Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
File number: 13026-007
Title of the Invention
METHOD, ASSEMBLY AND SYSTEM FOR ASSEMBLING AND DISASSEMBLING
A SHELTER
Cross-Reference to Related Applications
[0001] The present patent application claims the benefits of priority of
United States
Provisional Patent Application No. 63/126,768, entitled "Method, assembly and
system for
assembling and disassembling a shelter", and filed at the United States Patent
and
Trademark Office on December 17, 2021.
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of modular
buildings and
methods of assembling/disassembling the same.
Background of the Invention
[0003] Constructing buildings in remote locations has always been a challenge
for various
reasons, especially when it comes to the logistics of the construction, the
methods and the
associated building assemblies and systems used.
[0004] Building methods generally make use of typical construction materials,
which are
heavy and burdensome to transport to the building location. As such, carrying
such
construction materials generally requires heavy machinery or special vehicles.
[0005] In some instances, a building has to be built at a remote location,
such as in the
forest or jungle. Such remote locations are typically inaccessible by a
vehicle. As such, the
construction materials may be not carried using machinery or vehicle, thus
limiting the
weight and size of such construction materials.
[0006] It is quite apparent that setting up buildings in remote locations is
not a task adapted
to conventional buildings methods and systems. Accordingly, there is a need
for a method
and an assembly and system improving the construction of buildings in remote
locations.
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Summary of the Invention
[0007] The aforesaid and other objectives of the present invention are
realized by generally
providing a modular shipping module. The shipping module may be embodied as a
container having a height of 20-foot. Such containers may be handled by a
container bridge.
In some embodiments, the container may be certified as a sea-freight
container.
[0008] The structure of the shipping module may be foldable. The structure of
the shipping
module may further be foldable. As such, depending on the final site, the
module may be
divided into a plurality of subassemblies, each of such subassemblies may then
be carried
by hand. The modular building, also referred to as habitable modular shelter
(HMS) or
building, may fit various foundations configurations. The structure of the
container may
have an adjustable height. The adjustable height may be provided by one or
more extending
mechanisms. The HMS and its various components may be assembled/disassembled
at
will. The HMS may be disassembled in different parts, each part being
carriable without
use or with a limited use of machinery. The building may further comprise an
identification
number, which may allow tracking of all the materials and components used in
the building,
thus enabling repurposing or recycling of said materials and components. In
some
embodiments, the HMS may have custom configurations. Each custom configuration
may
comprise standardized joint nodes. The building may further comprise outside
and inside
cladding, such cladding may be adapted to the specific site and/or as desired
by the end
user. Adding or removing cladding is independent of the structure itself which
remains
unaffected.
[0009] The HMS may also provide off grid autonomy, with integrated monitoring
of all
functions for maintenance and energy consumption (electricity) as well as a
CO2 footprint
of inhabitants. The monitoring of all functions may thus be integrated and
tracked into
third-party systems, such as into an ERP system and into a booking system. In
remote areas,
the location of the building may be tracked in order to enable disaster
recovery. A building
may further be removed from the final assembly site without impact to the
environment.
Each component of the building may also be removable, including, in some
embodiments,
the foundation. The trusses may be a glued composite/aluminum design that is
both
structurally and thermally efficient. The weight of one empty shipping module
may be
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2,500 kg. The building may further be assembled on site in 3 to 5 days,
without the need
of specialized workforce. All shipping modules may further be preassembled and
quality
tested.
[0010] In one aspect of the invention, an extendable truss structure for a
modular building
is provided. The system comprises a plurality of columns, at least one of the
columns
having an extendable length, each of the plurality of columns comprising a
first end and a
second end, a plurality of beams attached to at least two of the plurality of
columns at an
angle, two joint assemblies, each of the joint assemblies connecting the first
or second end
of one of the columns to a first or a second end of one of the beams.
[0011] At least one of the joint assemblies may be pivotally connected to the
first or second
end of one of the columns to a first or a second end of one of the beams. Each
of the joint
assemblies may comprise a connecting member pivotally connected to the first
or the
second end of one of the beams.
