MOVABLE HOME WITH RETRACTABLE STRUCTURES

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to home construction. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to a folding mobile home that can be transported in a retracted/folded configuration and easily opened on site.

2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

Housing has always been a major concern for people. Traditional houses are located on the ground, in the form of villas or high-rise, with a stable structure and large space. However, once built, it is impossible to change the location, and the construction period is long. Recreational vehicles (RVs) are mobile and a good choice for going out to play and camping, but the width restriction of the body leads to a small interior space and low comfort when living.

The traditional villa construction process requires on-site fabrication and installation for the most structures and cannot be prefabricated or has a low degree of prefabrication, resulting in a long construction cycle. The construction process requires professional construction teams for construction, which will occur high labor cost. As the house type is related to the size of the land, the house type needs to be changed or even redesigned for houses with different land sizes. Since there is no standardization of house types for houses with different lot sizes, each time a house is built, and redesigned by professionals.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a home design that makes the dwelling mobile while ensuring its original advantages of safety and comfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a movable home comprising a main structure having a front side, a rear side opposite the front side, and first and second sides spanning between the front side and the rear side, front side, the rear side and the first and second sides of the main structure defining a main structure interior space therein; a first wall extension pivotably attached to the main structure, the first wall extension movable from a storage position, disposed substantially parallel along the first side, and an expanded position, extending orthogonally outward from the front side; a second wall extension pivotably attached to the main structure, the second wall extension movable from the storage position, disposed substantially parallel along the first side, and the expanded position, extending orthogonally outward from the rear side; first and second tracks disposed along a length of respective ones of the first and second wall extensions; an outer wall disposed adjacent the first side in the storage position, the outer wall slidable along the tracks to move the outer wall away from the main structure; a floor member attached at a proximal side thereof, relative to the main structure, with a pivotable connection along a bottom side of the main structure, the floor member movable between a floor storage position, substantially coplanar with the outer wall, and a floor use position, substantially orthogonal to the outer wall, the floor member having a distal side sliding substantially vertically along the outer wall as the movable home is changed between the storage position and the expanded position; and a mechanical linkage and motor, the mechanical linkage and motor operable to cause the floor member to pivot about the pivotable connection to expand or retract the outer wall via the pivot of the floor member relative to the main structure, wherein the floor member is configured as a single piece defining a single planar surface; and the floor fitting includes at least a first floor fitting disposed on one end of the distal end of the floor member, and a second floor fitting disposed on an opposite end of the distal end of the floor member; the first and second floor fittings rotatable about at least 90 degrees; the first and second floor fittings slidable along respective first and second ones of the channel on the outer wall; the first and second floor fittings having a substantially vertical slidable engagement with respective first and second channels on the outer wall, wherein a horizontally acting force on the first and second floor fittings away from the first and second channels do not separate the slidable engagement between the first and second floor fittings and the first and second channels.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a mobile house in a collapsed configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the mobile house of FIG. 1 in a partially expanded configuration;

FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of the partially expanded mobile house of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3B illustrates a bottom view of the partially expanded mobile house of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of the mobile house of FIG. 1 in a partially expanded configuration, showing the floor and outer wall being expanded;

FIG. 4B illustrates a detail view taken along circle IV of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of the mobile house of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5B illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the mobile house of FIG. 1, with a side in an extended configuration, without the retractable roof extended;

FIG. 7A illustrates a side view of the mobile house of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7B illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the mobile house of FIG. 1, in an expanded configuration with the retractable roof partially expanded;

FIG. 9A illustrates a side view of the mobile house of FIG. 8;

FIG. 9B illustrates a detail view taken along circle IX of FIG. 9A

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of a roof track configuration for the mobile house of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the mobile house of FIG. 1 in a fully expanded configuration on one side thereof;

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of the mobile house of FIG. 1 in a fully expended configuration on both sides thereof;

FIG. 13A illustrates top view of the mobile house of FIG. 12;

FIG. 13B illustrates a front view of the mobile house of FIG. 12;

FIG. 13C illustrates a side view of the mobile house of FIG. 12;

