The invention has particular but not exclusive application to a prefabricated dwelling assembly for providing temporary accommodation in emergency situations caused by events such as natural disasters and mass refugee migration.

Background of Invention Transportable dwellings such as the portable tepee are well known. More modern prefabricated transportable dwellings are also well known. It is also known to provide tents as short term accommodation in emergency situations.

Summary of Invention The present invention aims to provide an alternative to known dwelling assemblies.

This invention in one aspect resides broadly in a dwelling assembly including:- a plurality of substantially planar wall panels of substantially uniform shape adapted to be interconnected to form a frameless dwelling, and connecting means for interconnecting the wall panels.

As used herein the expression "frameless dwelling" means a dwelling made from wall panels having sufficient rigidity that when the wall panels are interconnected the building thus formed does not require a frame.

In a preferred embodiment the wall panels are made from a lightweight sheeting. The sheeting may be a polystyrene foam layer or a fluted or corrugated layer of plastic or other material sandwiched between outer cardboard or plastic sheets. However it is preferred that the lightweight sheeting is cardboard. The cardboard sheeting may be treated to render it relatively

waterproof. The outer surface of the sheeting can also be coloured to provide desired thermal characteristics depending on the climate in which the dwelling is to be used. The inner surface of the sheeting can be treated with a fire retardant if the dwelling is to be used in a cold climate where an inside fire for cooking could be required.

The wall panels may be triangular such that the shape of the dwelling when formed is a pyramid. However in a preferred embodiment the wall panels are in the shape of a trapezium. Preferably the trapezium is an isosceles trapezium whereby the shape of the dwelling when formed by connecting the wall panels is the frustum of a regular pyramid. It is preferred that there are eight wall panels such that the dwelling is octagonal, however fewer or more than eight wall panels can be used.

The connecting means are preferably integral with the wall panels.

The connecting means could comprise flaps along the side edges of the wall panels with apertures therein for lacing together the flaps of adjoining wall panels.

Alternatively the flaps can be clamped together.

However it is preferred that the connecting means includes receiving means located along one side edge of the wall panels and latching means located along the other side edge of the wall panels, the latching means being lockingly receivable in the receiving means of an adjoining wall panel.

In a preferred embodiment the wall panels include an overlapping flap located along the other side edge for overlapping the joint between adjoining wall panels.

In this embodiment the latching means comprises a plurality of tabs and the receiving means comprises a plurality of complimentary slots located along the join between a wall panel and its overlapping flap, the slots being adapted to receive the tabs therethrough and the tabs having locking ears adapted to extend beyond the slot when a tab is received therein whereby the tabs are

locked in the slots.

In another preferred embodiment the dwelling assembly includes cover means for covering an opening in the top of the dwelling when formed. As indicated above, if the wall panels are in the shape of an isosceles trapezium, the shape of the dwelling when formed by connecting the wall panels is the frustum of a regular pyramid and the opening constitutes the top plane of the frustum.

It is preferred that the dwelling assembly includes cover connecting means for adjustably connecting the cover means to the dwelling to adjustably cover the opening. The cover means is preferably a plate adapted to extend beyond the edges of the opening. The cover connecting means preferably includes cover receiving means located along the upper edge of the wall panels and cover latching means located along edges of the cover means, the cover latching means being lockingly receivable in the cover receiving means of a wall panel.

The wall panels may include a cover bridging flap located along the top edge for partially bridging the gap between the top edges of the wall panels and the cover means. Suitably the cover latching means comprises a plurality of cover tabs and the cover receiving means comprises a plurality of complimentary cover slots located along the join between a wall panel and its cover bridging flap, the cover slots being adapted to receive the cover tabs therethrough and the cover tabs having spacing/locking ears adapted to extend beyond a slot to support the cover means a predetermined spacing from the top edges of a wall panel, or to lock therein a cover tab when fully received in a cover slot.

In a preferred embodiment the wall panels include window and/or door means. The window and/or door means preferably constitute at least one portion of the wall panels, the portion(s) being hingedly attached to and/or severable detachable from the wall panel along the edges of the portion(s).

The wall panels may also include anchor means for anchoring a constructed dwelling to the ground or other base. It is preferred that the anchor means comprises an anchor flap located along the bottom edge of the wall panels.

To facilitate simplified construction in emergency situations, in a preferred embodiment the wall panels have marked thereon instructions relating to assembling the dwelling. To avoid language difficulties, it is preferred that the instructions are diagrammatic.

