ref: 052019 COMS ID No: SBMI-01427427 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:15 Date 2005-08-17 il-Aug. 2005 J8:05 Wallingtor-Dummer Sydney No.1843 P, 4 -2- CLOSURE ASSEMBLY o The present invention relates to segmented structures adapted to providing an enclosed storage space. In at least one form the structure is adapted to provide a closing element for an access opening of a building, such as a IND garage for a vehicle, while also providing an extension of IND space.

o BACKGROUND o Access doors for a vehicle garage often comprise a roller door or a segmented door guided by rails, which form a vertical barrier substantially flush Wi th the inside of the wall in which the access door is located.

Garages frequently are only just sufficient in length to accommodate a larger passenger vehicle when the access door is closed, leaving virtually no room within the garage for storage- It is an object of the present invention to address or ameliorate some of the above disadvantages, or to provide at least a useful alternative.

Note The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of".

COMS ID No: 5BMI-01427427 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:15 Date 2005-08-17 29.Nov. 2005 16:41 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.3230 P. 3 o BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION C] Accordingly, in a first broad form of the invention, O there is provided a building extension assembly for attachment at a side of a building; said assembly comprising pivotally articulated elements extendable from a \O retracted open state wherein said elements are nested, to lr- NO an extended closed state; saf.d assembly providing an enclosed extension to said building when in said closed o state.

0 Preferably, said assembly is attached at an access opening of said building.

Preferably, said building is a garage for a motor vehicle.

Preferably, said building is a car port for a motor vehicle.

Preferably, said building is a garden shed.

Preferably, said assembly comprises at least three said articulated elements; each of said articulated elements formed of a front panel and substantially equilateral triangJe-shaped side panels; each of said side panels extending from respective side edges of said front panel; said side panels normal to said front panel.

COMS ID No: SBMI-02077167 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:47 Date 2005-11-29 29.Nov. 2005 16:41 Wallington-Dunmer Sydney N o. 32 90 P 6 4 O Preferably, each of said articulated elements is 0 (c pivotable about a common axis; said axis passing through O pivot points substantially coincidental with apexes of said equilateral triangle-shaped side panels.

Preferably, said assembly further comprises a frame structure attached at a side. of said building; said frame Sstructure comprising vertical first and second opposite Sside members and a cross member extending between upper 0 edges of said first and second side members; said frame ]0 structure forming a rectangular arch straddling said articulated elemenzs.

Preferably, each said side panel at a first side of each said articulated elements is pivotally attached at said pivot points to a pivot shaft affixed to said first side member; each said side panel at a second side of each of said articulated elements pivotally attached at said pivot points to a pivot shaft affixed to said second side member.

Preferably, said at least three articulated elements comprise an uppermost articulated element, at least one intermediate articulated element and a lowermost articulated element.

Preferably, dimensions of successive ones of said at least three articulated elements are reduced such that each COMS ID No: SBMI-02077167 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:47 Date 2005-11-29 29.Nov. 2005 16:41 Wallinston-Dum er Sydney N o- 32 30 P 7 0 smaller articulated element may be nested within an 0 c adjoining larger articulated element; a largest of said 0 articulated elements being said uppermost articulated 0 element and a smallest of said articulated elements being said lowermost articulated element.

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Preferably, lower edges of said front panel and lower Sedges of said side panels of said lowermost articulated Sel ement are substantially flush with a ground surface 0 adjoining said building when said assembly is in said closed state.

Preferably, lower edges of said front panel of each of said articulated eJements are disposed adjacent a front edge of said cross member when said assembly is in said open state.

Preferably, lower edges of said front panel and lower edges of said side panels of a said larger articulated element overlap upper edges of said front panel and upper edges of said side panels of a next said smaller articulated element when said assembly is in said closed state.

Preferably, an upper edge of said front panel of said uppermost ar-iculated element is provided with an abutting structure adapted to engage with said front edge of said cross member when said assembly is in said closed state.

COMS ID No: SBMI-02077167 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:47 Date 2005-11-29 29.Nov. 2005 16:41 Wal nston-Dummer Sydney No.3230 P. 8 6 o Preferably, a said lower edge of a said front panel of a said larger articulated element is provided with an 0 z abutting structure adapted to engage with a corresponding abutting structure adjacent said upper edge of said front panel of each said next smaller articulated; said abutting I-O structures adapted to ma.intain said overlap between said Cf lower edges and said upper edges when said assembly is in said closed state.

