Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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TEM File No. 198.1
THC>MAS E. MALYSZKO
PATEN7.' & TRADE MARK AGENT
ice: COLLAPSIBLE BUILDING STRUCTURES
Inventor Glenn Briggs
~ nli~ cant: Pafco Shelters Ltd.
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COLLAPSIBLE BUILDING STRUCTURES
This invention relates to buildings and more
particularly to collapsible buildings formed from a
plurality of panels pivotally connected by a hinge
assembly.
Collapsible or foldable buildings are well known
in the art inasmuch as such structures fill a particular
need. For example, in military operations, it is
frequently necessary to set up emergency shelters for
control units or medical centres. Similarly, in
disaster zones such as regions devastated by earthquakes
or tornadoes) emergency shelters must be assembled
quickly.
Collapsible or foldable building structures are
known examples of such being disclosed in U.S. Patent
4,805,536 which issued February 21, 1989 to Kenneth W.
Feiss.t: U.S. Patent 4,726,155 which issued February 23,
1988 to Nahmiss: U.S. Patent 4,118,901 which issued
October 10, 1978 to Johnson: U.S. Patent 3,984,948 which
issued October 12, 1976 to Willis A. Bussard; and U.S.
Patent 3,863,419 which issued February 4, 1975 to
Hendrich.
The foldable building of the present invention
distinguishes the prior art in many ways and most
particularly in the universal design of the hinge
assennbly.
The building is constructed of a plurality of
pane7ls approximately interconnected by the hinge
assembly of the present invention which permits the
floor, side walls and roof structure to fold into a flat
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configuration for ease of transportation but which
permits the panels to be opened into a box-like
structure and locked in position to form a solid
shelter. Separate end walls are attached to the raised
structure and held in place by means of the same hinge
assembly.
Therefore, in accordance with the present
invention, there is provided a hinge assembly for use
with a building panel in a collapsible building, the
hinge assembly comprising an elongate U-shaped end cap
secured to at least one edge of the building panel, the
end cap having channel members on opposite sides, the
channE:l members adapted to have fixedly secured therein
a plurality of longitudinally spaced hinge members, the
hinge members arranged so as to mate with similar hinge
members on an adjoining panel.
In accordance with a further aspect there is
provided a building panel for use in a collapsible
building, the panel comprising a rectangular section
having a pair of spaced apart shells and a central core:
a pair of opposed end faces and a pair of opposed side
faces, and a hinge assembly on at least one of the end
faces or side faces, the hinge assembly comprising an
elongate, U-shaped end cap attached externally of the
shells and extending along the side or end face, the end
cap having channel members on opposed sides, the channel
members having affixed therein a plurality of
longitudinally spaced hinge members, the hinge members
positioned so as to mate with hinge members on an
adjacent panel.
In accordance with a further aspect of the
present invention there is provided a collapsible
build.ng comprising a plurality of building panels
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arranged so as to fona in an assembled condition a
floor,, side walls, end walls and a roof, the panels
being foldable from a flat shipping condition to an
assembled building by means of a hinge assembly on the
panels, each panel comprising a rectangular section
having a pair of shells and central core, a pair of
opposed end faces and a pair of opposed side faces, an
elongate U-shaped end cap positioned over each of the
opposed end faces or side faces, and running the full
length of the end face or the side face, the end cap
having channel members on opposite sides thereof, each
of the channel members adapted to have fixedly secured
therein a plurality of longitudinally spaced hinge
members comprising a web portion received in the channel
member and a cylindrical end portion, the cylindrical
portion adapted to receive a hinge pin, the hinge
members positioned so that one panel may be pivotally
joined to an adjacent panel so that the panels forming
the building may be folded from a closed, shipping
position to an open, assembled position, the hinge
members in the opposite channel adapted to receive a
locking pin to secure the building in an assembled
position.
