US20250092664A1 - Storage shed - Google Patents

Abstract

A storage shed including one or more extruded wall uprights, one or more blow-molded wall panels, one or more extruded corner uprights including a first corner upright a second corner upright, a blow-molded first door jamb panel, and a blow-molded second door-jamb panel. Some of the extruded corner uprights, some of the one or more extruded wall uprights, and some of the one or more blow-molded wall panels are collectively configured to, when assembled, directly attach to one another to form a sidewall or a rear wall of the storage shed. The blow-molded first door-jamb panel is configured to directly attach to the first corner upright and the blow-molded second door-jamb panel, spaced apart from the first door-jamb panel, and configured to directly attach to the second corner upright.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present disclosure relates to a storage shed for outdoor use. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a storage shed with a bottom panel, a number of side panels and upright members that slide into engagement with one another for easy assembly.
BACKGROUND
• Outdoor storage sheds for stowing outdoor equipment such as lawn implements, tools, furniture, toys, etc. are known in the art. Outdoor storage sheds may be formed of plastic and must have the ability to be resistant to the elements (rain, snow, wind, etc.). Assembly of these sheds can be troublesome due to the amount of external hardware required, such as screws, nuts, bolts, etc. These hardware pieces can be lost during assembly or can become dislodged from the shed over time, which can lead to structural deficiencies and degradation of the shed's structure.
SUMMARY
• According to at least one embodiment, a storage shed is provided. The storage shed may include one or more extruded wall uprights, one or more blow-molded wall panels, one or more extruded corner uprights, a blow-molded first door-jamb panel, and a blow-molded second door-jamb panel. The one or more extruded corner uprights includes a first corner upright and a second corner upright. The first corner upright, some of the one or more extruded wall uprights, and some of the one or more blow-molded wall panels may be collectively configured to attach to one another to form a sidewall or a rear wall of the storage shed. The blow-molded first door-jamb panel may be configured for attachment to the first corner upright and the blow-molded second door-jamb panel may be spaced apart from the first door-jamb panel and configured for attachment the second corner upright.
• According to another embodiment, a storage shed including a blow-molded floor panel, one or more uprights, a first blow-molded side panel, and a second blow-molded side panel, is provided. The blow-molded floor panel may be configured to form a floor of the storage shed and the number of uprights may be configured to be fixed directly to the blow-molded floor panel. The number of uprights may include a wall upright. The wall upright may be disposed between the first blow-molded side panel and the second blow-molded side panel so that the first and second blow-molded panels are fixed to one another to form at least a portion of a wall of the storage shed.
• According to another embodiment, a method of assembling a storage shed is provided. The method may include: Attaching a number of blow-molded floor panels to one another to form a floor of the storage shed; Inserting a number of wall anchors through a number of anchor aperture defined by the floor, the number of wall anchors each including a post; Attaching an extruded corner upright to a first wall anchor of the number of wall anchors disposed in a corner region of the floor; Attaching a first extruded wall upright of the number of wall uprights to a second wall anchor of the number of wall anchors, the second wall anchor spaced apart from the first wall anchor; and Attaching, by at least one form-fit condition, a blow-molded first wall panel to the corner upright and the first extruded wall upright.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG.1 illustrates a front-perspective view of an exemplary storage shed.
• FIG.2 illustrates a front-plan view of the exemplary storage shed illustrated inFIG.1.
• FIG.3 illustrates a front-perspective view of an exemplary storage shed.
• FIG.3A illustrates a side-plan view of the exemplary storage shed illustrated inFIG.3.
• FIG.4 illustrates a front-perspective view of an exemplary storage shed.
• FIG.4A illustrates a side-plan view of the exemplary storage shed illustrated inFIG.4.
• FIGS.5-7 each illustrate a perspective-exploded view of one or more portions of an exemplary floor assembly.
• FIGS.8-8B illustrate perspective, side-plan, and rear-plan views of an exemplary floor anchor illustrated inFIGS.5-7.
• FIG.9 illustrates a front-perspective view of a partial assembly of the shed assembly shown inFIG.1.
• FIG.9A illustrates a perspective-cross-sectional view taken along the lines9-A inFIG.10.
• FIG.10 illustrates a front-perspective view of a partial assembly of the shed assembly shown inFIG.1.
• FIG.11 illustrates a front-perspective view of a partial assembly of the shed assembly shown inFIG.1.
• FIG.12 illustrates a front-perspective view of a partial assembly of the shed assembly shown inFIG.1.
• FIG.13 illustrates a front-perspective view of a partial assembly of the shed assembly shown inFIG.1.
• FIG.14 illustrates a front-perspective view of a partial assembly of the shed assembly shown inFIG.1.
• FIGS.14A-14C each illustrate detail views taken alonglines14A,14B,14C inFIG.14, respectively.
• FIG.14D illustrates a cross-sectional view taken alonglines14D inFIG.14.
• FIG.15 illustrates a rear-perspective view of a partial assembly of the shed assembly shown inFIG.1.
• FIG.15A illustrates a detail view taken along thelines15B inFIG.15.
• FIG.15B illustrates a detail view taken along thelines15B inFIG.15.
• FIG.16 illustrates a rear-perspective view of a partial assembly of the shed assembly shown inFIG.1.
• FIG.16A illustrates a detail view taken alonglines16A inFIG.16.
• FIG.17 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a roof assembly shown inFIG.16.
• FIG.17A illustrates a detail view taken alonglines17A inFIG.17.
• FIG.18 illustrates a rear-perspective view of a partial assembly of the shed assembly shown inFIG.1.
• FIG.18A illustrates a detail view taken alonglines18A inFIG.18.
• FIG.19 illustrates a rear-perspective view of a partial assembly of the shed assembly shown inFIG.1.
• FIG.19A illustrates a detail view taken alonglines19A inFIG.19.
• FIG.20 illustrates a rear-perspective view of a tenth partial assembly of the shed assembly shown inFIG.1.
• FIG.22 illustrates a rear-perspective view of a partial assembly of the shed assembly shown inFIG.1.
• FIG.22A illustrates a detail view taken alonglines22A inFIG.22.
• FIG.23 illustrates a rear perspective view of a partial assembly of the shed assembly shown inFIG.1.
• FIG.22A illustrates a detail view taken alonglines23A inFIG.23.
• FIG.24 illustrates a rear perspective view of the shed assembly shown inFIG.1.
• FIG.24A illustrates a detail view taken alonglines24A inFIG.24.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments can take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures can be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations.
