This invention relates to a portable enclosure and in particular to a portable enclosure that can be readily reconfigured between a folded configuration upon a transportation device and an erected configuration.

Typically portable enclosures, such as marquees, are used to provide temporary accommodation for events and outdoor activities. Such structures typically comprise a complex framework of structural members over which is placed one or more canopy sheets and side members to define an enclosure. Such structures are complex and time consuming to assemble and difficult to transport. While smaller tents are provided which are easier and quicker to assembly, typically comprising a canopy having a plurality of elongate sleeves through which are slid supporting poles, such known structures are only practical for small scale structures. An objective of the present invention is to provide a portable enclosure that is quicker and easier to transport and assemble and which can provide relatively large enclosures for outdoor events, such as weddings, concerts, sporting events, humanitarian relief and emergency planning or for providing a temporary enclosure or covering a vehicle, in particular an aircraft, or any other event or situation where a temporary enclosure is required.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a portable enclosure comprising a plurality of support arms and a canopy connected to and supportable by the support arms, the support arms being movable between a collapsed or folded configuration, in which the support arms lie side by side, and an erected configuration, in which the support arms are deployed in spaced apart arrangement supporting the canopy to define an enclosure, a mobile transportation device comprising an elongate frame defining a deck for carrying said support arms and canopy in a transportation position when the support arms are in their collapsed or folded configuration, preferably stacked vertically upon one another, said wheeled transportation device including lifting means adapted to lift the support arms from said transportation position to a raised deployment position, said support arms being supported by said lifting means during deployment from their collapsed or folded configuration to their erected configuration when in their deployment position.

Said lifting means may be defined by at least a portion of the deck of the transportation device pivotally mounted on the elongate frame of the transportation device such that the lifting means is moveable between a substantially horizontal lowered position and a substantially vertical raised position, preferably about an axis extending transverse to said elongate frame, such that the support arms are translated through approximately 90° between their transportation and deployment positions. Preferably said lifting means comprises a cantilevered beam extending perpendicularly from said pivotable deck portion, preferably from an outer end thereof, wherein said beam extends substantially vertically when the lifting means is in its lowered position, and wherein said beam extends substantially horizontally from said pivotable deck portion when the lifting means is in its raised position, each of said plurality of support arms being provided with mounting means whereby the support arms are releasably mounted on said beam such that the support arms are supported by the beam as the lifting means moves between its lowered and raised positions. Preferably the cantilevered beam is mounted on a telescopically extendable portion of said deck portion to adjust the distance of the lifting beam from the pivot axis of the pivotable deck portion. In one embodiment said beam comprises, in cross section, a web extending between spaced flanges to define recessed tracks on either side of the beam, the mounting means of said support arms comprising opposing followers adapted to engage said recessed tracks on either side of the beam to retain said mounting means on said beam. Preferably said followers comprise rollers enabling each support arm to be slid along the beam to permit deployment of the support arms from a distal end of the beam from their folded or collapsed configuration to their erected configuration when the lifting means is in its raised position. The beam may be in the form of an Ύ beam. Preferably said mounting means of each support arm is provided on a substantially central region of the respective support arm, preferably on an upper side of the support arm. Preferably the mounting means of each support arm is provided with locking means to lock the respective mounting means to the beam. In one embodiment said locking means comprises a locking pin moveable between a locking position, wherein the locking pin engages a receiving aperture in the beam, and a release position, wherein the mounting means is free to slide along the beam. Preferably said locking pin is biased towards its locking position. Said locking pin receiving aperture may be provided in a lower face of the beam when the lifting means is in its raised position.

Preferably said plurality of support arms are arranged substantially parallel to one another, at least when in said folded configuration. Preferably said support arms are arranged to extend across the width of the enclosure when in said erected configuration.

