Abstract:
A portable, folding covered porch that attaches to a home to provide an expedient, durable and practical exterior structure that can be transported from one dwelling to another and which can adjust to different types and levels of terrain.

Description:
PRIORITY  
       [0001]    The present application claims priority Under 35 USC 119 filed on Aug. 1, 2005. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to porches, and more particularly pertains to a portable and folding porch for use on motor homes, travel trailers and mobile homes. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Various types of porches are known in the prior art. A typical example of such a retractable porch for mobile homes is to be found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,760,238, which issued to F. Lane on Aug. 28, 1956. This patent discloses a vestibule construction for use with a trailer having a side door. The vestibule includes a platform having vertically extending legs and a horizontal support surface. The vestibule is designed with a knock down construction. U.S. Pat. No. 2,828,842, which issued to G. Plumley et al on Apr. 1, 1958, discloses a cabana for attachment along a side width wall of a travel trailer. U.S. Pat. No. 2,883,712, which issued to C. Shelamer on Apr. 28, 1959, discloses a knock down trailer porch having screened in side portions and a roof formed by a retractable awning. U.S. Pat. No. 3,348,345, which issued to L. Byers et al on Oct. 24, 1967, discloses a rotatable porch for a mobile home which is secured by frame rail members attached on an underside of the vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 3,808,757, which issued to G. Greenwood on May 7, 1974, discloses a knock down porch construction which includes a porch frame having vertically extending perpendicular first and second side railings. Adjustably extensible legs are secured on an underside of the porch frame. U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,855, which issued to F. Flanagan on Nov. 8, 1983, discloses a sliding patio for travel trailers and mobile homes. A pair of spaced parallel frame members having facing channels forming a horizontal guide track and are secured to the frame on an underside of the vehicle. A patio is received for sliding movement between extended and retracted positions in the guide track. The patio is provided with collapsible side railings and downwardly extending retractable wheeled support legs. 
         [0006]    The average hand built deck requires days or even weeks to construct. Furthermore, decks which are built from wood require yearly treatment in order to prevent these decks from rotting. Furthermore, these wooden decks require painting every few years to maintain attractiveness. 
         [0007]    While the above mentioned devices are suited for their intended usage, none of these devices disclose a portable and folding porch for motor homes, travel trailers and mobile homes. Inasmuch as the art is relatively crowded with respect to these various types of porches, it can be appreciated that there is a continuing need for and interest in improvements to such porches, and in this respect, the present invention addresses this need and interest. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is an object of the invention to provide a portable, folding covered porch that can be attached to any dwelling to create a temporary or permanent exterior structure that can be removed, transported and stored in the folded position. After which, the porch can be unfolded and attached to the same or another dwelling. 
         [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to provide not only a platform but also shelter from adverse weather conditions. 
         [0010]    It is another object of the present invention to match or surpass the expedience demonstrated by homeowners, whether the dwelling is manufactured or built on-site. 
         [0011]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a durable, reliable exterior structure that is weather resistant, flame resistant, pest resistant and low maintenance. 
         [0012]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable leg points in order to accommodate different terrains. 
         [0013]    The present invention provides sufficient flexibility to allow movement from each dwelling. 
         [0014]    The present invention provides affordable and practical housing options. 
         [0015]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of porches now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved retractable porch for mobile homes. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved portable and folding porch for mobile homes which has all the advantages of the prior art porches and none of the disadvantages. 
         [0016]    The present invention provides a portable folding porch to accommodate homeowners searching for a more feasible and practical approach to home design, utility and improvement. The portable and folding porch of the present invention is cost-effective durable and convenient. 
         [0017]    The porch of the present invention is resilient, light weight and very low maintenance. The porch of the present invention does not require treatment for painting and is flame, pest and weather resistant. The porch of the present invention is extremely versatile. The porch can be closed before severe storms such as hurricanes and tornadoes to provide an additional safety barrier. The porch of the present invention does not require detachment while the houses in transit as long as the porch is folded and secured. The porch of the present invention can include roll down screens for pest control. 