[0012] The beams may have an extendable length. The joint assembly may be
connectable
to a second of the beams. The first and second ends of the beam may comprise a
recess
portion, the connecting member of the joint assembly comprising a protuberant
portion
mating with the recess portion of the first and second ends of the beam. A
first of the
plurality of columns being extended at a first length being greater than a
second length of
a second of the plurality of columns.
[0013] In another aspect of the invention, a module for a modular building is
provided.
The module comprises a structural frame comprising at least one extendable
truss structure
as described herein. The module further comprises a floor detachably
connectable to
structural frame and a roof detachably connectable to structural frame.
[0014] The structural frame module comprising two extendable truss structures
forming
two opposite side walls. The structural frame module may further comprise a
third
extendable truss structure connecting the two opposed extendable truss
structures.
[0015] A first of the extended columns of the opposed two extendable truss
structures may
have a length greater than a second of the extended columns of the extendable
truss system.
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[0016] The module may comprise one or more roof supporting beams having a
plurality
of sections. The one or more roof supporting beams may comprise a plurality of
connectors,
each connector linking a first of the beam sections to a second of the beam
sections. The
module may comprise extendable legs supporting the structural frame. Each of
the
modules may be adjacent and secured to another of the modules. The module may
comprise
detachable panels covering the side walls.
[0017] The module may comprise a connector for receiving and securing an
additional
panel, the additional panel covering an extended section of the modular
building created
from the extension of the extendable truss system.
[0018] In yet another aspect of the invention, a method for assembling a
modular building
is provided. The method comprises positioning a structure of the building on a
surface,
vertically extending at least one column of the structure of the building to
form extended
structures and covering the extended structure of the building.
[0019] The method may further comprise extending four columns of the
structure. The four
columns of the structure may be extended for a roof of the structure to form
an angle. The
method may further comprise securing a second structure to the said structure
of the
building. The method may comprise removing adjacent panels of side wall
structures of
the secured structures.
[0020] The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel
are set forth
with particularity in the appended claims.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0021] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention
will become
more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to
the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shelter assembly in accordance with
the principles
of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a shelter assembly in accordance with
the principles
of the invention in a folded mode.
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[0024] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shelter assembly of FIG. 2 shown in
an unfolded
mode.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a side wall section
comprising
trusses in accordance with the principles of the invention in a folded mode.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the side wall section of FIG. 4 shown
in an unfolded
mode.
[0027] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an exemplary attachment system for a
truss in
accordance with the principles of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the attachment system of FIG. 6.
[0029] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a side wall section comprising a truss
section with
detailed views of node joints in accordance with the principles of the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a compressed extendable side column in
accordance
with the principles of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the extendable side column of FIG. 9
now
extended.
[0032] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the extendable side column of FIG. 10.
[0033] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a compressed
extendable
side column in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the extendable side column of FIG. 12
now
extended.
[0035] FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the extendable side column of FIG. 12.
[0036] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of sheltering system shown with a single
shipping
module in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the sheltering system of FIG. 15 shown
with two
adjacent shipping modules.
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[0038] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the sheltering system of FIG. 16 shown
with three
adjacent shipping modules.
[0039] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the sheltering system of FIG. 17 shown
with an
unfolded roof structure and transportation walls removed in accordance with
the principles
of the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the sheltering system of FIG. 18 shown
with
installed front trusses.
[0041] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the sheltering system of FIG. 19 shown
with
internal modules installed and doors installation in accordance with the
principles of the
present invention.
[0042] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the sheltering system of FIG. 18
comprising front
walls and connectors.
[0043] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the sheltering system of FIG. 18 shown
with an
elevated roof section.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
[0044] A novel method and system for assembling and disassembling a shelter
will be
described hereinafter. Although the invention is described in terms of
specific illustrative
embodiment(s), it is to be understood that the embodiment(s) described herein
are by way
of example only and that the scope of the invention is not intended to be
limited thereby.
[0045] Referring first to FIGS. 15 to 22, a method 400 for assembling a
shelter is
illustrated. The method 400 may be used for assembling a modular building,
such as but
not limited to as shelter in a remote location. The method 400 may generally
comprise a
step for preparing a site for installation 410 of the modular building 100.
