Office Action 2: Final Rejection (2024-09-24)
Rejection types: 102 - Lack of Novelty, Double Patenting

CLAIMS:
AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS

Please amend the claims as follows:

1\. (Currently Amended) A prefabricated construction volumetric module comprising:
a frame structure divided into a truss zone and a habitation zone below the truss zone, the frame structure including a roof and two support columns on a single edge, the frame structure further including a truss system within the truss zone, wherein the truss system runs perpendicular to the single edge and a structural load is distributed across the truss system of aligned adjacent modules; and
a lateral joint on a first support column enabling the first support column to fold, the lateral joint defining a boundary between the truss zone and the habitation zone, wherein folding the first support column in a direction parallel to the single edge at the lateral joint causes a lower region of the first support column to align parallel with the roof and reduce a standing height of the prefabricated construction volumetric module for transport.

2\. (Original) The prefabricated construction volumetric module of claim 1, wherein the prefabricated construction volumetric module further comprises:
a diagonal truss within the truss zone; and an adjacent module receiver configured to receive a flange from an adjacent prefabricated module, the adjacent module receiver configured to structurally bolt the flange to the diagonal truss.

3\. (Original) The prefabricated construction volumetric module of claim 1, wherein the first support column further comprises:
a telescoping length that bolts into place at a vertical support length and a truss length.

4\. (Original) The prefabricated construction volumetric module of claim 1, further comprising a structural ceiling truss that is either of:
a horizontal truss; or

a diagonal truss.

5\. (Original) The prefabricated construction volumetric module of claim 2, wherein the prefabricated construction volumetric module is bolted to the adjacent prefabricated modules and wherein a corresponding structural ceiling truss from each of the prefabricated construction volumetric modules bolted together form a bowstring truss.

6\. (Currently Amended) The prefabricated construction volumetric module of claim 1, wherein when in a building configuration, two support columns on athe single edge of the prefabricated construction volumetric module are in a vertical configuration and an opposing edge is attached to an adjacent module without any supporting vertical columns.

7\. (Original) A prefabricated construction volumetric module comprising:
a frame structure divided into a truss zone and a habitation zone below the truss zone, the frame structure including a roof and support columns;
a lateral joint on a first support column enabling the first support column to fold, the lateral joint defining a boundary between the truss zone and the habitation zone, wherein folding the first support column at the lateral joint modifies a lower region of the first support column from the habitation zone into a first horizontal ceiling truss positioned at the boundary of the truss zone; and
a column receiver that affixes to the first horizontal ceiling truss, the column receiver associated with the first horizontal ceiling truss positioned on an adjacent support column and at the boundary of the truss zone, the column receiver configured to affix the first support column when folded as a horizontal structural ceiling truss.

8\. (Original) The prefabricated construction volumetric module of claim 7, further comprising an attachment flange that is configured to structurally bolt to adjacent modules, the attachment flange extending outward to an exterior of the prefabricated construction

volumetric module at the lateral joint and enabling a structural continuation of the horizontal structural ceiling truss to a neighboring ceiling truss of the adjacent module.

9\. (Original) The prefabricated construction volumetric module of claim 7, wherein the prefabricated construction volumetric module further comprises:
a winch mount positioned on the frame structure that positions a winch that assists folding of the first support column.

10\. (Original) The prefabricated construction volumetric module of claim 7, wherein the first support column further comprises:
an extension foot that bolts into an end of the first support column and adjusts a standing height of the prefabricated construction volumetric module while the first support column is in a vertical configuration.

11\. (Original) The prefabricated construction volumetric module of claim 7, wherein the first horizontal ceiling truss is further configured to bolt to an adjacent horizontal ceiling truss of a second support column.

12\. (Original) The prefabricated construction volumetric module of claim 7, wherein the prefabricated construction volumetric module further comprises:a set of permanent diagonal trusses in the truss zone.

13\. (Original) The prefabricated construction volumetric module of claim 7, wherein the prefabricated construction volumetric module is bolted to adjacent prefabricated construction volumetric modules and wherein a corresponding structural ceiling truss from each of the prefabricated construction volumetric modules bolted together form a bowstring truss.

14\. (Original) The prefabricated construction volumetric module of claim 7, wherein when in a building configuration, all four support columns are positioned as the horizontal

SVG {EMBED HERE} 0.110.153
structural ceiling trusses and the roof is held aloft by bolts to adjacent prefabricated construction volumetric modules.

