Modular structure and inflatable roof therefor

Abstract

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a system includes a housing configured to be placed on top of an existing structure having a first end structure and a second end structure. The housing includes an opening facing the second end structure when it is on top of the first end structure. A deployable roof is included in the housing and includes a first end located adjacent to the opening of the housing and a second end configured to be enclosed within the housing. The deployable roof is adapted and configured for movement between a retracted position in which the entirety of the deployable roof is enclosed within the housing and a deployed position in which the first end of the deployable roof extends out of the housing and the second end of the deployable roof remains at least partially within the housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A roofing system, comprising:
 a housing configured to be placed on top of an existing structure, the existing structure having a first end structure and a second end structure, the housing having an opening facing the second end structure when it is on top of the first end structure;   a deployable roof including a first end located adjacent to the opening of the housing and a second end configured to be enclosed within the housing, wherein the deployable roof is adapted and configured for movement between a retracted position in which the entirety of the deployable roof is enclosed within the housing and a deployed position in which the first end of the deployable roof extends out of the housing and the second end of the deployable roof remains at least partially within the housing; and   an air mover operatively associated with the housing and in fluid communication with an interior volume of the deployable roof for inflating the deployable roof and moving the deployable roof from the retracted position to the deployed position such that the first end of the deployable roof extends at least partially out of the opening of the housing along a roof axis to form a roof over the existing structure.   
     
     
         2 . The roofing system of  claim 1 , wherein the roof axis is a longitudinal axis of the deployable roof parallel to a longitudinal structure axis of the existing structure. 
     
     
         3 . The roofing system of  claim 2 , wherein the deployable roof is arch shaped in the deployed position. 
     
     
         4 . The roofing system of  claim 3 , wherein the deployable roof includes a plurality of tubular sections connected to one another and in fluid communication with each other. 
     
     
         5 . The roofing system of  claim 4 , wherein a tubular section axially closest to the second end of the deployable roof inflates first, and wherein each subsequent tubular section along the roof axis inflates one after another inflating the deployable roof and urging the deployable roof along the roof axis until a terminal tubular section axially closest to the first end of the deployable roof inflates last. 
     
     
         6 . The roofing system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further includes a power source for powering the air mover. 
     
     
         7 . The roofing system of  claim 1 , wherein in the deployed position the deployable roof extends between the first end structure and the second end structure along the roof axis, wherein the first end of the deployable roof rests on the second end structure and the housing remains on the first end structure. 
     
     
         8 . The roofing system of  claim 7 , wherein the existing structure further includes a first side wall and a second side wall, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall each extend between the first end structure and the second end structure, wherein the first end structure, the second end structure, the first side wall, the second side wall, and the deployable roof together form an enclosed volume. 
     
     
         9 . The roofing system of  claim 8 , wherein the first side wall includes a first ledge and the second side wall includes a second ledge, wherein the first ledge is defined on a portion of the first side wall opposite a floor and the second ledge is defined on a portion of the second side wall opposite the floor, wherein the deployable roof is supported by the first ledge and the second ledge. 
     
     
         10 . The roofing system of  claim 9 , wherein the existing structure further includes the floor. 
     
     
         11 . The roofing system of  claim 10 , wherein the deployable roof, the first and second end structures, the first and second side walls, and the floor form an enclosed volume configurable for at least one of a kitchen, a bathroom, classroom, an office, or an event space. 
     
     
         12 . The roofing system of  claim 11 , wherein a size of the enclosed volume is configured to accommodate a plurality of adult persons therein. 
     
     
         13 . A building kit, comprising:
 a first end structure and a second end structure;   a first side wall and a second side wall, configured to be placed extending between the first end structure and the second end structure wherein the first end structure, the second end structure, the first side wall, and the second side wall form a perimeter of a modular structure;   a housing configured to be placed on top of the first end structure, the housing having an opening facing the second end structure;   a deployable roof including a first end located adjacent to the opening of the housing and a second end configured to be enclosed within the housing, wherein the deployable roof is adapted and configured for movement between a retracted position and a deployed position in which the entirety of the deployable roof is enclosed within the housing in the retracted position and wherein the first end of the deployable roof extends out of the housing and the second end of the deployable roof remains at least partially within the housing in the deployed position; and   an air mover operatively associated with the housing and in fluid communication with an interior volume of the deployable roof for inflating and moving the deployable roof from the retracted position to the deployed position such that the first end of the deployable roof extends out at least partially out of the housing along a roof axis to form a roof over the modular structure, wherein the housing includes a power source for powering the air mover.   
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein the power source is one of a photovoltaic power source or an electrical power source. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the deployable roof is arch shaped in the deployed position. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein the deployable roof includes a plurality of tubular sections connected to one another and in fluid communication with each other, wherein a tubular section axially closest to the second end of the deployable roof inflates first, and wherein each subsequent tubular section along the roof axis inflates one after another inflating the deployable roof and urging the deployable roof along the roof axis until a terminal tubular section axially closest to the first end of the deployable roof inflates last. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein the first side wall includes a first ledge and the second side wall includes a second ledge, wherein the first ledge is defined on a portion of the first side wall opposite a floor and the second ledge is defined on a portion of the second side wall opposite the floor, wherein the deployable roof is supported by the first ledge and the second ledge. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 14 , further comprising one or more additional end structures and/or one or more side structures and/or one or more walls, wherein the one or more additional end structures and/or the one or more side structures and/or the one or more walls are configurable to produce one or more of: kitchen, a bathroom, classroom, an office, or an event space within the modular structure. 
     
     
         19 . A modular structure, comprising:
 a first end structure and a second end structure;   a first side wall and a second side wall, configured to be placed extending between the first end structure and the second end structure wherein the first end structure, the second end structure, the first side wall, and the second side wall form a perimeter of a modular structure;   a housing configured to be placed on the first end structure, the housing having an opening facing the second end structure;   a deployable roof including a first end located adjacent to the opening of the housing and a second end configured to be enclosed within the housing, wherein the deployable roof is adapted and configured for movement between a retracted position and a deployed position in which the entirety of the deployable roof is enclosed within the housing in the retracted position and wherein the first end of the deployable roof extends out of the housing and the second end of the deployable roof remains at least partially within the housing in the deployed position;   an air mover operatively associated with the housing and in fluid communication with an interior volume of the deployable roof for inflating and moving the deployable roof from the retracted position to the deployed position and deflating and moving the deployable roof from the deployed position to the retracted position, such that the first end of the deployable roof extends at least partially out of the housing along a roof axis to form a roof over the modular structure.