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A modular assembly capable of converting from a shipping container configuration into a building unit, and from a building unit into a shipping container configuration. From the shipping container configuration, a plurality of frame panels and unit panels moveably connected to a frame of the modular

A modular assembly capable of converting from a shipping container configuration into a building unit, and from a building unit into a shipping container configuration. From the shipping container configuration, a plurality of frame panels and unit panels moveably connected to a frame of the modular assembly are selectively positioned to form the floors, walls, and ceilings of the building unit configuration thereby forming a living and/or commercial structure complete with electrical, water and sewage connections. The assembly may include an automated erection system, which may include a system of electric motors, gears, pulleys, cables, automated mechanical arms and electronic controls, located within the container structure of the modular assembly, and which interact with a plurality of frame panels and unit panels to deploy and retract the plurality of frame panels and unit panels for constructing the shipping container configuration and building unit configuration.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A modular assembly structured to assume either a shipping container configuration or a building unit configuration, the modular assembly comprising: a central frame which defines a box-shaped shipping container;a plurality of frame panels disposable in a substantially closed, interconnected posit

1. A modular assembly structured to assume either a shipping container configuration or a building unit configuration, the modular assembly comprising: a central frame which defines a box-shaped shipping container;a plurality of frame panels disposable in a substantially closed, interconnected position to at least partially define the shipping container;the plurality of frame panels moveably disposed outwardly from the central frame into an opened position to at least partially define the building unit configuration;a plurality of unit panels movably connected to and disposable on the central frame in a closed position aligned with the frame panels being in the closed position;the plurality of unit panels movably disposable outwardly from the central frame into fan opened position to further at least partially define the building unit configuration; andan automated erection system which converts the modular assembly between the shipping container configuration and the building unit configuration, and vice versa, according to an automatic, pre-programmed sequence, the automated erection system including a plurality of motors, a control processing unit coupled to the plurality of motors, and a storage including the pre-programmed sequence,wherein the automated erection system is coupled to each of the plurality of frame panels and to each of the plurality of unit panels to change the disposition thereof according to the pre-programmed sequence;wherein each of the plurality of frame panels includes at least one panel segment movably connected to a corresponding frame panel of the plurality of frame panels and positionable outwardly therefrom to further at least partially define a sidewall potion of the building unit configuration,the at least one panel segment is moveably connected at an upper most longitudinal end of the corresponding frame panel, anda first plurality of cables connected to the at least one panel segment and configured to displace the at least one panel segment, each of the cables of the first plurality of cables being threaded from the central frame through one of the plurality of unit panels to a distal end of the one of the plurality of unit panels. 2. A modular assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of frame panels is moveably connected along a lower most longitudinal end to the central frame and positioned to define a floor portion of the building unit configuration, and the first plurality of cables are attached at one end to an upper most longitudinal end of individual ones of the plurality of frame panels and attached at another end to a pulley carriage that is displaced according to the pre-programmed sequence. 3. A modular assembly structured to assume either a shipping container configuration or a building unit configuration, the modular assembly comprising: a central frame which defines a box-shaped shipping container;a plurality of frame panels disposable in a substantially closed, interconnected position;the plurality of frame panels moveably disposed outwardly from the central frame into an opened position to at least partially define the building unit configuration;a plurality of unit panels movably connected to and disposable on the central frame in a closed position aligned with the frame panels being in the closed position; andthe plurality of unit panels movably disposable outwardly from the central frame into fan opened position to further at least partially define the building unit configuration;wherein each of the plurality of frame panels includes at least one panel segment movably connected to a corresponding frame panel of the plurality of frame panels and positionable outwardly therefrom to further at least partially define a sidewall potion of the building unit configuration,the at least one panel segment is moveably connected at an upper most longitudinal end of the corresponding frame panel, anda first plurality of cables connected to the at least one panel segment and configured to displace the at least one panel segment, each of the cables of the first plurality of cables being threaded from the central frame through one of the plurality of unit panels to a distal end of the one of the plurality of unit panels. 4. The modular assembly as recited in claim 3, further comprising an automated erection system which converts the modular assembly between the shipping container configuration and the building unit configuration, and vice versa, according to an automatic, pre-programmed sequence, the automated erection system including a plurality of motors, a control processing unit coupled to the plurality of motors, and a storage including the pre-programmed sequence,wherein the automated erection system is coupled to each of the plurality of frame panels and to each of the plurality of unit panels to change the disposition thereof according to the pre-programmed sequence,wherein the plurality of unit panels includes a first set of unit panels movably connected along an upper most longitudinal end to the central frame and positionable outwardly therefrom into the opened position to define different ceiling portions of the building unit configuration, andthe automated erection system includes the first plurality of cables and a plurality of automated mechanical arms controlled by a second plurality of cables and the plurality of automated mechanical arms are coupled to the first set of unit panels to change the disposition thereof according to the pre-programmed sequence. 