U.S. patent application number 14/945173 was filed with the patent office on 2016-05-19 for folding shed.
The applicant listed for this patent is Schaffert Manufacturing Company, Inc.. Invention is credited to Morris L. Hartman, Paul E. Schaffert.
Application Number | 20160138258 14/945173 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55961198 |
Filed Date | 2016-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160138258 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schaffert; Paul E. ; et
al. |
May 19, 2016 |
FOLDING SHED
Abstract
The apparatus described herein includes a folding shelter
structure. The folding structure includes a roof, two sidewalls,
two end walls a floor. The floor is divided into two sections, each
section pivotally connected to a sidewall. The roof may be divided
into two sections, each section pivotally connected to a sidewall.
Each end wall may be divided into two sections that are pivotally
connected to each other and to the sidewall adjacent the section.
The folding structure is transformed from an operation to a storage
or transport configuration by outwardly pivoting each roof section
until the exterior surface of each roof section approximately abuts
the exterior surface of the respective sidewall to which it is
connected. The floor section is inwardly pivoted until the top
surface of each floor section approximately abuts the interior
surface of the respective sidewall to which it is connected and
sandwiched between the sidewalls and the end walls. The roof may be
supported by removable trusses extending between the side walls and
supported at the end walls by a channel.
Inventors: |
Schaffert; Paul E.;
(Indianola, NE) ; Hartman; Morris L.; (Hayes
Center, NE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Schaffert Manufacturing Company, Inc. |
Indianola |
NE |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55961198 |
Appl. No.: |
14/945173 |
Filed: |
November 18, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62082089 |
Nov 19, 2014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/79.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 1/1205 20130101;
E04B 1/34357 20130101; E04B 1/34384 20130101; E04B 1/3445
20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/344 20060101
E04B001/344; E04B 1/343 20060101 E04B001/343 |
Claims
1. A folding shed comprising a first sidewall and a second
sidewall; a first roof section pivotally coupled with the first
sidewall; a second roof section pivotally coupled with the second
sidewall; a foldable first end wall pivotally coupled with the
first sidewall and the second sidewall; and a foldable second end
wall pivotally coupled with the first sidewall and the second
sidewall, wherein the first and second roof sections are configured
to pivot from the outside of the sidewalls around to be placed in a
position proximal the tops of the first and second end wall,
wherein a support member is provided to engage the first end wall
on a first end of the first roof section or to engage the roof
section on an interior portion of the roof section in such a way
that the support member limits the movement of the end wall or the
side wall in an outward or inward direction.
2. The folding shed of claim 1, wherein the support member is an
elongated channel that limits the movement of the end wall in a
direction parallel with at least one of the first and second side
walls.
3. The folding shed of claim 2, wherein each end of each of the
first and second roof sections proximal to the first and second end
walls includes the elongated channel.
4. The folding shed of claim 2, wherein the elongated channel is
less than half the length of the edge of the roof section proximal
to the top of the end wall.
5. The folding shed of claim 2, wherein the elongated channel is
more than half the length of the edge of the roof section proximal
to the top of the end wall.
6. The folding shed of claim 2, wherein the elongated channel
includes an aperture that extends through a first wall of the
elongated channel and a second wall of the elongated channel.
7. The folding shed of claim 6, wherein the end wall includes an
aperture that aligns with the aperture of the elongated channel
when the first roof section is pivoted around to from a roof over
the folding shed.
8. The folding shed of claim 7, wherein a pin extends through the
aperture of the elongated channel and the aperture of the first end
wall thereby fixing the first roof section in place relative to the
end wall.
9. The folding shed of claim 1, wherein the support member includes
at least one truss that extends from the first side wall to the
second side wall.
10. The folding shed of claim 9, wherein the truss limits the
movement of the side walls by fixedly attaching to each of the side
walls and providing a ridged attachment through the truss between
each of the side walls.
11. The folding shed of claim 9, wherein the truss includes a riser
portion that follows the contour of the first and second roof
sections as they extend from one side wall to the other.
12. The folding shed of claim 9, wherein the truss provides
vertical support to the first and second roof sections limiting
their ability to sag.
13. The folding shed of claim 9, wherein a plurality of trusses are
positioned between the first end wall and the second end wall.
14. The folding shed of claim 9, wherein the plurality of trusses
extend between the first wall portion and the second wall
portion.
15. A folding shed comprising a first sidewall and a second
sidewall; a first roof section pivotally coupled with the first
sidewall; a second roof section pivotally coupled with the second
sidewall; a foldable first end wall pivotally coupled with the
first sidewall and the second sidewall; and a foldable second end
wall pivotally coupled with the first sidewall and the second
sidewall, wherein a first floor section and a second floor section
are operable to cover a lower interior space of the folding
shed.
16. The folding shed of claim 15, wherein the first floor section
is operable to pivot up from the lower interior space of the
folding shed to approximately abut the first side wall as the
folding shed is transformed into a folded position.
17. The folding shed of claim 15, wherein the first floor section
is sandwiched between the first sidewall and the first end wall
when the folding shed is folded.
18. The folding shed of claim 15, wherein the first side wall
includes protrusions on a first end and a second end proximal to
the pivotable joints with the first end wall and the second end
wall, wherein the hinged connection between the first end wall and
the first side wall and the second end wall and the second side
wall are located on the protrusions with the first floor section
operable to nest between the two protrusions.
19. A folding shed comprising a first sidewall and a second
sidewall; a first roof section pivotally coupled with the first
sidewall; a second roof section pivotally coupled with the second
sidewall; a foldable first end wall pivotally coupled with the
first sidewall and the second sidewall; and a foldable second end
wall pivotally coupled with the first sidewall and the second
sidewall, wherein at least one of the first and second end walls or
first and second side walls include an aperture which receives an
engagement feature from a wheel assembly operable as a jack.
20. The folding shed of claim 19, wherein the aperture is an open
end of a tubular member that forms the bottom frame member of at
least one of the first and second end walls or first and second
side walls.
21. The folding shed of claim 20, wherein the engagement member is
part of an L-shaped bracket that extends from the wheel assembly
with a lateral member of the L-shaped bracket sized to engage the
aperture.
22. The folding shed of claim 21, wherein the tubular member which
defines the aperture includes a second aperture which passes
through a side wall of the tubular member.
23. The folding shed of claim 22, wherein the lateral member
includes an aperture there through. The tubular member aperture and
the lateral member aperture are operable to align after the lateral
member is inserted into the tubular member.
24. The folding shed of claim 23, wherein the shed includes a
locking pin inserted through the aperture in the tubular member and
through the aperture in the lateral member in response to the
lateral member being inserted to an engagement distance within the
tubular member.
25. The folding shed of claim 24, wherein each of the first and
second side walls, the first and second roof sections and the first
and second end walls are formed from a plurality of tubular frame
members connected to one another.
26. The folding shed of claim 25, further comprising an exterior
sheathing fastened to the tubular frame members on the exterior of
the folding shed.
27. A folding shed comprising a first sidewall and a second
sidewall; a first roof section pivotally coupled with the first
sidewall; a second roof section pivotally coupled with the second
sidewall; a foldable first end wall pivotally coupled with the
first sidewall and the second sidewall; and a foldable second end
wall pivotally coupled with the first sidewall and the second
sidewall, wherein at least one of the first and second end walls or
first and second side walls is a common wall with another
structure.
28. The folding shed of claim 27, wherein the structure is be a
semi-trailer.
29. The folding shed of claim 27, wherein the common wall is a side
wall and the end walls flex out away from the common wall.
30. The folding shed of claim 27, wherein the second roof section
is pivotably attached to the common wall.
