Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a storage shed that is strong, durable, low-maintenance, easy to assemble and use, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture and ship, and can be mass produced. In one embodiment, an attachment device is provided for attaching a support post to a floor having a top, a bottom, a floor opening between the top and the bottom, and a side edge. The attachment device comprises a floor locking nut configured to be rotatably supported at the bottom of the floor. The floor locking nut includes a nut bearing surface disposed adjacent a nut aperture and facing downward from the bottom of the floor. The nut bearing surface includes an inclined surface leading to a raised surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/373,367, filed Apr. 16, 2002, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to storage buildings and, more particularly, to a storage shed that is strong, durable, low-maintenance, easy to assemble and use, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture and ship, and can be mass produced. 
     Storage building are widely used commercially and by home owners for a variety of purposes. Smaller sheds that can be mass produced and assembled by home owners are popular for storing garden equipment, tools, and the like. Metal sheds are subject to rust and tend to require more maintenance than plastic sheds. While custom-built sheds may have a variety of organizational features, mass produced sheds tend to have basically four walls, a roof, and a door. Tools and equipment are often piled in the shed in a disorganized and cluttered manner, making them hard to access, locate, and retrieve. Moreover, such sheds are usually dark inside, so that a flashlight is needed. In addition, even a simple shed may be difficult and time-consuming to assemble. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a storage shed that is strong, durable, low-maintenance, easy to assemble and use, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture and ship, and can be mass produced. In addition to a front door, the shed includes one or more side access doors that allow access to different parts of the shed without the need for the user to physically enter the shed through the front door. The shed includes built-in organizational features such as shelves that a user can selectively install according to his or her needs. One or more skylights are provided on the roof. Plastic materials are desirably used to provide strong, durable, and low-maintenance components that can be mass produced at a reasonable cost. The shed components are designed to be easy and quick to assemble without the need for any tools, except a flat blade or a flat-head screw driver. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a storage shed comprises a preformed floor, and a plurality of preformed, plastic corner posts having bottoms which are configured to be mounted onto the floor to be spaced from each other. A preformed roof is attached to tops of the plurality of corner posts. A preformed front door is hingedly supported between two of the plurality of corner posts. At least one preformed side door is hingedly supported between two of the plurality of corner posts to permit access to an interior of the storage shed through the side door. 
     In some embodiments, the preformed, plastic corner posts each form a bent around a corner of the shed. A bay may be connected between two of the plurality of corner posts, and includes a bottom which is configured to be mounted onto the floor. The bay comprises a lower wall having the bottom which is configured to be mounted onto the floor and a plurality of upward projections along a top edge, a bay working surface having a plurality of edge apertures configured to receive the upward projections therethrough to position the bay working surface over the top edge of the lower wall, an upper wall which is attached to the lower wall, and a bay roof which is attached to the upper wall. The bay is connected to the two corner posts by a plurality of plastic bolts threadingly engaging apertures provided in the bay and the two corner posts, wherein the plastic bolts each have a wing at a head of the bolt which is configured to be turned by fingers of a hand of a user. 
     In specific embodiments, the front door and at least one side door each include a hasp for receiving a lock from outside the shed. The roof includes at least one preformed skylight. At least one preformed, plastic center post is disposed between two of the plurality of preformed, plastic corner posts. The center post has a bottom which is configured to be mounted onto the floor. At least one preformed side door is hingedly supported between one center post and one corner post. At least one preformed, plastic brace is connected to one center post at an angle. Each brace has a bottom which is configured to be mounted to the floor. Each brace is generally perpendicular to the center post to which the brace is connected, and the brace has a height generally equal to the height of the center post to which the brace is connected. Each brace includes a plurality of side bumps which are aligned with and received into a plurality of slots of the center post. One brace includes at least one groove and one corner post includes at least one groove aligned with the groove of the brace to receive ends of a shelf to be positioned between the brace and the corner post. The shelf comprises at least one indentation disposed in a middle region of the shelf, which is configured to receive an end of a vertical support member to be placed between the floor and the shelf or between a pair of shelves vertically spaced from one another and having indentations which are generally aligned with one another. The bottoms of the corner posts include a plurality of protrusions which are each configured to be inserted into the floor and engage a floor locking nut to be tightened to lock the protrusions to the floor. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of assembling a storage shed comprises providing a preformed floor; mounting bottoms of a plurality of preformed, plastic corner posts onto the floor which are spaced from each other; and attaching a preformed roof to tops of the plurality of corner posts. A preformed front door is hingedly supported between two of the plurality of corner posts. At least one side door is hingedly supported between two of the plurality of corner posts to permit access to an interior of the storage shed through the side door. 