15\. (Original) A system of prefabricated construction volumetric modules each including a frame structure divided into a truss zone and a habitation zone below the truss zone, the frame structure including a roof and support columns, the system comprising:
a first volumetric module including a first pair of support columns on a single side, a diagonal structural ceiling truss in the truss zone, and a set of receiving elements associated with structural bolts to adjacent modules on a side opposite the first pair of support columns;and a second volumetric module including a folding support column that folds via a lateral joint at a corresponding boundary between the truss zone and the habitation zone, wherein folding the folding support column at the lateral joint causes a lower region of the folding support column convert into a horizontal structural ceiling truss;
wherein the first volumetric module and the second volumetric module are bolted together in a building configuration wherein the diagonal structural ceiling truss and the horizontal structural ceiling truss together form a portion of a bowstring truss.

16\. (Original) The system of prefabricated construction volumetric modules of claim 15, wherein the prefabricated construction volumetric modules further comprise:
a winch mount positioned on the frame structure that positions a winch that assists folding of the support columns.

17\. (Original) The system of prefabricated construction volumetric modules of claim 15, wherein the folding support column further comprise:
an extension foot that removably affixes to the folding support column of the second volumetric module and adjusts a standing height of the second volumetric module while the support column is in a vertical configuration.
SVG {EMBED HERE} 0.110.153

18\. (Original) The system of prefabricated construction volumetric modules of claim 15, wherein when in the building configuration a floorspace in the habitation zone between the first volumetric module and the second volumetric module does not include any vertical columns.

19\. (Original) The system of prefabricated construction volumetric modules of claim 15, further comprising:
a third volumetric module including a second pair of support columns on a same side, a second diagonal structural ceiling truss in the truss zone, and an additional set of receiving elements associated with structural bolts to adjacent modules on a side opposite the second pair of support columns;
wherein the third volumetric module is further bolted together with the first and second volumetric modules in the building configuration wherein the second diagonal structural ceiling truss completes the bowstring truss.

20\. (Original) The system of prefabricated construction volumetric module of claim 15, wherein the second volumetric module further comprises:a set of permanent diagonal trusses in the truss zone.

OFFICE ACTION:
DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1 and 4 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by U.S. Publication No. 2017/0370091 to Dragan (“Dragan”).
Regarding claim 1, Dragan discloses a prefabricated construction volumetric module comprising: a frame structure 10 divided into a truss zone (zone above point 18) and a habitation zone (zone below point 18) below the truss zone, the frame structure including a roof 16 and two support columns (12, to the left and right sides of the right-most forklift 20; see Fig. 6) on a single edge (long edge of 16), the frame structure further including a truss system (short trusses which run parallel to a short edge of 16 and are perpendicular to truss 14; see Fig. 7) within the truss zone; wherein the truss system (short trusses) runs perpendicular to the single edge (long edge of 16) and a structural load is distributed across the truss system of aligned adjacent modules; and a lateral joint 18 on a first support column enabling the first support column 12 to fold, the lateral joint 18 defining a boundary between the truss zone and the habitation zone, wherein folding the first support column 12 in a direction parallel to the single edge (long edge of 16) at the lateral joint causes a lower region of the first support column to align parallel with the roof and reduce a standing height of the prefabricated construction volumetric module for transport (see Fig. 10).	Regarding claim 4, Dragan discloses a structural ceiling truss 14 that is a horizontal truss.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 2, 3, 5, 6 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Claims 7-20 are allowable.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: None of the prior art, alone or in obvious combination absent hindsight, discloses applicant’s invention of a prefabricated module comprising the structure recited in claims 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 13-20. Unlike applicant’s invention, the closest prior art to Osborne (US4,242,845) discloses prefabricated modules that are aligned longitudinally along exterior walls without any intervening columns from prefabricated structures abutted with columns that are directly laterally adjacent. Osborne relies on identical modules longitudinally aligned in order to create a space. This is in contrast to applicant’s invention that utilizes a centrally located prefabricated modules whose columns are pivoted to form a truss structure when aligned with adjacent prefabricated end modules. With respect to claim 7, Osborne does not disclose that folding the first support column at the lateral joint modifies the first support column into a first horizonal ceiling truss.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA  as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Claims 7-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-18 of U.S. Patent No. 11,802,402. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because each limitation in the pending claims are recited in and thus within the scope of the patented claims.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1 and 4 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action.  Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL.  See MPEP § 706.07(a).  Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action.  In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any extension fee pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action.  In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the date of this final action.

