Patent Description:
There is a growing need for more cost-effective, convenient, and eco-friendly glamping units which (a) provide the comforts and conveniences of home but (b) can be transported by individuals to, or can be set up by businesses in, desirable areas for sight-seeing, hiking, fishing, hunting, canoeing, mountain biking, staying at the beach, enjoying music festivals, or just relaxing.

Similarly, a need also exists for cost-effective, temporary accommodations which (a) can be used in the event of emergencies or can be set up in disaster areas and (b) will function as temporary homes with kitchens, bathrooms, and living and sleeping areas. The partially collapsible dwelling in <CIT> comprises a horizontal deck with a non-collapsible part with on both sides a fold-able deck which comprises an inner and outer deck panel pivotally connected to each other. Other known partially collapsible dwelling for recreational, emergency, or temporary living purposes are <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The present invention provides a partially collapsible glamping or living unit which is cost-effective, convenient, easily transportable, and eco-friendly. The inventive, partially collapsible glamping or living unit provides the comforts and conveniences of home and is well suited for outdoor recreational activities, or for use as a temporary home in the event of an emergency, a disaster, or in other situations.

In one aspect, there is provided a partially collapsible dwelling which preferably comprises: (a) a horizontal deck mounted on a plurality of wheels, the horizontal deck having a forward longitudinal end, a rearward longitudinal end, a right side and a left side; (b) a non-collapsible compartment which extends upwardly from the horizontal deck and includes a roof which covers the non-collapsible compartment; (c) a foldable right-side deck assembly comprising an inner deck panel which is pivotably connected to the right side of the horizontal deck and an outer deck panel which is pivotably connected to the outer side of the inner deck panel; (d) a collapsible right-side fabric or plastic compartment which extends from the right side of the non-collapsible compartment; (e) a foldable left-side deck assembly comprising an inner deck panel which is pivotably connected to the left side of the horizontal deck and an outer deck panel which is pivotably connected to the outer side of the inner deck panel of the foldable left-side deck assembly; and (f) a collapsible left-side
fabric or plastic compartment which extends from the left side of the non-collapsible compartment.

In this partially collapsible dwelling, the foldable right-side deck assembly and the collapsible right-side fabric or plastic compartment are preferably foldable from (i) a deployed position, in which the inner and outer deck panels of the foldable right-side deck assembly extend horizontally, to (ii) a folded position, in which the inner deck panel extends upwardly and covers the right side of the non-collapsible compartment and the outer deck panel covers at least most of the right lateral half of the roof. Similarly, the foldable left-side deck assembly and the collapsible left-side fabric or plastic compartment are preferably foldable from (i) a deployed position, in which the inner and outer deck panels of the foldable left-side deck assembly extend horizontally, to (ii) a folded position, in which the inner deck panel of the foldable left-side deck assembly extends upwardly and covers the left side of the non-collapsible compartment and the outer deck panel of the foldable left side deck assembly covers at least most of the left lateral half of the roof.

In another aspect, there is provided a partially collapsible dwelling which preferably comprises: (a) a trailer comprising a horizontal deck mounted on a plurality of wheels, the horizontal deck having a forward end, a rearward end, a right side and a left side; (b) a non-collapsible compartment which extends upwardly from the horizontal deck and includes a roof which covers the non-collapsible compartment, the roof having a right lateral half and a left lateral half which each slope downwardly as they extend laterally outward; (c) a foldable right-side deck assembly comprising an inner deck panel which is pivotably connected to the right side of the horizontal deck and an outer deck panel which is pivotably connected to the outer side of the inner deck panel; (d) a collapsible right-side fabric or plastic compartment which extends from the right side of the non-collapsible compartment and has a bottom which is attached to the inner deck panel of the foldable right-side deck assembly; (e) a foldable left-side deck assembly comprising an inner deck panel which is pivotably connected to the left side of the horizontal deck and an outer deck panel which is pivotably connected to the outer side of the inner deck panel of the foldable left-side deck assembly; (f) a collapsible left-side fabric or plastic compartment which extends from the left side of the non-collapsible compartment and has a bottom which is attached to the inner deck panel of the foldable left-side deck assembly; (g) a bathroom area which is at least partially positioned in the non-collapsible compartment and includes a toilet installed or located on the horizontal deck; and (h) a kitchen area which is at least partially positioned in the non-collapsible compartment and includes a kitchen sink.

