US2155876A - Portable building structure - Google Patents

Description

Apiil 25,1939. w. B. STOUT 2,155,376

PORTABLE BUILDING STRUCTI JRE Filed Nov. 13, 1935 e Sheets-Sheet Apgil 25; 1939,. w. B. STOUT PORTABLE BUILDING STRUCTURE s Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov., 13, 1935 IN VEN TOR. B. Sioui.

April 25, 1939. w. B. STOUT 2,155,876

PORTABLE BUILDING STRUCTURE Fild Nov. 15', 1935 e Sheets-Sheet s INVE N TOR.

4 TTORNEYS.

April 25, 1939.

wQ BISTOUTY 2,155,876 I PORTABLE BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed-Nov. 1:5, 1955 e Sheets-Sheet" 4 INVENTOR. m'ZZz'am .B. 5202(2'2 April 25,1939.

w. B. sr0u'r PORTABLE BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 13; 1935 e Shets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

Armmm Anna-1939. w. a'sTou'r "2,155,876 I PORTABLE BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed Nov. '13, 19 35" 6 Shets-Sheetfi.

I I h19 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 25, 1939..

UNITED s'rArlz's PATENT .omee

PORTABLE BUILDING STRUCTURE William B. Stout, Detroit, Mich assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Stout Engineering Lab.- .oratories, Inc., Dear-born, Mich, a corporation of Michigan ApplicationNovember 13, 1935, Serial,l-lo. 49.463

3 Claims.

This invention relates generally to portable building structures. More particularly, it relates .to trailers of the expansible type which may be conveniently moved from place to place by a con- 5 ventional automobile, which are-adapted to be unfolded when not actually in motion to provide.

a substantial, enclosed, building structure which may be use'dfor living quarters.

While building structures of this generic type have heretofore been known, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved construction, which, when expanded to form a house, will provide a substantial type of construction and which will afford many convenlB iences of construction not heretofore obtainable in structures of this general class.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a building structure having a main body section which has a permanent floor, roof and end walls. The side walls of the body section are composed of a plurality. of hinged panels which are pivotally secured-with respect to the main body section and adapted to be folded in superimposed parallel relation with respect to each other.

These panels when unfolded constitute the roof, side walls, floor and outer-.wall of a portion of the house. When in folded position, these members serve to provide a supporting truss for the side of the main body section to add strength to this main body section while it is being transported from one location to another.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a trailer construction of this generic class in which the joints between the various sections are provided with sealing means which prevent the access of water orother foreign matter not only when the sections are in folded position,

but'also when the sections are in extended or unfolded position.

40 Yet another object of the invention consists in the provision of a novel, strong, light, wall coni structionwhich aifords'a .max iinumpfprotection,

insulation and an attractive appearance, both externally and internally. and yet is relatively light in weight and easily handled.

Still further, the present invention contemplates the provision of a construction which may easily be folded to provide a light weight, com- "pact and neat appeaji-ing trailer structure which 5) maybe easily and conveniently transported from place to place by means of a conventional automobile.

Yet another object of the present invention consists in the provision of an expansible buildmg construction which, in its unfolded condition will afford substantially increased floor space and yet which will be of very stable and rugged construction. i

4 The present invention further contemplates the provision of a transportable structure which has 6 extensible portions constituting both sides thereof, in order that the resultant building structure,

when the wall sections have been completely unfolded and secured in position, will be substantially more than twice as large as the main body 1 section of the building when thewall sections are in folded position.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the construction and arrangement of foldable panels such that a structure for housing 15 an automobile may beprovided on one side of the central structure. The garage thusprovided has no floo'r, the panel generally serving as floor for this portion of the structure being retained in substantially vertically disposed position and con- 20 stituting a partition wall between the main body.

portion and the garage.

Yet another object of the present invention con; sists in the provision of novel means for mounting a compartment with respect to one of the piv- 25' oted wall sections in order that the compartment as awhole may bebodily swung outwardly of the'main body section when the wall sections are unfolded and may be bodily swung inwardly of the main body sections when the wall sections are 3 folded.

