US20050044804A1

US20050044804A1 - Foldale house and container assembly

Info

Publication number: US20050044804A1
Application number: US10/651,177
Authority: US
Inventors: Chang Bin; Ho Bin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-08-28
Filing date: 2003-08-28
Publication date: 2005-03-03

Abstract

A foldable house assembly that minimizes transportation size and assembly time is provided. The assembly includes a rectangular base, a front wall, a rear wall, two side walls pivotally attached to the base, and two roof halves that are pivotally attached to the two side walls. Each of the walls and roofs has a panel and reinforcements fixed to the panel. Hinges are used between reinforcements for pivoting, and bolts and nuts are used for assembly of the walls and roofs. The panel extends over the reinforcements to provide sealing effects. In a second embodiment, the assembly is divided into a center unit, a left unit and a right unit. The wall between the center unit and the left unit, and the wall between the center unit and the right unit are omitted. The assembly may be extended by inserting center units as needed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a foldable house assembly or a foldable container assembly. More particularly, this invention relates to a foldable house that has minimum size when it is folded, and requires minimum assembly operation, when it is unfolded and assembled to its service state.
There have been many house assemblies that are disassembled for easy and economic transportation to the locations at which the house assemblies are assembled and used.
Korean Patent Number 10-0337519 discloses a foldable house that has a base panel, side panels, a front panel, a rear panel, and a roof panel. The base panel has a frame and a bottom plate fixed thereon. Lower edges of the side panels are pivotally supported on the side edges of the base panel with hinges. The front panel is pivotally supported on the front edge of the base panel with hinges. The sides of the front panel are connected with the front surfaces of the side panels. The rear panel abuts on the front panel when the house is folded. The lower edge of the rear panel is pivotally supported on the rear edge of the base panel with hinges. The roof is detachably attached to the upper edges of the side panels, front panel and rear panel. The foldable house has disadvantages that time and labor required for assembly is substantial since the roof panel should be lifted above the side panels, front panel and rear panel after they are unfolded and erected, and be assembled to the erected panels.
A foldable house that minimizes assembly time and labor while keeping the transportation size minimum has been in need for a long time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contrives to solve the disadvantage of the prior art.
An objective of the invention is to provide a foldable house that has a small size for ease of transportation.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a foldable house that is easy to assemble in site.
Still another objective of the invention is to provide a foldable house that is durable and cheap to produce.
To achieve the above objectives, a foldable house assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a rectangular base, a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall, a first roof, a second side wall, and a second roof. Each of the walls includes a top edge, a bottom edge and two side edges connecting between the top edge and the bottom edge. The bottom edge of the each wall is pivotally attached on the corresponding edge of the base. The first roof includes a first edge, a second edge and two side edges connecting between the first edge and the second edge. The first edge of the first roof is pivotally attached on the top edge of the first side wall. Similarly, the second roof includes a first edge, a second edge and two side edges connecting between the first edge and the second edge, and the first edge of the second roof is pivotally attached on the top edge of the second side wall.
When the foldable house assembly is in an assembled state, the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, the second side wall, the first roof and the second roof are pivoted upward whereby a space is confined by them. The second edge of the first roof and the second edge of the second roof are fixed on each other.
When the foldable house assembly is in a folded state, the first roof is folded on the first side wall; the second roof is folded on the second side wall; and the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall and the second side wall are folded on the base.
The base includes a front member on the first short edge, a rear member on the second short edge, a first side member on the first long edge, and a second side member on the second long edge. The bottom edge of the front wall is pivotally attached on top of the front member. The bottom edge of the rear wall is pivotally attached on top of the rear member. The bottom edge of the first side wall is pivotally attached on top of the first side member. The bottom edge of the second side wall is pivotally attached on top of the second side member.
In order to ensure a compact size for ease of transportation, the dimensions of elements of the foldable house assembly have predetermined relationships. The front member and the rear member have the same height; the second side member is higher than the front member; and the first side member is higher than the second side member. The sum of heights of the front wall and the rear wall is smaller than the length of the first long edge of the base, and the heights of the first side wall and the second side wall are smaller than the length of the first short edge of the base. In this way, when the foldable house assembly is folded, the second side wall is positioned over the front wall and the rear wall, and the first side wall is positioned over the second side wall. Also, the first roof is pivoted to be positioned between the first side wall and the second side wall, and the second roof is pivoted to be positioned between the second side wall and the front wall or the rear wall.
