AN EXTENDIBLE ENCLOSURE

Abstract

The present invention provides an extendible enclosure, comprising a first frame member supporting a first mesh canopy and a second frame member supporting a second mesh canopy. A sliding mechanism coupling the first frame member to the second frame member is operable to reversibly extend the enclosure between a first contracted position and a second extended position, wherein the first frame member is configured to slidingly engage with the second frame member so that the second frame member at least partially nests within the first frame member when in the first contracted position. The extendible enclosure is particularly suited for objects such as tools, equipment and machinery.

Claims

1. An extendible enclosure, comprising: a first frame member supporting a first mesh canopy; a second frame member supporting a second mesh canopy; and a sliding mechanism coupling the first frame member to the second frame member and operable to reversibly extend the enclosure between a first contracted position and a second extended position, wherein the first frame member is configured to slidingly engage with the second frame member so that the second frame member at least partially nests within the first frame member when in the first contracted position.

2. The extendible enclosure of claim 1, wherein the sliding mechanism comprises a pair of tubular members, each tubular member slidingly engaging with the first frame member and the second frame member.

3. The extendible enclosure of claim 2, wherein the first frame member and the second frame member are configured to receive each tubular member in a respective guide, rail or runner.

4. The extendible enclosure of claim 3, wherein each guide, rail or runner extends substantially along the longitudinal axis of the enclosure.

5. The extendible enclosure of claim 2, wherein each tubular member comprises at least one locking mechanism to lock the first frame member in a position relative to the second frame member.

6. The extendible enclosure of claim 5, wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one bolt and wing nut.

7. The extendible enclosure of claim 2, wherein the sliding mechanism comprises a third tubular member arranged to slidingly engaging with the first frame member and the second frame member.

8. The extendible enclosure of claim 7, wherein the third tubular member is disposed towards the uppermost part of the enclosure adjacent to the first and second mesh canopies.

9. The extendible enclosure of claim 1, wherein the first mesh canopy at least partially encloses the first frame member.

10. The extendible enclosure of claim 1, wherein the second mesh canopy at least partially encloses the second frame member.

11. The extendible enclosure of claim 1, wherein the second frame member fully nests within the first frame member when in the first contracted position.

12. The extendible enclosure of claim 1, wherein the first and second frame members are open.

13. The extendible enclosure of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal dimension of the enclosure ranges from about 50 cm to about 120 cm.

14. The extendible enclosure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second frame members comprises two wheels or castors and two supporting feet.

15. The extendible enclosure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the mesh canopies comprises a pivotable flap, hatch or door to allow access to the interior of the enclosure.

16. (canceled)

17. The extendible enclosure of claim 2, wherein the first mesh canopy at least partially encloses the first frame member.

18. The extendible enclosure of claim 2, wherein the second mesh canopy at least partially encloses the second frame member.

19. The extendible enclosure of claim 2, wherein the first and second frame members are open.

20. The extendible enclosure of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second frame members comprises two wheels or castors and two supporting feet.

21. The extendible enclosure of claim 2, wherein at least one of the mesh canopies comprises a pivotable flap, hatch or door to allow access to the interior of the enclosure.

Description

[0036] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0037] FIG. 1shows an approximate side perspective view of an extendible enclosure when fully extended according to a preferred embodiment;

[0038] FIG. 2shows an approximate side perspective view of the extendible enclosure of FIG. 1 when fully contracted;

[0039] FIG. 3shows the extendible enclosure of FIG. 1 in use with an example piece of equipment;

[0040] FIG. 4shows the same extendible enclosure of FIG. 3 from above;

[0041] FIG. 5shows an approximate side perspective view of another extendible enclosure when partially extended according to a different preferred embodiment;

[0042] FIG. 6shows the extendible enclosure of FIG. 5 from an end view.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 1, there is a shown a particularly preferred embodiment of an extendible enclosure 10 according to the present invention.

[0044] The enclosure 10 comprises a first frame member 12a supporting a first mesh canopy 14a and a second frame member 12b supporting a second mesh canopy 14b. The first and second frame members 12a, 12b are essentially mirror images of each other, and each defines an open, skeletal-like structure which is formed from a mild steel tubing (e.g. 19 mm OD?1.5 mm SWG ERW Tube).

[0045] In the example of FIG. 1, the frame members 12a, 12b define a substantially square frame with lower longitudinal supports 12a, 12b extending perpendicularly therefrom. The square frames define the end faces of the enclosure, although as will be appreciated from FIG. 1, the end faces are open.

[0046] The mesh canopies 14a, 14b are essentially arch-shaped cages, which follow the cross-sectional form defined by the square-shaped frame members 12a, 12b. The canopies are fabricated from a 50 mm?50 mm wire mesh, which is welded to each respective frame member 12a, 12b along its edge. Therefore, the combination of the frame members 12a, 12b and the mesh canopies 14a, 14b define the outer shape of the enclosure, and consequently the shape and magnitude of the volume enclosed therein.

[0047] Although the first and second frame members 12a, 12b are mirror images of each other, the first mesh canopy 14a is dimensioned so as to be slightly larger than the second mesh canopy 14b. The reason for this is that the first mesh canopy 14a may then receive and accommodate the second mesh canopy 14b, when the enclosure 10 is contracted, as shown in FIG. 2 (this will be discussed in more detail below).

[0048] The first frame member 12a is coupled to the second frame member 12b by a sliding mechanism, which is operable to reversibly extend the enclosure 10 between a contracted position (as shown in FIG. 2) and an extended position (as shown in FIG. 1).

