Modular cupola assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to kit for a cupola assembly. The cupola assembly utilizes injection molded plastic panels having integrally formed connectors. The cupola is capable of being packaged and shipped in a knocked-down state and constructed into a secure cupola.

1 . A kit for a cupola assembly comprising: 
 a left side panel for enclosing the left side of said cupola assembly, said left side panel including a first edge and a second edge, said first and said second edges including an integrally formed first means for connecting to adjacently positioned panel members;    a right side panel for enclosing the right side of said cupola assembly, said right side panel including a first edge and a second edge, said first and said second edges including an integrally formed first means for connecting to adjacently positioned panel members;    a rear side panel for enclosing the back of said cupola assembly, said rear side panel including a first edge and a second edge, said first and said second edges including an integrally formed first means for connecting to adjacently positioned panel members;    a front panel for enclosing the front of said cupola assembly, said front side panel including a first edge and a second edge, said first and said second edges including an integrally formed first means for connecting to adjacently positioned panel members;    a cover panel for enclosing the top of said cupola assembly; wherein said cupola assembly can be shipped in a disassembled compact configuration and assembled on a desired site.    
   
   
       2 . The kit for a cupola assembly of  claim 1  wherein said left and said right side panel each include a top surface, each said top surface having a second means of connecting for securing said cover panel to said top surface.  
   
   
       3 . The kit for a cupola assembly of  claim 2  wherein said second means of connecting includes at least one upwardly extending boss, wherein said at least one boss is constructed and arranged to cooperate with a socket integrally formed into a bottom surface of said cover panel, wherein said cover panel is secured in interlocking engagement with said left side panel and said right side panel.  
   
   
       4 . The kit for a cupola assembly of  claim 1  wherein said left side panel, said right side panel, said front side panel and said rear side panel each include a top surface, each said top surface having a second means of connecting for securing said cover panel to said top surface.  
   
   
       5 . The kit for a cupola assembly of  claim 4  wherein said second means of connecting includes at least one upwardly extending boss, wherein a portion of said at least one boss is formed by said left said panel, said right side panel, said front side panel and said rear side panel, wherein said at least one boss constructed and arranged to cooperate with a socket integrally formed into a bottom surface of said cover panel, wherein said cover panel is secured in interlocking engagement with said left side panel, said right side panel, said front side panel and said rear side panel.  
   
   
       6 . The kit for a cupola assembly of  claim 4  wherein said first means for connecting includes at least one integrally formed locking post extending outwardly from each of said first and said second edges of said front side panel and said rear side panel, wherein said first and said second edges of said front side panel and said rear side panel each include at least one inwardly extending socket, wherein said side panels are positioned substantially perpendicular with respect to each other and wherein said at least one locking post of said front and said rear side panel are constructed and arranged to enter a corresponding socket of an adjacently positioned left or right side panel resulting in a mechanically secure connection therebetween.  
   
   
       7 . The kit for a cupola assembly of  claim 6  wherein said first and said second edges of said front and said rear side panels include at least two of said locking posts arranged in a linear fashion along said first and said second edges, wherein said right side panel and said left side panel include at least two said sockets arranged in a linear fashion along said first and said second edges thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The kit for a cupola assembly of  claim 6  wherein each of said at least one locking post includes at least one spring lock integrally formed thereto, wherein said at least one spring lock is constructed and arranged to interlock with an adjacently positioned front side panel or rear side panel to provide a secure connection therebetween.  
   
   
       9 . The kit for a cupola assembly of  claim 8  wherein said front and said rear side panels include at least one aperture positioned to cooperate with said at least one spring lock, wherein said at least one spring lock enters and engages said at least one aperture for interlocking engagement between two substantially perpendicular side panels.  
   
   
       10 . The kit for a cupola assembly of  claim 1  wherein left side panel and said right side panel are substantially similar in construction.  
   
   
       11 . The kit for a cupola assembly of  claim 1  wherein left side panel and said right side panel are identical in construction.  
   
   
       12 . The kit for a cupola assembly of  claim 1  wherein front side panel and said rear side panel are substantially similar in construction.  
   
   
       13 . The kit for a cupola assembly of  claim 1  wherein left side panel and said right side panel are identical in construction.  
   
   
       14 . The kit for a cupola assembly of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said left side panel, said right side panel, said front side panel and said rear side panel include a means for ventilating a structure to which said cupola is attached.  
   
   
       15 . The kit for a cupola assembly of  claim 14  wherein said means for ventilating includes a plurality of apertures extending through said at least one panel, whereby air is free to flow into and out of said cupola.  
   
   
       16 . A kit for assembling a cupola comprising: 
 a left side panel, a right side panel, a front side panel, a rear side panel and a cover panel, wherein each said panel includes connectors integrally formed thereto for assembling said cupola without additional fasteners, wherein said cupola may be shipped in a disassembled compact state and wherein said cupola may be snapped together at a desired site.    
   
   
       17 . A cupola assembly comprising: 
 a left side panel having monolithic construction including; 
 a first end having a first means of connecting for interlocking cooperation with a second end of a front side panel in a substantially perpendicular relationship;  
 a second end having said first means of connecting for interlocking cooperation with a first end of a rear side panel in a substantially perpendicular relationship;  
 a top edge having a second means of connecting for interlocking cooperation with a cover panel;  
 a bottom edge having a depending lip constructed and arranged to accept fasteners for attaching said cupola to a building structure;  
 an inner surface;  
 an outer surface;  
   a right side panel having monolithic construction including; 
 a first end having said first means of connecting for interlocking cooperation with a second end of said rear side panel in a substantially perpendicular relationship;  
 a second end having said first means of connecting for interlocking cooperation with a first end of said front side panel in a substantially perpendicular relationship;  
 a bottom edge having a depending lip constructed and arranged to accept fasteners for attaching said cupola to a building structure;  
 an inner surface;  
 an outer surface;  
   a front side panel having monolithic construction including; 
 a first end having said first means of connecting for interlocking cooperation with said second end of said right side panel in a substantially perpendicular relationship;  
 a second end having said first means of connecting for interlocking cooperation with said first end of said right side panel in a substantially perpendicular relationship;  
 a bottom edge having a depending lip constructed and arranged to accept fasteners for attaching said cupola to a building structure;  
 an inner surface;  
 an outer surface;  
   a rear side panel having monolithic construction including; 
 a first end having said first means of connecting for interlocking cooperation with said second end of said right side panel in a substantially perpendicular relationship;  
 a second end having said first means of connecting for interlocking cooperation with said first end of said right side panel in a substantially perpendicular relationship;  
 a bottom edge having a depending lip constructed and arranged to accept fasteners for attaching said cupola to a building structure;  
 an inner surface;  
 an outer surface;  
   wherein said cupola may be shipped in a disassembled compact state and wherein said cupola may be snapped together at a desired site.    
   
   
       18 . The cupola assembly of  claim 17  wherein said inner surface of said left side panel, said right side panel, said front side panel and said rear side panel each include at least one rib extending at least partially across said inner surface, wherein said at least one rib increases the structural integrity of said cupola by inhibiting said panels from bowing or bending inwardly or outwardly.  
   
   
       19 . The cupola assembly of  claim 17  wherein said inner surface of said left side panel, said right side panel, said front side panel and said rear side panel each include at least one gusset extending between said inner surface and said at least one rib, wherein said at least one gusset increases the structural integrity of said cupola by inhibiting said panels from bowing or bending inwardly or outwardly.