FIG. 13D illustrates a bottom view of the mobile house of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of the mobile house of FIG. 12, with the roof removed to illustrate an interior view thereof, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15A illustrates a perspective view of a mobile house, in an expanded configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15B illustrates a perspective view of the mobile house of FIG. 15A in a retracted configuration;

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of the mobile house of FIG. 15A, with one side wall removed for clarity, showing the mobile house about halfway between the expanded configuration and the retracted configuration;

FIG. 17 illustrates a detailed view of the sliding arrangement of the floor and outer wall as the mobile house of FIG. 15A is moved between the expanded configuration and the retracted configuration;

FIG. 18A illustrates a front view of the mobile house of FIG. 15A, showing details of the linkage and motor that pivots the floor member, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18B illustrates a detailed view taken around circle XVIII of FIG. 18A;

FIG. 19A illustrates a perspective view of the floor of the mobile house of FIG. 15A;

FIG. 19B illustrates a perspective view of a floor fitting connecting a distal end of the floor with the outer wall, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19C illustrates a detailed perspective view of a floor fitting of FIG. 19B;

FIG. 20A illustrates a perspective view of a track on the outer wall of the mobile house of FIG. 15A; and

FIG. 20B illustrates a detailed perspective view of the track on the outer wall of FIG. 20A.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description wherein illustrated embodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way of limitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE OF INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal configuration of a commercial implementation of any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may be configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a foldable mobile house construction, which (1) is easy to move with strong mobility; (2) has a high folding ratio, providing a good living experience; (3) has a simple structure and is easy to drive; (4) permits for the entire device to be factory manufactured, providing a short production cycle; and (5) provides a standardization of structure, thus reducing costs.

The home construction includes a main body structure and a folding mechanism. The main body mechanism is the main load-bearing structure of the mobile house, which is connected to the folding mechanism. The main structure includes a floor, a water tank, an engine, a bathroom, a kitchen, a door, a window, a load-bearing column, a load-bearing beam, and the like, and can further include several pieces of furniture. In the folded state or transport state, all furniture can be placed in the space of the main structure in an orderly manner. However, there is still enough space for passengers to rest and move around inside, and there is water and electricity supply in the floor and ventilation and temperature control system in the roof.

The folding mechanism can expand the internal space of the mobile house, including the left side folding mechanism, the right-side folding mechanism and the top folding mechanism. The left folding mechanism can be completely symmetrical with the right side, including two rotatable side walls, a foldable floor, and an outer wall. The top folding mechanism is a new type of folding roof in which the left and right sides are symmetrical. One side of the roof is a multiple nested structure and has a sloping angle so that rain and snow run down the slope and do not accumulate on the roof.

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic view of a movable home 100 (also referred to as mobile house 100, or simply home 100) in a retracted state. The movable home 100 includes a main structure 101 and folding mechanism. The main structure 101 can include a base 102, a door 105 that provides access to an interior of the movable home 100 and some interior furniture (not shown). The main structure 101 can include a front side 106 and a back side 107 disposed between opposite ends of sides 108 of the main structure 101. The folding mechanism includes a roof folding mechanism 104 and a side folding mechanism 103. The roof folding mechanism 104 and the side folding mechanism 103 can be symmetrical on both sides. Since the mechanism and unfolding method can be identical on both sides, the subsequent description will only describe the unfolding process on the right side.

Referring also to FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B, a schematic view of the movable home 100 is shown in which the side walls (on one side thereof) are fully expanded. A long sidewall 202 and a short sidewall 201 can be rotated and unfolded outward with the side folding mechanism 103, where a hydraulic rod 204 can push the sidewall 202, 201 outward from the side of the movable home 100. When the sidewalls 202, 201 are fully expanded (as illustrated), a support 206 can contact the ground and share the gravity of the sidewalls 202, 201. The support 206 can be retracted inside the sidewall wall and expanded once the sidewalls 202, 201 are expanded. Floor supports 205 can be distributed at the bottom of the side walls 202, 201 and can extend inward to support a floor, as described in greater detail below. The support 206 can be extended to provide ground contact either electrically or hydraulically, for example, as may be known in the art. In some embodiments, the support 206 may include a level feature that can level the movable home 100 if placed on uneven ground. While only one support 206 is shown at the end of the side walls 202, 201, it should be understood that one or more additional support, similar to support 206, may be disposed along the length of the side walls 202, 201. A window 203 can be installed on one of both of the side walls 202, 201.