31. A folding shed comprising a first sidewall and a second
sidewall; a first roof section pivotally coupled with the first
sidewall; a second roof section pivotally coupled with the second
sidewall; a foldable first end wall pivotally coupled with the
first sidewall and the second sidewall; and a foldable second end
wall pivotally coupled with the first sidewall and the second
sidewall, the first and second roof section are configured to pivot
from the outside of the sidewalls around to be placed in a position
proximal the tops of the first and second end wall, wherein the
first roof section folds over and engages the seal plate against
the top of the second roof section, wherein the seal plate has a
first leg and second leg with a first angle there between and the
angle is less than the angle between the top surface of the first
roof section and the top surface of the second roof section with
the seal plate contacting the top surface of the second roof
section.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/082,089
filed Nov. 19, 2014 and entitled "Folding Shed," which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The field of the invention generally relates to structures,
and more particularly to folding sheds.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Sheds have many practical uses, including providing storage
space for tools or equipment or shelter for people or animals.
However, when not being used, a shed may undesirably occupy space.
Further, it may be difficult to transport an assembled shed to a
site or move it to another site because of the space occupied by
it. This may be solved by transporting the shed in unassembled
components. This solution, however, requires the shed to be
assembled at the site and/or disassembled and reassembled.
[0004] Accordingly, what is needed in the art is an improved shed.
Ideally, an improved shed would occupy less space when not being
used than it does when being used. Also ideally, an improved shed
would be easier to transport than a typical shed.
SUMMARY
[0005] In accordance with various embodiments, a folding shed may
include a first sidewall and a second sidewall; a first roof
section pivotally coupled with the first sidewall, a second roof
section pivotally coupled with the second sidewall, a foldable
first end wall pivotally coupled with the first sidewall and the
second sidewall, and a foldable second end wall pivotally coupled
with the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
[0006] In accordance with various embodiments, the first and second
roof sections are configured to pivot from the outside of the
sidewalls around to be placed in a position proximal the tops of
the first and second end wall. A support member is provided to
engage the first end wall on a first end of the first roof section
or to engage the roof section on an interior portion of the roof
section in such a way that the support member limits the movement
of the end wall or the side wall in an outward or inward direction.
The support member may be an elongated channel that limits the
movement of the end wall in a direction parallel with at least one
of the first and second side walls. Each end of each of the first
and second roof sections proximal to the first and second end walls
includes the elongated channel. The elongated channel is less than
half the length of the edge of the roof section proximal to the top
of the end wall. The elongated channel is more than half the length
of the edge of the roof section proximal to the top of the end
wall. The elongated channel includes an aperture that extends
through a first wall of the elongated channel and a second wall of
the elongated channel. The end wall includes an aperture that
aligns with the aperture of the elongated channel when the first
roof section is pivoted around to from a roof over the folding
shed. A pin may extends through the aperture of the elongated
channel and the aperture of the first end wall thereby fixing the
first roof section in place relative to the end wall.
[0007] In accordance with various embodiments, the support member
may include at least one truss that extends from the first side
wall to the second side wall. The truss limits the movement of the
side walls by fixedly attaching to each of the side walls and
providing a ridged attachment through the truss between each of the
side walls. The truss includes a riser portion that follows the
contour of the first and second roof sections as they extend from
one side wall to the other. The truss provides vertical support to
the first and second roof sections limiting their ability to sag. A
plurality of trusses may be positioned between the first end wall
and the second end wall. The plurality of trusses may extend
between the first wall portion and the second wall portion.
[0008] In accordance with various embodiments, a first floor
section and a second floor section are operable to cover a lower
interior space of the folding shed. The first floor section is
operable to pivot up from the lower interior space of the folding
shed to approximately abut the first side wall as the folding shed
is transformed into a folded position. The first floor section is
sandwiched between the first sidewall and the first end wall when
the folding shed is folded. The first side wall may include
protrusions on a first end and a second end proximal to the
pivotable joints with the first end wall and the second end wall,
wherein the hinged connection between the first end wall and the
first side wall and the second end wall and the second side wall
are located on the protrusions with the first floor section
operable to nest between the two protrusions.
[0009] In accordance with various embodiments, at least one of the
first and second end walls or first and second side walls include
an aperture which receives an engagement feature from a wheel
assembly operable as a jack. The aperture may be an open end of a
tubular member that forms the bottom frame member of at least one
of the first and second end walls or first and second side walls.
The engagement member is part of an L-shaped bracket that extends
from the wheel assembly with a lateral member of the L-shaped
bracket sized to engage the aperture. The tubular member which
defines the aperture includes a second aperture which passes
through a side wall of the tubular member. The lateral member
includes an aperture there through. The tubular member aperture and
the lateral member aperture are operable to align after the lateral
member is inserted into the tubular member. The shed may include a
locking pin inserted through the aperture in the tubular member and
through the aperture in the lateral member in response to the
lateral member being inserted to an engagement distance within the
tubular member. Each of the first and second side walls, the first
and second roof sections and the first and second end walls are
formed from a plurality of tubular frame members connected to one
another. An exterior sheathing may be fastened to the tubular frame
members.
[0010] In accordance with various embodiments, at least one of the
first and second end walls or first and second side walls may be a
common wall with another structure. The structure may be a
semi-trailer. The common wall is a side wall and the end walls flex
out away from the common wall. The second roof section may be
pivotably attached to the common wall.
[0011] In accordance with various embodiments, the first and second
roof section are configured to pivot from the outside of the
sidewalls around to be placed in a position proximal the tops of
the first and second end wall. The first roof section folds over
and engages the seal plate against the top of the second roof
section, wherein the seal plate has a first leg and second leg with
a first angle there between. The angle may be less than the angle
between the top surface of the first roof section and the top
surface of the second roof section with the seal plate contacting
the top surface of the second roof section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1A depicts a front perspective view of a first example
of a folding shed.
[0013] FIG. 1B depicts a front perspective view of a second example
of a folding shed.
[0014] FIG. 2 depicts a rear perspective view of the folding shed
depicted in FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the folding shed
depicted in FIG. 1 viewed along line 3-3.
[0016] FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of the folding shed
depicted in FIG. 1 viewed along line 4-4.
[0017] FIG. 5A depicts a side elevation view of the roof peak of
the folding shed depicted in FIG. 4.
[0018] FIG. 5B depicts a side elevation view of the roof peak of
the folding shed depicted in the open state as opposed to the
closed state of FIG. 4.
[0019] FIG. 6A depicts a front elevation view of an example of an
end wall connector for the folding shed depicted in FIG. 4.
[0020] FIG. 6B depicts a front elevation view of an example of an
end wall connector for the folding shed depicted in FIG. 4.
[0021] FIG. 6C depicts a cross section view of a side wall bracket
for the folding shed depicted in FIG. 4.
[0022] FIG. 7 depicts a side elevation view of a roof hinge for the
folding shed depicted in the cross section of FIG. 4.
[0023] FIG. 8 depicts a front perspective view of the folding shed
depicted in FIG. 1 showing the left roof section partially
opened.
[0024] FIG. 9 depicts a front perspective view of the folding shed
shown in FIG. 1 with the left and right roof sections shown in
opened positions and the right floor section open.
[0025] FIG. 10 depicts a front perspective view of the folding shed
shown in FIG. 1 with the left and right roof sections abutting the
left and right sidewalls respectively.
[0026] FIG. 11 depicts a front perspective view of the folding shed
depicted in FIG. 1 with the front and rear end walls pivoted
inwardly towards each other.
[0027] FIG. 12 depicts a front perspective view of the folding shed
depicted in FIG. 1 with the left and right sections of the front
and rear end walls abutting each other.
[0028] FIG. 13 depicts a top plan view of the folding shed depicted
in FIG. 1 with the folding shed in a storage or transport
configuration.
[0029] FIG. 14 depicts a front perspective view of an exploded
assembly of multiple folding sheds.
[0030] FIG. 15 depicts a front perspective view of an exploded
assembly of multiple folding sheds with separable front and rear
end walls.
[0031] FIG. 16 depicts a front perspective view of another example
of a folding shed attached having a common wall with a second
structure.
[0032] FIG. 17A depicts a front perspective view of the folding
shed shown in FIG. 1 with wheels attached to the sidewalls and
front walls of the shed.
[0033] FIG. 17B depicts a detailed perspective view of the folding
shed shown in FIG. 17A with wheels attaching to the sidewalls of
the shed.
[0034] FIG. 18 depicts a front elevation view of the folding shed
shown in FIG. 1 with wheels attached to the sidewalls of the
shed.
