Portable, folding storage structures with carrying case and methods therefor

Abstract

Foldable storage structures and methods of erecting, contracting and storing such structures are described. The storage structure includes effectively rigid wall panels coupled by hinges to form an enclosure. The wall panels can be foldable and connected to a foldable floor panel assembly. The structure has a roof assembly which has a foldable panel assembly which mounts to or within a cover. The preferred cover has two layers to provide a flexible pouch in which the floor panels, wall panels and roof panels can be stored when folded into contracted conditions. The cover is configured to be releasably coupled to the top edge of the wall panels. Encircling straps may be used about the folded parts of the structure to serve as carrying handles. The cover preferably serves as both the roof skin when erected and as a carrying case when the structure is collapsed for portability or storage.

1 . A foldable storage structure, comprising: 
 a wall assembly including eight rigid wall panels, each wall panel having a top edge a bottom edge and side edges, wherein the side edges of the wall panels are hingedly coupled to form a rectangular enclosure, and wherein at least one of the wall panels includes a door opening formed therethrough;    a roof assembly including a plurality of hingedly coupled rigid roof panels and a flexible pouch configured to enclose the roof panels, wherein the roof assembly is configured to be releasably coupled to the top edge of the wall panels; and    a floor assembly including a plurality of hingedly coupled rigid floor panels, wherein the floor assembly is configured to be releasably coupled to the bottom edge of the wall panels.    
   
   
       2 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 1 , and further comprising a door, wherein the door is hingedly coupled to at least one of the wall panels at the door opening to control ingress to and egress from the foldable storage structure.  
   
   
       3 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the hinged couplings which join the wall panels comprises a material selected from the group consisting of nylon strapping, webbing, fabric, plastic, leather and belting.  
   
   
       4 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the hinged couplings which join the roof panels comprises a material selected from the group consisting of nylon strapping, webbing, fabric, plastic, leather and belting.  
   
   
       5 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the hinged couplings which join the floor panels comprises a material selected from the group consisting of nylon strapping, webbing, fabric, plastic, leather and belting.  
   
   
       6 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 1 , wherein the foldable storage structure can be placed in a folded configuration and stored in the flexible pouch.  
   
   
       7 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 1 , wherein the foldable storage structure can be placed in a folded configuration and stored in the flexible pouch, and wherein the flexible pouch includes a closure.  
   
   
       8 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 1 , wherein the foldable storage structure is configured to be assembled and disassembled without tools.  
   
   
       9 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the hinged couplings which join the wall panels comprises a flexible basket weave hinge made of nylon strapping.  
   
   
       10 . A foldable storage structure, comprising: 
 a rectangular enclosure having foldable joints which define eight rigid wall panels, wherein the wall panels have a top edge and a bottom edge, and wherein at least one of the wall panels includes a door opening formed therethrough;    a roof member having at least one foldable joint which defines a plurality of rigid roof panels;    a flexible pouch configured to enclose the roof panels to form a roof assembly, wherein the roof assembly is configured to be releasably coupled to the top edge of the wall panels; and    a floor assembly having at least one foldable joint which defines a plurality of rigid floor panels, wherein the floor panels are configured to be releasably coupled to the bottom edge of the wall panels.    
   
   
       11 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 10 , and further comprising a door, wherein the door is hingedly coupled to at least one of the wall panels at the door opening to control ingress to and egress from the foldable storage structure.  
   
   
       12 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the foldable joints which define the eight rigid wall panels comprises a material selected from the group consisting of nylon strapping, webbing, fabric, plastic, leather and belting.  
   
   
       13 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the foldable joints which define the plurality of rigid roof panels comprises a material selected from the group consisting of nylon strapping, webbing, fabric, plastic, leather and belting.  
   
   
       14 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the foldable joints which define the plurality of rigid floor panels comprises a material selected from the group consisting of nylon strapping, webbing, fabric, plastic, leather and belting.  
   
   
       15 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 10 , wherein the foldable storage structure can be placed in a folded configuration and stored in the flexible pouch.  
   
