EXPANDABLE, MOBILE ACCOMMODATION OF ACTIVITIES

Abstract: The invention relates to an expandable, mobile accommodation of activities comprising a central structure provided with floor (3), roof (2), and end walls (1) and two longitudinal side walls (7), at least one of which being movable outwards together with outwardly pivotal floor and roof sections (4 and 9, resp.). The roof and floor sections comprise each a rigid panel, which are pivoted to the side wall (7) and the floor and roof edges of the central structure such that in non-expanded state the roof panel (9) and the side wall (7) are permitted to hang down double-folded outside the folded up floor panel (4). The invention is characterized in that an actuating means (14, 14') is arranged to act between the central structure and the roof panel (9) for swinging the roof panel up and down supported by a draw rope (15) acting between the upper part of the central structure and the outermost part of the floor panel (4).

Description: EXPANDABLE,MOBILE ACCCMODATION OF ACTIVITIES. The present invention relates to an expandable, mobile acccmodation of activities of the kind set forth in the preamble of the following claim 1. Accomodations of activities of this and similar kinds are known in the shape of a lot of different variants. In most cases there are one or more hinges to be detached in connection with change from expanded to non- expanded state, which involves complications and the risk of near-accidents. This can be avoided, as disclosed by e.g. the Swedish patent SE9403670. In that case, however, the roof and floor of the expandable part of the accomodation of activities have to comprise each at least two folding sections. Such a design is suitable for larc-s units. But for smaller units there is a need of a more simple design. The object of the present invention is to bring about an accomodation of activities of the kind introductorily mentioned which very simply and rapidly can be changed between expanded and non-expanded state. This has been obtained according to the invention with an arrangement of the accomodation of activities having the characteristic features set forth in claim 1. The change between expanded and non-expanded state is managed quite automatically and with complete control of the two movable panels and the movable side wall, and in non-expanded state the total wall thickness on both sides is increased only with the thickness of the two panels and the side wall. The weight of the movable parts may make it heavy to lift and retard, respectively, these parts during their movements, which in accordance with the invention is simply met by the arrangement of one or a pair of gas spring means. In certain cases it is more appropriate to use actuating means in the shape of hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders or a screw or crank mechanism, as set forth in claims 3 and ^ . The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings schematically showing an example of an e bodiment of an accomodation of activities in accordance with the invention, and in which Figures 1-6 are end views of the accomodation of activities during the expanding operation from non-expanded state via different steps to completely expanded state, and Figure 7 is the same end view of an alternative actuating means. Figure 1 discloses one of the end walls 1, the roof 2, the floor 3 of the central structure of the accomodation of activities, and on each side a floor panel 4, which by a hinge 5 is connected to the longitudinal edge of the floor 3, and by a hinge 6 is connected to a longitudinal side wall 7. This side wall is in turn connected by a hinge 8 to a roof panel 9, which by a hinge 10 is connected to an edge of the roof of the central structure. The side wall 7 and roof panel 9 is pivoted in a suitable way outwards and upwards by a gas spring means 14 or a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder attached to the farthermost end wall of the central structure and acting upon the roof panel 9, as disclosed by Figs. 2,3 and 4, until they are directed almost straight upwards, in which position the floor panel 4 and the side wall 7 can be pulled outwards and downwards, as disclosed by Figs.5 and 6 until the floor panel is in a horizontal position resting on a ground support. To retard the downward motion and to facilitate the lifting of the floor panel 4 and the side wall 7 at an subsequent change of the accomodation of activities into non-expanded state, one or a pair of gas spring means 14 acting between the central structure and the roof panel 9 is sufficient in combination with a certain manual operation and a lifting support from a draw rope 15, e.g. a wire or chain, which is attached to the outermost end part of the floor panel and is arranged to extend to the vicinity of the pivotal joint 10 of the roof panel 9 to the central structure, as shown on Figs. 4-7, where the rope suitably is winded up on a wheel 19. A completely automatic control of the operation is achieved by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder in combination with the draw rope 15. The change from expanded state according to Fig.6 to non-expanded state according to Fig.l is obviously achieved in opposite sequence according to Figs.5 to 2. As an alternative to hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders a rod 14' can be used, the bottom end of which being journalled in a vertically movable screw or crank mechanism 17, as disclosed by Fig.7. In that case a corner column 18 of the central structure is provided with a vertically journalled screw 19 having a nut 20 to which the bottom end of the rod 14' is hinged. The bottom end of the screw is driven by an electric motor 21 via a worm gear 22 such that the nut 20 is moved up or down depending on the direction of rotation of the motor. No ground support 11 is necessary if the draw rope is provided with a stop member in the expanded position shown on Fig.6. The central structure is suitably expandable in the shown way also on the other side of the central structure. Two outwards pivotal front and rear side walls 12 and 13, respectively, are pivoted to the front and rear end walls 1, respectively, of the central structure. In non-expanded state they can be directed in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the central structure.

Claims: C L A I M S 1. An expandable, mobile accomodation of activities or similar space comprising a central structure that is provided with floor ( 3) , roof (2) , and front and rear end walls (1), and two longitudinal side walls (7), at least one of which being journalled movable outwards from the central structure hinged to floor and roof sections (4 and 9, resp.) which are hinged to the central structure, in addition to which front and rear side walls (12,13) hinged to the central structure and pivotal outwards are arranged to close the expanded space, the floor and roof sections (4,9) each comprising a rigid panel dimensioned such, that the side wall (7) joined to the floor and roof sections in the expanded state is positioned essentially in vertical position, and that length of the roof panel (9) between the hinges (8,10) at least is equal to the height of said side wall (7) such that the roof panel (9) and said side wall (7) in the non- expanded state are permitted to hang down double-folded outside the folded up floor section (4) , characterized in that one edge of at least one of the end walls (1) of the central structure supports an actuating means (14,14') exerting a lifting force to the roof panel (9) of this side during the swinging up as well as down of the roof panel (9) , and a draw rope (15) or similar means is attached to the outer end portion of the floor panel (4) and is extended to the vicinity of the pivotal joint (10) of the roof panel (9) to the central structure. 2. An accomodation of activities according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating means is a gas spring means (14). 3. An accomodation of activities according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating means is a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder (14 ) . 4. An accomodation of activities according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating means is a rod (14 ' ) having an upper end pivoted to the roof panel (9) and a bottom end journalled vertically movable by a vertically acting screw and nut or crank mechanism (17 ) . 5. An accomodation of activities according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the draw rope (15) can be winded up and off on a wheel (16), influenced partly by a spring force, partly by e crank mechanism. 6. An accomodation of activities according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that it is expandable in two opposite directions. 7. An accomodation of activities according to any of claims 1-6, characterized in that the front and rear side walls (12,13) are hinged to the central structure and in the non-expanded state are positioned in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the central structure inside the folded panels (4,7,9).

Inventors: GYLLENHAMMAR THORBJOERN, GYLLENHAMMAR, THORBJOERN
Applicants: GYLLENHAMMAR THORBJOERN, INNOVATION DEV ENTERPRISE I ST, GYLLENHAMMAR, THORBJOERN, INNOVATION DEVELOPMENT ENTERPRISE I STOCKHOLM AB
Application year: 1998
Main classification: E04B1
IPC codes: E04B1