Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable structure. More particularly the present invention relates to a portable structure that may be assembled from a kit of parts.

Background of the Invention

Any reference to or discussion of any document, act or item of knowledge in this specification is included solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any of these matters or any combination thereof formed at the priority date part of the common general knowledge, or was known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

Kits of parts for the assembly of various kinds of structures are known. For example, United Kingdom Patent Specification Nos. 1291243 and 2210074 each describe a kit of parts that can be assembled into an exhibition stand or a market stall. Likewise, Published United States Patent Application No. 2004/0060245 describes a kit of parts that can be assembled to form a shelter that is suitable for sheltering telecommunications network equipment.

The present invention aims to provide a kit of parts that can be assembled into a more distinctive and appealing structure than those described above.

Summary of the Invention

According to one form of the invention there is provided a portable structure kit including:

a base;

a bench member adapted to be mounted to the base to lie in a substantially horizontal plane; and

a roof assembly adapted for attachment to the base or bench member.

Essentially, the present invention is a kit that may be assembled into a portable or 'pop-up' pub or bar. The pub may be transported to and assembled at any desired location. A pub is an attractive and distinctive structure and, as such, a kit for construction of such a structure is a very effective promotional item.

Preferably, the base, bench member and roof assembly are individually weighted such that they can be placed into two separate carriers (such as a bag) of substantially equal weight. Optimally, the base is around twice the combined weight of the bench member and roof assembly.

Preferably, the base is adapted to be folded between a storage configuration wherein the base is in the form of a box, and an assembled configuration wherein the base is in the form of a figure with a substantially c-shaped profile.

According to preferred embodiments, when in the assembled configuration the base includes a front panel, first and second side walls each angularly extending from opposed edges of the front panel, and first and second return members, each angularly extending from a trailing edge of a side wall. Optimally, the side walls and return sections extend rigidly from the front panel or side wall.

Typically, the base includes one or more horizontally spaced vertically extending fold lines for facilitating folding of the base between the assembled and storage configurations .

According to preferred embodiments, the base includes one or more vertically extending sleeves each adapted to receive an end of a pole.

Typically, the bench member is planar and includes a central region and first and second foldable side regions extending from opposed edges of the central region.

According to some embodiments, the central region includes a void for receiving a basket or the like.

Typically, the portable structure kit includes a floor adapted to be set on the bottom of the base. Advantageously, the floor comprises a framework of rails that are slidably mountable to the base. According to some embodiments, the kit may include ballast means that may be placed on the framework.

Optionally, the roof assembly comprises a roof and a plurality of poles, each pole having a first end configured for connection to the counter member and/or base, and a second end configured for connection to the roof. Optimally, the poles are length-adjustable .

According to some embodiments the roof includes a frame and length-adjustable canopy adapted for placement over the frame. Optionally, the length-adjustability is provided by way of concertina folding or the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be further explained and illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable structure kit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows various views of the portable structure kit illustrated in Figure 1;

Figures 3 and 4 are front perspective views of a portable structure assembled from the portable structure kit illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the portable structure illustrated in Figure 4; Figure 6 shows various perspective views of the base illustrated in Figure 1, showing the base in storage, intermediate and assembled configurations;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the components of the portable structure kit illustrated in Figure 1 being assembled into a portable structure;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a portable structure kit showing the placement of ballast members onto the floor of an assembled structure;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a roof assembly suitable for use with the portable structure kit according to an embodiment of die invention;

Figure 10 is various views showing attachment the roof assembly and an optional sign to an assembled structure according to the invention;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of an alternative form of ballast member; and

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a bench member and base according to an embodiment of the invention shown during a disassembly operation. Detailed Description of the Drawings

A kit of parts 10, suitable for assembly into a portable structure, is shown in Figures 1 and 2. An example portable structure 25 that may be assembled from kit 10 is shown in Figures 3 to 5. Structure 25 has the appearance and function of a portable pub or bar and may be assembled without the use of any tools. Structure 25 may be assembled and used at any desired location such as a back yard, camping ground, park or beach.

The parts of kit 10 are suitably weighted to provide stability to the structure assembled therefrom. In addition, the floor of the assembled structure has sufficient weight-bearing capacity to safely hold a full bar fridge.