     In some embodiments, the roof includes at least one opening and at least one preformed skylight which is attached to the opening of the roof by a snap-on connection. The method may further comprise mounting a bottom of at least one preformed, plastic center post onto the floor at a location between two of the plurality of preformed, plastic corner posts; and attaching the preformed roof to a top of the center post. At least one shelf may be slid between a groove on the brace and a groove on one of the plurality of corner posts which is aligned with the groove on the brace. A vertical support member may be placed between the floor and an indentation disposed in a middle region of the shelf to support the shelf between the brace and the corner post. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a storage shed comprises a preformed floor; a plurality of preformed, plastic corner posts having bottoms which are configured to be mounted onto the floor to be spaced from each other; and two preformed, plastic braces having bottoms which are configured to be mounted onto the floor to be spaced from one another. A preformed roof truss is configured to be connected to tops of the two braces. The roof truss has a spring preload to pull the tops of the two braces toward one another. A preformed roof is attached to tops of the plurality of corner posts. A preformed front door is supported between two of the plurality of corner posts. 
     In some embodiments, the braces each include a boss with a narrow neck at the top thereof. The roof truss includes an elongated aperture at each end having an enlarged aperture portion and a narrow aperture portion which is disposed between the enlarged aperture portion and the end of the roof truss. The boss of each brace is configured to be inserted through the enlarged portion and slide the narrow neck to the narrow portion of the aperture under the spring preload to pull the tops of the two braces toward one another. The roof truss comprises a lower roof truss which is formed with the spring preload and which includes the apertures at the ends thereof. The roof comprises two roof panels disposed on opposite sides of the lower roof truss. The roof truss comprises an upper roof truss which is attached to the lower roof truss and forms a sealed connection between the two roof panels. 
     In specific embodiments, two preformed, plastic center posts are each connected to one of the braces at an angle. Each center post has a bottom which is configured to be mounted onto the floor. Each brace is generally perpendicular to the center post to which the brace is connected, and has a height generally equal to the height of the center post to which the brace is connected. Each brace includes a plurality of side bumps which are aligned with and received into a plurality of slots of the center post. The bottoms of the center posts include a plurality of protrusions which are each configured to be inserted into the floor and engage a floor locking nut to be tightened to lock the protrusions to the floor. The bottom of each brace includes a hook-shaped projection which is configured to be inserted into a slot of the floor. Each brace includes at least one groove and each corner post includes at least one groove aligned with the groove of the brace to receive ends of a shelf to be positioned between the brace and the corner post. At least one indentation is disposed in a middle region of the shelf, and is configured to receive an end of a vertical support member to be placed between the floor and the shelf or between a pair of shelves vertically spaced from one another and having indentations which are generally aligned with one another. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of assembling a storage shed comprises providing a preformed floor; mounting bottoms of a plurality of preformed, plastic corner posts onto the floor which are spaced from each other; and mounting bottoms of two preformed, plastic braces onto the floor which are spaced from one another. A preformed roof truss is connected to tops of the two braces, and has a spring preload to pull the tops of the two braces toward one another. A preformed roof is attached to tops of the plurality of corner posts. A preformed front door is supported between two of the plurality of corner posts. 
     In some embodiments, connecting the roof truss comprises inserting a first boss with a narrow neck at the top of a first brace through a first aperture provided near a first end of a lower roof truss of the roof truss, and inserting a second boss with a narrow neck at the top of a second brace through a second aperture provided near a second end of the lower roof truss of the roof truss. The first aperture includes an enlarged aperture portion and a narrow aperture portion which is disposed between the enlarged aperture portion and the first end of the lower roof truss. The second aperture includes an enlarged aperture portion and a narrow aperture portion which is disposed between the enlarged aperture portion and the second end of the lower roof truss. The spring preload in the lower roof truss slides the narrow neck of the first boss to the narrow portion of the first aperture near the first end of the lower roof truss and slides the narrow neck of the second boss to the narrow portion of the second aperture near the second end of the lower roof truss, thereby pulling the tops of the two braces toward one another. 
     In specific embodiments, attaching the roof comprises positioning a first roof panel on a first side of the lower roof truss and attaching the first roof panel to one or more corner posts disposed on the first side of the lower roof truss, and positioning a second roof panel on a second side of the lower roof truss and attaching the second roof panel to one or more corner posts disposed on the second side of the lower roof truss. An upper roof truss of the roof truss is attached to the lower roof truss and forms a sealed connection between the first and second roof panels. 