The invention will now be described in greater
detail in conjunction with the attached drawings wherein:
FIGURES lA to 1D illustrate a first embodiment of
the t~uilding:
FIGURES 2A to 2F identify the panels used to
construct the shelter of FIGURE lA:
FIGURES 3A to 3F show the steps in unfolding the
strucaure of FIGURE lA;
FIGURES 4A to 4E illustrate a second structure
according to the present invention;
FIGURES 5A to 5F illustrate the panels required
to f<~bricate the structure of FIGURE 4A:
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FIGURES 6A to 6F illustrate the steps required to
unfold the structure;
FIGURES 7A to 7D show a third type of structure;
FIGURES 8A to 8F show the panels required to
constrict the building of FIGURE 7A;
FIGURES 9A to 9F show the construction steps to
form the building of FIGURE 7A:
FIGURE 10 illustrates the end cap of the hinge
assembly:
FIGURE 11 illustratesthe hinge members;
FIGURE 12 illustrates an extension member
attached to the end cap;
FIGURE 13 illustrates seal assemblies;
FIGURE 14 is a cross-section of a panel showing
the end cap and an optional reinforcing member;
FIGURE 15 illustrates a non-folding connector: and
FIGURE 16 illustrates a further embodiment of the
present invention including solar panels.
FIGURES 17A to 17D illustrate pivotable
connectors;
FIGURE 18A and 18B illustrates a new design for the
end cap of the hinge assembly simplified through the elimination
of channel. members on one side of the elongated U-shaped end cap
whereas FIGURE 18B illustrates a new bubble seal weatherstripping
gasket made from pliable plastic that will flatten tightly to
create a seal when the end cap of a hinge panel is pressed against
the bubbles seal. The said bubble seal would have memory so that
it would rise to its same shape when the said panel weight is re-
moved;
FIGURE 19A to 19C illustrates a second new end cap
hinge assembly design that has only one hinge assembly channel that
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is positioned at the closed end of the elongated U-shaped channel;
whereas, Figure 19B & 19C illustrates an extruded alluminum bar
with a flat 1~~ wide & 1/8~~ thick tnastix backed weatherstripping
seal fitted against the bar. The said aluminum bar being shaped to
fit into the end position of the elongated U-shaped channel through
out each end cap to give added structural strength especially as a
stiffner against lateral force or impact that may be thrust against
any one of: the wall panels;
FIGURE 20 illustrates the integration of a11 of the
newly designed hinge assembly parts as illustrated by FIGURE 18A,
& FIGURE 19A showing the positioning of the extruded aluminum bar
in position at the end of each elongated U-shaped channel.
The mastiac backed weatherstripping seal as illustrated by FIGURE
18B & FIGURE 19C are found in proper positions indicating how the
bubble seal & flat strip seal would act as weatherstripping against
air passage when the panel assembly is completed and erected.
FIGURE 20 illustrating how the elongated end U-
channels as shown in FIGURES 18A - 18B, and 19A, 19B & 19C are
assembled together into an integrated hinge assembly mechanism are
illustrated in this application for a rectangular shaped box like
building with a flat roof. The same hinging assembly can be
adapted to fit other roof fortes as in FIGURES 4A TO 4E and FIGURES
7A to 7D built forms.
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Referring to FIGURE lA a basic box-shaped
25 struci~ure 10 is illustrated. This structure includes a
floor or base 12, a roof 14, side walls 16 and end walls
18. 'the base 12 and roof 14 are of the same dimensions
which in the embodiment of FIGURE lA is a 8 feet by 16
feet.
The side panels as illustrated in FIGURES 2C and
2D are made up of upper and lower panels 16~ and 16",
each hinged together by means of the hinge assembly
which will be described hereinafter. The top of each
upper side panel is hinged to the top panel by means of
the same hinge assembly. Similarly, the bottom of each
side ;panel is hinged to the bottom panel.
The two end panels are separate from the
structure and are fitted in place after the top has been
fully raised.
