Expandable and Collapsible Building Unit

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/627,091 titled “Innovative Expandable Housing Unit with Hydraulic Expansion and Locking System for Enhanced Mobility and Structural Integrity,” filed on Jan. 31, 2024, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

This invention relates generally to expandable and collapsible building units, and more particularly to expandable and collapsible building units employing a folding mechanism and a rolling wheel system for easy deployment and collapsing of the building unit, which simplifies assembly and reduces space requirements for transport and storage, making it a distinct advancement in expandable building technology.

Urbanization trends play a pivotal role in driving the demand for compact and adaptable buildings, especially in densely populated regions. By way of non-limiting example, cities experiencing rapid urban development have high demand for compact and adaptable living solutions. This urban-centric demand is mirrored in figures that showcase a notable concentration of expandable housing projects in metropolitan areas, where the need for efficient use of space is most acute.

Consumer surveys reveal compelling insights into the preferences and motivations behind choosing expandable housing and other buildings for various applications. Flexibility in spatial configurations, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to customize living and other internal spaces to suit individual needs consistently rank as primary factors influencing consumer decisions. Figures also indicate a demographic shift, with a growing number of millennials and young professionals opting for expandable units as a viable and practical housing solution.

Additionally, the modular nature of adaptable building units may contribute to reduced construction timelines and costs. Statistics on construction efficiency highlight that, on average, expandable building units can be built in a significantly shorter timeframe compared to traditional construction methods. This efficiency aligns with broader industry trends focused on sustainable practices, resource optimization, and meeting the increasing demand for more agile and adaptable housing solutions.

While certain solutions have been proposed, such prior solutions are limited and restricted to their conventional architecture and installation systems, and have considerable shortcomings which adversely affect the convenience with which they can be used. The prior systems have certain limitations including the design of assemblies which make them not suitable for every type of user. Moreover, such previously known systems may create significant challenges for the user (e.g., a homeowner) who is not a skilled construction specialist to setup and modify as desired.

In accordance with certain aspects of a preferred embodiment, an expandable and collapsible building is provided that avoids at least some of the disadvantages of prior art systems. A primary desirable object of the present invention is to enable quick deployment, crucial in emergencies or temporary housing needs. Its adaptability allows for a rapid response to changing requirements. Expandable building units configured in accordance with at least certain aspects of the invention may offer a compact design and efficient use of space that contribute to cost-effectiveness, making it a budget-friendly solution for housing and mobile office needs.

In accordance with certain aspects of an embodiment, a collapsible building may including a folding mechanism and a rolling wheel system that simplify the assembly and teardown process, minimizing the labor and time involved. These features may also enhance portability and convenience, allowing for easy transport and storage. Such a collapsible building may offer an expandable nature that allows for adaptable interior configurations, catering to diverse preferences and needs. Users can customize the space according to specific requirements, optimizing functionality. Further, such a folding mechanism may maximize the utilization of available space, ensuring that every square foot is utilized effectively. This efficiency is particularly valuable in scenarios where space optimization is critical. Likewise, a rolling wheel system configured in accordance with aspects of the invention may not only facilitate smooth movement during collapse or expansion, but also may contribute to the unit's overall durability. This ensures a resilient and long-lasting housing solution capable of withstanding various environmental conditions.

Even further, expandable buildings configured in accordance with aspects of the invention may offer scalability, enabling the integration of additional units to create larger living or working spaces as needed. This scalability enhances its adaptability to evolving requirements.

Still yet further, expandable buildings configured in accordance with aspects of the invention may simplify assembly and reduce space requirements for transport and storage. The unit's folding mechanism and rolling wheel system enable the unit to fully collapse down into a slim profile. This innovative solution ensures a fast and easy setup and teardown, enhancing portability and convenience.

