AU6979798A - Temporary structure - Google Patents

Description

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a COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Australia Gene Panapa Paikea TEMPORARY STRUCTURE The following statment is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:

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TEMPORARY

STRUCTURE

Technical Field The present invention relates to structures and, in particular, to a demountable garage adapted to be attached to an existing structure such as a permanent garage.

Background of the Invention.

Permanent structures such as carports and garages can be expensive and time consuming to build. Further, a permanent structure such as a carport or garage may take up a significant amount of space, which is wasted when the structure is not in use. For example, it may not be desirable or cost effective to build a large garage or carport when the extra space is only needed to occasionally house a visitor's cars.

In new subdivisions, standard blocks of land have relatively narrow frontages, making it impractical to build double-door garages. Where it is desired to house two motor cars, it is therefore only practical to house them one in front of the other. However, building regulations stipulate a minimum distance from the pavement at which a permanent garage can be built. This distance is usually sufficient to house a car between the garage and the pavement.

Object of the Invention.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the above disadvantages, and/or more generally, to provide a temporary garage to be attached to and in front of a permanent garage.

Summary of the Invention.

There is disclosed herein a structure comprising a demountable frame and a flexible cover for covering said frame, said frame comprising one or more ground engaging support means at one end of said frame, another end of said frame adapted to be attached to a fixed structure, said flexible cover being retractable into a storage unit, said storage unit adapted to be attached to said fixed structure.

Preferably, said ground engaging support means comprises three pairs of posts, each said post having a footing adapted to be placed inside a hole in the ground.

Preferably, said structure comprises locking means adapted to retain each said footing in a said hole.

Preferably, said locking means comprises a bayonet fitting, wherein a projection on said footing is adapted to engage a corresponding slot in said hole.

Preferably, said frame further comprises two or more longitudinally extending rails and one or more transverse beams adapted to span said rails, each said rail adapted to be removably attached to a said post, each said rail adapted to be removably attached to said fixed structure.

Preferably, each said beam is adapted to be removably attached to both said rails.

Preferably, each said beam is telescopically adjustable in length.

Preferably, said storage unit comprises a spring loaded roller adapted to retract said flexible cover.

Preferably, said storage unit further comprises a hood S: adapted to cover said roller.

o Preferably, said flexible cover comprises a roof section, an end flap and a pair of side flaps, each said side flap adapted to be folded onto said roof section before retracting onto said roller.

Preferably, said end flap is adapted to be attached to each side flap by means of a zipper when said flexible cover is unrolled.

"Preferably, said fixed structure is a permanent garage or carport.

Preferably, said flexible cover is made from tarpaulin or metal material such as roller door, or the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be °described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a garage with a demountable structure attached thereto; Figure 2 is a cross section of a part of the demountable structure when attached to the wall of a garage; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the retractable roller used in the demountable structure of Fig 1; Figure 4 is a side elevation of the storage unit of the demountable structure of Fig 1; Figure 5 is side elevation of the demountable structure of Fig 1; Figure 6 is a front elevation of the demountable structure of Fig 1; Figure 7 is another side elevation of the demountable structure of Fig 1; Figure 8 is a roof plan of the frame of the demountable structure of Fig 1; Figure 9 is a floor plan of the demountable structure of A Fig 1;

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Figure 10 is a view of a footing of the frame of the demountable structure of Fig 1; Figure 11 is a view of another footing of the frame of the demountable structure of Fig 1; Figure 12 is a detailed view of a joint of the frame of the demountable structure of Fig 1; Figure 13 is detailed view of another joint of the frame of the demountable structure of Fig 1; and Figure 13a is a detailed view showing the metal roof housed in the guides at the joint of the frame of the demountable structure of Fig 1.

oooo Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments.

s r Referring to figure 1, there is shown a demountable structure fixed to an existing garage The demountable structure (1) comprises a flexible cover(3), supported on a frame, which comprises posts(6), beams(8) and rails(7). In the example shown in the drawings, S'the demountable structure can be used as a carport to house an extra car, or simply for temporary storage.

The flexible cover is preferably made from a heavy duty tarpaulin or metal material, and comprises a roof section side flaps and an end flap Acasing(3b) is provided along each longitudinal edge of the tarpaulin roof section while a set of guides (7a) are welded or the like, to the tops of the longitudinal rails to house the metal roof section Zippers (23) are provided to releasable attach the end flap to the side flaps when the cover is unrolled. The cover (3) can be stored on the garage by folding the end flap and side flaps up over the roof section Prior to retracting the cover, the O flaps (4 and 5) are secured by adhesive strips (21) provided on the side flaps. The adhesive strips can also be seen in figure 5. Preferably, the adhesive strips comprise Velcro (registered trademark) strips. The cover(3) is then rolled onto the roller (16, see fig which is mounted on the front of the garage above the garage door. Referring now to figure 3, the roller (16) is sprung, so that the cover can be rolled back onto the roller in much the same way as a retractable blind.