Each of the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, the second side wall, the first roof and the second roof comprises a panel and a plurality of reinforcements attached to the panel. The panel is made of plywood, steel plate, sandwich panel or FRP plate. The reinforcements are made of C-channel steel. A plurality of wood columns are fixed to the panel, and the reinforcements surround the wood columns and fixed to the wood columns.
One or more hinges are provided between the reinforcement of each of the pivoting walls and the corresponding member of the base. Also, one or more hinges are provided between the reinforcement of each of the roofs and the reinforcement of the corresponding side wall. The hinges are fixed to the reinforcements with blind rivets or with bolts.
For each of the walls and roofs, the panel extends over the reinforcements so that sealing around the hinges is provided.
When the foldable house assembly is assembled, the first roof and the second roof are inclined, and the panels of the front wall and the rear wall abut under the panels of the first roof and the second roof, again for effective sealing.
When the foldable house assembly is assembled, joints between the four walls are provided by bolts and nuts that pass through holes provided in the reinforcements and in brackets fixed to the reinforcements.
When the foldable house assembly is assembled, joint between the first roof and the second roof is provided by bolts and nuts that pass through holes provided in the reinforcements, and one or more tension wires are provided between and fixed to the reinforcements of the first roof and the second roof. An inverted V shaped cover is positioned over and fixed to the second edges of the first roof and the second roof for sealing purpose.
A foldable house assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a center unit, a left unit and a right unit. The center unit has a base, a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall, and a first roof, which are similar those in the first embodiment. In the center unit, the first side wall has two columns, each of which has an upper end and a lower end. The first edge of the first roof is pivotally attached on the upper ends of the columns, and the lower ends of the columns are pivotally attached on the first long edge of the base.
The left unit includes a rectangular base, a front wall, a rear wall, a left wall and a left roof. The walls and the roof are pivotally attached on the corresponding edges of the base or the wall in a way similar to the first embodiment.
The right unit is symmetrical with the left unit.
When the foldable house is assembled, the second edge of the left roof is attached to the first edge of the first roof of the center unit, and the second edge of the right roof is attached to the second edge of the first roof of the center unit.
The foldable house assembly of the second embodiment may be extended to a desirable size by adding one or more center units between the center unit and the left unit, or between the center unit and the right unit.
In order to ensure a compact size for ease of transportation, the dimensions of elements have predetermined relationships, similar to those of the first embodiment. As a result, when the center unit is folded, the first side wall is positioned over the front wall and the rear wall, and the first roof is pivoted to be positioned between the first side wall and the front wall or the rear wall. When the left unit is folded, the left wall is positioned over the front wall and the rear wall, and the left roof is pivoted to be positioned between the left wall and the front wall or the rear wall. When the right unit is folded, the right wall is positioned over the front wall and the rear wall, and the right roof is pivoted to be positioned between the right wall and the front wall or the rear wall.
The walls and roofs of the foldable house assembly of the second embodiment are made of panels and reinforcements similar to those of the first embodiment.
When the foldable house assembly is assembled, joint between the first roof of the center unit and the left roof of the left unit, and the first roof of the center unit and the right roof of the right unit are provided by bolts and nuts that pass through holes provided in the reinforcements of them.
The advantages of the present invention are: (1) transportation of the house assembly is simple and easy, and oversize transportation can be avoided; (2) transportation cost is reduced; (3) assembly in site is simple and easy; (4) the house assembly may be used as a storage or a house regardless the location in which it is assembled and used; (5) the size of the assembled house may be adjusted according to storage requirement by addition of units; and (6) Storage and housing costs in the back country are reduced.
Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is an elevation view showing a foldable house assembly according to the first embodiment of the invention, wherein the assembly is in a fully folded state;
FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the assembly showing that a first side wall is erected;
FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the assembly showing that a second side wall is erected;
FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the assembly showing that a first roof is pivoted upward;
FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the assembly showing that a second roof is pivoted upward and attached to the first roof;
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the assembly showing that a front wall and a rear wall are folded and abut on a base;
FIG. 7 is an elevation view of the assembly with the front wall, rear wall and base;
FIG. 8 is an elevation view of the assembly showing that the front wall and the rear wall are erected;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the assembly in a fully assembled state;
FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view showing a joint between the front wall and the second side wall;
FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view showing a hinge connecting the first side wall and the base;
FIG. 12 is a partial elevation view showing a hinge connecting the second side wall and the second roof;
FIG. 13 is a partial elevation view showing a joint between the first roof and the second roof;
FIG. 14 is an elevation view of a center unit for a foldable house assembly according to the second embodiment of the invention in a fully folded state;
FIG. 15 is an elevation view of the center unit showing that columns are erected;
FIG. 16 is an elevation view of the center unit showing that a roof is pivoted upward;
FIG. 17 is an elevation view of the center unit showing that a front wall is erected;
FIG. 18 is an elevation view of a left unit for the foldable house assembly according to the second embodiment of the invention in a fully folded state;
FIG. 19 is an elevation view of the left unit showing that a left wall is erected;
FIG. 20 is an elevation view of the left unit showing that a left roof is pivoted upward;
FIG. 21 is an elevation view of a right unit for the foldable house assembly according to the second embodiment of the invention in a fully folded state;
FIG. 22 is an elevation view of the right unit showing that a right wall is erected;
FIG. 23 is an elevation view of the right unit showing that a right roof is pivoted upward;
FIG. 24 is a plan view showing that the front wall and the rear wall are folded and abut on a base;
FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the foldable house assembly according to the second embodiment;
FIG. 26 is a schematic elevation view showing that the foldable house assembly is extendible;
FIG. 27 is a partial elevation view showing joints among a base, the left wall and the left roof of the left unit, and the roof of the center unit;
FIG. 28 is a partial elevation view showing the structures of walls and roofs;
FIG. 29 is a partial elevation view showing how an elongated member is constructed; and
FIG. 30 is a partial side elevation view showing an end bracket and a reinforcement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a foldable house assembly 10 of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the assembly 10 in a fully folded state. The assembly 10 includes a rectangular base 12, a front wall 14, a rear wall 16 (refer to FIG. 6), a first side wall 18, a first roof 20.
FIGS. 1-9 show a first embodiment of the foldable house assembly 10. In this embodiment, the assembly 10 further includes a second side wall 22 and a second roof 24.
As shown in FIG. 6, the base 12 includes a first long edge 26, a second long edge 28, a first short edge 30, and a second short edge 32. The front wall 14 includes a top edge 34, a bottom edge 36 and two side edges 38. The two side edges 38 connect between the top edge 34 and the bottom edge 36. The bottom edge 36 of the front wall 14 is pivotally attached on the first short edge 30 of the base 12. The rear wall 16 includes a top edge 40, a bottom edge 42 and two side edges 44. The two side edges 44 connect between the top edge 40 and the bottom edge 42. The bottom edge 42 of the rear wall 16 is pivotally attached on the second short edge 32 of the base 12.
FIG. 2 shows that the first side wall 18 is pivoted upward and erected vertical. The first side wall 18 is pivotally attached on the first long edge 26 of the base 12. The first roof includes a first edge 46, a second edge 48 and two side edges 50. The two side edges 50 connect between the first edge 46 and the second edge 48. The first edge 46 is pivotally attached on the first side wall 18.
The first side wall 18 comprises a top edge 52, a bottom edge 54 and two side edges 56 connecting between the top edge 52 and the bottom edge 54. The bottom edge 54 of the first side wall 18 is pivotally attached on the first long edge 26 of the base 12. The first edge 46 of the first roof 20 is pivotally attached on the top edge 52 of the first side wall 18.
FIG. 3 shows that the second side wall 22 is pivoted upward and erected vertical. The second side wall 22 includes a top edge 58, a bottom edge 60 and two side edges 62. The two side edges 62 connect between the top edge 58 and the bottom edge 60. The bottom edge 60 of the second side wall 22 is pivotally attached on the second long edge 28 of the base 12. The second roof 24 includes a first edge 64, a second edge 66 and two side edges 68. The two side edges 68 connect between the first edge 64 and the second edge 66. The first edge 64 of the second roof 24 is pivotally attached on the top edge 58 of the second side wall 22.
FIG. 4 shows that the first roof 20 is pivoted upward from the first side wall 18. FIG. 5 shows that the second roof 24 is pivoted upward from the second side wall 22, and the second edge 48 of the first roof 20 and the second edge 66 of the second roof 24 are fixed on each other.
FIGS. 6 and 7 show that the front wall 14 and the rear wall 16 are folded on the base 12. Other wall and roofs are not shown for ease of illustration. FIG. 8 shows that the front wall 14 and the rear wall 16 are pivoted upward and erected vertical.
As shown in FIG. 9, when the foldable house assembly 10 is in the assembled state, an enclosed space is confined by the base 12, the front wall 14, the rear wall 16, the first side wall 18, the first roof 20, the second side wall 22, and the second roof 24.
Referring back to FIG. 1, when the foldable house assembly 10 is in the folded state, the first roof 20 is folded on the first side wall 18, and the front wall 14, the rear wall 16 and the first side wall 18 are folded on the base 12.
The dimensional relationship between the elements of the foldable house assembly 10 is explained. As shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, the base 12 includes a front member 70 on the first short edge 30, a rear member 72 on the second short edge 32, a first side member 74 on the first long edge 26, and a second side member 76 on the second long edge 28.
