Modular Structure and Inflatable Roof Therefor

This disclosure relates to modular structures, and inflatable roofs for modular structures.

Modular structures typically include a prefabricated building consisting of a number of separate modules constructed offsite, then delivered and installed or assembled on site to allow for quick assembly and disassembly. An advantage of modular structures is the speed in which they can be assembled as well as the versatility in locations they can be installed. However, one concern can be the requirement for cross bracing or support structures needed for raised portions of the modular construction such as roofing. Cross bracing or supports can be difficult to engineer and can require more pieces to assemble onsite, taking away a main draw of the modular structure, the speed and ease of assembly.

In certain cases, existing structures may require the immediate need for a roof, to protect the contents within the structure, but location and environment do not afford the ability to engineer or construct a full roof over the existing structure. This may be the case in a disaster zone, a combat zone, or the like.

Conventional modular structures and associated roofing systems have generally been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is still a need in the art for improvements. The present disclosure provides a solution for this need.

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a system includes a housing configured to be placed on top of an existing structure having a first end structure and a second end structure. The housing includes an opening facing the second end structure when it is on top of the first end structure. A deployable roof is included in the housing and includes a first end located adjacent to the opening of the housing and a second end configured to be enclosed within the housing. The deployable roof is adapted and configured for movement between a retracted position in which the entirety of the deployable roof is enclosed within the housing and a deployed position in which the first end of the deployable roof extends out of the housing and the second end of the deployable roof remains at least partially within the housing. An air mover is operatively associated with the housing and in fluid communication with an interior volume of the deployable roof for inflating the deployable roof and moving the deployable roof from the retracted position to the deployed position such that the first end of the deployable roof extends at least partially out of the opening of the housing along a roof axis to form a roof over the existing structure.

In certain embodiments, the roof axis can be a longitudinal axis of the deployable roof parallel to a longitudinal structure axis of the existing structure. The deployable roof can be arch shaped in the deployed position. In certain embodiments, the deployable roof can include a plurality of tubular sections connected to one another and in fluid communication with each other. A tubular section axially closest to the second end of the deployable roof can inflate first, and each subsequent tubular section along the roof axis can inflate one after another inflating the deployable roof and urging the deployable roof along the roof axis until a terminal tubular section axially closest to the first end of the deployable roof can inflate last.

The housing can further include a power source for powering the air mover. In certain embodiments, the power source can be or include a photovoltaic. In certain embodiments, when in the deployed position the deployable roof can extend between the first end structure and the second end structure along the roof axis. The first end of the deployable roof can rest on the second end structure and the housing can remain on the first end structure.

In certain embodiments, the existing structure can further include a first side wall and a second side wall. The first side wall and the second side wall can each extend between the first end structure and the second end structure. The first end structure, the second end structure, the first side wall, the second side wall, and the deployable roof can together form an enclosed volume. The first side wall can include a first ledge and the second side wall can include a second ledge. The first ledge can be defined on a portion of the first side wall opposite a floor and the second ledge can be defined on a portion of the second side wall opposite the floor. The deployable roof can be supported by the first ledge and the second ledge.

In certain embodiments, the existing structure can further include a platform configured to serve as the floor. In certain embodiments, the deployable roof, the first and second end structures, the first and second side walls, and the floor can form an enclosed volume configurable for at least one of a kitchen, a bathroom, classroom, an office, or an event space. A size of the enclosed volume can be configured to accommodate a plurality of adult persons therein. In certain embodiments, deployable roof does not have vertical or lateral cross bracing or any other supports.

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a building kit can include a first end structure and a second end structure, a first side wall and a second side wall, configured to be placed extending between the first end structure and the second end structure, where the first end structure, the second end structure, the first side wall, and the second side wall can form a perimeter of a modular structure. The building kit can further include a housing configured to be placed on top of the first end structure.

The housing can have an opening facing the second end structure. The building kit can also include a deployable roof including a first end located adjacent to the opening of the housing and a second end configured to be enclosed within the housing. The deployable roof can be adapted and configured for movement between a retracted position and a deployed position in which the entirety of the deployable roof is enclosed within the housing in the retracted position and wherein the first end of the deployable roof extends out of the housing and the second end of the deployable roof remains at least partially within the housing in the deployed position.

