Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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COLLAPSIBLE TRANSPORTABLE DECK
FOR A HOUSE TRAILER OR MOBILE HOME
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to building structures and more particularly to a
portable
deck that can be easily transported from one location to another.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A conventional deck is time consuming to construct and very difficult to
transport from one location to another. This problem is especially troublesome
for
the owner of a house trailer or mobile home that has a deck which must be
moved
to a new location because a conventional deck has to be disassembled
completely
and the individual parts transported in a moving van when the owner moves to
another area.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improved deck
which overcomes these problems by allowing the owner to easily transport the
deck
from one location to another where it can be quickly and efficiently deployed
for
use with relatively little effort.
A further object is to provide a portable and transportable deck that serves
as a
vehicle, e.g., a trailer or wagon in which other articles can be transported
to the new
location where the deck is to be set up for use.
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It is a more specific object to provide an improved deck that can be converted
quickly to a trailer of any length or width and hauling capacity including
single,
tandem or multiple combinations of supporting wheels with a coupling at one
end
to facilitate connecting the deck to a towing vehicle.
Further objectives are to provide a choice of either rigid or hinged fasteners
between side and floor portions of the deck, to provide effective support for
the
deck once installed in a fixed location, an optional raised deck platform, an
optional
storage room, and optional power-operated actuators for collapsing and
expanding
the deck.
These and other more detailed and specific objects of the present invention
will be better understood by reference to the following figures and detailed
description which illustrate by way of example but a few of the various forms
of the
invention within the scope of the appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a portable and collapsible deck that is especially well
suited for use at the entrance of a house trailer or mobile home. The deck
includes a
floor, typically formed from wood or metal. The floor has opposed
longitudinally
extending side edges and opposed laterally extending front and rear edges. The
deck also includes at least one movable wall with an edge at the level of the
floor
that is connected to the adjacent side edge of the floor. Preferably, one such
wall is
connected to each side edge of the floor. Each wall is movable between a
vertical
collapsed position extending upwardly from a side edge of the floor when the
deck
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is to be transported and a horizontal deployed position extending laterally
from the
floor. The deck includes a framework supporting the floor of the deck and the
framework includes ground-engaging wheels mounted for rotation at the bottom
of
the framework. A coupling means is also provided at the front of the deck to
facilitate connecting the deck to a towing vehicle such as a truck that is
used for
moving the deck from one location to another. The deck has at least one mating
edge that can be adapted to conform to an adjacent wall of a house trailer or
mobile
home so that it can be positioned next to the entrance. When the deck is set
up for
use, a plurality of spaced apart foundation columns are located beneath the
deck
and extend upwardly from the ground to support the deck in a fixed position.
During use, a person can walk from the house trailer or mobile home onto the
deck.
However, when the deck is to be moved it can be collapsed for being
transported by
means of the towing vehicle to the new location. While the deck is especially
well
suited for use next to a house trailer or mobile home, it can also be used for
other
applications, e.g., as a bandstand or as a base for a parade float or, if
desired, chairs
can be placed on it to provide seating at athletic or musical events or other
performances.
According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a portable
and collapsible deck suited for use with a house trailer or mobile home
comprising, a
floor having opposed longitudinally extending side edges and opposed laterally
extending front and rear edges, at least one movable wall having a first edge
at the
level of the floor, the floor and each such wall cooperate when the wall is in
a
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deployed position extending laterally from the floor to provide a flat,
horizontal,
substantially continuous deck surface that includes the floor and each such
wall,
fastening means for connecting one of the side edges of the floor and the
first edge of
the wall, each such wall being a) connected to the floor so as to be capable
of being
moved at the time the deck is to be transported from one location to another
and b)
during transport each wall being withdrawn from the horizontal deployed
position,
rotatable ground engaging supporting wheels below the deck, wheel support
means
that are separate from the wall and aligned below the floor for holding the
wheels
below the floor and in contact with the ground to support the floor, each wall
being
movable independently of the wheels between the deployed horizontal position
and
the withdrawn position, a plurality of spaced apart supports located beneath
the deck
and extending upwardly from the ground for holding the deck in a fixed
position with
the wall spaced above the ground when in the horizontal deployed position,
coupling
means at one end of the deck to facilitate connecting the deck to a towing
vehicle
when the deck is to be transported from one location to another, such that the
deck
can be separated from the house trailer or mobile home or placed adjacent to
the
entrance of the house trailer or mobile home to enable a person to walk from
the
house trailer or mobile home onto the deck when the deck is deployed, and the
deck
can be collapsed for being transported by means of the towing vehicle from one
location to another while supported on the wheels.
