Collapsible greenhouse

The specification discloses a collapsible structure comprising at least one foldable frame element defining at least three corners of at least one wall element. A flexible material is connected to and extends about the at least one foldable frame element to define an interior space. The flexible material has integral fibers and at least a portion of the material allows the transmission of at least infrared and visible wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a collapsible, portable structure, and more particularly, a collapsible, portable structure that can be utilized as a greenhouse wherein the structure is easily folded into a compact package for ease of transportation and storage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gardening, both for food production and recreation, is becoming increasingly popular. Greater numbers of gardeners are utilizing small greenhouses to protect plants from inclement weather while still ensuring continued exposure of the growing plants to sunlight. The use of greenhouses for home gardening is well known. Such greenhouses come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Greenhouse window boxes are one popular version of a home greenhouse. These are particularly well-adapted for installation in a double-hung window frame. Unfortunately, these sorts of greenhouses are small and often unsightly in home use applications.

More predominant are elaborate rigid-frame structures that sit on the ground and over which clear membranes are stretched to obtain greenhouse effects. Such devices, even when claiming to be portable, are generally bulky, labor-intensive, and difficult to move. Such devices usually rely upon rigid, as opposed to flexible, frame elements and generally require the use of tools for assembly and disassembly.

At the other end of the spectrum are greenhouse devices that, while portable, are so flimsy as to require frequent repair and replacement. A common instance of this type of device uses U-shaped wire frame elements to straddle one or more plants. A transparent, plastic film is then attached to the wire frame elements. Such structures have difficulty surviving even moderate weather conditions and are easily damaged in one or more of the set-up, take-down, or storage processes.

It would therefore be desirable to have a greenhouse device that is lightweight and portable, yet strong enough to endure the rigors of severe weather and repeated set-up, take-down, and storage cycles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a collapsible structure having at least one foldable frame element that defines at least three corners of at least one wall element. A flexible material is connected to and extends about the at least one foldable frame element in order to define an interior space. The material has integral fibers to enhance its tensile performance, and the material allows for the transmission of at least infrared and visible wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.

The flexible covering material may incorporate a variety of features in various embodiments. Specifically, in one embodiment, the material may be waterproof. In another embodiment, the covering material is resistant to decay from ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation, and that resistance may be provided by a coating applied to the material. In at least one embodiment, polyethylene is the flexible covering material.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the covering material is provided in excess around the base of the structure to form a skirt. The skirt may extend externally from the structure and also may extend into the interior of the structure. The skirt is useful in providing appropriate means by which the structure may be secured to the ground. The skirt may also aid in providing resistance to penetration by wind or moisture within the structure.

The structure may also be described as having a plurality of wall elements with each of said wall elements having a foldable frame element, with each frame element further defining at least three corners of its corresponding wall element. The flexible material is then connected to and extends about the frame elements to define an interior space, and that material allows for the transmission of at least infrared and visible wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the frame elements consist of a central hub, at least three stringers each having a hub end and a terminal end, the hub ends of the at least three stringers connected to the hub, and the stringers extending radially outward from the hub. In this embodiment, each stringer may be pivotally joined to its respective hub. Further, the terminal ends of the stringers provided on adjacent wall elements may substantially meet at corresponding corners of the adjacent wall elements. In a further embodiment, pockets are provided on a material at the corners to receive the terminal ends of the stringers. In these embodiments, the structure collapses in a folded configuration which is elongate but relatively small in diameter, facilitating the storage of the folded structure.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, each of the frame elements is a continuous band of resilient material that substantially defines the perimeter of each of the aforesaid wall elements. Each of these frame elements has sufficient flexibility to be coiled without breaking and sufficient resiliency to substantially return to and maintain its original shape. In this embodiment, the resilient frame member is generally confined to the perimeter of a wall element and urges the perimeter of the wall into a predetermined shape by virtue of the spring-like resiliency of the frame member. Since the frame member conforms to the shape of the perimeter wall in which it is confined, it is possible to create a variety of structures having various cross-sections simply by modifying the shape of the perimeter in which the resilient member is confined. Further, because the resilient member or members forming the frame are coilable, it is possible to collapse the frame, perimeter, and associated wall elements simply by folding the wall elements into a coplanar relationship and rolling the frame elements, which urges them into overlapping coils having a diameter substantially smaller than the largest diameter of the erected structure.