In this partially collapsible dwelling, the foldable right-side deck assembly and the collapsible right-side fabric or plastic compartment are preferably foldable from (i) a deployed position, in which the inner and outer deck panels extend horizontally, to (ii) a folded position, in which the inner deck panel extends upwardly and covers the right side of the non-collapsible compartment and the outer deck panel covers at least most of the right lateral half of the roof. Similarly, the foldable left-side deck assembly and the collapsible left-side fabric or plastic compartment are preferably foldable from (i) a deployed position, in which the inner and outer deck panels of the foldable left-side deck assembly extend horizontally, to (ii) a folded position, in which the inner deck panel of the foldable left-side deck assembly extends upwardly and covers the left side of the non-collapsible compartment and the outer deck panel of the foldable left-side deck assembly covers at least most of the left lateral half of the roof.

Further aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those in the art upon examining the accompanying drawings and upon reading the following Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments.

An embodiment <NUM> of the partially collapsible dwelling provided by the present invention is shown in <FIG>. The partially collapsible dwelling <NUM> preferably comprises: a central horizontal deck <NUM>; a non-collapsible compartment <NUM> which is preferably installed in fixed position on the horizontal deck <NUM>; a longitudinal axis <NUM> of the central horizontal deck <NUM>; a foldable right-side deck assembly <NUM>; a collapsible right-side fabric or plastic compartment <NUM>; a foldable left-side deck assembly <NUM>; a collapsible left-side fabric or plastic compartment <NUM>; a utility area and/or compartment <NUM> on the central horizontal deck <NUM>; and a foldable set of one or more steps <NUM>.

The embodiment <NUM> of the inventive, partially collapsible dwelling as shown in the drawings is a trailer comprising a forward towing hitch <NUM> and a plurality of wheels <NUM> on which the central horizontal deck <NUM> is mounted. Alternatively, the central horizontal deck <NUM> could be mounted on the ground, preferably on a plurality of support piles, or could be mounted on a barge, a pontoon boat, or other transport vehicle.

The utility area and/or compartment <NUM> is preferably located at the forward longitudinal end <NUM> of the central horizontal deck <NUM> behind (i.e., rearwardly of) the towing hitch <NUM>. The utility area and/or compartment <NUM> can contain (a) a stand and gas connections for a propane tank or other gas fuel tank <NUM> and/or (b) an electrical power generator (which could alternatively be transported in the collapsible dwelling <NUM> or in the user's vehicle and then set up outside of collapsible dwelling <NUM> for use). The inventive dwelling <NUM> will also include an electrical power cord connection for connecting the inventive unit <NUM> to a generator or to an external electrical power outlet when available.

A wind cone <NUM>, e.g., of the type commonly used on trailers and trucks, is preferably provided on the forward end <NUM> of the non-collapsible compartment <NUM> above the utility area/compartment <NUM> to reduce wind resistance and increase fuel efficiency during transport.

The non-collapsible compartment <NUM>, which is positioned on and extends upwardly from the central horizontal deck <NUM>, preferably comprises: at least a portion of a bathroom area <NUM>; at least a portion of a kitchen area <NUM>; and a living and/or sleeping area <NUM>. The bathroom <NUM> and kitchen <NUM> are preferably located at or near the forward longitudinal end <NUM> of the central horizontal deck <NUM> behind the forward utility area and/or compartment <NUM>.

The bathroom <NUM> preferably comprises: a rearward privacy wall <NUM> having a door <NUM> therein; left and right privacy walls <NUM> and <NUM>; a toilet <NUM> installed or located on the central horizontal deck <NUM>; a shower <NUM> installed on the central horizontal deck <NUM>; and a bathroom counter <NUM> having a bathroom sink <NUM> installed therein. The toilet <NUM> can be a gravity flush toilet, a composting toilet, or any other toilet of the type used, for example, in recreational vehicles or recreational trailers.

The kitchen <NUM> preferably includes: a gas or electric stove and oven <NUM>; a small or full size refrigerator/freezer <NUM>; and a kitchen counter <NUM> with a sink <NUM>.