The building kit can include an air mover operatively associated with the housing and in fluid communication with an interior volume of the deployable roof for inflating and moving the deployable roof from the retracted position to the deployed position such that the first end of the deployable roof extends out at least partially out of the housing along a roof axis to form a roof over the modular structure, wherein the housing includes a power source for powering the air mover. In certain embodiments, the power source can be or include a photovoltaic power source. In certain other embodiments, the power source can be or include an electrical power source. The deployable roof can be arch shaped in the deployed position.

In certain embodiments, the deployable roof can include a plurality of tubular sections connected to one another and in fluid communication with each other. A tubular section axially closest to the second end of the deployable roof can inflate first, and each subsequent tubular section along the roof axis can inflate one after another inflating the deployable roof and urging the deployable roof along the roof axis until a terminal tubular section axially closest to the first end of the deployable roof can inflate last.

In certain embodiments, the first side wall can include a first ledge and the second side wall includes a second ledge. The first ledge can be defined on a portion of the first side wall opposite a floor and the second ledge can be defined on a portion of the second side wall opposite the floor. The deployable roof can be supported by the first ledge and the second ledge.

In certain embodiments, the building kit can further include one or more additional end structures and/or one or more side structures and/or one or more walls. The one or more additional end structures and/or the one or more side structures and/or the one or more walls can be configurable to produce one or more of: kitchen, a bathroom, classroom, an office, or an event space within the modular structure. The housing, first end structure, second end structure, first side wall, second side wall, and floor can be easily assembled and disassembled. housing, first end structure, second end structure, first side wall, second side wall, and floor can be easily transported.

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a modular structure can include a first end structure and a second end structure, a first side wall and a second side wall configured to be placed extending between the first end structure and the second end structure, where the first end structure, the second end structure, the first side wall, and the second side wall can form a perimeter of a modular structure.

The modular structure can include a housing configured to be placed on the first end structure. The housing can have an opening facing the second end structure. The modular structure can also include a deployable roof including a first end located adjacent to the opening of the housing and a second end configured to be enclosed within the housing. The deployable roof can be adapted and configured for movement between a retracted position and a deployed position in which the entirety of the deployable roof is enclosed within the housing in the retracted position and where the first end of the deployable roof extends out of the housing and the second end of the deployable roof remains at least partially within the housing in the deployed position. The modular structure can also include an air mover operatively associated with the housing and in fluid communication with an interior volume of the deployable roof for inflating and moving the deployable roof from the retracted position to the deployed position and deflating and moving the deployable roof from the deployed position to the retracted position, such that the first end of the deployable roof extends at least partially out of the housing along a roof axis to form a roof over the modular structure.

These and other features of the embodiments of the subject disclosure will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, an illustrative view of an embodiment of a roofing system in accordance with the disclosure is shown inand is designated generally by reference character. Other views, embodiments, and/or aspects of this disclosure are illustrated in.

Shown inis an embodiment of a roofing systemshown installed atop an existing structure, for example a modular structurethat will be described further below. In, the roofing systemis shown installed in an environment for illustration purposes and shown with persons and other existing structures surrounding the modular structurefor scale.shows the roofing systeminstalled on another existing structure, e.g., another embodiment of the modular structure, and in a different environment. As an example, the environments shown incould be disaster relief areas, or locations rebuilding after natural disaster, combat, or the like.

Turning now to, the roofing systemwill be described in further detail with reference to the schematic drawings. As shown in, the roofing systemcan include a housingconfigured to be placed on top of an existing structure. For the ease of explanation, the existing structurewill be described herein as including an embodiment of the modular structure, however, in practice, the existing structureneed not be the modular structureas described. For example, the existing structurecan be the modular structureor can be a naturally occurring structure or formation. The existing structurecan have a first end structureand a second end structure. The housingcan have an openingfacing the second end structurewhen it is on top of the first end structure. The roofing systemcan include a deployable roof. The deployable roofcan have a first endlocated adjacent to the openingof the housingand a second endconfigured to be enclosed within the housing. The deployable roofcan be adapted and configured for movement, e.g., as shown by the arrow in, between a retracted position, e.g., as shown in, in which the entirety of the deployable roofis enclosed within the housingand a deployed position. e.g., as shown in, in which the first endof the deployable roofextends out of the housingand the second endof the deployable roofremains at least partially within the housing.