[0035] FIG. 19 depicts a top elevation view of the folding shed
shown in FIG. 1 with wheels attached to the sidewalls of the
shed.
[0036] FIG. 20A depicts a side perspective view of a wheel, caster
jack and bracket for attachment to a shed, as depicted in FIGS.
22-24.
[0037] FIG. 20B depicts a side perspective view of another wheel,
caster jack and bracket for attachment to a shed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] Implementations of the apparatus described herein includes a
folding shelter structure. One particular implementation is a
folding shed. The folding structure may include a roof, two
sidewalls, and two end walls. In some embodiments, the structure
may include a floor. The floor may be divided into two sections,
each section pivotally connected to a sidewall. The roof may be
divided into two sections, each section pivotally connected to a
sidewall. Each end wall may be divided into two sections that are
pivotally connected to each other and to the sidewall adjacent the
section. The folding structure may be transformed from an operation
to a storage or transport configuration by outwardly pivoting each
roof section until the exterior surface of each roof section
approximately abuts the exterior surface of the respective sidewall
to which it is connected. The floor section may be inwardly pivoted
until the top surface of each floor section approximately abuts the
interior surface of the respective sidewall to which it is
connected. In this way the sidewall sections are sandwiched between
floor sections and roof sections. The end walls may then be
inwardly pivoted until the exterior sections for each end wall
approximately abut each other. Once transformed into a storage or
transport configuration, the structure may be readily stored or
transported, especially compared to a similarly sized, fully
assembled, non-folding structure. The assembled folding shed may be
used for any of a number of purposes and functions such as a
temporary or permanent structure for camping, hunting, fishing,
disaster relief; a greenhouse for providing food production,
hydroponic system operation, aquaponic system operation; a weather
shelter for protecting livestock or perishables; a recreational
shelter such as a hot tub enclosure, pool house; an industrial
& construction structure for securing site tool or small
equipment, job site headquarters, guard shack; a commercial
structure for trade show booth, food service booth, ticket office,
security office; a professional services structure for temporary
medical use, on-site quarantine, temporary disaster office, on-site
insurance claims office; etc.
[0039] FIGS. 1 and 2 depict front and rear perspective views of a
first example of a folding shed 100 in an unfolded configuration,
and FIG. 11 depicts a front perspective view of the first example
of a folding shed 100 in a partially folded configuration, and FIG.
12 depicts a front perspective view of the folding shed 100 in a
folded configuration. In this example, the folding shed 100
includes a rectangular base 102 and a roof 104. The base 102
includes left and right sidewalls 106, 108 and front and rear end
walls 110, 112. The roof 104 is divided into separate left and
right roof sections 114, 116 with each roof section 114, 116
pivotally coupled to its respective sidewall 106, 108. In one
particular arrangement, the roof sections 114, 116 are connected to
the sidewall 106, 108 supporting it with one or more roof hinges
118 so that each section may be independently pivoted with respect
to the sidewall 106, 108. Further, each end wall 110, 112 is
divided into separate right and left end wall sections 120, 122,
124, 126. The end wall sections 120, 122, 124, 126 are connected
together by one or more end wall hinges 128 so that the right and
left sections of an end wall 110, 112 may be pivoted or folded
relative to each other. Although the left and right roof sections
114, 116 are each shown as connected to their respective sidewalls
106, 108 by two roof hinges 118, more or fewer roof hinges may be
used to connect each roof section 114, 116 to its respective
sidewall 106, 108. Similarly, although the right and left end wall
sections 120, 122, 124, 126 for the front and back end walls 110,
112 are shown as connected together by two end wall hinges 128,
more or fewer end wall hinges may be used. Moreover, other pivoting
or rotating arrangements besides hinges may be employed, such as
ball and socket joints, universal joints, and so on.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, within the rectangular base 102, the
folding shed 100 may include a lower support surface proximal to
the bottom of the folding shed 100. The lower support surface may
be operable to separate contents of the folding shed from the
substrate on which the shed 100 is set, such as the ground. For
example, the rectangular base 102 may include a floor 103. The
floor 103 may include one or more floor sections 105, 107. The
floor sections 105, 107 may be pivotably attached to respective
side walls 106, 108. The pivotal attachment to the side walls may
allow the floor sections 105, 107 to swing up and away from the
ground in response to collapsing the folding shed 100 into its
folded position. In one example, a single floor may extend the full
width of the shed. In another example, two separate floor sections
105, 107 may variously split the width of the shed. This may be
done by each floor section covering half the width of the shed, but
any variation of covering may be applicable.
[0041] In accordance with various embodiments, the shed 100 may be
substantially or entirely enclosed. The enclosure may be formed by
the walls and frame members discussed herein. As the frame members
may be structural components, it may not be practical to completely
enclose the structure with structural components. As such, panels,
skins, plates, or the like may close the openings within and
between the frame members. This panel system may be done in
accordance with the systems described in patent application Ser.
No. 13/804,212, and U.S. Pat. No.8,763,315. In accordance with
various other embodiments as discussed herein, a skin may be
applied to the exterior of the shed 100 of the framing system. More
specifically the skin may be applied to the exterior portions of
the frame members that makeup the end walls 110/112, side walls
106/108, floor 150/107 and roof 114/116.
[0042] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, each of the walls, floor and
roof may be comprised as assemblies of coverings and frame
portions. The frame portions may be filed with a filler for reasons
discussed below. The frame members may provide structure support to
the folding shed 100 in addition to a surface to mount the
coverings and/or covering support brackets. These framing members
may include a series of horizontal and vertical members. For
example as shown on the side wall of FIGS. 1a and 2, the members
may include horizontal members 130a-d and vertical members 132a-c.
However, in various examples the number location and orientation of
the members may change, for example FIGS. 1b and 3 show a different
configuration of frame members with horizontal members 130a-c and
vernicle frame members 132a-d. As there may be defined number of
horizontal members or vertical members, the side walls will be
referred to as having horizontal members of the 130 series (which
can include e.g. 130 a,b,c, . . . ) and vertical members of the 132
series (which can include e.g. 132 a,b,c . . . ) The end walls will
be referred to as having vertical members in the 152 series (e.g.
152 a,b,c . . . ) and horizontal members in the 150 series (e.g.
150 a,b,c, . . . ). The roof section will be referred to as having
vertical members in the 142 series (e.g. 142 a,b,c . . . ) and
horizontal members in the 140 series (e.g. 140 a,b,c). The
horizontal and vertical sidewall members may be configured to
define sidewall frame structures. The number and arrangement of
sidewall, roof and end wall members will depend on various factors,
including the desired overall weight for the structure or any
particular part of the structure, the desired rigidity or size of
the structure, visual or other aesthetic considerations, cost and
availability of materials, and so on. Each horizontal and vertical
sidewall member may be joined to another horizontal or vertical
sidewall member by fasteners, welds, adhesives, any other known
methods for joining two items together, or any combination thereof.
Note that some of the frame members are shown has a hidden line to
indicate their location behind a covering.
[0043] The shape and configuration for members forming each frame
structure for the sidewalls 106, 108, end walls 110, 112, roof 104,
floor 103, and door 160 may be configured in any form to serve the
purposes of the individual foldable shed unit. Each of these walls
may also include a covering 800 which can be a skin, plate, panel,
etc. These coverings may include wood, metal (e.g. flat,
corrugated, mesh, etc. made from steel, aluminum, tin, etc.) glass,
greenhouse material (e.g. high density polyethylene extruded with a
corrugated structure/shape such as .RTM. solexx sheet), concrete,
plastic (e.g. polycarbonate such as .RTM.Lexan), etc. The coverings
800 may be a combination of these materials. For example as shown
in FIGS. 1B and 3, covering 800b may be a shaped metal and covering
800a (e.g. ribbed 28 gage steel) may be sollex sheet. Each of the
respective coverings 800 making up each of the walls may be
connected to the frame structures by mechanical fasteners (e.g.
screws, rivets or the like), welds, adhesives, any other known
method to join two items together, or any combination thereof. For
example, fasteners 802 may attach the skin to the frame members or
through the frame members attaching an inner skin 800in to the
outer skin 800 out.
