초록 ▼

A modular enclosure may include a number of components, such as floor panels, wall panels and roof panels, which may be interconnected to form a structure such as a shed. For example, the shed may include wall panels with connecting portions that are sized and configured to allow adjacent wall panel

A modular enclosure may include a number of components, such as floor panels, wall panels and roof panels, which may be interconnected to form a structure such as a shed. For example, the shed may include wall panels with connecting portions that are sized and configured to allow adjacent wall panels to be interconnected. The wall panels may also include outwardly extending projections that allow the wall panels to be connected to the floor panels. In addition, the wall panels may include receiving portions that may receive portions of the roof panels, such as an outwardly extending lip. Advantageously, a truss may extend through the receiving portions in the wall panels and the truss may include a channel that is sized and configured to allow any water that enters the shed through a roof panel seam to be removed from the shed.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A portion of a shed comprising: a first panel forming an outer portion of the shed and being constructed from blow-molded plastic, the first panel including an inner surface, an outer surface, a hollow interior portion and a first connecting portion that are integrally formed

What is claimed is: 1. A portion of a shed comprising: a first panel forming an outer portion of the shed and being constructed from blow-molded plastic, the first panel including an inner surface, an outer surface, a hollow interior portion and a first connecting portion that are integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of a unitary, one-piece structure, the first connecting portion comprising: an engaging member including an inner surface and an outer surface that do not extend beyond a plane generally aligned with the inner surface or the outer surface of the first panel; and a connecting member including a first end connected to the first panel and a second end connected to the engaging member, the connecting member including an inner surface and an outer surface that do not extend beyond a plane generally aligned with the inner surface or the outer surface of the first panel; a second panel forming another outer portion of the shed and being constructed from blow-molded plastic, the second panel including an inner surface, an outer surface, a hollow interior portion and a second connecting portion that are integrally formed during the blow-molding process as a unitary, one-piece structure, the second connecting portion comprising: an engaging member including an inner surface and an outer surface that do not extend beyond a plane generally aligned with the inner surface or the outer surface of the second panel; and a connecting member including a first end connected to the second panel and a second end connected to the engaging member, the connecting member including an inner surface and an outer surface that do not extend beyond a plane generally aligned with the inner surface or the outer surface of the second panel; and a first reinforcing member including an elongated body with a generally planar outer surface encapsulated within the hollow interior portion of the first panel, the elongated body disposed proximate the first connecting portion of the first panel, the planar outer surface of the elongated body aligned with a plane that is at an oblique angle relative to the outer surface of the first panel, the elongated body extending between the outer and inner surfaces of the first panel, the elongated body abutting the outer and inner surfaces of the first panel, the first reinforcing member being sized and configured to reinforce at least a portion of the first panel; wherein the first connecting portion of the first panel and the second connecting portion of the second panel are sized and configured to overlap and interlock each other to retain the first panel adjacent to the second panel with the inner surface of the first panel generally aligned with the inner surface of the second panel in the same plane and the outer surface of the first panel generally aligned with the outer surface of the second panel. 2. The portion of the shed as in claim 1, wherein a first receiving portion is at least partially disposed between the first panel and the engaging member of the first connecting portion; wherein a second receiving portion is at least partially disposed between the second panel and the engaging member of the second connecting portion; wherein the engaging member of the first connecting portion is sized and configured to be positioned at least partially within the second receiving portion of the second connecting portion when the first panel is connected to the second panel; and wherein the engaging member of the second connecting portion is sized and configured to be positioned at least partially within the first receiving portion of the first connecting portion when the first panel is connected to the second panel. 3. The portion of the shed as in claim 1, further comprising an opening formed in an end of the first panel that is sized and configured to allow the first reinforcing member to be inserted into the first panel, the opening being sized and configured to close itself after the reinforcing member is inserted into the first panel such that the reinforcing member is enclosed within the first panel. 4. The portion of the shed as in claim 1, wherein the connecting member of the first connecting portion is substantially larger than the connecting member of the second connection portion. 5. The portion of the shed as in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is constructed from steel. 6. The portion of the shed as in claim 1, further comprising a reinforcing member alignment portion including a groove that is formed in the inner surface of the first panel, integrally formed within the first panel and is sized and configured to retain the elongated body of the first reinforcing member in alignment with the plane that is at an oblique angle relative to the outer surface of the first panel. 7. The portion of the shed as in claim 1, wherein the outer and inner surfaces are separated by a distance; and wherein the metal strip has a width that is greater than the outer and inner surfaces of the first panel. 8. The portion of the shed as in claim 1, wherein the first panel includes at least one groove positioned proximate the reinforcing member, the groove being sized and configured to position the reinforcing member in a particular location. 9. The portion of the shed as in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member has different characteristics than the first panel constructed from blow-molded plastic; wherein the reinforcing member includes a generally planar surface that is disposed at an angle greater than zero relative to the outer surface of the first panel; and wherein the reinforcing member is sized and configured to increase the strength of the blow-molded plastic first panel. 