     In some embodiments, the method further comprises mounting bottoms of two preformed, plastic center posts onto the floor which are spaced from one another; and connecting one brace to one center post and the other brace to the other center post. Each brace is connected to the center post by aligning a plurality of side bumps of the brace with a plurality of slots of the center post which receive the plurality of side bumps. The method may further comprise providing at least one shelf; and sliding the at least one shelf between a groove on one of the braces and a groove on one of the plurality of corner posts which is aligned with the groove on the brace. A vertical support member may be placed between the floor and an indentation disposed in a middle region of the shelf to support the shelf between the brace and the corner post. 
     An aspect of the present invention is directed to an attachment device for attaching a support post to a floor having a top, a bottom, a floor opening between the top and the bottom, and a side edge. The attachment device comprises a floor locking nut configured to be rotatably supported at the bottom of the floor. The floor locking nut includes a nut bearing surface disposed adjacent a nut aperture and facing downward from the bottom of the floor. The nut bearing surface includes an inclined surface leading to a raised surface. 
     In some embodiments, a stop is disposed on a side of the raised surface opposite from the inclined surface. The floor locking nut includes a serrated outer periphery. The serrated outer periphery includes a plurality of slanted teeth. The nut aperture is elongated in one direction. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an attachment device is provided for attaching a support post to a floor having a top, a bottom, a floor opening between the top and the bottom, and a side edge. The attachment device comprises a floor locking nut configured to be rotatably supported at the bottom of the floor. The floor locking nut includes a pair of nut bearing surfaces disposed on opposite sides of a nut aperture and facing downward from the bottom of the floor. The nut aperture is elongated in one direction. 
     In some embodiments, the two nut bearing surfaces each include an inclined surface leading to a raised surface, both in either a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction with respect to the nut aperture. The floor locking nut further includes two stops each disposed on a side of one of the raised surfaces opposite from the inclined surface leading to the raised surface. The two nut bearing surfaces are curved to form circular segments on opposite sides of the nut aperture. The two raised surfaces are substantially planar with one another. 
     Another aspect of the invention is directed to a method of attaching a support post to a floor having a top, a bottom, a floor opening between the top and the bottom, and a side edge. The method comprises rotatably supporting a floor locking nut at the bottom of the floor, wherein the floor locking nut includes a nut bearing surface disposed adjacent a nut aperture and fading downward from the bottom of the floor, and the nut bearing surface includes an inclined surface leading to a raised surface. A bottom protrusion of the support post is inserted through the floor opening and the nut aperture, a top portion of the bottom protrusion having a narrow neck. The floor locking nut is turned to bring the nut bearing surface in contact with the upper portion of the bottom protrusion. The nut bearing surface guides the upper portion of the bottom protrusion with the inclined surface downward from the bottom of the floor until the upper portion of the bottom protrusion contacts the raised surface which applies a downward force on the bottom protrusion of the support post to attach the support post to the floor. 
     In some embodiments, the floor locking nut includes a stop disposed on a side of the raised surface opposite from the inclined surface, and the floor locking nut is turned until the upper portion of the bottom protrusion contacts the raised surface and the bottom protrusion bears against the stop. The floor locking nut includes a serrated outer periphery having a plurality of teeth, and the floor locking nut is turned by pushing against the teeth of the serrated outer periphery. The serrated outer periphery is configured to be exposed through the side edge of the floor to permit turning of the floor locking nut by pushing against the teeth of the serrated outer periphery. The serrated outer periphery includes a plurality of slanted teeth, and the floor locking nut is turned by pushing a flat blade against one of the plurality of slanted teeth. 
     In specific embodiments, the nut aperture is elongated, and the floor locking nut comprises two nut bearing surfaces disposed on opposite sides of the elongated nut aperture. The two nut bearing surfaces each include an inclined surface which leads to a raised surface, both in either a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction with respect to the elongated nut aperture. The floor locking nut is turned to guide the upper portion of the bottom protrusion with the two inclined surfaces downward from the bottom of the floor until the upper portion of the bottom protrusion contacts at least one of the two raised surfaces disposed on opposite sides of the nut aperture. The floor locking nut includes two stops each disposed on a side of one of the raised surfaces opposite from the inclined surface leading to the raised surface, and the floor locking nut is turned until the upper portion of the bottom protrusion contacts the raised surfaces and the bottom protrusion bears against at least one of the stops. The two raised surfaces are substantially planar with one another, and the floor locking nut is turned to guide the upper portion of the bottom protrusion with the two inclined surfaces downward from the bottom of the floor until the upper portion of the bottom protrusion contacts both raised surfaces disposed on opposite sides of the nut aperture. The floor locking nut is rotatably supported at the bottom of the floor by a plurality of retainer members connected to the bottom of the floor and distributed around a periphery of the floor locking nut. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a hinge assembly for hingedly connecting a door to a structural member of a shed comprises at least one hinge post disposed along a generally vertical edge of the door, and at least one hinge support provided along a generally vertical edge of the structural member. The hinge support includes a hinge support cutout portion configured to slidably support a first portion of the hinge post of the door to permit rotation of the hinge post relative to the hinge support cutout portion around an axis of the hinge post. The hinge support includes an extension which is disposed adjacent the hinge support cutout portion and extends outward from the generally vertical edge of the structural member. At least one hinge connection member has a hinge connection cutout portion configured to slidably support a second portion of the hinge post of the door which is disposed generally opposite from the first portion of the hinge post of the door to permit rotation of the hinge post relative to the hinge connection cutout portion around the axis of the hinge post. The hinge connection member is detachably coupled with the extension of the hinge support, and is configured to be attached to the structural member. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one hinge post is preformed along the generally vertical edge of the door. The at least one hinge support is preformed along the generally vertical edge of the structural member. The at least one hinge connection member is a preformed, plastic member. The hinge connection member includes a connection portion which is configured to be inserted through a generally vertical slot provided in the door disposed adjacent the hinge post. The connection portion has a generally vertical connection slot which is configured to detachably receive the extension of the hinge support therethrough. The hinge connection member includes a threaded aperture which is configured to threadingly receive a fastener extending through an aperture provided in the structural member to attach the hinge connection member to the structural member. 
