Simplified greenhouse structure suitable for mass production and field assembly

Abstract

Greenhouse or storage structures in several embodiments of different sizes are capable of being mass produced in major subassemblies and then shipped knocked down and flat to a final erection site. Then they are erected in a matter of minutes by one person in respect to smaller ones and in less than two hours by two persons in respect to larger ones. Each greenhouse has a combined wall and roof assembly comprised of semi-rigid sheet material, generally fiberglass, originating in a rectangular shape. Using respective jigs, these rectangular sheets are laid over and fastened to several spaced and parallel pieces of flexible plastic conduit, which serve jointly as wall and roof reinforcements or supports. These flexible plastic reinforcements are aligned transversely to the longitudinal axis or each greenhouse. They also extend beyond the edges of the fiberglass sheet on both sides. At an erection site this roof and wall assembly is arched until the ends of the reinforcements or ribs are pointing downward and they are then inserted and fastened in receiving holes or secured clamps along respective opposite sides of a rectangular rigid base frame defining the floor area of the greenhouse. This base frame is anchored to the ground by driving in steel pipe anchor pins which acquire flared tops as they are driven into the ground. Two rigid, arch shaped, end frames utilizing the semi-rigid fiberglass sheet material, finally determine the arched shape of the combined wall and roof assembly as they become the enclosing ends of the greenhouse. On large greenhouses access to such walk-in sized structures is through a doorway pre-built into one of the end frames. The door itself is often a conventional aluminum storm door assembly, and the balance of the framing is wood or aluminum. In a smaller size greenhouse access is provided by having an upper hinged base frame secured to a lower base frame, and the tilting of the upper hinged base frame also tilts the roof and end walls as a unit. Then they are propped open to provide ready access to the earth otherwise covered by the smaller greenhouse. Another embodiment utilizes a smaller sized greenhouse, which is tilted about hinges secured to a low wall structure. Access through at least one low wall is provided, so upon tilting or pivoting the arched roof and the walls of the smaller sized greenhouse as a unit about the hinges, substantially full walk in access is provided to plantings arranged on shelves around the interior of the low wall structure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.