10. The portion of the shed as in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of mechanical fasteners that fixedly connect the first panel to the second panel with the inner surface of the first panel generally aligned with the inner surface of the second panel in the same plane and the outer surface of the first panel generally aligned with the outer surface of the second panel. 11. A portion of a shed comprising: a wall panel constructed from blow-molded plastic and including an inner surface, an outer surface and a hollow interior portion that are integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of a unitary, one-piece structure, the wall panel forming at least a portion of an outer wall of the shed, the wall panel comprising: an elongated, generally planar body; a first protrusion extending outwardly from the body, the wall panel and the first protrusion being integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of the unitary, one-piece structure; a first locking member extending outwardly from the first outwardly extending protrusion of the wall panel, the first locking member and the first protrusion being integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of the unitary, one-piece first structure; and a reinforcing member including an elongated body with a generally planar outer surface that is disposed within the hollow interior portion of the wall panel, the elongated body disposed between and abutting the inner surface and the outer surface of the wall panel, the generally planar outer surface of the elongated body aligned with a plane that is disposed at an angle greater than zero relative to the outer surface of the wall panel, the reinforcing member being sized and configured to reinforce at least a portion of the wall panel; and a first floor panel constructed from blow-molded plastic and including an upper surface, a lower surface and a hollow interior portion that are integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of a unitary, one-piece structure, the first floor panel forming at least a portion of a floor of the shed, the first floor panel comprising: an elongated, generally planar body; a first protrusion receiving portion that is disposed in the body and sized and configured to receive the first outwardly extending protrusion of the first wall panel, the first protrusion receiving portion and the first floor panel being integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of the unitary, one-piece structure; and a first locking member receiving portion that is integrally formed with the first protrusion receiving portion during the blow-molding process as part of the unitary, one-piece structure, the first locking member receiving portion being sized and configured to receive the first locking member of the wall panel; wherein, when the wall panel is connected to the first floor panel, the first outwardly extending protrusion is disposed within the first protrusion receiving portion and the first locking member is disposed within the first locking member receiving portion. 12. The portion of the shed as in claim 11, further comprising an opening and a body of the first protrusion receiving portion of the first floor panel, the opening being sized smaller than the body to allow the first protrusion of the wall panel to be securely attached to the first floor panel. 13. The portion of the shed as in claim 11, wherein the first protrusion receiving portion of the first floor panel is tapered to allow the first protrusion of the wall panel to be securely attached to the first floor panel. 14. The portion of the shed as in claim 11, further comprising a second outwardly extending protrusion of the wall panel, the wall panel and the second protrusion being integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of the unitary, one-piece structure; and further comprising a second floor panel constructed from blow-molded plastic and including an upper surface, a lower surface and a hollow interior portion that are integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of a unitary, one-piece structure, the second floor panel forming at least a portion of a floor of the shed, the second floor panel comprising: an elongated, generally planar body; a second protrusion receiving portion that is disposed in the body and sized and configured to receive the second outwardly extending protrusion of the wall panel, the second protrusion receiving portion and the second floor panel being integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of the unitary, one-piece structure; and a second locking member receiving portion that is integrally formed with the second protrusion receiving portion during the blow-molding process as part of the unitary, one-piece structure, the second locking member receiving portion being sized and configured to receive the second locking member of the wall panel wherein, when the wall panel is connected to the second floor panel, the second outwardly extending protrusion is disposed within the second protrusion receiving portion and the second locking member is disposed within the second locking member receiving portion. 15. The portion of the shed as in claim 14, wherein the first floor panel and the second floor panel are connected along a seam and the wall panel extends across the seam when the first wall panel is connected to the first floor panel and the second floor panel. 16. A portion of a shed comprising: a first roof panel constructed from blow-molded plastic and including an upper surface, a lower surface, a hollow interior portion and a first generally downwardly extending lip that are integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of a unitary, one-piece structure; a second roof panel constructed from blow-molded plastic and including an upper surface, a lower surface, a hollow interior portion and a second generally downwardly extending lip that are integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of a unitary, one-piece structure, the second roof panel being positioned proximate the first roof panel such that the first lip is positioned proximate the second lip; a wall panel constructed from blow-molded plastic and including an outer surface, an inner surface, a hollow interior portion and a receiving portion that are integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of a unitary, one-piece structure, the first lip and the second lip being at least partially disposed within the receiving portion when the first roof panel and the second roof panel is connected to the wall panel; and a reinforcing member including an elongated body with a generally planar outer surface disposed within the hollow interior portion of the wall panel, the elongated body disposed between and abutting the inner surface and the outer surface of the wall panel, the generally planar outer surface of the elongated body aligned with a plane that is disposed at an angle greater than zero relative to the outer surface of the wall panel, the reinforcing member being sized and configured to reinforce at least a portion of the wall panel. 