THE FIGURES
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the deck deployed for use next to a house
trailer;
Fig. 2 is an exploded view of one form of deck that includes a trailer fiame-
work having a subfloor;
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Fig. 3 is a view of the deck of Fig. 2 as it appears deployed for use in a
fixed
position;
Fig. 4 is a side elevational view showing the deck in a collapsed condition
when being transported from one location to another;
Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the deck taken on line 5-5 of
Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. S;
Fig. 7 is a front end elevational view of another form of deck in accordance
with the invention;
Fig. 7A is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 7A-7A of Fig. 7;
Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of another form of deck in accordance with
the invention;
Fig. 9 is an end elevational view of another form of deck in accordance with
the invention;
Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the pivotal connection
between the deck floor and deck wall on an enlarged scale;
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the deck of Fig. 8 with a peripheral railing;
Fig. 12 is a rear elevational view of the deck of Fig. 11 in a partially
collapsed
condition;
Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 of the deck shown fully collapsed; and
Fig. 14 is a partial front elevational view showing an optional supporting
wheel attached to the lower surface of one of the walls of the deck.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Refer now to the figures in which the same numerals refer to corresponding
parts and especially to Figs. 1 and 2.
Shown in Fig. 1 is a deck 10 deployed for use in a fixed position adjacent to
a
house trailer 12. The collapsible and transportable deck 10 includes a floor
14
having laterally spaced apart longitudinally extending side edges 14a, 14b,
front
and rear edges 14c and 14d, respectively, and a framework including supporting
columns 16 which are connected at their lower ends to a transversely extending
axle 18 carrying at its ends pivoted arms 20 to which are connected ground
wheels
22. If desired, the framework columns 16 can be connected directly, e.g., by
bolts
(not shown), to the floor 14 or, in the alternative as shown in Fig. 2, the
columns 16
can be connected rigidly, e.g., as by welding, to a rectangular metal or
wooden
subfloor 24 which forms a part of the deck framework that in this case is
separate
from the floor 14 itself but is rigidly connected to it, e.g., by means of
bolts 27
(Fig. 2). The subfloor 24 can be provided with stake pockets (not shown)
and/or
bolt openings on the sides or ends. Thus, the invention contemplates two
alternative
forms of construction: one with framework members 16 connected directly to the
floor 14 and another somewhat more expensive form in which the framework
members 16 are connected to the subfloor unit 24 as a part of the framework
separate from the deck floor 14.
The deck 10 includes at least one but more preferably two or more walls 26
and 28 with edges 26a, 28a, respectively, at the level of the floor 14 that
are
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connected to one of the side edges 14a, 14b of the floor 14. The walls 26, 28
and
floor 14 can be formed from any suitable construction material, e.g., wood or
metal.
However, wooden boards are preferably used. These may be connected to each
other by means of wooden stringers or joists 30 (Fig. 2) of suitable known
construction, and the deck 10 can be assembled from any of a variety of other
building materials, e.g., wooden or metal panels and the like known in the
art, or in
various other ways as will be described more fully herein below.
Each of the walls 26, 28 is movable between a vertical or collapsed position
(shown in solid lines in Fig. 2 and in dotted lines at 32 and 34 in Fig. 1)
and a
horizontal deployed position extending laterally from the floor 14 as shown in
dotted lines at 36, 38 in Fig. 2. At the front of the deck 10 is provided a
coupling
means such as a tow bar 40 (Fig. 2). The tow bar 40 is provided at its front
end with
a ball-and-socket joint 40a of any suitable known construction. The tow bar 40
is
fastened to the front of the deck 10 either to the subfloor 24 of the
framework of
Fig. 2 or directly to the deck floor 14 adjacent the front edge 14c (Fig. 1)
to
facilitate connecting the deck 10 to a towing vehicle, e. g. , a truck 42
(Fig. 4), when
the deck 10 is to be transported from one location to another.