         [0018]    The present invention includes an outer side rail assembly, an inner side rail assembly, a main support pole, a platform assembly and a cover assembly. 
         [0019]    Some of these are movable assemblies and are fastened with hinges, and the side rail assemblies are secured with spring bolts when the porch is deployed. The platform assembly includes legs having leg extensions for height adjustment. Each leg extension has a rubber end for concrete and may be reversed for a blunt for ground mounting. Once the legs are extended, a three-piece skirt is unfolded to surround the legs and cover the space between the platform and ground. 
         [0020]    The portability of the present invention provides expedient transportation and circumvents the assembly cost of conventional decking. 
         [0021]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable porch for mobile homes which has all the advantages of the prior art porches and none of the disadvantages. 
         [0022]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable porch for mobile homes which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
         [0023]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable porch for mobile homes which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
         [0024]    An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved portable porch for mobile homes which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such porches economically available to the buying public. 
         [0025]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved portable porch for mobile homes which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
         [0026]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved portable porch for mobile homes, motor homes and travel trailers which may easily be retrofitted to existing vehicles. 
         [0027]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved portable porch for mobile homes, motor homes and travel trailers which may easily be transported in a collapsed condition when not in use. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0028]    The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the portable porch; 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of the unassembled porch; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the unassembled porch; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  illustrates a front view of the cover assembly; 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of the cover assembly; 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  illustrates a front view of the cover assembly; 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of the cover assembly; 
           [0036]      FIG. 8  illustrates a front view of the front rail assembly; 
           [0037]      FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of the front rail assembly; 
           [0038]      FIG. 10  illustrates a front view of the front rail assembly; 
           [0039]      FIG. 11  illustrates a side view of the front rail assembly; 
           [0040]      FIG. 11   a  illustrates a front view of the outer side rail assembly; 
           [0041]      FIG. 12  illustrates a side view showing the outer rail assembly; 
           [0042]      FIG. 13  illustrates the front view showing the outer rail assembly; 
           [0043]      FIG. 14  illustrates a side view of the outer rail assembly 
           [0044]      FIG. 15  illustrates a front view of the inner side rail assembly; 
           [0045]      FIG. 16  illustrates a side view of the inner rail assembly; 
           [0046]      FIG. 17  illustrates a front view of the inner side rail assembly; 
           [0047]      FIG. 18  illustrates a side view of the inner side rail assembly; 
           [0048]      FIG. 19  illustrates a front view of the platform assembly; 
           [0049]      FIG. 20  illustrates a side view of the platform assembly; 
           [0050]      FIG. 21  illustrates a front view of the platform assembly; 
           [0051]      FIG. 22  illustrates a side view of the platform assembly; 
           [0052]      FIG. 23  illustrates a front view of the platform assembly; 
           [0053]      FIG. 24  illustrates a side view of the platform assembly; 
           [0054]      FIG. 25  illustrates a front view of the cover skirt extension; 
           [0055]      FIG. 26  illustrates a side view of the cover skirt extension; 
           [0056]      FIG. 27  illustrates the bottom cover; 
           [0057]      FIG. 28  illustrates the cover skirt extension; 
           [0058]      FIG. 29  illustrates the side view of the platform assembly; 
           [0059]      FIG. 30  illustrates the side view of the platform assembly; 
           [0060]      FIG. 31  illustrates a front view of the side panels; 
           [0061]      FIG. 32  illustrates a front view of the panel assembly; 
           [0062]      FIG. 33  illustrates the platform assembly and side panels; 
           [0063]      FIG. 34  illustrates the porch including inserts; 
           [0064]      FIG. 35  illustrates the outer side rail assembly; 
           [0065]      FIG. 36  illustrates the inner side rail assembly; 
           [0066]      FIG. 37  illustrates the platform assembly; 
           [0067]      FIG. 38  illustrates the cover assembly; 
           [0068]      FIG. 39  illustrates the rear main support pole; 
           [0069]      FIG. 40  illustrates the front main support pole. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0070]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the portable porch  100  of the present invention which has been constructed including the steps  102 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 2  illustrates an front view of the unassembled porch  200  including the outer side rail assembly  202 , the inner side rail assembly  204 , the front rail assembly  206 , the platform assembly  208 , the main support pole  210  and the cover assembly  212 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the unassembled porch  200  including the outer side rail assembly  202 , the inner side rail assembly  204 , the front rail assembly  206 , the platform assembly  208 , the main support pole  210  and a cover assembly  212 . The above items have been folded together for ease of transportation and to allow easy and quick assembly. 