     In specific embodiments, a plurality of hinge posts are distributed along the generally vertical edge of the door and a plurality of hinge supports are distributed along the generally vertical edge of the structural member. The hinge support cutout portion is a rounded cutout portion configured to partially wrap around the first portion of the hinge post, and the hinge connection cutout portion is a rounded cutout portion configured to partially wrap around the second portion of the hinge post. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a hinge apparatus for rotatably supporting a hinge post comprises a hinge support including a hinge support cutout portion configured to slidably support a first portion of the hinge post to permit rotation of the hinge post relative to the hinge support cutout portion around an axis of the hinge post. The hinge support includes an extension which is disposed adjacent the hinge support cutout portion. A hinge connection member has a hinge connection cutout portion configured to slidably support a second portion of the hinge post which is disposed generally opposite from the first portion of the hinge post of the door to permit rotation of the hinge post relative to the hinge connection cutout portion around the axis of the hinge post. The hinge connection member is detachably coupled with the extension of the hinge support, and is configured to be attached to another part of the hinge support to support the hinge post between the hinge support cutout portion and the hinge connection cutout portion. 
     In some embodiments, the hinge connection member includes a connection portion having a generally vertical connection slot which is configured to detachably receive the extension of the hinge support therethrough. The hinge connection member includes a threaded aperture which is configured to threadingly receive a fastener extending through an aperture provided in the hinge support to attach the hinge connection member to the hinge support. The hinge support cutout portion is a rounded cutout portion configured to partially wrap around the first portion of the hinge post, and the hinge connection cutout portion is a rounded cutout portion configured to partially wrap around the second portion of the hinge post. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of hingedly connecting a door to a structural member of a shed comprises providing at least one hinge post along a generally vertical edge of the door, and providing at least one hinge support along a generally vertical edge of the structural member. The hinge support includes a hinge support cutout portion configured to slidably support a first portion of the hinge post of the door to permit rotation of the hinge post relative to the hinge support cutout portion around an axis of the hinge post. The hinge support includes an extension which is disposed adjacent the hinge support cutout portion and extends outward from the generally vertical edge of the structural member. A hinge connection member is attached to the structural member. The hinge connection member has a hinge connection cutout portion configured to slidably support a second portion of the hinge post of the door which is disposed generally opposite from the first portion of the hinge post of the door to permit rotation of the hinge post relative to the hinge connection cutout portion around the axis of the hinge post. The hinge connection member is detachably coupled with the extension of the hinge support. 