Several embodiments of the present invention further include one or more access ports or closable vents to permit access to the interior space of the structure. Further apertures may be provided to regulate the temperature and humidity of the air within the structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1illustrates a collapsible structure or greenhouse10. The greenhouse10is formed from sidewalls12, end walls50, and roof30. Each of the walls12,50, and roof30consist of a covering material40connected to and extending about rigid or semi-rigid frame members26.

The side walls12of the greenhouse10are substantially rectangular in shape, although the present invention anticipates that various geometries may be utilized. The side walls12each have a top edge16, back edge18, front edge20, and bottom edge22. These edges,16,18,20,22, meet at radiused corners23. The edges16,18,20,22and corners23constitute a perimeter14of each side wall12. Coincident with the perimeter14of side walls12is a sleeve24containing a resilient frame member26. The sleeve24may be formed as a hem in covering material40of the side walls12or may be made of other suitable material and attached to the perimeter14of the covering material40of the side walls12by stitching, adhesives, ultrasonic welds, or any other known method of connecting the hem to the covering material40. The resilient frame members26have sufficient flexibility such that a user may coil the frame members26over upon themselves. The resilient frame members26also have sufficient resiliency and strength to substantially maintain a fully extended shape of perimeter14of side panel12by tensile forces communicated through sleeve24to the covering material40. The frame members26may be fabricated from known materials such as spring steel or fiberglass.

Each end wall50of the greenhouse10is constructed in similar fashion to the side walls12. A perimeter sleeve52captures a resilient frame member54to define a first edge56, second edge58, bottom edge60, top edge62, and radiused corners64of each of the end walls50. Each perimeter sleeve52of each end wall50further defines a platform66of each end wall50. These platforms66may be angled upward along top edges62to create the overall shape of a roof gable. End walls50may also be formed in different geometric platforms as may be suitable for particular applications. First and second edges56,58of end walls50are attached to the respective back and front edges18,20of side walls12by stitching, adhesives, ultrasonic welds, or other known attachments.

The roof30of the greenhouse10has an apex32, a roof back edge34, a roof front edge36, and roof side edges38. Covering material40or other suitable material meets at top edges16of side walls12and top edges62of end walls50to form the roof30. The covering material is supported by top edges16of the side walls12, top edges62of end walls50, as well as an apex support stringer100and roof support stringers102. Wall support stringers104and frame members26of side walls12support roof support stringers102. A union106is provided at every location where any of stringers100,102, or104intersect. Unions106are generally tubular in cross-section and are made from metal or other rigid material. The tubular cross-section of unions106forms sockets to receive ends or portions of intersecting stringers100,102, or104. The ends or other portions of stringers100,102, or104that do not intersect or join with other stringers may be attached at suitable intervals to interior portions of covering material40of the greenhouse10. Pockets (not shown) formed or sewn in the interior of covering material40may be used to slidably receive the ends of stringers100,102, and104where they are not connected to unions106. Alternatively, any portion of stringers100,102, and104or unions106may be secured to the interior of the greenhouse10with ties (not shown) or the like. The stringers100,102, and104enhance the overall stability of the greenhouse10, providing particular support to side walls12and roof30of the structure. The stringers100,102, and104may be constructed of any substantially rigid material such as any of various plastics, carbon or fiber composites, metals, or the like. Such materials are sufficiently rigid to provide the requisite support, however, the materials are sufficiently flexible to allow stringers100,102, and104to withstand the rigors of assembly and disassembly. Stringers100,102, and104may be of unitary construction or may be made in sections capable of being disassembled.

The edges34,36, and38of roof30are attached to the top edges16,62of the side walls12and end walls50of the greenhouse10. These seams may be made by stitching, adhesives, ultrasonic welds, or other means for attaching adjacent pieces of covering material40. A roof cover80may also be employed to cover roof30by attaching to greenhouse10at ties82. The roof cover80may be an opaque or semi-opaque sheet used to regulate the amount of light passing through the roof30.

