Patent Publication Number: US-11377844-B2

Title: Collapsible dwelling

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a collapsible dwelling. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Temporary housing structures, such as dwellings, find a multitude of uses. For example, they can be used in refugee situations, concerts, and in various other situations where it is necessary to house numbers of people in a temporary manner. 
     Presently available housing structures can be provided in a collapsible configuration, for storage and/or transportation. 
     Challenges for temporary housing structures, particularly for dwellings, is suitable structural integrity to protect occupants from the environment. Also, many temporary housing structures are simply not comfortable. For example, they may suffer from insufficient insulation and so may be uncomfortably warm or cold depending on the season. Furthermore, other temporary housing structures have components that are entirely separable from each other. This can make the storage and subsequent location of the various components logistically difficult. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible dwelling that includes:
         a front wall assembly;   a rear wall assembly;   opposed sidewall assemblies;   a roof assembly;   a floor assembly, wherein the wall assemblies are collapsible to be received between the floor assembly and the roof assembly; and   at least one of the roof assembly and the floor assembly defines at least one recess, the, or each, recess being dimensioned to receive an appliance that is mounted on one of the wall assemblies when that wall assembly is in a collapsed configuration.       

     Thus, the collapsible dwelling provides a structure in which an appliance can be arranged so as not to require removal before the dwelling is collapsed. This allows the dwelling to be supplied or provided with the appliance, which is useful in applications where many the dwellings are required. It will be appreciated that a significant amount of time can be saved by simply erecting the dwelling without having subsequently to arrange or fit the appliance in the dwelling. This means that the collapsible dwelling can be erected without any significant level of skill required. 
     The wall assemblies may be dimensioned so that the dwelling is substantially rectangular when viewed from above. The wall assemblies may be configured to fold operatively inwardly with respect to the roof and floor assemblies so that the roof assembly can collapse downwardly towards the floor assembly. 
     The wall assemblies may be dimensioned so that the dwelling is elongate and rectangular with the sidewall assemblies defining major sides of the dwelling and the front and rear wall assemblies defining minor sides of the dwelling. 
     The front and rear wall assemblies may be configured to fold inwardly towards the floor assembly to overlie the floor assembly in general alignment with each other, at least one appliance being mounted on at least one respective front and rear wall assembly so that the, or each, appliance can be received in the, or each respective, recess when the front and rear wall assemblies are so folded inwardly. 
     The opposed sidewall assemblies are configured to collapse, inwardly, concertina-fashion, to overlie the front and rear wall assemblies when the dwelling is collapsed. 
     Each side wall assembly may include a lower panel and an upper panel. The lower panel may be hinged to the floor assembly at a lower edge and the upper panel may be hinged to the roof assembly at an upper edge. The lower and upper panels may be hinged to each other at respective upper and lower edges, so that the panels can fold inwardly to accommodate movement of the roof assembly towards the floor assembly when the dwelling is collapsed. 
     The, or each, recess may be defined by a receptacle arranged in the floor assembly. The, or each, receptacle may be configured to receive the, or each respective, appliance. The receptacle may be configured to protect the appliance from damage. 
     The front and rear wall assemblies may be mounted on the floor assembly with hinge assemblies that are configured to facilitate displacement of the, or each, appliance into the, or each respective, receptacle without interference. 
     The floor assembly may include a floor support structure and flooring arranged on the support structure. Each sidewall assembly may be pivotally connected, at a lower edge, to a respective side edge of the floor support structure. Lower hinge assemblies may be interposed between respective sidewall assemblies and associated side edges of the floor support structure to facilitate the pivotal connection. The roof assembly may include a roof support structure and roofing arranged on the roof support structure. Each sidewall assembly may be pivotally connected, at an upper edge, to a respective side edge of the roof support structure. Upper hinge assemblies may be interposed between respective sidewall assemblies and associated side edges of the roof support structure to facilitate the pivotal connection. Each sidewall assembly may include a longitudinally extending intermediate hinge assembly to allow the side assemblies to fold inwardly as the roof assembly is lowered towards the floor assembly. 
     The front and rear wall assemblies may be pivotally mounted to one of the floor support structure and roof support structure to pivot inwardly to accommodate the roof assembly being lowered towards the floor assembly. In one example, the front and rear wall assemblies may be pivotally mounted to respective front and rear edges of the floor support structure and may be detachable from the roof support structure. 