• The use of directional terms herein are meant to be relative to the orientation shown in the Figures to give context to the interplay and relative location of various regions or parts of the storage shed. Such terms include “side,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” etc. These terms are meant to give context to the relative location of indicated parts of the shed relative to other parts of the shed as shown in the orientation depicted in the Figures, and are not meant to be limiting on the scope of the shed in any other fashion unless specifically indicated.
• As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular form “a,” “an,” and “the” comprise plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, reference to a component in the singular is intended to comprise a plurality of components.
• The term “substantially” or “about” may be used herein to describe disclosed or claimed embodiments. The term “substantially” or “about” may modify a value or relative characteristic disclosed or claimed in the present disclosure. In such instances, “substantially” or “about” may signify that the value or relative characteristic it modifies is within ±0%, 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% or 10% of the value or relative characteristic.
• When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. However, it should be understood that two constituent or major components that are securely fixed to one another at a joint or other interface, may be considered directly connected even in cases where one or intermediary components (e.g., washers, bushing, gaskets covers) are disposed between the constituent components to facilitate the secured attachment of the same. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). The term “and/or” may include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
• Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.
• Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
• Known sheds typically include several components such as wall panels, floor panels, roof panels, doors that must be assembled to form portions or sub-assemblies that are fixed to one another. Those portions and sub-assemblies must be assembled to one another to form the overall shed assembly. In order to facilitate shipping or transporting of the shed between a manufacturer and a retailer and between the retailer and a consumer, the sub-assemblies or portions need to be in a disassembled state and assembled at the desired location. The portions and sub-assemblies are generally formed of individual components that are fixed to one another by several fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, nuts, rivets) and bracketry.
• Depending on the amount strength or rigidity required, intermediary brackets may be required to provide a suitable cross-sectional area to provide sufficient clamping force between individual components and/or the sub-assemblies to form a suitable fastening joint. Moreover, several fastening joints that are spaced a part from one another may be required to connect two components or two sub-assemblies to one another. The use of fasteners, such as self-tapping screws, bolts and nuts, or other threaded fasteners, inherently requires employment of at least one additional component (e.g., the fastener and/or nut) for each fastening joint as compared to a fastener-less attachment or connection.
• Known sheds may be reinforced by elongated metal (e.g., steel) members such as rods, or beams fixed to portions of the shed, such as the walls and roof. These reinforcements may be fixed to the walls and roof members by several fasteners and the reinforcements generally extend along the entire length of the component being reinforced (e.g., extending in a vertical direction along the entire wall or in the lateral and longitudinal direction along the roof members). Such reinforcements may be formed by one or more stamping or casting processes.
• Some known sheds may include plastic components (e.g., wall panels, roof members, and floor panels) formed by injection molding. Injection molding plastics generally includes feeding materials (e.g., elastomers, thermoplastic, thermosetting polymers) into a heated barrel, mixed (e.g., by a helical screw) and injected into a mold cavity, in which the melted material cools and hardens to form the shape of the cavity. Due to inherent limitations of injection molding, components formed by injection molding generally have a solid body or cross-section. Accordingly, forming hollow-bodied components by injection molding is not possible or feasible.
• Referring generally to the figures, one or more storage sheds are shown and described herein. The storage shed100 includes wall uprights102, corner uprights104,106,wall panels108, and first and second door-jamb panels110a,110b.As described herein, thewall panels108 and/or the door-jamb panels110a,110bare connectable to one another by a press fit, allowing a user to assemble thewall panels108, the door-jamb panels110a,110b,or both, to the wall uprights102 and the corner uprights104,106, without the use of fasteners (e.g., bolts, nuts, screws).
• The assembled storage shed100 provides an auxiliary storage area often placed outside a user's home. The structure of thewall panels108, door-jamb panels110, wall and corner uprights102-106 and the engagement between the panels108-110 and the uprights102-106, given the teachings herein, provide the storage shed100 with the ability to be resistant to the elements (rain, snow, wind, etc.) while safely storing outdoor equipment such as lawn implements, tools, furniture, toys, etc. in a rigid, easy-to-assemble container. As one example, the panels108-110 may be connected to the uprights102-106 by sliding the panels108-110 into the uprights108-110 to form walls120-126 of the storage shed100.
• The walls120-126 of the storage shed100 include thefront wall120,first sidewall122,second sidewall124, and arear wall126. Thefront wall120 includes at least one door-jamb wall, such as the first door-jamb wall110aand the second door-jamb wall110b,and aheader112 each of which may be connected to front corner uprights104. The first andsecond sidewalls120,122 and therear wall124 each include one or more of thewall panels108 that are connected to rear corner uprights106 and the wall uprights102. As an example, afirst wall panel108 of one of thesidewalls122,124 positioned nearest to thefront wall120 is disposed between afront corner upright104 and a first upright of one of theuprights102 and another orsecond wall panel108, disposed adjacent to thefirst wall panel108 is disposed betweenfirst upright102 and asecond upright102. The spacing betweencorner uprights104,106 andadjacent wall uprights102, as well as the spacing between adjacent wall uprights may be substantially the same which enables each of thewall panels108 to have a substantially consistent width.
• In one or more embodiments, the door-jamb wall panels110a,110b,wall panels108, andheader112 are made of a polymeric material (e.g., polyethylene) that is blow-molded to shape. Blow molding of the panels and header108-112 enables the panels and header to be hollow, lightweight, and sufficiently rigid prior to (e.g., during transit) and after assembly. What is more, because the hollow construction of the blow-molded panels and header108-112 make them relatively lighter as compared to configurations produced by other manufacturing methods (e.g., injection molding), positioning the panels and header during assembly is relatively easier and less burdensome than other configurations. It should be understood that one or more of the panels and header108-112 may be formed by another process such as injection molding.
• The storage shed100 includes aroof assembly128 disposed above the walls120-126 and afloor assembly130 disposed below the walls. In at least one embodiment, theroof assembly128 may be pitched or slanted from thefront wall120 towards therear wall126, though other configurations are readily contemplated herein. Theroof assembly128 may be supported by one or more roofline panels, including afront roofline panels114a,114b,middle roofline panels116a,116b,andrear roofline panels118a,118b.The roofline panels114-118 may be disposed between theroof assembly128 and thewall panels108 anduprights102 and each of the roofline panels114-118 may be tapered from the front of the shed100 towards the rear of theshed100. Because the roofline panels114-118 collectively taper from front to rear, so that a rear portion of the roofline panels are narrower than the front portion of roofline panels and thewall panels108 which form thesidewalls122,124 andrear wall126 have a substantially consistent height. Because thewall panels108 have a common height and width, the wall panels are interchangeable. This interchangeability reduces part and assembly complexity; use of unique tools (e.g., dies, molds, blow molding machinery) required to produce panels that differ in size and shape is avoided, and a user need not be concerned with sorting and placing unique panels in their required position during assembly.
• According to one or more embodiments, the uprights102-106 include an elongated body formed by an extruded alloy (e.g., extruded aluminum) provided with grooves orslots148 extending along the sides of the uprights102-106. The use of extruded aluminum to form the uprights102-106 may reduce the weight of the shed100 as compared to uprights formed by of other heavier materials (e.g., steel).
• Theslots148 of the wall uprights102-106 may be formed byflanges150 extending from one or moremedial walls152 which form areceptacle154 extending along one or portions of the wall uprights102. As an example, theflanges150 forming the slots may be parallel with respect to one another and perpendicular to themedial walls152 so that theslots148 oppose one another and are substantially aligned with one another. Each of thewall panels108 include afirst edge portion156 and asecond edge portion158 that each extend from a main portion160 of thewall panel108. The edge portions each include a tongue162 that is slid or pressed into theslots148 of each of the wall uprights102.
• Theslots148 of the corner uprights104,106 may be formed by flanges164 extending from one or moremedial walls166 which form areceptacle168 extending along one or more portions of the corner uprights104,106. As will be described in greater detail below, thereceptacle154 of thewall upright102 and the receptacle of the corner uprights104,106 receive at least a portion of thewall anchor138 to fix the uprights102-106 to thefloor assembly130 by pressing one or more of the uprights102-106 onto or into one or more portions of thewall anchor138. The flanges164 may include afirst flange164aand asecond flange164bthat are arranged substantially orthogonal to one another.
• FIG.1 andFIG.2 each show the storage shed100. The storage shed100 includes afloor assembly130 that supports and fixes the position of thefront wall130,rear wall126, and sidewalls122,124. Thefront wall130 includes first door-jamb panel110a,the second door-jamb panel110b,and theheader112 that are collectively supported by the front corner uprights104. The first and second door-jamb panels are spaced apart to define a door opening132 (FIG.15). In one embodiment, the first andsecond doors134a,134bare rotationally coupled to the first and second door-jamb panels110,110b(e.g., by hinges142) so that the doors134 may close theopening132 when in the closed position and provide access to the interior of the shed when thedoors134a,134bare open. As the doors134 are opened and closed, the user may grasp door handles140 fixed to each of thedoors134a,134band the user may lock the doors134 by use of a latch or lock assembly144.
• Theroof assembly128 and theheader112 collectively form anoverhang170 that extend beyond an outer periphery of one or more of the walls120-126. Theoverhang170 extends along thefirst sidewall122, thesecond sidewall124, and therear wall126. It should be understood that theoverhang170 may also extend beyond thefront wall120 of the storage shed. The overhang may divert water away from the walls120-126 to prevent or mitigate water from entering the interior of the storage shed100. In one or more embodiments, the blow-moldedheader112 includes one or more vents171 to enable air flow between the interior and exterior of the storage shed100.
• As described herein, the present disclosure contemplates storage sheds that vary in size which share several common components or parts.FIG.3 andFIG.3A each show a two-panel storage shed146 including first and second sidewalls172,174 provided with twowall panels108, and a rear wall175. The first and second sidewalls172,174 may each include a rear extruded corner upright107 that connects the first and second sidewalls172,174 to the rear wall175.
• FIG.4 andFIG.4A each show a three-panel storage shed176 including first and second sidewalls178,180, each provided with threewall panels108, and a rear wall183. Those components that are common or substantially identical between thesheds100,146,176 are identified by common reference numbers. The first and second sidewalls178,180 of the three-panel storage shed176 may be connected to the rear wall183 by rear corner uprights109.
• Whereas the storage shed100 shown inFIG.1 includessidewalls122,124 provided with four wall panels108 (e.g., referred to herein as a four-panel shed100) that form a depth or length L1, the two-panel storage shed146 has a second length L2, and the three-panel shed176 has a third length L3. The third length L3 is greater than the second length L2 and less than the first length L1. Accordingly, the depth or length of thesheds100,146,176 vary, but the width of the sheds is the same. This common width between thesheds100,146,176 enables several common components to be used for each of the sheds. However, it should be understood that in another embodiment, the width or height may vary between thesheds100,146,176. What is more, while the sheds illustrated are either of the two-panel, three-panel, or four-panel configuration, the present disclosure contemplates other configurations including but not limited to one-panel, five-panel, and six-panel configurations.
• As an example, each of the storage sheds100,136,176 include thefront wall120. A height H1 (FIG.2) of thefront wall120 is measured from the floor assembly130 (e.g., bottom of the channel204) to the roof assembly128 (e.g., top surface of the blow-molded header112). Therear wall126 of the four-panel storage shed100 has a height H2 (FIG.14) extending from the floor assembly130 (e.g., bottom of the channel204) to the roof assembly128 (e.g., the top of the rear extruded uprights106) and each of the blow-moldedwall panels108 of thesidewalls122,124 have a third height H3 (FIG.12) extending from the bottom to the top of the blow-moldedwall panels108. The blow-moldedwall panels108 of therear wall126 have a fourth height H4 (FIG.16) extending from the bottom to the top of the blow-moldedwall panels108. The blow-molded door-jamb panels110 have a fifth height H5 (FIG.2) extending from the bottom to the top of the blow-molded door jamb panels110.
• Because the blow-moldedwall panels108 of thesidewalls122,124 are identical or substantially identical to the blow-moldedwall panels108 that form therear wall126, the third height H3 may be equal to the fourth height H4. In one or more embodiments, the first height H1 is greater than the second height H2 and the fifth height H5 is less than the first height H1. The fifth height H5 may be greater than the second height H2, the third height H3, or both of the second and third heights H2, H3.
• According to one or more embodiments, thefloor assembly130 includes a number offloor panels136 connected to one another to form afloor140 of the shed100 and one or more wall anchors138 that connect thefloor assembly130 to one or more of the walls120-126. As described herein, thefloor panels136 include overlapping and interlocking portions and the wall anchors138 may be connected to or fixed to one or more of the walls120-126 without the use of fasteners (e.g., a fastener-less connection) to enable easy assembly and sufficiently strong support of the walls120-126 and the contents stored within theshed100.
• FIGS.5-7 show one or more portions of thefloor assembly130. Thefloor assembly130 includes fourfloor panels136 collectively configured for use in the four-panel storage shed100. The fourfloor panels136 includes afront floor panel136a,a firstmedial floor panel136b,a secondmedial floor panel136c,arear floor panel136d,one or more wall anchors138, and one or more fasteners182. When thefloor assembly130 is assembled, a shed floor surface184 configured to support items disposed in theshed100 is formed. The shed floor surface184 includes anti-slip features such as raised ribs or knurling disposed along a top surface188 of each of thefloor panels136a-136d.
• Each of thefloor panels136a-136dincludes amain body186, a raised portion or raisedsurface198, and a lip200. The raisedsurface198 may extend from themain body186 in a vertical direction to form the shed floor surface184 when thefloor assembly130 is assembled. The lip200 extends about a periphery of at least a portion of each of thefloor panels136a-136dand is spaced apart from the raisedsurface198 to form one or more recessed portions orchannels204 that are recessed with respect to the shed floor surface184 and top surface188 of each of thefloor panels136a-136d.As described herein, thechannel204 enables easy and fastener-less assembly of thewall panels108, door-jamb panels104a,104b,and uprights102-106 to thefloor assembly130.
• One or more of the floor panels such as therear floor panel136d,the secondmedial floor panel136c,and the firstmedial floor panel136b,includes aconnection recess210 disposed adjacent to a front portion of the raisedsurface198 of thefloor panels136b-136dand one ormore connection bosses212 disposed within each of the connection recesses210. A rear surface of thefront floor panel136a,the firstmedial floor panel136b,and the secondmedial floor panel136cincludes a connection flange214 that covers and engages (e.g., lies along) theconnection recess210 of anadjacent floor panel136b-136dso that portions of thefloor panels136a-136doverlap one another. The connection flanges includes one or more flange apertures216 configured to receive a fastener182 (e.g., pin, dowel, screw) driven into boss apertures218 defined by one or more of theconnection bosses212 to fix thefloor panels136a-136dto one another and form thefloor assembly138.
• In one or more embodiments, thefloor assembly130 may include a protrusion that may formthreshold202 disposed below and adjacent to thedoor opening132. Thethreshold202 may be integrally formed with and extend from thefront floor panel136a.It should be understood that thethreshold202 may be separate from thefront floor panel136aand configured for attachment thereto. Thethreshold202 may be an inclined plane to enable sliding, rolling, or wheeling items (e.g., bicycle, wheel barrow, lawn mowers, large tools) along theinclined threshold202 so that those items may be more easily placed into the storage shed100.
• FIGS.8-8B show thewall anchor138 according to one more embodiments.FIG.9 shows a first partial assembly238 of the storage shed100 andFIG.9A shows a cross-sectional view taken along the lines9-A inFIG.9. As mentioned above, the uprights102-106 include front corner uprights104, rear corner uprights106, andwall uprights102, one or more of which are connected to thefloor assembly130 by the wall anchors138. In one or more embodiments, thewall anchor138 includes atop portion220 and abottom portion222, thetop portion220 extending from thebottom portion222 so that when assembled to each of thefloor panels136a-136dthebottom portion222 is substantially disposed between the top surface188 and thebottom surface190 of thefloor panels136a-136d.As described herein, the bottom andtop portions220,222 enable easy assembly and a secure connection between thefloor assembly130 and the walls120-126, and in particular, the uprights102-106.
• Themain body186 of eachfloor panel136a-136dincludes abottom surface190 which opposes the top surface188. One or more portions of thebottom surface190, such as peripheral portions disposed below thechannel204, includeanchor apertures192 that receive at least onewall anchor138. Alternatively or additionally, thefloor panels136a-136ddefine one ormore pockets194,196 that may be arranged coaxially with theanchor aperture192. As an example, the wall anchors138 may be inserted from below thebottom surface190, into the first andsecond pockets192,194, and through theanchor aperture192.
• Thewall anchor138 includes abottom portion222 and atop portion220 extending therefrom. In one or more embodiments, thebottom portion222 may be formed by or include apedestal222 including abase226 and aboss228 and thetop portion220 may be formed by or include apost230. Thepost230 may extend from thebase226 and terminate at afree end232. One or more portions of thewall anchor138 include locking features configured to engage one or more portions of at least one of the uprights102-106. As described herein, thewall anchor138 may enable relatively quick and secure attachment between the walls120-126 and thefloor assembly130. More specifically, thewall anchor138 enables connecting the uprights102-106 to thefloor assembly130 without the use of fasteners.
• One or more portions of the post define acutout236 and one or more of the locking features, such as a retention tab242 extends into thecutout236. The retention tab242 may be configured to bend or deflect inwards about ahinge portion244. Thehinge portion244 may be a flexure bearing such as a living hinge, provided with a reduced cross-sectional area as compared to other portions of thepost230. It should be understood that thehinge portion244 may have substantially the same cross-section as the other portions of thepost230 and configured to bend based on the material properties of thewall anchor138. The retention tab242 includes aretention flange246 provided with a lockingsurface248. In one or more embodiments, theretention flange246 tapers so that the width or thickness increases from the top of theflange246 to the bottom of theflange246. The lockingsurface248 is disposed or formed by the bottom portion of theflange246, however, it should be understood that the lockingsurface248 may be disposed on one or more sides or on the top of theflange246, as required.
• One or more portions of thewall anchor138 may be inserted through theanchor aperture192 so that portions (e.g., the bottom portion222) of thewall anchor138 are nested within thefloor panel136. As an example, the base226 nests within an inner periphery of thefirst pocket194 and theboss228 nests within thesecond pocket196, so that thewall anchor138, or more specifically thebottom portion222 of thewall anchor138 is sandwiched between thefloor panel136 and the ground or surface on which thefloor panel136 is disposed. The first andsecond pockets194,196 may enable alignment or positioning of thewall anchor138 with respect to thefloor panel136.
• The uprights102-106 may be placed over and slid over one more portions (e.g., the top portion220) of thewall anchor138 so that themedial walls152 of the uprights102-106 engage and press the retention tabs242 inwardly so that the retention tabs242 deflect inwardly about thehinge portion244. One or more of themedial walls152 of the uprights102-106 may define an aperture such as a lockingaperture240 and as the uprights102-106 are slid into the desired position (FIG.9A) the lockingaperture240 may be aligned with theretention flange246 so that theretention flange246 disengages themedial walls152 of the uprights102-106 and is biased into the lockingaperture240. Upon positioning the uprights102-106 to the desired location, theretention flange246 and the uprights may generate a snapping or clicking sound indicating that the uprights102-106 are connected to the wall anchors138.
• The wall uprights102 may includefirst wall uprights102a,second wall uprights102b,third wall uprights102c,fourth wall uprights102d,fifth wall uprights102e,and a sixth wall upright102f.In one embodiment, thefirst wall uprights102amay be disposed between and spaced apart from thefront corner uprights104 so that the first door-jamb panel110amay be inserted between one of the corner uprights104 and one of thefirst wall uprights102aand the second door-jamb panel110bmay be inserted between the other of the corner uprights104.
• FIG.10 throughFIG.15B show portions of the four-panel shed100 as theshed100 is assembled according to one or more embodiments. More specifically,FIG.10 throughFIG.13 show the assembling of the sidewalls122-126 to thefloor assembly130. After assembling thefloor assembly130, one or more wall anchors138 may be disposed about the outer periphery as described above. One of thefirst wall uprights102a(which may also be referred to as a first extruded door-jamb wall upright) may be slid over or onto awall anchor138 that may be disposed adjacent to thethreshold202, to fix the first wall upright102ato thefloor assembly130. The first extruded door-jamb wall upright102aincludes areceptacle155 disposed between the groove orslot148 and ahinge beam157. The hinges142 may be attached to or integrally formed with thehinge beam157 and thereceptacle155 may be configured to receive and engage thewall anchor138.
• The first door-jamb wall panel110a(e.g., the tongue162) may be inserted into a channel orreceptacle154 of the first wall upright102a,along the direction indicated by the directional arrow, until the first door-jamb wall panel110ais seated in the channel204 (FIG.9A). The firstfront corner upright104 may be slid onto the other tongue162 of the first door-jamb wall panel110aand onto one of the wall anchors138 so that the firstfront corner upright104 is secured to thefloor assembly130.
• Referring specifically toFIG.12, one of the blow-moldedwall panels108 may be inserted into the firstfront corner upright104 and into the channel204 (FIG.9A) and one of thesecond wall uprights102bmay be slid over or inserted onto the blow-moldedwall panel108 that is directly connected to the firstfront corner upright104. The attachment of one or more of the wall uprights102, such as the third wall upright102c,to anadjacent wall panel108 and the floor assembly130 (e.g., via the wall anchor138) may be accomplished in one assembly step and without the use of fasteners or other hardware. As an example, another blow-moldedwall panel108 may then be slid into anadjacent receptacle154 of the second wall upright102band one of thethird wall uprights102c(e.g.,receptacle154 of the third wall upright102c) may be slid onto the second blow-molded wall panel108 (e.g., the tongue162 of the second blow-moldedwall panel108. This process may be repeated along the directional arrows shown disposed above the four-panel shed100 to form bottom portions of thefirst sidewall122,rear wall126,second sidewall124, and thefront wall120.
• FIG.14 shows a perspective view of the four-panel storage shed after the front blow-moldedroofline panels114, the middle blow-moldedroofline panels116, and the rear blow-moldedroofline panels118 are assembled to form the first andsecond sidewalls122,124. The blow-molded roofline panels114-118 be collectively configured to support the roof assembly128 (FIG.1) and couple theroof assembly128 to the blow-moldedwall panels108, which, in conjunction with the roofline panels114-118, form the walls120-126.
• One or more of the roofline panels114-118 (e.g., all) may taper from the front (e.g., portions of the roofline panels114-118 disclosed closer to the front wall120) to the rear (e.g., portions of the roofline panels114-118 disclosed closer to the rear wall126). In one or more embodiments, one or more of the roofline panels114-118 may include one or more recess sections. As an example, thefront roofline panels114 include arecess section264 and themiddle roofline panels116 include another recess section266 (FIG.14). Therecess sections264,266 may be provided to reduce the weight of theroofline panels114,116, provide an aesthetically pleasing design, or both.
• As previously mentioned, slots orchannels148 are provided in the wall uprights102 and the corner uprights104,106, the wall uprights102 each include thereceptacle154, and the corner uprights104,106 include thereceptacle168. The slots orchannels148 are configured to receive one or more portions of the blow-molded wall panels108 (e.g., the tongues162) and thereceptacles154,168 are configured to receive one of the wall anchors138 to secure the walls120-126 to thefloor assembly130. In one or more embodiments, one or more of the roofline panels114-116 are configured to form a rigid and fastener-less connection (e.g., a form-fitting or press-fit connection) between the roofline panels114-116 and the wall uprights102 and the corner uprights104,106. As an example, thefront roofline panel114 includes a front tongue254 and a rear tongue256, themiddle roofline panel116 includes a front tongue258 and a rear tongue260, and therear roofline panel118 includes a front tongue262 and a rear tongue264 (FIG.14).
• FIG.14A shows a detailed view of the connection between the first front corner wall upright104aand the front blow-moldedroofline panel114 and the blow-molded firstdoor jamb panel110a.Thefront corner upright104 includes thereceptacle168 formed by themedial walls166 and connectingwalls167, andflanges164a,164b,extending from thewalls166,167 form the grooves orchannels148. Onechannel148 of the first corner upright108 receive the tongue162 of the wall panel108 (FIG.13-D) and theother channel148 receives the front tongue254 of thefront roofline panel114 as well as the tongue162 of an adjoining wall panel108 (not shown inFIG.13-A).
• FIG.14B shows a detailed view of the connection between the third extruded wall upright102cand the front blow-moldedroofline panel114 and the middle blow-moldedroofline panel116. The front tongue258 of themiddle roofline panel116 is slid into the groove orchannel148 of the third wall upright102cand the rear tongue256 of thefront roofline panel114 is slid into the groove orchannel148 to form a form-fitting or press-fitting connection between the third wall upright102cand the front andmiddle roofline panels114,116.
• FIG.14C shows a detailed view of the connection between thefourth wall upright102dand therear roofline panel118 and themiddle roofline panel116. The rear tongue260 of themiddle roofline panel116 is slid into the groove orchannel148 of thefourth wall upright102dand the front tongue262 of therear roofline panel118 is slid into the other groove orchannel148 of thefourth wall upright102dto form a form-fitting or press-fitting connection between the third wall upright102cand the rear andmiddle roofline panels118,116.
• FIG.14D shows a detailed view of the connection between the fourth extruded wall upright102dand the middle blow-moldedroofline panel116 and the rear blow-moldedroofline panel118. One or more of the wall uprights102 include aninner wall159 and anouter wall161 that may be connected to one another by themedial walls152, and portions of the inner andouter walls159,161 may form theflanges150 of the wall uprights102. As shown inFIG.13-C, theinner wall159 may be shorter than theouter wall161 or portions of theinner wall159 may not extend to a distal end of thewall upright102. Theflanges150 form the grooves orslots148 disposed on each side of the receptacle and configured to receive the first end portion156 (e.g., a tongue162 of one of the wall panels108) and a second end portion158 (e.g., a tongue162 of another wall panel108).
• FIG.15 shows assembling of the blow-moldedheader112 to form thefront wall120.FIG.15A andFIG.15B each show detail views taken along thelines15A and15B inFIG.15, respectively. As described herein, the blow-moldedheader112 may be fixed or connected to the first andsecond sidewalls122,124 relatively easily and without the use of fasteners or other hardware. The blow-molded header includes amain body270 and atop rail272 that may extend from themain body270. Themain body270 includes a first end274 and a second end276, the first end274 and the second end276 each include a tongue278 that is configured to be inserted (e.g., in a direction extending along the directional arrows) into the portions (e.g., the slots or grooves148) of the front corner uprights104. First and second ends280,282 of thetop rail272 may be spaced apart from the first and second ends274,276 of themain body270 and cover or overlap portions of the first andsecond sidewalls122,124 when the blow-moldedheader112 is installed.
• Alternatively or additionally, one ormore tabs286 may extend from a bottom portion of themain body270 of the blow-molded header and thetabs286 may be inserted into the slots orgrooves148 of the first and second extruded door-jamb uprights102a.The blow-moldedheader112, the first and second extruded door-jamb uprights102a,and thefloor assembly130 collectively form thedoor opening132. In one or more embodiments, the blow-moldedheader112 may include one or more door stops configured to abut against the first andsecond doors134a,134bwhen the doors are assembled to the first and second extruded door-jamb uprights102aand disposed in the closed position (FIG.1). As an example, anastragal284 may be integrally formed with themain body270 of the blow-moldedheader112 and the astragal may form the stop for thedoors134a,134b.Theastragal284 may be disposed between thetabs286 that are received by the first and second extruded door-jamb uprights102a.
• FIG.16 shows assembling of alongitudinal roof288 beam to the four-panel storage shed100.FIG.16A shows a detailed-perspective view taken along thelines16A inFIG.16.FIG.17 shows an exploded perspective view of thelongitudinal roof beam288 andFIG.17A shows a detailed view taken along thelines17A inFIG.17. The longitudinal roof beam includes afirst end290 and asecond end292, thefirst end290 may be configured for attachment to the blow-moldedheader112 and thesecond end292 may be configured for attachment to one or more portions (e.g., the sixth extruded wall upright102f) of therear wall126. In one or more embodiments, thefirst end290 includes aflange294 configured to receive one ormore fasteners300 that are driven into the blow-moldedheader112. As an example, the blow-moldedheader112 may include a recessedportion302 that receives theflange294.
• Thesecond end292 of thelongitudinal beam290 includes anopen end304 that may be configured to receive a connector, such as asocket306. Thesocket306 includes afirst portion314 and asecond portion316 that may be integrally formed with and substantially orthogonal to thefirst portion314. Thefirst portion314 may be inserted into anopen end304 of thesecond end292 of thelongitudinal roof beam290, and thesecond portion316 may be fixed to therear wall126. As an example, one of the extruded wall uprights102 (e.g., the sixth extruded wall upright102f) may receive thesecond portion316 of thesocket306.
• The sixth extruded wall upright102fincludes a proximal end296 (FIG.15) and a distal end298 (FIG.13) that defines an aperture308 that receives thesecond portion316 of thesocket306. As an example, thesecond portion316 may have a T-shaped cross-section for engagement with an inner periphery of the aperture308 defined by the distal end298 of the sixth wall upright102f.As described herein, attachment of thesecond end292 of thelongitudinal roof beam290 to thesocket306 and therear wall126 may be accomplished without the use of fasteners or external hardware. Thesecond end292 of thelongitudinal roof beam290 may define one ormore retention apertures310. The one ormore retention apertures310 may receive aretention tab312 disposed on thefirst portion314 of thesocket306.
• FIG.18 shows assembling of first and second lateral roof beams318a,318bto the first andsecond sidewalls122,124, andFIG.18A shows a detail-exploded view taken alonglines18A inFIG.18.FIG.19 shows attaching a third lateral roof beams318cto the first andsecond sidewalls122,124, andFIG.19A shows a detailed view taken along thelines19A inFIG.19. The firstlateral roof beam318aand the secondlateral roof beam318beach includeconnectors320 that enable fastener-less connection between the first and second lateral roof beams318a,318band the first andsecond sidewalls124,126.
• Theconnector320 includes asocket324 and abuckle322 extending from thesocket324. Thesocket324 may be inserted into anopen end332 of the first and second lateral roof beams318a,318b.However, it should be understood that in other embodiments, thesocket324 may be configured to receive theopen end332 of the first and second lateral roof beams318a,318b.Thesocket324 may include one ormore retention tabs328 that may inserted into and engageretention apertures326 defined by each end of the first and second lateral roof beams318a,318b.The third and fourthextruded wall uprights102c,102dmay each define anaperture334 and thebuckle324 may be inserted (e.g., in a direction extending along the directional arrows) intoapertures334. As an example, thebuckle324 may be tapered to form a press-fit connection between thebuckle324 and the third and fourthextruded wall uprights102c,102d.
• Flanges330 may be disposed at each end of the thirdlateral roof beam318c,and theflanges330 may include an aperture (e.g., slot336) that may receive thefastener300 to fix each end of the thirdlateral roof beam318cto the first andsecond sidewalls122,124. The first, second, and third lateral roof beams318a,318b,318cmay be disposed above thelongitudinal roof beam288 and thelongitudinal roof beam288 may be positioned orthogonally to the first, second, and third lateral roof beams318a,318b,318c.In one or more embodiments, the first, second, and third lateral roof beams318a,318b,318clay on top of thelongitudinal roof beam288 and one or more fasteners (e.g., screws) connect thelongitudinal roof beam288 to the first, second, and third lateral roof beams318a,318b,318c.
