Ready to assemble shelter
The ready to assemble shelter includes first and second vertical faces made of fibre reinforced composite material, a plurality of sections, and securing apparatus for securing the sections side by side to form a structure, and for securing the structure between the vertical faces to form the shelter. The sections each include at least one elongate panel made of fibre reinforced composite material, a first flange extending downwardly from a first lateral side of the elongate panel; and a second L-shaped flange extending downwardly and then outwardly from a second lateral side of the elongate panel that is opposite to the first lateral side, the first flange being capable of cooperating with the second flange of an adjacent section. A shelter kit is also provided.
The present invention relates to structures such as shelters. More specifically, the present invention relates to a ready to assemble shelter.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONKnown in the art are conventional building structures and the like which are used in various storage and housing applications. Also known in the art are the various disadvantages associated with these types of conventional building structures and the like, such as difficult assembly and lack of variability and customisation.
Known to the Applicant are the following U.S. patents and patent applications which describe different shelters and the like: U.S. Pat. No. 2,897,668; U.S. Pat. No. 3,154,888; U.S. Pat. No. 3,892,094; U.S. Pat. No. 4,091,584; U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,554; U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,904; U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,946; U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,668; U.S. Pat. No. 6,266,932; U.S. Pat. No. 6,324,791; U.S. Pat. No. 6,584,732; U.S. Pat. No. 6,766,623; U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,261; US 2002/0017068; US 2002/0100228; and US 2004/0045227.
In addition, known to the Applicant are U.S. patents U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,514; U.S. Pat. No. 3,750,353; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,187,852 which describe modular structures assembled of curved elongate sections forming shelters.
However, a disadvantage with the three above-noted patents is that they are difficult and cumbersome to assemble. Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,514 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,187,852 each provide arched structures made up of elongate sections attached via lateral flanges extending therefrom which must be manually aligned during assembly. A major drawback of these types of structures is that, in practice, they are difficult to assemble without a crane, boom lift, or ladder.
Hence, in light of the aforementioned, there is a need for a device or a system which, by virtue of its design and components, would be able to overcome some of the aforementioned prior art problems
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn object of the present invention is to provide a ready to assemble shelter which, by virtue of its design and components, satisfies some of the above-mentioned needs and is thus an improvement over other related structures known in the prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a ready to assemble shelter which is easy to assemble.
According to a first aspect of the invention, a ready to assemble shelter is provided having first and second vertical faces made of fibre reinforced composite material, a plurality of sections, and securing apparatus for securing the sections side by side to form a structure, and for securing the structure between the vertical faces to form the shelter. The sections each include at least one elongate panel made of fibre reinforced composite material, a first flange extending downwardly from a first lateral side of the elongate panel; and a second L-shaped flange extending downwardly and then outwardly from a second lateral side of the elongate panel that is opposite to the first lateral side, the first flange being capable of cooperating with the second flange of an adjacent section.
According to a second aspect of the invention, a shelter kit is provided having first and second vertical faces made of fibre reinforced composite material, a plurality of sections, and securing apparatus for securing the sections side by side to form a structure, and for securing the structure between the vertical faces to form the shelter. The sections each include at least one elongate panel made of fibre reinforced composite material, a first flange extending downwardly from a first lateral side of the elongate panel; and a second L-shaped flange extending downwardly and then outwardly from a second lateral side of the elongate panel that is opposite to the first lateral side, the first flange being capable of cooperating with the second flange of an adjacent section when assembled.
Preferably, in an embodiment of the present invention, each of the sections has a primary curvature extending over its length. Still preferably, in another embodiment of the present invention, each of the sections also has a secondary curvature extending over its width.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe invention will be better understood upon reading the following non-restrictive description of the preferred embodiment thereof, made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 2e, there is shown a ready to assemble shelter 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The shelter 10 comprises a first vertical face 12, a second face 14, and a structure 19 extending therebetween. A plurality of sections 18 are formed from at least one elongate panel 16 and are affixed side-by-side to form the structure 19 and cover an interior space between the first and second vertical faces 12 and 14. Preferably, each section 18 is formed of two elongate panels 16 attached end-to-end along respective flanges 17, however embodiments in which sections 18 comprises more or less sections 18 are also well within the scope of the present invention.
A door 20, shown in an open position, is provided in the first vertical face 12 to allow access to the interior space enclosed by modular structure 10. As seen best in
In the present embodiment, the first and second vertical faces 12 and 14 are semi circular in shape and each have a straight bottom edge 22 and 24, respectively, and a curved top edge 26 and 28, respectively. The bottom edges 22 and 24 are in proximity with the ground or adjacent frame upon which the shelter 10 is installed, while upper edges 26 and 28 engage the structure 19, which forms the roof and sides of the construction. In addition, each section 18 is provided with a first end flange 23 extending from a first end 25, and a second end flange 27 extending from a second end 29. Both sets of end flanges 23 and 27 are provided for mounting to an adjacent frame. For example, as will be seen in
Each of the sections 18 has a primary curvature 30 extending over its length which, in the present embodiment corresponds to the curvature off upper edges 26 and 28. Each section 18 further includes a secondary curvature 32 extending over its width. This primary curvature increases the strength and rigidity of each section 18, and the structure 19 as a whole.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 2d, each section 18 is formed by two quarter-circular panels 16 affixed end-to-end to form a combined arc of 180°. The plurality of sections 18 are then connected in parallel, side-by-side, to extend the depth of the shelter 10. In the embodiment shown, the shelter 10 is six panels deep, although the depth of the structure is variable according to the needs of a particular user by varying the number of sections 18 employed.
