Adjustable moment frame

Abstract

An adjustable moment frame, comprising: base columns, each comprising a plurality of column attachment points; beams, each comprising a plurality of beam attachment points; and connectors, each comprising a plurality of connector attachment points. The beam attachment points are configured to align with the column attachment points, such that the frame is adjustable between at least two different beam/column configurations. The beam attachment points are configured to align with the connector attachment points, such that the frame is adjustable between at least two different beam/connector configurations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adjustable moment frame, comprising:
 one or more base columns, each comprising a plurality of base column attachment points;   one or more beams, each comprising a plurality of beam attachment points; and   one or more connectors, each comprising a plurality of connector attachment points;   wherein said plurality of beam attachment points are configured to align with said plurality of column attachment points, such that said adjustable moment frame is adjustable between at least two different beam/column configurations;   wherein said plurality of beam attachment points are configured to align with said plurality of connector attachment points, such that said adjustable moment frame is adjustable between at least two different beam/connector configurations.   wherein said one or more beams are configured to be coupled to said one or more connectors; and   wherein said one or more beams are configured to be coupled to said one or more base columns.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable moment frame of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more beams comprise one substantially horizontal beam and two substantially vertical beams, a first substantially vertical beam and a second substantially vertical beam;
 wherein said one or more connectors are two corner connectors, a first connector and a second connector;   wherein said one or more base columns are two base columns;   wherein said two corner connectors are coupled to opposite ends of said substantially horizontal beam;   wherein said first substantially vertical beam is coupled to said first connector;   wherein said second substantially vertical beam is coupled to said second connector;   wherein said first connector is coupled to said first base column;   wherein said second connector is coupled to said second base column;   wherein said two base columns are coupled to a surface of a structure, such that said adjustable moment frame provides support to said structure.   
     
     
         3 . The adjustable moment frame of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of fasteners;
 wherein said plurality of fasteners are configured to couple said substantially horizontal beam to said two corner connectors; and   wherein said plurality of fasteners are configured to couple said two substantially vertical beams to said two corner connectors.   
     
     
         4 . The adjustable moment frame of  claim 3 , wherein said one or more of said plurality of fasteners are removed and said adjustable moment frame is adjusted or disassembled. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable moment frame of  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of fasteners comprise:
 a plurality of nuts, bolts, and washers.   
     
     
         6 . The adjustable moment frame of  claim 5 , wherein said plurality of column attachment points, said plurality of beam attachment points; and said plurality of connector attachment points are holes. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable moment frame of  claim 6 , wherein said adjustable moment frame is assembled on site at said structure. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable moment frame of  claim 3 , wherein said structure being supported by said adjustable moment frame has been damaged and is in danger of collapse. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable moment frame of  claim 3 , wherein said two base columns are substantially vertical. 
     
     
         10 . An adjustable moment frame, comprising:
 at least two base columns, each comprising a plurality of base column attachment points;   at least one substantially horizontal beam comprising two opposite ends, a first end and a second end, wherein said first and second ends each comprise a plurality of horizontal beam attachment points;   at least two substantially vertical beams;   wherein each of said at least two substantially vertical beams comprises two opposite ends, a first end and a second end, wherein said first and second ends each comprise a plurality of vertical beam attachment points   at least two connectors, each comprising at least two ends, a first end and a second send, wherein said first and second ends each comprise a plurality of connector attachment points;   a plurality of fasteners;   wherein said plurality of horizontal beam attachment points of said first end of said at least one substantially horizontal beam are configured to align with said plurality of connector attachment points of said first end of a first of said at least two connectors in at least two different configurations, such that a length of said adjustable moment frame is adjustable between said at least two different configurations;   wherein at least one fastener of said plurality of fasteners engages with said aligned attachment points of said first end of said at least one substantially horizontal beam and of said first end of said first of said at least two connectors, such that said at least one substantially horizontal beam and said first of said at least two connectors are coupled together;   wherein said plurality of horizontal beam attachment points of said second end of said at least one substantially horizontal beam are configured to align with said plurality of connector attachment points of said first end of a second of said at least two connectors in at least two different configurations, such that said length of said adjustable moment frame is adjustable between said at least two different configurations;   wherein at least one fastener of said plurality of fasteners engages with said aligned attachment points of said second end of said at least one substantially horizontal beam and of said first end of said second of said at least two connectors, such that said at least one substantially horizontal beam and said second of said at least two connectors are coupled together;   wherein said plurality of vertical beam attachment points of said first end of a first of said at least two substantially vertical beams are configured to align with said plurality of connector attachment points of said second end of said first of said at least two connectors in at least two different configurations, such that a height of said adjustable moment frame is adjustable between said at least two different configurations;   wherein at least one fastener of said plurality of fasteners engages with said aligned attachment points of said first end of said first of said at least two substantially vertical beams and of said second end of said first of said at least two connectors, such that said first of said at least two substantially vertical beams and said first of said at least two connectors are coupled together;   wherein said plurality of vertical beam attachment points of said first end of a second of said at least two substantially vertical beams are configured to align with said plurality of connector attachment points of said second end of said second of said at least two connectors in at least two different configurations, such that said height of said adjustable moment frame is adjustable between said at least two different configurations;   wherein at least one fastener of said plurality of fasteners engages with said aligned attachment points of said first end of said second of said at least two substantially vertical beams and of said second end of said second of said at least two connectors, such that said second of said at least two substantially vertical beams and said second of said at least two connectors are coupled together;   wherein said plurality of vertical beam attachment points of said second end of said first of said at least two substantially vertical beams are configured to align with said plurality of connector attachment points of a first of said at least two base columns in at least two different configurations, such that said height of said adjustable moment frame is adjustable between said at least two different configurations;   wherein at least one fastener of said plurality of fasteners engages with said aligned attachment points of said second end of said first of said at least two substantially vertical beams and of said first of said at least two base columns, such that said first of said at least two substantially vertical beams and said first of said at least two base columns are coupled together;   wherein said plurality of vertical beam attachment points of said second end of said second of said at least two substantially vertical beams are configured to align with said plurality of connector attachment points of a second of said at least two base columns in at least two different configurations, such that said height of said adjustable moment frame is adjustable between said at least two different configurations;   wherein at least one fastener of said plurality of fasteners engages with said aligned attachment points of said second end of said second of said at least two substantially vertical beams and of said second of said at least two base columns, such that said second of said at least two substantially vertical beams and said second of said at least two base columns are coupled together.   
     
     
         11 . The adjustable moment frame of  claim 10 , wherein when said at least one substantially horizonal beam, said at least two connectors, said at least two substantially vertical beams, and said at least two base columns are connected, said adjustable moment frame is created that supports a structure. 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable moment frame of  claim 11 , wherein said at least two base columns are coupled to a surface of said structure, such that said adjustable moment frame provides support to said structure. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable moment frame of  claim 12 , wherein said one or more of said plurality of fasteners are removed and said adjustable moment frame is adjusted or disassembled. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable moment frame of  claim 12 , wherein said plurality of fasteners comprise:
 a plurality of nuts, bolts, and washers.   
     
     
         15 . The adjustable moment frame of  claim 12 , wherein said plurality of column attachment points, said plurality of beam attachment points; and said plurality of connector attachment points are holes. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable moment frame of  claim 12 , wherein said adjustable moment frame is assembled on site at said structure. 
     
     
         17 . The adjustable moment frame of  claim 12 , wherein said structure being supported by said adjustable moment frame has been damaged and is in danger of collapse. 
     
     
         18 . The adjustable moment frame of  claim 12 , wherein said two base columns are substantially vertical. 
     
     
         19 . An adjustable moment frame, comprising:
 two base columns, each comprising a plurality of base column attachment points;   a substantially horizontal beam, comprising a plurality of beam attachment points; and   two substantially vertical beams, each comprising a plurality of beam attachment points;   two connectors, each comprising a plurality of connector attachment points; and   a plurality of fasteners;   wherein said plurality of fasteners are configured to couple said two base columns, said substantially horizontal beam, said two substantially vertical beams, and said two connectors in at least two different configurations to form said adjustable moment frame.   wherein said plurality of beam attachment points are configured to align with said plurality of column attachment points, such that said adjustable moment frame is adjustable between at least two different beam/column configurations; and   wherein said plurality of beam attachment points are configured to align with said plurality of connector attachment points, such that said adjustable moment frame is adjustable between at least two different beam/connector configurations;   wherein said two base columns are coupled to a surface of a structure, such that said adjustable moment frame provides support to said structure.   
     
     
         20 . An adjustable moment frame, comprising:
 four or more beams, each comprising a plurality of beam attachment points; and   four or more connectors, each comprising a plurality of connector attachment points;   wherein said plurality of beam attachment points are configured to align with said plurality of connector attachment points, such that said adjustable moment frame is adjustable between at least two different beam/connector configurations.   wherein said four or more beams are configured to be coupled to said four or more connectors;   wherein said four or more beams comprise at least one top substantially horizontal beam, at least one bottom substantially horizontal beam, and at least two substantially vertical beams;   wherein said four or more connectors are at least two top connectors and at least two bottom connectors;   wherein said at least two bottom connectors function as base columns;   wherein said two top connectors are coupled to opposite ends of said top substantially horizontal beam;   wherein said at least two substantially vertical beams are coupled to said at least two top connectors;   wherein said at least two substantially vertical beams are also coupled to said at least two bottom connectors;   wherein said two bottom connectors are coupled to opposite ends of said bottom substantially horizontal beam;   wherein said two bottom connectors and said bottom substantially horizontal beams are encased in concrete, such that said adjustable moment frame provides support to said structure.