One or more doors70may be provided on one or more of the side walls12or end walls50. A closure72, such as a zipper, hook-and-loop fasteners, or the like, is provided on at least three edges of door70to facilitate a secure seal of the door70with covering material40. The fourth edge of the door70defines a door hinge edge78. A plurality of ties74may be located adjacent to the door70and used to secure the door in a rolled-up condition. The door70is constructed of the same covering material40as used elsewhere on the greenhouse. Alternatively, the door70may be constructed of a different material as needed for a particular application. Temporary fasteners76, such as small strips of hook-and-loop fasteners, are provided at points along the margin of the covering material40surrounding door70to facilitate repeated openings and closings of door70when repeated use of the closure72is inconvenient. The closure72provides a more permanent and watertight seal than temporary fasteners76. In addition, closure72may extend partially along a top portion of hinge edge78of door70in order to facilitate the opening of just the top portion of the door, thus providing optional venting of the greenhouse10for temperature or moisture control without fully opening door70. A screen (not shown) may also be provided on the interior of door70to allow ventilation by means of the door70while providing protection against insects and vermin.

Watering ports42may be provided on one or more of the side walls12or end walls50of the greenhouse10. The watering ports42are provided with port closures44. The ports42with their associated closures44facilitate the introduction of water or electrical conduits, such as hoses and extension cords (not shown), for introducing water and electricity to the interior of the structure while maintaining the overall humidity and temperature integrity of the greenhouse10.

A skirt90may be provided around the bottom edges22and60of the side walls12and end walls50of the greenhouse10. The skirt90may include a portion91exterior to the side walls12and end walls50and a portion93interior to the side walls12and end walls50, as best seen inFIG. 8. The skirt90provides both a wind and moisture barrier for preserving the appropriate temperature and humidity conditions within the greenhouse10. The skirt90is attached to the bottom edges22and60by stitching, adhesives, ultrasonic welds, or other means for attaching the skirt90to bottom edges22and60. Skirt openings92are provided on the exterior portion91of the skirt90and may be adapted to accept stakes, ropes, or other devices for securing the skirt90to the ground or other supporting surface. Heavy objects such as rocks, gravel, or stone may be applied on top of either the interior portion93or the exterior portion91of the skirt90in order to provide additional securement against breaches in the air or moisture integrity of the greenhouse10. Alternatively, materials such as wood chips or straw may be used on skirt90for more decorative effects. In addition to securing the skirt90to a supporting surface, ropes or elastic bands (not shown) may be attached between ties82and the ground or other exterior support to provide additional stability to the greenhouse10.

A zippered perimeter96may be provided at or near the perimeter sleeve24of one or more of side walls12or at or near the perimeter sleeve52of one or more of the end walls50. The zippered perimeter96may be used to affix one greenhouse structure10to a second greenhouse structure (not shown) having a mating zippered perimeter. In such an arrangement, corresponding doors70on the two structures10may be aligned and opened to allow a user to travel between the two structures10or to provide ventilation between the two structures10. In such an arrangement, one of the adjacent skirt exterior portions91is folded or rolled under its own greenhouse structure10in order to accomplish a close mating relationship of the adjacent greenhouse structures.

In order to provide greenhouse characteristics in the various embodiments, a flexible covering material40is provided throughout. The material40is substantially translucent or transparent, allowing for the transmission of infrared, visible, and ultraviolet wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, thereby permitting necessary exterior light for the enhancement for the growth of vegetation to penetrate any of the various walls12,50, or roof30constructed of the flexible covering material40. In addition, the material40may have integral fibers (not shown) to enhance its tensile performance. The flexible covering material40may also incorporate a variety of features in various embodiments. Specifically, in one embodiment, the material may be waterproof. In another embodiment, the covering material may be resistant to decay from ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation, and that resistance may be provided by a coating (not shown) applied to the material. Thermoplastic materials such as polyethylene may be used as the flexible covering material40.