[0044] The exterior and interior vertical end wall members e.g.
152a, b may generally resemble the exterior vertical sidewall
members e.g. 132a, b, the sloping and bottom horizontal end wall
members e.g. 154, 150a may generally resemble the top and bottom
horizontal sidewall members e.g. 130a. Each vertical or horizontal
frame members may have unique or shared structure. For example
vertical and horizontal end wall members 152b, 150a, c, adjacent
the door 160 may have slightly modified cross-sectional areas to
accommodate the door 160. For example, the portion of the top
horizontal front end wall member 150c adjacent the door 160 may
have a rectangular, hollow cross-sectional area with a pair of
opposing plates extending vertically upward from the rectangular
cross-sectional area rather than an H-shaped cross-sectional area a
C-shaped cross-sectional area or the like that any of the other
frame members may or may not have. In one example all of the frame
members are made with hollow tubular cross-sections.
[0045] In accordance with various embodiments each wall portion may
have an outside skin 800 out and an inside skin 800 inside. The two
skins may be different materials and/or different configurations of
material, e.g. 800 out may be a ribbed steel sheathing and 800 in
may be a flat steel sheathing. Between the two skins 800 in and 800
out a filler 200 material may be utilized. The filler 200 may
maintain the spaced relationship between skin 800 out and skin 800
inside forming and enclosed wall structure. The structure may
enhance the structural integrity of the walls to reduce the
tendency of the skins from buckling, to provide insulation for the
folding shed 100, to soundproof the folding shed 100, to increase
the weight of the folding shed 100 to resist uplift or overturning
forces, to increase the fire resistance of the folding shed 100, or
to do a combination thereof. One or more stiffener plates (not
shown) may also located between the skins to maintain the plates'
spaced relationship or to enhance the panel's structural integrity.
The filler may be a foam (e.g. Styrofoam or injection foam),
insulation, sand, wood, plate steel, plastic, or any other suitable
material, or any combination thereof. Although each wall may be
shown as including a sidewall filler 200, the sidewall filler 200
may be omitted from any or all of the walls.
[0046] Yet further, although the sidewalls 106, 108, end walls 110,
112, roof 104, floor and door 160 have been depicted in FIGS. 1, 2,
3, and 4 and other figures as being a certain frame and panel
structure, any or all may be created using any wall, roof, or door
construction method used to create a structure. For example, a wood
framing structure with plywood connected to the exterior side of
the wood framing may be used for any or all of the sidewalls, end
walls, roof, or the door. As another example, lightweight pre-cast
concrete panels may be used to create any or all of the sidewalls,
end walls, the roof, or the door for the folding shed. As yet
another example, the sidewalls and end walls could be formed from a
molded plastic that resembles the logs of a log cabin.
[0047] In accordance with various embodiments, the folding shed 100
may include one or more access points. These access points may
include windows, doors, panels, or any portion of the shed
configured to move items or people in and out of the shed. For
example, the folding shed 100 may also include a door 160 connected
to the front end wall 110 by one or more door hinges 162 to enable
entry into and out of the shed 100. Although the door 160 is shown
as connected to the front end wall 110 by two door hinges 162, more
or fewer door hinges may be used. As indicated, the folding shed
may include one or more access points including doors or windows.
The end walls 110, 112 or sidewalls 106, 108 may have one or more
access points. In one example, an end wall (e.g. 110) may have two
doors 160. The doors may open towards each other, having their
respective hinges locate on the opposite sides of the end wall from
one another. In this way the access point opens up like barn doors.
In various embodiments, the doors may be separated from one another
by vertical end wall members 152b. In other embodiments, the doors
may close directly into one another with no separation. In such
embodiments, the hinges 128 may be located on frame portions below
the door and above the door.
[0048] As indicated above, the roof sections 114, 116 are pivotable
with respect to the side walls 106, 108. When the left and right
roof sections 114, 116 are configured in a closed position as shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2, a joint is formed between them at the peak of the
roof 104. Water from rain, hoses, or other water sources may leak
through this joint. To minimize water leakage through it, a roof
plate 164 may be placed over the joint along the joint's length.
Although only one roof plate 164 is shown, more than one roof plate
may be used to prevent water leakage through the roof joint.
Additionally, other devices or methods for sealing a joint to
prevent water leakage through it may be used in lieu of, or in
combination with, the roof plate 164.
[0049] FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the folding shed
100 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 viewed along line 3-3. The right
sidewall 108 may be pivotally connected to the front end wall 110
using one or more front sidewall hinges 170. The right sidewall 108
may also be pivotally connected to the rear end wall 112 using one
or more rear sidewall hinges 172. Like the right sidewall 108, the
left sidewall 106 may also be pivotally connected to the front and
rear end walls 110, 112 using front and rear sidewall hinges 170,
172.
[0050] When the right roof section 116 is in a closed position, it
may be secured to the front and rear end walls 110, 112 using end
wall connectors 174. The connector can be any mechanism such as
latches or a pin in hole. Securing the right roof section 116 to
the front end wall 110, the rear end wall 112, or both end walls
110, 112 prevents the right roof section 116 from being undesirably
separated from the end walls 110, 112. For example, wind uplift
forces could cause the right roof section 116 to be lifted away
from the front and rear end walls 110, 112 if not positively
connected to at least one of the end walls 110, 112. As shown in
FIG. 3, the right roof section 116 is secured to both the front and
rear end walls 110, 112. However, the right roof section 116 may be
secured to only the front end wall 110 or to only the rear end wall
112. The left roof section 114 may also be secured to either the
front end wall 110, the rear end wall 112, or both, in a manner
similar to the right roof section 116. Each roof section may also
be secured on each side by receiving the end wall within a channel
formed by the connector 174 (see FIG. 6B-C for more details)
[0051] In the unfolded orientation, roof connectors 180 are
provided to join the right and left roof sections 114, 116. As
shown in FIG. 5, a roof connector 180 may include right and left
roof connector plates 182, 184. The right roof connector plate 182
may be connected to the right horizontal top roof member 140a using
a first roof connector fastener 186, such as a bolt, screw or the
like. Similarly, the left connector plate 184 may be connected to
the left top horizontal roof member 140b using a second roof
connector fastener 188. When the right and left roof sections 114,
116 are both in a closed position as shown in FIG. 5, the right and
left roof connector plates 182, 184 may be connected together using
a third roof connector fastener 190. In some embodiments, one of
the plates 182, 184 has a latch biased into a closed position and
the other a pin for snap joining the roof connector plates 182, 184
together. By using a roof connector 180, the right and left roof
sections 114, 116 may be prevented from moving towards the interior
of the folding shed under the influence of gravity or other
downward forces, or away from the interior of the shed under the
influence of wind uplift or other upward forces when the left and
right roof sections 114, 116 are in a closed position.
[0052] Although the roof connector 180 is depicted as including two
roof connector plates 182, 184, the roof connector 180 could be
formed using more or fewer plates or using different components.
For example, the left and right roof sections 114, 116 may be
connected together using a single plate that is connected to both
roof sections. As another example, the left and right sections 114,
116 may be connected together using a tie rod connected to each
section 114, 116. Further, although the roof connector plates 182,
184 are depicted as mechanically fastened to the right and left
roof sections 114, 116 and to each other, other known methods of
joining two items together such as welding or adhering, or a
combination of other known methods, could be used to join the roof
connector plates 182, 184 to the right and left roof sections 114,
116 and to each other. Similarly, alternative forms of the roof
connector 180 (e.g., the tie rod) could be mechanically fastened,
welded, adhered, joined by other known methods for joining two
items together, or joined by a combination thereof. The roof
connectors 180 may also be omitted. If omitted, the left and right
roof sections 114, 116 may be directly connected to each other
without the use of an intermediate component such as a roof
connector 180, or may not be connected together.