Referring also now to FIGS. 4A through 5B, a schematic view of the movable home 100 shown in which a long exterior wall 406 (also referred to as an outer wall 406) and a floor 408 are in the half-expanded state. The long exterior wall 406 is connected to the floor 408 by a hinge 410 or similar rotatable mechanism and has sliding modules 404 on both sides that are connected to the side walls 202, 201 by a plurality of sliding protrusions 412 that can slide in a track 402 (also referred to as a slide 402 or slide rail 402). The track 402 may be, for example, a groove that can receive the sliding protrusions 412 therein. Of course, other sliding engagements between the top of the long exterior wall 406 and the side walls 202, 201 may be provided, such as a rotation wheel and track, or the like. In some embodiments, the sliding protrusions 412 may connect to a driving mechanism 414 that can be moved to slide the long exterior wall 406 outward. The driving mechanism 414 may be a push/pull member, a hydraulic extension arm, a chain or belt drive attached to the sliding protrusions 412, or the like. In some embodiments, the movement of the long exterior wall 406 may be controlled by rotation of the folded floor member attached to the main structure of the movable home 100, as described in greater detailed below.

In some embodiments, the lower part of the side walls 202, 201 may also include a track 402A that can operate similarly to the track 402 on the upper part of the side walls 202, 201, where the track 402A can guide the lower part of the long exterior wall 406 as it is expanded outward. When there is a driving mechanism, as discussed above, the driving mechanism can be used to move the long exterior wall 406 at equal speeds along the upper and lower tracks 402, 402A. In other embodiments, there is no lower track 402A and the exterior long wall 406 simply moves along the track 402 along an upper interior surface of the side walls 202, 201.

The floor 408 can include at a first section 408A and a second section 408B. The first section 408A may pivotably attach along a distal side (relative to the main body of the movable home 100) thereof, via pivot axis 410, such as a hinge, for example, to the bottom of the long exterior wall 406. A proximate side of the first section 408A may pivotably attach, via a pivot axis 416, such as a hinge or other similar structure, to a distal side of the second section 408B. The proximate side of the second section 408B may pivotably attached at a base of the main structure of the movable home 100 via a pivot axis 418, such as a hinge or other similar structure that can provide a pivot axis along the proximate side of the second section 408B.

Referring additionally now to FIGS. 6, 7A and 7B, a schematic view of the movable home 100 in which the long exterior wall 406 and floor 408 are in the fully expanded state. The track 402 can assist in the sliding of the long exterior wall 406 and limit the range of motion of the long exterior wall 406. The track 402 can include a slide rail within the main body mechanism and the side wall slide rail, and the slide rail folding point 601 is the relative rotation point of the two sections of the rail when the side wall is retracted or expanded. In this state, the floor 408 rests on the floor support 205 and can bear the weight above the floor. A mechanical linkage and motor 701 is installed in the main structure, which connects main structure and floor 408. Since the floor 408 is connected to the long exterior wall 406, the movement of the long exterior wall 406 can be controlled by controlling/rotating the mechanical linkage and motor 701 to push or pull the floor 408.

For example, in some embodiments, the proximal end of the second floor section 408B is connected to the main structure and remains at almost the same level as the distal end of the first floor section 408A at its pivot point 410 with the outer wall 406. The second floor section 408B is connected to the end of the mechanical linkage and motor 701 to affect rotation of the second floor section 408B about its pivot axis 418. The mechanical linkage and motor 701 can include its motor attached to the main structure and can drive a linkage attached to the second floor section 408B. The motor can push or pull the second floor section 408B through the linkage, causing the second floor section to push or pull the first floor section 408A, which in turn causes the first floor section 408A to push or pull the outer wall 406.