Water for the bathroom <NUM> and the kitchen <NUM> can be supplied by (a) a water tank and pump located in the utility area <NUM> or elsewhere on or under the central horizontal deck <NUM> and/or (b) a hose connection to a faucet or other external water source when available. Hot water for the bathroom <NUM> and the kitchen <NUM> can be supplied by a tank or tankless water heater <NUM>, installed in the non-collapsible compartment <NUM>, which can be of any type used, for example, in recreational vehicles or recreational trailers.

Water from the bathroom sink <NUM> and the kitchen sink <NUM> will drain to a grey water holding tank (not shown) which is preferably secured beneath the central horizontal deck <NUM>. The toilet <NUM> can drain to a separate black water holding tank (not shown) which is also preferably installed beneath the central horizontal deck <NUM>. As with other recreational vehicles and trailers, the grey water holding tank and the black water holding tank will each include a drainage hose connection for draining the tanks to a sewer inlet, when available.

The non-collapsible compartment <NUM> of the inventive unit <NUM> also preferably comprises a fixed roof <NUM> which covers the top of the fixed, non-collapsible compartment <NUM>. The roof <NUM> is preferably in the form a gable type roof having (a) a right lateral half <NUM> which slopes downwardly as it extends laterally outward to the right and (b) a left lateral half <NUM> which slopes downwardly as it extends laterally outward to the left. The roof <NUM> of the non-collapsible compartment <NUM> will preferably be covered with the same type of fabric or plastic used, as discussed below, for forming the collapsible right-side fabric or plastic compartment <NUM> and the collapsible left-side fabric or plastic compartment <NUM>.

The foldable right-side deck assembly <NUM> preferably comprises an inner deck panel <NUM>, which is pivotably connected to and along the right side <NUM> of the central horizontal deck <NUM>, and an outer deck panel <NUM>, which is pivotably connected to and along the outer side <NUM> of the inner deck panel <NUM>. The foldable right-side deck assembly <NUM> and the collapsible right-side fabric or plastic compartment <NUM> can be placed in a deployed (unfolded) position as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> in which the inner deck panel <NUM> and the outer deck panel <NUM> of the right-side deck assembly <NUM> extend horizontally outward to the right. A plurality of leveling stands <NUM> are pivotably attached or removably attachable beneath the inner and outer deck panels <NUM> and <NUM> to support the panels <NUM> and <NUM> above the ground in the deployed position, and to level the inner and outer panels <NUM> and <NUM> in relationship to the central horizontal panel <NUM>.

In the same way, the foldable left-side deck assembly <NUM> preferably comprises an inner deck panel <NUM> which is pivotably connected to and along the left side <NUM> of the central horizontal deck <NUM> and an outer deck panel <NUM> which is pivotably connected to and along the outer side <NUM> of the inner deck panel <NUM>. The foldable left-side deck assembly <NUM> and the collapsible left-side fabric or plastic compartment <NUM> can also be placed in a deployed (unfolded) position as illustrated in <FIG> in which the inner deck panel <NUM> and the outer deck panel <NUM> of the left-side deck assembly <NUM> extend horizontally outward to the left. A plurality of leveling stands <NUM> are pivotably attached or removably attachable beneath the inner and outer deck panels <NUM> and <NUM> to support the panels <NUM> and <NUM> above the ground in the deployed position, and to level the inner and outer panels <NUM> and <NUM> in relationship to the central horizontal panel <NUM>.

Each of the collapsible right-side and left-side fabric or plastic compartments <NUM> and <NUM> is preferably a collapsible tent-like compartment which can be placed in a raised position, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, when the foldable right-side and left side deck assemblies <NUM> and <NUM> and the collapsible right-side and left-side fabric or plastic compartments <NUM> and <NUM> are deployed. When deployed and raised, each of the collapsible right-side and left-side fabric or plastic compartments <NUM> and <NUM> has a living and/or sleeping area <NUM>, <NUM> therein. In addition, a forward portion <NUM> of the collapsible right-side compartment <NUM> can be used as a dining area and/or an extension of the kitchen <NUM>. Similarly, a forward portion <NUM> of the collapsible left-side compartment <NUM> can be used as an extension of the bathroom <NUM>.