[0053] Generally, the roof connectors 180 form a more stable roof
by structurally tying the right and left roof sections 114, 116
together. Columns (not shown) may also be used to support the roof
104, especially for larger sheds. The columns could be connected to
the roof 104 by welding or adhering the columns to the roof members
140a-b, 142a-c, 144, using mechanical fasteners, such as bolts or
screws, to join the columns to the roof members 140a-b, 142a-c,
144, using any other suitable method of joining two or more
components together, or any combination thereof. Cross support 175
and 177 (e.g. roof trusses), shown in FIG. 3 may provide additional
support and strength in addition to or as an alternate to roof
connectors 180. The supports 175, 177 may be received into brackets
187 located at the top of the side walls 106, 108.
[0054] The right sidewall 108, the roof 104, the front and rear end
walls 110, 112, the floor 103 and the door 160 may be pre-assembled
in a manner similar to that described for the left sidewall 108 for
use as part of the folding shed 100. Once the left and right
sidewalls 106, 108, the front and rear end walls 110, 112, the roof
104, and the door 160 are assembled, they may be connected together
using hinges 118, 128, 162, 170, 172, 191 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3
and 4 to form the folding shed. Although the assembly of the
folding shed 100 has been described as occurring in a certain
order, the order of assembly could be different. For example, some
or all of the end wall, sidewall, roof, floor and door members that
are connected together by hinges may first be connected together
with their respective hinges 118, 128, 162, 170, 172, 191 and then
the end walls 110, 112, sidewalls 106, 108, roof 104, floors 105,
107 and door 160 could be assembled.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 4, the floor 103 may include a floor
section 105 and a floor section 107. The floor section 105 may be
pivotably connected to side wall 106 at hinge 191. The floor
section 105 may pivot toward side wall 106 along FR path. The floor
section 107 may be pivotably connected to side wall 108 at hinge
191. The floor section 107 may pivot toward side wall 108 along FL
path. As shown in this cross section, in some embodiments lower
side wall members 130c could have an opening 650 for receiving jack
600.
[0056] With reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B, the roof plate 164 may be
connected to the left roof section 114 using a roof plate
connection member 230. In particular, the roof plate connection
member 230 may be welded to the left roof section 114 and the roof
plate 164. The roof plate connection member 230 may be an angle as
shown in FIG. 5, a plate, or any other suitably shaped member.
Further, more than one roof plate connection member 230 may be
used. The roof plate 164 may be connected to the right roof section
116 using one or more roof plate fasteners 232. A water sealant 234
may be located between the roof plate 164 and the right and left
sections 114, 116. The water sealant 234 helps prevent water from
passing through the joint formed between the roof plate 164 and the
right and left roof sections 114, 116. The combination of the roof
plate 164 and the water sealant 234 may be used to prevent water
from entering the joint formed between the left and right roof
sections 114, 116 when the sections 114, 116 are configured in a
closed position.
[0057] The roof plate 164 may be made of metal, wood, plastic,
concrete, any other suitable material, or any combination thereof.
The water sealant 234 may be made of rubber, plastic, or any other
suitable material.
[0058] Methods of joining the roof plate 164 to the right and left
roof sections 114, 116 other than the method depicted in FIG. 5 and
described above may be used. For example, the roof plate 164 could
be connected to both the left and right roof sections 114, 116 by
roof plate fasteners 232. As another example, the roof plate 164
could be connected to the left and right roof sections 114, 116 by
gluing the roof plate 164 to the water sealant 234 and gluing the
water sealant 234 to the left and right roof sections 114, 116.
[0059] Methods of preventing water from passing through the joint
formed between the left and right roof sections 114, 116 when the
sections 114, 116 are configured in a closed position other than
the one depicted in FIG. 5 and described above may be used. For
example, a first waterproof material (e.g., rubber) may be
connected to the left roof section 114 and a second waterproof
material may be connected to the right roof section 116. Continuing
with the example, the first and second waterproof materials may be
configured to be pressed together when the roof sections 114, 116
are in a closed position in order to create a watertight seal at
the joint formed between the roof sections 114, 116. As another
example, a waterproof material could be configured to form a shape
similar to the shape of the roof plate 164 depicted in FIG. 5 and
connected to the roof sections 114, 116 by fasteners.
[0060] In accordance with various embodiments the roof plate 164
may substantially conform to the angle .OMEGA..sub.2 between the
outside surfaces of roof section 114 and roof section 116. This
angle may be between 45 degrees and 180 degrees. In accordance with
various embodiments, roof plate 164 may be sufficiently thin that
it is able to be flexed by leverage placed on the roof section 114.
Accordingly, the roof panel 164 may have a first angle prior to
closure and a second angle after closure. As indicated the angle
after closure is .OMEGA..sub.2, which corresponds to the angle
between roof sections 114 and 116. However, before closure, the
roof panel 164 may have a different angle .OMEGA..sub.1. The angle
.OMEGA..sub.1 may be less than the angle .OMEGA..sub.2. In various
examples, the angle .OMEGA..sub.1 may be 1-20.degree. less than the
angle .OMEGA..sub.2. In various examples, the angle .OMEGA..sub.1
may be 5-15.degree. less than the angle .OMEGA..sub.2. In various
examples, the angle .OMEGA..sub.1 may be about 10.degree. less than
the angle .OMEGA..sub.2. Accordingly, when closed, the roof panel
164 will have a tendency to maintain its angle .OMEGA..sub.1 and
therefore place a continued pressure on the opposing roof section
(e.g. 116) by trying to spring back to its original angle
.OMEGA..sub.1. This constant pressure by the roof plate 164 may
provide improved water sealing due to the constant pressure. Each
leg of the roof panel 164 may be configured to extend far enough
down each roof section 114, 116 to limit the inflow of water. For
example, each leg may be 1-8 inches in length. In various examples,
each leg may be 3-6 inches in length.
[0061] FIGS. 6A-C depict various detailed views and embodiments of
an end wall connector 174, which may be used to prevent the roof
104 from being undesirably separated from the end walls 110, 112
when the roof 104 is in a closed position. The end wall connector
174 may include an end wall connector plate 240 connected to the
roof 104 by welding the plate 240 to the roof 104. Although
depicted as connected to the roof 104 by welds, the plate 240 could
be connected to the roof 104 by use of fasteners, adhesives, any
other known method of connecting two members together, or any
combination thereof. The end wall connector plate 240 may include a
slot for receiving a peg 242 connected to the end wall 112. The peg
242 may be connected to the end wall 112 using mechanical
fasteners, welds, adhesives, any other known connection method, or
any combination thereof.
[0062] Attached to the plate 240 may be a latch 244 that forms an
enclosed space with the slot in the end wall connector plate 240
for retaining the peg 242 within the slot. The latch 244 may be
generally biased by a spring or other suitable device into a closed
a position and may be connected to a latch handle 246 that permits
the latch 244 to be moved from the closed position to an open
position. To receive the peg 242 within the slot, the latch 244 may
be moved to an open position as the roof 104 is moved into its
closed position. Once the peg 242 is received within the slot, the
latch 244 may be returned to its closed position (e.g., for
example, by releasing the handle 246 if the latch 244 is biased to
the closed position), thereby retaining the peg 242 within the
enclosed space formed by the slot and the latch 244. The latch 244
may be configured to be moved into an open position by contact with
the peg 242 as the roof 104 is moved into a closed position. Once
the peg 242 clears the latch 244, the latch 244 may then be biased
by a spring or other suitable device to return the latch 244 to its
closed position. Methods other than the one depicted in FIG. 6 and
described above may be used to prevent the roof 104 from being
undesirably separated from the end walls 110, 112 when the roof 104
is configured in a closed position. The plate 240 may extend only a
short distance proximal to the latch mechanism 244 as shown in
patent application Ser. No. 13/804,212, and U.S. Pat. No.
8,763,315. In various other embodiments, a plurality of plates 240
may be used at different locations along the end wall 112, 114. In
other embodiments, the plate 240 may extend a significant distance
along the roof portions 114 and/or 116. For example, the plate 240
may extend between 1/5 to 1/2 the length of each of the roof
portions 114, 116 that engage end walls 110, 112. In another
example, the plate 240 may extend between 1/2 and the full the
length of each of the roof portions 114, 116 that engage end walls
110, 112.
