Frame for a transportable shelter

Abstract

A frame for a transportable shelter includes a first base member, a second base member, a plurality of structural members, and a plurality of purlins. Each of the structural members have a first end that is connectable to the first base member, a second that is connectable to the second base member, and at least two interconnecting members that extend between the first end and the second end. A first interconnecting member of a structural member is connectable to a second interconnecting member of the structural member. The plurality of purlins are configured to connect one of the structural members to another structural member.

1 . A frame for a transportable shelter, the frame comprising:
 a first base member;   a second base member;   a plurality of structural members, each structural member comprising:
 a first end that is connectable to the first base member; 
 a second end that is connectable to the second base member; and 
 at least two interconnecting members that extend between the first end and the second end of the structural member, wherein a first interconnecting member of the at least two interconnecting members is connectable to a second interconnecting member of the at least two interconnecting members; and 
   a plurality of purlins that are configured to connect one structural member to another structural member.   
     
     
         2 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the first interconnecting member is connectable to the second interconnecting member by a hinge assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The frame of  claim 2 , wherein the hinge assembly is configured such that the connection between the first interconnecting member and the second interconnecting member is capable of being a pivotal connection or a fixed connection. 
     
     
         4 . The frame of  claim 2 , wherein the hinge assembly includes a connection portion and a receiving portion. 
     
     
         5 . The frame of  claim 4 , wherein the connection portion comprises two or more spacer plates and two or more hinge plates, and wherein the receiving portion comprises two or more spacer plates and two or more hinge plates. 
     
     
         6 . The frame of  claim 5 , wherein the connection portion is made of a single piece of material, and wherein the receiving portion is made of a single piece of material. 
     
     
         7 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of each structural member is connectable to the first base member by a first hinge assembly, and wherein the second end of each structural member is connectable to the second base member by a second hinge assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The frame of  claim 7 , wherein the first hinge assembly is configured such that the connection between the first end of the structural member and the first base member can be moved between a pivotal connection and a fixed connection. 
     
     
         9 . The frame of  claim 8 , wherein the first hinge assembly is configured such that, when the connection between the first end of the structural member and the first base member is a pivotal connection, the structural member is prevented from tipping over center. 
     
     
         10 . The frame of  claim 9 , wherein the first hinge assembly comprises:
 a base portion connected to the first base member, the base portion having:
 two or more spacer plates; and 
 two or more hinge plates; 
   a structural member portion connected to the first end of the structural member, the structural member portion having;
 two or more spacer plates; and 
 two or more hinge plates; 
   wherein the hinge plates of the base portion are connectable to the hinge plates of the structural member portion.   
     
     
         11 . The frame of  claim 10 , wherein, when the hinge plates of the base portion are connected to the hinge plates of the structural member portion and the connection between the first end of the structural member and the first base member is a pivotal connection, the spacer plates of the base portion engage the hinge plates of the structural member portion to prevent the structural member from tipping over center. 
     
     
         12 . The frame of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more connector assemblies, wherein the one or more connector assemblies are attached to the structural members, and wherein the one or more connectors are configured to attach one or more accessories to the frame. 
     
     
         13 . The frame of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more connector assemblies include a first connector and a second connector, wherein the first connector and the second connector are triangular connectors. 
     
     
         14 . A method of manufacturing a frame for a transportable shelter, the method comprising:
 determining a customized design for the frame of the transportable shelter;   creating base members for the frame of the transportable shelter, wherein the base members are created to have a desired size and shape based on the determined customized design for the frame;   creating two or more structural members for the frame of the transportable shelter, wherein the structural members are created to have a desired size and shape based on the determined customized design for the frame; and   creating a plurality of purlins for the frame of the transportable shelter, wherein the purlins are created to have a desired size and shape based on the determined customized design for the frame.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the two or more structural members each comprise two or more interconnecting members, and wherein the interconnecting members are created separately from each other. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the two or more structural members are created using CNC cutting. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the customized design for the frame is determined based on at least one of a desired size and a desired shape for the transportable shelter, wherein the desired size and shape for the transportable shelter is provided by a customer. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the customized design for the frame is determined based on a location in which the transportable shelter will be used. 
     
     
         19 . A method for installing a frame for a transportable shelter, wherein the transportable shelter comprises base members, two or more structural members, a plurality of purlins, the method comprising:
 determining a desired location for the transportable shelter;   placing an installation sheet on the desired location for the transportable shelter, wherein the installation sheet includes marked locations for placing the base members, the two or more structural members, and the plurality of purlins;   attaching the base members to a ground surface at the marked location for placing the base members;   connecting each structural member to the base members; and   connecting each structural member to at least one adjacent structural member by one or more of the plurality of purlins.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein each of the structural members comprise two or interconnecting members, and wherein the method further comprises connecting the two or more of each interconnecting member to each other to create the two or more structural members.