The method of collapsing the greenhouse10will now be described. In order to collapse the greenhouse10of the present embodiment, the user first removes any plants or other vegetation (not shown) stored within the greenhouse10. Next, the user removes any stakes, ropes, or other devices used to secure the greenhouse10to its location and removes stringers100,102, and104. Next, the greenhouse10is made to lay substantially flat by bringing one set of opposing wall corners into contact with each other. In this configuration, one of side walls12will achieve a substantially coplanar relationship with one of the adjacent end walls50, and the other side wall12will similarly achieve a substantially coplanar relationship with other end wall50. In this condition, the greenhouse10will be substantially flat and appear to have two adjacent, flattened panels. Next, these two sets of panels are again folded such that side walls12and end walls50all lay in substantially the same plane. Throughout this folding process, covering material40forming roof30and skirt90is appropriately arranged to accommodate the panel folding process. Next, the user firmly grabs one corner of the collapsed panels12and50and begins to roll the collapsed panels. The resilient frame members26begin to collapse into an orientation of multiple overlapping coils. The covering material40forming the side walls12, end walls50, roof30, and skirt90of the greenhouse10is again folded and smoothed in order to accommodate the coiled frame members26in a substantially compact fashion having an overall diameter approximately one-third of the diameter of the side walls12when in their fully opened configuration, as seen inFIG. 9. Once folded, the greenhouse10may be secured by straps (not shown) or placed inside of a container (not shown) for preventing the unwanted uncoiling of the greenhouse structure10. When collapsed and not in use, greenhouse10is stored in a substantially dry location to prevent the formation of mold, mildew, or other contaminants.

FIG. 2shows another embodiment of the greenhouse10. In this embodiment, one or more windows110are provided on one or more of the side walls12or end walls50. Window flaps112are used to cover windows110. The flaps112are stitched to covering material40along an edge and are otherwise secured to windows110by zippers or other closures. As with the above-described door structure70, small hook-and-loop closures116are used to provide temporary or less secure closure of window flaps112. Additionally, hook-and-loop closures116aid in securing corners of window flaps112in the event of high winds or severe weather. Ties118are used to secure window flaps112in a rolled-up or folded-open position. Further, each window is provided with a mesh covering114to limit the ingress and egress of insects or vermin.

Turning now toFIG. 3, another embodiment of greenhouse10is shown. In this embodiment, the greenhouse features side walls122and end walls150. Side walls122are angled with respect to the ground such that they meet at an apex edge132. Side walls further have bottom edges126which rest on the ground or other surface, and side walls122are generally circumscribed by side wall perimeters124. Coincident with side wall perimeters124are sleeves134that are attached to a covering material140by way of stitching, adhesives, ultrasonic welds, or other fasteners. Inside of each sleeve134is a resilient frame member136. The frame member136has sufficient flexibility such that it may be folded in a coiled fashion. The frame member136also has sufficient resiliency and rigidity to maintain the fully-opened perimeter shape of the wall122. The resilient frame member136maintains this shape through tension exerted through sleeve134to urge the sleeve and attached covering material140to its most fully expanded position.

The end walls150of the greenhouse10are substantially triangular in shape and are composed of covering material140. End walls150are attached to adjacent side walls122through stitching, adhesives, ultrasonic welds, or other fasteners. End walls150have bottom edges156that rest upon the ground or other surface. End walls150may be further supported by an optional end wall support stringer152to aid in maintaining the shape and appropriate rigidity of end walls150.

Ties182are provided at appropriate intervals around the perimeter of end walls150and may be used for tying the structure to the ground or other support. Ties182may also be used for securing an opaque or partially opaque roof cover material (not shown).

Access ports170are provided on one or more of side walls122or end walls150of the greenhouse10. Access ports170have a hinge margin178and are provided with a closure172, such as a zipper or hook-and-loop fasteners or the like. When the closure172is in its open state, the covering material140covering the access port170may be rolled or folded and secured in a rolled or folded position by ties174. Temporary closures176, such as hook-and-loop type fasteners, are provided along the edges of access ports170to allow repeated access to the interior of the greenhouse10when it is undesirable to repeatedly operate closure means172. In similar fashion, mesh windows160are nested within access ports170or may be provided elsewhere on side walls122or end walls150of the greenhouse10. Windows160are provided with window flaps161and have window flap closures162to secure window flaps161over mesh windows160in a sealed state. Window flaps161may be made from covering material140or may be made from other suitable materials. Window flaps161may be rolled or folded and secured in an open position with ties164. As with access ports170, window flaps161are provided with temporary closures166for use when repeated or frequent opening and closing cycles are desired.

