Structure

Abstract

A structure which includes a rectangular base and two substantially U-shaped assemblies pivotally fixed to respective opposed longitudinal edges of the base, the assemblies being movable, relative to the base, into a compact configuration which is substantially of the shape and size of a conventional shipping container, and away from each other to an operative configuration at which the assemblies form walls and at least part of a roof of the structure.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A structure ( 10 ) which includes a base ( 12 ) of rectangular outline with a lower surface ( 12 B) which faces the ground and an upper surface ( 12 A), first and second ends ( 14 ,  16 ) which are fixed to the base ( 12 ), which are spaced apart and which extend vertically, a first assembly ( 18 ) which has a first side ( 22 ) with an inner surface ( 22 B) and an outer surface ( 22 A), a second side ( 24 ) which opposes the first side ( 22 ), a panel ( 26 ) fixed to and extending between the first side ( 22 ) and the second side ( 24 ), a first wall ( 34 ) fixed at least to the first side ( 22 ) and the panel ( 26 ), and a second wall ( 36 ) which is spaced from and which opposes the first wall ( 34 ) and which is fixed at least to the first side ( 22 ) and to the panel ( 26 ), wherein the first assembly ( 18 ) is pivotally movable relative to the base ( 12 ) between a compact configuration at which the panel ( 26 ) overlies the upper surface ( 12 A) of the base ( 12 ), the first wall ( 34 ) is substantially adjacent the first end ( 14 ) and the second wall ( 36 ) is substantially adjacent the second end ( 16 ), and an operative configuration at which the outer surface ( 22 A) of the first side ( 22 ) faces the ground, the panel ( 26 ) extends generally vertically, the first and second walls ( 34 ,  36 ) are displaced, respectively, from the first and second ends ( 14 ,  16 ), and the second side ( 24 ) is positioned above and opposes the inner surface ( 22 B) of the first side ( 22 ), the structure ( 10 ) further comprising a second assembly ( 20 ) which has a first side ( 42 ), a second side ( 44 ) which opposes the first side ( 42 ), a bridging panel ( 46 ) between opposed extremities of the first and second sides, a first wall ( 54 ) and an opposing second wall ( 56 ), wherein the second assembly ( 20 ) is pivotally connected along a lower edge of the first side ( 42 ) to a longitudinal edge of the base ( 12 ), and wherein the second assembly ( 20 ) is pivotally movable relative to the base ( 12 ) between a compact configuration at which the bridging panel ( 46 ) overlies the upper surface ( 12 A) of the base ( 12 ), the first wall ( 54 ) is substantially adjacent the first end ( 14 ) and the second wall ( 56 ) is substantially adjacent the second end ( 16 ), and an operative configuration at which an outer surface of the first side ( 42 ) faces the ground, the bridging panel ( 46 ) extends generally vertically, the first and second walls ( 54 ,  56 ) are displaced, respectively, from the first and second ends ( 14 ,  16 ), and the second side ( 44 ) is positioned above and opposes an inner surface of the first side ( 42 ), wherein with each assembly ( 18 ,  20 ) in the respective operative configuration, a space above the upper surface of the base ( 12 ) is closed by roof structure ( 24 X,  44 X). 
     
     
         10 . A structure ( 10 ) according to  claim 9  wherein, with each assembly ( 18 ,  20 ) in the respective operative configuration, the second side ( 24 ) is pivotal upwardly to an inclined position about a connection ( 64 ), and the second side ( 44 ) is pivotal upwardly to an inclined position. 
     
     
         11 . A structure ( 10 ) according to  claim 9  wherein the second assembly ( 20 ) is sized so that, with the first assembly ( 18 ) in the respective compact configuration, the second assembly ( 20 ) in the respective compact configuration is nested closely inside the first assembly ( 18 ). 
     
     
         12 . A structure according to  claim 9 , wherein, with each assembly ( 18 , 20 ) in the respective compact configuration, the structure is effectively similar in shape and size to a conventional shipping container. 
     