To erect the demountable structure the posts are placed in holes (22) in the existing driveway It is preferable that the posts are fixed into the holes (22) by means of a latch or bayonet fitting (projections Ila, fig 11) on the footings (11) of the posts, which engage with corresponding slots (not shown) in the holes The rails (7) are removably attached to the posts and the garage and the beams(8) are removably attached to the rails The flexible cover is unfurled, with the rails inside the casing The side flaps and end *flap are folded down and, if desired, the end flap is attached to the Sside flaps by means of zippers enclosing the structure The side flaps are secured to the garage by means of pivoting handles, "stayputs" toggles or the like which are provided on the garage to engage with eyelets (14) on the side flaps of the cover Referring to figure 2, the "stayputs" mentioned above are preferably fixed to the outer wall of the garage by means of a mounting plate If the garage is made of brick or stone, then dynabolts (13a) can be used to fix the plate to the wall. However, any other suitable means of connection are within the scope of the invention.

Referring to figures 3 and 4, the roller(16) is attached to the outside of the garage by means of brackets (16a). A hood (12) is oo. attached via plate(19) onto the garage(2) above the roller(16) and below the eaves(2a), to protect the cover(3) while it is stored on the roller(16).

The hood (12) can also be seen in figure 6. The rails are removably attached to the garage by means of brackets (17).

Referring to figure 8, the beams are telescopic so their length can be adjusted to stabilise the rails(7) and ensure that the cover(3) remains taut. To prevent the cover from flapping in the wind, straps a shown in figures 1 and 8, are provided on the underside of -the cover's roof section (3a).

As shown in figures 7, 10 and 11, the footings (11) of the Soposts(6) are rounded and fit into corresponding holes(22) in the driveway (or ground). The holes(22) are also shown in figure 9. It is preferable that the footings (11) are provided with bayonet projections (11a), to prevent the structure from being lifted off the ground by the wind.

Looking at figures 12, 13 and 13a, the beams are removably attached to the rails by means of projections which protrude inwardly from the rails The ends of the hollow beams rest on the projections and are adjusted telescopically to ensure a snug fit.

Holes (18) are provided in the casing(3b) of the cover through which the projections protrude. As can be seen in figure 13, the projection (9) can be bolted to the posts Rails rest on the bolts (9a) to attach the rails to the posts It is preferable that the rails, posts and beams are made from hollow rectangular aluminium sections. It is also preferable that a small clearance, such as 50mm is provided between the side flaps and the ground, or driveway, when the structure is in use.

Claims (6)

1. A demountable frame and a flexible cover for covering said frame, said frame comprising one or more ground engaging support means at one end of said frame, another end of said frame adapted to be attached to a fixed structure, said flexible cover being retractable into a storage unit, said storage unit adapted to be attached to said fixed structure.

2. The demountable frame of claim 1 wherein each of the ground engaging support's comprises two or more longitudinally extending rails and one or more transverse beams adapted to span said rails, each said rail adapted to be removably attached to a said post, each said rail adapted to be removably attached to said fixed structure.

3. The flexible cover of claim I wherein comprises a roof S* "section, an end flap and a pair of side flaps, each said side flap adapted to be folded onto said roof section before retracting onto said roller, each said side flap is held onto roof section with velcro.

4. The demountable frame of claim 2 wherein comprises six transverse beams, each said beam is telescopically adjustable in length. The demountable frame of claim 2 wherein comprises three pairs of posts, each said post having a footing adapted to be placed inside a hole in the ground. Preferably, said structure comprises locking means adapted to retain each said footing in a said hole. Preferably, said locking means comprises a bayonet fitting, wherein a projection on said footing is adapted to engage a corresponding slot in said hole.

6. The flexible cover of claim 3 wherein comprises a roof section, an end flap and a pair of side flaps. Preferably, said end flap is adapted to be attached to each side flap by means of zippers when said flexible cover is unrolled. Preferably, said *side flaps are secured to the garage by means of pivoting 0 0.@ '00 S. S

55.5 handles, "stayputs", toggles or the like, which are provided on the garage to engage with eyelets on the side flaps of the cover. If the garage is made of brick or stone, then dynabolts can be used. 7. The demountable frame of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein is made of preferably aluminium. 8. The demountable frame of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein is made of preferably steel. 9. The flexible cover of claims 1, 3 and 6 wherein is made of preferably heavy duty tarpaulin. The flexible cover of claims 1, 3 and 6 wherein the roof section is preferably made of metal, for example, a roller door or the like. 11. A demountable structure substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Signed: Date: U( MRY 19q9