The roofing systemcan include an air mover(e.g., one or more fans or blowers) operatively associated with the housingand in fluid communication with an interior volumeof the deployable rooffor inflating the deployable roofand moving the deployable rooffrom the retracted position to the deployed position such that the first endof the deployable roofextends at least partially out of the openingof the housingalong a roof axis A, e.g., as shown into form a roof over the existing structure. The air movercan be within the housingor outside of the housing. The air movercan be a single air mover, two air movers, or a plurality of air movers depending on the size of the deployable roof. The deployable roofcan traverse a distance greater than the height of the deployable roof(e.g., as shown in) when in the deployed position. In certain embodiments, the air movercan also be configured for sucking air from the deployable roofto deflate and retract the deployable roofback into the retracted position within the housing.

As shown in, in the deployed position the deployable roofcan extend between the first end structureand the second end structurealong the roof axis A. The first endof the deployable roofcan rest on the second end structureand the housingcan remain on the first end structure. The roof axis A can be a longitudinal axis of the deployable roof, which can be parallel to a longitudinal structure axis B, e.g., as shown in, of the existing structure.

In certain embodiments, e.g., as shown in, the deployable roofcan be arch shaped in the deployed position and can be self-supported without any cross-bracing or internal support structures to maintain the arch shape. In certain embodiments, the deployable roofcan include a plurality of tubular sections(e.g., as shown in) connected to one another (e.g., via seams or any other means of connected the tubular sections) and in fluid communication with each other. A tubular sectionaxially closest to the second endof the deployable roofcan inflate first, and each subsequent tubular section. . .along the roof axis A can inflate one after another inflating the deployable roofand urging the deployable roofalong the roof axis A until a terminal tubular sectionaxially closest to the first endof the deployable roofinflates last. Any number of tubular sectionsare contemplated herein depending on the desired size of the modular structure.

In certain embodiments, the housingcan further include a power sourcefor powering the air mover. The power sourcecan be photovoltaic (e.g., one or more solar cells as shown in), or can be or include a battery, or can be or include means of electrically connecting the air moverto existing power infrastructure at an installation site. Any other types of suitable power sources are contemplated herein, including other means of renewable power or self-contained power so as not to require connection to existing power infrastructure.

With continued reference to, the existing structurecan further include a first side walland a second side wall. The side walls,can be hinged side walls (e.g., as shown in) or they can be non-hinged side walls (e.g., as shown in FIG.A). The ledges,can be supported by posts between the side walls,. The first side walland the second side wallcan each extend between the first end structureand the second end structure. The first end structure, the second end structure, the first side wall, the second side wall, and the deployable roofcan together form an enclosed volume. As shown, the first side wallcan include a first ledgeand the second side wallcan include a second ledge. The first ledgecan be defined on a portion of the first side wallopposite a floorand the second ledgecan be defined on a portion of the second side wallopposite the floor. The deployable roofcan be supported by the first ledgeand the second ledge. In certain embodiments, the floorcan be the ground. In certain embodiments, the existing structurecan further include a platformconfigured to serve as the floor.

In certain embodiments, such as shown in, the existing structurecan include one or more panelsof the side walls,configured to hinge outward to form awning structures for covered outdoor space. In such embodiments, there may be no “sidewall” forming an enclosed volume, but the roof structure would still rest on ledge,of the side walls,, as shown infor example, wherein the ledges are supported by posts. The existing structuremay also include other modules, such as entrances/exits, or rampsif a platformis used, such as shown in. The modular structurecan further include cross bracing(e.g., as shown in) to provide additional structural support to secure the housing portionof the roofing systemto the modular structure. Cross bracingdoes not provide support for the deployable roofsince the deployable roofdoes not require any cross bracing for support. Instead, cross bracingprovides means for securing, or tying down the housing portionto the first end structureof the modular structure, for example in the case of high wind or other extreme weather conditions.

show the installation and deployment of the roofing systemonto an existing structure. As shown here, the existing structurecan be the same or similar to that described above, and can have the same or similar components described above. Accordingly,show the construction of the existing structurein addition to the installation and deployment of the deployable roofonto the existing structure. In certain embodiments, however, the existing structuremay include an already constructed structure, in which case the installation and deployment of the roofing systemwould begin at.