In one embodiment the mobile transportation device may comprise a wheeled or tracked chassis, for example a trailer. In an alternative embodiment the mobile transportation device may comprise a flat bed truck or similar vehicle having a substantially flat load carrying bed. The mobile transportation device may be adapted to be carried on a further transportation device, such as a flat bed trailer of an articulated lorry. Preferably each support arm is of substantially arcuate or arched shape. Preferably each support arm comprises an upper canopy supporting section and opposing upright or substantially upright sections on either side of the canopy supporting section. Preferably the canopy support section of each support arm is foldable about at least one pivot axis. Preferably each support arm is foldable about a pair of substantially central pivot axes arranged on either side of said central mounting means of the support arm whereby the support arm can be folded in a first direction to bring the upright sections towards one another in a clam shell manner. Preferably the upright sections are foldable with respect to the canopy support section in a second direction, opposite to said first direction, to enable the portions of the canopy support section on either side of said central pivot axis to be brought together when folded about said central pivot axis in said first direction. Preferably each upright section is telescopic or includes a telescopically extending leg portion to enable the length of the upright sections to be adjusted. Preferably two or more of said support arms, preferably the endmost support arms of said plurality of arms, are arranged to lie substantially horizontally to define end regions of the enclosure when in said erected configuration. Preferably a respective lifting means, such as a winch, is provided to enable each of said endmost and one or more adjacent support arms to be moved between upright and lowered positions.

Said endmost support arms may comprise or include one or more hollow sections which can be filled with water or another material to provide ballast. Additionally, or alternatively, the endmost arms may be staked or otherwise secured to the ground. Retaining means may be provided to be attachable to the upright sections of the support arms on each side of the support arms when they are in their collapsed or folded configuration to link said upright sections together during transportation. Preferably said retaining means comprise support frames adapted to engage the ground to support the lower ends of the support arms when the lifting means is in its raised position. Preferably each support frame is provided with ground engaging wheels.

Each upright section of the support arms may be detachably secured to a respective support frame by releasable fastening means such that each support arm can be sequentially detached from the support frames during deployment of the enclosure.

In one embodiment each support frame includes at least one elongate mounting member extending substantially transverse to the upright sections to which the support frame is attached, said mounting member being provided with a plurality of attachment means for securing the respective upright sections thereto. Said attachment means may comprise receiving slots provided in an upper side of the elongate member into which may be received mounting pins, hooks or projections provided on the sides of the respective upright sections to retain the upright sections therein. A lifting means, such as a jack, may be provided for selectively lifting each upright section to detach said upright section from the attachment means of the elongate mounting member. Locking means may be provided for locking the upright sections to the support frame when the support arms are in their transportation position.

Each of said support frames may be provided with a ground engaging frame portion pivotally coupled to the respective support frame about a respective pivot axis arranged substantially coaxially with the pivot axis of the lifting means to support the upright portions of the support arms during raising of the support arms from their transportation position to their deployment position.

Preferably one or more detachable or foldable bracing struts or purlins are provided to be connectable between adjacent support arms when in said erected configuration. Preferably said bracing struts extend between said upright sections of said support arms. One or more further bracing struts may be provided between said canopy supporting sections of two or more adjacent support arms.

In one embodiment, said canopy extends over both said upper canopy supporting section and said upright sections of each support arm. Alternatively said canopy may extend over said upper canopy supporting section and separable side sheets may be provided for extending across said upright sections. Preferably said canopy is connected to the support arms by means of beaded edges or keders provided on a side of each section of the canopy, each of said beaded edges of keders being receiving with a respective channel or keder rail provided on the sides of the support arms. Such mounting arrangement of the canopy on the support arms permits sliding movement of the canopy with respect to the support arms during folding of the support arms.