     In some embodiments, the hinge connection member is detachably coupled with the extension of the hinge support by inserting a connection portion of the hinge connection member through the generally vertical slot provided in the door, and inserting the extension of the hinge support through a generally vertical connection slot provided in the connection portion of the hinge connection member. Attaching the hinge connection member to the structural member comprises extending a fastener through an aperture in the structural member and threadingly engaging the fastener with a threaded aperture in the hinge connection member to attach the hinge connection member to the structural member. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of rotatably supporting a hinge post comprises providing a hinge support including a hinge support cutout portion configured to slidably support a first portion of the hinge post to permit rotation of the hinge post relative to the hinge support cutout portion around an axis of the hinge post. The hinge support includes an extension which is disposed adjacent the hinge support cutout portion. A hinge connection member has a hinge connection cutout portion configured to slidably support a second portion of the hinge post which is disposed generally opposite from the first portion of the hinge post of the door to permit rotation of the hinge post relative to the hinge connection cutout portion around the axis of the hinge post. The hinge connection member is attached to the hinge support. The hinge connection member is detachably coupled with the extension of the hinge support. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the shed according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the shed according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is another exploded perspective view of the shed of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the floor pieces of the shed of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view illustrating attachment of the floor pieces of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the floor piece of FIG. 4 illustrating the floor locking nuts; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating attachment of the bay floor to the floor piece; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a corner post of the shed of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the corner post of FIG. 8 illustrating the bottom protrusions of the corner post; 
     FIG. 10 is an exploded, bottom perspective view of the floor piece illustrating the locking of the bottom of the corner post to the floor piece using the floor locking nuts; 
     FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the floor piece illustrating the locking of the bottom of the corner post to the floor piece using the floor locking nuts; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the exterior of the shed illustrating a way of tightening the floor locking nut; 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the corner posts and lower wall of a bay installed onto the floor in the shed of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the bay illustrating the installation of the bay working surface; 
     FIG. 15 is an interior perspective view of the bay illustrating a way to mount the upper wall to the lower wall of the bay; 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the corner posts and bay installed onto the floor; 
     FIG. 17 is an interior perspective view of the bay illustrating a way to mount the bay roof to the upper wall of the bay; 
     FIG. 18 is an interior perspective view illustrating a way to mount a brace to the floor in the shed of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating a way to mount the center post to the floor in the shed of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 19A is a simplified schematic view illustrating the connection between the brace and the center post; 
     FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a lower roof truss connected across the braces of the shed of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating a way to mount the lower roof truss to the braces; 
     FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of a main roof panel and a skylight in the shed of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the main roof panels mounted onto the support posts of the shed; 
     FIG. 24 is an interior perspective view of the center post illustrating a way to mount the main roof panels to the center post; 
     FIG. 25 is an interior perspective view illustrating a way to mount the main roof panels to the corner posts and the bay roof; 
     FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an upper truss to be attached to the roof of the shed; 
     FIG. 27 is an interior perspective view illustrating the attachment of the upper truss to the lower roof truss; 
     FIG. 28 is a rear perspective view of the shed of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a portion of a hinge assembly for a door in the shed of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge assembly for the door of FIG. 29; 
     FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the hinge assembly for the door of FIG. 30; 
     FIG. 32 is a rear perspective view of a hasp to be installed for a door; 
     FIG. 33 is a front perspective view of the hasp of FIG. 32; 
     FIG. 34 is an interior perspective view illustrating a way to lock a side door from the interior of the shed; 
     FIG. 35 is an interior perspective view of shelves installed between a corner post and a center post in the shed of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 36 is a perspective of a shelf according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 37 is a schematic view illustrating vertical support members for the shelves. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 shows simplified views of a storage shed  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The storage shed  10  includes a floor desirably formed by two main floor pieces  11 , four corner posts  12 , two center posts  13 , and two side frame support panels or braces  14 . Each corner post  12  desirably forms a bent around a corner of the shed  10 , and may have a rounded or curved exterior. The center posts  13  are typically planar in shape. The floor pieces  11  desirably include ramps  15 . The shed  10  includes a plurality of doors to allow easy access to different parts of the shed  10  for storage and retrieval. In this embodiment, the shed  10  has front doors  16  and four side access doors  18 . The ramps  15  are provided for the doors to allow easy access by lawnmowers, wheel barrels, and the like. The roof in this embodiment is formed by two roof panels  20 , which may include one or more skylights  22 . The shed  10  as shown further includes a bay  24  having a bay working surface  26 , one or more optional windows, a bay floor  25 , and a bay roof  28 . FIGS. 2 and 3 show another embodiment of the shed  10 ′ having additional skylights  22 ′. The various components of the shed  10  may be made of a variety of different materials, but desirably are preformed from plastic materials and assembled, and are strong, durable, relatively light in weight, and essentially maintenance free, and can be mass produced or preformed by molding or the like. 
     FIG. 4 shows the bottom of the floor pieces  11 . The main floor pieces  11  and the bay floor  25  are desirably made of structural foam or the like to provide strong, stable, and durable support for the shed  10 . The floor pieces  11  are attached together using fasteners such as bolts  32  and nuts  34 , as shown in FIG.  5 . The bay floor  25  is attached to one of the floor pieces  11  in a similar manner. The floor pieces  11  and the bay floor  25  comprise the floor of the shed  10 . In other embodiments, the shed  10  may include a single floor piece, or more than two floor pieces that are similarly fastened together. The use of multiple, smaller floor pieces may facilitate easier handling and shipping. 