Once installed and deployed, the deployable roof, the first and second end structures,, the first and second side walls,, and the floorcan form the enclosed volume. The enclosed volumecan be configured in any number of ways.shows an example configuration that includes a main room, an office space, a bathroom, and a kitchenette. As shown in, the enclosed volumecan be configurable to include one or more of a kitchen, a bathroom, classroom, an office, or an event space, as will be described further below.

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, e.g., as shown in, the modular structureis provided. The modular structurecan be or include any one or more components of the existing structureas described above. Therefore, for brevity, the description of common elements that have been described above for existing structureare not repeated with respect to the modular structure. In certain embodiments, the roofing systemand the modular structureare configured and adapted for use together to form the enclosed volume. The process of such construction is shown with respect to. For example, as shown in, a platformcan be laid down first to serve as the floor. As shown in, the first and second end structures,can be place on the platform. Next, in, the first and second side walls,can be place between the first and second end structures,. In, only side wallis shown as sidewallis obstructed. In, the housingcan be placed atop the first end structure. The deployable roofcan then be deployed (e.g., as shown by the arrow in) to cover the modular structure. In, a user is shown urging the deployable roofoutward, however this may not be necessary and instead the tubular structurescan be connected to one another such that an airflow pattern during inflation urges the tubular sectionsto inflate in such an order that does not require manual assistance. Finally, the deployable roofis shown in the fully deployed position in.

Once constructed, the modular structureand roofing systemform the enclosed volume, which can be used in any number of ways, such as the configuration examples shown in. For example,shows the modular structureconfigured to be a dining hall and includes a bathroom, kitchen, main roomfor “indoor” seating, an office space, and covered “outdoor” seating spacecovered by panels.shows the modular structureconfigured to be a classroom.shows the modular structureconfigured to be a workshop.shows he modular structureconfigured to be a café/information center.shows the modular structureconfigured to be an exhibition.shows the modular structureconfigured to be a strategic planning center. Any use of this modular structurein addition to the examples set forth inis contemplated herein. For example, it is contemplated that the modular structurecan be used in an emergency, for example, following a natural disaster. The modular structurecan further include a water storage unit, e.g., as shown inA. The water storage unitcan be used to supply the enclosed volumewith water (e.g., for the kitchen, bathroom, or general use). The modular structurecan further include a waste macerator. The waste macerator can be connected via piping to a location's existing sewer system, for example. Any one or all embodiments of the modular structure can include one or more of the water storage and/or waste macerator depending on the desired use for the modular structure, and depending on the availability of existing infrastructure.

With reference now to, another embodiment of a roofing systemand modular structureis shown. The roofing systemcan be like that of the roofing system, for example roofing systemcan have similar components and features with respect to roofing system. Similarly, modular structurecan have similar components and features with respect to modular structure. For brevity, the description of common elements that have been described above for roofing systemand modular structureare not repeated with respect to roofing systemand modular structureas shown in.

Here, the deployable roofcan include side panelsconfigured to drape down the side walls,. The side panelsmay include graphics or lettering such as company indicia, branding, or can be used to indicate the purpose of the structure, such as “FIRST AID,” for example. Also as shown in, the housingmay also include graphics or lettering to convey the same branding or indicia as the side panelsor may include different indicia as needed for the purpose of the modular structureand roofing system. The side wallsandcan further include lighting elementsplaced between an outer facing surface of the side walls,and the side panelsto illuminate the graphics on the side panelsmaking them easy to read.

As shown in, in accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a building kitis provided. The building kitcan include a roofing system (e.g., roofing system,) and a modular structure (e.g., modular structure,) configured and adapted for use together to construct a temporary covered structure.

Those having ordinary skill in the art understand that any numerical values disclosed herein can be exact values or can be values within a range. Further, any terms of approximation (e.g., “about”, “approximately”, “around”) used in this disclosure can mean the stated value within a range. For example, in certain embodiments, the range can be within (plus or minus) 20%, or within 10%, or within 5%, or within 2%, or within any other suitable percentage or number as appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art (e.g., for known tolerance limits or error ranges).

The articles “a”, “an”, and “the” as used herein and in the appended claims are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. By way of example, “an element” means one element or more than one element.

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.”

Any suitable combination(s) of any disclosed embodiments and/or any suitable portion(s) thereof are contemplated herein as appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure.

The embodiments of the present disclosure, as described above and shown in the drawings, provide for improvement in the art to which they pertain. While the subject disclosure includes reference to certain embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject disclosure.