Said portable enclosure may be provided with integral services, such as lighting, communications, and other electrical systems, such as components of a public address system, preferably integrally built into or contained within said support arms. The support arms may be formed from a metal, such as aluminium or steel, or may be formed from a composite material, such as glass reinforced plastic or carbon fibre, or may be formed from a suitable polymeric material or wood.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a portable enclosure comprising a plurality of support arms and a canopy connected to and supportable by the support arms, a mobile transportation device being provided for carrying said support arms in a transportation position, wherein said support arms are supported on said transportation device in vertically stacked side by side relationship, said transportation device including lifting means for raising said support arms to a deployment position wherein said support arms are arranged substantially vertically, said lifting means being adapted to support said support arms during movement from their transportation position to their deployment position. Preferably said lifting means includes an elongate beam from which said support arms are suspended when the lifting means is in its raised position. Preferably ground engaging support frames are provided for supporting the sides of said support arms during movement of said support, said ground engaging support frames being having pivot axes arranged substantially coaxially with the pivot axis of the lifting means. Said ground engaging support frames may be detachably connected to the sides of the support arms.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a side view of a portable enclosure according to a first embodiment of the present invention in its transportation configuration;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the portable enclosure of Fig. 1 in a first stage of deployment;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the portable enclosure of Fig. 1 in a second stage of deployment;

Figs. 4a and 4b are side views of the portable enclosure of Fig. 1 in a third stage of deployment;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the portable enclosure of Fig. 1 in a fourth stage of deployment;

Fig. 6 is a side view of the portable enclosure of Fig. 1 in a fifth stage of deployment;

Fig. 7 is a side view of the portable enclosure of Fig. 1 in a sixth stage of deployment

Fig. 8 is a side view of the portable enclosure of Fig. 1 in a seventh stage of deployment

Fig. 9 is a side view of the portable enclosure of Fig. 1 in a eighth stage of deployment

Fig. 10 is a side view of the portable enclosure of Fig. 1 its erected configuration;

Fig. 1 1 is a plan view of the portable enclosure of Fig. 1 in said transportation configuration;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the portable enclosure of Fig. 1 in said first stage of deployment;

Figs. 13a to 13c are plan views of the portable enclosure of Fig. 1 in said second stage of deployment;

Fig. 14 is a plan view of the portable enclosure of Fig. 1 in said third stage of deployment;

Fig. 15 is a plan view of the portable enclosure of Fig. 1 in said fourth stage of deployment;

Fig. 16 is a plan view of the portable enclosure of Fig. 1 in said fifth stage of deployment;

Fig. 17 is a plan view of the portable enclosure of Fig. 1 in said six stage of deployment;

Fig. 18 is a plan view of the portable enclosure of Fig. 1 in said seventh stage of deployment;

Fig. 19 is a plan view of the portable enclosure of Fig. 1 in its erected configuration;

Fig. 20 is a detailed perspective view of a central region of a support arm of the portable enclosure of Fig. 1 in a folded or transportation configuration;

Fig. 21 is a detailed perspective view of the central region of the support arm of Fig. 20 in an unfolded configuration;

Fig. 22 is a side view of the central region of the support arm of Fig. 20 in its folded or transportation configuration;

Fig. 23 is a side view of the central region of the support arm of Fig. 20 in an unfolded configuration; Fig. 24 is a sectional view through the central region of the support arm of Fig. 20;

Fig. 25 is a side view of a corner region of a support arm of the portable enclosure of Fig. 1 in a folded or transportation configuration; Fig. 26 is a side view of the corner region of the support arm of Fig. 25 in an unfolded configuration; Fig. 27 is a perspective view of the corner region of the support arm of Fig. 25 in its folded or transportation configuration;

Fig. 28 is a perspective view of the corner region of the support arm of Fig. 25 in its unfolded configuration;

Fig. 29 is a perspective view of a side support dolly of the portable enclosure of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 30 is a side view of the side support dolly of Fig. 29;

Fig. 31 is an end view of the side support dolly of Fig. 29;

Figure 32 is a detailed side view of an lower portion of an end section of the portable enclosure of Fig. 1 ;

As illustrated in the drawings, a portable enclosure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention comprises a specially designed trailer 10 upon which the enclosure 20 can be stored and transported, the trailer 10 being adapted to assist deployment of the enclosure 20.