Kit 10 includes a base 12, bench member 30 and roof assembly 40. All of the parts of kit 10 can be stored in two carrier bags 60 and 62 each of which has wheels for convenient transportation. Base 12 is stored in bag 62, whereas the remaining parts are stored in bag 60. Conveniently, the weight of base 12 is approximately the same as the combined weight of the remaining parts. Accordingly, the weight of the entire kit 10 is equally distributed across bags 60 and 62 which makes for easy transportation.

As shown in Figure 6, base 12 is in the form of a box 12A when in a storage configuration, suitable for storage in bag 62. When in an assembled configuration, base 12 is in the form of a figure 12D with a roughly c-shaped profile. Base 12 includes four vertically extending fold lines 13A-13D provided at spaced apart locations along base 12.

Front walls HA and HB are respectively defined between fold lines 13A and 13B and between fold lines 13C and 13D when base 12 is in an assembled

configuration.

Opposed return sections 17A and 17B extend rigidly in a perpendicular direction from outer edges 16A and 16B of base 12. Side walls 19A and 19B extend rigidly in a perpendicular direction from inner edges 2 IA and 2 IB of base 12.

To move from the storage configuration, return sections 17A and 17B are first moved away from each other to position 12B. Side walls 19A and 19B are next moved away from each other, causing central section 23 between fold lines 13B and 13C to move downwardly towards fold lines 13A and 13D, until front walls HA and HB and central section 21 all occupy the same plane.

As shown most clearly in Figures 2, 5 and 13, vertically extending sleeves 23A and 23B are respectively provided at the junction of return sections 17A and 17B and side walls 19A and 19B. A second set of vertically extending sleeves 23C and 23D is provided on side walls 19A and 19B at a horizontally spaced apart location from sleeves 23C and 23C.

Turning to Figures 7 and 12 , bench member 30 includes a central panel 32 with first 34 and second 36 side panels extending from either side of central panel 32 by way of a hinge 38. First 34 and second 36 side panels and central panel 32 all lie in a common plane when in an assembled configuration as shown in Figure 7. Conversely, side panels 34 and 36 lie in register on top of central panel 32 when in a storage configuration, as shown in Figures 1 and 7.

A rectangular void 37 and a cut-out region 39 are provided in central panel 32. Void 37 is adapted to receive a basket 35 or the like for storage of bottled drinks, as shown in Figure 5.

Poles 41A-41D are adapted to extend vertically upwardly through holes (not shown) in each side panel 32.

BQt 10 also includes a framework 50 that includes a pair of L-shaped members 52 and a rail member 54.

Turning to Figures 9 and 10, roof assembly 40 includes a roof 42 and the poles 41A-41D discussed above. As shown most clearly in Figure 5, poles 41A-41D each have a telescoping section 45, enabling the height of each pole 41 to be adjusted.

Distal ends 43 of poles 41 are attachable and detachable to and from roof 41 by way of a detent mechanism 45.

An alternative embodiment of a roof assembly 40 is illustrated in Figure 10.

According to this embodiment, roof 42 includes a canopy 47 that is stretched over the roof frame. The length of canopy 47 is adjustable by way of concertina folds 49 provided in the canopy material. In use, kit 10 is assembled by first unfolding base 12 into the assembled

configuration, as discussed above. Framework 50 is assembled by joining together longitudinal distal ends 51 of each L-shaped member 52. Lateral distal ends 53 of each L-shaped member 52 are passed through a hole 38 at the bottom of base 12 and slide into a hole 57 provided on each lateral rail 55 of rail member 54. Ballast members 15 are set onto longitudinal rails 57 of framework 50 (Figure 8). An alternative form of a ballast member is illustrated by reference to Figure 9-

A rectangular floor 59 is next placed over the top of ballast members 15.

Bench member 30 is placed over the top edge of base 15 so that the bench holes (not shown) line up over the openings of sleeves 23A-23D. Proximal end 45 of each pole 41 (preferably when in a retracted position) is slid into a sleeve 23A- 23D. Distal ends 43 of each pole 41 are attached to roof 42 via the detent mechanism and roof 42 is telescoped to a position vertically spaced from and substantially parallel with bench member 30.

Basket 35 is placed in void 37 ready to be used to store and serve bottled drinks.

Optionally, a sign 58 is attached to extend upwardly out of the top of roof 42. Although not illustrated, the sign may be illuminated.

It is to be noted that, throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word 'comprise' and variations of the word, such as 'comprising' and

'comprises', is not intended to exclude other variants or additional components, integers or steps. Modifications and improvements to the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope of this invention.