Modular Living Structure

Abstract

A modular housing structure that can be easily transported and transformed for housing or other uses. The basic structure has a retracted position for shipping and storage and an expanded position in which people are able to enter and use the structure. One or more hinges are combined with the panels of the structure which allow the panels to move pivotally and linearly relative to adjacent panels.

1 . A portable habitable structure capable of transforming between a first position and a second position, said structure comprising:
 a base portion have structural supports, a first side, a second side, a first floor portion, and a first roof portion;   a first panel and a second panel pivotally combined with the base portion's first side by a first hinge, wherein the first panel pivots from a first position to a second position to create a second roof portion and the second panel pivots from a first position to a second position to create a second floor portion;   a third panel pivotally combined with one of the first panel and the second panel, wherein the third panel pivots from a first position to a second position to create an outer wall.   
     
     
         2 . The structure of  claim 1  further comprising a fourth panel and a fifth panel pivotally combined with the structure's second side by a second hinge, wherein the fourth panel pivots from a first position to a second position to create a third roof portion and the fifth panel pivots from a first position to a second position to create a third floor portion;
 a sixth panel pivotally combined with one of the fourth panel and the fifth panel, said sixth panel pivots from a first position to a second position to create a second outer wall. 
 
     
     
         3 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein the first hinge allows at least one of the first panel and the second panel to pivot relative to the base portion about a pivot point and move linearly relative to the base portion. 
     
     
         4 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein the first hinge allows at least one of the first panel and the second panel to move angularly and linearly relative to the base portion. 
     
     
         5 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein the first hinge has a bracket combined with one of the first panel and the base portion and retaining members combined with the other of the first panel and the base portion. 
     
     
         6 . The structure of  claim 5  wherein the bracket further comprises openings adapted to receive the retaining members. 
     
     
         7 . The structure of  claim 6  wherein the retaining members are able to move within the openings to allow the first panel to move linearly relative to the base portion. 
     
     
         8 . The structure of  claim 2  wherein the second hinge is the same as the first hinge. 
     
     
         9 . The structure of  claim 1  further comprising a third hinge for combining the first panel with the base portion. 
     
     
         10 . The structure of  claim 9  wherein the third hinge is different from the first hinge. 
     
     
         11 . The structure of  claim 10  wherein the first panel has two ends, and wherein the third hinge is combined with at least one of the ends of the first panel and the first hinge is combined with the first panel between its ends. 
     
     
         12 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein the first roof portion and the second roof portion are angled relative to each other to create a pitched roof. 
     
     
         13 . The structure of  claim 12  wherein a fourth hinge joins the first roof portion with the second roof portion to help hold the first roof portion at the proper angle relative to the second roof portion. 
     
     
         14 . The structure of  claim 13  wherein the fourth hinge comprises a plurality of plates with a hinge combining each adjacent plate, and a retaining pin for locking one or more of the hinged plates in place. 
     
     
         15 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein each of the panels are comprised of a building material having bio-based fibers encapsulated by a membrane. 
     
     
         16 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein the base portion has four corners and the structural support posts are combined with the base portion at each of its four corners. 
     
     
         17 . A portable habitable structure capable of transforming between a first position and a second position, said structure comprising:
 a base portion have structural supports;   a panel pivotally combined with the base portion by a hinge, wherein the hinge allows the panel to pivot from a first position to a second position to expand the dimensions of the structure, wherein the hinge also allows the panel to move linearly relative to the base portion.   
     
     
         18 . The structure of  claim 17  wherein a gap is created between the base portion and the panel when the panel is pivoted from its first position to its second position, and wherein the linear movement of the panel toward the base portion helps to eliminate the gap. 
     
     
         19 . The structure of  claim 17  wherein the hinge has a bracket combined with one of the panel and the base portion and retaining members combined with the other of the panel and the base portion. 
     
     
         20 . The structure of  claim 19  wherein the bracket further comprises openings adapted to receive the retaining members. 
     
     
         21 . The structure of  claim 20  wherein the retaining members are able to move within the openings to allow for the linear movement between the panel and the base portion. 
     
     
         22 . A portable habitable structure capable of transforming between a first position and a second position, said structure comprising:
 a base portion have structural supports, a first side, a second side, a first floor portion, and a first roof portion;   a first panel and a second panel pivotally combined with the base portion's first side by a first hinge, wherein the first panel pivots from a first position to a second position to create a second roof portion and the second panel pivots from a first position to a second position to create a second floor portion;   a third panel pivotally combined with one of the first panel and the second panel by a second hinge, wherein the third panel pivots from a first position to a second position to create an outer wall;   a fourth panel and a fifth panel pivotally combined with the structure's second side by a third hinge, wherein the fourth panel pivots from a first position to a second position to create a third roof portion and the fifth panel pivots from a first position to a second position to create a third floor portion;   a sixth panel pivotally combined with one of the fourth panel and the fifth panel by a fourth hinge, said sixth panel pivots from a first position to a second position to create a second outer wall;   wherein the each of the hinges allows their respective panels to pivot about a pivot axis and also move linearly.