The enclosure 20 comprises a plurality of transverse, substantially parallel, arch shaped support arms 21 defining supporting ribs supporting a canopy, said canopy comprising a flexible membrane attached to the support arms 21 . The canopy may be formed from a plurality of separate canopy sections 22, each section 22 extending between an adjacent pair of support arms 21 . The canopy sections 22 are attached to the support arms 21 by means of keders provided on the sides of each canopy section 22 received in keder rails 23 provided on either side of each support arm 21 . This allows the canopy sections 22 to slide along the support arms 21 during folding of the support arms 21 . In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the canopy may be formed from a single sheet of material supported by the support arms.

As will be described in more detail below, the support arms 21 are moveable between a folded configuration, for transport and storage of the enclosure on the trailer 10, wherein the support arms 21 lie side by side in vertically stacked relationship, and an erected configuration, wherein the support arms 21 are erected in upright horizontally spaced apart arrangement supporting the canopy.

The trailer 10 comprises an elongate wheeled chassis 1 1 . A forward deck portion 12 of the trailer 10 is pivotally connected to the chassis 1 1 for pivotal movement between a horizontal lowered position, as shown in Figure 1 , and a vertical raised position, as shown in Figure 4b, under the action of a hydraulic ram 13, or other suitable manually operable or powered actuating means. The pivotable deck portion 12 of the trailer 10 is pivotable about an axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the trailer 10.

The support arms 21 of the enclosure 20 are retained and supported when on the trailer 10 by means of an elongate cantilevered beam 14 extending perpendicularly from a forward end of the pivotable forward portion 12 of the trailer 10, as will be described below in more detail. A plurality of rollers 15 are provided on the chassis 1 1 behind the pivotable deck portion 12 for supporting the support arms 21 of the enclosure 22 when it is in a collapsed and folded transportation configuration on the trailer 10. The beam 14 is mounted on a telescopic section 16 of the deck 12 of the trailer 10 so that the position of the support arms 21 on the trailer 10 can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the trailer 10, effectively adjusting the height of the beam 14 when the pivotable deck portion 12 is in its raised position. The telescopic section 16 of the deck 12 may be provided with guide means, such as tracks or a guide slot, for guiding telescopic movement of the telescopic section 16 while providing suitable support for the beam 14. With reference to Figures 1 1 and 13a to 13c in particular, each support arm 21 of the enclosure 20 comprises a pair of upper canopy supporting sections 24a, 24b pivotally mounted on either side of a central mounting member 25 adapted to be slidably mounted on the cantilevered beam 14.

Opposing upright sections 26a, 26b are pivotally mounted on either side of the canopy supporting sections 24a, 24b, each upright section 26a, 26b being pivotally connected to a distal end of a respective canopy supporting section 24a, 24b, such that each support arm 21 can be foldable about respective pivot axes between a folded transportation configuration, as shown in Figure 6, and a unfolded erected configuration, as shown in Figure 13c. The parallel central pivot axes of the support arms 21 are shown in more detail in Figures 20 to 25. The mounting member 25 of each support arm 21 comprises a canopy supporting part 27, having a keder rail section 23 on either side thereof for receiving a portion of a keder of a respective canopy section 22, and a mounting part 28, the mounting 28 being provided on an upper side of the canopy supporting part 27. The mounting part 28 comprise a "U" shaped member having a pair of inwardly facing opposing rollers 29a,29b mounted on either side thereof for engaging respective channels defined on either side of the beam 14 such that each supporting arm 21 can be suspended from the beam 14 and can slide along the beam 14 to be deployed from a free end of the beam 14 during deployment of the enclosure 20, as will be described below in more detail. Each mounting member 25 is provided with a vertically extending spring loaded locking pin 30 adapted to engage a respective aperture in a lower face of the beam 14 to selectively lock the respective support arm 21 onto the beam 14. As shown in Figure 24, the locking pin 30 of each mounting member 25 is biased towards an extended locking position and can be withdrawn to release the mounting member by pulling on a lower end of the pin 30. The lower end of the locking pin 30 may be provided with a ring 30a to be engaged by a hook to enable the locking pin 30 to be pulled out of engagement with the beam 14. Alternatively the locking pin 30 may be provided with a solenoid or similar actuating means to permit the pin 30 to be remotely retracted to release the respective support arm 21 .