     The floor support structure may include a series of elongate structural elements, such as joists, that extend a length of the floor assembly to support the flooring. The joists may be spaced such that the flooring can be configured to allow the, or each, recess to be defined between consecutive joists. The, or each, receptacle can be positioned between consecutive joists. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible dwelling that includes:
         a front wall assembly;   a rear wall assembly;   opposed sidewall assemblies;   a roof assembly;   a floor assembly; and   at least one appliance mounted on at least one respective wall assembly;
 
wherein the wall assemblies are collapsible to be received between the floor assembly and at least one of the roof assembly and the floor assembly defines at least one recess, the, or each, recess being dimensioned to receive the, or each respective appliance that is mounted on one of the wall assemblies when that wall assembly is in a collapsed configuration.
       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of a collapsible dwelling, in accordance with one aspect of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a side view of the collapsible dwelling, with awnings and steps in extended conditions. 
         FIG. 3  shows a front-end view of the collapsible dwelling. 
         FIG. 4  shows a side sectioned view of the collapsible dwelling. 
         FIG. 5  shows a further side sectioned view of the collapsible dwelling. 
         FIG. 6  shows a bottom plan view of the collapsible dwelling. 
         FIG. 7  shows a top plan view of the collapsible dwelling. 
         FIG. 8  shows an end view of the collapsible dwelling in a partially collapsed condition. 
         FIG. 9  shows a partly sectioned end view of the collapsible dwelling in a partially collapsed condition. 
         FIG. 10  shows a plan view, from above, of a retractable awning for the collapsible dwelling. 
         FIG. 11  shows a sectional side view of part of the collapsible dwelling showing the awning in a retracted condition. 
         FIG. 12  shows a sectional side view of part of the collapsible dwelling showing the awning in an extended condition. 
         FIG. 13  shows a plan view, from above, of part of the collapsible dwelling showing a step member in a retracted condition. 
         FIG. 14  shows a part sectional side view of part of the collapsible dwelling with the step member in an extended condition. 
         FIG. 15  shows a part sectional side view of part of the collapsible dwelling with the step member in a retracted condition. 
         FIG. 16  shows an example of an offset hinge used in the collapsible dwelling 
         FIG. 17  shows a schematic side sectional view of the collapsible dwelling with one of the front and rear wall assemblies in a collapsed condition. 
         FIG. 18  shows a schematic end sectional view of the collapsible dwelling in a collapsed condition. 
         FIG. 19  shows a schematic end sectional view of the collapsible dwelling in a partially collapsed condition. 
         FIG. 20  shows an end view of part of the collapsible dwelling in a collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 21  shows the part in  FIG. 20  in a partially collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 22  shows a sectioned end view of part of the collapsible dwelling in a partially collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 23  shows a sectioned end view of the part of  FIG. 22  in a collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 24  shows a conventional hinge used in the collapsible dwelling. 
         FIGS. 25  A to  25  E show various aspects of a bed and bed hanging support assembly for use in the collapsible container. 
         FIG. 26  shows a sectional end view of a lower corner assembly of the collapsible dwelling. 
         FIG. 27  shows a sectional end view of an upper corner assembly of the collapsible dwelling. 
         FIG. 28  shows a further detailed sectional end view of the upper corner assembly of the collapsible dwelling. 
         FIG. 29  shows a side sectional view of an awning assembly of the dwelling in an extracted condition. 
         FIG. 30  shows a side sectional view of the awning assembly in a retracted condition. 
         FIG. 31  shows an end view of the awning assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In  FIGS. 1 to 7 , reference numeral  10  generally indicates an embodiment of a collapsible dwelling, in accordance with the invention. Reference to “dwelling” does not necessarily mean that the dwelling is only suited for housing human occupants. The dwelling could also be used for storage, for example, where it is necessary to control a climate within the dwelling, or for housing non-human occupants. 
     The dwelling  10  includes a front wall assembly  12 , a rear wall assembly  14 , opposed sidewall assemblies  16  a roof assembly  18  and a floor assembly  20 . 