5. A modular assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein the plurality of unit panels includes a second set of unit panels movably connected along a latitudinal end to the central frame and positionable outwardly therefrom into the opened position to collectively define front and rear end wall portions of the building unit configuration, and the automated erection system includes a plurality of electromechanical column actuators, each of the plurality of electromechanical actuators rotates one of the second set of unit panels to change the disposition thereof according to the pre-programmed sequence. 6. A modular assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of frame panels and corresponding ones of the panel segments are positioned outwardly from the central frame into an opened position to collectively and at least partially define the building unit configuration. 7. A modular assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of frame panels is structured and positioned to define a different floor portion of the building unit configuration. 8. A modular assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein each of the panel segments is structured and positionable to define a different sidewall portion of the building unit configuration. 9. A modular assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein at least some of the plurality of unit panels are movably connected to the central frame and positionable outwardly therefrom into the opened position to define different ceiling portions of the building unit configuration. 10. A modular assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein at least others of the plurality of unit panels are movably connected to the central frame and positionable outwardly therefrom into the opened position to collectively define front and rear end wall portions of the building unit configuration. 11. A modular assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the central frame comprises a plurality of support members and a plurality of cross braces between each support member, the plurality of support members being fixedly interconnected with the cross braces to define the central frame as a portion of both the shipping container configuration and the building unit configuration. 12. A modular assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the plurality of unit panels includes a first set of unit panels movably connected along an upper most longitudinal end to the central frame and positionable outwardly therefrom into the opened position to define different ceiling portions of the building unit configuration, and the automated erection system includes a plurality of automated mechanical arms controlled by a second plurality of cables and the plurality of automated mechanical arms are coupled to the first set of unit panels to change the disposition thereof according to the pre-programmed sequence. 13. A modular assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the plurality of unit panels includes a second set of unit panels movably connected along a latitudinal end to the central frame and positionable outwardly therefrom into the opened position to collectively define front and rear end wall portions of the building unit configuration, and the automated erection system includes a plurality of electromechanical column actuators, each of the plurality of electromechanical actuators rotates one of the second set of unit panels to change the disposition thereof according to the pre-programmed sequence. 14. A modular assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the central frame comprises a plurality of support members, and each of the support members includes an extensible column disposed therein, each extensible column configured to deploy from within the support members to lift and level the modular assembly, each extensible column being independently adjustable to adapt an extension length according to a terrain. 15. A modular assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein each of the extensible columns includes a pressure pad disposed at an end of the extensible column, each pressure pad configured to distribute a weight of the modular assembly and to prevent the extensible columns from sinking into the terrain. 16. A modular assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein the central frame includes only four support members, the four support members being respectively disposed at each corner of the central frame. 17. A modular assembly structured to assume either a shipping container configuration or a building unit configuration, the modular assembly comprising: a central frame which defines a box-shaped shipping container;a plurality of frame panels disposable in a substantially closed, interconnected position to at least partially define the shipping container;the plurality of frame panels moveably disposed outwardly from the central frame into an opened position to at least partially define the building unit configuration; anda plurality of unit panels movably connected to and disposable on the central frame in a closed position aligned with the frame panels being in the closed position;the plurality of unit panels movably disposable outwardly from the central frame into fan opened position to further at least partially define the building unit configuration;wherein the central frame comprises only four support members, and each of the support members includes an extensible column disposed therein,each extensible column configured to deploy from within the support members to lift and level the modular assembly, each extensible column being independently adjustable to adapt an extension length according to a terrain,wherein, when arranged in the building unit configuration, the modular assembly is supported on the terrain only by the four support members;wherein each of the plurality of frame panels includes at least one panel segment movably connected to a corresponding frame panel of the plurality of frame panels and positionable outwardly therefrom to further at least partially define a sidewall potion of the building unit configuration,the at least one panel segment is moveably connected at an upper most longitudinal end of the corresponding frame panel, anda first plurality of cables connected to the at least one panel segment and configured to displace the at least one panel segment, each of the cables of the first plurality of cables being threaded from the central frame through one of the plurality of unit panels to a distal end of the one of the plurality of unit panels. 18. A modular assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein each of the extensible columns includes a pressure pad disposed at an end of the extensible column, each pressure pad configured to distribute a weight of the modular assembly and to prevent the extensible columns from sinking into the terrain. 19. A modular assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein the central frame includes only the four support members, the four support members being respectively disposed at each corner of the central frame. 20. A modular assembly structured to assume either a shipping container configuration or a building unit configuration, the modular assembly comprising: a central frame which defines a box-shaped shipping container;a plurality of frame panels disposable in a substantially closed, interconnected position;the plurality of frame panels moveably disposed outwardly from the central frame into an opened position to at least partially define the building unit configuration; anda plurality of unit panels movably connected to and disposable on the central frame in a closed position aligned with the frame panels being in the closed position;the plurality of unit panels movably disposable outwardly from the central frame into fan opened position to further at least partially define the building unit configuration; andan automated erection system which converts the modular assembly between the shipping container configuration and the building unit configuration, and vice versa, according to an automatic, pre-programmed sequence, the automated erection system including a plurality of motors, a control processing unit coupled to the plurality of motors, and a storage including the pre-programmed sequence,wherein the automated erection system is coupled to each of the plurality of frame panels and to each of the plurality of unit panels to change the disposition thereof according to the pre-programmed sequence,wherein a first frame panel of the plurality of panels and a first unit panel of the plurality of unit panels, when deployed, form a first cantilevered building unit portion which is cantilevered from the central frame such that first cantilevered building unit portion is supported only on one end by the central frame, anda second frame panel of the plurality of panels and a second unit panel of the plurality of unit panels, when deployed, form a second cantilevered building unit portion which is deployed on a side of the central frame opposite to the first cantilevered building portion, and which is cantilevered from the central frame such that the second cantilevered building unit portion is supported only on one end by the central frame;wherein each of the plurality of frame panels includes at least one panel segment movably connected to a corresponding frame panel of the plurality of frame panels and positionable outwardly therefrom to further at least partially define a sidewall potion of the building unit configuration,the at least one panel segment is moveably connected at an upper most longitudinal end of the corresponding frame panel, andthe automated erection system includes a first plurality of cables connected to the at least one panel segment and configured to displace the at least one panel segment, each of the cables of the first plurality of cables being threaded from the central frame through one of the plurality of unit panels to a distal end of the one of the plurality of unit panels. 21. A modular assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein the modular assembly is supported by only four support members which each deploy an extensible column disposed therein to lift the modular assembly from the terrain. 22. A modular assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the central frame comprises a plurality of fixed interconnected columns which form an exterior frame of the modular assembly when the modular assembly is in the shipping container configuration, the plurality of fixed interconnected columns of the central frame form a core structure of the modular assembly when the modular assembly is in the building unit configuration, andthe modular assembly is supported by only four support members which extend from the central frame and elevate the modular assembly from a terrain when the modular assembly is in the building unit configuration. 23. A modular assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein when the modular assembly is in the building unit configuration: the modular assembly is supported by only four support members which extend from the central frame to elevate the modular assembly from a terrain, andthe plurality of frame panels are positioned to define the floor portion of the building unit configuration such that the plurality of frame panels are cantilevered from the central frame by being supported only on the lower most longitudinal end by the central frame. 24. A modular assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein a first frame panel of the plurality of panels, a first unit panel of the plurality of unit panels and the at least one panel segment connected to the first frame panel, when deployed, form a first cantilevered building unit portion which is cantilevered from the central frame such that first cantilevered building unit portion is supported only on one end by the central frame, and a second frame panel of the plurality of panels, a second unit panel of the plurality of unit panels and the at least one panel segment connected to the second frame panel, when deployed, form a second cantilevered building unit portion, deployed on a side of the central frame opposite to the first cantilevered building portion, and which is cantilevered from the central frame such that the second cantilevered building unit portion is supported only on one end by the central frame. 