     The four corner posts  12 , two center posts  13 , and bay  24  are connected to the main floor pieces  11  and bay floor  25 . In the embodiment shown, a plurality of floor locking nuts  30  are used. As seen in FIG. 6, the floor locking nuts  30  are inserted into nut receiving areas or seats  36  provided at the bottom of the floor pieces  11  and bay floor  25  along the outer edges. The nut receiving seats  36  each include two or more retaining members  38  which detachably hold the floor locking nuts  30  in place when the bottoms of the floor pieces  11  and bay floor  25  are turned to face downward. The nut receiving seats  36  each include an elongated opening  40  to receive a protrusion or projection (of a post or bay) to be locked by turning the floor locking nut  30 , as described in more detail below. The floor locking nut  30  includes a serrated outer edge  42  and an elongated aperture  44  for receiving the protrusion or projection through the elongated opening  40 . Adjacent the aperture  44  are a pair of slanted or inclined surfaces  46  inclined upward to reach a pair of raised surfaces  48  that are substantially flat. The pair of inclined surfaces  46  are typically oppositely disposed; as are the pair of raised surfaces  48 . At the end of each raised surface  48  is a wall or stop  50 . After the floor locking nuts  30  are inserted into the nut receiving seats  36 , the floor pieces  11  and bay floor  25  are turned over to face the bottom of the floor downward. FIG. 7 shows an alternate way of fastening the bay floor  25  to one of the main floor pieces  11  using self-tapping screws  54  to fasten overlapped portions of the floors  11 ,  25 . 
     In FIG. 8, the corner post  12  includes a plurality of door hinge supports  58  along the side, and a plurality of protrusions or projections  60  at the bottom. As best seen in FIG. 9, the protrusions  60  are elongated and sized to be inserted each through an elongated opening  40  of the nut receiving seat  36  of the floor and an elongated aperture  44  of the corresponding floor locking nut  30 . FIG. 10 shows the protrusions  60  inserted through the elongated openings  40  of the nut receiving seats  36 . FIG. 10 shows the floor locking nuts  30  in an exploded view, but they are held in the nut receiving seats  36  during insertion of the protrusions  60  which also extend through the elongated apertures  44  of the floor locking nuts  30 , as seen in FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 11 shows the bottom view of a floor locking nut  30 A after insertion of the protrusion  60  before tightening to lock the protrusion  60  in place. The floor locking nut  30 A is tightened by turning it in the clockwise direction (from the bottom view) until it reaches the position shown as  30 B in FIG.  1 . As the floor locking nut  30 A is turned in the clockwise direction, it guides the movement of the protrusion  60  up the inclined surfaces  46  to reach the raised surfaces  48  until the protrusion  60  abuts the projections  50 , thereby pushing the protrusion  60  downward and locking it in place. Because the floor locking nuts  30  are disposed under the floor pieces  11  and bay floor  25 , it is not convenient to reach under the floor to tighten the floor locking nuts  30 . As shown in FIG. 12, for each floor locking nut  30  a side access or cutout  64  is conveniently provided in the corner post  12 , center posts  13 , or bay  24  to allow access to the serrated edge  42  of the floor locking nut  30  from the outside. The floor locking nut  30  can be tightened from the outside through the side access  64  by using a flat object, such as a blade or a flat-head screw driver  66 , to push against the serrated outer edge  42  of the nut  30  to turn the nut  30  in the counter-clockwise direction (viewed from the top). The teeth of the serrated edge  42  are desirably angled or slanted to facilitate the engagement of the tool  66  with the teeth to turn the nut  30  in the proper direction. The four corner posts  12  and the lower wall  68  of the bay  24  are installed by locking them in place to the floor pieces  11  and bay floor  25  using the floor locking nuts  30 , as seen in FIG.  13 . 
     Next, the remainder of the bay  24  is installed. One way of installing the bay working surface  26  is illustrated in FIG.  14 . The lower wall  68  of the bay  24  includes a plurality of apertured upward projections  70  which extend through slotted edges  72  of the bay working surface  26 . As shown in FIG. 15, the upper wall  74  of the bay  24  includes apertured portions  76  which overlap with the upward projections  70  of the lower wall  68 . Each apertured upward projection  70  and the corresponding apertured portion  76  have matching apertures through which a fastener can be inserted to secure the lower wall  68  and the upper wall  74  to form the wall of the bay  24 . As seen in FIG. 15, threaded bolts  80  are inserted through threaded apertures of the upward projection  70  and corresponding apertured portions  76 . The bolts  80  each include a relative large wing  82  at the head which can be conveniently turned by the fingers of a user&#39;s hand without any tools. The bolts  80  are desirably made of a plastic material. Similar bolts are used to attached other components of the shed  10 . For instance, bolts  84 , which may be the same as the bolts  80 , are used to attach the lower wall  68  and upper wall  74  of the bay  24  to the corner post  12  via threaded apertures provided along the edges of these structural components, as shown in FIG.  15 . 