The respective canopy supporting sections 24a,24b of each support arm 21 are pivotally connected to a respective side of the canopy support part 27 of the respective mounting member 25. L shaped abutment plates 31 a, 31 b are secured respective ends of the canopy supporting sections 24a, 24b to define abutment surfaces adapted to abut outer faces of the mounting part 28 of the mounting member 25 when the support arm 21 is in its unfolded erected configuration. Bolts or similar fasteners or locking members 33 are insertable through the abutment plates 31 a, 32b into the mounting part 28 to lock the support arm 21 in its unfolded erected configuration, as shown in Figures 21 and 22. A resilient pad or seal may be provided between the respective abutment plates 31 a, 31 b and the opposing faces of the mounting part 28.

Side flanges 34 are provided on either side of each L shaped abutment plate 31 a, 31 b. The side flanges 34 provide abutment faces between adjacent support arms 21 when the support arms are stacked upon one another in their folded configuration.

Each upright section 26a, 26b of each support arm 21 is pivotally connected to a respective end of a canopy supporting section 24a,24b by means of a pivot assembly illustrated in Figures 25 to 28. The outer end of each canopy supporting section 24a,24b is provided with a pair of opposing support brackets 35,36 between which is received an upper end of a respective upright section 26a, 26b of the support arm 21 . A pivot pin or bolt 37 passes through a lower end of the support brackets 35,36 and through the respective upright section 26a, 26b therebetween. Pivotal motion of the respective upright section 26a, 26b with respect to its support brackets 35,36 is controlled by means of a guide slot 38 formed in at least one side of the respective support brackets 35,36 through which a respective guide pin or bolt 39 is inserted into a distal end of the upright section 26a, 26b such that movement of the guide pin or bolt 39 in the guide slot 38 limits the range of pivotal motion of the upright section 26a, 26b between a first position, wherein the upright section extends at an angle of approximately 90° to 120° to the adjacent end of the respective canopy supporting section 24a, 24b, and a second position, wherein the upright section 26a, 26b is arranged substantially parallel to the adjacent canopy supporting section 24a,24b.

A locking means is provided for locking the upright section 26a, 26b in its first position when the support arm 21 is in its unfolded configuration. The locking means comprises a locking plate 40 pivotally mounted on at an outer face of at least one of the support brackets 35,36, said locking plate 40 being moveable between a release position, wherein the guide pin or bolt 39 is free to move within the guide slot 38, and a locking position, wherein the locking plate 40 engages the guide pin or bolt 39 to retain the guide pin or bolt 39 in one end of the guide slot 38 when the upright section is in its first position. A free end of the locking plate 40 is provided with a captive nut 41 whereby the locking plate 40 may be bolted to a flange 42 extending between the support brackets 35,36 to secure the locking plate 40 in its locking position, thus securing the upright section 26a,26b in its first position.

The upright sections 26a,26b of each support arm 21 may be telescopically extendable, for example by means of a telescopic lower foot, to enable the height of each upright section 26a, 26b to be adjusted. As discussed above, the upper region of each support arm 21 of the enclosure 20 is supported from the beam 14 of the lifting means of the trailer 10. The upright sections 26a, 26b of the support arms 21 are supported by means of respective side support dollies 43. As illustrated in Figures 29 to 31 , each side support dolly 43 comprises a frame having a pair of parallel vertically spaced support beams 44,45 having receiving slots 46 formed in an upper side thereof into which is received respective mounting pins provided on outer sides of the upright sections 26,26b of the support arms 21 such that the upright sections 26a, 26b of the support arms 21 can be linked together by the respective support dollies 43 when the support arms 21 are in their collapsed or folded configuration. Ground engaging wheels 47 are provided on a lower side of each support dolly 43 such that the support dollies 43 support the sides of the support arms 21 during deployment of the enclosure 20 while allowing the dollies 43 to move along the ground as the trailer 10 is moved during deployment of the enclosure 20, as will be described below in more detail. The height of the ground engaging wheels 47 may be adjustable with respect to the support beams 44,45 to adjust the height of the support beams 44,45 above the ground.