5
Referring to FIGURE 3A it is to be assumed that
the two end panels, FIGURES 2E and 2F, are removed from
the :tack as shown in FIGURE 3A. In FIGURE 3B it is
shown that the top panel is swung upwardly so that the
10 side panels are in the fully folded out position at
which time the hinge assembly is locked in this
position. Next, the top panel is pulled upwardly from
the other side as shown in FIGURES 3C, 3D and 3E until
the box shown in FIGURE 3F is created. The last four
15 hinge: points are locked to form the open ended box
strucaure. Next the end panels are brought into place
and :secured to the base, roof and side panels.
The dimensions of the side panel are selected S o
20 that they will lie within the dimensions of the top and
bottom panels in the folded condition shown in FIGURE 3A.
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FIGURES 4 through 9 illustrate similar structures
but which have either a slanted roof as shown in FIGURE
4A or a gable roof as shown in FIGURE 7A. In each case,
the :structure is folded as shown in the assembly
procedures set out in FIGURES 6A to 6F and 9A to 9F.
It is to be understood that the description with
respects to assembly and folding sequences set out above
apply in the same manner to the structures shown in
FIGUR~sS 4-9. Of particular importance is the location
of the hinge members shown in detail in FIGURES 2A-2F,
5A-5F and 8A-8F.
Turning now more specifically to the components which
make up the panels and hinge assembly, it will be noted in FIGURE
14 & FIGUF:E 20 that they show cross-sectional views of a panel
with assembled end caps. In FIGURE 14 the panel comprises a pair
of skins car shells and a central core. The panels in a preferred
embodiments are constructed of two basic materials, namely fiber-
glass reinforced skins separated by an injected polyureathane
insulation. In FIGURE 20 the panel is comprised of an assembly of
a number c~f 1 1/2" X 6 1/2" PVC plastic tongue & groove planking
(that is Extruded by others) cut to approx. 8' height that are
assembled and integrated to forni a panel wall to specified length.
The floor is a series of special 1 1/2" X 5 1/2" hollow plank deck
material i:ormed specially from extruded PVC plastic decking mat-
erial prepared by others under the Trade Name TRAC-DECK that
fits the elongated U-shaped channel cap ends.
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It should also be understood however, that in certain applications,
skins may be aluminum if a more rigid construction is required or
if a particular te~rature condition must be satisfied.
Returning to FIGURE 14 it will be noted that a
reinforcing U-shaped aluminium channel is provided
adjacent the periphery of the panel and if necessary a
gurther aluminium flat bar may be located at the outer
edge.
Returning to FIGURE 20 it will be noted that an 1 1/2" x 1/8~ or
1/4~~ extruded aluminum bar configured in the shape of the cap end
as illustrated is provided as a stiffener to the panels and overall
structure. The bars are designed to give the building a structural
frame embodied within the U-shaped channel to strengthen the entire
building against any external impact.
Secured to the panel is end cap 10 made of
plastic, aluminium or other strong material. As shown
in FIGURE: 14 and more particularly FIGURE 10 the end cap
has suitably positioned on the outer edge four channel
members _ which- run along the full length of the end cap.
In FIGURE 20 and more particularily FIGURE 18A & 19A where the end
yap has been revised in design to a simple forni with only 2 channel
nembers on one side as illustrated in FIGURE 18A and otherwise to
1 channel member located near the end cap outer edge as illustrated
in FIGURE 19A, that run along the full length of the end cap.
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These channel members are adapted to receive the hinge
member shown in FIGURE il. The web of the hinge member
is received in the channel and is fixed therein at a
location to be described hererinafter by suitable
fastening means such as adhesive, welding, etc. The
hinge me~aber has a cylindrical section which has a
central bore for receiving a hinge pin.
Depending on the manner in which the panel is to
be folded in relation to the adjacent panel the hinge
member will be positioned in one of the four channels.
Various combinations of panel assembly and hinge member
locations are shown in FIGURES 17A though i?D.