, Yet another feature of'the present invention consists in the provision of novel means for inter-. connecting the various wall sections maldng up the auxiliary portion of. the house structure in 35 gorder that these sections mayfbe conveniently and compactly folded in order to provide a maximum bracing effect of the main body section and,

ture as a whole being secured to an automobile 5 i in position for movementv from'place to place.

Fig. 2 is a'perspective view, similar to Fig. 1

showing oneof the auxiliary portions of the building partially unfolded with respect to the main body portion.

Fig. 3 shows the building structure on location completely unfolded and disconnected from the vehicle by which it is moved.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic floor plan of the complete building in unfoldedcondition.

Fig. 5 is 'a vertical sectional view taken lo ngitudinally on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 showing the arrangement of the kitchen in themain body section of the trailer.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 6"6 of Fig. 5 through the kitchen compartment of the main;body section looking forwardly. V

Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line of Fig. ,5 showing the arrangement of the buffet in the central portion of the main body section.

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2 showing the mounting of the front doors of the main body section.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 3 through the entire unfolded building structure with the auxiliary sections in completely unfolded position.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken on the ,line 10-40 of Fig. 9 showing the frame construetion of the main body section.

Fig. 11 is a front elevation with the sheathing vremoved showing one of the auinliary sections in .30 completely unfolded position and showing the Fig. 14 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line l4-|4 of Fig. 13 showing the wheel mounting and wheel housing.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line l5-l5 of Fig. '9 showing the pivotal mounting of one of the auxiliary floor sections with respect to the floor section of the main body portion.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line lE-IS of Fig. 9 showing the means by which the lower marginal edge of the outer wall panel is secured to the outer marginal edgeof the auxiliary floor section.

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken on the line I 'l| 1 of Fig. 15 showing the mounting of one of the auxiliary'end wall panels with respect to the main body section of the trailer and also with respect to the main and auxiliary floor sections thereof. r

Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken on the line 18-18 of Fig. 16 showing the mounting of one of the auxiliary end wall panels wigi espect-tot the outer wall section andihe awfil'iary floor and further showing the means for locking these membe rs in their respective positions.-

' Fig. 20 is an enlarged setionalview taken on the line 20-40 ofFig. 3 showing the means by which theauxiliary roof panel is pivotally se- 7 curedtdthe main body section ofthe trailer and 75. also showing the means by which this hinged joint is sealed to prevent the access of water or other foreign matter. 7

Fig. 21 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 2l-2l -of' Fig. 3 showing the manner in which the outer wall panel is pivotally secured to the outer marginal edge of the auxiliary roof panel.

Fig. 22 is a sectional view taken on the line 22-22 of Fig. 20 showing the pivotal connection between the outer wall panel and the auxiliary roof panel. I

Fig. 23 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2323 of Fig. 3 showing the'means by which the removable floor supporting trussis secured to the main body section and to the outer wall section.

Fig. 24 shows amodified form of the invention in which one of the extensible sections is used as .a garage.

Fig. 25 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 25-25 of Fig. 24 showing themodified hinge construction for mounting the end.panels of the extensible section when it-is desired to use this portion of the structure as a garage.

With more particular reference to the drawings, the specificembodiment of the invention disclosed therein comprises, in general, a main body section which is preferably formed of a frame work of relatively light weight sheet metal tubing. The tubing is preferably square in cross -section to facilitate joining adjacent portions thereof and to provide asubstantial fiat surface for the securernent of sheathing thereto.

The main body section comprises a pair of substantially parallel longitudinally extending sill trusses In. These sill trusses are formed of sheet metal tubing and have diagonal braces therein which serve to materially increase the strength and rigidity'ofthe truss structure as a whole. These longitudinal sill trusses ID are maintained in spaced substantially parallel relation by means of transversely extending tubular members ll which serve to join the side sill members together at suitable intervals throughout their length. Slightly rearwardly of the longitudinal central portion of this main .body section are mounted a pair. of wheels 12' which are journalled on a suitable axle B, which is in turn connected to the sill members by means of semi-elliptic leaf springs l4. Each of the wheels I2 is provided with a brake l5 actuated by means of longitudinal pull rods I6, each connected at their forward ends by means of a pivotal link'l1 to a brake booster cylinder I8. The booster brake cylinder is of-the fluid actuated type and is adapted to be connected by.

means of suitable tubing l9 to a source of power on the vehicle which is used to tow the building structure from place to place.