In addition to the elongate panels 16, which form the curved sections 18 and which in turn form the structure 19, the first and second vertical faces 12 and 14 are each assembled from respective pluralities of straight sections 13. Similarly to the sections 18, each straight section 13 is made up of at least one elongate straight panel 15 and has a curvature 21 extending over its width, similar to the secondary curvature 32. Preferably, two oppositely opening door panels 20 are formed from sets of two adjacent elongate straight panels 15, which are affixed side-by-side and pivotally connected to respective ones of the remaining straight sections 13.
Preferably, the vertical faces 12 and 14, and the plurality of sections 18 are made of a fibre-reinforced composite material, such as fibreglass, carbon-epoxy, or aramid fibre composites. Achieving an arched design comprising both primary and secondary curvatures 30 and 32 is much easier with moulded materials such as composites and the like. In addition, the curvature 21 of the straight sections 13 serves to further enhance the strength and stability of the shelter 10.
For its low cost, fibreglass is preferred for commercial applications. However, for special cases in which a shelter 10 is required with a lighter weight and greater strength, carbon-epoxy or aramid fibre composites are preferable. Such special cases include, for example, a temporary military barracks.
The shelter 10 has a number of different applications. When made of transparent fibreglass, it can serve readily as a greenhouse, for creating a micro-climate suitable for growing non-native plants, or simply enabling plant growth beyond the regular growing season. Indeed, by properly moulding the elongate panels 15 and 16, a focusing lens effect can be obtained to increase the incident light received within the structure. For example, the secondary curvature 32 of the elongate panels 15 and 16 can be controlled to heat the interior of the structure.
If an opaque composite is used, the shelter 10 can serve as a shed, garage or storage space.
With reference now to
In use, both the louvers 34 of
With specific reference to
In
Extending downwardly from a first lateral side 41 of the elongate panel 16 is a first flange 43. A second flange 46 extends downwardly and then outwardly, thereby forming an L-shape, from a second lateral side 45 of the elongate panel 16 that is opposite the first lateral side. While the L-shape of the second flange 46 is not visible in every Figure, it is to be noted that the preferred embodiment is illustrated in the
With specific reference to
With reference now to
The gaskets 42 are made of a resilient elastomeric material, such as rubber, and operable to account for physical changes in the structure due to, for example, changes in temperature or shifting of the ground upon which the shelter 10 is installed. The gaskets 42 are further operable to aid in sealing the inside of the shelter 10 against wind and rain.
In addition, to securing the sections 18 side-by-side to one another to form the structure 19, the securing means 48 are utilised to secure the structure 19 between the vertical faces 12 and 14 to form the shelter 10. More specifically and with reference to the corner of the shelter 10, the securing means 48 preferably includes pluralities of holes 49 extending through the flanges 43, 44 and 46, as well as nuts and bolts 50 for passing through the corresponding holes 49 and securing the sections 18 side-by-side to both form the structure 19, and connect the structure 19 to the vertical faces 12 and 14 to form the shelter 10. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the securing means 48 could alternatively, or additionally, include any of rivets, screws, clips, grommets, pins, snap and any other mechanical fastener, as well as chemical or thermal bonds, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
As with the curved sections 18, the straight sections 13 further include first and second lateral flanges 57 extending from opposing lateral sides 51 of each elongate straight panel 15. The first and second lateral flanges 57 of adjacent straight sections 13 are capable of cooperating in order to enable attachment via the straight section securing means 53, which is further included in the securing means 48. As above, the straight section securing means 53 includes pluralities of holes 49 in the lateral flanges 57, as well as nuts and bolts 50 for passing through corresponding holes 49 and securing the straight sections 13 side-by-side.
Extending outwardly from the lower longitudinal side of each straight section 13 is a straight section end flange 52. The series of straight section end flanges 52 of each vertical face 12 and 14 form the straight bottom edges 22 and 24, respectively. Extending upwardly from the opposing longitudinal side of each straight section 13 is the afore-mentioned side flange 44 for engaging a section 18. Because the upper edges 26 and 28 correspond substantially to the primary curvature 30 of the structure 19, the side flanges 44 of the straight sections 13 also follow that curvature 30. As such, the corner-piece straight section 13 illustrated in
At each louvered section, the louver 34 hingedly attaches to the opposite elongated panel 16 via its flange 17 and a hinge 54, or hinges. The hinge 54 is preferably a stainless steel piano hinge. A similar hinge is used to attach the door panels 20 to the first vertical face 12.