[0063] FIGS. 6B-C depict another detailed views and embodiments of
an end wall connector 174, which may be used to prevent the roof
104 from being undesirably separated from the end walls 110, 112
when the roof 104 is in a closed position. The end wall connector
174 may include an end wall connector plate 240a and 240b connected
to the roof 104 by welding the plate 240a and 240b to the roof 104.
Although depicted as connected to the roof 104 by welds (other form
of fastener e.g. hardware, adhesives, any other known method of
connecting two members together, or any combination thereof.) The
end wall connector plate 240a,b may include an aperture for
receiving a pin 242a through the end walls 110, 112. The plates
240a, 240b may be angled plates (e.g. 90 degree angles) that extend
along both sides of end walls 110, 112 as shown in FIG. 6C. The
aperture 241 may extend through each plate 240a and 240b and
through the end walls 119, 112 such that when the roof 104 is
closed on the end walls, each of the apertures align so that pin
242a can pass there through. Methods other than the one depicted in
FIG. 6 and described above may be used to prevent the roof 104 from
being undesirably separated from the end walls 110, 112 when the
roof 104 is configured in a closed position. The plates 240a,b may
extend only a short distance proximal to the mechanism 174 (e.g.
pin and aperture). However, in various embodiments, a plurality of
plates 240 a,b may be used at different and multiple locations
along the end wall 112, 114. In other embodiments, the plates 240
a,b may extend a significant distance along the roof portions 114
and/or 116. For example, the plates 240 a,b may extend between 1/5
to 1/2 the length of each of the roof portions 114, 116 that engage
end walls 110, 112. In another example, the plates 240 a,b, may
extend between 1/2 and the full the length of each of the roof
portions 114, 116 that engage end walls 110, 112.
[0064] FIG. 7 depicts a side elevation view of a roof hinge 118 for
the folding shed 100 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. The roof hinge 118
may include a side wall hinge plate 250 pivotally connected to a
roof hinge plate 252. The side wall hinge plate 250 may be
configured to form T-shaped cross-section and may be connected to
the top horizontal sidewall member 130a by welds. Although the side
wall hinge plate 250 is depicted as connected to the top horizontal
sidewall member 130a by welds, it may be connected to the top
horizontal sidewall member 130a using mechanical fasteners,
adhesives, any other known method for joining two items together,
or any combination thereof. Similarly, the roof hinge plate 252 may
be connected to the bottom horizontal roof member 140d using
mechanical fasteners, welds, adhesives, any other known method for
connecting two items together, or any combination thereof. Although
the roof hinge 118 is depicted as a T-shaped side wall hinge plate
250 pivotally connected to a roof hinge plate 252, any other method
for forming a hinged connection may be used to form a pivot
connection between the sidewalls 106, 108 and the roof 104. In
various examples, the hinge plate 250 may extend from the side wall
from 0.5''-4''. In various examples, the hinge plate 250 may extend
from the side wall from 1''-3''. In various examples, the hinge
plate may be about 3 inches from the side wall. The hinge plate 250
and hinge 118 may allow for an overhang of about 3 inches on each
side of the shed 100.
[0065] A method for transforming the folding shed 100 depicted in
FIGS. 1-7 from an operation configuration to a storage or transport
configuration will now be described with reference to FIGS. 8
through 13. If required, any connections between the left and right
roof sections 114, 116 to each other or to the sidewalls 106, 108
or end walls 110, 112 (other than the hinged connections between
the roof 104 and the sidewalls 106, 108) are undone. For example,
if the roof connector 180 depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B is utilized,
then the third roof fastener 190 may be removed in order to
disconnect the right and left roof connector plates 182, 184 from
each other. Similarly, if the roof plate 164 depicted in FIG. 5A
and 5B is utilized, the roof plate fasteners 232 may be removed to
disconnect the roof plate 164 from the right roof section 116. As
yet another example, if the end wall connector 174 depicted in FIG.
6A or 6B is utilized, then the latch 244 may be moved into an open
position to allow the peg 242 to be removed from the slot in the
end wall connector plate 240 (as shown in FIG. 6A), or the pin 242a
may be removed from the aperture 241 (as shown in FIG. 6B).
[0066] After disconnecting any connections between the left and
right sections 114, 116 to each other and to the sidewalls 106, 108
and end walls 110, 112, the left roof section 114 may be pivoted
outwardly relative to the left sidewall 106 until its exterior
surface approximately abuts the exterior surface of the left
sidewall 106 as shown in FIG. 9. The right roof section 116 may
then be pivoted outwardly relative to the right sidewall 108 until
its exterior surface approximately abuts the exterior surface of
the right sidewall 108 as shown in FIG. 10.
[0067] The various connections between floor portions 105 and 107
may be undone with respect to the side walls 106, 108 and the end
walls 110,112 with the exception of the pivotable connection
between the floor sections 105, 107 and the respective side walls.
Once connections are removed, the floor sections 105, 107 may be
pivoted up toward the respective side walls and approximately abut
thereto.
[0068] After the exterior surfaces of the left and right roof
sections 114, 116 approximately abut the exterior surfaces of their
respective sidewalls 106, 108, one or more supports may be removed
from between the side walls 106, 108. In various examples, the
supports may be roof trusses 175, 177. The supports (e.g. trusses
175, 177) may engage in brackets 187 on each of the side walls 106,
108 (also shown in FIG. 3). The supports may have two riser bars
185 which follow the contour and angle of roof sections 114, 116.
In some examples, the supports may have cross bars 183 which
triangulate the riser bars providing additional strength.
Protrusions 181 may extend downwardly from each end of the riser
supports 185. The protrusions may be sized to snugly fit within
brackets 187. In one example, the protrusions are square tube and
the brackets 187 is a slightly larger square tube suitable to
receive the protrusions 181 therein. The supports 187, 185 may
provide support to the side walls 106, 108 to limit them from
flexing out or in. The supports 187, 185 may also provide strength
to the roof portions 114, 116 to limit them from flexing
downward.
[0069] After the exterior surfaces of the left and right roof
sections 114, 116 approximately abut the exterior surfaces of their
respective sidewalls 106, 108, any connections between the
sidewalls 106, 108 and end walls 110, 112 to each other, to the
ground or a foundation (other than the hinged connections between
the end walls to each other or the sidewalls 106, 108) are undone.
Once these connections, if any, are undone, the right and left
sections 120, 122, 124, 126 of the front and rear end walls 110,
112 may be moved inwardly toward the interior of the folding shed
100 as shown in FIG. 11 until the exterior surfaces for the left
and right sections 120, 122, 124, 126 for each front and rear end
walls 110, 112 approximately abut each other as shown in FIG. 12.
Upon completion of this step, the folding shed 100 is now in a
storage or transport configuration. As shown in FIG. 13, in such a
configuration the exterior surfaces of the left and right sections
120, 122, 124, 126 of the front and rear end walls 110, 112
approximately abut each other and the interior surfaces of the left
and right sections 120, 122, 124, 126 of the front and rear end
walls 110, 112 approximately abut the interior surfaces of the left
and right sidewalls 106, 108, respectively.
[0070] As depicted in FIG. 13, the side walls may have additional
structural members, protrusions brackets or supports 166 on each
end of each of the side walls 106, 108. These supports 166 may
offset the end wall pivot hinges 170, 172 toward the center of the
structure providing a space for the floor sections 105, 107 to nest
within the side walls 106, 108 when in the fully folded position
shown in FIG. 13. These supports may be extended in a direction to
provide the described nesting area. For example, the direction may
be generally parallel with the end walls 110, 112. The supports 166
may extend a sufficient distance to fully or partially nest the
floor within. In one example, this may be at least the thickness of
the floor. In other examples, it may be more or less than the
thickness of the floor sections 105, 107. For example, the distance
the supports 166 extend inwardly from the side walls 106, 108 may
be from 1/2 inches-3 inches. In one example, the distance may be
about 1 inch.