Flooring 22 for the 'main body section of the structure is provided, and is preferably formed of plywood or suitablesimilarunaterial. Ingmaring is supported by the transverse sheet metal tubular members II and the longitudinal sill trusses 10. These transverse supporting members H extend laterally beyond the wheels 12 and are connected together at their extreme outer ends" by means of a longitudinally extending square tubular member 2. It will thus be seen that a substantially rectangular frame work is provided for supporting the flooring of the main body section of the structure, and that the wheels I! extend upwardly through this frame work and flooring.

' that wheel housings comprising a frame work of sheet metal members '26 serve to provide a recess in which thewheels of the'trailer l2 may front end of the main body section, and are be free to rotate and move a substantial distance vertically with respect to the floor.

The roof structure of-the main body section of the building structure comprises a plurality of arched rafters 30 preferably formed of sheet metal of hollow section and welded at their ends tolongitudinally extending members 3i. Cross.

brace members 32 are also secured at their ends to the longitudinally extending members 3| and extend transversely across from side to side of the roof structure and form, with the rafters 30, a truss for supporting the roof proper. The roof is preferably covered by means of a sheet 33 of lightweight, hard, durable, corrosion-resisting material such, for example, as a magnesium alloy, which may be secured directly to the fiat upper side of the transversely extending rafter members 30. As is seen by reference to Fig. 20, this roof ing material 33 has its edges carried substantially out "past the longitudinal members 3| and forms an overhanging eave' 34 which. has a reversely bent marginal edge-34a in order to prevent theaccess of rain to the interior of the structure. Interior roof trim 36 is secured to the under side of the transversely extending brace members 32,

, and preferably has disposed inwardly thereof a sheet of insulating and sound-proofing material 31. The sound-proofingSl may consist of any suitable material, and it has been found that felted fibrous sheets are particularly satisfactory for this purpose. I

The roof structure as a whole is supported on the floor structure of the main body section of the trailer by means of a plurality of vertically extending sheet metal posts 35 of hollow cross section welded to themembers constituting the flooring supports and .similarly welded to the" members constituting the. roof framing. It will be noted by reference to Figs. 9 and that the intermediate "posts 35 are disposed slightly in-.

wardly from'tl ie plane in which theend posts lie in order that the end panels or end wall structures of the panel may be folded in line with the end posts as will hereinafter be more ,clearly seen;

A vestibule is formed atthe front end of the main body section and comprises a pair-of arcu-L ate sections of sheathing of, magnesium alloy,

closets thus formed may be closed by suitable doors 50;

A pair of arcuatedoors 45 are each hinged on either side of the. doorway opening, in the adapted to mate in their marginal edges to provide a tight closure for the front end Qf the building. The doors 45 may each have a suitable window 46 therein and are linked together in order that they may be simultaneously actuated. A crank arm 48 is rigidly secured to the upper marginal edge of one of the door members 45 and has pivotally connected in its outer end a transverse link 49 which extends across the door opening and is pivotally anchored-in the upper frame memberof the opposite door a suitable distanceoutwardly from the hinge thereof. It will be apparent that as one of the doors is opened, the crank arm and link 49 will serve to cause a corresponding opening movement of the opposite door and, likewise the doors will be simultaneously moved-to closed position. These doors, as will be seen from the drawings, are preferably formed arcuate in order to preserve the general streamlining eifect of the body as'a whole and to provide a forwrrdv'estibule for the central body section of the building structure forwardly of the main portion thereof.

The frame work supporting the floor 22 of the main body section of the building is extended forwardly and is provided with a ball member 52 whichis adapted to engage a suitable socket carried on the vehicle to which the building is adapted,,to be secured for transportation. The flooring 221s also extended forwardlyto provide flooring for the vestibule," as well as for the main body section of the building.-

The rear section of the main body portion of the building is provided with a vestibule somewhat similar to the forward vestible just described. The rear vestibuleis defined by arcuate wallgsections 60, similar to the arcuate sections 38described in connectionwith the front vestib le, these sections, together, forming a door opening in which is hinged a suitable door BI.