As shown in Fig. 1 the deck 10 includes a mating edge 43, which in this case
is the outermost edge of the wall 26, that is adapted to conform to an
adjacent wall
of a house trailer 12 so that the deck 10 can be positioned adjacent to the
entrance
12a of the house trailer 12. Consequently, when the deck 10 is deployed for
use in a
fixed position next to the trailer 12, a person can walk from the house
trailer or
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mobile home, as the case may be, onto the deck 10. If desired, the deck can be
spaced from other structures (Fig. 11). The deck 10 of Fig. 1 can be partially
or
completely surrounded by means of an upwardly projecting, peripherally
extending,
vertically disposed optional railing 44 (which is only partially shown in Fig.
1). The
railing 44 is rigidly secured, e.g., by means of nails or bolts, to the
peripheral edge
of the deck 10. Strategically placed beneath the deck 10 are a plurality of
spaced
apart supports of any suitable type which will be referred to in a generic
sense as
"foundation columns" 46. Columns 46 are located beneath the deck 10 and extend
upwardly from the ground to support the deck 10 in a fixed position wherever
it is
to be used, e.g., next to the house trailer or mobile home 12 after the deck
10 is thus
set up for use as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. Once the deck 10 is set up for use
as
shown in Fig. 1, stairs 48 can be placed to extend from one side edge thereof
to the
ground. The space beneath the deck 10 can also be enclosed by means of a skirt
50
of any suitable known construction, e.g., wooden lattice or plastic sheeting.
Refer now to Figs. 2 and 3 wherein the same numerals refer to corresponding
parts already described. The deck of Fig. 2 also includes front and rear walls
52, 54
which are folded upwardly to a vertical position as shown in Fig. 2 and by
dotted
lines in Fig. 3 but which can be detached, placed in a horizontal position
adjacent to
the floor 14 (Fig. 3) and connected to the front edge 14c of the floor 14 by
means of
fasteners, e.g., bolts 56. Smaller auxiliary panels 58, 60 can also be
provided for
extending the side walls 26, 28 toward the front of the deck as shown in Fig.
3. The
auxiliary panels 58, 60 are bolted or otherwise rigidly fastened between the
walls
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26, 28 and the walls 52, 54, e.g., by bolts or other suitable fasteners (not
shown).
The entire deck 10 is shown supported in Fig. 3 by means of vertically
extending
spaced apart foundation columns 46 that extend upwardly from the ground and
are
connected to the deck 10 to hold it in a fixed, deployed position ready for
use.
When the deck 10 of Fig. 3 is to be transported to a new location, the walls
26, 28
are detached from the edges 14a, 14b of the floor 14 and the walls 52, 60 are
disconnected, e.g., by removing fasteners such as the bolts 56. The walls 26,
28, 52,
54 are then placed in the upright positions as shown extending upwardly from
the
edges of the floor 14 and are secured to the floor 14 in their upright
positions,
preferably by using suitable removable fasteners such as bolts as will be
described
more fully below. The steps 48 and the auxiliary panels 58, 60 can then be
placed
on the floor 14 of the deck 10 along with the foundation columns 46. The ball
joint
40a of the tow bar 40 can then be connected to a vehicle 42 (Fig. 4). It will
be noted
that the collapsed deck can be used for transporting luggage, household goods,
and
other articles. Thus, it acts as a cargo vehicle. The deck 10 is then ready to
be
moved to a new location.
Fig. 2 also illustrates an alternative form of coupling for towing the deck
10.
In this form of the invention, the deck 10 is provided with a rectangular,
horizontally disposed elevated auxiliary deck or platform 53 which is securely
attached at its rear end 53 a to the top edge of the front wall 52 so as to
extend
forwardly from the front of the deck 10 at the elevation of the top edge of
the front
wall 52. Extending downwardly from the lower surface of the platform 53 is a
ball
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joint 57 (Figs. 2 and 8) of suitable known construction for connecting the
deck 10
to a suitable mating coupling SS on a towing vehicle. In this case, the ball
joint 57
is elevated above the floor 14 and is commonly known as a "fifth wheel"
coupling
which is placed in an elevated position at the rear end of a vehicle such as a
pickup
truck.
Refer now to Figs. 4, 5 and 6 which illustrate one preferred form of floor and
wall construction for the deck in accordance with the invention.