   
       16 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 10 , wherein the foldable storage structure can be placed in a folded configuration and stored in the flexible pouch, and wherein the flexible pouch includes a closure along at least one edge.  
   
   
       17 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 10 , wherein the foldable storage structure is configured to be assembled and disassembled without tools.  
   
   
       18 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the foldable joints which define the wall panels comprises a flexible basket weave hinge made of nylon strapping.  
   
   
       19 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 10 , wherein the eight rigid wall panels comprise a material selected from the group consisting of extruded hollow core polypropylene sheet, cardboard, plastic, foam core board, polyvinylchloride sheet, metal, wood and wood based materials.  
   
   
       20 . A foldable storage structure, comprising: 
 eight rigid wall panels, each of the wall panels having a top edge a bottom edge and side edges, wherein the side edges of the wall panels are hingedly coupled to form a rectangular enclosure, and wherein at least one of the wall panels includes a door opening formed therethrough;    a plurality of hingedly coupled rigid roof panels;    a flexible pouch configured to enclose the roof panels, wherein the flexible pouch is also configured to be releasably coupled to the top edge of the wall panels; and    a plurality of hingedly coupled rigid floor panels, wherein the floor panels are configured to be releasably coupled to the bottom edge of the wall panels.    
   
   
       21 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 20 , and further comprising a door, wherein the door is hingedly coupled to at least one of the wall panels at the door opening to control ingress to and egress from the foldable storage structure.  
   
   
       22 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the hinged couplings which join the wall panels comprises a material selected from the group consisting of nylon strapping, webbing, fabric, plastic, leather and belting.  
   
   
       23 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the hinged couplings which join the roof panels comprises a material selected from the group consisting of nylon strapping, webbing, fabric, plastic, leather and belting.  
   
   
       24 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the hinged couplings which join the floor panels comprises a material selected from the group consisting of nylon strapping, webbing, fabric, plastic, leather and belting.  
   
   
       25 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 20 , wherein the foldable storage structure can be placed in a folded configuration and stored in the flexible pouch.  
   
   
       26 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 20 , wherein the foldable storage structure can be placed in a folded configuration and stored in the flexible pouch, and wherein the flexible pouch includes a closure along at least one edge.  
   
   
       27 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 20 , wherein the foldable storage structure is configured to be assembled and disassembled without tools.  
   
   
       28 . The foldable storage structure of  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the hinged couplings which join the wall panels comprises a flexible basket weave hinge made of nylon strapping.  
   
   
       29 . A method of erecting a foldable storage structure, comprising: 
 providing a flexible pouch including eight rigid wall panels in a folded configuration, a plurality of rigid roof panels in a folded configuration, and a plurality of rigid floor panels in a folded configuration;    removing the eight wall panels, the plurality of roof panels, and the plurality of floor panels from the flexible pouch;    unfolding the eight wall panels to form a rectangular enclosure having a top edge and a bottom edge;    unfolding the plurality of roof panels;    after unfolding the plurality of roof panels, placing the plurality of roof panels inside of the flexible pouch to form a roof assembly;    releasably coupling the roof assembly to the top edge of the rectangular enclosure;    unfolding the plurality of floor panels; and    after unfolding the plurality of floor panels, releasably coupling the plurality of floor panels to the bottom edge of the rectangular enclosure.    
   
   
       30 . An apparatus forming a collapsible, portable storage structure, comprising: 
 a foldable wall structure having a plurality of wall panels and at least one door opening;    a foldable roof panel assembly having a plurality of roof panels;    a flexible roof cover constructed with a pouch that can receive the foldable wall structure and foldable roof panel assembly therein when in folded conditions to provide portability and a carrying case.    
   
   
       31 . An apparatus according to  claim 30  and further comprising, a foldable floor panel assembly which may also be received within the pouch when in a folded condition with said foldable roof panel assembly and said foldable wall structure.  
   
   
       32 . An apparatus according to  claim 30  and further comprising connectors for connecting: 
 a flexible roof assembly formed from the folding roof panel assembly when in an extended condition and the flexible roof cover;    to the foldable wall structure when in an open condition.