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It will be noted that when a particular channel
is selected for location of the pivoting hinge member, a
hinge member is located in the adjacent channel and this
second hinge member is used to lock the panel in the
unfolded position. Locking is effected by inserting a
removable pin through the mating hinge members when in
the fully opened position.
It. will be noted in the structure of FIGURE 4A
and the :structure of FIGURE 7A that not a11 joins are at
right angles when in a fully opened position. Angles
greater or less than 90' are obtained by using the end
cap extension illustrated in FIGURE 12. It will be
noted in the attachment of FIGURE 12 that arms 42 and 44
slide into and are secured in the upper channels of a
universal. end cap. Channels 46 and 48 at the upper end
of the extension are used to receive the appropriate
hinge mE:mbers. The angle obtained by mating panels
which are equipped with hinge end cap extensions will be
directly related to the length of extension arms 42 and
44. ThE: gap 49 which is left as a result of the
extension cap is filled with polyurethane foam to
provide insulation and strength. It is to be understood
that by selecting the appropriate end cap extension and
by orienting the panel equipped with the end cap
extension in the proper direction it will enable the
construction of joints which in the opened position will
be either greater or less than 90'.
As a further refinement of the present invention
there are provided hinge seal members which are shown in
FIGURE 7.3. FIGURE 13 is a cross-sectional view of two
mating panels taken at a point where only one hinge
member is installed. In this case, a hinge seal as
shown at; 61 is provided in the aligned channel member of
the opposite panel. Arm 62 of the hinge seal is
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designed to be affixed in the channel and the seal
flange 6~4 is squeezed between the hinge member and the
edge of t:he panel. Thus, when the two panels are in the
open position, as shown, the seal flange reduces the air
flow through the gap between the panels.
Seal flange 67 is placed at the opposite side at
which point there is no hinge member in either channel.
Thus, when the two panels are in the open or locked
position as shown in FIGURE 13, this flange seal further
reduces air flow through the space between the panels.
In certain cases such as for a 2 story building,
two building panels are joined end to end or side to
side in a manner whereby they do not fold or pivot. In
this case, union 91 as shown in FIGURE 15 is used. The
union, in an "H" shape, has two panel receiving channels
and when fixedly attached to the end or side of a panel
which does not have an end cap, the panels are retained
in a fixed orientation.
Using the union of FIGURE 15 allows greater
flexibility in the overall dimensions of the structure
by using a limited number of different sizes of panels.
A;s illustrated in certain figures it is intended
that tha_ collapsible building will have windows and
doors. The door opening is formed in the appropriate
panels and the edges of the door opening is fitted with
the end cap into which are fixed the appropriate hinge
members. The door panel of the appropriate size is also
provided with the mating hinge members and pivotally
attached to the door frame. A latch member as well
known in the art is attached to the side opposite to the
pivot connection. Hinge seal members as shown in FIGURE
13 are ;provided in the channel members around the door
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frame to :reduce air flow around the door. Similarly, a
window frame is attached to the window opening by means
of the aforementioned end cap. The window may be opened
by sliding as is well known or by pivoting the window
frame within the window opening.
It is further contemplated that other attachments
and acce~~sories such as 'tie-down' and support bars
formed of aluminium or other appropriate materials will
be used. These are designed so as to be driven into the
ground with the upper end being provided with hinge
members which will allow the floor or wall to be
attached thereto. Various tie-down members are
illustrated in FIGURE 18.
It is also contemplated that in association with
the tie--down members will be an under-carriage
comprising transport wheels to permit the structure to
be moved from one location to another either in a folded
mode or i.n an assembled mode. The manner in which the
wheels are attached to the under-carriage is shown in
FIGURE 19.
In a more refined version of the present
invention, it is contemplated that various building
panels used in the wall or roof design will be equipped
with solar panels as shown in FIGURE 16. With the
addition of solar panels, it is anticipated that other
accessory products will be provided such as converters
from solar to electrical power to operate lighting,
heating, etc. It is also anticipated that washroom
fixtures will be available for inclusion in the
structure after it has been assembled.