     The wall assemblies  12 ,  14 ,  16  are collapsible to be received between the floor assembly  20  and the roof assembly  18 . The wall assemblies  12 ,  14 ,  16  are collapsible so that the wall assemblies  12 ,  14 ,  16  remain within a span or area between the floor assembly  20  and the roof assembly  18 . In this example, the sidewall assemblies  16  are configured to collapse concertina-fashion, while the front and rear wall assemblies  12 ,  14  can be detached from the sidewall assemblies  16  and folded inwardly to overlie the floor assembly  20 . It will thus be appreciated that a width of the front and rear wall assemblies  12 ,  14  is selected so that the front and rear wall assemblies  12 ,  14  can pivot or fold downwardly with respect to the sidewalls  16  while the sidewalls  16  are still in their operative or erected condition. The sidewalls  16  can be secured to the front and rear wall assemblies  12 ,  14  in any suitable manner, not shown, such as by clips, bolts or screws. Furthermore, junctions between various components such as the sidewalls  16  and the front and rear wall assemblies  12 ,  14  can be insulated against the ingress of wind and/or heat/cold. 
     For example, the front and rear wall assemblies  12 ,  14  can fold inwardly into general alignment with each other in the direction of dotted arrows  19 , ( FIG. 5 ) to be positioned on the floor assembly  20 . The floor assembly  20  defines two recesses  22  (see for example  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). The recesses  22  are dimensioned each to receive an appliance, for example an air conditioning unit  60  (see  FIG. 5 , for example), that is mounted on a respective front and rear wall assembly  12 ,  14 , when that wall assembly is in a collapsed configuration. It is to be appreciated that the floor assembly  20  could define one or more than two recesses  22  for receiving associated appliances. The appliances  60  could be electrical appliances or other forms of accessories or fittings for use in the dwelling. Thus, there is no need to remove the appliances  60  prior to folding the front and rear wall assemblies  12 ,  14  to overlie the floor assembly  20 . 
     The wall assemblies  12 ,  14 ,  16  and the floor and roof assemblies  20 ,  18  are dimensioned so that the dwelling  10  is substantially rectangular when viewed from above. In particular, the assemblies are dimensioned so that the dwelling  10  is elongate and rectangular with the sidewall assemblies  16  defining major sides of the dwelling  10  and the front and rear wall assemblies  12 ,  14  defining minor sides of the dwelling  10 . The wall assemblies  12 ,  14 ,  16  are configured to fold operatively inwardly with respect to the roof and floor assemblies  18 ,  20  so that the roof assembly  18  can collapse downwards towards the floor assembly  20 . 
     The floor assembly  20  includes a floor support structure  24  and flooring  26  ( FIG. 16 , for example) arranged on the support structure  24 . Each sidewall assembly  16  is pivotally connected, at a lower edge, to a respective side edge of the floor support structure  24 . Lower hinge assemblies  28  are interposed between respective sidewall assemblies  16  and associated side edges of the floor support structure  24  to facilitate the pivotal connection. The lower hinge assemblies  28  can be offset hinges so that when the sidewall assemblies  16  are folded inwardly, the offset hinges can permit the accommodation of the front and rear wall assemblies  12 ,  14 . 
     The roof assembly  18  includes a roof support structure  30  and roofing  32  arranged on the roof support structure  30 . Each sidewall assembly  16  is pivotally connected, at an upper edge, to a respective side edge of the roof support structure  30 . Upper hinge assemblies  34  (for example  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) are interposed between respective sidewall assemblies  16  and associated side edges of the roof support structure  30  to facilitate the pivotal connection. Each sidewall assembly  16  includes a longitudinally extending intermediate hinge assembly  36  to allow the sidewall assemblies  16  to fold inwardly as the roof assembly  18  is lowered towards the floor assembly  20 . 
     The front and rear wall assemblies  12 ,  14  are pivotally mounted to respective ends of the floor support structure  24  to pivot inwardly to accommodate the roof assembly  18  being lowered towards the floor assembly  20 . In this example, the front and rear wall assemblies  12 ,  14  are pivotally mounted to respective front and rear edges of the floor support structure  24 . 
     The floor support structure  24  includes two opposed side support beams  38  and a series of spaced joists  40  fastened to and extending between the beams  38 . Each lower hinge assembly  28  is fastened to a respective side support beam  38 . Each hinge assembly  28  includes a hinge block  42  ( FIGS. 22 and 23 , for example) that is mounted on the respective side support beam  38 . One leaf of an offset hinge  44 , for example as shown in  FIG. 15 , is mounted on the block  42 . The offset hinge  44  is configured so that the front and rear wall assemblies  12 ,  14  can be accommodated when the sidewall assemblies  16  are collapsed. In other words, the offset hinge  44  inhibits interference between the sidewall assembly  16  and the front and rear wall assemblies  12 ,  14  by providing a level of displacement away from the floor assembly  20 . 