Of course, other mechanisms, as discussed above, can also be used to move the long exterior wall 406 outward along the track 402.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 through 11, a schematic view of the movable home 100 in which a retractable roof 800 is in the half-expanded state. The retractable roof 800 can be divided into several parts. There are triangular-shaped roof modules and flat-shaped roof modules. Most roof modules are triangular, such as triangular roof module 802, and have a sloping angle to prevent water from accumulating. The flat roof module is at the end of the roof, such as flat roof module 801, which can be connected to the long exterior wall 406 and unfolded together or can be driven separately (as illustrated). A roof support 803 is mounted on the side walls 202, 201 and is in a retracted position before the roof 800 is deployed. The roof 800 can slide along a track after the flip-up roof support 803 is deployed. A plurality of tracks 1001 are shown in FIG. 10 to assist the individual roof modules in sliding and to limit their range of movement. FIG. 11 illustrates the movable home 100 in which the retractable roof 800 is in the fully expanded state.

FIGS. 12 and 13 shows the movable home 100 in fully expanded state in different views.

FIG. 14 is the perspective view of the movable home 100 which several furniture items are deployed.

The above movable home 100 may be expanded nearly five times to its original area, where, when the folding floor is formed with two sections (408A, 408B, described above), and where the movable home 100 expands equally on each side thereof. Of course, the movable home 100 described above may expand up to three times its original area when the expansion happens only on one side of the main structure. Sometimes, the expansion ratio does not need to be so much. In some embodiments, a movable home 100-1 (see FIGS. 15 through 19D) may be provided that expands the area of the original structure either about two times when expansion is only on one side of the main structure, or about three times, when expansion occurs on both sides of the main structure. The embodiment below describes such a movable home.

Referring now to FIGS. 15A and 15B, a mobile home 100-1 is shown in an expanded configuration (FIG. 15A) and a retracted configuration (FIG. 15B). The mobile home 100-1 can include a main structure 101-1 which is defined by the footprint of the mobile home 100-1 in the retracted configuration. Like the embodiments described above, the retracted configuration can open, at both sides, to expand the living space of the mobile home 100-1. The sidewalls 201-1, 202-1 can unfold in a manner similar to that discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1 through 14. As can be seen in FIG. 15B, depending on the depth of the mobile home 100-1, the sidewalls 201-1, 202-1 may only partially overlap (or not overlap), as the floor 408-1 is a single unit, limiting the required length of the sidewalls 201-1, 202-1 to a maximum length based on the height of the main structure, as discussed in greater detail below.

The mobile home 100-1 may include a retractable roof 800-1 that acts in a manner similar to the retractable roof 800 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 through 14. An outer wall 406-1 can retract against the main structure 101-1 in the retracted configuration and may extend outward in the expanded configuration via a driving mechanism, as described above, or via action of the floor 408-1, as discussed in greater detail below. In the expanded configuration, expandable ground contacting supports 206-1 can support at least the ends of the sidewalls 201-1, 202-1 in a manner similar to that discussed above.

Referring also to FIGS. 16 through 18B, one of the sidewalls 202-1 is not illustrated for clarity purposes. Similar to the embodiment described above, the outer wall 406-1 can slide along tracks 402-1, 402A-1 on the sidewalls 201-1, 202-1. The outward movement of the outer wall 406-1 may be affected by mechanical pivoting of the floor 408-1 from a substantially vertical orientation, in the retracted configuration, to a substantially horizontal orientation. FIGS. 16 and 17 show the floor 408-1 during the process of changing between the retracted and expanded configurations, while FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate the floor in the expanded configuration. It can be seen that the ground contact support 206-1 in FIGS. 18A and 18B are not yet retracted to contact the ground.

A distal end of the floor may include floor fittings 405 that interact with a channels 403 formed vertically along the outer wall 406-1. Typically, the channels 403 are disposed at ends of the outer wall 406-1, as illustrated, however, additional channels 403 may be vertically disposed along the outer wall 406-1 in other positions.