[0049] The sliding mechanism comprises a pair of tubular members 16a, 16b, each tubular member engaging in sliding arrangement with the longitudinal supports 12a of the first frame member 12a and the longitudinal supports 12b of the second frame member 12b. The longitudinal supports 12a, 12b serve as guides or rails to receive the respective tubular members 16a, 16b, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the example of FIG. 1, the tubular supports are fabricated from steel tube (e.g. 1?? with a 5/16 gap in HRPO tubing).

[0050] Referring again to FIG. 1, the enclosure 10 is shown in its fully extended state, whereby the enclosure has been extended to its largest longitudinal dimension, which corresponds to an arrangement where the first frame member 12a and the second frame member 12b are at their maximum separation. In such an arrangement, the first mesh canopy 14a and the second mesh canopy 14b are arranged end-to-end, with little or no overlap therebetween. The volume enclosed by the enclosure then adopts its maximum value.

[0051] By contrast, in FIG. 2 the enclosure 10 is shown as having been contracted to its smallest longitudinal dimension, which corresponds to an arrangement where the second frame member 12b fully nests within the first frame member 12a. In such an arrangement, the first mesh canopy 14a then overlies the second mesh canopy 14b, and the volume enclosed by the enclosure adopts its minimum value.

[0052] In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the enclosure 10 therefore adopts a substantially rectangular cuboid form when extended; and a substantially cuboid form when contracted. When extended, the longitudinal dimension is around 111 cm, while when contracted the longitudinal dimension is about 57 cm.

[0053] Of course, it is to be appreciated that due to action of the sliding mechanism, the enclosure 10 can adopt any extended state between the contracted position and the fully extended position, so as to accommodate any volume therein. The extendibility of the enclosure 10 therefore allows the enclosure to be used for many different applications, and as such can be used to enclose all manner of tools, equipment and machinery of varying sizes. Moreover, the ability to contract the enclosure 10 also assists with ease of storage of the enclosure when not in use.

[0054] Each tubular member 16a, 16b comprises at least one locking mechanism 18a, 18b to lock the first frame member 12a in a position relative to the second frame member 12b. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the locking mechanism 18a, 18b comprises at least one bolt and a wing nut, which is tightened against the respective longitudinal supports 12a, 12b to lock the tubular member 16a, 16b in a position relative to the first or second frame member 12a, 12b to inhibit or prevent further sliding motion.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each tubular member 16a, 16b comprises a bolt and a 8 mm wing nut at each end, so that the first and second frame members 12a,12b can be rigidly locked in place.

[0056] The first and second frame members 12a, 12b also comprise a pair of castors 20a, 20b to facilitate portability and manoeuvrability of the enclosure 10, while also allowing ease of extension and contraction. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, a 65 mm single bolt hole swivel castor has been used at each corner of the enclosure 10.

[0057] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown an enclosure 10 according to the present invention in use with an example piece of equipment, in this case, a space heater. Due to the presence of heated surfaces and hot air flow, it is desirable to prevent inadvertent access to the heater. Therefore, the enclosure 10 can be extended to the required size and placed over the heater to avoid any harm or injury. Moreover, since the ends of the enclosure 10 are open and the surfaces of the enclosure 10 are formed by mesh canopies 14a, 14b, the circulation of air flow is not impeded and so the heater can perform it required function, without concern of injury to a user or passer-by.

[0058] Of course, it is to be appreciated that the space heater is just one of many examples of possible items of equipment or machinery that could be enclosed by the present enclosure.

[0059] In FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown a different arrangement for an enclosure 10 according to the present invention. In this arrangement, the sliding mechanism comprises a third tubular member 16c arranged to slidingly engage with the first frame member 12a and the second frame member 12b via additional respective longitudinal supports 12a, 12b. The third tubular member 16c is disposed towards the top of the enclosure 10, adjacent to the first and second mesh canopies 14a, 14b. An advantage of having a third tubular member 16c is that it provides additional structural strength to the top of the enclosure 10, and mitigates against damage to the mesh canopies 14a, 14b.

[0060] The third tubular member 16c has the same construction as the other two tubular members 16a, 16b and the additional longitudinal supports 12a, 12b serve as respective guides to receive the third tubular member 16c in sliding engagement.

[0061] As will be appreciated from the foregoing embodiments, the present invention is able to provide a safe and reliable, easy to install, and cost-effective means of enclosing objects such as tools, equipment and machinery. However, it will be recognised that one or more of the principles of the invention may extend to other applications, whereby it is required to enclose, retain or cordon off a particular object, space or volume. Therefore, the present extendible enclosure may find use as an animal cage (e.g. for dogs, cats, birds etc.), or as an animal feeding cage; a horticultural cage (e.g. for plants, flowers, vegetables etc.); for storing gas cylinders or wet spraying equipment; or for chemical or medical use; for timber or coal storage; for tool cages; for enclosing computers, servers or displays; as a CCTV camera cage; as an industrial refrigerator cage; a music speaker cage; or for enclosing safes, and indeed anywhere where safety and/or security are a consideration. In such cases, it will typically be necessary to close each of the faces via mesh or some other material, depending on what is to be enclosed.

[0062] Of course, it is to be understood that the dimensions of the enclosure are inherently scalable, and therefore the enclosure can be sized to accommodate any particular requirement depending on the desired use and/or implementation. Hence, none of the embodiments or examples disclosed herein are to be taken to be limiting on the dimensions of the enclosure.

[0063] Thus, the above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the invention.