     Each sidewall assembly  16  includes two wall members or panels, in the form of a lower panel  46  and an upper panel  48 , that extend a length of the dwelling  10 . A lower edge of the panel  46  or a framing member of the panel  46  is fastened to another leaf of the offset hinge  44  so that the panel  46  can pivot inwardly with respect to the support beam  38 , with a clearance between the panel  46  and the flooring  26 . As mentioned above, this clearance can accommodate the front and rear wall assemblies  12 ,  14  (see, for example,  FIGS. 20 to 23 ). A lower edge of the upper panel  48  is pivotally connected to an upper edge of the lower panel  46  with the intermediate hinge assembly  36 , along a length of the dwelling  10 . The intermediate hinge assembly  36  can include a conventional hinge (for example as shown in  FIG. 24 ) with one leaf fastened to the upper edge of the lower panel and the other leaf fastened to a lower edge of the upper panel. Thus, as the lower panels  46  pivot inwardly, the upper panels  48  can pivot outwardly with respect to the lower panels  48  so that the sidewall assemblies  16  can collapse downwardly. 
     The roof support structure includes two opposed roof support beams  50  that are aligned with the side support beams  38 . Each upper hinge assembly  34  is fastened to a respective roof support beam  50 . Each upper hinge assembly  34  includes hinge support blocks  52  ( FIG. 28 ) that are mounted on the respective roof support beam  50  and upper edge of the panel  48 . The leaves of a hinge  54  ( FIG. 24 ) are fastened to respective blocks  52 . This allows the upper panel  48  to pivot inwardly with respect to the roof support beam  50  with a clearance between the upper panel  48  and the roofing  32 . 
     The way the sidewall assemblies  16  collapse can be seen in  FIGS. 20 to 23 . Each of the panels has been truncated for clarity. 
     A crossbeam  68  ( FIG. 26 ) is mounted on the side support beams  38  at each of the front and rear of the dwelling  10 . Each of the front and rear wall assemblies  12 ,  14  includes a panel  56 . The panels  56  are mounted on crossbeams  68  with a hinge assembly  58 . The hinge assembly  58  includes an offset hinge  70  ( FIG. 16 ). One leaf of the offset hinge  70  is fastened to the crossbeam  68 . A hinge block  72  is fastened to the other leaf of the offset hinge  70 . A lower edge of the panel  56  is fastened to the hinge block  72 . This allows the panel  56  to pivot inwardly, with inward displacement, towards the flooring  26  and outwardly, as shown with an arrow  81 , with outward displacement, into general alignment with an outer edge of the crossbeam  68  to form the front or rear side of the dwelling  10 . 
     The hinge assembly  58  is configured to permit the panels  56  to be pivoted inwardly towards the flooring  26  to overlie the flooring. The offset hinges  70  are configured so that the sidewall assemblies can overlie the flooring  26  without interference. An example of such a collapsed configuration can be seen in  FIG. 17 . 
     An appliance or accessory  60  can be mounted internally on one or both panels  56  of the front and rear wall assemblies  12 ,  14 . The appliance  60  in this example is an air conditioning unit. However, other forms of appliance are also envisaged. The appliance  60  extends into a dwelling space within the dwelling  10 . In this case, the air conditioning unit can be a low-level packaged thermal air-conditioner (PTAC) and heat pump. The PTAC can be a twin duct unit. Such air-conditioners do not require an external condenser. An example of a suitable air conditioning unit is one within the Powrmatic Vision (trade mark) range. The flooring  26  defines suitable recesses  62  between consecutive joists  40 . The recesses  62  and the air conditioning units  60  are positioned so that the recesses  62  accommodate a portion of the respective units  60  that project from the panels  56 . Thus, the offset hinges  70  can be configured so that the appliance  60  is appropriately positioned when the front and/or rear wall assemblies  12 ,  14  are folded down. For example, the offset hinges  70  can be configured so that the appliance  60  clears surfaces that define the recess  62 . 
     A corner fitting  64  is arranged on each corner of the floor assembly  20 . For example, the corner fittings  64  are mounted on the side support beams  38 , for example as can be seen in  FIG. 26 . The corner fittings  64  have a right-angled profile to accommodate the side support beams  38  to define feet for the dwelling  12 . 