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKS/ARGUMENTS
Claims 1-20 were pending when the present Office Action was mailed on April 11, 2024. Claims 1 and 6 have been amended. The foregoing amendments are made to expedite prosecution of this application, without prejudice to pursuing these claims in unamended or other forms in a continuation or other application. Accordingly, claims 1-20 are currently pending.
The status of the application in light of this Office Action is as follows:
A) Claim(s) 1, 4, 7,11, and 12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being
anticipated by U.S. Patent No. 4,242,845 to Osborne, Sr. ("Osborne");
B) Claim 10 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Osborne in
view of U.S. Patent No. 2014/0123572 to Segall ("Segall");
C) Claims 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 13, and 14 objected to as being dependent upon a rejected
base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all
of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims;
D) Claims 15-20 are allowable.
Examiner Interview Summary
Applicant thanks Examiner Cajilig for engaging in an interview with Applicant's representative (the undersigned) during the telephonic interview conducted on July 2, 2024 ("Interview"). During the Interview, independent claims 1 and 7 were discussed, and Examiner Cajilig agreed that the proposed amendments to claim 1 (reflected in the amendments above) and the original claim 7 overcome their respective rejections as set forth in the Office Action. The foregoing and following remarks summarize and expand upon the points discussed during the
interview. Accordingly, Applicant respectfully requests that this document constitute Applicant's Interview Summary. If the Examiner notices any deficiencies in this regard, the Examiner is encouraged to contact the undersigned attorney. A.
Response to the Section 102 Re
j
ection
Claim(s) 1, 4, 7,11, and 12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated
by U.S. Patent No. 4,242,845 to Osborne, Sr. ("Osborne").
Examiner Cajilig agreed that claim 1, as presently amended, and claim 7, in unamended form, overcome Osborne. Accordingly, the Section 102 rejection of these claims should be withdrawn.
B.
Allowable Sub
j
ect
Matter
Claims 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 13, and 14 objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Claims 2-3, 5-6, 8-9, and 13 were objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but were indicated to be allowable if rewritten in independent form to include the features of the claim from which they depend.
Claims 15-20 are allowable.
Although Applicant's attorney agrees with the Examiner's conclusion that claims 15-20 are allowable, Applicant notes that the claims may be allowable for reasons other than those identified by the Examiner and does not concede that the Examiner's characterization of the terms of the claims and the prior art are correct.
Dependent Claims
In view of the above remarks, a specific discussion of the dependent claims is unnecessary. Therefore, Applicant's silence regarding any dependent claim is not to be interpreted as agreement with, or acquiescence to, the rejection of such claim or as waiving any argument regarding that claim.
CONCLUSION

NEXT OFFICE ACTION: Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Terminal Disclaimer
The terminal disclaimer filed on 12/20/24 disclaiming the terminal portion of any patent granted on this application which would extend beyond the expiration date of US Patent No. 11,802,402 has been reviewed and is accepted.  The terminal disclaimer has been recorded.
Reasons for Allowance
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: Claims 1-20 are allowable for the reasons set forth on page 8 of applicant’s response filed on 12/20/24 and on page 3 of the Final Rejection dated 09/24/24.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US4177854A: Claims:
Door apparatus adapted for use in a building that is constructed with a floor and an overhead structure, both of which slope from the horizontal, comprising: two structural columns extending upwardly from said floor in parallel, spaced apart, relation to each other, said columns being oriented vertically but not perpendicular to the floor and defining a door space between them and each having on its upper extremity a flat bearing plate; a header truss supported at each end over the door space by said columns above and substantially parallel to the sloping floor of a building and spanning the door space, said truss including an upper member and a lower member in parallel, spaced-apart relation to each other, both of said upper and lower members being oriented parallel to said floor and on a slope away from horizontal, a plurality of intermediate structural brace members attached between said upper and lower members, and bracket means at each end of said truss connected to and extending downwardly from said upper member of said truss and mounted on said bearing plate on the upper end of said column for supporting said truss over said column and adapted to conform to the angle between the upper member of said truss and said column when a load is applied thereto; a flat elongated rectilinear face mounting plate rigidly attached to said truss on said intermediate brace members between and substantially parallel to said upper and lower members but not extended over the entire span of said truss, the width of said mounting plate being sufficiently large such that all points of a straight horizontal line lay on said plate; and hanger means attached to said mounting plate along said straight, horizontal line and adapted for suspending a door in said door space.
two structural columns extending upwardly from said floor in parallel, spaced apart, relation to each other, said columns being oriented vertically but not perpendicular to the floor and defining a door space between them and each having on its upper extremity a flat bearing plate;
a header truss supported at each end over the door space by said columns above and substantially parallel to the sloping floor of a building and spanning the door space, said truss including an upper member and a lower member in parallel, spaced-apart relation to each other, both of said upper and lower members being oriented parallel to said floor and on a slope away from horizontal, a plurality of intermediate structural brace members attached between said upper and lower members, and bracket means at each end of said truss connected to and extending downwardly from said upper member of said truss and mounted on said bearing plate on the upper end of said column for supporting said truss over said column and adapted to conform to the angle between the upper member of said truss and said column when a load is applied thereto;
a flat elongated rectilinear face mounting plate rigidly attached to said truss on said intermediate brace members between and substantially parallel to said upper and lower members but not extended over the entire span of said truss, the width of said mounting plate being sufficiently large such that all points of a straight horizontal line lay on said plate; and
hanger means attached to said mounting plate along said straight, horizontal line and adapted for suspending a door in said door space.
The door mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said hanger means is in the form of a plurality of hinges attached to said mounting plate in spaced-apart relation to each other along said straight, horizontal line and adapted to pivotally attach the upper edge of a door to said mounting plate.
The door mounting apparatus of claim 2, wherein said mounting plate is attached to said truss substantially parallel to said upper and lower members and being of sufficient width such that said straight horizontal line in which said hinges are positioned is entirely on said plate.
The door mounting apparatus of claim 2, wherein said bracket means includes a chair bracket comprised of a rigid, vertical strut rigidly affixed to and extending downwardly from the end of said upper member of said truss a distance less than the distance between said upper and lower members, and a base plate on the lower end of said strut adapted to interface with and be connected to said bearing plate on the upper end of said column.
Door apparatus adapted for use in a building that is constructed with a floor and an overhead structure, both of which are parallel to each other and slope away from the horizontal, comprising: a first frame member extending vertically upward from said floor, and a second frame member extending vertically upward from said floor in parallel, spaced-apart relation to each other, each of said first and second frame members having a longitudinal channel extending along its side and opening toward the other of said frame members; an elongated header truss which constitutes a part of the overhead structure of said building, said truss having an upper elongated structural member of a length approximately equal to the distance between the longitudinal axes of said first and second frame members, a lower elongated structural member positioned in parallel, spaced-apart relation under said upper member, said lower member being shorter than said upper member and of a length less than the distance between said first and second frame members, and intermediate structural members attached between said upper and lower members, said truss being positioned to span the distance between said first and second frame members with respective ends of said upper member being positioned over the respective upper ends of said first and second frame members, and with said lower member extending between the respective lateral surfaces of said frame members, and the longitudinal axes of said upper and lower members being sloped away from horizontal; first support means affixed to and extending upwardly from the upper end of said first frame member and on which one end of said upper member is positioned for support, and second support means affixed to and extending upwardly from the upper end of said second frame member and on which the other end of said upper member is positioned for support; a bifold door positioned between said first and second frame members, said door having guide means along its sides for engaging said channels in said first and second frame members to maintain said door in proper working position and alignment between said first and second frame members; an elongated, rectilinear face mounting plate rigidly affixed to said intermediate structural members of said truss and extending the length of said truss in parallel relation to said upper and lower members and having sufficient width such that a horizontal line of a length approximately equal to the distance between said first and second frame members lays entirely on said mount plate; and door hanger means attached to said mounting plate in a horizontal line for suspending said door in the space between said first and second frame members.
a first frame member extending vertically upward from said floor, and a second frame member extending vertically upward from said floor in parallel, spaced-apart relation to each other, each of said first and second frame members having a longitudinal channel extending along its side and opening toward the other of said frame members;