A lifting means, preferably in the form of a jack 48 is provided on each dolly 43, the jack 48 being mounted to be slid along the side of each dolly 43 to be aligned with any one of the upright sections 26a, 26b of the support arms 21 . The jack 48 is adapted to selectively engage an upright section 26a, 26b of each support arm 21 in turn to lift each upright section 26a, 26b in turn to disengage the support arm 21 from the support beams 44,45 of the dolly 43. The raised upright section 26a,26b is subsequently extended to engage the ground such that the respective support arm 21 is released from the dollies 43 and deployed to its erected configuration as the dollies 43 and trailer 10 are moved along.

Locking bars 49,50 may be attached to an upper side of each support beam 44,45 of the dolly 43 to retain the upright sections 26a, 26b of the support arms 21 in their receiving slots in the support beams 44,45 when the enclosure 20 is carried in its transportation configuration on the trailer 10. As shown in Figure 32, end regions of the enclosure 10 are respectively defined by the four outermost support arms 21 a,21 b,21 c,21 d at each end of the enclosure, said outermost support arms being pivotally connected to an extension arm 51 at respective spaced pivot points at distal or lower ends thereof, such that the endmost support arm 21 a of each group can pivot from an upright position to a horizontal deployed position wherein said endmost support arm 21 a is laid on the ground when the enclosure is in its erected configuration. The endmost support arms 21 a may include or comprise hollow sections or tanks which may be filled with water or sand or other ballasting material to provide stability and to prevent movement of said endmost support arms once in position on the ground. In the embodiment shown, bracing struts or purlins 53 are connected between the supporting arms 21 when in their erected configuration. In an alternative embodiment the bracing struts may be pivotally connected thereto to be folded with the support arms 21 . In a preferred embodiment separable side sections are attachable upper sections of the canopy once the support arms 21 have been moved to their erected configuration. Alternatively such separable sections may remain connected to the canopy and support arms when the support arms are moved between their erected can folded configurations. The canopy may be formed from a suitable flexible waterproof self-cleaning material, such as PVC or similar polymeric sheet material. A lining may be provided within the canopy, attached to the canopy and/or the support arms, to provide an inner structure to the enclosure. The canopy can also incorporate porous material throughout to assist natural ventilation of the enclosed space. The separable side sections may be formed from one or more rigid panels and may be attached to the canopy after the enclosure has been erected. The side sections may be removable or may be omitted to enable adjacent identical portable enclosures to be attached to one another in side by side relationship to create a single larger enclosure. Where adjacent enclosures are joined in side by side relationship, flexible or rigid elongate guttering means may be located over the join between the adjacent enclosures to carry away rain water and prevent leakages. Alternatively, or additionally, one or both of the end sections of the enclosure may be detachable from the remainder of the enclosure to enable two or more enclosures to be connected together in end to end relationship.

Flexible doors, transparent windows and frames in rubber or plastic may be incorporated at selected locations throughout the canopy as necessary to facilitate access and egress. Such door may be integral to the structure or separable therefrom. These windows, doors and frames also fold with the canopy membrane. Separate door assemblies, incorporating canopies or porches, may be attached to openings in the canopy.

