US3984948A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible building structure
Assignee: Altair Industries Inc
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Filing: 1973-03-09
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Granted: 1976-10-12
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Expires: 1993-03-09
Abstract
Abstract A structure which may be shipped as a container has a rectangular floor base portion and two panel assemblies associated therewith. Each panel assembly is made up of a side wall panel pivotally connected to an edge of the base portion by means of a continuous hinge, and another side wall panel fixed thereto and extending inwardly thereof. As a container, these two panel assemblies are positioned with their hinged panels generally perpendicular to the base portion, and with the other panels thereof generally parallel to the base portion. Container end panel members may be fixed to both ends of the structure so that a closed container is defined. Upon removal of the container end panel members, the panel assemblies may be pivoted to expanded, outward positions, and end panels and roof panels, carried in the closed, container-like structure, may be fitted thereto to fabricate and define a building structure. Various other parts and equipment necessary to the erection and completion of the building structure may be included, stored and carried in the closed, container-like structure, to be used upon the opening of the container. In addition, or alternatively, material not associated with the building structure may be carried in the closed, container-like structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Willis A. Bussard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:31
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/343; E04B1/344; E04B1/3442
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
428 words
A building structure comprising: a substantially flat base portion having first and second generally parallel edges; a first panel assembly comprising a first panel associated with the first edge of the base portion and normally positioned substantially perpendicular to the base portion, and a second panel fixed to the first panel and generally perpendicular to the first panel; a second panel assembly comprising a third panel associated with the second edge of the base portion and normally positioned substantially perpendicular to the base portion, and a fourth panel fixed to the third panel and generally perpendicular to the third panel; the second and fourth panels disposed toward each other and having portions in lapping relation when the first and third panels are so normally positioned; the first panel assembly and second panel assembly being movable outwardly of each other to outward positions; means for maintaining the first and second panel assemblies in such outward positions; wherein the first panel is hingedly fixed to the first edge of the base portion, wherein the third panel is hingedly fixed to the second edge of the base portion, and wherein the first and second panel assemblies are pivotable outwardly of each other through such hinged fixing; wherein with the first and third panels normally positioned, a second panel portion overlaps a fourth panel portion, and further comprising a fifth panel hingedly fixed to the first panel assembly to be pivotable to overlap the second panel with the first and third panels normally positioned, and pivotable away from said second panel to a position extending outwardly thereof with the first and second panel assemblies in said outward positions; wherein the fifth panel is pivotable to completely and fully overlap the second panel, and the second panel completely and fully overlaps the fourth panel when the first and third panels are normally positioned; and a first end member at one end of the structure and removably secured to the base portion, first and third panels in their normal positions, and the fifth panel, with the fifth panel pivoted to overlap the second panel, and a second end member at the other end of the structure and removably secured to the base portion, first and third panels in their normal positions, and the fifth panel, with said fifth panel pivoted to overlap the second panel, whereby the building structure is closed with the first and third panels normally positioned, the removal of the first end member and second end member allowing the first and second panel assemblies to be pivoted to their outward positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
428 words
A building structure comprising: a substantially flat base portion having first and second generally parallel edges; a first panel assembly comprising a first panel associated with the first edge of the base portion and normally positioned substantially perpendicular to the base portion, and a second panel fixed to the first panel and generally perpendicular to the first panel; a second panel assembly comprising a third panel associated with the second edge of the base portion and normally positioned substantially perpendicular to the base portion, and a fourth panel fixed to the third panel and generally perpendicular to the third panel; the second and fourth panels disposed toward each other and having portions in lapping relation when the first and third panels are so normally positioned; the first panel assembly and second panel assembly being movable outwardly of each other to outward positions; means for maintaining the first and second panel assemblies in such outward positions; wherein the first panel is hingedly fixed to the first edge of the base portion, wherein the third panel is hingedly fixed to the second edge of the base portion, and wherein the first and second panel assemblies are pivotable outwardly of each other through such hinged fixing; wherein with the first and third panels normally positioned, a second panel portion overlaps a fourth panel portion, and further comprising a fifth panel hingedly fixed to the first panel assembly to be pivotable to overlap the second panel with the first and third panels normally positioned, and pivotable away from said second panel to a position extending outwardly thereof with the first and second panel assemblies in said outward positions; wherein the fifth panel is pivotable to completely and fully overlap the second panel, and the second panel completely and fully overlaps the fourth panel when the first and third panels are normally positioned; and a first end member at one end of the structure and removably secured to the base portion, first and third panels in their normal positions, and the fifth panel, with the fifth panel pivoted to overlap the second panel, and a second end member at the other end of the structure and removably secured to the base portion, first and third panels in their normal positions, and the fifth panel, with said fifth panel pivoted to overlap the second panel, whereby the building structure is closed with the first and third panels normally positioned, the removal of the first end member and second end member allowing the first and second panel assemblies to be pivoted to their outward positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
The building structure of claim 1 and further comprising a first end panel within the building structure closed with the first and third panels normally positioned and which, upon said removal of the first end member, may be fixed to and interconnect the first panel and second panel, and a second end panel within the building structure closed with the first and third panels normally positioned and which, upon said removal of the first end member, may be fixed to and interconnect the third panel and fourth panel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
86 words
The building structure of claim 2 and further comprising a third end panel within the building structure closed with the first and third panels normally positioned and which, upon removal of the second end member, may be fixed to and interconnect the first panel and second panel, and a fourth end panel within the building structure closed with the first and third panels normally disposed and which, upon removal of the second end member, may be fixed to and interconnect the third panel and fourth panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The building structure of claim 3 and further comprising means interconnecting the first and second panel assemblies in said outward positions comprising roof panel means within the building structure closed with the first and third panels normally positioned and which may be fixed to the second and fourth panels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
122 words