As will beeeen by reference .to the foregoing, each of these wall sections, as well as the door, is pref.-

erably comprised of a section of sheet metal' sheathing secured directly to the square tubular members which form the frame work. Inwardly of ,the. sheathingis secured a layer of fibrous sound-proofing materialand the interior surface may be covered by any suitable inner trim material, as is conventional in structures of this type.

seen. wIn substantially the longitudinal central por.-

tion of the main body section, and extending supported on the. body frame work in order to generally streamline the front end ofthe building and to provide a door opening in the front'end thereof. These arcuate sections of sheathing 38 are preferably secured directly to the frame work and have immediately inside thereof sheets of sound-proofing material in order to provide insulation, and maybe covered on their inner side by means of suitable inner trim material 39. A

pair of transverse partition members. are dis-- posed inwardlyof the arcuate sections 38 and cooperate therewith to form suitable closets 42 oneither side of the front entrance. These 'It will be seen that the arcuate sections 60 provide storage space 9n either side of the rear door, the purpose of which will hereinafter be clearly across the transverse width thereof, a bufiet is provided, which comprises 'a lower bin 5, preferably closed by means of a suitable pivoted door 66, and a pair of drawers 6'! located beneath a suitable shelf 68'. Additional shelves may be 10-- cated on the-lateral sides of the drawers 61 and a. mirror 'lilis mounted for transversesliding movement at the back portion of the shelf in order that when it is in the closed position as is shown in Fig. 7, itwillform an attractive closure for the back of the buffet, and when slid transversely sideways, will form an aperture throughwhichcommunicationmay be had with the rear compartment orkitchen of the main body section.

4 This buffet is preferably located'just forwardly of the wheel housings 26,, as maybe seen by reference to Fig. 10. Rearwardly of the buffet, a

compact and convenient kitchen is provided, which is illustrated in detail in Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive.

In the kitchen, a cupboard I is formed above the bullet and is provided with a door which permits access to the. cupboard from the kitchen. A seriesoi drawers 16 are suitably mounted on top of the right hand wheel housing 26. On top of the drawers I8 is located a suitable compact gas stove", having an oven 18 thereabove. Cupboards iloccupy the space above and beside the ,gas stove.

On the opposite side of the kitchen over the other wheel housing 26 is mounted a refrigerator I50, preferably also designed to be operated by gas and occupying substantially the corresponding position on theopposite side of the kitchen as is occupied by the gas stove just described. It will be appreciated that the gas stove and refrigerator are by far the heaviest of the permanent fixtures in the building and consequently their mounting directly over the wheel materially enhances the riding qualities of the structure as a whole and serves to balance the structure.

It has been found that the arrangement described above provides a very convenient and compact kitchen, but due to present day limitations on the transverse width of structures of this kind, it may be desirable to-provide additional space between the kitchen andthe gas stove.

This may be accomplished by mounting the refrigerator I58 on suitable: trackways [5| in order that when the building is unfolded the refrig-,

, Likewise, when the structure is folded for translayer of sound-proofing material 88 interiorly of portation, therefrigerator may be slid inwardly to the position shown in ,full lines to permit compact folding of the structure.

In the storage space on the left-hand side of the rear vestibule is located a suitable gas cylinder, which may provide a suitable source of gas for the operation ofboth the stove and the refrigerator. Further important structural features of this kitchen-will hereinafter be apparent.

In order to extend the size of the building structure to form a house when it is parked in a determined location, an auxiliary roof section 88,

preferably formed of a rectilinear frame work of hollow sheet metal tubing and is pivotally secured to the roof section of the main body portion of the building in the manner shown in detail in Fig. 20. This auxiliary roof section 88 in general comprises the frame work 8|, a section of stiff metallic sheathing 82 on the outside thereof, a

the sheathing'and a sheet of suitable interior trim 88 secured. internally of the frame work. The longitudinal marginal frame member 8| has welded thereto hinge members 86 .which are piv-.

otally mount in suitable brackets 81, secured to theroof structureof the main body sections.