By way of example, but not by way of limitation, the collapsible right-side and left-side fabric or plastic compartments <NUM> and <NUM> will preferably be formed of waterproof polyester fabric, nylon fabric, canvas, sailcloth, hemp fabric, flax fabric, cotton fabric, or a combination thereof. Each of the collapsible right-side and left-side fabric or plastic compartments <NUM> and <NUM> preferably also has one or more tent windows <NUM>, with fabric or plastic covers <NUM>, in the collapsible outer side wall <NUM>, <NUM> thereof.

Each of the collapsible right-side and left-side fabric or plastic compartments <NUM> and <NUM> is held and supported in its raised position by a plurality of poles or other elongate supports <NUM>, <NUM> which are located inside and/or outside of the collapsible compartments <NUM> and <NUM>.

The poles or other elongate supports <NUM> used to hold the collapsible right-side compartment <NUM> in raised position each have (i) a lower end <NUM> which is attached to or engages the central horizontal deck <NUM>, or is attached to or engages a bottom portion of the right side <NUM> of the non-collapsible compartment <NUM>, and (ii) an outer end <NUM> which is attached to or engages an interior or an exterior support point <NUM> of the collapsible right-side compartment <NUM> to thereby hold the collapsible right-side compartment <NUM> in its raised position. Each support point <NUM> of the collapsible right-side fabric or plastic compartment <NUM> is preferably located along the "line" defined by the junction or seam between a sloped roof <NUM> and the upper end of the outer wall <NUM> of the collapsible right-side fabric or plastic compartment <NUM>.

Similarly, the poles or other elongate supports <NUM> used to hold the collapsible left-side compartment <NUM> in raised position each have (i) a lower end <NUM> which is attached to or engages the central horizontal deck <NUM>, or is attached to or engages a bottom portion of the left side <NUM> of the non-collapsible compartment <NUM>, and (ii) an outer end <NUM> which is attached to or engages an interior or an exterior support point <NUM> of the collapsible left-side fabric or plastic compartment <NUM> to thereby hold the collapsible left-side compartment <NUM> in its raised position. Each support point <NUM> of the collapsible left-side fabric or plastic compartment <NUM> is preferably located along the "line" defined by the junction or seam between a sloped roof <NUM> and the upper end of the outer wall <NUM> of the collapsible left-side fabric or plastic compartment <NUM>.

It will be understood that, due to the collapsible nature of the right-side and left-side fabric or plastic compartments <NUM> and <NUM>, each of the support "lines" referred to in the previous two paragraphs may sag to some degree when the collapsible right-side and left-side fabric or plastic compartments <NUM> and <NUM> are deployed and raised.

The collapsible right-side fabric or plastic compartment <NUM> (i) extends laterally outward from the right side <NUM> of the non-collapsible compartment <NUM> and (ii) has a bottom edge <NUM> which extends along the bottoms of the outer, rearward, and forward walls <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the collapsible right-side compartment <NUM>. The bottom <NUM> of the collapsible right-side compartment <NUM> is permanently attached, or can alternatively be removably attachable, to the inner deck panel <NUM> of the foldable right-side deck assembly <NUM>. When the collapsible right-side compartment <NUM> is deployed and raised, the outer deck panel <NUM> of the foldable right-side deck assembly <NUM>, as well as any remaining portion of the inner deck panel <NUM> which is not covered by the collapsible right-side compartment <NUM>, provide an exterior deck surface outside of the collapsible right-side compartment <NUM>.

Similarly, the collapsible left-side fabric or plastic compartment <NUM> (i) extends laterally outward from the left side <NUM> of the non-collapsible compartment <NUM> and (ii) has a bottom edge <NUM> which extends along the bottoms of the outer, rearward, and forward walls <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the collapsible left-side compartment <NUM>. The bottom <NUM> of the collapsible left-side compartment <NUM> is preferably permanently attached, or can alternatively be removably attachable, to the inner deck panel <NUM> of the foldable left-side deck assembly <NUM>. When the collapsible left-side compartment <NUM> is deployed and raised, the outer deck panel <NUM> of the foldable left-side deck assembly <NUM>, as well as any remaining portion of the inner deck panel <NUM> which is not covered by the collapsible left-side compartment <NUM>, provide an exterior deck surface outside of the collapsible left-side compartment <NUM>.