One or more watering ports142are provided on side walls122or end walls150of the greenhouse10. Ports142have associated port closures144that may be secured in place by zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, or other devices. Ports142are of sufficient size to provide access for water or electrical conduits such as hoses and extension cords (not shown) to introduce these items to the interior of the greenhouse10.

The embodiment of the greenhouse10as shown inFIG. 3, may also be provided with a skirt190attached to bottom edges126and156of the side and end walls122and150of the greenhouse10. The skirt190extends outward from the greenhouse10and may also extend into the interior of the greenhouse10. In this embodiment, the skirt serves similar functions as in other embodiments. Specifically, the skirt190serves as a barrier to both moisture and wind and aiding in preserving the atmospheric integrity of greenhouse10. Skirt openings192are provided for use in staking or tying down the greenhouse10. Ties182may also be used for this purpose. In the event that the greenhouse10is not erected in a location suitable for driving stakes or otherwise tying down the greenhouse, weighted objects such as wood, rocks, gravel, cement blocks, or the like may be positioned on skirt190to secure the greenhouse10to a fixed location.

In order to collapse the greenhouse10of the present embodiment, the user first removes any plants or other vegetation stored within the greenhouse10. Next, the user removes any stakes, ropes, or other devices used to secure the greenhouse10to its location. Next, side walls122are brought into contact with each other, and the covering material140forming end walls150and skirt190are appropriately folded to accommodate the substantially flat orientation of the greenhouse10when side walls122are substantially co-planar. Next, the user firmly grabs one corner of the collapsed side walls122and begins to roll or coil the collapsed side walls122upon themselves. The resilient frame members136begin to collapse into an orientation of multiple overlapping coils. The material140forming the side walls122, end walls150, and skirt190is appropriately folded and smoothed in order to accommodate the coiled frame members136in a substantially compact fashion having an overall diameter approximately one-third of the diameter of the side walls122when in their fully opened configuration. Once folded, the greenhouse10may be secured by straps (not shown) or placed inside of a container (not shown) for preventing the unwanted uncoiling of the greenhouse structure10. When collapsed and not in use, greenhouse10is stored in a substantially dry location to prevent the formation of mold, mildew, or other contaminants.

FIG. 4shows an alternative arrangement to this embodiment of greenhouse10wherein side walls122are composed of multiple panels130. Each panel has a panel perimeter125with a coincident sleeve135housing a resilient frame member137. A greenhouse10of this configuration is constructed and operates in similar fashion to the embodiment shown inFIG. 3. The use of panels130provides additional support to the side walls122, allowing a greenhouse configuration to span a substantially greater length without sacrificing the substantial rigidity of the side walls122. A greenhouse10of the configuration shown inFIG. 4is collapsed by again bringing all side panels130and associated perimeters125into a substantially co-planar relationship and then folding or coiling the frame members137to collapse all overlapping panels in a coiled fashion.

Yet another embodiment of the greenhouse10can be seen inFIG. 5. In this configuration, the greenhouse10has side walls212and a roof230. The primary structural elements consist of hubs220and support stringers200. The hubs220are provided in the center of each of side walls212and roof230. Each support stringer200connects at one end to hub220and extends radially outward from hub220to a corner214of side wall212or roof230. At the corner214, each support stringer200is attached to covering material240by insertion into a corner sleeve224that is sewn or otherwise attached to covering material240. Each support stringer200is pivotally affixed to its associated hub220by a pin (not shown) that allows the stringer to pivot with respect to the hub220. Alternatively, each support stringer200may be affixed to its associated hub220by being inserted or screwed into a socket (not shown) provided in hub220.