[0071] To transform the folding shed 100 from the storage or
transport configuration shown in FIG. 13 to an operation
configuration as shown in FIG. 1 or 2, the steps described above
for transforming the folding shed 100 from an operation to a
storage or transport configuration may be repeated in reverse
order. Also, although the steps for transforming a shed 100 from an
operation to a storage or transport configuration, or vice versa,
are described in a certain order, the steps may be performed in a
different order or some steps may be omitted. For example, rather
than outwardly pivoting the left roof section 114 first, the right
roof section 116 may be outwardly pivoted first for some folding
sheds 100. Further, it should be appreciated that the end wall and
sidewall hinges 128, 170, 172 may be configured to permit the left
and right sections 120, 122, 124, 126 for either or both end walls
110, 112 to pivot outwardly rather than inwardly. When so
configured, the interior surfaces of the left and right sidewalls
106, 108 will approximately abut when the folding shed 100 is
configured into its storage or operation configuration.
[0072] In one embodiment, the folding shed 100 in its operation
configuration may be approximately 6'-12' wide by 6'-12' long with
a height of 5-8 at the eaves and 6'-9' at the peak. At this size or
smaller, the folding shed 100 can be readily configured from its
folded configuration to its unfolded configuration, or vice versa,
by one or two people. For larger sheds, mechanical equipment may be
used to help move the folding shed 100 to a desired location on
site and/or to change the folding shed 100 from a folded to an
unfolded configuration, and vice versa.
[0073] FIGS. 14-15 depicts a perspective view of an example of a
folding shed 500 structured in an expanding fashion. Like numbers
are used for similar components. In various embodiments, the
folding shed 500 is similar to other examples and embodiments of
folding sheds discussed herein except that either one or both of
end walls 110, 112 may be removed such that the left and right
sidewalls 106, 108 roof and floor remain, providing a structure
that can be attached directly to the end of another shed 100
section that likewise has one or both of end walls 110, 112
removed. By dividing the shed 100 into shed sections (100a, 100b,
and 100c in FIGS. 14 and 100a, and 100b, in FIG. 15) this example
of a folding shed 100 now includes separate structural components
that allow for perpetual expansion of the shed. As shown in FIG.
14, a first foldable shed structure 100a may include the front end
wall 110 and the left and right sidewalls 106, 108 and roof
sections 114, 116 and/or floor sections 105, 107 (if used in the
particular embodiment.) A second foldable shed structure 100b may
include either the left and right sidewalls 106, 108 their
respective roof sections 114, 116 and/or floor sections 105, 107
(if used in the particular embodiment.) A third foldable shed
structure 100c may include the rear end wall 112 with the right and
left sidewalls 106, 108, roof sections 114, 116 and/or floor
sections 105, 107 (if used in the particular embodiment). In
various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 15 an expandable shed may
further disassembly by having the front end wall 110 and the rear
end wall 112 being separable as well. In this way shed portions
100a and 100b are similar to the shed portion 100b of FIG. 14. In
either embodiment, the separate shed portions may be attachable to
one another via attachment points along the front vertical members
(e.g. 152a) and/or via their respective hinge fixtures located on
the walls. As shown in FIG. 15 both end walls may include doors or
in other embodiments only one end wall may include a door. In
various embodiments, separate shed portions may be attached to one
another by removing respective side walls and attaching where the
side walls would otherwise be located.
[0074] A method for transforming the expandable folding shed shown
in FIG. 14 or 15 from an operation to a transport or storage
configuration may be similar to the one described above for the
other examples and embodiments of folding 100 shed. In this
embodiment the shed portions 100a, 100b, 100c and so on may be
disconnected from each other prior to pivoting the roof sections
114, 116 and the end walls 110, 112. After disconnecting each shed
portions, the various roof segments may be pivoted relative to
their supporting sidewalls segments and the various end wall
sections for each end wall 110, 112 pivoted relative to each other
as described in more detail above with respect to the first folding
shed 100. It should be appreciated, however, that any or all of the
structural components may be disconnected from adjacent structural
components after performing any or all of the pivoting steps when
transforming the shed, or that any or all the structural components
may not be disconnected from adjacent structural components at any
time during transformation of the folding shed. Other expandable
structure may be accomplished according to those structures
provided in patent application Ser. No. 13/804,212, and U.S. Pat.
No. 8,763,315.
[0075] In accordance with various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 16,
the foldable shed assembly 100 may be attached to or share a common
wall with a separate structure 700. The separate structure 700 may
be a building, trailer, other shed, display booth, or any other
edifice either temporary or permanent having at least one wall to
attach the shed thereto. In such an embodiment, the shed 100 may
have at least one fewer walls, such as a side wall which may be
common with the separate structure 700. In some embodiments, as
discussed above with regard to FIGS. 14 and 15, the shed 100 may
have one or more fewer end walls operable to connected to another
structure (such as the other foldable shed discussed above.) By
providing a folding shed attached to a larger structure, the usable
floor space of the larger structure may be expanded. This may be
useful in applications such as trailers, RVs, or other mobile
units, which tend to have limit floor space. In this way the
foldable shed can be attached to the side of the structure 700 in a
folded state. A restraining element 720 may be attached to the
foldable shed or the structure 700. Once the structure is located
or desires expanded usable floor space, the shed 100 can be
released from the side of the structure 700, allowing the shed 100
to fold away from the common or attached wall 710 (the wall 710 can
be the side of the structure 700 or one of the shed side walls 108,
106). In various examples, hinges 730 may attach the end walls 110,
112 to the side wall of the structure 700. Hinges 740 may attach
the roof portion to the structure 700. In various examples, the
hinges for the end walls and the roof portion may be attached the
same as discussed above to a side wall, with the side wall being
attached to the structure wall. As shown in FIG. 16, the foldable
shed 100 may be attached to a trailer. As some trailers can squat
when parked to rest on their frame or lower support, the shed 100
may squat down with the trailer to engage the ground. In some
embodiments the shed may rest on a support structure such a s a
deck or platform.
[0076] FIGS. 17-20 depict another example of a folding shed 100, in
which all features are similar or identical to those of the shed
100 described in reference to FIGS. 1-13, with the additional
feature of at least one wheel assembly 600 (e.g. 600a associated
therewith. More than one wheel assembly, such as wheel assembly
600a-d may be employed (only 600a, 600b, and 600c are visible in
FIG. 17A). In the example shown, four wheel assemblies 600a-d are
variously attached to the sidewalls 106, 108 or end walls 110, 112
of the folding shed 100 at location separated from one another. As
illustrated more clearly in FIGS. 23 and 24, each wheel assembly
600a-d includes a wheel 602a-d attached to a caster jack 604a-d,
which is in turn attached to a bracket 606a-d, which is in turn
attached to one of the side walls 106, 108 or end walls 110, 112 of
the folding shed 100. Wheels, caster jacks and brackets are well
known so will not be described in further detail here.
[0077] In various alternative examples, the folding shed 100 may
include any suitable number of wheel assemblies, from as few as one
wheel assembly to as many as ten or more wheel assemblies. In
embodiments that include only two wheel assemblies, it may only be
possible to use the wheels for moving the shed when it is in a
folded/transport configuration. Otherwise, most embodiments will
include three or more wheel assemblies, so that the folding shed
can be moved, using the wheels, in an open/operation configuration.
In the embodiment shown, the folding shed 100 includes four wheel
assemblies 600a-d. The wheel assemblies 600a-d may be used to
facilitate transfer of the shed 100 when it is in an operation
configuration, as shown, or in a transport configuration.
[0078] In some embodiments, the wheel assemblies 600a-d may be
permanently attached to the foldable shed 100. Alternatively, the
wheel assemblies 600a-d may be removably attached. Using the caster
jacks 604a-d, the wheels 602a-d of the wheel assemblies 600a-d may
be adjusted up or down. In the up position, the wheels 602a-d will
be off the ground and the shed 100 will fully contact the ground.
In the down position, the wheels 602a-d will fully contact the
ground and lift the shed 100 off the ground. The shed 100 may then
be moved from one place to the next, using the wheels.
Additionally, in a neutral position, the wheels may be in contact
with the ground and the shed may not be lifted off the ground. Each
caster jack may be actuated to a different height, with one or some
not actuated at all, and others actuated to different height
levels. This allows the different parts of the shed supported by
the caster jacks 604a-d to be lifted as much as needed to
sufficiently clear the obstructions necessary to move that part of
the shed. Further, if the shed may require that a particular angle
be maintained during transport (whether a short or long distance),
the separately mounted caster jacks allow for the adjustment of the
relative height of the shed to approximate or obtain the required
angle.
