Building constructions

Abstract

A building construction e.g. for providing a temporary shelter for disaster victims, includes two side walls and two end walls, a roof structure, and a floor structure, the construction being deliverable to a site for erection, in a stowed condition and being erectable on site to a condition for use.

1 . A building construction which includes two side walls and two end walls, a roof structure, and a floor structure, the construction being deliverable to a site for erection, in a stowed condition and being erectable on site to a condition for use, the construction including a first part which includes a first portion of the floor structure, and an end wall attached to or integral with the first portion of the floor structure at each of two opposite edges of the first portion of the floor structure, and a second part which includes a second portion of the floor structure and a side wall attached to or integral with the second portion of the floor structure at each of two opposite side edges of the second portion of the floor structure, and the second part including the roof structure attached to or integral with each of the side walls, and wherein in the stowed condition the first and second floor structure portions being arranged one on top of the other, the two end walls being folded on top of the floor structure with one end wall on top of the other, and the side walls and roof structure including a plurality of folds which extend from end to end and permit the side walls and roof structure to be folded towards the folded end walls, and in the erected condition, the end walls are moved to be upright and the side walls and roof structure are unfolded so that the side walls are upright, whereby a space is created by the end and side walls which is spanned by and closed by the roof structure.  
   
   
       2 . A construction according to  claim 1  wherein the first part of the construction is provided as a unitary first part.  
   
   
       3 . A construction according to  claim 2  wherein the unitary first part is provided in a material which is scorable to permit folding and unfolding of the end walls relative to the first portion of the floor structure.  
   
   
       4 . A construction according to  claim 3  wherein the material is a double skinned plastic which has ribs extending between and integrally connected to the two skins, the material being made foldable by cutting one of the walls.  
   
   
       5 . A construction according to  claim 4  wherein the material is used with the ribs extending transversely of the direction of the folds.  
   
   
       6 . A construction according to  claim 1  wherein the second part of the construction is provided as a unitary second part.  
   
   
       7 . A construction according to  claim 6  wherein the material is a double skinned plastic which has ribs extending between and integrally connected to the two skins, the material being scored and thus made foldable, by cutting one of the walls.  
   
   
       8 . A construction according to  claim 7  wherein the material is used with the ribs extending transversely of the direction of the folds.  
   
   
       9 . A construction according to  claim 1  wherein the roof structure includes three portions with folds between them, and folds are provided where the roof structure and each of the side walls meet, and where the second floor structure portion and the side walls meet.  
   
   
       10 . A construction according to  claim 9  wherein one of the side walls has a fold.  
   
   
       11 . A construction according to  claim 9  wherein in the stowed condition, the side walls and roof structure are folded to lie within the area of the second floor structure portion.  
   
   
       12 . A construction according to  claim 1  wherein the end walls each have secured to them a cord or handle to facilitate erection of the building construction by pulling the inwardly folded end walls to an upright condition.  
   
   
       13 . A construction according to  claim 1  wherein interlocking formations are provided along each of the side edges of the end walls and the end edges of the side walls to retain the building structure in its erected condition  
   
   
       14 . A construction according to  claim 1  wherein interlocking formations are provided between the end walls and the roof structure.  
   
   
       15 . A construction according to  claim 1  wherein when in the erected condition, the meeting edges of the end walls and side walls and end walls and the roof structure are sealed with an adhesive tape.  
   
   
       16 . A construction according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the end or side walls is provided with a door made by cutting a rectangular opening around top, bottom and one side only, and scoring the fourth side, so that a door is provided which is hinged without any hinge fittings being required.  
   
   
       17 . A construction according to  claim 1  wherein the building construction is erected on a base to which the floor structure is secured.  
   
   
       18 . A plurality of packs each including a building construction in a stowed condition, which includes two side walls and two end walls, a roof structure, and a floor structure, the construction being deliverable to a site for erection, in the stowed condition and being erectable on site to a condition for use, the construction including a first part which includes a first portion of the floor structure, and an end wall attached to or integral with the first portion of the floor structure at each of two opposite edges of the first portion of the floor structure, and a second part which includes a second portion of the floor structure and a side wall attached to or integral with the second portion of the floor structure at each of two opposite side edges of the second portion of the floor structure, and the second part including the roof structure attached to or integral with each of the side walls, and wherein in the stowed condition the first and second floor structure portions being arranged one on top of the other, the two end walls being folded on top of the floor structure with one end wall on top of the other, and the side walls and roof structure including a plurality of folds which extend from end to end and permit the side walls and roof structure to be folded towards the folded end walls, and in the erected condition, the end walls are moved to be upright and the side walls and roof structure are unfolded so that the side walls are upright, whereby a space is created by the end and side walls which is spanned by and closed by the roof structure.  
   
   
       19 . A method of providing a temporary building utilising a building construction which includes two side walls and two end walls, a roof structure, and a floor structure, the construction being deliverable to a site for erection, in a stowed condition and being erectable on site to a condition for use, the construction including a first part which includes a first portion of the floor structure, and an end wall attached to or integral with the first portion of the floor structure at each of two opposite edges of the first portion of the floor structure, and a second part which includes a second portion of the floor structure and a side wall attached to or integral with the second portion of the floor structure at each of two opposite side edges of the second portion of the floor structure, and the second part including the roof structure attached to or integral with each of the side walls, and wherein in the stowed condition the first and second floor structure portions being arranged one on top of the other, the two end walls being folded on top of the floor structure with one end wall on top of the other, and the side walls and roof structure including a plurality of folds which extend from end to end and permit the side walls and roof structure to be folded towards the folded end walls, and in the erected condition, the end walls are moved to be upright and the side walls and roof structure are unfolded so that the side walls are upright, whereby a space is created by the end and side walls which is spanned by and closed by the roof structure, the method including delivering to a site the building construction in its stowed condition, placing the floor structure on the ground or on base therefor, pulling the end walls to an upright condition thereby unfolding the side walls and the roof structure, securing edges of the end and side walls where they meet, to each other.  
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 19  which includes securing edges of the side walls and the roof structure where they meet with adhesive tape, and/or sealing meeting edges of the side and end walls, and of the end walls and roof structure, with adhesive tape.  
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 19  which includes securing the floor structure of the building construction to a base, which is anchored relative to the ground, and/or anchoring the construction relative to the ground using guy ropes.