     In FIG. 16, the bay roof  28  is installed over the wall of the bay  24 . The connection between the bay roof  28  and the upper wall  74  of the bay  24  is secured using bolts  88 , as seen in FIG.  17 . The bolts  88  may be the same as the plastic bolts  80 , which extend through threaded apertures provided along the top edge of the upper wall  74  and the side edge of the bay roof  28 . 
     The remaining structural supports to be installed are the center posts  13  and braces  14 . In the embodiment shown, each brace  14  is installed first by inserting at least one bottom projection  90  into a groove or slot  92  provided in the floor pieces  11 , as shown in FIG.  18 . The bottom projection  90  may be shaped as a hook to be slid under the floor to provide a more secure connection and stable support for the brace  14 . In FIG. 19, the center post  13  is installed by inserting bottom protrusions  96  each through the elongated opening  40  of the nut receiving seat  36  of the floor and the elongated aperture  44  of the corresponding floor locking nut  30 , and locked by turning the floor locking nut  30 , in a manner similar to that shown in FIGS. 10-12. Each center post  13  and the corresponding brace  14  may be further secured together, for instance, by fasteners or the like. In one embodiment, the brace  14  includes three side bumps  98  distributed along its edge facing the center post  13 , which includes three corresponding indents aligned for receiving the side bumps  98  to be interlocked therewith, as schematically shown in FIG.  19 A. For instance, the side bumps  98  and indents may be connected together by a tight fit or an interference fit. 
     In FIG. 20, a lower roof truss  100  is connected to the braces  14  prior to installing the roof panels  20 . The lower roof truss  100  includes a spring preloaded to a slight bow shape. As best seen in FIG. 21, the lower roof truss  100  includes an elongated aperture  102  near each end for coupling with a boss  104  provided on top of the corresponding brace  14 . The elongated aperture  102  has an enlarged portion  106  which is sized to allow the boss  104  to pass therethrough. The narrow neck of the boss  104  then slides to a narrow portion  108  of the elongated aperture  102  under the force of the spring preload on the lower roof truss  100  so as to lock the lower roof truss  100  in place with the braces  14 . The spring preload thus provides self-locking of the lower roof truss  100  to the braces  14 , and pulls the top of the braces  14  inward. 
     The skylights  22  may be installed before or after the installing the roof panels  20 . As shown in FIG. 22, each skylight  22  has feet  110  which are shaped to snap into slots  112  provided in the opening  114  of the roof panel  20 . If the roof panel  20  has been installed on the shed  10  first, the skylight  22  can be inserted through the opening  114  from below and then dropped into position to align the feet  110  with the slots  112  to allow the feet  110  to be snapped into the slots  12 . Advantageously, this can be done easily and quickly without any tools. Of course, different ways of mounting the skylights  22  to the roof panels  20  may be used in other embodiments. 
     In FIG. 23, the roof panels  20  are placed over the corner posts  12  and center posts  13  with the lower roof truss  100  disposed between the roof panels  20 . One way to fasten the roof panels  20  is by using bolts similar to the plastic bolts  80 ,  84  described above. FIG. 24 shows the use of plastic bolts  116  to attach the roof panels  20  to the center post  13  via threaded apertures provided along the top edge of the center post  13  and the side edges of the roof panels  20 . FIG. 25 shows the use of plastic bolts  118  to attach the roof panel  20  to the corner post  12  via threaded apertures provided along the top edge of the corner post  12  and the side edge of the roof panel  20 . Plastic bolts  118  may also be used to attach the bay roof  28  to the roof panel  20  via threaded apertures provided along the side edge of the roof panel  20  overlapping with the side edge of the bay roof  28 . 
     To complete the roof installation, an upper truss  120  is attached to the lower roof truss  100 , as seen in FIG.  26 . In the embodiment shown, seven pan head self-tapping screws  122  are used to fasten the upper truss  120  to the lower roof truss  100 , as illustrated in FIG.  27 . The number and type of fasteners may be different in other embodiments. The upper truss  120  preferably provides a sealed connection between the roof panels  20  to prevent leakage. In other embodiments, the roof may comprise a single roof panel or more than two roof panels assembled together. The use of multiple roof panels that are smaller in size may facilitate easier handling and shipping. 