Still other aspects, features and advantages of the invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating a number of particular embodiments and implementations, including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. The invention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details can be modified in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

The invention may be understood by referring to the following description and accompanying drawings. This description of an embodiment, set out below to enable one to practice an implementation of the invention, is not intended to limit the preferred embodiment, but to serve as a particular example thereof. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and specific embodiments disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other methods and systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent assemblies do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

Descriptions of well-known functions and structures are omitted to enhance clarity and conciseness. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. does not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denotes the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

The use of the terms “first”, “second”, and the like does not imply any particular order, but they are included to identify individual elements. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. does not denote any order of importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising”, or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Although some features may be described with respect to individual exemplary embodiments, aspects need not be limited thereto such that features from one or more exemplary embodiments may be combinable with other features from one or more exemplary embodiments.

The present invention is directed to an expandable and collapsible building unit, such as by way of non-limiting example a housing unit, that simplifies assembly and reduces space requirements for transport and storage. With particular reference to, a collapsible and deployable buildingis shown in a collapsed and deployed configuration, respectively, in accordance with certain aspects of an embodiment. Collapsible and deployable buildingincludes a base frame, a roof frame, a right wall, a left wall, a front wall, and a rear wall. Each of right wall, left wall, front wall, and rear wallare hingedly mounted to enable folding from the flat, collapsed configuration ofinto the fully erect, vertically deployed configuration of, as discussed in greater detail below.

Base frameis preferably mounted on four base frame supportsat each underside corner of base frame. Each base frame supportis preferably adjustable in height, such as by way of an adjustable threaded element, such as a screw or bolt, that engages a footthat may be manually adjusted via threaded engagement with threaded elementso as to adjust the height of a corner of building. Preferably, a base frame support plateis mounted to the bottom of each footfor added stability.

In the collapsed configuration of, multiple units of buildingmay be easily stored in stacks, one atop another. Likewise, they may be easily transported from a storage location to a location intended for deployment, both as single units or as multiple, stacked units transported in a single shipment. Likewise, in the fully deployed configuration of, buildingforms a complete building structure that may be used for any building purpose, such as temporary or permanent housing or office space, laboratory space, medical clinics, emergency shelters, retail stores, and any such other applications as may occur to those skilled in the art that may benefit from a temporary and/or transportable interior space.

As particularly shown in, once buildinghas been fully deployed, any suitable internal elementsmay be added, whether furniture, shelving, cabinetry, industrial equipment, laboratory equipment, medical equipment, office equipment, and any such other items as may be suited to the intended purpose for building.show front, rear, right side, and left side views, respectively, of buildingin its fully deployed configuration, and as shown in the figures may incorporate windows, doors, and such other access openings as may be readily occur to those skilled in the art.

In an exemplary configuration, buildingmay, when deployed, have compact dimensions of 20 ft in length, 8 ft in height, and 8 ft in width, offering portability while ensuring that the buildingmay be effortlessly transported using standard methods while still providing a spacious interior.

The following description will detail the deployment of buildingfrom the collapsed configuration ofto the deployed configuration of. As shown in the cross-sectional view of(viewing along section lines A-A of), buildingin the collapsed configured positions the interior face of front wallflat against the top of base frame. A bottom edge of front wallis hingedly attached to the top of base from, such that front wallmay be ultimately pivoted upward into a vertical orientation. Likewise, a bottom edge of rear wallis hingedly attached to rear wall support panel, which rear wall support panelin turn is mounted to the top of base frame. Rear wall support panelpreferably is of a height that is at least equal to a thickness of front wall. This configuration enables rear wallto sit horizontally inside of buildingin the collapsed configuration ofwithout interfering with front wall. With particular reference to, each of right walland left wallis pivotably mounted to base frameat a hinge. Hingeis positioned inward from the side panelof base frame, and engages a hinge blockat the bottom of each of right walland left wall. This orientation enables each of right walland left wallto pivot upward so that, in the case of left wall, the bottom faceof left wallwill rest flush against the top surface of base framewith the outer surface of left wall aligned with the side panelof base frame. Further and with particular reference to, the top corners of each of right walland left wallare provided rollersthat engage roller trackson the interior of roof frame, allowing the top edges of each of right walland left wallto move outward to the outer edges of roof frameas they are pivoted upward to their vertical orientations.