The building structure of claim 4 and further comprising first additional end panel means within the building structure closed with the first and third panels normally positioned and which may be mounted to the first panel assembly, second panel assembly, base portion, and roof panel means with the first and second panel assemblies in said outward positions, and second additional panel means within the building structure closed with the first and third panels normally positioned and which may be mounted to the first panel assembly, second panel assembly, base portion, and roof means with the first and second panel assemblies in said outward positions, whereby the building structure may be closed with the first and second panel assemblies in their outward positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The building structure of claim 5 wherein the second panel defines window means positioned to be covered by the fifth panel when said fifth panel overlaps said second panel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The building structure of claim 6 and further comprising access means defined by the first additional end panel means for providing access within the building structure closed with the first and second panel assemblies in their outward positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
293 words
A building structure comprising: a substantially flat base portion having first and second generally parallel edges; a first panel assembly comprising a first panel hingedly fixed to the first edge of the base portion and normally positioned substantially perpendicular to the base portion, and a second panel fixed to the first panel and generally perpendicular to the first panel; a second panel assembly comprising a third panel hingedly fixed to the second edge of the base portion and normally positioned substantially perpendicular to the base portion, and a fourth panel fixed to the third panel and generally perpendicular to the third panel; the second and fourth panels disposed toward each other and having portions in lapping relation when the first and third panels are so normally positioned; a first end member at one end of the structure and removably secured to the base portion, first and third panels in their normal positions, and relative to the third and fourth panels, and a second end member at the other end of the structure and removably secured to the base portion, first and third panels in their normal positions, and relative to the third and fourth panels, whereby the building structure is closed with the first and third panels normally positioned, the removal of the first and second end members allowing the first and second panel assemblies to be pivoted, through such hinged fixing to outward positions; first jack means positionable to interconnect said base portion and second panels for pivoting the first panel assembly to said outward position; second jack means positionable to interconnect said base portion and fourth panel for pivoting the second panel assembly to said outward position; and, means for maintaining the first and second panel assemblies in said outward positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
293 words
A building structure comprising: a substantially flat base portion having first and second generally parallel edges; a first panel assembly comprising a first panel hingedly fixed to the first edge of the base portion and normally positioned substantially perpendicular to the base portion, and a second panel fixed to the first panel and generally perpendicular to the first panel; a second panel assembly comprising a third panel hingedly fixed to the second edge of the base portion and normally positioned substantially perpendicular to the base portion, and a fourth panel fixed to the third panel and generally perpendicular to the third panel; the second and fourth panels disposed toward each other and having portions in lapping relation when the first and third panels are so normally positioned; a first end member at one end of the structure and removably secured to the base portion, first and third panels in their normal positions, and relative to the third and fourth panels, and a second end member at the other end of the structure and removably secured to the base portion, first and third panels in their normal positions, and relative to the third and fourth panels, whereby the building structure is closed with the first and third panels normally positioned, the removal of the first and second end members allowing the first and second panel assemblies to be pivoted, through such hinged fixing to outward positions; first jack means positionable to interconnect said base portion and second panels for pivoting the first panel assembly to said outward position; second jack means positionable to interconnect said base portion and fourth panel for pivoting the second panel assembly to said outward position; and, means for maintaining the first and second panel assemblies in said outward positions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
168 words
The building structure of claim 8 and further comprising a first end panel within the building structure closed with the first and third panels normally positioned and which, upon removal of the first end member, may be fixed to and interconnect the first panel and second panel, and a second end panel within the building structure closed with the first and third panels normally positioned and which, upon removal of the first end member, may be fixed to and interconnect the third panel and fourth panel, and further comprising a third end panel within the building structure closed with the first and third panels normally positioned and which, upon removal of the second end member, may be fixed to and interconnect the first end panel and second end panel, and a fourth end panel within the building structure closed with the first and third panels normally positioned and which, upon removal of the second end member, may be fixed to and interconnect the third panel and fourth panel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
210 words
The building structure of claim 9 and further comprising means interconnecting the first and second panel assemblies in said outward positions comprising roof panels within the building structure closed with the first and third panels normally positioned and which may be fixed to the second and fourth panels with the first and second panel assemblies in their outward positions, and further comprising first additional end panel means within the building structure closed with the first and third panels normally positioned and which may be mounted to the first panel assembly, second panel assembly, base portion, and roof panel means with the first and second panel assemblies in said outward positions, and second additional end panel means within the building structure closed with the first and third panels normally positioned and which may be mounted to the first panel assembly, second panel assembly, base portion, and roof panel means with the first and second panel assemblies in said outward positions, whereby the building structure may be closed with the first and second panel assemblies in their outward positions, and further comprising access means defined by the first additional end panel means for providing access to within the building structure closed with the first and second panel assemblies in their outward positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The building structure of claim 10 and further comprising third jack means disposed on the ground for supporting and leveling the base portion above the ground.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
94 words
The building structure of claim 11 wherein, with the first and third panels so normally positioned, a second panel portion overlaps a fourth panel portion, and further comprising a fifth panel hingedly fixed to the first panel assembly to be pivotable to overlap the second panel with the first and third panels normally positioned, and pivotable away from said second panel to a position extending outwardly thereof with the first and second panel assemblies in said outward positions, and support means on the ground for supporting said fifth panel in said outwardly extending position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The building structure of claim 12 wherein the second panel defines window means positioned to be covered by the fifth panel when said fifth panel overlaps said second panel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The building structure of claim 13 wherein the fifth panel is pivotable to completely and fully overlap the second panel, and the second panel completely and fully overlaps the fourth panel when the first and third panels are normally positioned.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-10-12 | 1980-04-12 | 1980-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-12 | 1984-04-12 | 1984-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-12 | 1988-04-12 | 1988-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |