Easily erected roof structure for modular buildings

#This invention relates generally to the field of buildings and more particularly to an easily transported and relatively low-cost roof structure for modular buildings.

#In recent years, the cost of conventional on-site construction of buildings has risen at a very rapid rate. The need for low-cost buildings has, consequently increased. In response to this ever increasing need for low-cost buildings, numerous manufacturers of mobile and modular homes and buildings have developed mobile structures in an effort to meet this need. The mobile home and building manufacturers have generally built structures having a substantially long, narrow, rectangular floor plan. These mobile homes and buildings are typically provided with permanent or removable wheels so that the home or building can be towed by a truck from the factory to the customer's home or building site.

#In most instances, by completely fabricating the building at the factory, construction cost is reduced because mass production techniques can be used. Site preparation costs for plumbing, electric and gas hookup, and transportation, while additional to the factory fabrication cost, nevertheless result in a net cost to the customer for a completed mobile home which generally is less than the cost of constructing on site a comparable sized home by conventional techniques.

#The foregoing and other objects of the invention will become more clear from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention taken in connection with the drawings which form a part of the disclosure wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a trailer, in phantom lines, showing a side elevational view of the roof structure of this invention in its folded position;

#FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the trailer with the roof structure of the invention disposed therein in its folded condition;

#Referring first to FIG. 1, a conventional trailer 20 is shown with a roof structure 21 of the invention loaded inside the trailer 20. The trailer 20 has an elongated rectangular floor with a floor-to-ceiling height slightly greater than the width of the trailer. The trailer 20 itself is powered by a conventional trailer tractor or truck, shown generally at 22.

#The building site, whereat a building including the roof structure 21 of the present invention is to be assembled, typically has a concrete slab or the like 23 onto which the trailer 20 is driven. While a concrete slab 23 is the preferred foundation for a building which includes the roof structure of the invention, other foundations including the ground may be utilized so long as a trailer 20 can be driven thereon and the roof structure 21 unloaded in a manner hereinafter described in greater detail. Alternatively, a specially prepared low wall foundation may be utilized, with or without basement, but special equipment is required to slide the roof structure out of the trailer onto the foundation.

#The roof structure 21, as shown in FIG. 2, has a central horizontally disposed section 24 and two side sections 25 hinged at 26 along opposed edges 27 of the central section 24. The side sections 25, in their folded condition in the trailer 20, extend downwardly in a generally vertical plane and the lowermost edge thereof rests on rollers, shown generally at 28 in FIG. 1. The rollers 28 are disposed between the side sections 25 and the trailer floor 29 so that the roof structure 21 can be easily rolled into or out of the trailer 20. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the rollers 28 can be replaced by slides or the like so long as the roof structure 21 can be easily moved in or out of a trailer.