C] Preferably, said lower edge of each said front panel is provided with an abutting structure adapted to engage with a said lower edge of a next larger said front panel panel; said structure of said lower edge of said uppermost panel engaging a reraining structure of said cross member; said structures adapted to limit retraction of said articulated elements into said open state.

Preferably, said frame structure is provided with a transverse rotation shaft below said cross member; said rotation shaft supported between said first side member and said second side member; said shaft provided at each outer end with a cable drum.

Preferably, a cable extends from each said cable drum to an attachment point on respective said side elements of said lowermost articulated element.

COMS ID No: SBMI-02077167 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:47 Date 2005-11-29 29.Nov. 2005 16:41 Walli Ston-Dum er Sydney N o. 32 90 P 9 7 Preferably, said rotation shaft is provided with rotational biasing; said biasing adapted to provide at

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Z least a portion of the force required to wind each said cable from said extended state to a retracted state wherein said assembly is then in said open state.

NO

cO Preferably, said rotational biasing is provided by a Scoil spring wound about said rotation shaft; said coil

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Sspring attached at a first end to said frame structure and 0.

C] at a second end to said shaft; the arrangement being such that rotational tension in said coil spring is increased during transition of said assembly from said open state to said closed state.

In still a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of providing an extension space projecting outwardly from an access opening of a building; said extension space comprising an enclosure assembly attached at said opening; said assembly comprising at least two articulated elements operable between a closed state so as to provide said extension space, and an open state; said method including the steps of: attaching a frame structure adjacent to vertical sides and to the linte- of said opening, COMS ID No: SBMI-02077167 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:47 Date 2005-11-29 29.Nov. 2005 16:42 Wall in ton-Dummer Sydney No.3290 P. 8 providing pivot shafts at each side member of said frame structure,

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Z pivotally mounting said articulated elements to C' said pivot shafts, N 5 providing an operating mechanism adapLed to

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r rotate said articulated elements between said 0 Cl closed state and said open state.

0 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the front of a first preferred embodiment of an enclosure assembly mounted at an access opening of a building and when in a first extended closed state, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the enclosure assembly of Figures 1 when in a partially retracted open state, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the enclosure assembly of Figures 1 and 2 when in a fully retracted open state, Figure 4 is a sectioned side elevation view of the enclosure assembly of Figures 1 to 3 showing a preferred COMS ID No: SBMI-02077167 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:47 Date 2005-11-29 29.Nov. 2005 16:42 Wal inston-Dummer Sydney N o. 32 30 P I I 9 O operating mechanism with the assembly in the first extended state,

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0 Figure 5 is a sectioned side elevation view of the 0\ enclosure assembly of Figures 1 to 3 showing the operating mechanism of Figure 4 with the assembly in a partially extended state, r.

NO

fr) Figure 6 is a sectioned side elevation view of the enclosure assembly of Figures 1 to 3 showing the operating Smechanism of Figure 4 with the assembly in a retracted open .0 state, Figure 7 is side elevation view of a second preferred embodiment of an enclosure assembly, Figure 8 is a side elevation view of a third preferred embodiment of an enclosure assembly.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a joiner element for use in the construction of elements of Figures 1 to 8, Figure 9A is a perspective view of a sheeting element prepared for assembly to another such element, Figure 9B- is a sectioned side view of the joiner element of Figure 9 joining two of the prepared sheeting elements of Figure 9A, Figure 10 is a sectioned side view of the joiner element of 'Figure 9 joining an alternative form of two sheeting elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODI.MENTS COMS ID No: SBMI-02077167 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:47 Date 2005-11-29 29.Nov. 2005 16:42 Wal ington-Dummer Sydney No.3290 P. 12 in SFirst Preferred Embodiment C With reference to Figure 1, in a first preferred broad O form of the invention, an enclosure assembly 10 comprises a frame structure 12 and articulated elements 14. Frame structure 12 comprises first and second vertical side NO members 16 and 18 and cross member 20 to form a rectangular rg arch straddling the assembly of articulated elements. Frame 0 C< structure 12 is dimensioned and adapted to abut door posts o 22 and lintel 24 of an access opening 26 in a building 28.