     A bracket  74  is mounted between the side support beams  38  below the crossbeam  68 . A step member  66  is slidably retained between the bracket  74  and the crossbeam  68  so that it can be displaced outwardly to form a step for the dwelling  10  and inwardly into an inoperative position. The step member  66  can take various forms, for example, it can be in the form of grating or can carry a tread pattern for safety. A locking arrangement, for example a locking pin or fastener  75  can be releasably engaged with the step member  66  to lock the step member in the retracted condition, for example, for storage and transport. 
     Each upper hinge assembly  34  includes the hinge blocks  52  mounted on the roof support beam  50  and the upper panel  48  ( FIG. 28 ). The leaves of the hinge  54  are fastened to the respective hinge blocks  52 . Thus, the panel  48  can pivot into an operative position in which it is generally aligned with the roof support beam  50  and an inoperative position ( FIG. 28 ) in which it is generally aligned with the roofing  32 . 
     The roof support structure  30  includes roofing support brackets  80  mounted on inner sides of the roof support beams  50 . The brackets  80  are configured to support roofing panels  82  between the support beams  50  to define the roofing  32 . 
     Opposed awning support brackets  84  (one of which is shown in  FIG. 28 ) are also mounted on opposed inner sides of respective roof support beams  50 . A retractable awning assembly  86  is mounted on the support brackets  84 . The awning assembly  86  includes opposed runners  88  mounted on the support brackets  84 . An awning panel or platform  90  is mounted on the runners  88  so that it can slide along the runners  88  between an extracted position (see  FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 12 and 30 ) and a retracted position (see  FIGS. 4, 11, 29, 30 and 31 ). 
     The awning assembly  86  can include awning supports  91  ( FIG. 10 ) to support the awning panel  90  in the extracted position. 
     The awning assembly  86  includes a series of positioning bolts  93  ( FIG. 27 ) that extend through the runners or runner  88  and into the awning panel  90  so that the awning panel  90  can be secured in a desired position, for example, in a retracted position for storage and transport. 
     The dwelling  10  can include various internal accessories for convenience. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 25  A to E, the dwelling  10  can include a bed assembly  92 . The bed assembly  92  includes a bed hanging support  94  that is arranged on one of the wall assemblies within the dwelling  10  and which is configured to permit a bed  96  to be hung, in a detachable manner, to one of the wall assemblies with a locking arrangement  97 , such as a slide bolt latch that is fastened to the wall assembly with a bolt that can engage the bed  96 . In operation, the bed  96  is positioned vertically, as opposed to its usual horizontal orientation. The slide bolt latch  98  can then be used to engage the bed  96  to retain the bed in that vertical orientation, in a space-saving manner. The bed  96  could be dimensioned so that it can remain within the dwelling  10  when the dwelling  10  is collapsed. Alternatively, the bed  96  can be removed before the dwelling is collapsed. A similar system could be used with other articles of furniture, fittings or appliances. Thus, in use, and occupant of the dwelling  10  can, optionally, free up space within the dwelling  10 , for example, during the day when the bed assembly  92  is not required. 
     The flooring  26  includes opposed floor support brackets  98  ( FIG. 26 ). The floor support brackets  98  support a structural floor member, such as a floor panel  100 . The recesses  22  are defined by receptacles  102  having walls of expanded mesh. Thus, the appliance  60  can effectively be enclosed within a customised housing when the dwelling  10  is in the collapsed configuration. The floor panel  100  is shaped to accommodate the receptacles  102  that extend between the joists  40 . The expanded mesh can be of metal and can be of a suitable strength to provide protection to the appliance  60  when the dwelling  10  is collapsed. The expanded mesh also serves to ventilate the receptacle  102  so that moisture does not build up within the appliance  60 . The receptacles  102  can take other forms, depending on the shape of the appliance  60  and can be of suitable materials to protect the appliance  60 . 
     Corner fittings  104  are mounted on the roof support beams  50  at each corner of the dwelling  10 . 
     In some embodiments, handling assemblies  106  are mounted on each corner of the dwelling  10 . The handling assemblies  106  are configured so that suitable cargo handling or similar machinery/apparatus can be used to lift and manipulate the dwelling  10 . For example, the handling assemblies  106  can be similar to those used for shipping containers. 