The method 400
further comprises installing the modular building 100 on the site 420.
[0046] The step of preparing the site for installation may comprise analyzing
or studying
a site 412, cleaning and preparing the site 414, establishing a foundation on
the site 416
and/or installing water installations 418. The step of analyzing the site 412
may comprise
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analyzing different aspects of the terrain, such as but not limited to the
topology, the
hydrology, the fauna and flora and the quality of the soil. The step of
cleaning and preparing
the site 414 may comprise any tasks needed to establish a surface for
installation of the
building 100, such as but not limited to removing unwanted materials and
flattening the
ground, if necessary. The step of establishing the foundation 416 generally
aims at building
or creating a solid anchor on the ground for the modular building 100.
Establishing the
foundation 416 may comprise, but is not limited to, selecting the type of
foundation to use,
such as screw piles, EPS slabs, concrete blocks, concrete slab, or any other
type of
foundation, and installing the foundation, such as but not limited to digging
a support hole,
filling the support hole with concrete, and installing a top plate on the
hardened concrete.
The step of installing water installations 418 generally aims at providing
water, drains
and/or aqueduct to the modular building. The water installation connection 418
may
comprise digging a well and installing related equipment and/or installing a
water treatment
installation, for example a septic tank.
[0047] The installation of one or a plurality of modular buildings 420 aims at
building or
assembling the modular building 100 on the site. The installation 420 may
comprise the
steps of transporting or moving at least one container or shipping module 20
to the closest
possible drivable location of the site 421, such as the end of the road. The
installation 420
may further comprise emptying the shipping module 422 and/or disassembling the
at least
one shipping module 20 into a plurality of parts 423. Dissembling the shipping
module 20
generally includes separating the said shipping module 20 in a plurality of
parts to a degree
dictated by the available remaining path and means of transportation to the
site. The
installation may further comprise transporting the plurality of parts or the
shipping module
20 to the site 424 using any means of transportation available on the path. In
some
embodiments, the means of transportation may comprise an ATV, side-by-side or
four
wheelers, horses or even by foot.
[0048] The container 20 or shipping module 20 is typically sized as a standard
shipping
container, which may be certified by a third-party organization. The container
20 is
typically made of outer or inner side walls being foldable.
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[0049] Still referring to FIGS. 15 to 22, in some embodiments, the
installation 420 may
further comprise installing the one or more shipping modules 20 on the site
425. As shown
in FIG. 15, the shipping module 20 typically comprises a floor 26, side walls
28 and a roof
24. The shipping module 20 may further comprise legs 102, generally adapted to
level and
maintain the shipping module on the ground. Understandably, the legs 102 may
be
vertically extendable to allow different heights to level the shipping module
20 and/or
building 100.
[0050] As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the installation 420 may further comprise
installing
and interconnecting a plurality of shipping modules 20, 426. In such
embodiments, the
shipping modules 20 are fixed or mounted one to another using any type of
fastening means
104. The shipping modules 20 are also typically leveled on the ground to form
a uniform
structure. Understandably, more than three shipping modules 20 may be attached
to one
another to form larger buildings or structures.
[0051] The installation 420 may further comprise removing unnecessary
materials 427
from the at least one shipping module 20, removing transportation walls 28
from the
shipping module 20, 428 leveling and/or controlling the at least one shipping
module 20 to
be installed 429. In some embodiments, the removal of inner wall 428 may
comprise using
clips or quick fasteners 29 (as shown in FIG. 15) to easily detach the said
transportation
walls 28. Transportation walls may further be used to build various appliances
such as
decks, space for a fireplace, space for a hot tub, etc.
[0052] The installation 420 may further comprise installing roof bridges 105,
430. The roof
bridges 105 are typically installed or mounted over roof 24 of the shipping
module 20, as
shown in FIG. 17. The roof bridges may further be attached to a roof structure
110, shown
in FIG. 18. The roof structure 110 may comprises an edge structure 111
surrounding the
roof bridges 105. The roof structure 110 may further comprise front wall 112
and side walls
113. The side wall 113 and front wall 112 may further comprise windows or
apertures 114.
The side wall 113 and front wall 112 are typically expandable to allow
creating a slope in
the bridge or for easily lifting the roof.
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[0053] Referring now to FIG 18, 21 and 22, the installation 420 typically
comprises lifting
the roof structure 110, 431. Once shipping modules 20 of a building 100 are
assembled one
to the other, corner posts of each shipping module 20 may be raised to a
desired height for
lifting the roof structure 110. As shown in FIG. 22, the extendable vertical
columns 34 at
the front of the modules 20 are raised or extended. The extendable vertical
columns 34
have thus a length greater than the length of the extendable vertical columns
34 at the rear
portion of the modules 20. As such, the roof may be angled to create different
angles and/or
shapes. Understandably, any of the vertical columns 34 may be extended at
various heights,
thus giving different angles or shapes of the roof structure 110. The vertical
columns 34
may be extended before installing connectors 122 and front 112 and side walls
113.
Understandably, in other embodiments, the extendable vertical columns 34 at
the rear
portion of the module 20 may be greater than the extendable vertical columns
34 at the
front portion of the module 20 and/or than the vertical columns 34 at a side
portion of the
module 20.
[0054] In yet other embodiments, a single column 34 may be extended at a one
corner of
the module 20. In such embodiments, the horizontal or transversal columns 34
shall be
pivotally attached to the vertical columns 34 and shall be extended as the
created angle of
the roof require a longer horizontal column 34 or to create a volume over the
top portion
of the module 20 in a shipping configuration.
[0055] In a typical embodiment, two extendable columns 34 at each corner of a
side of the
module 20, such as the two corners of a side wall structure, a front wall
structure or a rear
wall structure, are extended at a similar height. In such embodiment, the roof
is raised on
one the said extended wall side while remaining un-extended on the opposite
side, thus
creating a roof at angle compared to a bottom portion of the module 20.
Understandably,
in such embodiment, one side may comprise more than two vertical columns 34 to
be
extended, such as the rear portion of the module 20 shown at FIG. 22 having
six (6) vertical
columns 34. In such illustrated embodiment, the vertical columns 34 at the
front are also
extended to form shorter columns than the vertical columns 34 at the rear
side. As such,
the roof 110 is raised over the structure 10 or module 20 while being angled.
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[0056] In another embodiment, each of the vertical columns 34 of the module or
structure
20 may be extended at equal length. In such embodiment, the roof 110 is raised
to form a
generally flat roof 110 or an equal volume over the top portion of the
structure 10 module
20 in a shipping configuration.
[0057] After raising the corner posts, various wall pieces may then be placed
in the
unfolded configuration. As an example, the corner posts of each shipping
module 20 may
be lifted to a predetermined height using a jack or any lifting mechanism. The
remaining
wall sections may be then folded. When the roof structure 110 is lifted, the
building 100 is
in unfolded mode. Referring now to FIG. 21, the lifting of the roof structure
110, 431 may
further comprise mounting a connector 122 for attaching the front wall 112.
The installation
may comprise removing intermediate columns 120 and/or storage 432,
[0058] Referring now to FIG. 19, the installation may further comprise
installing front door
structure 130, 432, such as a sliding door. The step 432 generally comprises
attaching front
trusses 132 adapted for receiving a sliding door or a window. The step 432 may
further
comprise installing sliding door structure 432 in between the trusses 131.
[0059] Referring now to FIG. 20, the installation 420 may comprise placing or
mounting
various internal modules 140, 433. For example, internal modules 140 may
comprise or
form a lounge area. The internal modules 140 may be preassembled, and once on
site, the
floor structure may be opened to allow the installation of the internal
modules 140.
Understandably, all floor elements used in the folded mode may also be used in
the
assembled mode.
[0060] Still referring to FIG. 20, the installation 420 may further comprise
installing
different finishes 433. As example, the installation of finishes 433 may
comprise, without
limitations, installing windows 115, placing a roof membrane (not shown) and
installing
or building a ceiling (not shown). The installation of finishes 434 may
further comprise
installing exterior skin and/or an interior skin or finish on walls, floor
and/or ceiling. The
installation 420 may further comprise installing any parts or elements removed
from the at
least one shipping module 20 before the at least one shipping module 20 is
transported to
the site 435.