• FIG.20 shows attaching of auxiliary roof beams338 to the first, second, and third lateral roof beams318a,318b,318c.FIG.21 shows a perspective view of one of the auxiliary roof beams338. The auxiliary roof beams338 may be connected to the lateral roof beams318a,318b,318c,and cooperate with thelongitudinal roof beam288 to support one or more roof panels of theroof assembly128. The auxiliary roof beams338 may include abase340 and one ormore legs342 extending from thebase340. Thelegs342 may be spaced apart from one another to form a notch344, and an inner periphery of the notch344 may lie along and engage one of the lateral roof beams318a,318b,318c.
• FIG.22 shows assembling of a first blow-moldedroof panel346ato the blow-moldedheader112 andFIG.22A shows a detail view taken along thelines22A inFIG.22.FIG.23 shows assembling of a second blow-moldedroof panel346b,a third blow-moldedroof panel346c,and a fourth blow-moldedroof panel346d,to form theroof assembly128.FIG.23A shows a detail view taken along thelines23A inFIG.23.
• Each of the blow-molded roof panels346a-346dinclude a number of regions, such as afront end region348, arear end region350, afirst side region364, and asecond side region366 and atop surface360 and abottom surface362 that opposes thetop surface360. Thetop surface360 may include a number of protrusions or raised features that may resembleshingles370. Thebottom surface362 may engage or lie on top of thebase340 of each of the auxiliary roof beams338 (FIG.20) to sandwich the base340 between thebottom surface362 and the lateral roof beams318a-318c.The blow-molded roof panels346a-346dmay be substantially identical to one another to optimize tool utilization and economies of scale during manufacture of the shed components.
• As described herein, the blow-molded roof panels346a-346dmay be fixed to one another and the blow-moldedheader112 in such a manner to enable easy assembly of theroof assembly128. The front end region384 of each of the blow-molded roof panels346a-346dmay include a first engagement feature352 (e.g., a groove356 or tongue358) that may be configured to engage a second engagement feature354 (e.g., a groove356 or tongue358 of an adjacent component (e.g., another blow-molded roof panel346 or the blow-moldedheader112.
• As an example, the first blow-moldedroof panel346aincludes a tongue358 disposed in the front end region354. The tongue358 of the first blow-moldedroof panel346amay be inserted into the groove356 formed by a protrusion orlip374 extending from a bottom portion of thetop rail272 of the blow-moldedheader112. A rear-end region350 of the first blow-moldedroof panel346amay define another first engagement feature352 (e.g. another groove356) that engages another second engagement feature354 (e.g., another tongue358) to detachably connects the first blow-moldedroof panel346ato the second blow-moldedroof panel346b.The second blow-moldedroof panel346bmay be detachably connected to the third blow-moldedroof panel346band the third blow-moldedroof panel346cmay be detachably connected to the fourth blow-moldedroof panel346din the manner described above.
• As described above, theroof assembly128 may be angled from thefront wall120 to therear wall126 to enable directing precipitation to run off theroof assembly128 to an area rear of therear wall126. Theroof assembly128 may include a number of features to further facilitate routing of water or snow towards an area disposed behind therear wall126. As an example, theshingles370 may be spaced apart from one another to form several grooves to direct precipitation rearward. Additionally or alternatively, the first andsecond side regions364,366 each include a raisedportion376 that may be spaced apart from each of theshingles370 to form adrip rail368. Thedrip rail368 may extend from thefront end portion348 to therear end portion350 to direct precipitation away from and off of theroof assembly128.
• In one or more embodiments, thefirst side region364 and thesecond side region366 may each include afascia372. The fascia may be formed by an elongated body and may be disposed below thedrip rail368. Thefascia372 of each of the blow-molded roof panels346a-346dmay extend orthogonally with respect to thetop surface360 of each of the blow-molded roof panels346a-346dso that thefascia372 is spaced apart from and covers a portion of the first andsecond sidewalls122,124 to create theoverhang170. Theoverhang170 may block or prevent precipitation from entering between the roofline panels114-116 and the blow-molded roof panels346a-346d.Eachfascia370 of the blow-molded roof panels346a-346dmay taper from therear edge region350 to thefront edge region348.
• FIG.24 shows assembly of a ventilation member to therear wall126 of the four-panel storage shed100 andFIG.24A shows a detail view taken along thelines24A inFIG.24. In one or more embodiments, one or more of the walls120-126 may include one ormore vents380 configured to expel liquid (e.g., water) disposed within theshed100. Alternatively or additionally, thevent380 may be configured to permit a flow of fresh air into the interior of the shed. One or more of the blow-molded wall panels108 (e.g., one disposed adjacent to the sixth extruded wall upright102f) may define a ventilation aperture or opening379 that receives thevent380.
• Blow-molding is a manufacturing process by which hollow plastic parts are formed. The blow-molding process typically begins with a hollow tube of molten plastic, which is commonly referred to as a parison. The parison is clamped into a mold and air is blown into the parison. The air pressure pushes the plastic into the faces of the mold so that the plastic takes the shapes of the mold. Once the plastic has cooled, the mold may be opened and the part may be ejected from the mold.
• In greater detail, conventional blow-molding machines include a mold with two halves and the blow-molding process is initiated with the two mold halves spaced apart. The parison or tube of plastic is extruded between the mold halves and then the mold halves are moved horizontally toward one another. The parison, which is disposed within the mold, is inflated with pressured air, which is typically between about 60 psi and about 150 psi. The parison expands into contact with the inner surface of the molds and the plastic is formed into the desired shape. Thereafter, the air pressure is reduced and the mold halves are separated to allow the blow-molded plastic article to be removed.
• The blow-molding process is typically used to create hollow plastic structures such as bottles and containers. The blow-molding process may allow hollow plastic objects to be manufactured economically and in high volume. In addition, the blow-molding process may allow thin-walled objects to be quickly manufactured. Because blow-molded structures include a hollow interior portion and each mold half forms its own wall shape, a variety of different types of structures can be constructed using the blow-molding process.
• While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the invention that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics can be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. These attributes can include, but are not limited to cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. As such, to the extent any embodiments are described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics, these embodiments are not outside the scope of the disclosure and can be desirable for particular applications.