         [0073]      FIG. 4  illustrates the front view of the cover assembly  212  pivoting upwards, away from the platform assembly  208 . The platform assembly  208  could be pivoted first. 
         [0074]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of the cover assembly  212  pivoting upwards, away from the platform assembly  208 . 
         [0075]      FIG. 6  illustrates the front view of the cover assembly  212  in an horizontal position and locked with respect to the platform assembly  208 . The cover assembly  212  is substantially horizontal and the platform assembly  208  is substantially vertical. 
         [0076]      FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of the cover assembly  212  locked in an horizontal position with respect to the platform assembly  208 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 8  illustrates the front view the front rail assembly  206  pivoting from the main support pole  210  to swing forward.  FIG. 8  additionally illustrates the cover assembly  212  and the platform assembly  208 . 
         [0078]      FIG. 9  illustrates the side view of the front rail assembly  206  pivoting from the main support pole  210  to swing forward.  FIG. 9  additionally illustrates the cover assembly  212  and the platform assembly  208 . 
         [0079]      FIG. 10  illustrates the front view showing the front rail assembly  206  positioned in a substantially vertical position and locked to prevent movement.  FIG. 10  additionally illustrates the cover assembly  212 , the platform assembly  208  and the main support pole  210 . 
         [0080]      FIG. 11  illustrates a side view showing the front rail assembly  206  positioned in a substantially vertical position and locked to prevent movement.  FIG. 11  additionally shows the cover assembly  212 , the platform assembly  208  and the main support pole  210 . 
         [0081]      FIG. 11   a  illustrates a front view showing the outer side rail assembly  202  pivoting downwards.  FIG. 11   a  additionally shows the cover assembly  212 , the platform assembly  208  and the front rail assembly  206 . 
         [0082]      FIG. 12  illustrates a side view showing the outer rail assembly  202  pivoting downwards and shows the cover assembly  212 , the platform assembly  208  and the front rail assembly  206 . 
         [0083]      FIG. 13  illustrates the front view showing the outer rail assembly  202  in an substantially vertical position and locked.  FIG. 13  additionally illustrates the cover assembly  212 , the platform assembly  208  and the front rail assembly  206 . 
         [0084]      FIG. 14  illustrates a side view showing the outer rail assembly  202  in the vertical position and locked and additionally illustrates the cover assembly  212 , the platform assembly  208  and the front rail assembly  206 . 
         [0085]      FIG. 15  illustrates the front view showing the inner side rail assembly  204  pivoting downwards.  FIG. 15  additionally illustrates the outer rail assembly  202 , the cover assembly  212 , the platform assembly  208  and the front rail assembly  206 . 
         [0086]      FIG. 16  illustrates the side view showing the inner side rail assembly  204  pivoting downwards.  FIG. 16  additionally illustrates the outer side rail assembly  202 , the cover assembly  212 , the platform assembly  208  and the front rail assembly  206 . 
         [0087]      FIG. 17  illustrates the front view showing the inner side rail assembly  204  in a substantially horizontal position and locked between the main support poles  210 .  FIG. 17  additionally illustrates the outer side rail assembly  202 , the cover assembly  212 , the platform assembly  208  and the front rail assembly  206 . 
         [0088]      FIG. 18  illustrates the side view showing the inner side assembly  24  in a substantially horizontal position and locked between the main support poles  210 . Additionally,  FIG. 18  illustrates the outer side rail assembly  202 , the cover assembly  212 , the platform assembly  208  and a front rail assembly  206 . 