The wall panels and/or the cover means may be punched from sheeting material. Provision for the flaps, latching means, locking and spacing ears and the hinging of windows and/or doors can be made by scoring the sheeting material, and provision for the windows and/or doors can be made by perforating the sheeting material.

In another aspect this invention resides broadly in a dwelling assembly including:- a plurality of substantially planar wall panels made from a lightweight sheeting and of substantially uniform shape adapted to be interconnected to form a frameless dwelling, and connecting means integral with the wall panels for interconnecting the wall panels; wherein the wall panels are in the shape of an isosceles trapezium whereby the shape of the dwelling when formed by connecting the wall panels is the frustum of a regular pyramid.

In another aspect this invention resides broadly in a method of constructing a dwelling, the method including: - forming a plurality of substantially planar wall panels of substantially uniform shape from lightweight sheeting, and interconnecting the wall panels by connecting means integral therewith to form a frameless dwelling.

In a further aspect this invention resides broadly in a dwelling including:-

a plurality of substantially planar wall panels made from a lightweight sheeting and of substantially uniform isosceles trapezium shape, and connecting means integral with the wall panels; the panels being interconnected by the connecting means to form a frameless dwelling in the shape of a frustum of a regular pyramid, the top plane of the frustum constituting an opening in the building, and cover means for covering the opening.

In yet another aspect this invention resides broadly in a wall panel for a dwelling, the wall panel being made from a lightweight sheeting and being adapted to be interconnected with other wall panels to form a frameless dwelling, the wall panel being in the shape of an isosceles trapezium whereby the shape of the dwelling when formed by connecting the wall panels is the frustum of a regular pyramid, and including integral connecting means for interconnecting adjoining wall panels to form the dwelling.

Description of Drawings In order that this invention may be more easily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein:- FIGS 1, 2 and 3 are respectively a perspective view, plan and elevation of a dwelling in accordance with this invention; FIG 4 is a detailed plan view of a wall panel in accordance with the invention; FIG 5 is a detailed plan view of a roof cover in accordance with the invention, and FIGS 6 and 7 are plan views of a wall panel and roof cover respectively showing dimensions of a preferred embodiment.

Description of Preferred Embodiment of Invention As can be seen in FIGS 1 to 3, a dwelling 10 in the

shape of a frustum of an octagonal pyramid is made from interconnecting eight isosceles trapezium shaped wall panels 11. A roof cover 12 covers the opening formed at the top of the dwelling and which corresponds to the top plane of the frustum. Roof cover 12 is adjustably positioned on the top of the dwelling by means of cover tabs 13 in a manner to be subsequently described.

As is best seen in FIG 4, wall panel 11 is shaped as an isosceles trapezium having a pair of legs or side edges 16 and 17, a lower base or bottom edge 14 and an upper base or top edge 15. One side edge 16 has a flap 18 formed integrally with wall panel 11. Flap 18, which in a manner subsequently to be described serves to overlap the join between the side edges of adjoining connected wall panels, is defined by scoring the side edge 16 during production (as illustrated by the single dotted line) so that the flap can be hinged relative to the wall panel. A pair of slots 19 and 20 are cut out along the side edge 16.

On the other side edge 17, a pair of tabs 21 and 22 are integrally formed with wall panel 11. The location of tabs 21,22 corresponds with the location of slots 19,20. Tabs 21,22 have pairs of locking ears 23,24 and 25,26 respectively attached thereto. The locking ears are hinged relative to the tabs, and the tabs are hinged relative to the wall panel, by scoring during production (as illustrated by the single dotted line).

Slots 19,20 and tabs 21,22 constitute connecting means for interconnecting the wall panels to form a dwelling.

The wall panels are perforated as seen by the double dotted lines to form windows or doors 29 to 32 which may be punched out completely or one side left connected to the panel to form a hinge.

An anchoring flap 28 is formed at the lower edge 14 by scoring, and an upper flap 27 for partially blocking or bridging the opening between the top of the dwelling and the roof cover is formed by scoring along the top

edge 15. A slot 35 for receiving a support for the roof cover is punched out along the top edge 15.