The floor 408-1 may be driven by a linkage and motor 701-1 that can move the door about a pivot axis 418-1, such as a hinged connection, formed where the proximate end of the floor 408-1 meets the main structure 101-1. Thus, as the linkage and motor 701-1 pivots the floor 408-1 from a vertical position (retracted configuration) toward the horizontal position, the floor fittings 405 can move down the channels 403 of the outer wall 406-1, pushing the outer wall 406-1 outward, sliding in the tracks 402-1, 402A-1, until it reaches an outermost position and the floor 408-1 is horizontal, resting on the floor supports 205-1 similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 14, described above.

Referring to FIGS. 19A through 20B, details of the floor fittings 405 and the channels 403 are provided. While these figures illustrate one example of an interaction between the floor 408-1 and the outer wall 406-1, it should be understood that other connectors may be used, provided that they can be used to push out the outer wall 406-1 as the floor 408-1 is pivoted downward and pull in the outer wall 406-1 as the floor 408-1 is pulled back upright.

Pins 1900 may be disposed at the distal end 1902 of the floor 408-1. The pins 1900 may extend outward from each end of the distal end 1902, toward the sidewalls 201-1, 202-1, described above. Typically, the pins 1900 do not extend beyond a front edge 408A-1 and a rear edge 408B-1 of the floor 408-1. The floor fittings 405 can include a hole 1906 formed therethrough through which the pins 1900 can be inserted. A rounded back side 1918 of the floor fittings 405 can permit the floor fittings 405 to rotate on the pins 1900 through an angle of at least 90 degrees.

A front edge of the floor fitting 405 can have a slot 1904 formed therein from a top side 1920 thereof through to a bottom side 1922 thereof. The slot 1904 may have an inner width 1916 that is greater than an outer width 1914, where protrusions 1912, integral with the floor fitting 405, create the smaller outer width 1914 of the slot 1904.

The channel 403 can have a front face 2000 that is wider than its rear face 2004, where a width 2006 of the front face is designed to fit into the width 1916 of the slot 1904 of the floor fitting 405, while a width 2008 of the rear face 2004 is designed to fit into the width 1914 of the slot 1904 of the floor fitting 405. Thus, the floor fitting 405 can slide up and down the channel 403, but cannot be pulled outward and cannot be separated from the channel 403 without sliding the floor fitting 405 off one of the ends of the channel 403. Such a structure allows the movement of the floor 408-1 to push or pull the outer wall 406-1, as desired.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 15 through 20B, the floor 408-1 is configured as a single, flat, uniform surface that does not fold. Thus, when the floor 408-1 does not extend above the top of the main structure 101-1 (as shown in FIG. 15B), the maximum length of the extension (between the main structure 101-1 and the outer wall 406-1 in the expanded configuration) would be from the pivot axis 418-1 to the roof 800-1, and each of the side walls 201-1, 202-1 need only be as long as the floor length.

As used herein, the term “substantially”, such as in the context of substantially parallel, substantially coplanar, substantially orthogonal, or the like, typically refers to the elements being, for example, parallel, coplanar or orthogonal, with an allowance for a minor variation, such as within about 5 degrees in either direction, for example. An element may be substantially vertical or substantially horizontal, notwithstanding slopes in the ground, for example. Accordingly, substantially vertical or substantially horizontal may refer to surfaces that would be vertical or horizontal but for a given position of the main structure on the ground. Further, minor variations, such as those up to about 5 degrees in either direction, may still be considered as substantially vertical or substantially horizontal.

All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples and that they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different ones of the disclosed elements.

The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification the generic structure, material or acts of which they represent a single species.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to not only include the combination of elements which are literally set forth. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the invention.