It will be seen by reference to Fig. 20 that the pivotal mounting of this hinge is in underneath this hinge and is arcuately flanged to form a marginal sealing strip 88. Itv will be apparent that as this auxiliary roof section 88 is swung about its pivot, the'flared flange 88 will come closely in II edge 84a of the overhanging cave of thereof 84."

engagement with the reversely bent marginal tional sealing means.

anaem c effecting a tight seal between these two members. In order to insure the tightness of this joint adjacent this hinge, a continuous longitudinally extending flexible strip 90 serves to provide addi- This strip 90 has one of its lateral marginal edges preferably adhesively secured to the flange 88 of the sheathing 82 and has its opposite marginal edge secured permanently to'the roof section 83. The flexible seal-. lng element may be formed of leather or any length substantially the same as the longitudinallength of the main body section, and is of a width substantially the same as the height of the.

main body section from the eave of the roof to the floor thereof.

An outer wall panel 82 is pivotally mounted'to the outer marginal edge of the auxiliary roof panel 80. Details of this mounting are clearly shown in Figs. 21 and 22. It will be seen that this outer wall panel, similar to the roof panel just described, comprises a ,rectilinear frame work 93 of sheet metal tubing of hollow cross section and a sheathing member 94 serving to brace this frame work. Sound proofing material 95 is located inwardly of the sheathing and a layer of trim, material is secured to theinboard side of the frame. A plurality of brackets 8'! are welded to the outer longitudinal frame member of the auxiliary roof panel and serve to provide means for mounting pivot pins 88, which passthrough the terminal ends otf the transverse frame members of the outer wall panel. It will thus be clear that a pivot mounting between the marginal edges of this outer wall panel and the is carried outwardly and curved downwardly to 'providean overhanging portion 81 to protect-the pivotal connection between these two members. The sheathing 94, covering the outer wall section, maybe extended upwardly past the pivot to provide a marginal flangewhich extends throughout the entire length of the outer wall panel. I A resilient strip 98 is secured to the outer edge of'the outer longitudinal frame member of therauxiliary roof panel which will engage with this extended flange of the sheathing- .84 to provide a resilient seal for the pivotal connection between these two members when they are in the unfolded position shown in Fig. 21. V

As will be apparent by. reference to thev dra ings, the outer wall section isof slightly less width than the auxiliary. roof section, and is adapted to be folded in superimposed, substantially parallel relation with respect thereto in order that both these members may b retained flat against the side of the main portion of the building when in folded position as shown in A pivotally mounted. auxiliary floor section is provided at each side of the main body section. This floor. section comprisesa rectilinear frame work of hollow steel tubing members llll, which have secured thereto ply wood flooring I82 simila:- in construction to the flooring 22 described in connection with the main body section. This flooring I02 may be-covered with a suitable surface covering of linoleum I03, as may be desired. The inner, longitudinal member of the frame work IOI has secured at spaced intervals therealong, a plurality of brackets I05, which have tubular end portions I06, surrounding the outer longitudinal frame member 24 of the main body wood flooring I06 is provided which is adapted to lie in the space between the auxiliary flooring I02 and the flooring 22 of the main section. It will be readily appreciatedthat this removable strip I08 may be completely removed from its position, as shown in Fig. 15, when it is desired to swing the auxiliary flooring section vertically with respect to the main flooring sections.

In order to support the auxiliary floor section IOI,with respect to the main flooring section, a removable truss section H is provided. The mounting of this removable truss is shown in detail in Fig. 23. This truss section is preferably formed of sheet metal tubing welded together to form a strong supporting truss and has its inner end preferably provided with a portion I01 adapted to enter a suitable socket I08 on the frame work of the main body section at the longitudinal central portion thereof. The outer end of this truss section H0 is secured to the lower marginal edge of the outer wall panel, as will hereinafter be described in detail. The auxiliary sections of the building structure as a whole are adapted to be clpsed at their ends by means of pivotally mounted end.sections, each of which preferably comprises a frame work formed of steel tubing I I2 and have sheathing, sound proofing material and innertrim secured thereto, in substantially the same manner as has been described in connection with the pivoted panels forming the roof and outerwall panel of these auxiliary sections. The outer,