Each of the articulated elements 14 comprises a front panel 30 and first and second side panels 32 and 34. Front panel may be planar or arcuate, as shown in the example of Figure 3, with side panels 32 and 34 substantially of equilateral triangular configuration. Each of articulated elements 14 is pivotally attached by pivot shafts 36 mounted to each of vertical side members 16 and 18.

Enclosure assembly 10 comprises an uppermost articulated element 38, a lowermost articulated element and at least one intermediate articulated element 42.

Preferably, as shown in the example of Figures 1, the assembly includes at least two intermediate articulated elements. When in the closed state as shown in Figure 1, the articulated elements approximate a quadrant of a cylinder and provide for an extended enclosed area projecting from the access opening 26 of building 28.

COMS ID No: SBMI-02077167 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:47 Date 2005-11-29 29.Nov. 2005 16:42 Wa inston-Dummer Sydney No.3230 P. 13 11 o With reference to Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that CN the dimensions of each successive articulated element 14 O decrease in size from the largest uppermost articulated 0\element 38 to the smallest lowermost articulated element 40, allowing them to be retracted into the nested open \N sate shown in 'igures 3 and 5. The dimensions of front rO NO panels 30 and side panels 32 and 34 are such, that when in 0 C] the fully closed state of Figure 1, the respective lower Sedges of a larger articulated clement overlap the upper edges of a next smaller articulated element.

With reference to the sectioned view of Figures 4, and 6; respective upper edges 43 and lower edges 44 of overlapping adjoining articulated elements, are provided with abutting structures. Each inwardly projecting abutting structure 46 at each lower edge 44 of front panels 30, is adapted to engage with an outwardly projecLing abutting structure 48 at the upper edge of the next smaller articulated element. It will be understood that these abutting structures, when in contact, limit the amount of overlap between successive articulated elements and serve to arrest the rotation of the intermediate articulated elements when the assembly is in the closed state of Figure 1.

The lower edges 44 of front panels 30 of the lowermost articulated element 40 and the lower edges 44 of the intermediate articulated elements 42, are provided with COMS ID No: SBMI-02077167 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:47 Date 2005-11-29 29.Nov. 2005 16:42 Wal in ton-Dummer Sydney No.3230 P. 14 12 o upwardly projecting abutting structures 49 adapted to engage with the downwardly projecting abutting structures

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Z 46 described above. As can be seen in Figure 5 as the o lowermost articulated element 40 is pivoted upwardly about pivot shafts 36, its outwardly projecting abutting

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r- structure 48 will engage with the inwardly abutting

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Cf structure 46 at the lower edge 44 of the next larger

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qq articulated element. Thus the lowermost articulated element 0 o 40 will firstly nest into the next larger, which in turn nests into its adjoining articulated element untJl all the articulated elements are retracted into the open state and nested as shown in Figure 6.

In a particularly preferred form, the inwardly projecting abutting structure may take the formn of a frame along the lower edges of the front panel and the two side panels on the inside of those panels, while the outwardly projecting abutting structure may take the form of a similar frame at the upper edges of the front and side panels but on the outside of those panels.

Pivotal rotation of- the lowermost articulated element and hence the operation of opening and closing of the assembly 10, is effected by an opening and closing mechanism. This mechanism comprises a cable system arranged along each side of the assembly and located within the articulated elements. As shown in the sectioned views of Figures 4, 5 and 6, a rotation shaft 40 is mounted between COMS ID No: SBMI-02077167 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:47 Date 2005-11-29 29.Nov. 2005 16:43 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney N o- 32 90 P 13 o vertical frame members ;16 and 18 (only 18 is visible in the sectioned views), and is provided at each outer end with a

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Z cable drum 52, located adjacent the inside surfaces of the vertical frame members. A cable 54 extends from each drum 52 to an attachment point 56 on the inside of side element

NO

32 of lowermost articulated element 4C. The operation of

NO

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r this mechanism will be described in detail below.

In Second Preferred Embodiment o In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, the vertical frame metbers 16 and 18, and cross member 20 of Figure 1 may be dimensioned to provided an additional enclosed space to that provided by the articulated elements. Thus, as shown in Figure 7, the vert.i.cal frame members and cross member are in this embodiment replaced by side wall elements 60 and 61, and a roof element 62. Side wall elements 60 and 61 stilJ perform the function of providing support for the opening and closing mechanism and pivot shafts for the articulated elements 64, but now also provide an additional enclosed space,.