Claims

1. A movable home comprising: a main structure having a front side, a rear side opposite the front side, and first and second sides spanning between the front side and the rear side, front side, the rear side and the first and second sides of the main structure defining a main structure interior space therein;a first wall extension pivotably attached to the main structure, the first wall extension movable from a storage position, disposed adjacent along the first side, and an expanded position, extending outward from the front side;a second wall extension pivotably attached to the main structure, the second wall extension movable from the storage position, disposed adjacent along the first side, and the expanded position, extending outward from the rear side;first and second tracks disposed along a length of respective ones of the first and second wall extensions;an outer wall disposed adjacent the first side in the storage position, the outer wall slidable along the tracks to move the outer wall away from the main structure; anda floor member attached at a proximal side thereof, relative to the main structure, with a pivotable connection along a bottom side of the main structure, the floor member movable between a floor storage position, substantially coplanar with the outer wall, and a floor use position, substantially orthogonal to the outer wall, the floor member having a distal side sliding substantially vertically along the outer wall as the movable home is changed between the storage position and the expanded position.
2. The movable home of claim 1, wherein the floor member is configured as a single piece defining a single planar surface.
3. The movable home of claim 1, wherein the first wall and the second wall, in the storage position, are substantially parallel to the first side of the main structure.
4. The movable home of claim 3, wherein the first wall and the second wall, in the expanded position, are substantially parallel to the front side and the rear side of the main structure.
5. The movable home of claim 1, wherein the floor member includes a floor fitting disposed on the distal end of the floor member, the floor member slidably engaging with a channel on the outer wall.
6. The movable home of claim 5, wherein: the floor fitting includes at least a first floor fitting disposed on one end of the distal end of the floor member, and a second floor fitting disposed on an opposite end of the distal end of the floor member;the first and second floor fittings rotatable about at least 90 degrees; andthe first and second floor fittings slidable along respective first and second ones of the channel on the outer wall; andthe first and second floor fittings having a substantially vertical slidable engagement with respective first and second channels on the outer wall, wherein a horizontally acting force on the first and second floor fittings away from the first and second channels do not separate the slidable engagement between the first and second floor fittings and the first and second channels.
7. The movable home of claim 1, further comprising a mechanical linkage and motor, the mechanical linkage and motor operable to cause the floor member to pivot about the pivotable connection to expand or retract the outer wall via the pivot of the floor member relative to the main structure.
8. The movable home of claim 1, further comprising a support disposed at least at distal ends of the first wall extension and the second wall extension, wherein the support is movable downward to contact a ground surface and support the first and second wall extensions.
9. The movable home of claim 1, further comprising floor supports extending inward from the first and second wall extensions, the floor supports supporting the floor when the first and second wall extensions are in the expanded position.
10. The movable home of claim 1, further comprising a retractable roof disposed over the main structure in the storage position, the retractable roof extending between the first and second wall extensions, outward to the outer wall, when the movable home is in the expanded position.
11. The movable home of claim 10, wherein the retractable roof includes a plurality of roof sections nesting together in the storage position.
12. The movable home of claim 11, wherein the first and second wall extensions include a plurality of tracks permitting the roof sections to slide therealong in the expanded position.
13. The movable home of claim 12, wherein the plurality of tracks has different lengths outward along the first and second wall extensions, the different lengths limiting a length of extension of each of the roof sections from the main structure in the expanded position.
14. A movable home comprising: a main structure having a front side, a rear side opposite the front side, and first and second sides spanning between the front side and the rear side, front side, the rear side and the first and second sides of the main structure defining a main structure interior space therein;a first wall extension pivotably attached to the main structure, the first wall extension movable from a storage position, disposed substantially parallel along the first side, and an expanded position, extending orthogonally outward from the front side;a second wall extension pivotably attached to the main structure, the second wall extension movable from the storage position, disposed substantially parallel along the first side, and the expanded position, extending orthogonally outward from the rear side;first and second tracks disposed along a length of respective ones of the first and second wall extensions;an outer wall disposed adjacent the first side in the storage position, the outer wall slidable along the tracks to move the outer wall away from the main structure; anda floor member attached at a proximal side thereof, relative to the main structure, with a pivotable connection along a bottom side of the main structure, the floor member movable between a floor storage position, substantially coplanar with the outer wall, and a floor use position, substantially orthogonal to the outer wall, the floor member having a distal side sliding substantially vertically along the outer wall as the movable home is changed between the storage position and the expanded position, wherein:the floor member is configured as a single piece defining a single planar surface; andthe floor member includes a floor fitting disposed on the distal end of the floor member, the floor member creating a substantially vertical slidable engagement with a channel on the outer wall.