As shown in Figs. 4-6, the walls 28 and 30, in this instance, are composed of
a
plurality of wooden boards 64 in side-by-side longitudinally extending
relationship
with their side edges abutting one another. The boards 64 are captured between
transverse and longitudinally extending C-shaped centrally opening metal
channels
66 which serve as a framework for holding the boards 64 in place. The ends of
the
boards 64 are securely held in place within the channel openings of the
vertical
channels 66a (Figs. 4 and 6) which are secured, e.g., by welding at their
ends, to the
upper and lower channels 66. When the walls 28 and 30 are in an upright
collapsed
position, they are rigidly secured to the side edges 14a, 14b of the floor 14
by
means of removable fasteners, e.g., bolts 70 which hold them securely in
place.
Refer now to Fig. 7 which illustrates another form of the invention with the
side walls 26, 28 in their operative deployed position. When the walls 26, 28
are
placed horizontally in their deployed positions as shown in Fig. 7, they are
connected rigidly to the side edges 14a, 14b of the deck floor 14 by
fasteners, e.g.,
bolts 72 which hold them securely in place. Fig. 7 also illustrates two forms
of wall
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supports. One form of wall support comprises one or more pivoted braces 74
supported for pivotal movement about vertical axes upon pivots 76 so that the
braces can be swung outwardly and placed beneath the walls 26, 28 to support
them
when deployed as shown in Fig. 7. When the deck 10 is to be moved, the braces
74
can be pivoted forwardly or rearwardly on the pivots 76 to a recessed position
beneath the floor 14.
One preferred form of foundation column is shown at 78 in Figs. 7 and 7A. In
this form the foundation column 78 includes a vertical post 81 with a bracket
81a
having an opening slidably mounted over the post 81 to enable the bracket 81a
to be
raised or lowered to any desired position for supporting the edge of the deck
10 and
then locked in place in any suitable manner, e.g., by means of cleats, stops
or a set
screw 84. The post 81 can be pounded into the ground or placed against the
surface
of the ground.
Refer now to Figs. 8-13 which illustrate another form of the invention wherein
the same numeral refer to corresponding parts akeady described. In this case
the
walls 26, 28 are provided with centrally extending wings 80 at each end to
which
are connected longitudinally extending aligned pivots 82 that are connected to
the
side edges of the floor 14 to enable the walls 26, 28 to pivot from the
horizontal
deployed position of Figs. 8 and 11 upwardly to the collapsed upright position
of
Fig. 13 when the deck 10 is to be transported to a new location. Fig. 10 shows
how
a longitudinally extending spacer 83 formed from a metal or wooden strip is
placed
in a gap 85 above the pivot 82 when the deck is in use. The gap 85 provides
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sufficient space to enable the walls 26, 28 to be raised without striking
portions of
the floor 14.
Refer to Figs. 11-13 which illustrate an upwardly projecting peripherally
positioned railing 88 extending almost completely around the deck 10. Railing
88
includes two longitudinally extending upright portions 88a and 88b which are
rigidly secured to the distal edge of the walls 26, 28. The railing 88 also
includes
transversely extending railing segments 88c, 88d at the front of the deck and
88e,
88f at the rear of the deck which are hinged to the front and rear ends,
respectively,
of the longitudinal railing segments 88a, 88b to enable the transverse railing
segments 88c-88f to be pivoted centrally to a collapsed position adjacent to
the
fixed segments 88a, 88b as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The hinges are designated
89.
The walls 26, 28 are shown partially raised in Fig. 12 and fully raised to the
vertical
collapsed position in Fig. 13. It will be noted that the railing segments 88e-
88f
when folded centrally and held in place with fasteners (not shown) are out of
the
way and will not interfere with the raising of the walls 26, 28. The elevated
platform 53 is provided with a fixed railing 90 (Fig. 11) which is secured in
an
upright position at the periphery of the platform 53 with suitable fasteners,
e.g.,
nails or bolts. Any of a variety of playground equipment such as a child's
slide,
which in this case is shown in the form of a tube 92, can be connected to the
deck
10 (specifically, to one side of the platform 53) to extend from the platform
53 to
the ground so that children can be entertained by sliding from the platform
53.
Access to the platform 53 can be provided by means of additional steps or a
ladder
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94. As shown in Fig. 8 there is optionally provided a room 93 beneath the
platform
53 which comprises three connected walls 95 which the define the room and an
entry, such as a door 97. The room 93 beneath the platform 53 can be used for
any
purpose, e.g., as storage or a shop area.