The assembly of side walls, roof element and the articulated elements may provide an extension of a built structure by being arranged at an access opening of that structure as previously described, but alternately may be affixed to a wall of a building for example. In a further preferred form, the assembly may be provided with a rear wall (not shown) to close the area bounded by the edges of COMS ID No: SBMI-02077167 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:47 Date 2005-11-29 29.Nov. 2005 16:43 Wallinston-Dumm er Sydney No.3230 P. 16 14 0 o side walls 60 and 61 and roof element 62 opposite the articulated elements so as to provide for a free standing

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Z enclosure.

C, Either or both of side wall elements 60 and 61 may be provided with window 66 or door 68 as shown in Figure 7, so

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that operation of the articulated elements 64 is only

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o required if a large object such as a vehicle or boat for in example is to be moved in or out of the enclosure.

0 o Clearly, the side walls and roof element may be made i- to any desired length to suit the requirements of a user.

Alternatively, side walls and roof elements may be provided in modular form, so that one or more sets of side wall and roof elements may be assembled to provide the volume of enclosed space desired.

Third Preferred Embodiment In a further preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 8, the articulated elements are again assembled to side wall and roof elements as described for the second preferred embodiment above, but in this embodiment, a duplicate set of articulated elements is symmetrically supported also at the opposite end of the side wall and roof element structure. Again, in this embodiment, either or both the side walls may be provided with window and/or door apertures.

Fabrication Details of Assembly Elements COMS ID No: SBMI-02077167 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:47 Date 2005-11-29 29Nov. 2005 16:43 WaIlinston-Du mer Sydney N o- 32 90 P 17 15 o Preferably the panels making up the side frame

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elements and cross member, or the side wall elements and

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z roof elements, as well as the articulated elements 0C described in the above embodiments, are preferably formed of metal sheeting.. The metal sheets making up these elements are joined at their respective edges by an

NO

Cf extruded joiner element 100 as shown in Figure The joiner element 100 compr.ises a first and second channel Selement 102 and 104 arranged at 90 degrees to each other.

An inner edge of each channel element is provided with a retaining element 103 and 105 respectively, formed as inwardly projecting ledges 106 and 108 with sloping face portions 107 and 109.

To assembly one sheet element to another, each adjoining sheet edge is firstly provided with a folded over portions 120 and 112 as shown in Figure 9A. The folding over is arranged so as not to flatter the folded over portions completely against the undersides of the sheets, but allow a gap 114. This allows the folded over portions to be ins-erted into the respective channel elements 102 and 104, past the ledges 106 and 108. The edges 111 and 113 of the folded over portions are first]y compressed to close the gaps 114 and then "spring" back to engage with the underside of the ledges 105 and 108 as shown in Figure 9B..

An alternative material for the sheets comprising the elements or the assembly may comprise a laminate of semi- COMS ID No: SBMI-02077167 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:47 Date 2005-11-29 29.Nov. 2005 16:43 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney N o 3 9 P 18 16 0 rigid sheeting on either side of a flexible compressible core. In this form, the sheets to be joined may be provided

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z adjacent their edges with a score line. When the edges are Sinserted into the respective channel sections, the inwardly projecting ledges "bite" into the sheets at the score line IN as shown in Figure 10, thereby retaining the sheets in the C) joiner ejement.

0 C] First Preferred Embodiment of an Opening and Closing o Mechanism In a first preferred embodiment of the opening and closing mechanism with reference to Figures 4 and rotation shaft 50 is provided with at least one coil spring 58 wound around the shaft 50 and fixed at a first end to the shaft end at a second end to cross member 20. When the coil spring 58 is rotationally tensioned, the shaft becomes rotationally biased to wind in the cables 54 (as indicated by the direction arrow 51). The tension of coil spring 58 is so adjusted that when lowermost articulated element 40 is in the closed state of Figure 4 (thus in effect touching or almost touching the ground), coil spring 58 induces sufficient tension in cables 54 for the weight of the articulated element 40 to be partly supported by the cables 54. Optimally, the reduction in apparent weight of the lowermost articulated element 40 is such as to allow its manual manipulation by a user (not shown) from the closed state towards the open state.