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[0061] It shall be understood for one skilled in the art that the order of the
steps may be
changed depending on the situation and that some steps may be required in some
embodiments while optional in other embodiments.
[0062] A method for disassembling 500 the modular building 100 is provided.
Broadly,
disassembling an assembled shelter 100 uses similar steps of the above-
mentioned method
of installation 420 in a substantially reverse order. In the method of
disassembly 500, the
different steps of installing and assembling are replaced with steps of
uninstalling and
disassembling, respectively.
[0063] Understandably, any step of the methods (400, 500) may be executed
without the
use of heavy machinery, or at least with a limited use of lightweight machines
or vehicles.
Furthermore, the methods (400, 500) may preferably be used on sites non
accessible by
usual transportation vehicles such as cars or trucks. Such sites may be
forests, mountains,
or any other remote area where roads are limited or non-existent.
[0064] Now referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary sheltering assembly 100 is
shown.
The assembly 100 may be assembled or disassembled using in any of the above-
described
methods 400 and 500. The assembly 100 generally comprises a structure 10. The
structure
may be configured as a grid pattern. The structure 10 may be formed by one or
more
shipping modules 20 and may be made out of any material known in the art, such
as
aluminum like T6061 aluminum. In some embodiments the shipping module 20 has a
substantially rectangular prism shape. The shipping module 20 generally
comprises a
plurality of outer surfaces, such as three to four walls 22, a roof 24 and a
floor 26.
Understandably, other embodiments of the shipping modules 20 may have any
other
desired shape and may be made of any other number of surfaces.
[0065] In some embodiments, each of the components of the sheltering assembly
100 may
comprise an identification number. The identification is typically used to
maintain a
registry of all components. The registry may further be used to ensure that
all parts are
recycled after the assembly 100 is disassembled or to track a missing
component in the
assembly process. Understandably, in some embodiments, each of the components
may
comprise a unique identification number which may be embodied as an
identification tag
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using any type of codes such as alphanumeric or numeric characters, bar code,
HR code or
NEC or RFID devices.
[0066] In some embodiments, at least one of the surfaces (walls, roof, floor,
etc.) is a
detachable transportation wall 28. In the embodiment shown at FIG. 1, the
shipping module
20 comprises transportation walls 28 on both sides or on the front wall only,
facing the
exterior of the shipping module 20. The transportation walls 28 generally aim
at creating a
closed enclosure within the shipping module 20 to ease the transport of the
said shipping
module 20 and its content. The walls 28 may further provide support when
transporting
said shipping module 20.
[0067] The shipping module 20 typically comprises one or more trusses 30,
beams 32 and
columns 34 forming the structure of the shipping module 20. Understandably,
any type of
structural elements may be used to form the structure of the shipping module
20. In some
embodiments, the transportation walls 28 cover the structural elements.
[0068] The transportation walls 28 are typically removable to allow connection
of the
shipping module 20 to an adjacent shipping module 20. As such, two adjacent
shipping
modules 20 may be connected to one another. In a typical embodiment, the
adjacent sides,
such as side walls 22, or adjacent structure elements are connected or mounted
to one
another to form a single structure. The same may be repeated with further
shipping modules
to form larger structures or buildings 100. The assembly of connected shipping
modules
20 may thus form the structure 10.
[0069] It may be appreciated that any of the trusses 30, beams 32 and/or
columns 34 may
be replaced with alternatives structures. The said trusses 30, beams 32 and/or
columns may
be removed from the structure 10 before and/or after connecting the shipping
modules 20
if required. For example, beams 32 found within a transportation wall 28
placed between
two shipping modules 20 may be removed to create a bigger room inside the two
shipping
modules 20. Referring now to FIG. 3, an embodiment of the sheltering assembly
100 is
shown wherein columns 34 in the middle and front of the assembly have been
removed as
compared to the embodiment of FIG. 2.
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[0070] Now referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, an exemplary truss section 50 is shown.