are welded at spaced intervals along the outer longitudinal floor frame member I0 I. A plurality of studs IIB have slotted, threaded inner ends,

and are adapted to be passed through suitable holes in the frame members forming the framework in the outer wall panels and screwed into the stationary nut I I5. It is seen that thenuts 5 have transverse vertically disposed holes therein and each is provided with a removable pin I H which, when the studs H6 are screwed into position, will cooperate with the slot in the threaded end of the stud I IE to firmly lock these studs inposition.

'By reference to Figsal'l and 19, it will be apparent that the pivotally mounted end panels are secured by ineans of hinges II3 to the vertical 'frame members of the main body section 35. It will be noted that each of these pivotally mounted end panels is providedaround its marginal edge with a resilient strip I I4,,which serves to cooperate with an inwardly projecting flange I00 on the sheathing members of the adjacent operates. The projecting flanges I00 are in themselves somewhat resilient and due to their mounting provide an extremely resilient engagement with the end panels with which they cooperate consequently effecting a tight closure. The lower marginal frame .member of the frame work II2 has welded along its'upper surface,

a plurality of stationary nuts I20, which register with suitable vertically disposed holes through this frame member. A plurality of bolts I2I are adapted to be passed through suitable holes in the outer longitudinal frame memberof the frame work IOI of the auxiliary floor section. These bolts or studs I2I extend upwardly through this frame work, through the floor and are adapted to be threaded into the stationary nuts I20 in the end panels.

Thus it will be seen that relatively simple means are provided for securing these end panels in position with respect to the auxiliary floor.

The auxiliary supporting truss H0 is provided at its outer end with a vertically extending flange fportion III' having an aperture therein which isadapted to receive one of the bolts IIG which secure the outer wall panel to the auxiliary floor section.

Both the outer wall panel and the end panel may be provided with suitable windows generally designated as I which may be covered by suitably screening permanently secured to the sheathing and may be closed by sliding windows movable substantially in the plane of the panels.

From' the foregoing, it will readily be appreciated that the building structure as a whole may be folded into substantially the position shown in Fig. 1-,,and secured relatively simply to a suitable vehicle l26-and transported. from place to place as may be desired. When adesired destination has been reached, it will be apparent that the forward end of the main body section may be supported by a plurality of suitable jacks I21, which, together with the. wheels I2, will serve to maintain the main body section of the structure in substantially horizontal. position. The roof section 80 may then be raised from its position parallel to the side of the main body section to substantially the position.

shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The outer wall panel 03 may then be swung downwardly about its pivot andiits lowermarginal edge supported by a suitable pair of jacks I28. It will be. clear that the unfolding of these two members, due

.to' the pivotal connection described above, efiects a tight seal at the'pivotal joint thereof in order to exclude water or other foreign. matter. The auxiliary floor section IOI is their swungdownwardly about its pivot to a substantially horizontal position. The removable truss element H0 is then inserted in place in the frame work of the main body section and its outer end is secured to the outer wall panel 93 by means of oneof the studs IIS which pass through this outer wall panel and into one of the stationary nuts H5 secured to the auxiliary floor section. It

"will be seen that thisauxiliary truss IIO serves to tension the frame work of the auxiliary floorsection and provide with the outer wall panel and main floor section a substantially unitary construction. 1

The remainder of the bolts IIO arethen se wall panel with respect to the floor panel IOI. As has been described above, each of these studs III; is locked against rotation by'means of ina cured in place in "order to firmly lockthe outer and through the slot in the threaded end of the stud. The endpanels Hi2 are then swung outwardly about their hinges II3 and locked in enway and it will, therefore, be seen that an expansible building structure is provided which has a relatively large, continuous floor space interiorly thereof. The removable strips I06 may now be inserted in place, which serve'to bridge the space.

between the floor I02 and the flooring 22 of the main body section in order .to provide a continuous floor surface interiorly of the building.