     The front and rear wall assemblies  12 ,  14 , the roof assembly  18  and the sidewall assemblies  16  are insulated. The panels  46 ,  48 ,  56  and  82  are of the type having an external cladding containing a core of insulation material. The external cladding can be a sheet of a plastics material, reinforced composite material or metal, such as aluminium or steel. The insulation material can be a thermal insulation material. The insulation material can also be of a fire-retardant material. The core of the panels can be of Polyisocyanurate fire-retardant material. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  show further detail of the sidewall assemblies  16 . Each sidewall assembly includes a frame assembly having a number of frames  108  into which panel modules  110  are mounted. Each of the panel modules  110  can be the same as the panels described above. As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , each sidewall  16  has a central support or spar  112  that extends between the side support beam  38  and the roof support beam  50 . The spar  112  is hinged so that it can fold together with the sidewall assembly  16 , in the manner described above. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , for example, the exterior of the frames  108  and panel modules  110  is covered by a suitable weather resistant coating or flashing  120 . 
     The various hinge assemblies described herein are configured so that, when the dwelling  10  is folded out into its operative or erected configuration, the panel modules  110  can engage each other in a substantially sealed manner, sufficient to inhibit ingress of wind and to facilitate thermal insulation of the dwelling  10 . 
     The floor assembly  20  houses an electrical supply assembly  115  ( FIG. 17 ). This can include an electrical input point and a compartment for a rechargeable battery. This can be connected to the appliances  60  to supply the units  60  with power. Thus, both the electrical supply assembly  115  and the appliances  60  form an integral part of the collapsible dwelling  10 . It follows that no electrical work is required, apart from possibly charging the battery, in order for the dwelling  10  to be erected and operative. 
     A door assembly  114  is mounted in the front wall assembly  12 . A window assembly  116  is also mounted in the front wall assembly  12 . A further window assembly  116  and door assembly  114  can also be mounted in the rear wall assembly  14 . 
     Extractor fans  118  can be mounted in either of the wall assemblies, for example, the front wall assembly  12 . The extractor fans  118  can also be connected to the electrical supply assembly  115  to power the extractor fans  118   
     The use of collapsible structures for dwelling purposes is known. However, the comfort of occupants in such collapsible structures can be dependent on the availability of air-conditioning, associated with insulation. The dwelling  10  is particularly useful for maintaining a level of environmental comfort to occupants. Furthermore, the fact that the dwelling  10  can be collapsed allows it to be conveniently transported to areas or regions in which it might be required temporarily. The erection of the dwelling  10  is a simple unfolding process and requires no additional installation of appliances such as air conditioners. This can be done with suitable machinery to lift the roof assembly  18  while the sidewall assemblies  16  unfold because of that lifting or as a result of further manipulation. The various components of the dwelling  10  are relatively rigid so that, when the dwelling  10  is folded out into its erected configuration, the dwelling  10  has a level of rigidity suitable for protection of the occupants for extended periods of time. For example, the frames  108  can be of aluminium, steel, or the like. Further, the panel modules  110  can be of a material having a level of structural integrity suitable for a conventional permanent dwelling. 
     The provision of the recesses  22  allows the wall assemblies to carry suitable appliances such as air conditioning units, for example the air conditioning unit  60  described above, without the need to remove those air-conditioning units when the dwelling  10  is collapsed. It will be appreciated that the installation of air conditioning units after erection would result in a process that is time-consuming and resource-hungry. 
     It follows that the dwelling  10  can find application for events such as multi-day open-air concerts, seminars and other similar events. Furthermore, the dwelling  10  also has application in other environments such as those that might arise in refugee situations. 
     The appended claims are to be considered as incorporated into the above description. 
     Throughout this specification, reference to any advantages, promises, objects or the like should not be regarded as cumulative, composite and/or collective and should be regarded as preferable or desirable rather than stated as a warranty. 
     Throughout this specification, unless otherwise indicated, “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising,” (and variants thereof) or related terms such as “includes” (and variants thereof),” are used inclusively rather than exclusively, so that a stated integer or group of integers may include one or more other non-stated integers or groups of integers. 
     When any number or range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that number or range is approximate. Recitation of ranges of values herein are intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value and each separate subrange defined by such separate values is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. 
     Words indicating direction or orientation, such as “front”, “rear”, “back”, etc, are used for convenience. The inventor(s) envisages that various embodiments can be used in a non-operative configuration, such as when presented for sale. Thus, such words are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. 
     The term “and/or”, e.g., “A and/or B” shall be understood to mean either “A and B” or “A or B” and shall be taken to provide explicit support for both meanings or for either meaning. 
     It is to be understood that the terminology employed above is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The described embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the invention, without limiting the scope thereof. The invention is capable of being practised with various modifications and additions as will readily occur to those skilled in the art.