As shown in FIG. 7, the bottom edge 36 of the front wall 14 is pivotally attached on top of the front member 70. The bottom edge 42 of the rear wall 16 is pivotally attached on top of the rear member 72. As shown in FIG. 1, the bottom edge 54 of the first side wall 18 is pivotally attached on top of the first side member 74, and the bottom edge 60 of the second side wall 22 is pivotally attached on top of the second side member 76.
Referring back to FIG. 1, the front member 70 and the rear member 72 have the same height. The second side member 76 is higher than the front member 70, and the first side member 74 is higher than the second side member 76. Referring back to FIG. 6, the sum of heights of the front wall 14 and the rear wall 16 is smaller than the length of the first long edge 26 of the base 12. Referring back to FIG. 1, the heights of the first side wall 18 and the second side wall 22 are smaller than the length of the first short edge 30 of the base 12.
In this way, when the foldable house assembly 10 is folded, the second side wall 22 is positioned over the front wall 14 and the rear wall 16, and the first side wall 18 is positioned over the second side wall 22. Also, the first roof 20 is pivoted to be positioned between the first side wall 18 and the second side wall 22, and the second roof 24 is pivoted to be positioned between the second side wall 22 and the front wall 14 or the rear wall 16.
Details regarding structures of walls and roofs, and joint mechanisms between them are explained. As shown in FIG. 28, Each of the front wall 14, the rear wall 16, the first side wall 18, the second side wall 22, the first roof 20 and the second roof 22 comprises a panel 78 and a plurality of reinforcements 80 attached to the panel 78. The panel 78 is made of plywood, steel plate, sandwich panel or FRP plate. The reinforcements 80 are made of C-channel steel. A plurality of wood columns 82 are fixed to the panel witch screws, etc. The reinforcements 80 surround the wood columns 82 and fixed to the wood columns 82. The thickness of the reinforcement 80 is about 6 mm. The size of the reinforcement 80 for the walls and roofs is about 2 inches by 4 inches in the cross section and about 20 feet in the length. For the base, a bigger reinforcement or rail (2 inches by 6 inches) is used.
FIGS. 29 and 30 show how an elongated member such as reinforcement 80 is made from off-the-shelf parts. Elongated reinforcements 80 are required for long edges 26, 28 of the base 12, or for edges 52, 54 of the first side wall 18, etc. End brackets 96 are welded to standard C-channel steel parts, and bolts and nuts are used to attach the end brackets 96, and thus C-channel steel parts.
FIG. 10 shows how the walls are assembled when the foldable house assembly is assembled. Joints between the first side wall 18 and the front wall 14, between the front wall 14 and the second side wall 22, between second side wall 22 and the rear wall 16, and between the rear wall 16 and the first side wall 18 are provided by bolts 84 and nuts 86 that pass through holes 88 provided in the reinforcements 80 and in brackets 90 fixed to the reinforcements 80. When the walls are joined, sealant is applied on the joints inside and outside of the assembly 10.
FIGS. 11 and 12 show pivoting mechanism between the walls and roofs. One or more hinges 92 are provided between pivoting edges of the walls and roofs, and fixed on the reinforcements 80 positioned at the edges. Specifically, the hinges 92 are provided between the reinforcement 80 of the front wall 14 and the front member 70 of the base 12, between the reinforcement 80 of the rear wall 16 and the rear member 72 of the base 12, between the reinforcement 80 of the first side wall 18 and the first side member 74 of the base 12, between the reinforcement 80 of the second side wall 22 and the second side member 76 of the base 12, between the reinforcement 80 of the first roof 20 and the reinforcement 80 of the first side wall 18, and between the reinforcement 80 of the second roof 24 and the reinforcement 80 of the second side wall 22. The hinges 92 are fixed to the reinforcements 80 with blind rivets or bolts. Rubber gaskets (not shown) are attached on the mating edges adjacent the hinges 92 to provide sealing after the foldable house assembly is installed. A sealing member (not shown) is inserted in the space between the reinforcements 80 and under the second roof 24. The size of hinges is about 1.5 inches by 3.5 inches.
As shown well in FIGS. 5 and 8, for each of the front wall 14, the rear wall 16, the first side wall 18, the second side wall 22, the first roof 20 and the second roof 24, the panel 78 extends over the reinforcements 80 whereby sealing around the hinges 92 is provided. As shown in FIG. 9, when the foldable house assembly 10 is assembled, the first roof 20 and the second roof 24 are inclined, and the panels 78 of the front wall 14 and the rear wall 16 abut under the panels 78 of the first roof 20 and the second roof 24, thereby providing sealing effect and enhancing appearance.
FIG. 13 shows how the first roof 20 and the second roof 24 are fixed to each other when the foldable house assembly is assembled. Joint between the first roof 20 and the second roof 24 is provided by bolts 84 and nuts 86 that pass through holes 88 provided in the reinforcements 80. One or more tension wires 94 are provided between and fixed to the reinforcements 80 of the first roof 20 and the second roof 24 to enhance stability of assembly of the roofs 20, 24. An inverted V shaped cover 96 is positioned over and fixed to the second edges 48, 66 of the first roof 20 and the second roof 24.
FIGS. 14-27 show a foldable house assembly 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 25, the assembly 100 includes a center unit 102, a left unit 101 and a right unit 103.