[0079] In some examples, one or more of the wheels 600a-d may
include a wheel lock (not shown), which may help to stop the shed
100 from moving even when the wheels 602a-d are in the down
position.
[0080] The shed 100 may include one or more receiving features 650
which are operable to receive one or more portions of the wheel
assembly, such that the wheel assembly can positively engage the
shed 100 and support the weight. The receiving features 650 may be
any bracket, aperture, lifting surface, or the like that is
accessible to the wheel assembly 600. The receiving feature 650 may
be located below one or more of the vertical walls of the shed 100,
on the floor of shed 100, through one or more of the side walls or
end walls of shed 100 or through the horizontal or vertical side
wall members or end wall members e.g. 150 and 130 series of
horizontal members, 132 and 152 series of vertical wall members, as
shown in FIG. 17A. The shed may also include a locking feature 660
located proximal to the receiving feature 650 to lock the wheel
assembly 600 into the receiving feature 650. In one example as
shown in FIGS. 17A and B, the receiving feature 650 may be an open
end 650 of one of the bottom horizontal wall members such as 150a
and sized to receive in a lateral member 614 of wheel assembly 600
discussed in more detail below.
[0081] FIGS. 20A and 20B illustrate various embodiment of the wheel
assembly 600 in greater detail. In this embodiment, the wheel
assembly 600 includes a wheel 602, a caster jack 604 for lowering
and raising the wheel 602, a bracket 606 for attaching the caster
jack 604 to the shed 100, a hand crank 608 for lowering and raising
the wheel 602. The wheel assembly 600 may include one or more
engagement features that are operable to engage with the shed 100.
In various examples, the bracket 606 may include features operable
to engage the shed 100 from one or more directions. The bracket may
include an upright member 612 operable to mate with and/or engage
the exterior of the shed. The bracket may include a lateral member
614 operable to engage the bottom or internal structure of the shed
100. In addition or alternatively thereto, the wheel assembly may
include one or more fasteners (such as bolts) 610a, 610b for
attaching the bracket 606 to the shed 100. In various examples, as
shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, fasteners may be positioned on an
upright member 612 of the bracket 606, with one fastener 610a
positioned near a top end of the bracket, and the other fastener
610b positioned near a bottom end of the bracket 606 or central
thereto. As indicated, the wheel assembly 600 may include an
engagement feature operable to reach under or within the shed 100
to provide greater support such as the lateral member 614, which
may extend outwardly from the bottom end of an upright bracket
member 606 to form an "L" shape. The upright member 612 may extend
along an outer wall of the shed and the lateral member 614 may
extend along a bottom surface or portion of the shed during use.
The fasteners 610a/b releasably mount the upright 612 member to the
shed, which assists the lateral member 614 to carry the load of the
shed. The fasteners are shown as bolts in this embodiment, which
may be attached to pre-positioned receiving bores (having threaded
sidewalls for threaded engagement with the bolts in this example).
Alternatively, the fasteners may be positioned through the walls of
the shed and secured from the inside of the shed by nuts or other
retainers. The bolts may be inserted from the house and fastened to
the bracket also. The fasteners may also be positioned on the
lateral member only, or on both as desired. Other fasteners are
contemplated, such as hooks, latches or the like.
[0082] The wheel assembly may also include a clearance portion 630
along upright member 612. The clearance portion 630 may alter the
plane of engagement between the upright member 612 and the vertical
wall of shed 100 to clear the wheel 602. The wheel assembly 600 may
also include standoffs 640, shown in FIG. 20B, that are the same
height (e.g. length) as the clearance portion 630 shifts the
engagement plane of upright 612.
[0083] Referring again to FIG. 17B, the wheel assembly 600 may be
operable to engage the shed 100 with or without fasteners along the
side walls. For example, the lateral member 614 may be sized to
engage and be inserted into the shed receiving member 650. In
various examples, as discussed above, the shed receiving member 650
may be the end tubular channel of one of the lower frame members.
The shed receiving member 650 may further include the locking
feature 660. The locking feature 660 may be positioned relative to
the lateral member 614 such that once engaged with the shed 100 the
lateral member 614 is not removable without disengaging the locking
feature 660. The locking feature 660 may align with an opposing
locking feature 668 positioned on the lateral member 614, such
that, in response to the lateral member 614 engaging the shed 100,
the locking features 660 and the opposing locking feature 668 align
and are engageable. The locking feature may include a pin 662 which
engages an aperture 664. The aperture 664 may align with an
opposing aperture 668 located on the lateral member 614. When
aligned the pin 662 may extend through both apertures to lock the
lateral member 614 relative to the shed 100. The locking feature
660 may be located in the side wall of the shed receiving member
650, which may be the side wall of any of the horizontal or
vertical side wall members or end wall members (e.g. 150 and 130
series of horizontal members, 132 and 152 series of vertical wall
members) as shown in FIG. 17B, the locking feature 660 is located
through the side wall of end wall member 150a with the end wall
150a ending in an aperture 650 that is operable to receive lateral
member 614.
[0084] It is contemplated that in the circumstance where only one
or two wheel assemblies are utilized to move the shed, that a
secondary rolling support mechanism may be utilized to movably
support on the ground the portion of the shed not lifted off the
ground by the first- or second-wheel assemblies. Such secondary
rolling support mechanism may be positioned entirely under the
shed, partially under the shed, or not under the shed (such as by
suspension from a crane extending off the rear of a service truck).
The secondary rolling support mechanism may take the form of, in
one example, a flat platform with one or more caster wheels mounted
on its bottom side. This would be positioned at least partially
under the shed during repositioning of the shed.
[0085] The various components of the wheel assembly 600 may be made
of any suitable material. In one embodiment, for example, all or
substantially all components may be made of metal. In another
example, all components may be made of metal, except the wheel 602,
which may be made of rubber.
[0086] In various embodiments, the wheel assembly 600 may either
permanently or removably attach to the shed 100. Permanent
attachment may be made by welds or other permanent attachment
means. Removable attachment may be made one or more shared
engagement features between the shed 100 and the wheel assembly 600
by bolts 610a, 610b or other temporary attachment means. As the
component parts of the wheel assembly 600 are generally well known,
they will not be described further herein.
[0087] Although the sidewalls, end walls, roofs, and doors for
various representative examples of folding sheds have been depicted
and described as having certain frame or panel structures, the
sidewalls, end walls, roofs, and doors for any of the various
examples of folding sheds illustrated in the figures or described
above may be created using any wall, roof, or door construction
method used to create a structure. Furthermore, although various
representative examples of this invention have been described above
with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art
could make numerous alterations to the disclosed examples without
departing from the spirit or scope of the inventive subject matter
set forth in the specification and claims.
[0088] In accordance with various embodiments, the features,
aspects, embodiments and examples from patent application Ser. No.
13/804,212, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,763,315 may be variously
incorporated into the different aspects, features, embodiments and
examples presented herein. Application Ser. No. 13/804,212, and
U.S. Pat. No. 8,763,315 are hereby incorporated herein by reference
in their entireties.
[0089] All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward,
downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above,
below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are
only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's
understanding of the examples of the present invention, and do not
create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation,
or use of the invention unless specifically set forth in the
claims. Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and
the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate
members between a connection of elements and relative movement
between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily
infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed
relation to each other.
[0090] In some instances, components are described with reference
to "ends" having a particular characteristic and/or being connected
with another part. However, those skilled in the art will recognize
that the present invention is not limited to components which
terminate immediately beyond their points of connection with other
parts. Thus, the term "end" should be interpreted broadly, in a
manner that includes areas adjacent, rearward, forward of, or
otherwise near the terminus of a particular element, link,
component, part, member or the like. In methodologies directly or
indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are
described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled in
the art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged,
replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention. It is intended that all
matter contained in the above description or shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and
not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without
departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the
appended claims.
* * * * *