As mentioned above, each of the collapsible right-side and left-side fabric or plastic compartments <NUM>, <NUM> has a roof <NUM>, <NUM> which slopes downwardly as it extends laterally outward. The pitch of the roofs <NUM> and <NUM> is preferably the same as the pitch of the right and left lateral halves <NUM>, <NUM> of the fixed roof <NUM> of the fixed, non-collapsible compartment <NUM>. In addition, when the collapsible right-side and left-side compartments <NUM> and <NUM> are deployed and raised, overhangs or awnings <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> extend outwardly, respectively, from (a) the outer right side of the roof <NUM> of the right-side compartment <NUM>, (b) the outer left side of the roof <NUM> of the left-side compartment <NUM>, and (c) the rearward ends of the roof <NUM> of the right-side compartment <NUM>, the roof <NUM> of the left-side compartment <NUM>, and the fixed roof <NUM> of the non-collapsible compartment <NUM>. The overhangs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can be held in place, e.g., by poles and/or by cords or ropes extending to the outer deck panels <NUM> and <NUM>.

The foldable right-side deck assembly <NUM> of the inventive, partially collapsible dwelling <NUM> can be folded upwardly from its deployed (unfolded, horizontal) position to an intermediate folded position as illustrated in <FIG>, and then on to a fully folded position as illustrated in <FIG>. In the fully folded position, the inner deck panel <NUM> of the right-side deck assembly <NUM> extends upwardly and covers the right side <NUM> of the non-collapsible compartment <NUM> and the outer deck panel <NUM> of the right-side deck assembly <NUM> covers at least most, preferably all, of the right lateral half <NUM> of the roof <NUM> of the non-collapsible compartment <NUM>. As the right-side deck assembly <NUM> is folded upwardly, the collapsible right-side compartment <NUM> collapses between the right-side deck assembly <NUM> and non-collapsible compartment <NUM> so that the collapsible right-side compartment <NUM> is covered and protected within the right-side deck assembly <NUM> when the deck assembly <NUM> is completely folded.

Similarly, the foldable left-side deck assembly <NUM> of the inventive collapsible dwelling <NUM> can be folded upwardly from its deployed (unfolded, horizontal) position to an intermediate folded position as illustrated in <FIG>, and then on to a fully folded position as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. In the fully folded position, the inner deck panel <NUM> of the left-side deck assembly <NUM> extends upwardly and covers the left side <NUM> of the non-collapsible compartment <NUM> and the outer deck panel <NUM> of the left-side deck assembly <NUM> covers at least most, preferably all, of the left lateral half <NUM> of the roof <NUM> of the non-collapsible compartment <NUM>. As the left-side deck assembly <NUM> is folded upwardly, the collapsible left-side compartment <NUM> collapses between the left-side deck assembly <NUM> and non-collapsible compartment <NUM> so that the collapsible left-side compartment <NUM> is covered by and protected within the left-side deck assembly <NUM> when the deck assembly <NUM> is completely folded,.

The poles or other elongate supports <NUM> and <NUM> used for supporting the collapsible right-side and left-side compartments <NUM> and <NUM> in raised position can be removably positionable in and/or outside of the collapsible compartments <NUM> and <NUM>. Alternatively, the lower ends <NUM> or <NUM> of some or all of the poles or other elongate supports <NUM>, <NUM> can be pivotably attached to the central horizontal deck <NUM> or to the non-collapsible compartment <NUM> so that the poles <NUM>, <NUM> remain in place and pivot inwardly toward the non-collapsible compartment <NUM> as the foldable right-side and left-side deck assemblies <NUM> and <NUM> are pivoted upwardly and inwardly to their fully folded positions. If the poles/elongate supports <NUM> and <NUM> are not removed during folding, the poles/elongate supports <NUM> and <NUM> will be short enough, or will be in the form of telescoping or other collapsible structures, such that the poles/elongate supports <NUM> and <NUM> will not interfere with the folding process and will fit, along with the collapsible right-side and left-side compartments <NUM> and <NUM>, within the folded right-side and left-side deck assemblies <NUM> and <NUM> for transport and storage.