15. The movable home of claim 14, further comprising a mechanical linkage and motor, the mechanical linkage and motor operable to cause the floor member to pivot about the pivotable connection to expand or retract the outer wall via the pivot of the floor member relative to the main structure.
16. The movable home of claim 14, wherein: the floor fitting includes at least a first floor fitting disposed on one end of the distal end of the floor member, and a second floor fitting disposed on an opposite end of the distal end of the floor member;the first and second floor fittings rotatable about at least 90 degrees;the first and second floor fittings slidable along respective first and second ones of the channel on the outer wall; andthe first and second floor fittings having a substantially vertical slidable engagement with respective first and second channels on the outer wall, wherein a horizontally acting force on the first and second floor fittings away from the first and second channels do not separate the slidable engagement between the first and second floor fittings and the first and second channels.
17. The movable home of claim 14, further comprising a retractable roof disposed over the main structure in the storage position, the retractable roof extending between the first and second wall extensions, outward to the outer wall, when the movable home is in the expanded position.
18. A movable home comprising: a main structure having a front side, a rear side opposite the front side, and first and second sides spanning between the front side and the rear side, front side, the rear side and the first and second sides of the main structure defining a main structure interior space therein;a first wall extension pivotably attached to the main structure, the first wall extension movable from a storage position, disposed substantially parallel along the first side, and an expanded position, extending orthogonally outward from the front side;a second wall extension pivotably attached to the main structure, the second wall extension movable from the storage position, disposed substantially parallel along the first side, and the expanded position, extending orthogonally outward from the rear side;first and second tracks disposed along a length of respective ones of the first and second wall extensions;an outer wall disposed adjacent the first side in the storage position, the outer wall slidable along the tracks to move the outer wall away from the main structure;a floor member attached at a proximal side thereof, relative to the main structure, with a pivotable connection along a bottom side of the main structure, the floor member movable between a floor storage position, substantially coplanar with the outer wall, and a floor use position, substantially orthogonal to the outer wall, the floor member having a distal side sliding substantially vertically along the outer wall as the movable home is changed between the storage position and the expanded position; anda mechanical linkage and motor, the mechanical linkage and motor operable to cause the floor member to pivot about the pivotable connection to expand or retract the outer wall via the pivot of the floor member relative to the main structure, wherein the floor member is configured as a single piece defining a single planar surface; andthe floor fitting includes at least a first floor fitting disposed on one end of the distal end of the floor member, and a second floor fitting disposed on an opposite end of the distal end of the floor member;the first and second floor fittings rotatable about at least 90 degrees;the first and second floor fittings slidable along respective first and second ones of the channel on the outer wall; andthe first and second floor fittings having a substantially vertical slidable engagement with respective first and second channels on the outer wall, wherein a horizontally acting force on the first and second floor fittings away from the first and second channels do not separate the slidable engagement between the first and second floor fittings and the first and second channels.
19. The movable home of claim 18, further comprising: a retractable roof disposed over the main structure in the storage position, the retractable roof extending between the first and second wall extensions, outward to the outer wall, when the movable home is in the expanded position, wherein:the retractable roof includes a plurality of roof sections nesting together in the storage position; andthe first and second wall extensions include a plurality of tracks permitting the roof sections to slide therealong in the expanded position.
20. The movable home of claim 19, wherein the plurality of tracks has different lengths outward along the first and second wall extensions, the different lengths limiting a length of extension of each of the roof sections from the main structure in the expanded position.

Related Publications (1)

	Number	Date	Country
	20240133174 A1	Apr 2024	US

MOVABLE HOME WITH RETRACTABLE STRUCTURES

Information

Publication Number

Date Filed

Date Published

Inventors

Original Assignees

CPC

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

Related Publications (1)