COMS ID No: SBMI-02077167 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:47 Date 2005-11-29 29.Nov. 2005 16:44 Wal inston-Dumer Sydney N o. 32 D0 P 19 17 o As the successive articulated elements are nested during an opening operation, the rotational bias exerted by o the coil spring 58 reduces to the point where insignificant 0tension is induced in cables 54. As the assembly reaches

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the fully open state shown in Figure 3, the centres of NO gravity of each articulated element come to lie on the far

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pg side of the pivot axis defined by pivot shafr 36, as best C] seen in Figure 6, so that the assembly is maintained in the Sopen state by gravity.

1- To return the assembly to the closed position, a user pulls the lowermost articulated element 40 outwards and downwards, assisted by gravity, with the weight becoming increasingly supported by the increasing tension of the coil spring or springs.

Second Preferred Embodiment of an Opening and Closing Mechanism In a second preferred form of the opening and closing mechanism, the lowermost articulated element 4C is again controlled by cables 54 extending from cable drums 52, as previously described. In this form also, the rotation shaft to which the drums are mounted, is rotationally biased by a coil spring. However, shaft 50 is in this form of the mechanism, coupled by suitable gearing to an electric motor (not shown), Control of the motor may be by switches mounted adjacent the assembly, or the motor may be operated by radio signals from a remote control.

COMS ID No: SBMI-02077167 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:47 Date 2005-11-29 29.Nov. 2005 16:44 Wall in ton-Dummer Sydney No-3230 P. X Zn Use 0 C( The enclosure assembly of the present invention when O mounted at an access opening of a building, provides both a means of closing the access opening and an additional enclosed useful space. For example, if attached to the NO doorway of a garage, either a longer vehicle than can INO normally be accommodated in the garage can then be secured 0 C( and covered, or space at the back of the garage freed up Sfor storage or other use, Alternative arrangements in which the frame and cross member elements are replaced by side walls and a roof element, allow the assembly to form an enclosed space adapted to various lengths to suit storage of longer items or to further extend a garage or carport. Yet other embodiments allow the assembly to function as a free standing storage enclosure, with the articulated elements at one end or at both opposite ends of the structure formed by the side walls and roof element.

The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to these skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

1 COMS ID No: SBMI-02077167 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:47 Date 2005-11-29

Claims (2)

