Articulated structure

Abstract

An articulated structure is disclosed. The structure includes a plurality of discrete, movably connected structure elements which are movable between an extended configuration wherein the elements define two spaced, substantially parallel wall surfaces having opertaivly upper and lower ends of a roof surface transverserly orientated relative to the wall surfaces, the structure elements defining the roof surface being connected to the operatively upper ends of the structure elements defining the wall surfaces; and a retracted configuration wherein the elements are nested in compacted configuration. The invention further discloses a structure member for an articulated structure.

Description

[0001] THIS INVENTION relates to an articulated structure and to a structure element for an articulated structure.

[0002] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an articulated structure,which includes a plurality of discrete, movably connected structure elements which are movable between

[0003] an extended configuration wherein the elements define two spaced, substantially parallel wall surfaces having operatively upper and lower ends and a roof surface transversely orientated relative to the wall surfaces, the structure elements each having a roof defining portion and two wall defining portions, the roof defining portion being connected to operatively upper ends of the wall defining portions; and

[0004] a retracted configuration wherein the elements are nested in a compacted configuration.

[0005] The structure may include a first end and a second end, at least the first end having a closure member.

[0006] The closure member is preferably in the form of an articulated roll door.

[0007] According to an alternative aspect to the invention, the structure elements defining the wall surfaces include end structure elements and mid structure elements, the end structure elements at at least the first or second ends of the structure being provided with pivot connections near their operatively lower ends, allowing the end structure elements to collapse downwardly into a closed configuration.

[0008] Preferably, pivot connections are provided for the end structure elements at both the first and second ends of the structure.

[0009] Locking mechanisms may be provided to lock the end structure elements in their collapsed configuration.

[0010] In a preferred form of the invention the structure includes tracks on which the wall defining portions of the structure elements bear, in use.

[0011] The tracks preferably include rollers over which at least some of the wall defining portions of the structure elements move, in use.

[0012] In one form of the invention a motor is provided for extending and retracting the structure elements. The motor is preferably remotely operable.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a structure element for an articulated structure as described above, the structure element including a substantially rectangular sheet of material having connection formations for movably connecting the structure element to a complementary structure element.

[0014] The sheet material may be a sheet metal, hard plastic, laminated wood or any other suitable, permanent construction material.

[0015] This invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic, isometric view of one embodiment of an articulated structure according to the invention with the structure elements in their extended configuration;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a schematic, isometric view of the structure of FIG. 1 with the structure elements in their retracted configuration; and

[0018] FIG. 3 is a schematic, side view of an alternative embodiment of an articulated structure according to the invention with the structure elements in their extended configuration.

[0019] In FIG. 1, an articulated structure 10 is shown to comprise a plurality of rectangular, structure elements 12 which are movably connected to one another. In this drawing the structure elements 12 are in their extended configuration. Each structure element is movably connected with an adjacent member to define two side wall surfaces 14 and a roof surface 16 as shown. The structure elements 12 which define the roof surface 16 are connected to the operatively upper ends 12.1 of the structure elements 12 which define the wall surfaces 14. A first end 18 includes an articulated roll door 20 located around a spindle 22 which is mounted in a door housing 24.

[0020] In use, the structure 10 is mounted on tracks 26 (see FIG. 2) having rollers 27 on which the structure elements 12 bear when they are retracted, by way of an electric motor (not shown) in direction A and extended in direction B. When retracted, the structure elements 12 are in a compact, nested configuration as shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the second end 28 of the structure 10 is permanently closed off with sheet material.

[0021] In order to extend the structure, the structure elements 12 are moved in direction B along the tracks 26 until it is fully extended as shown in FIG. 1. The structure can be used as a car port, tool shed or the like.

[0022] In FIG. 3 an alternative embodiment of an articulated structure 30 according to the invention is shown to comprise a plurality of discrete, movably connected structure elements 32 having operatively upper ends 32.1 and operatively lower ends 32.2. First and second ends 34 and 36 of the structure 30 respectively include end structure elements 34.1 and 36.1 which are pivotable about pivot connections 38 and 40 located at the operatively lower ends 32.2 of the elements 34.1 and 36.1 to allow the end structure elements to be collapsed downwardly in direction A into a closed configuration as shown in the drawing. Mid structure elements 37 are provided between the end structure elements 34.1 and 36.1.

[0023] In use, the end structure elements 34.1 and 36.1 may be moved in direction B to open the ends 34 and/or 36 of the structure. Locking mechanisms (not shown) are provided to lock the end structure elements 34.1 and 36.1 in their closed configuration as shown in the drawing.

[0024] The applicant believes that the invention as described with reference to the accompanying drawings has a space saving advantage in that the structure may be used, for example as a car port, and when not in use, the structure elements may be moved into their retracted configuration, thereby freeing the space which a conventional carport would normally occupy. The structure as a whole is furthermore portable when it is in its retracted configuration.

[0025] The applicant further believes that the nature of the structure as described is of a more secure and permanent nature than conventional carports which are constructed of a flexible material such as canvas.

[0026] The applicant believes that a modified version of the structure as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 may be suitable as a canopy for a vehicle.

Claims

1. An articulated structure which includes a plurality of discrete, movably connected structure elements which are moveable between

an extended configuration wherein the elements define two spaced, substantially parallel wall surfaces having operatively upper and lower ends and a roof surface transversely oriented relative to the wall surfaces, the structure elements each having a roof defining portion and two wall defining portions, the roof defining portion being connected to operatively upper ends of the wall defining portions; and

a retracted configuration wherein the elements are nested in a compacted configuration.

2. A structure as claimed in claim 1 which includes a first end and a second end, at least the first end having a closure member.

3. A structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein the closure member is in the form of an articulated roll door.

4. A structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the structure elements defining the wall surfaces include end structure elements and mid structure elements, the end structure elements at at least the first or second ends of the structure being provided with pivot connections near the operatively lower ends, allowing the end structure elements to collapse downwardly into a closed configuration.

5. A structure element as claimed in claim 4 wherein the pivot connections are provided for the end structure element at both the first and second ends of the structure.

6. A structure as claimed in claim 4 wherein locking mechanisms are provided to lock the end structure element in their collapsed configuration.

7. A structure as claimed in claims 1 wherein the structure includes tracks on which the wall defining portions of the structure elements bear, in use.

8. A structure as claimed in claim 7 wherein the tracks include rollers over which at least some of the wall defining portions of the structure elements move, in use.

9. A structure as claimed in claims 1 which includes a motor for extending and retracting the structure elements.

10. A structure as claimed in claim 9 wherein the motor is remotely operable.

11. A structure element for an articulated structure as claimed in claims 1, which includes a substantially rectangular sheet of material having connection formations for movably connecting the structure element to a complementary structure element.

12. A structure element as claimed in claim 11 wherein the sheet material is in the form of sheet metal.

13. (Canceled)

14. (Canceled)

15. A structure as claimed in claim 5 wherein locking mechanisms are provided to lock the end structure element in their collapsed configuration.