In an alternative embodiment, the canopy may be attached to the support arms via slidable carriages, slidably mounted on the support arms, to allow the canopy to slide along the length of each support arm to enable the support arms to be folded without placing strain on the canopy. The sides of the canopy are attached to end regions of each support arm by tensioning means, such as straps windable around a mandrel provided with ratcheted winding mechanism, such as that used for securing cargo, whereby the canopy can be tensioned over the support arms when the support arms are in their erected configuration and can be relaxed to allow the support arms to be folded and moved to said folded configuration.

The support arms may incorporate wiring and components of lighting, sound and power systems that may be required within the enclosure.

Electric control systems may be provided for controlling the deployment and folding of the enclosure. Deployment and erection of the portable enclosure will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 19. The enclosure 20 is delivered in its folded configuration upon the trailer 10, as shown in Figures 1 and 1 1 .

In a first stage, the telescopic portion 16 of the deck 12 is extended, moving the beam 14 forwardly along the deck 12 of the trailer 10, so that the enclosure 10 is moved forwards on the trailer upon the rollers 15, as shown in Figures 2 and 12.

Next the support arms 21 are unfolded, as shown in Figures 13a to 13c. Three wheeled bogies 51 are temporarily attached to the sides of the support arms 21 , preferably to the dollies 43, to support the sides of the support arms 21 are they are unfolded. The pivot axes of the support 21 arms are locked in their full unfolded positions, as described above.

As can be seen from Figures 3 to 5, the sides of the support arms 21 are supported upon support cradles or A frames 52 which are pivotally connected to end portions of the frames of the support dollies 43 attached to the upright sections 46a, 46b of the stacked support arms 21 during raising of the support frames 21 from the transportation to their deployed positions.

As best seen from Figures 4a and 4b, next the lifting ram 13 is extended and the forward portion of the deck 12 of the trailer 10 is pivoted from its lowered to its raised positions to raise the enclosure 10 to its deployment position. The support cradles or A frames 52 are attached to the respective support dollies 43 such that the support dollies 43 are pivotable on the support cradles 52 about respective pivot axes substantially aligned with the pivot axis of the pivotable forward deck portion 12 of the trailer 10.

Once released from the beam 14 and the dollies 43 the three endmost support arms 21 a,21 b,21 c are then lowered by means of a motorised winch to define a first end of the enclosure, as shown in Figures 5 and 15.

Each support arm 21 is sequentially released from the side dollies 43, by lifting the upright sections 26a, 26b of the support arms 21 out of their receiving slots 46 in the side dollies 43 using the jacks 48, extending the lower legs of the upright sections 46a, 46b of the support arms 21 , and from the beam by releasing its respective locking pin 30 and the trailer 10, along with the dollies 43, is gradually moved forwards to move the support arms 21 from their collapsed configuration to their spaced apart erected configuration. As each pair of adjacent support arms 21 are moved apart, purlins 53 are attached between the support arms 21 to reinforce the structure and maintain the correct spacing between the support arms 21 . The purlins may be provided with hooked ends receivable in corresponding receiving channels on the sides of the support arms 21 . This process proceeds, as shown in Figures 6 to 8 and 16 to 18.

Finally the trailer 10 is moved away from the enclosure and the last three support arms 21 are lowered to define the other end section of the enclosure.

Once the enclosure has been deployed in this way side sections of the enclosure may be attached to the canopy by suitable fastening means, such as zippers. The trailer 10 may be provided with motorised drive means, such as one or more electric motors, for moving the trailer during deployment of the enclosure 20.

The present invention provides an improved portable enclosure that can be easily and quickly deployed from a folded configuration to an erected configuration. Services, such as power supplies, lighting and public address systems, may be integrated into the structure of the enclosure, particularly into the support arms thereof.

In an alternative embodiment the wheeled trailer 10 may be adapted to be mounted on a further trailer or on the back of a truck, such as on the flat bed trailer of an articulate lorry. Means may be provided for lifting the trailer 10 off the further trailer. Such lifting means may comprise telescopic legs or supports extendable from the trailer 10.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.