1. 29.Nov. 2005 16:44 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney N o. 32 90 P 2 1 19 CLAIMS 0 1. A building extension assembly for attachment over an access opening at a side of a building; said assembly ND 5 comprising pivotally articulated elements extendable lr- O from a retracted open state wherein said elements are 0q nested, to an extended closed state; said assembly O providing an enclosed extension to said building when in said closed state. 2. The assembly of claim 3 wherein said building is a garage for a motor vehicle. 3. The assembly of claim I wherein said building is a car port for a motor vehicle. 4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said building is a garden shed. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said assembly comprises at least three said articulated elements; each of said articulated elements formed of a front panel and substantially equilateral triangle- shaped side panels; each of said side panels extending from respective side edges of said front panel; said side panels normal to said front oanel. i COMS ID No: SBMI-02077167 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:47 Date 2005-11-29 29.Nov. 2005 16:44 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No-320 P. 22 20 o 6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein each of said articulated elements is pivotable about a common axis; O 0 said axis passing through pivot points substantially Scoincidental with apexes of said equilateral triangle- C] shaped side panels. NO 7. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said o assembly further comprises a frame structure attached Sn at a side of said building; said frame structure C] comprising vertical first and second opposite side members and a cross member extending between upper edges of said first and second side members; said frame structure forming a rectangular arch stradd!.ing said articulated elements. 8. The assembly of claim 6 or 7 wherein each said side panel at a first side of each said articulated elements is pivotally attached at said pivot points to a pivot shaft affixed to said first side member; each said side panel at a second side cf each of said articulated elements pivotally attached at said pivot points to a pivot shaft affixed to said second side member. 9. The assembly of any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein said at least three articulated elements comprise an uppermost articulated element, at least one COMS ID No: SBMI-02077167 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:47 Date 2005-11-29 29.Nov. 2005 16:44 Wal inston-Dummer Sydney No.3290 P. 23 21 o intermediate articulated element and a lowermost C] articulated element. O Z 10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein dimensions of 0\ successive ones of said at least three articulated elements are reduced such that each smaller articulated element may be nested within an adjoining VO M larger articulated element; a largest of said ln articulated elements being said uppermost articulated 0 o element and a smallest of said articulated elements being said lowermost articulated element. 11. The assembly of any one of claims 5 to 10 wherein lower edges of said front panel. and lower edges of said side panels of said lowermost articula-.ed element are substantially flush with a ground surface adjoining said building when said assembly is in said closed state. 1-2. The assembly of claim 11 wherein lower edges of said front panel of each of said articulated elements are disposed adjacent a front edge of said cross member when said assembly is in said open state. 13. The assembly of claim 11 wherein lower edges of said front panel and lower edges of said side nanels of a said larger articulated element overlap upper edges of said front panel and upper edges of said side panels 1 COMS ID No: SBMI-02077167 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:47 Date 2005-11-29 29.Nov. 2005 16:45 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No-3290 24 22 of a next said smaller articulated element when said 0 C] assembly is in said closed state. O z 14. The assembly of any one of claims 12 or 13 wherein an (D upper edge of said front panel cf said uppermost articulated element is provided with an abutting \O structure adapted tc engage with said front edge of c said cross member when said assembly is in said closed f state. C] 15. The assembly of any one of claims 33 or 15 wherein a said lower edge of a said front panel of a said larger articulated element is provided with an abutting structure adapted to encage with a corresponding abutting structure adjacent said upper edge of said front panel of each said next smaller articulated; said abutting structures adapted to maintain said overlap between said lower edges and said upper edges when said assembly is in said closed state.
2. 36. The assembly of any one of claims 11 to 15 wherein said lower edge of each said front panel is provided with an abutting structure adapted to engage with a said lower edge of a next larger said front panel panel; said structure of said lower edge of said uppermost panel engaging a retaining structure of said cross member; said structures adapted to limit I I COMS ID No: SBMI-02077167 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:47 Date 2005-11-29 29.Nov. 2005 16:45 Wallinr ton-Dummer Sydney N o. 32 90 P 2 23 o retraction of said articulated elements into said open 0 C] state. O S217. The assembly of any one of claims 7 to 16 wherein said frame structure is provided with a transverse rotation shaft below said cross member; said rotation shaft NO r- supported between said first side member and said NO r n second side member; said shaft provided at each outer qn end with a cable drum. 18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein a cable extends from each said cable drum to an attachment point on respective said side elements of said lowermost ari culated element. 19. The assembly of claim 18 wherein said rotation shaft is provided with rotational biaging; said biasing adapted to provide at least a portion of the force required to w.ind each said cable from said extended state to a retracted state wherein said assembly is then in said open state. The assembly of claim 19 wherein said rotational biasing is provided by a coil spring wound about said rotation shaft; said coil spring attached at a first end to said frame structure and at a second end to said shaft; the arrangement being such that rotational tension in said coil spring is increased during COMS ID No: SBMI-02077167 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:47 Date 2005-11-29 29.Nov. 2005 16:45 Wallin ton-Dummer Sydney No.3230 26 24 i) transition of said assembly from said open state to 0i said closed state. z 21. A method of providing an extension space projecting outwardly from an access opening of a building; said extension space comprising an enclosure assembly Sattached at said opening; said assembly comprising at NO rq least two articulated elements operable between a closed state so as to provide said extension space, 0 o and an open state; said method including the steps of: a attaching a frame structure adjacent to vertical sides and to the lintel of said opening, providing pivot shafts at each side member of said frame structure, pivotaJly mounting said articulated elements to said pivot shafts, providing an operating mechanism adapted to rotate said articulated elements between said closed state and said open state. 22. A building extension assembly as herein described and with reference to figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings. i, i COMS ID No: SBMI-02077167 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:47 Date 2005-11-29 29.Nov. 2005 16:45 29.~v. 2@5 1:4 Wa~rigton-Dummer SydneYNo39 P.2 No.3290 P. 27 25 tflDATED: 22 November 2005 0 DAVID -KING-CHRISTOPflMR by his Patent Attorneys: Z MLNCNNOtn~ ri NO COMS ID No: SBMI-02077167 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:47 Date 2005-11-29