As shown in FIG. 14, which shows the center unit 102 in a fully folded state, the center unit 102 includes a base 104, the front wall 106, the rear wall 108 (not shown, symmetrical with the front wall 106), a first side wall 110, and a first roof 112. The first side wall 110 has two columns 114, each of which has an upper end 116 and a lower end 118. The two columns 114 are positioned at the ends of the first side wall 110. The base 104, the front wall 106, the rear wall 108, and the first roof 112 have a similar construction as in the first embodiment. A first edge 120 of the first roof 112 is pivotally attached on the upper ends 116 of the columns 114. The lower ends 118 of the columns 114 are pivotally attached on a first long edge 122 of the base 104. FIG. 15 shows that the first side wall 110 is pivoted upward and erected vertical. FIG. 16 shows that the first roof 112 is pivoted upward and becomes horizontal. FIG. 17 shows that the front wall 106 is pivoted upward and abuts with the first roof 112 and the first side wall 110.
FIGS. 18-20 and 24 show the left unit 101. As shown in FIG. 18, which shows the left unit 101 in a fully folded state, the left unit 101 includes a rectangular base 124, a front wall 126, a rear wall 128 (refer to FIG. 24), a left wall 130, and a left roof 132. The base 124, the front wall 126, the rear wall 128, and the left wall 130 and the left roof 132 have a similar construction as in the first embodiment. A first edge 134 of the left roof 132 is pivotally attached on a top edge 136 of the left wall 130. FIG. 19 shows that the left wall 130 is pivoted upward and erected vertical. FIG. 20 shows that the left roof 132 is pivoted upward to a position that mates with the first roof 112 of the center unit 102. FIG. 24 shows the left unit 101 without the left wall 130 and the left roof 132 for ease of illustration.
FIGS. 21-23 show the right unit 103. The right unit 103 includes a base 138, a front wall 140, a rear wall 142 (not shown, symmetrical with the front wall 140), a right wall 144, and a right roof 146. The right unit 103 is symmetrical with the left unit 101. FIG. 21 shows that the right unit 103 is fully folded. FIG. 22 shows that the right wall 144 is pivoted upward and erected vertical. FIG. 23 shows that the right roof 146 is pivoted upward to a position that mates with the first roof 112 of the center unit 102.
FIG. 25 shows that the left unit 101, the center unit 102 and the right unit 103 are fully unfolded and assembled to form the foldable house assembly 100 in a service state. A second edge 135 of the left roof 132 is attached to the first edge 120 of the first roof 112 of the center unit 102, and a second edge 148 of the right roof 146 is attached to a second edge 121 of the first roof 112 of the center unit 102.
FIG. 26 shows that an additional center unit 102 is positioned between the center unit 102 and the left unit 101, or between the center unit 102 and the right unit 103. In this way, the foldable house assembly 100 may be extended to a required size.
The dimensions of elements of the center unit 102 have a predetermined relationship so that the center unit 102 can be folded as small as possible. As shown in FIG. 15, a first side member 105 of the base 104 is higher than a front member 107 of the base 104. The sum of heights of the front wall 106 and the rear wall 108 is smaller than the length of the first long edge 122 of the base 104. In this way, when the center unit 102 is folded, the first side wall 110 is positioned over the front wall 106 and the rear wall 108, and the first roof 112 is pivoted to be positioned between the first side wall 110 and the front wall 106 or the rear wall 108.
The dimensions of the elements of the left unit 101 have a predetermined relationship so that the left unit 101 can be folded as small as possible. As shown in FIG. 19, a first side member 125 of the base 124 is higher than a front member 127 of the base 124. As shown in FIG. 24, the sum of heights of the front wall 126 and the rear wall 128 is smaller than the length of a first long edge 129 of the base 124. In this way, when the left unit 101 is folded, the left wall 130 is positioned over the front wall 126 and the rear wall 128, and the left roof 132 is pivoted to be positioned between the left wall 130 and the front wall 126 or the rear wall 128.
The dimensions of the elements of the right unit 103 have a predetermined relationship so that the left unit 101 can be folded as small as possible. As shown in FIG. 21, a first side member 139 of the base 138 is higher than a front member 141 of the base 138. The sum of heights of the front wall 140 and the rear wall 142 is smaller than the length of the base 138 so that the front wall 140 and the rear wall 142 can be folded on the base 138 without interfering with each other. In this way, when the right unit 103 is folded, the right wall 144 is positioned over the front wall 140 and the rear wall 142, and the right roof 146 is pivoted to be positioned between the right wall 144 and the front wall 140 or the rear wall 142.
When the foldable house assembly 100 is assembled as shown in FIG. 25, the base 124 of the left unit 101 and the base 138 of the right unit 103 abut with the base 104 of the center unit 102.
The elements of the left unit 101, the center unit 102, and the right unit 103 are constructed with panels 78 and reinforcements 80 as shown in FIG. 28.
As shown in FIGS. 17 and 25, the panels of front walls and the rear walls of the units 101, 102, 103 abut under the panels of the roofs. Joints between erected walls are provided with bolts and nuts as shown in FIG. 10.
FIG. 27 shows that joint between the first roof 112 of the center unit 102 and the left roof 132 of the left unit 101 is provided by bolts 84 and nuts 86 that pass through holes provided in the reinforcements 80. Joint between the first roof 112 of the center unit 102 and the right roof 146 of the right unit 103 is provided in the same way.
With the above construction, five house assemblies may be transported with a truck. The house assemblies are fully folded and loaded vertically on a bed of a truck during transportation. Assembly in site may be performed with minimum time, tools and materials since the structure of the foldable house assembly already provides most of the sealing and jointing functions required for assembly in service state.
While the invention has been shown and described with reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A foldable house assembly comprising:

a) a rectangular base comprising first and second long edges and first and second short edges;

b) a front wall comprising a top edge, a bottom edge and two side edges, wherein the two side edges connect between the top edge and the bottom edge, wherein the bottom edge of the front wall is pivotally attached on the first short edge of the base;

c) a rear wall comprising a top edge, a bottom edge and two side edges, wherein the two side edges connect between the top edge and the bottom edge, wherein the bottom edge of the rear wall is pivotally attached on the second short edge of the base;

d) a first side wall pivotally attached on the first long edge of the base;

e) a first roof comprising a first edge, a second edge and two side edges, wherein the two side edges connect between the first edge and the second edge, wherein the first edge is pivotally attached on the first side wall;

wherein when the foldable house assembly is in an assembled state, the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall and the first roof are pivoted upward whereby a space is confined by the base, the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the first roof, wherein when the foldable house assembly is in a folded state, the first roof is folded on the first side wall, and the front wall, the rear wall and the first side wall are folded on the base.

2. The foldable house assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a) a second side wall comprising a top edge, a bottom edge and two side edges, wherein the two side edges connect between the top edge and the bottom edge, wherein the bottom edge of the second side wall is pivotally attached on the second long edge of the base; and

b) a second roof comprising a first edge, a second edge and two side edges, wherein the two side edges connect between the first edge and the second edge, wherein the first edge is pivotally attached on the top edge of the second side wall;

wherein the second edge of the first roof and the second edge of the second roof are fixed on each other, wherein the first side wall comprises a top edge, a bottom edge and two side edges connecting between the top edge and the bottom edge, wherein the bottom edge of the first side wall is pivotally attached on the first long edge of the base, wherein the first edge of the first roof is pivotally attached on the top edge of the first side wall.

3. The foldable house assembly of claim 2 wherein the base comprises a front member on the first short edge, a rear member on the second short edge, a first side member on the first long edge, and a second side member on the second long edge;

wherein the bottom edge of the front wall is pivotally attached on top of the front member, wherein the bottom edge of the rear wall is pivotally attached on top of the rear member, wherein the bottom edge of the first side wall is pivotally attached on top of the first side member, wherein the bottom edge of the second side wall is pivotally attached on top of the second side member;

wherein the front member and the rear member have the same height, wherein the second side member is higher than the front member, wherein the first side member is higher than the second side member;

wherein the sum of heights of the front wall and the rear wall is smaller than the length of the first long edge of the base, and the heights of the first side wall and the second side wall are smaller than the length of the first short edge of the base;

whereby when the foldable house assembly is folded, the second side wall is positioned over the front wall, and the first side wall is positioned over the second side wall.

4. The foldable house assembly of claim 3 wherein when the foldable house assembly is folded, the first roof is pivoted to be positioned between the first side wall and the second side wall, and the second roof is pivoted to be positioned between the second side wall and the front wall or the rear wall.