Refer now to Fig. 9 which illustrates how the invention can be provided with
an optional awning 96 that covers the entire deck 10. The awning 96 is
supported
by means of four metal supporting posts 97, 99 (only two of which are shown)
that
extend upwardly from the ends of the deck 10. The awning 96 includes an
elevated
central peak 98 and longitudinally extending, downwardly folding side portions
100
and 102 which are hinged to a center portion 104 of the awning 96 for pivotal
movement along longitudinal pivot axes 106, 108 positioned above the side
edges
of the floor 14 to enable the side portions 100, 102 of the awning 96 to be
folded
downwardly to a collapsed position (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9) when the
deck
10 is to be transported from one location to another or when the deck is to be
enclosed, e.g., during bad weather. The folding side portions 100, 102 can be
held
in their erect solid line positions by means of pivoting braces 109, 111
connected at
their lower ends to supporting posts 97, 99.
In the embodiment of Fig. 9 the floor 14 is provided with openings 15 for
raising the supporting wheels 22 and the associated framework members, e.g.,
posts
16, above the elevation of the floor 14 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9 to
allow
the deck 10 to be lowered into contact with the ground whenever desired.
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In the embodiment of Fig. 9 the deck 10 is also provided with optional power-
operated actuators, in this case a pair of power-operated actuators 110, 112,
preferably telescopic hydraulic actuators which are connected between the
walls
26, 28 and a central portion, e.g., the end wall 52 of the deck 10. By
retracting the
actuators 110, 112 the walls 26, 28 will be raised and by extending the
actuators,
the walls 26, 28 will be pivoted downwardly to the deployed horizontal
position
shown in the figure. Alternatively, the walls 26, 28 can be raised and lowered
by
means of cable or rope engaged on a winch (not shown).
Refer now to Fig. 14. In Fig. 14 is shown an auxiliary wall-supporting wheel
120 rotatably mounted at the lower end of a supporting column 122 which is
rigidly
connected at its upper end to the lower surface of the side wall 26. When the
side
wall 26 is lowered to the dotted line position 124 of Fig. 14 by pivoting it
downwardly about the horizontal pivot 82, the wheel 120 will engage the ground
126 to provide auxiliary support for the pivoting wall 26. Other walls, e. g.
, wall 28,
can be provided with a similar supporting wheel 120.
The invention thus provides a collapsible and transportable deck which also
serves as a cargo trailer that can be used for carrying luggage, personal
property and
other articles. The deck can be easily set up for use in a fixed position
after being
transported to a new location. It can be made in any width or length, size or
capacity. It can be made with single, tandem or multiple combinations of
wheels 22
or 120. In addition, the tow bar 40 can be straight or of the type known as a
"fifth
wheel gooseneck" 57. The tow bar can be fixed or bolted on. In addition, the
deck
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can be mounted on a separate framework which functions as a flatbed trailer as
shown in Fig. 2. The deck can form a box-like enclosure for holding cargo when
the walls are collapsed to the vertical position for being transported to a
new
location.
5 When the framework includes a subfloor 24 that is separate from the floor
14,
the entire framework which then acts as a flatbed trailer has the advantage of
being
available for other uses after the deck 10 has been set up in a stationary
position.
However, when the subfloor 24 is not used, the deck 10 including the framework
will function as a single unit that remains assembled at all times.
10 Leveling of the deck 10 can be accomplished in any of various ways known in
the art. For example, stake pockets (not shown) can be provided through the
deck
subfloor portion 24. Stakes can extend through the pockets and cleats of
suitable
known construction beneath the subfloor 24 can be used to support the entire
unit.
Alternatively, brackets 78 can be installed to the side of the bed with poles
81 in the
brackets and stops provided to adjust the height of the deck walls
accordingly. If
desired, one can place foundation blocks or even sawhorses (all referred to
herein
collectively as "foundation columns") under the deck 10.
It will be understood that more than one deck unit of the present invention
can
be provided and each of them connected to another similar unit to provide an
even
larger deck, stage or platform. Different types of stairways and steps can be
added,
including spiral stairways which take up less space. If an occasion arises
requiring
towing in a deployed or open position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 14,
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additional support can be provided with towing cables (not shown) provided to
extend from the hitch to the outside edges of the walls 26, 28.
Many variations of the present invention within the scope of the appended
claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art once the principles
described
herein are understood.