Additionally, utility holes 56 are provided in each of the first and second flanges 43 and 46 of the sections 18. The utility holes 56 are not meant for assembly purposes but rather to provide attachment points within the shelter 10 from which to hang plants, for example. Similar utility holes may also be provided along the outwardly extending portion of the L-shaped flange 40.
With reference now to
With reference to
With reference to
In conjunction with the modularity and ease of assembly of the present invention, it is preferred that users purchase ready to assemble shelter online from a website that allows them to customise a shelter according to their specific needs (size, type, colour, material, additional features, etc.). Upon completion of the order, an unassembled modular structure is sent to the purchaser as a kit where it is to be assemble by the purchaser himself or herself. As noted, the presence of the L-shaped second flange 46 (see
Claims
1. A ready to assemble shelter comprising:
- a first vertical face made of fibre reinforced composite material;
- a second vertical face made of fibre reinforced composite material;
- a plurality of sections, each section comprising: at least one elongate panel made of fibre reinforced composite material; a first flange extending downwardly from a first lateral side of the elongate panel; and a second L-shaped flange extending downwardly and then outwardly from a second lateral side of the elongate panel that is opposite to the first lateral side, the first flange being capable of cooperating with the second flange of an adjacent section; and
- securing means for securing the sections side by side to form a structure, and for securing the structure between the vertical faces to form the shelter.
2. The ready to assemble shelter of claim 1, wherein the securing means are characterized in that each of the first and second flanges is provided with corresponding holes therethrough, the securing means also comprise a plurality of bolts and nuts for securing the sections side by side via the holes.
3. The ready to assemble shelter of claim 1, wherein each of the sections comprises a primary curvature extending over the length thereof.
4. The ready to assemble shelter of claim 3, wherein each of the sections comprises a secondary curvature extending over the width thereof.
5. The ready to assemble shelter of claim 4, wherein each of the sections comprises first and second ends provided respectively with first and second end flanges, the first and second end flanges being for mounting the shelter on an adjacent frame.
6. The ready to assemble shelter of claim 5, wherein the first end flanges have horizontal surfaces for connection and the second end flanges have vertical surfaces for connection.
7. The ready to assemble shelter of claim 5, wherein the first and second end flanges have horizontal surfaces for connection.
8. The ready to assemble shelter of claim 5, wherein the at least one elongate panel of each section comprises first and second elongate panels, and the securing means comprise panel securing means for securing end to end the first and second elongate panels of each section.
9. The ready to assemble shelter of claim 8, wherein the panel securing means are characterized in that each of the first end flanges is provided with a plurality of holes therethrough, the panel securing means also comprise a plurality of bolts and nuts for securing the panels end to end via the holes.
10. The ready to assemble shelter of claim 4, wherein the first and second vertical faces each comprise an upper edge aligned with the primary curvature of the elongate section panels.
11. The ready to assemble shelter of claim 10, wherein:
- each of the vertical faces comprises a plurality of straight sections, each straight section comprising: an elongate straight panel; and first and second lateral flanges extending from opposing lateral sides of the elongate straight panel, the first lateral flange being capable of cooperating with the second lateral flange of an adjacent section; and
- the securing means further comprise straight section securing means for securing the straight sections side by side to form each of the vertical faces.
12. The ready to assemble shelter of claim 11, wherein the straight section securing means are characterized in that each of the lateral flanges is provided with a plurality of holes therethrough, the straight section securing means also comprise a plurality of bolts and nuts for securing the straight sections side by side via the holes.
13. The ready to assemble shelter of claim 12, wherein each of the straight sections comprises a curvature extending over the width thereof.
14. The ready to assemble shelter of claim 13, wherein at least two of the elongate straight panels are connected together to form a door panel, the door panel being pivotally connected to one of the remaining straight sections of the first vertical face.
15. The ready to assemble shelter of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of sections further comprises a straight extension panel secured to a bottom edge of the corresponding elongate panel.
16. The ready to assemble shelter of claim 1, wherein the securing means further comprise gaskets mounted between the panels of the shelter that are adjacent.
17. The ready to assemble shelter of claim 1, wherein each elongate panel is double walled.
18. The ready to assemble shelter of claim 1, further comprising a wooden base, the structure and first and second vertical faces being mounted thereto.
19. A shelter kit comprising:
- a first vertical face made of fibre reinforced composite material;
- a second vertical face made of fibre reinforced composite material;
- a plurality of sections, each section comprising: at least one elongate panel made of fibre reinforced composite material; a first flange extending downwardly from a first lateral side of the elongate panel; and a second L-shaped flange extending downwardly and then outwardly from a second lateral side of the elongate panel that is opposite to the first lateral side, the first flange being capable of cooperating with the second flange of an adjacent section when assembled; and
- securing means for securing the sections side by side to form a structure, and for securing the structure between the vertical faces to form the shelter.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 20, 2006
Publication Date: Aug 2, 2007
Inventor: Remy Desbiens (Saint-Prime)
Application Number: 11/641,966
International Classification: E04H 15/20 (20060101);