         [0089]      FIG. 19  illustrates the front view showing the platform assembly  208  pivoting downwards.  FIG. 19  additionally illustrates the inner side rail assembly  204 , the outer side rail assembly  202 , the cover assembly  212 , and the front rail assembly  206 . 
         [0090]      FIG. 20  illustrates a side view showing the platform assembly  208  pivoting downwards.  FIG. 20  additionally illustrates the inner side rail assembly  204 , the outer side rail assembly  202 , the cover assembly  212  and the front rail assembly  206 . 
         [0091]      FIG. 21  illustrates the front view showing the platform assembly  208  positioned at the bottom of the porch  200  and showing side panels  209  attached to the platform assembly  208  so that the platform assembly  208  can fit between main support poles  210  when in a folded position.  FIG. 21  additionally illustrates the outer side rail assembly  202 , the inner side rail assembly  204 , the cover assembly  212  and the front rail assembly  206 . 
         [0092]      FIG. 22  illustrates the side view showing the platform assembly  208  positioned at the bottom of the porch  200  and showing side panels  209  attached perpendicular to the platform assembly  208  so that the platform assembly  208  can fit between main support poles  210  when in a folded position.  FIG. 22  additionally illustrates the outer side rail assembly  202 , the inner side rail assembly  204 , the cover assembly  212  and the front rail assembly  206 . 
         [0093]      FIG. 23  illustrates the front view showing the platform assembly  208  with the side panel  209  being extended and positioned substantially parallel with the platform assembly  208  for providing a continuous surface for the porch  200 . 
         [0094]      FIG. 24  illustrates the side view showing the platform assembly  208  with the side panel  209  being extended and positioned substantially parallel with the platform assembly  208  to provide for a continuous surface for the porch  200 . 
         [0095]      FIG. 25  illustrates a front view which shows a cover skirt extension  2502  to extend from the cover assembly  212  for aesthetics and for rain distribution and can be connected with grooved fastening device. 
         [0096]      FIG. 26  illustrates a side view which shows the cover skirt extension  2502  to extend from the cover assembly  212 . 
         [0097]      FIG. 27  illustrates a bottom cover  2702  which could be constructed from rubber including rubber beads on the bottom surface of the bottom cover  2702  which positiones the bottom cover  2702  by being placed in holes which are provided by the platform assembly  208 . 
         [0098]      FIG. 28  illustrates the cover skirt extension  2502  which is positioned within a groove  2802  of the cover assembly  212  and which may be connected with screws. 
         [0099]      FIGS. 29-33  illustrates various aspects of the platform assembly  208  of the present invention. 
         [0100]      FIG. 29  illustrates a side view of the platform assembly  208  with the side panels  209  positioned perpendicular to the platform assembly  208 . 
         [0101]      FIG. 30  illustrates another side view of the platform assembly  208  with the side panels  209  extended and positioned substantially parallel to the platform assembly  208 . 
         [0102]      FIG. 31  illustrates a front view with the side panels  209  substantially perpendicular to the platform assembly  208 . 
         [0103]      FIG. 32  illustrates a front view of the panel assembly  208  with the side panels  209  perpendicular to the platform assembly  208  to allow the porch  20  to be folded. 
         [0104]      FIG. 33  illustrates the platform assembly  208  with the side panels  209  extended. 
         [0105]      FIG. 34  illustrates the porch  100  including inserts  3402  which are inserted into the main support pole  210  to allow the porch  100  to be elevated to the doorway. The blunt end of the insert  3402  should be used with concrete to be poured to stabilize the porch  100 . The other end of the insertion of a  3402  may be capped in order to provide a surface to mount on a concrete or similar block. 
         [0106]      FIG. 35  illustrates the outer side rail assembly  202 . 
         [0107]      FIG. 36  illustrates the inner side rail assembly  204 . 
         [0108]      FIG. 37  illustrates the platform assembly  208  with the side panels  209 . 
         [0109]      FIG. 38  illustrates the cover assembly  212 . 
         [0110]      FIG. 39  illustrates the rear main support pole  210 . 
         [0111]      FIG. 40  illustrates the front main support pole  210  with the front rail assembly  206 . 
         [0112]    While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.