When in folded position, the outer edges of the outer deck panels <NUM> and <NUM> of the foldable right-side and left-side deck assemblies <NUM> and <NUM> can be removably joined together, or can be attached together with bolts and L-brackets, or by any other suitable means, for holding the right-side and left-side deck assemblies <NUM> and <NUM> in folded position for storage or transport.

The rearward end <NUM> of the non-collapsible compartment <NUM> preferably comprises a vertical wall having a door frame <NUM> and door <NUM> installed therein. The door <NUM> is preferably a glass or clear sliding door. The central horizontal deck <NUM> extends rearwardly beyond the non-collapsible compartment <NUM> to provide a porch area <NUM> leading to the door <NUM>. The foldable right and left side deck panels <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> also extend rearwardly beyond the non-collapsible compartment <NUM>, and beyond the collapsible right-side and left-side compartments <NUM> and <NUM>, to extend the porch area <NUM> laterally outward on each side.

The foldable set of one or more steps <NUM> used in the partially collapsible dwelling <NUM> is pivotably attached to the rearward end <NUM> of the central horizontal deck <NUM> so that (i) the steps <NUM> can be pivoted downwardly to a deployed position for stepping up onto the rear porch area <NUM> and (ii) pivoted upwardly onto the porch area <NUM> to a stowed position for transport.

When the right-side and left-side deck assemblies <NUM> and <NUM> are in their fully folded positions and the steps <NUM> are in their upward stowed position on the rear porch area <NUM>, a cover <NUM>, secured by bolts and brackets or any other suitable means, is preferably positioned on the rearward end of the inventive, partially collapsible dwelling <NUM> in order to seal the inventive unit <NUM> for storage or transport.

Although the inventive, partially collapsible dwelling unit <NUM> has been described as having a foldable deck assembly <NUM> or <NUM> and a collapsible fabric or plastic compartment <NUM> or <NUM> on both the right lateral side and the left lateral side of the unit <NUM>, it will be understood that the inventive dwelling unit could alternatively have, for example, (a) a foldable deck assembly and a collapsible fabric or plastic compartment on only one lateral side or (b) a foldable deck assembly on each lateral side with a collapsible fabric or plastic compartment on only one lateral side.

Claim 1:
A partially collapsible dwelling (<NUM>) comprising:
a horizontal deck (<NUM>) mounted on a plurality of wheels (<NUM>), the horizontal deck having a forward longitudinal end (<NUM>), a rearward longitudinal end, a right side (<NUM>) and a left side (<NUM>);
a non-collapsible compartment (<NUM>) which extends upwardly from the horizontal deck and includes a roof (<NUM>) which covers the non-collapsible compartment;
a foldable right-side deck assembly (<NUM>) comprising an inner deck panel (<NUM>) which is pivotably connected to the right side of the horizontal deck and an outer deck panel (<NUM>) which is pivotably connected to an outer side (<NUM>) of the inner deck panel,
a collapsible right-side fabric or plastic compartment (<NUM>) which extends from a right side (<NUM>) of the non-collapsible compartment;
the foldable right-side deck assembly and the collapsible right-side fabric or plastic compartment being foldable from (i) a deployed position in which the inner and outer deck panels extend horizontally to (ii) a folded position in which the inner deck panel extends upwardly and covers the right side of the non-collapsible compartment and the outer deck panel covers at least most of a right lateral half (<NUM>) of the roof;
a foldable left-side deck assembly (<NUM>) comprising an inner deck panel (<NUM>) which is pivotably connected to the left side of the horizontal deck and an outer deck panel (<NUM>) which is pivotably connected to an outer side (<NUM>) of the inner deck panel of the foldable left-side deck assembly;
a collapsible left-side fabric or plastic compartment (<NUM>) which extends from a left side of the non-collapsible compartment; and
the foldable left-side deck assembly and the collapsible left-side fabric or plastic compartment being foldable from (i) a deployed position in which the inner and outer deck panels of the foldable left-side deck assembly extend horizontally to (ii) a folded position in which the inner deck panel of the foldable left-side deck assembly extends upwardly and covers the left side of the non-collapsible compartment and the outer deck panel of the foldable left side deck assembly covers at least most of a left lateral half (<NUM>) of the roof.