Modular Structure System and Associated Methods

Abstract

A modular structure system comprises a plurality of modular units connected to one another. Each of the plurality of modular units are moveable from a collapsed position to an erected position and include a plurality of sidewalls defined by a plurality of cementitious panels hingedly connected to one another and moveable from a closed position to an open position, and a top defined by a cementitious panel. The collapsed position is defined by the plurality of sidewalls and the top being separated and configured in a flat position. The erected position is defined by the plurality of sidewalls being moved from the closed position to the open position and the top being positioned to overlie the plurality of sidewalls.

1 . A modular structure system comprising:
 a plurality of modular units connected to one another, each of said plurality of modular units being moveable from a collapsed position to an erected position and comprising
 a plurality of sidewalls defined by a plurality of cementitious panels hingedly connected to one another and moveable from a closed position to an opened position, and 
 a top defined by a cementitious panel; 
   wherein said collapsed position is defined by said plurality of sidewalls and said top being separated and configured in a flat position; and   wherein said erected position is defined by said plurality of sidewalls being moved from the closed position to the opened position, and said top being positioned to overlie said plurality of sidewalls.   
   
   
       2 . A modular structure system according to  claim 1  wherein the cementitious panels of each of said plurality of sidewalls is a lamination defined by a pair of opposing outer cementitious panel members, at least one medial cementitious board member positioned between the opposing outer cementitious panel members, and mastic positioned between the outer cementitious panel members and the at least one medial cementitious board member; and wherein the cementitious panel of said top is defined by at least one outer cementitious panel member. 
   
   
       3 . A modular structure system according to  claim 2  wherein each of the outer cementitious panel members of each one of the plurality of modular units has a first predetermined thickness; and wherein the at least one medial cementitious board member has a second predetermined thickness. 
   
   
       4 . A modular structure system according to  claim 3  wherein the second predetermined thickness is greater than the first predetermined thickness. 
   
   
       5 . A modular structure system according to  claim 1  wherein each one of the plurality of modular units further comprises a plurality of hinge members carried by said plurality of sidewalls; and wherein each hinge member comprises a first hinge member positioned adjacent an outer peripheral portion of one of said cementitious panels of said sidewall, and a second hinge member positioned spaced-apart from the outer peripheral portion of one of said cementitious panels of said sidewall adjacent the cementitious panel carrying the first hinge member, said second hinge member to be hingedly connected to said first hinge member so that when said sidewalls are moved from the closed position to the opened position, the outer peripheral portions of adjacent cementitious panels are positioned flush with one another. 
   
   
       6 . A modular structure system according to  claim 1  further comprising an outer finish layer positioned to overlie outer peripheral portions of said plurality of sidewalls and said top of each of said plurality of modular units. 
   
   
       7 . A modular structure system according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of said plurality of modular units further comprises at least one passageway formed in at least one of said top and said plurality of sidewalls. 
   
   
       8 . A modular structure system according to  claim 7  wherein said at least one passageway is a kitchen device receiving passageway for receiving at least one kitchen device; and wherein said at least one kitchen device is at least one of a refrigerator, a sink, a range, a griddle, and a burner. 
   
   
       9 . A modular structure system according to  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of modular units further comprises at least one of a plurality of casters and a plurality of leveling members carried by a bottom portion of said sidewalls. 
   
   
       10 . A modular structure system according to  claim 9  wherein each of said plurality of modular units further comprises a base; and wherein each base is positioned to carry said plurality of sidewalls of each one of said plurality of modular units; and wherein at least one of the plurality of casters and plurality of leveling members are carried by said base. 
   
   
       11 . A modular structure system according to  claim 1  wherein said top of each of said plurality of modular units further comprises a tile layer. 
   
   
       12 . A modular unit moveable from a collapsed position to an erect position and comprising:
 a plurality of sidewalls defined by a plurality of cementitious panels hingedly connected to one another and moveable from a closed position to an opened position;   a top defined by a cementitious panel; and   a first hinge member and a second hinge member carried by said plurality of sidewalls, wherein the first hinge member is positioned adjacent an outer peripheral portion of one of said cementitious panels of said sidewall, and the second hinge member is positioned spaced-apart from the outer peripheral portion of one of said cementitious panels of said sidewall adjacent the cementitious panel carrying the first hinge member, said second hinge member to be hingedly connected to said first hinge member so that when said sidewalls are moved from the closed position to the opened position the outer peripheral portions of adjacent cementitious panels are positioned flush with one another;   wherein the collapsed position is defined by said plurality of sidewalls and said top being separated and configured in a flat position; and   wherein said erected position is defined by said sidewalls being moved from the closed position to the opened position, and said top being positioned to overlie said plurality of sidewalls.   
   
   
       13 . A modular unit according to  claim 12  wherein the cementitious panels of each of said plurality of sidewalls is a lamination defined by a pair of opposing outer cementitious panel members, at least one medial cementitious board member, and mastic positioned between the outer cementitious panel members and the at least one medial cementitious board member; and wherein the cementitious panel of said top is defined by at least one outer cementitious panel member. 
   
   
       14 . A modular unit according to  claim 13  wherein each of the outer panels has a first predetermined thickness; wherein the medial board member has a second predetermined thickness greater than the first predetermined thickness. 
   
   
       15 . A modular unit according to  claim 12  further comprising an outer finish layer positioned to overlie outer peripheral portions of said plurality of sidewalls and said top, and a tile layer positioned to overlie said top. 
   
   
       16 . A modular unit according to  claim 12  wherein at least one kitchen device receiving passageway is formed in at least one of said top and said plurality of sidewalls for receiving at least one kitchen device; and wherein said at least one kitchen device is at least one of a refrigerator, a sink, a range, a griddle, and a burner. 
   
   
       17 . A modular unit according to  claim 12  further comprising a base positioned to carry said plurality of sidewalls; and further comprising at least one of a plurality of casters and plurality of leveling arms carried by said base. 
   
   
       18 . A method of moving a modular unit from a collapsed position to an erected position comprising:
 moving a plurality of sidewalls from a closed position to an opened position, the plurality of sidewalls being defined by a plurality of cementitious panels hingedly connected to one another by first and second hinge members carried by the plurality of sidewalls, the first hinge member being positioned adjacent an outer peripheral portion of one of said cementitious panels of said sidewall, and the second hinge member being positioned spaced-apart from the outer peripheral portion of one of said cementitious panels of said sidewall adjacent the cementitious panel carrying the first hinge member, and wherein the second hinge member is to be hingedly connected to the first hinge member so that when the sidewalls are moved from the closed position to the opened position, the outer peripheral portions of adjacent cementitious panels are positioned flush with one another; and   positioning a top to overlie the plurality of sidewalls, the top being defined by a cementitious panel; and   wherein the collapsed position is defined by the plurality of sidewalls and the top being separated and configured in a flat position; and   wherein the erected position is defined by the sidewalls being in the opened position, and the top being positioned to overlie the plurality of sidewalls.   
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein the cementitious panels of each of the plurality of sidewalls is a lamination defined by a pair of opposing outer cementitious panel members, at least one medial cementitious board member, and mastic positioned between the outer cementitious panel members and the at least one medial cementitious board member; and wherein the cementitious panel of the top is defined by at least one outer cementitious panel member. 
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein at one least kitchen device receiving passageway is formed in at least one of the top and the plurality of sidewalls for receiving at least one kitchen device; and wherein said at least one kitchen device is at least one of a refrigerator, a sink, a range, a griddle, and a burner.