As can be seen in FIG 5, roof panel 12 is substantially square with roof cover tabs 13 cut out at the centre of each side of the square. The roof cover can be shaped to form a cap by slightly folding along diagonal scoring lines 38. Drip eaves 37 can be formed by folding along edge scoring lines 36. A pair of spacing/locking ears 33,34 are cut out with cover tabs 13 and in a manner subsequently to be described, serve to space roof cover 12 from the opening at the top of the dwelling or to lock the roof cover to the dwelling when the opening is to be closed.

Slots 35 and tabs 13 constitute connecting means for interconnecting the roof cover to the dwelling.

The preferred material for the wall panels and roof cover is a sandwich of corrugated medium of recycled paper between a waterproofed outer layer and a non- waterproofed inner layer. The outer layer is preferably a 264g combination of Kraft board (95% virgin fibres + 5% recycled) and a 30g polyethelene sheet to provide waterproofing and durability in adverse conditions. The non-waterproofed inner layer is preferably a 250g Kraft board.

Wall panels and roof covers shaped and dimensioned in accordance with FIGS 6 and 7 can be interconnected to provide an octagonal dwelling having a floor area of approx 3x3 meters and a height of 1.3 meters, which is suitable to provide emergency shelter for four adults of medium stature or a family of two adults and three small children.

To construct or assemble a dwelling, adjoining panels are interconnected by folding ears 23,24 and 25,26 back against tabs 21, 22 and inserting the tabs with folded back ears into corresponding slots 19,20 of an adjoining wall panel 11. Ears 23,24 and 25,26 are then folded out and are retained under the flap 18 adjoining the ends of slots 19,20 thereby locking the adjoining

panels together. Flap 18 may have a covered strip of contact adhesive on the outside thereof whereby, when the cover is peeled, the flap may be adhered to the inside of an adjoining panel.

This procedure is repeated until the required number of panels are connected. The dwelling is completed by connecting the tabs of the last wall panel in the slots of the first wall panel.

The roof cover 12 is connected to the opening in building 10 by folding down cover tabs 13 and inserting them in cover slots 35. The spacing of cover roof 12 in relation to the opening in the top of building 12 can be varied because cover tabs 13 form a tight fit in cover slots 35. If cover tabs 13 are inserted to a full depth in cover slots 35, they will seat on ears 33,34 which extend beyond the edges of slots 35 so that roof cover 12 will be spaced from the opening by the width of ears 33,34. Alternatively if it is desired that the roof opening be closed, ears 33,34 are folded back against cover tabs 13 and the tabs with folded back ears are fully inserted into corresponding slots 35 of appropriate wall panels 11. Ears 33,34 are then folded out and are retained under the flap 27 adjoining the ends of slots 35 thereby locking the roof panel 12 to the dwelling to close the opening. It will be appreciated that upper flaps 27 can be positioned to partially block or bridge the gap between the top of the wall panels and the underside of the roof cover, or if the roof cover is locked down as described above, flaps 27 can be used to seal the wall panels to the roof cover if the outer side of the flaps carries a strip of contact adhesive.

Once erected, doors and or windows may be formed by pushing out selected ones of portions 29 to 32 from wall panels 11. Anchoring flaps 28 may be bent either inwardly or outwardly of the dwelling to provide a horizontal flap for anchoring the dwelling to the ground.

It will be appreciated that dwelling assemblies in accordance with the present invention have a number of

advantages in comparison with known systems, particularly in the provision of temporary, emergency shelter in disaster situations.

The use of recycled cardboard enables cheap, lightweight dwellings to be provided quickly in response to an emergency. Because the dwellings are light and pack flat they can be delivered on-site quickly and relatively inexpensively by air and, if necessary, air- dropped in remote situations.

The dwellings are simple to erect and with construction diagrams printed on the walls, shelter can be provided in a matter of minutes. Ease of construction and the lightweight nature of the dwelling means that they can easily erected by women and children if necessary Furthermore, when erected they can be shifted to another site if necessary, as for example may be required in floods. The nature of the dwelling enables occupants to make as many or as few vents or airways as may be necessary in different climates. The adjustable roof can be raised in a cold climate if an indoor fire is used.

The dwellings can easily be insulated for differing climates by varying the external colouring ie black for cold areas, white for hot areas. They can be held secure in high winds by placing earth, tree branches etc against the sides of the huts, or by staking the anchor flaps.

Furthermore, in emergency situations where wall panels have been lost or damaged, the dwellings can be constructed with a variable number of wall panels, the roof cover being adapted on site to fit the modified version.

It will of course be realised that whilst the above has been given by way of an illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations hereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.