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:

1. A storage shed comprising:

one or more extruded wall uprights;

one or more blow-molded wall panels;

one or more extruded corner uprights including a first corner upright and a second corner upright, wherein some of the extruded corner uprights, some of the one or more extruded wall uprights, and some of the one or more blow-molded wall panels are collectively configured to, when assembled, directly attach to one another to form a sidewall or a rear wall of the storage shed;

a blow-molded first door-jamb panel configured to directly attach to the first corner upright; and

a blow-molded second door-jamb panel spaced apart from the first door-jamb panel and configured to directly attach to the second corner upright.

2. The storage shed ofclaim 1, further comprising:

a blow-molded header;

an extruded first door-jamb upright configured to directly attach to the blow-molded first door-jamb panel; and

an extruded second door-jamb upright configured to directly attach to the blow-molded second door-jamb panel, wherein the blow-molded header, the extruded first door-jamb upright, and the extruded second door-jamb upright are collectively configured to, when assembled, form a door opening of the shed, the blow-molded header including a first end region, the first end region configured for attachment to the first corner upright by a press fit.

3. The storage shed ofclaim 2, wherein the blow-molded header includes a main body, the main body including the first and second end regions and a bottom region,

wherein the blow-molded header further includes one or more tabs extending from the bottom region, the one or more tabs configured for insertion into at least one of the extruded first door-jamb upright and the extruded second door-jamb upright.

4. The storage shed ofclaim 1, wherein the first corner upright is, when assembled, connected to the first door-jamb panel by a press fit.

5. The storage shed ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more extruded wall uprights include a first wall upright, and wherein the one or more blow-molded wall panels includes a first wall panel and a second wall panel,

wherein the first wall upright is configured to be disposed between the first wall panel and the second wall panel to connect the first wall panel to the second wall panel.

6. The storage shed ofclaim 5, wherein the one or more extruded corner uprights further include a third corner upright configured to be directly connected to the second wall panel.

7. The storage shed ofclaim 1, further comprising:

a blow-molded header including a first end region provided with a first tongue, the first tongue configured to, when assembled, be inserted into a first groove defined by the first corner upright.

8. The storage shed ofclaim 7, further comprising:

a blow-molded first roofline panel, wherein a front portion of the first roofline panel includes a second tongue configured to be inserted into a second groove defined by the first corner upright.

9. The storage shed ofclaim 8, wherein:

the first roofline panel includes a top portion and a bottom portion,

the one or more extruded wall uprights includes a first wall upright,

the one or more wall panels includes a first wall panel and a second wall panel,

the first wall upright is configured to be disposed between and connect the first wall panel to the second wall panel, and

the bottom portion configured to engage and directly connect to an end portion of the first wall upright.

10. The storage shed ofclaim 8, further comprising:

a blow-molded second roofline panel forming a portion of the sidewall, wherein the sidewall is configured to be positioned opposite another sidewall, and wherein top portions of the first and second roofline panels each define a notch; and

a first lateral roof beam configured to extend between the first and second roofline panels so that a first portion of the first lateral roof beam is at least partially disposed in the notch defined by the top portion of the first roofline panel and a second portion of the first lateral roof beam is at least partially disposed in the notch of the top portion of the second roofline panel.

11. The storage shed ofclaim 10, wherein the one or more extruded corner uprights are formed of extruded aluminum.

12. The storage shed ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more extruded wall uprights are formed of extruded aluminum.

13. A storage shed comprising:

a blow-molded floor panel configured to form a floor of the storage shed;

a number of uprights configured to be fixed directly to the blow-molded floor panel, the number of uprights including a wall upright; and

a first blow-molded side panel and a second blow-molded side panel, wherein the wall upright is configured to be disposed between the first blow-molded side panel and the second blow-molded side panel so that the first and second blow-molded side panels are fixed to one another to form at least a portion of a wall of the storage shed.

14. The storage shed ofclaim 13, further comprising:

an anchor, the floor panel including a bottom surface and a top surface and defining an aperture, the anchor including a base and a post extending therefrom, the base configured to be disposed below at least a portion of the bottom surface of the floor panel, and the post configured to extend through the aperture and into a receptacle defined by the wall upright.

15. The storage shed ofclaim 14, the first upright including a first slot and a second slot, the first and second slots adjacent to the receptacle.

16. The storage shed ofclaim 15, the first blow-molded side panel including a first edge portion and the second blow-molded side panel including a second edge portion, the first and second edge portions each including a tongue, the tongue of the first edge portion configured to be inserted into the first slot of the upright and the tongue of the second edge portion configured to be inserted into the second slot of the upright.

17. A method of assembling a storage shed, the method comprising:

attaching a number of blow-molded floor panels to one another to form a floor of the storage shed;

inserting a number of wall anchors through a number of anchor apertures defined by the floor, the number of wall anchors each including a post;

attaching an extruded corner upright to a first wall anchor of the number of wall anchors disposed in a corner region of the floor;

attaching a first extruded wall upright of the number of wall uprights to a second wall anchor of the number of wall anchors, the second wall anchor spaced apart from the first wall anchor; and

attaching, by at least one form-fit condition, a blow-molded first wall panel to the corner upright and the first extruded wall upright.

18. The method ofclaim 17, further comprising:

inserting an end portion of the first wall panel into a channel defined by the floor.

19. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the attaching the first wall panel step includes inserting a first tongue extending from a main body of the first wall panel into a groove defined by the corner upright and inserting a second tongue extending from the main body of the first wall panel into a groove defined by the first extruded wall upright.

20. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the attaching the first extruded wall upright step includes inserting a retaining flange extending from a post of the second wall anchor into an aperture defined by the first extruded wall upright.

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