Each side wall212and the roof230of the greenhouse10is dimensioned in such a way that the diagonal length of the covering material240of each wall212and roof230is slightly shorter than the full length of corresponding diagonal support stringers200and their associated hub220. Such dimensioning ensures that each support stringer200will maintain a slightly bowed configuration, providing appropriate tension on the covering material240on each wall212or roof230to assure the substantial rigidity of each of those elements when the greenhouse10is fully deployed.

As in other embodiments of greenhouse10, the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 5similarly includes one or more doors270with an appropriate closure device272, ties274, and temporary fasteners276. In addition, one or more windows310may be provided with features similar to those disclosed in other embodiments. Additionally, the embodiment of the greenhouse10illustrated inFIG. 5may be further provided with watering ports242, a skirt290, and ties282all for analogous uses as those described in the embodiments described above.

In the embodiment where support stringers200are not pivotally attached to their respective hubs220, but rather screwed or inserted into sockets provided in hubs220, assembly and disassembly of greenhouse10is achieved through piecemeal assembly of hubs220, support stringers200, and covering material240. Where support stringers200are pivotally attached to hubs220, a more rapid method of assembly and disassembly may be achieved. In this embodiment, in its disassembled state, hubs220of greenhouse10meet at substantially the same point. This point is placed on the ground or other surface on which the greenhouse10is to be erected. Support stringers200, encapsulated within covering material240, are spread apart, and the user locates the hub220associated with the roof230. The user grabs the tie282located at hub220of roof230and draws the hub220and its associated pivotally-attached stringers200away from the ground or support surface until these elements achieve a bowed configuration with respect to the covering material240on roof230. The user next locates hubs220associated with each of side walls212and similarly draws each hub220and support stringer assembly200in an outward fashion until each wall212achieves a substantially bowed configuration. The user may then appropriately tie down or otherwise secure greenhouse10to the surface on which it is erected. In collapsing the greenhouse10, this process is reversed, where the user simply presses in at each side wall hub220and hub220of roof230until all hubs220meet at approximately the same location. The stringers200, pivotally attached to the hubs, are then gathered into a substantially parallel orientation. The entire collapsed structure may then be stored in a somewhat elongate but relatively narrow diameter bundle. This bundle is then stored in an appropriate receptacle (not shown) or bound with straps (not shown).

Variations on the greenhouse10disclosed inFIG. 5include eliminating hubs220and support stringers200on one of side walls212, as depicted inFIG. 6. In addition, a nearly infinite number of configurations may be achieved by varying the number and orientation of both hubs220and support stringers200. For example, roof230may be constructed in a hexagonal rather than quadrilateral shape, allowing the addition of two additional wall elements212to create a greenhouse10having a hexagonal footprint and large interior volume. Alternatively, even larger configurations may be achieved by multiplying the relative geometries, as shown in one example inFIG. 7.

The greenhouse10as shown inFIGS. 1 through 7may be constructed in nearly any size, from a relatively small unit designed to be used as a cloche for covering a single plant, all the way to a greenhouse large enough to accommodate people and tables or rows of plants. Certain of the various features of the greenhouse10in the present embodiments may be varied to accommodate the various sizes anticipated. For example, for small structures, windows110and their associated features may be superfluous, as might the need for support stringers100,102, and104. Alternatively, larger structures might require the use of a more elaborate network of stringers100,102, and104. It may be desirable as well to adjust the relative size of the door70with respect to the wall on which it is placed in order to allow sufficient or desirable access to the interior of the greenhouse10.

With respect to all embodiments described above, various other modifications may be made for various applications. Specifically, each embodiment may be provided with an integral floor, and any of the above embodiments may be provided with one or more portions constructed from opaque rather than light-transmitting material to achieve particular results, botanical or otherwise. As another alternative, appropriate opaque or semi-opaque covering fabrics may be provided to cover one or more portions of any of the embodiments to offer additional versatility in providing shade or other atmospheric control within the greenhouse10.

Once erected, each greenhouse10may be utilized in the same way as any conventional greenhouse, with windows providing necessary venting for temperature or humidity control. Additionally, each greenhouse10has appropriate ports for allowing user access and small ports for providing the introduction of water or other utilities.

While the present invention has been described in connected with what is presently considered to be the most practical embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to those embodiments. To the contrary, this patent is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is intended to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.