     The side doors  18  are installed by positioning each side door  18  to align a plurality of hinge posts  130  and openings  132  along the edge of the side door  18  with corresponding clips or hinge supports  134  of the corner post  12  or the center post  13 , as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29. There are three hinge supports  134  for each side door  18  in the embodiment shown. The hinge support  134  has a rounded cutout that partially wraps around the hinge post  130 , and includes an extension  136  which desirably extends along the length of the hinge post  130 . The corner post  12  or center post  13  further includes a hole  138  disposed adjacent each hinge support  134 . As shown in FIG. 30, a hinge cover member or hinge connection member  140  is then attached to complete the hinge assembly. The hinge cover member  140  has a rounded cutout  142  that partially wraps around the hinge post  130 . An elongated slot  144  is provided to receive the extension  136  of the hinge support therethrough. This connection is made by passing a portion of the hinge cover member  140  through the opening  132  on the side door  18 . The hinge cover member  140  includes a threaded aperture  146  which is aligned with the hole  138 . A fastener such as a plastic screw  150  is used to fasten the hinge cover member  140  to the corner post  12  or center post  13  by extending the threaded screw  150  through the hole  138  into the threaded aperture  146 . FIG. 31 shows the hinge cover member  140  connected to the hinge support  134  to complete the hinge assembly which allows the side door  18  to be hingedly supported and swing around the hinge assembly. The same hinge assemblies can be used to connect the front doors  16  to the two corner posts  12 . 
     Each door has a locking feature that allows it to be locked from the outside of the assembled shed  10 . As shown in FIG. 32, a hasp body  160  is inserted through a hole  162  provided in the mating door panel  164 , which may be disposed along an edge of a corner post  12 , a center post  13 , or one of the two front doors  16 . Alternatively, the hasp body  160  may be provided along the edge of the door to be coupled to a hasp bar which is attached to a corner post  12 , a center post  13 , or one of the front doors  16 . As seen in FIG. 32, the hasp body  160  includes a rear portion  166  which bears against the back of the mating door panel  164 . The front end of the hasp body  160  includes an aperture  168  for receiving a lock such as a padlock. To secure the hasp body  160  to the mating door panel  164 , a hasp cover member or plate  170  having an elongated opening  172  is placed over the front end of the hasp body  160  against the front of the mating door panel  164 . The hasp cover plate  170  may be fastened to the mating door panel  164  using any suitable methods. In the embodiment shown, the hasp cover plate  170  is conveniently snapped over the hasp body  160  as the elongated opening  172  is pushed over the fingers  174  of the hasp body  160 . The fingers  174  snap over the hasp body  160  adjacent the ends of the elongated opening  172  and press the hasp body  160  securely against the mating door panel  164 . The assembly is quick and easy, and does not require tools. After installing the hasp body  160 , the corresponding door can be closed to insert the front of the hasp body  160  through an opening provided in the door or a hasp bar attached to the door, and a lock can be inserted through the aperture  168  of the hasp body  160  to lock the door. 
     The side doors  18  may also be locked from the inside of the shed  10 . In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 34, a plastic bolt  176  is inserted through a threaded aperture  178  in the side door  18 . The head of the plastic bolt  176  is sufficiently large to overlap with and act as a stop to bear against the edge of the center post  13  (or a corner post  12 ) so as to prevent the side door  18  from opening. 
     The braces  14  and the corner posts  12  include horizontal grooves  180  for securely supporting shelves  182 , as illustrated in FIG.  35 . The user can conveniently slide the shelves  182  into the grooves  180 , and can select how many shelves  182  to install and where to place the shelves  182 . Because the side doors  18  are provided between the corner posts  12  and the braces  14 , the user can conveniently retrieve items stored on the shelves  182  by opening the side doors  18  without the need to physically enter the shed  10 . 
     FIG. 36 shows an embodiment of the shelf  182 , which includes a plurality of openings  184  for inserting items and hooks  186  for hanging items. Near the center are one or more slots or indentations  188  desirably on both the top and bottom sides of the shelf  182 . The indentations  188  are configured to receive ends of vertical support members  190  that may be optionally provided between the floor and the shelf  182  or between two shelves  182  to provide additional support for heavy objects that may be placed on the shelves  182 , as illustrated in FIG.  37 . In specific embodiments, the indentations  188  are sizes to receive 2″×4″ lumber pieces or the like. 
     Most or all of the components of the shed  10  may be made of plastic materials. The smaller pieces such as the bolts, nuts, and hinges may be made or preformed by injection molding, while the larger pieces such as the posts, braces, and roof panels may be made or preformed by blow molding. 
     The above-described arrangements of apparatus and methods are merely illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention and many other embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. For instance, the various components of the shed may have different shapes and sizes from those shown herein, and may be made of different materials. A smaller shed may be formed using the four corner posts without the need for the center posts and braces. Another embodiment of the shed may be triangular in shape and formed by three corner posts instead of four corner posts. Yet another embodiment may include more than four corner posts. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.