Building assembly system and method

Abstract

A building frame ( 100 ) is designed as multiple assemblages ( 104 ), ( 200 ) and ( 300 ), which are built and then collapsed for shipment in one or more shipping containers ( 400 ), transported to a building site, and removed from the corresponding shipping containers ( 400 ). the assemblages ( 104 ), ( 200 ) and ( 300 ) are constructed as a building frame ( 100 ) at the permanent building site, or, alternatively, are assembled into subassemblies at a temporary building site, and are transferred to the permanent building site.

1 . A method of designing a building, comprising the steps of: 
 designing a building frame to fit in one or more corresponding shipping containers;    constructing the building frame assemblage to fold laterally, or vertically, or both laterally and vertically to fit in the one or more corresponding shipping containers; and    designing the building frame assemblage to remove vertically from the one or more corresponding shipping containers, and lower onto an construction site.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , and further comprising the steps of: 
 designing the building frame as having separate assemblages in a corresponding shipping container;    removing the assemblages from the corresponding shipping container, and    constructing the separate assemblages at a building site.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , and further comprising the step of: 
 arranging the separate assemblages in the corresponding shipping container according to the order in which the separate assemblages are removed from the corresponding shipping container.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , and further comprising the steps of: 
 removing the separate assemblages in said order from the corresponding shipping container;    constructing the separate assemblages at a temporary building site; and    transferring the separate assemblages to a permanent building site.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , and further comprising the steps of: 
 constructing a first story assemblage at the temporary building site; and    transferring the first story assemblage to the permanent building site;    constructing a second story assemblage at the temporary building site; and    transferring the second story assemblage to the permanent building site.    
   
   
       6 . A method of constructing a building frame assemblage packaged for shipment in a shipping container, comprising the steps of: 
 vertically removing the building frame assemblage that has been folded either vertically or laterally or both vertically and laterally to fit in the shipping container; and    lowering the building frame assemblage on a building site in an unfolded configuration.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , and further comprising the steps of: 
 building a floor on the building frame assemblage; and    constructing the building frame assemblage and the floor at a permanent building site.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , and further comprising the step of: securing the assemblage to the permanent building site.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6 , and further comprising the steps of: 
 building a floor on the building frame assemblage at a temporary building site;    transferring the building frame assemblage and the floor to a permanent building site; and    securing the building frame assemblage to the permanent building site.    
   
   
       10 . A method for constructing a building frame assemblage, comprising the steps of: 
 prefabricating the building frame assemblage in a geographical location where material and labor costs are low;    shipping the building frame assemblage by container to a region of the world where buildings and their construction costs are expensive; and    transferring the building frame assemblage to a building site.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein, the step of transferring the building frame assemblage further comprises the step of: 
 removing the building frame assemblage from a shipping container by a crane.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein, the step of transferring the building frame assemblage further comprises the steps of: 
 removing the building frame assemblage from a corresponding container by a crane; and    setting the building frame assemblage on a temporary building site;    and further comprising the steps of:    assembling a floor on the building frame assemblage; and    transferring the building frame assemblage and the floor from the temporary building site to a permanent building site.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein, the step of transferring the building frame assemblage further comprises the steps of: 
 removing the building frame assemblage from a corresponding container by a crane; and    lowering the building frame assemblage on a platform;    and further comprising the steps of:    assembling a floor on the building frame assemblage; and    transferring the building frame assemblage and the floor from the platform to a permanent building site.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein, the step of transferring the building frame assemblage further comprises the steps of: 
 removing the building frame assemblage from a corresponding container by a crane; and    lowering the building frame assemblage on a permanent building site;    and further comprising the step of:    assembling a floor on the building frame assemblage.    
   
   
       15 . A building frame comprising: 
 at least first story frame assemblages; and    the assemblages being collapsible to fit in a corresponding shipping container; and    the assemblages being arranged according to the order in which they are removed from the corresponding shipping container and used in the construction of a building.    
   
   
       16 . The building frame as recited in  claim 15 , and further comprising: 
 the assemblages being collapsible laterally.    
   
   
       17 . The building frame as recited in  claim 15 , and further comprising: 
 the first story assemblages being cantilever supported at the permanent building site.    
   
   
       18 . The building frame as recited in  claim 15 , and further comprising: 
 second story frame assemblages for building on the first story assemblages; and    the second story frame assemblages being collapsible to fit in a corresponding shipping container.    
   
   
       19 . The building frame as recited in  claim 15 , and further comprising: 
 second story frame assemblages for building on the first story assemblages; and    roof truss assemblages for building on the second story assemblages;    the second story frame assemblages being collapsible to fit in a corresponding shipping container, and the roof truss assemblages being collapsible to fit in a corresponding shipping container.    
   
   
       20 . The building frame as recited in  claim 19 , and further comprising: 
 the assemblages being collapsible laterally.