     
         13 . A structure according to  claim 9 , wherein, with each assembly ( 18 ,  20 ) in the respective compact configuration and to enable an interior of the structure to be accessed, at least the first end ( 14 ) includes an aperture ( 100 ) which is positioned so that it is in register with openings ( 102 ,  104 ) in respective sides ( 32 ,  34 ) of the two assemblies ( 18 ,  20 ) which are adjacent the first end ( 14 ). 
     
     
         14 . A structure ( 10 ) according to  claim 10  wherein the second assembly ( 20 ) is sized so that, with the first assembly ( 18 ) in the respective compact configuration, the second assembly ( 20 ) in the respective compact configuration is nested closely inside the first assembly ( 18 ). 
     
     
         15 . A structure according to  claim 10 , wherein, with each assembly ( 18 , 20 ) in the respective compact configuration, the structure is effectively similar in shape and size to a conventional shipping container. 
     
     
         16 . A structure according to  claim 11 , wherein, with each assembly ( 18 , 20 ) in the respective compact configuration, the structure is effectively similar in shape and size to a conventional shipping container. 
     
     
         17 . A structure according to  claim 10 , wherein, with each assembly ( 18 ,  20 ) in the respective compact configuration and to enable an interior of the structure to be accessed, at least the first end ( 14 ) includes an aperture ( 100 ) which is positioned so that the aperture is in register with openings ( 102 ,  104 ) in respective sides ( 32 ,  34 ) of the two assemblies ( 18 ,  20 ) which are adjacent the first end ( 14 ). 
     
     
         18 . A structure according to  claim 11 , wherein, with each assembly ( 18 ,  20 ) in the respective compact configuration and to enable an interior of the structure to be accessed, at least the first end ( 14 ) includes an aperture ( 100 ) which is positioned so that the aperture is in register with openings ( 102 ,  104 ) in respective sides ( 32 ,  34 ) of the two assemblies ( 18 ,  20 ) which are adjacent the first end ( 14 ). 
     
     
         19 . A structure according to  claim 12 , wherein, with each assembly ( 18 ,  20 ) in the respective compact configuration and to enable an interior of the structure to be accessed, at least the first end ( 14 ) includes an aperture ( 100 ) which is positioned so that the aperture is in register with openings ( 102 ,  104 ) in respective sides ( 32 ,  34 ) of the two assemblies ( 18 ,  20 ) which are adjacent the first end ( 14 ). 
     
     
         20 . A structure according to  claim 15 , wherein, with each assembly ( 18 , 20 ) in the respective compact configuration, the structure is effectively similar in shape and size to a conventional shipping container. 
     
     
         21 . A structure according to  claim 14 , wherein, with each assembly ( 18 ,  20 ) in the respective compact configuration and to enable an interior of the structure to be accessed, at least the first end ( 14 ) includes an aperture ( 100 ) which is positioned so that the aperture is in register with openings ( 102 ,  104 ) in respective sides ( 32 ,  34 ) of the two assemblies ( 18 ,  20 ) which are adjacent the first end ( 14 ). 
     
     
         22 . A structure according to  claim 15 , wherein, with each assembly ( 18 ,  20 ) in the respective compact configuration and to enable an interior of the structure to be accessed, at least the first end ( 14 ) includes an aperture ( 100 ) which is positioned so that the aperture is in register with openings ( 102 ,  104 ) in respective sides ( 32 ,  34 ) of the two assemblies ( 18 ,  20 ) which are adjacent the first end ( 14 ). 
     
     
         23 . A structure according to  claim 16 , wherein, with each assembly ( 18 ,  20 ) in the respective compact configuration and to enable an interior of the structure to be accessed, at least the first end ( 14 ) includes an aperture ( 100 ) which is positioned so that the aperture is in register with openings ( 102 ,  104 ) in respective sides ( 32 ,  34 ) of the two assemblies ( 18 ,  20 ) which are adjacent the first end ( 14 ).