It will be readily appreciated from the foregoing that the unfolding of these panels and flooring sections to provide a building structure of substantially larger area of floorspace is a relatively simple operation, and that the resulting structure provided is rigid and insulated and sound-proof throughout. It will be further apby either the front door 46 or the'rear door 6|.

It is seen from the foregoing that the windows in the front door, the aperture in the buifet and the window in the rear. door are all aligned longitudinally in order that as the structure is being transported, a clear view is obtained from end to end, consequently not interfering with the rear view of the occupants of .the vehicle used to tow the structure.

When the structure is completely folded suitable bolts I52 may be passed through the lower marginal corners of the roof panel to secure this member directly to"the frame in order. to lock the foldable sections in firm superimposed position.

In order to provide closet space interiorly of the building structure. when in unfolded condition,- a permanent closet I 30 may be permanently mount-'- ed on one of the pivotally mounted end wall panels. This closet may be conveniently closed by a suitable door I3I and has an arcuately extending permanent wall I32, which is supported wholly by a longitudinally extendingwall I33 secured to the pivotally mounted end wall panel. The .door I3I is preferably hinged directly to the auxiliary end panel on which the closet I30 is mounted. On the inner side of the wall I33, a housing I36 may be mounted, which serves to provide supportfor a 1 tier of drawers I 35. By reference to Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, -'it maybe appreciated that e.

remo'vably mounted sink and drain board I36 ,may also be mounted on-the inboard side of the supporting wall I33 when the building structureis in unfolded condition; This sink m; preferably has may be mounted in the space on the right hand side of the rear vestibule and may be provided 76 with a siutable tap I39 from which water may be' .vide a relatively compact and convenient arrangedrawn into the sink I36. It will be apparent that when it is desired to transport the building structure fr'om'one place to another that the end wall panel I I2 must, necessarily, be swung inwardly to fold the structure. Consequently, the sink and drain pipe I36 and I31 respectively, maybe removed and the end wall panel I I2, carrying with it the closet I30 and the tier of drawers I35, may be swung inwardly until the auxiliary end panel II2 lies substantially parallel to the side of the main body section. It will be apparent that the closet I30 and the tier of drawers will then occupy sub-. stantially the space indicated by dottedlines in Fig. 4. This construction has been found to proment which aifords closet space interiorly of the building structure when in unfolded condition,

and bodily moves this closed compartmentinto the main body section of the building structure when the auxiliary sections thereof are folded into position.

"In the modified form of .the invention shown in Figs. 24 and 25 of the drawings, a novel' and differ- 'entniethod of mounting the end panels is provided in order that one of the auxiliary sections may be used for a garage.

' to be swung through 180.

When it is desired to useithis auxiliary section as a garage, the roof and outer wall panels are swung out and supported in substantially the positions shown in Fig. 2; the floor is then loweredand the end panels swung about their hinges I40 sumciently far to permit the auxiliary floor panel to .be'swung back up to vertical position.

Inasmuch as these end panels may be moved through 180, they will serve as closures for the auxiliary structure and it will be clear that the auxiliary floor section will constitute apartition between the main body section and the garage housing. I

The specific embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings and described above, is merely illustrative of the generic inventive concept de-- fined in the sub-joined claims. ,Many other and further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is: J In an expansible building structure, a main body portion, an expansible roof section hinged at floor of said main body section to said outer wall section, means for locking said brace member to the floor section of said main body portion and tosaid outer wall section, and a foldable-floor panel supported by said brace member.

2. Inan expansible building structure amain' one of its edges to said main body. portion, an outen wall section hinged at'on e of its edges'to said roof section, means for supporting said outer wall section in extended position whereby the same serves to support said expansible roof section,'a floor section pivotally connected to 'said main body section, a brace "member extending from said main body'section to said outer wall section in extended position.

body portion, an expansible roof section hingedat 1 3. In an expansible building structure, a main body portion, an extensible roof section hinged at one of its edges to said body portion, an outer wall panel hinged at one of its edges to said roof section, a brace member extending from the floor of said main body section to said outer wall section,

means for locking said brace member to the floor

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