5. The foldable house assembly of claim 4 wherein each of the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, the second side wall, the first roof and the second roof comprises a panel and a plurality of reinforcements attached to the panel.

6. The foldable house assembly of claim 5 wherein one or more hinges are provided between the reinforcement of the front wall and the front member of the base;

wherein one or more hinges are provided between the reinforcement of the rear wall and the rear member of the base;

wherein one or more hinges are provided between the reinforcement of the first side wall and the first side member of the base;

wherein one or more hinges are provided between the reinforcement of the second side wall and the second side member of the base;

wherein one or more hinges are provided between the reinforcement of the first roof and the reinforcement of the first side wall;

wherein one or more hinges are provided between the reinforcement of the second roof and the reinforcement of the second side wall;

wherein for each of the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, the second side wall, the first roof and the second roof, the panel extends over the reinforcements whereby sealing around the hinges is provided.

7. The foldable house assembly of claim 6 wherein the hinges are fixed to the reinforcements with blind rivets.

8. The foldable house assembly of claim 6 wherein the hinges are fixed to the reinforcements with bolts.

9. The foldable house assembly of claim 6 wherein when the foldable house assembly is assembled, the first roof and the second roof are inclined, and the panels of the front wall and the rear wall abut under the panels of the first roof and the second roof.

10. The foldable house assembly of claim 5 wherein when the foldable house assembly is assembled, joints between the first side wall and the front wall, between the front wall and the second side wall, between second side wall and the rear wall, and between the rear wall and the first side wall are provided by bolts and nuts that pass through holes provided in the reinforcements and in brackets fixed to the reinforcements.

11. The foldable house assembly of claim 5 wherein the panel is made of plywood, steel plate, sandwich panel or FRP plate.

12. The foldable house assembly of claim 11 wherein the reinforcements are made of C-channel steel, wherein a plurality of wood columns are fixed to the panel, wherein the reinforcements surround the wood columns and fixed to the wood columns.

13. The foldable house assembly of claim 5 wherein when the foldable house assembly is assembled, joint between the first roof and the second roof is provided by bolts and nuts that pass through holes provided in the reinforcements.

14. The foldable house assembly of claim 13 wherein one or more tension wires are provided between and fixed to the reinforcements of the first roof and the second roof.

15. The foldable house assembly of claim 14 wherein an inverted V shaped cover is positioned over and fixed to the second edges of the first roof and the second roof.

16. The foldable house assembly of claim 1 further comprising a left unit and a right unit, wherein the base, the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the first roof forms a center unit, wherein the first side wall has two columns, each of which has an upper end and a lower end, wherein the first edge of the first roof is pivotally attached on the upper ends of the columns, wherein the lower ends of the columns are pivotally attached on the first long edge of the base;

wherein the left unit comprises:

d) a left wall comprising a top edge, a bottom edge and two side edges, wherein the two side edges connect between the top edge and the bottom edge, wherein the bottom edge is pivotally attached on the first long edge of the base; and

e) a left roof comprising a first edge, a second edge and two side edges, wherein the two side edges connect between the first edge and the second edge, wherein the first edge is pivotally attached on the top edge of the left wall;

wherein the right unit comprises:

d) a right wall comprising a top edge, a bottom edge and two side edges, wherein the two side edges connect between the top edge and the bottom edge, wherein the bottom edge is pivotally attached on the first long edge of the base; and

e) a right roof comprising a first edge, a second edge and two side edges, wherein the two side edges connect between the first edge and the second edge, wherein the first edge is pivotally attached on the top edge of the right wall;

wherein when the foldable house is assembled, the second edge of the left roof is attached to the first edge of the first roof of the center unit; and the second edge of the right roof is attached to the second edge of the first roof of the center unit.

17. The foldable house assembly of claim 16 further comprising one or more center units between the center unit and the left unit, or between the center unit and the right unit.

18. The foldable house assembly of claim 16 wherein for the center unit:

the base comprises a front member on the first short edge, a rear member on the second short edge, a first side member on the first long edge, and a second side member on the second long edge; wherein the bottom edge of the front wall is pivotally attached on top of the front member, wherein the bottom edge of the rear wall is pivotally attached on top of the rear member, wherein the lower ends of the columns are pivotally attached on top of the first side member, wherein the front member and the rear member have the same height, wherein the first side member is higher than the front member;

wherein the sum of heights of the front wall and the rear wall is smaller than the length of the first long edge of the base;

whereby when the center unit is folded, the first side wall is positioned over the front wall and the rear wall, and the first roof is pivoted to be positioned between the first side wall and the front wall or the rear wall;

wherein for the left unit:

the base comprises a front member on the first short edge, a rear member on the second short edge, a first side member on the first long edge, and a second side member on the second long edge; wherein the bottom edge of the front wall is pivotally attached on top of the front member, wherein the bottom edge of the rear wall is pivotally attached on top of the rear member, wherein the bottom edge of the left wall is pivotally attached on top of the first side member, wherein the front member and the rear member have the same height, wherein the first side member is higher than the front member;

whereby when the left unit is folded, the left wall is positioned over the front wall and the rear wall, and the left roof is pivoted to be positioned between the left wall and the front wall or the rear wall;

wherein for the right unit:

the base comprises a front member on the first short edge, a rear member on the second short edge, a first side member on the first long edge, and a second side member on the second long edge; wherein the bottom edge of the front wall is pivotally attached on top of the front member, wherein the bottom edge of the rear wall is pivotally attached on top of the rear member, wherein the bottom edge of the right wall is pivotally attached on top of the first side member, wherein the front member and the rear member have the same height, wherein the first side member is higher than the front member;

whereby when the right unit is folded, the right wall is positioned over the front wall and the rear wall, and the right roof is pivoted to be positioned between the right wall and the front wall or the rear wall;

wherein when the foldable house assembly is assembled, the first side member of the center unit abuts on the second side member of the left unit, and the second side member of the center unit member abuts on the second side member of the right unit.

19. The foldable house assembly of claim 16 wherein for the center unit, each of the front wall, the rear wall, and the first roof comprises a panel and a plurality of reinforcements attached to the panel;

wherein for the left unit, each of the front wall, the rear wall, the left wall and the left roof comprises a panel and a plurality of reinforcements attached to the panel;

wherein for the right unit, each of the front wall, the rear wall, the right wall and the right roof comprises a panel and a plurality of reinforcements attached to the panel.

20. The foldable house assembly of claim 19 wherein for the center unit:

one or more hinges are provided between the reinforcement of the front wall and the front member of the base;

wherein one or more hinges are provided between the lower ends of the columns of the first side wall and the first side member of the base;

wherein one or more hinges are provided between the reinforcement of the first roof and the upper ends of the columns of the first side wall;

wherein for each of the front wall and the rear wall, the panel extends over the reinforcements whereby sealing around the hinges is provided;

wherein for the left unit:

wherein one or more hinges are provided between the reinforcement of the left wall and the first side member of the base;

wherein one or more hinges are provided between the reinforcement of the left roof and the reinforcement of the left wall;

wherein for each of the front wall, the rear wall, the left wall, and the left roof, the panel extends over the reinforcements whereby sealing around the hinges is provided;

wherein for the right unit:

wherein one or more hinges are provided between the reinforcement of the right wall and the first side member of the base;

wherein one or more hinges are provided between the reinforcement of the right roof and the reinforcement of the right wall;

wherein for each of the front wall, the rear wall, the right wall, and the right roof, the panel extends over the reinforcements whereby sealing around the hinges is provided.

21. The foldable house assembly of claim 20 wherein the hinges are fixed to the reinforcements with blind rivets.

22. The foldable house assembly of claim 20 wherein the hinges are fixed to the reinforcements with bolts.

23. The foldable house assembly of claim 20 wherein for the center unit, when the foldable house assembly is assembled, the panels of the front wall and the rear wall abut under the panel of the first roof;

wherein for the left unit, when the foldable house assembly is assembled, the panels of the front wall and the rear wall abut under the panel of the left roof;

wherein for the right unit, when the foldable house assembly is assembled, the panels of the front wall and the rear wall abut under the panel of the right roof.

24. The foldable house assembly of claim 19 wherein for the left unit, when the foldable house assembly is assembled, joints between the left wall and the front wall and between the rear wall and the left wall are provided by bolts and nuts that pass through holes provided in the reinforcements and in brackets fixed to the reinforcements;

wherein for the right unit, when the foldable house assembly is assembled, joints between the right wall and the front wall and between the rear wall and the right wall are provided by bolts and nuts that pass through holes provided in the reinforcements and in brackets fixed to the reinforcements.

25. The foldable house assembly of claim 19 wherein the panel is made of plywood, steel plate, sandwich panel or FRP plate.

26. The foldable house assembly of claim 25 wherein the reinforcements are made of C-channel steel, wherein a plurality of wood columns are fixed to the panel, wherein the reinforcements surround the wood columns and fixed to the wood columns.

27. The foldable house assembly of claim 19 wherein when the foldable house assembly is assembled, joint between the first roof of the center unit and the left roof of the left unit, and the first roof of the center unit and the right roof of the right unit are provided by bolts and nuts that pass through holes provided in the reinforcements.