17. The portion of the shed as in claim 16, further comprising a truss that is sized and configured to support at least a portion of the first roof panel and the second roof panel, the truss including a channel that is generally aligned with at least a portion of the first lip and the second lip. 18. The portion of the shed as in claim 16, further comprising a truss that is sized and configured to support at least a portion of the first roof panel and the second roof panel, the truss including a channel and at least a portion of the first lip and at least a portion of the second lip being disposed within the channel. 19. The portion of the shed as in claim 16, further comprising a truss that is sized and configured to support at least a portion of the first roof panel and the second roof panel, at least a portion of the truss being generally aligned with the first lip and the second lip, at least a portion of the truss extending through the receiving portion in the wall panel. 20. The portion of the shed as in claim 19, further comprising a channel disposed in the truss, the channel being sized and configured to allow moisture entering the shed from between the first roof panel and the second roof panel to be removed from the shed. 21. The portion of the shed as in claim 16, wherein the receiving portion is formed in an upper portion of the wall panel and the receiving portion is spaced apart from a first side and a second side of the wall panel. 22. The portion of the shed as in claim 16, further comprising a truss that is constructed from metal and sized and configured to support at least a portion of the first roof panel and the second roof panel, at least a portion of the truss extending through the receiving portion in the wall panel. 23. A portion of a shed comprising: a first roof panel constructed from blow-molded plastic and including an upper surface, a lower surface, a hollow interior portion and a first generally downwardly extending lip that are integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of a unitary, one-piece structure; a first wall panel constructed from blow-molded plastic and including an outer surface, an inner surface, a hollow interior portion and a receiving portion that are integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of a unitary, one-piece structure, the first lip of the first roof panel being at least partially disposed within the receiving portion when the first roof panel is connected to the wall panel; a reinforcing member including a generally planar metal strip encapsulated within the hollow interior portion of the first wall panel, the metal strip disposed between and abutting the inner surface and the outer surface of the first wall panel, the metal strip aligned with a plane that is disposed at an angle greater than zero relative to the outer surface of the first wall panel, the reinforcing member being sized and configured to reinforce at least a portion of the first wall panel; and a truss that is sized and configured to support at least a portion of the first roof panel when the first roof panel is connected to the first wall panel, at least a portion of the truss extending through the receiving portion in the first wall panel. 24. The portion of the shed as in claim 23, further comprising a channel disposed in the truss, the first lip of the first roof panel being disposed at least proximate and generally aligned with the channel. 25. The portion of the shed as in claim 23, further comprising a channel disposed in the truss, the first lip of the first roof panel being at least partially disposed within the channel. 26. The portion of the shed as in claim 23, further comprising a second roof panel constructed from blow-molded plastic and including an outer surface, an inner surface, a hollow interior portion and a second generally downwardly extending lip that are integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of the unitary, one-piece structure, the first lip and the second lip being generally aligned with the truss. 27. The portion of the shed as in claim 26, further comprising a channel disposed in the truss, the channel being sized and configured to allow moisture entering the shed from between the first roof panel and the second roof panel to be removed from the shed. 28. A portion of a shed comprising: a first roof panel constructed from blow-molded plastic and including an upper surface, a lower surface, a hollow interior portion and a first generally downwardly extending lip that are integrally formed with the first roof panel as part of a unitary, one-piece structure; a second roof panel constructed from blow-molded plastic and including an upper surface, a lower surface, a hollow interior portion and a second generally downwardly extending lip that are integrally formed with the second roof panel as part of a unitary, one-piece structure, the second roof panel being positioned proximate the first roof panel such that the first lip is positioned proximate the second lip; a wall panel constructed from blow-molded plastic including an outer surface, an inner surface, a hollow interior portion and a receiving portion that are integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of a unitary, one-piece structure; a reinforcing member including an elongated body with a generally planar outer surface that is disposed within the hollow interior portion of the wall panel, the elongated body disposed between and abutting the inner surface and the outer surface of the wall panel, the generally planar outer wall of the elongated body aligned with a plane that is disposed at an angle greater than zero relative to the outer surface of the wall panel, the reinforcing member being sized and configured to reinforce at least a portion of the wall panel; and a truss that is sized and configured to support at least a portion of the first roof panel and the second roof panel when the first roof panel and the second roof panel are connected to the wall panel, at least a portion of the truss extending through the receiving portion in the wall panel. 29. The portion of the shed as in claim 28, wherein the first lip and the second lip are at least partially disposed within the receiving portion of the wall panel when the first roof panel and the second roof panel are connected to the wall panel. 30. The portion of the shed as in claim 28, further comprising a channel disposed in the truss, the first lip of the first roof panel and the second lip of the second roof panel being generally aligned with the channel, the channel being sized and configured to allow moisture entering the shed from between the first roof panel and the second roof panel to be removed from the shed.