The folding mechanism described herein may, in accordance with certain aspects of the invention, allow building unitto fully collapse down into a slim profile. This mechanism ensures that the collapse and expansion process is executed efficiently, minimizing the labor and time involved. Complementing this, the rolling wheel system configured as described above and integrated into the side wall pillars as shown inplays a crucial role in facilitating smooth movement during collapse or expansion. This not only provides a convenient and user-friendly operation but also establishes durability, guaranteeing a resilient and long-lasting housing solution.

shows buildingas it starts moving from the fully collapsed configuration oftoward the deployed configuration of. As shown in, as right walland left wallare raised, rollersroll the top edges of right walland left walloutward towards the outer side edges of roof frame, in turn lifting roof frameupward.likewise shows buildingas it nears the fully deployed configuration of. As best viewed in, each of right walland left wallprovide an interior space defined by the outer bottom and side edges of each of right walland left wall, such that front walland rear wallmay both lay flat inside of collapsed buildingwhile enabling each of right walland left wallto lay horizontally flat. Finally, once each of right walland left wallhave been vertically positioned, buildingwill be in the configuration shown inwith right walland left wallfully deployed, roof frameat its final, deployed height, and front walland rear wallremaining in the flat, collapsed positions.

Next and with reference to the sectional view of, rear wallmay be deployed to its vertical position by pivoting rear wallupward at hingeson rear wall support panel, until assuming the fully deployed, vertical position shown in(with front wallat this stage still remaining flat and parallel to the top surface of base frame). Finally and with reference to the sectional view of, front wallmay be deployed to its vertical position by pivoting front wallupward at hingeson base frameuntil assuming the fully deployed, vertical position shown in.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that when buildingis no longer needed, it may be easily collapsed into the collapsed configuration ofthrough reversing the above-described process. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that pivoting of each of right wall, left wall, front wall, and rear wallmay be carried out manually or may be assisted through mechanical lifting devices, such motors, pneumatic elements, or such other assistive devices as may occur to those skilled in the art.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be practiced other than as expressly set forth above. By way of non-limiting example, smart technologies may be integrated, enhancing the functionality of such expandable building units. This includes the incorporation of smart home systems for improved energy efficiency, advanced security features, and automated climate control, providing occupants with a seamless and connected living experience.

Moreover, the modular design and prefabrication techniques offered by such expandable building units help to streamline the construction process. This approach allows for quicker and more cost-effective assembly, contributing to the scalability and accessibility of expandable housing solutions. Additionally, the use of sustainable materials and eco-friendly building practices in such expandable building units aligns with the growing emphasis on environmentally conscious living.

Further, the integration of hydraulic and mechanical systems in such expandable building units can facilitate controlled expansion and contraction of living and other building spaces. In the case of expandable housing, this provides residents with the flexibility to adjust their home's layout according to changing needs, optimizing the use of available space.

Still further, in response to the increasing focus on energy efficiency, such expandable building units may incorporate renewable energy solutions, including the integration of solar panels and energy storage systems, allowing for instance residents of expandable housing units to reduce their environmental footprint and potentially achieve greater energy independence. These features may collectively contribute to a dynamic landscape of expandable building units that cater to diverse preferences and contemporary sustainability concerns.

Still yet further, the particular shape or configuration of the unit or the interior configuration may be readily changed to suit the system or equipment with which it is used.

Beyond the compact design and innovative mechanisms embodied in expandable and collapsible buildingas described above, the building unitexcels in enhancing versatility. Its adaptable applications span a wide range, making it suitable for (by way of non-limiting example) emergency response shelters, construction site offices, mobile medical clinics, and temporary housing solutions for events or remote locations. This versatility positions the unit as a valuable asset across diverse industries, where rapid deployment and relocation are essential considerations.

In practical terms, expandable and collapsible building units configured in accordance with certain aspects of the invention may be provide more than a dwelling; they may offer a transformative solution that caters to the evolving needs of our dynamic and mobile society. As an embodiment of simplicity and efficiency, expandable and collapsible building units configured as described herein not only simplify transportation and setup, but also introduce a new standard for compact and convenient living, office, and work spaces in various professional and emergency contexts.

Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. Thus, it should be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth herein.