The truss
section 50 may be located within a wall surface of a shipping module 20 or
structure 10.
Trusses 30 and truss sections 50 of a given structure 10 may comprise a
plurality of beams
32, columns 34, joint nodes (40, 240) and fasteners. The truss section 50 may
comprise
columns 34 on each side. In some embodiments, as shown, the truss section 50
is
rectangular. The truss section 50 may comprise a plurality of inner beams and
columns 32.
The inner beams and columns 32 are typically of smaller proportions than the
outer
columns 34. The inner beams and columns 34 may be positioned as a grid pattern
and may
support the outer beams and columns 34. Understandably, other embodiments may
comprise any other pattern for the arrangement of the inner beams and columns
32.
[0071] The vertical columns 34 may be extendable. In some embodiment, each
vertical
column 34 comprises an extending/collapsing mechanism 52 allowing the
extension and
collapsing of a side of the truss section 50. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, as an
example, the
truss section 50 comprises a top section slidingly inserted in a side column
34. The top
section comprises side columns having a cross-section 54 being smaller than
the cross-
section 56 of the other column section 34. Accordingly, FIG. 4 shows the truss
section 50
being collapsed wherein FIG. 5 shows the truss section 50 being extended. When
a side
column 34 is extended, additional supporting beams 32 may be mounted within
the newly
created space 58. It may be appreciated that trusses 30 may be collapsed when
transported
and extended to set up the structure 10.
[0072] Now referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, an attachment system 60 for trusses 30,
beams 32
and/or columns 34 is shown. In such an embodiment, the attachment system 60
comprises
an elongated connecting element 62, two trusses 30 and fasteners, not shown.
The
elongated connecting element 62 is shaped to slide within a recess portion 66
of a first truss
30 at one end and to slide within a recess portion 66 of a second truss 30 at
another end. In
some embodiments, the recess portion 66 is a narrow extrusion 66 having a
thickness
allowing the connecting element 62 to snugly fit within the recess portion 66.
In yet another
embodiment the connecting element 62 may comprise a slit 68 adapted to fit in
the recess.
In another embodiment not shown, the trusses 30 may each have a narrow slit or
protuberance 68 adapted to snugly fit in a recess of the connecting element
62.
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[0073] In some embodiments, both the trusses 30 and the connecting element 62
may have
a plurality of holes 70 located at predetermined locations so that fasteners
may be slid into
each of the plurality of holes or apertures 70 used for securing the trusses
30 to the
connecting element 62. Each truss 30 may also comprise holes 70 located at
surfaces in
contact with surfaces of the other adjacent truss 30 for additional securing
between the two
trusses 30. It may be understood that, in other embodiments, trusses 30 may be
replaced
with beams 32 or columns 34. It may further be appreciated that the attachment
system 60
provided allows connecting to adjacent trusses 30, beams 32 or columns 34
without
requiring heavy or special machinery while maintaining a sufficient rigidity.
In an
embodiment, the attachment system 60 may be configured to be used in a modular
roof
system wherein the roof height and angle may be varied by adding a plurality
of trusses 30
connected to each other's with attachment systems 60.
[0074] Now referring to FIG. 8, embodiments of node joints (40, 240) are
shown. Node
joints (40, 240) are typically adapted to connect a structure to another type
of structure,
such as a column 34 to a beam 32. In some embodiments, a first type of node
assembly 200
is shown for securing two trusses 30, beams 32 or columns 34 together is
illustrated. The
present embodiment uses columns 34, though it may be appreciated that other
embodiments may comprise trusses 30 or beams 32. The node joint 40 may be used
in
parallel with each of the columns 34 or, as shown, with each of the columns or
beam 34
perpendicular to other beam or columns 34. Understandably, the node joints 40
may
connect at least two columns or beams 34 at any other angles. Each column or
beam 34
may comprise a hollow section 42 at its extremity 35. The hollow section 42 is
adapted to
receive a connecting member 44 or an extrusion/protuberance 46 of the node
joint 40. In
other embodiments not shown, the columns 34 may have extrusions 46 at their
extremity
wherein the node joint 40 and the connecting member 44 may have a hollow
section 42.