25. A modular assembly as recited in claim 24, wherein the modular assembly is supported by only four support members which extend from the central frame and elevate the modular assembly from a terrain when the modular assembly is in the building unit configuration. 26. A modular assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein a first frame panel of the plurality of panels, a first unit panel of the plurality of unit panels and the at least one panel segment connected to the first frame panel, when deployed, form a first cantilevered building unit portion which is cantilevered from the central frame such that first cantilevered building unit portion is supported only on one end by the central frame, and a second frame panel of the plurality of panels, a second unit panel of the plurality of unit panels and the at least one panel segment connected to the second frame panel, when deployed, form a second cantilevered building unit portion which is deployed on a side of the central frame opposite to the first cantilevered building portion, and which is cantilevered from the central frame such that the second cantilevered building unit portion is supported only on one end by the central frame. 27. A modular assembly as recited in claim 26, wherein the modular assembly is supported by only four support members which extend from the central frame and elevate the modular assembly from a terrain when the modular assembly is in the building unit configuration. 28. A modular assembly structured to assume either a shipping container configuration or a building unit configuration, the modular assembly comprising: a central frame which defines a box-shaped shipping container;a plurality of frame panels disposable in a substantially closed, interconnected position;the plurality of frame panels moveably disposed outwardly from the central frame into an opened position to at least partially define the building unit configuration; anda plurality of unit panels movably connected to and disposable on the central frame in a closed position aligned with the frame panels being in the closed position;the plurality of unit panels movably disposable outwardly from the central frame into fan opened position to further at least partially define the building unit configuration;wherein the central frame comprises a plurality of support members, and each of the support members includes an extensible column disposed therein,each extensible column configured to deploy from within the support members to lift and level the modular assembly, each extensible column being independently adjustable to adapt an extension length according to a terrain,wherein a first frame panel of the plurality of panels and a first unit panel of the plurality of unit panels, when deployed, form a first cantilevered building unit portion which is cantilevered from the central frame such that first cantilevered building unit portion is supported only on one end by the central frame, anda second frame panel of the plurality of panels and a second unit panel of the plurality of unit panels, when deployed, form a second cantilevered building unit portion which is deployed on a side of the central frame opposite to the first cantilevered building portion, and which is cantilevered from the central frame such that the second cantilevered building unit portion is supported only on one end by the central frame;wherein each of the plurality of frame panels includes at least one panel segment movably connected to a corresponding frame panel of the plurality of frame panels and positionable outwardly therefrom to further at least partially define a sidewall potion of the building unit configuration,the at least one panel segment is moveably connected at an upper most longitudinal end of the corresponding frame panel, anda first plurality of cables connected to the at least one panel segment and configured to displace the at least one panel segment, each of the cables of the first plurality of cables being threaded from the central frame through one of the plurality of unit panels to a distal end of the one of the plurality of unit panels. 29. A modular assembly as recited in claim 28, wherein the modular assembly is supported by only four support members which each deploy the extensible column disposed therein to lift the modular assembly from the terrain. 30. A modular assembly structured to assume either a shipping container configuration or a building unit configuration, the modular assembly comprising: a central frame which defines a box-shaped shipping container;a plurality of frame panels disposable in a substantially closed, interconnected position to at least partially define the shipping container;the plurality of frame panels moveably disposed outwardly from the frame into an opened position to at least partially define the building unit configuration;a plurality of unit panels movably connected to and disposable on the frame in a closed position aligned with the frame panels being in the closed position; andthe plurality of unit panels movably disposable outwardly from the frame into fan opened position to further at least partially define the building unit configuration,wherein the central frame comprises a plurality of fixed interconnected columns which form an exterior frame of the modular assembly when the modular assembly is in the shipping container configuration,the plurality of fixed interconnected columns of the central frame form a frame of a core structure of the modular assembly when the modular assembly is in the building unit configuration,the modular assembly is supported by only four support members which extend from the central frame and elevate the modular assembly from a terrain when the modular assembly is in the building unit configuration, andwherein, when arranged in the building unit configuration, the modular assembly is supported on the terrain only by the four support members;wherein each of the plurality of frame panels includes at least one panel segment movably connected to a corresponding frame panel of the plurality of frame panels and positionable outwardly therefrom to further at least partially define a sidewall potion of the building unit configuration,the at least one panel segment is moveably connected at an upper most longitudinal end of the corresponding frame panel, anda first plurality of cables connected to the at least one panel segment and configured to displace the at least one panel segment, each of the cables of the first plurality of cables being threaded from the central frame through one of the plurality of unit panels to a distal end of the one of the plurality of unit panels.