Patent Publication Number: US-5295335-A

Title: Prefrabricated shelter

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The instant invention relates generally to protective enclosures and more specifically it relates to a prefabricated shelter. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Numerous protective enclosures have been provided in prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,801,716 to Colby, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 2,827,138 to Roy, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 2,988,810 to Wilken; U.S. Pat. No. 3,277,621 to Merdich; U.S. Pat. No. 3,464,168 to Russell et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,828,492 to Schliemann et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,602 to Pohl et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,838 to Sabec; U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,423 to Marsh; U.S. Pat. No. 4,091,584 to Brown; U.S. Pat. No. 4,347,690 to Wallace Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,297 to Bernard and U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,833 to Porter all are illustrative of such prior art. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,801,716: This patent has a rounded arch while the instant invention is different in design. The method of fastening the arches to the base is entirely different. The arches are also made out of different materials. The base rails and anchoring systems are entirely different. There is no similarity. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,827,138: This patent has a rounded arch and bears no similarity in design or materials to the instant invention. The complicated system of pulleys, springs and anchoring systems are totally different. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,988,810: This patent contains a system for concaving roofing materials, so that the roofing material itself becomes the framing. It has no detail of or similarity to the instant invention. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,277,621: This carport bears no resemblance to the instant invention either in materials or design. The arches are totally different in design and are constructed of different materials. The anchoring systems are totally different. This design has a guiding system, which the instant invention does not have. The roofing materials are different and the sides and end enclosures are also different. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,464,168: This shelter is designed to be connected in sections and is different from the instant invention. The arches are rounded with the arch design and construction totally different. Anchoring of the arches is complicated, while end design and construction is different. The door and vest is not used in the instant invention and there is no nuts or bolts. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,828,492: This rounded arch structure bears no resemblance in design, materials or structure to the instant invention. The vault like design in sheeting is different as well as the design and materials of the ribs. The base design is also different. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,602: This unit is a garage with ends and doors. The framing is of flat materials with many cuts, fastened with screws or at angles that may be welded. The instant invention does not contain any of this. The base as well as the method of fastening the ribs to the base is different. The unit has support posts, while the instant invention does not need them. Roofing materials and design are different. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,838: This is a protective cover for a work vehicle, while uses rib construction and an unique frame configuration. It bears no resemblance in design, materials or usage to the instant invention. This is a protective cover over a work vehicle to protect the operator. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,423: This unit is a greenhouse with a wood base, plastic pipes, totally enclosed with a door and bears no resemblance to the instant invention in materials or design. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,091,584: This is a skeletal building frame made of lightweight polyvinyl tubing and bears no resemblance to the instant invention in materials or design. The base, the tubing, the supports, and the sheathing applications are different. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,347,690: This complicated system of pipe, plates, fasteners, nuts, bolts, braces and rectangular tubular construction bears no resemblance to the easy construction of the instant invention. Securing of the base and the leg design of the arch is totally different. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,297: This is an enclosed building with arches reinforced with welded braces. It is totally different from the one piece arch of the instant invention. Peak fasteners and rounded edges are complicated items of unique bends, fasteners, nuts and bolts; none of which the instant invention has. The covering materials are also different. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,833: This square tubular frame is cut, welded and bolted together in parts. It has no resemblance in material or design to the instant invention. It method of fastening to a base is entirely different. Application of roofing material is also different. 
     While these units ma be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant invention is a prefabricated shelter that contains an arched framework having open opposite ends. A structure secures the framework to the ground. A roof assembly is mounted to the top of the arched framework, to protect and cover anything positioned under the roof assembly. 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a prefabricated shelter that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
     Another object is to provide a prefabricated shelter in which its framework includes a plurality of spaced apart single unit arched ribs to support a roof of corrugated sheathing making the shelter generally lightweight and strong. 
     An additional object is to provide a prefabricated shelter that can be made in multiple sizes, so that it can be used in different ways for protecting and covering various objects and people. 
     A further object is to provide a prefabricated shelter that is simple and easy to use. 
     A still further object is to provide a prefabricated shelter that is economical in cost to manufacture. 
     Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the instant invention secured to the ground. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the framework of the instant invention with the roof assembly removed therefrom. 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view as indicated by arrow 3 in FIG. 2. 
     FIG. 4 is a enlarged perspective view as indicated by arrow 4 in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view as indicated by arrow 5 in FIG. 2. 
     FIG. 6 is a further enlarged elevational view, taken in direction of arrow 6 in FIG. 5, with parts broken away and in section with the column segment of the arched rib ready to be inserted onto the short cylindrical post. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the Figures illustrate a prefabricated shelter 10, which consists of an arched framework 12 having open opposite ends 14 and 16. A structure 18 is for securing the framework 12 to the ground 20. A roof assembly 22 is mounted to the top of the arched framework 12, so as to protect and cover anything positioned under the roof assembly 22. 
     The arched framework 12 includes a pair of side bottom rails 24, a plurality of arcuate ribs 26 and apparatus 28 for retaining the bottom portions of the arcuate ribs 26 to the side bottom rails 24. The arcuate ribs 26 are in spaced apart relationships to each other to form the arched framework 12 in a generally lightweight and strong configuration. 
     Each side bottom rail 24 is a elongated L-shaped angle member 30 having a first leg 32, which sits upon the ground 20 and a second leg 34, which extends upwardly next to the bottom portions of one side of the arcuate ribs 26. 
     Each arcuate rib 26 is of a unity construction and is fabricated out of an elongated hollow tubular member 36. Each arcuate rib 26 contains a pair of upright column segments 38, a pair of eaves corner segments 40 and a pair of rafter segments 42 terminating at a peak 44. 
     Each arcuate rib 26 further includes a pair of first bend segments 46, each located between a top of one column segment 38 and a bottom of one eaves corner segment 40. A pair of second bend segments 48 are provided, with each located between a top of one eaves corner segment 40 and a bottom of one rafter segment 42. A center bend segment 50 is located between the tops of the rafter segments 42, which is the peak 44. 
     The ground securing structure 18 is a plurality of anchors 52, extending downwardly from the first legs 32 of the elongated L-shaped angle members 30, wherein the anchors 52 are forced into the ground 20. 
     Each retaining apparatus 28 includes a rectangular plate 54 attached onto the first leg 32 of one of the L-shaped angle members 30. A short cylindrical post 56 is mounted onto and extends upwardly from the rectangular plate 54, so that the bottom end of one of the upright column segments 38 can fit thereon. 
     The roof assembly 22 contains a roof 58 to cover the rafter segments 42 and eaves corner segments 40 of the arcuate ribs 26. A plurality of fasteners 60 are for attaching the roof 58 to the rafter segments 42 and the eaves corner segments 40 of the arcuate ribs 26. The roof assembly 22 further contains a J-channel trim 62 to be attached to the edges of the roof 58 above the open opposite ends 14 and 16 of the arched framework 12, so that no sharp edges are exposed. 
     The roof 58 is fabricated out of corrugated sheathing 64, in which the corrugations 66 run lengthwise between the open opposite ends 14 and 16 of the arched framework 12 and transversely across the rafter segments 42 and the eaves corner segments 40 of the arcuate ribs 26 for added strength. Each fastener 60 is an enamelized screw 68 for low maintenance requirements. 
     Each side bottom rail 24 is typically, but not limited to, be fabricated out of three inch by two inch by one quarter inch steel. Each arcuate rib 26 is typically, but not limited to, be fabricated out of two and a half inch number eleven gauge galvanized steel. The corrugated sheathing 64 of the roof 58 is typically, but not limited to, be fabricated out of twenty nine gauge high grade steel. 
     The prefabricated shelter 10 can be made in multiple sizes, so that it can be used in different ways for protecting and covering various objects and people. 
     
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LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS                                                 
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10        prefabricated shelter                                           
12        arched framework                                                
14        open end of 12                                                  
16        open end of 12                                                  
18        securing structure                                              
20        ground                                                          
22        roof assembly                                                   
24        side bottom rail                                                
26        arcuate rib                                                     
28        retaining apparatus                                             
30        elongated L-shaped angle member for 24                          
32        first leg of 30                                                 
34        second leg of 30                                                
36        elongated hollow tubular member for 26                          
38        column segment on 26                                            
40        eaves corner segment on 26                                      
42        rafter segment on 26                                            
44        peak on 26                                                      
46        first bend segment between 38 and 40                            
48        second bend segment between 40 and 42                           
50        center bend segment at 44                                       
52        anchor for 18                                                   
54        rectangular plate                                               
56        short cylindrical post                                          
58        roof                                                            
60        fastener                                                        
62        J-channel trim                                                  
64        corrugated sheathing for 58                                     
66        corrugation of 64                                               
68        enamelized screw                                                
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     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.