The node joint 40 may thus be connected to a column 34 by sliding the
extrusion 46 into
the hollow or recess section 42 of the column 34 and may be connected to the
connecting
member 44 through a joint 45, such as a knuckle joint. The connecting member
44 may
then be connected to the associated column or beam 34 by sliding the extrusion
46 of the
connecting member 44 into the hollow section 42 of the column 34.
Understandably, any
other type of joint 45 may be used for the connecting member 44.
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Date recue / Date received 2021-12-17
File number: 13026-007
[0075] In the embodiment shown at FIG. 8, the connecting member 44 comprises a
pivoting connector 47 mating with a pivoting connector 49 of the node joint
40. The
pivoting connector 47 may be embodied as an aperture or passage adapted to
receive a lock
pin. The lock pin secured in the passage provides a pivot point or a freedom
of rotation of
one degree to angle the roof 110 of the module 20.
[0076] By using a joint 45 for connecting the connecting member 44 to the node
joint 40,
at least a rotational degree of freedom is allowed from the assembly which may
be useful
when parts of the structure 10 are connected to other parts of the structure
10 at any angle
other than perpendicular, such as but not limited to raising the roof 110 of
the structure 10.
For example, having a connecting member 44 with joints 45 at each extremity 35
of the
top horizontal column 34 of the structure 10 may allow for one vertical side
column 34 to
be longer than the other vertical side column 34 of the same structure 10,
thus allowing for
an angled roof. In some embodiments, the node joint 40 may be secured to more
than two
columns or beams 34. The node joints 40 may also have tabs 48 for connecting
with another
column 34, not shown. The embodied tabs 48 may guide the extremity 35 of a
column 34
having holes of a similar shape and may thus provide additional structural
stabilization to
the structure 10. Each of the node joints 40, columns or beams 34 and
connecting members
44 may have holes 70 located at predetermined locations relative to holes 70
of the other
parts to secure the structure 10 with fasteners. It may be appreciated that
the node joints 40
provided may allow a securing of the trusses 30, beams 32 or columns 34
without requiring
heavy or special machinery.
[0077] In a second embodiment, a node assembly 300 comprising a node joint 240
is
illustrated. This embodiment is configured to be secured to three columns,
beams 34 and/or
trusses 30. Accordingly, the node joint 240 comprises three extrusions 246
each configured
to be slid in a hollow section 42 of a column or beam 34. The node joint 240
further
comprises fastening holes 270 for the installation of fasteners 80, not shown,
when inserted
into columns or beams 34 for securing the assembly 300. Understandably, any
other type
of connection to columns or beams 34 as presented in the embodiment described
above
may be used. The node joint 240 may further be configured to be secured to
more than
three columns 34 with the appropriate number of connecting parts.
- 15 -
Date recue / Date received 2021-12-17
File number: 13026-007
[0078] The beams 32 of the structure 10 located between the side, top and
bottom columns
34 may be secured to other trusses 30, beams 32 or columns 34 by extrusions 46
inserted
into hollow sections 42, with connecting members 44 and/or fasteners.
[0079] Now referring to FIG. 9 to 11, exemplary extendable side column 34
connected to
node joints (40, 240) are shown in the collapsed state (FIG. 9) and extended
state (FIG.
10). Referring to FIG. 11, an exploded view of the side column 34 is shown.
[0080] Now referring to FIG. 12 to 14, exemplary extendable side column 34
connected to
node joints (40, 240) are shown in the collapsed state (FIG. 12) and the
extended state (FIG.
13). Referring to FIG. 14, an exploded view of the extendable side column 34
is shown. It
may be appreciated that both the smaller and larger cross-sections (54, 56) of
the side
column or beam 34 may have varying length. Furthermore, there may be more than
two
sections for each side column 34 in order to increase expansion of the columns
or beams
34 compared to having a single extendable mechanism 52.
[0081] While illustrative and presently preferred embodiment(s) of the
invention have
been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the
inventive concepts may
be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are
intended
to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the
prior art.
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Date recue / Date received 2021-12-17