an elongated header truss which constitutes a part of the overhead structure of said building, said truss having an upper elongated structural member of a length approximately equal to the distance between the longitudinal axes of said first and second frame members, a lower elongated structural member positioned in parallel, spaced-apart relation under said upper member, said lower member being shorter than said upper member and of a length less than the distance between said first and second frame members, and intermediate structural members attached between said upper and lower members, said truss being positioned to span the distance between said first and second frame members with respective ends of said upper member being positioned over the respective upper ends of said first and second frame members, and with said lower member extending between the respective lateral surfaces of said frame members, and the longitudinal axes of said upper and lower members being sloped away from horizontal;
first support means affixed to and extending upwardly from the upper end of said first frame member and on which one end of said upper member is positioned for support, and second support means affixed to and extending upwardly from the upper end of said second frame member and on which the other end of said upper member is positioned for support;
a bifold door positioned between said first and second frame members, said door having guide means along its sides for engaging said channels in said first and second frame members to maintain said door in proper working position and alignment between said first and second frame members;
an elongated, rectilinear face mounting plate rigidly affixed to said intermediate structural members of said truss and extending the length of said truss in parallel relation to said upper and lower members and having sufficient width such that a horizontal line of a length approximately equal to the distance between said first and second frame members lays entirely on said mount plate; and
door hanger means attached to said mounting plate in a horizontal line for suspending said door in the space between said first and second frame members.
The door apparatus of claim 5, wherein said first and second support means are each comprised of a flat base plate attached to the upper end of said respective frame member and a strut member affixed to and extending upwardly from said base plate, the respective end of said upper member of said truss being attached to and supported on said strut member, and said respective frame member includes a flat bearing plate affixed to its upper end for interfacing with and supporting said base plate of said support means.
The door apparatus of claim 6, wherein the lengths of said first and second frame members above the floor are equal to each other, and said upper and lower members of said truss are substantially parallel to the floor but not perpendicular to said frame members.
The door apparatus of claim 7, wherein said door hanger means include a plurality of hinges attached to the top edge of the door and to said mounting plate in spaced-apart relation to each other along a horizontal line that is perpendicular to said frame members but not perpendicular to said upper and lower members of said truss.
Ref US4045926A: Claims:
a center roof section having two opposed side edges,
a pair of side roof sections, each of said side roof sections having an outer edge and inner edge, each of said side roof sections being pivotally attached along side inner edge thereof to one of said pivotal edges of said center roof section, said side roof sections being pivotal between a downwardly folded storage position where said side roof sections are disposed substantially perpendicular relative to said center roof section and an erected position where said side roof sections are pivoted upwardly relative to said folded position to form a continuous roof surface with said center roof section, and
A roof structure as set forth in claim 1 further comprising erection control means for causing said side roof sections to move in a symmetrical fashion between said folded position and said erected position during erection of said roof structure.
erection control means for causing said side roof sections to move in a symmetrical fashion between said folded position and said erected position during erection of said roof structure.
A roof structure as set forth in claim 2, said erection control means comprising a rack and pinion device interconnecting said side roof section, said rack and pinion device being mounted to said center roof section.
a rack and pinion device interconnecting said side roof section, said rack and pinion device being mounted to said center roof section.
A roof structure as set forth in claim 1, said legs being pivotally connected to said side roof sections.
A roof structure as set forth in claim 1, each of said legs including at least two sections with one of said leg sections being telescopically interfitting with at least one other of said leg sections, the sections of said leg telescoping into a first position where said leg's foot is positioned substantially beyond said outer edges of said side roof sections when said side roof sections are in said erected position and a second position where said leg's foot is not positioned beyond said outer edges of said roof sections when said side roof sections are in said folded position.
at least two sections with one of said leg sections being telescopically interfitting with at least one other of said leg sections, the sections of said leg telescoping into a first position where said leg's foot is positioned substantially beyond said outer edges of said side roof sections when said side roof sections are in said erected position and a second position where said leg's foot is not positioned beyond said outer edges of said roof sections when said side roof sections are in said folded position.
A roof structure as set forth in claim 3, said legs being pivotally connected to said side roof sections.
A roof structure as set forth in claim 7 at least one of said legs having extension arms extending from each side thereof, each of said extension arms having an inner end, each of said extension arms being hingedly connected to one of said side roof sections.
A roof structure as set forth in claim 8, a rack being mounted to said inner end of each of said extension arms.
Ref US20170370091A1: Claims:
A modular building section having an installed state in which the building section defines the roof and opposing walls of a modular clearspan building, the building section comprising: a roof portion extending in a longitudinal direction between opposite first and second ends; and a pair of first and second legs, each leg having an upper end and a lower end, the first leg pivotally attached about a first pivot axis to the roof portion proximate the roof portion first end, the second leg pivotally attached about a second pivot axis to the roof portion proximate the roof portion second end, the first and second pivot axes parallel to each other and spaced in the longitudinal direction; wherein each of the first and second legs has a stowed position in which the leg generally extends in the longitudinal direction and is in superposition with the roof portion, and an expanded position in which the leg depends from the roof portion and generally extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction; and wherein the first and second legs are moveable independently of each other from their respective stowed positions to their respective expanded positions under the influence of gravity during lifting of the roof portion.
a roof portion extending in a longitudinal direction between opposite first and second ends; and
a pair of first and second legs, each leg having an upper end and a lower end, the first leg pivotally attached about a first pivot axis to the roof portion proximate the roof portion first end, the second leg pivotally attached about a second pivot axis to the roof portion proximate the roof portion second end, the first and second pivot axes parallel to each other and spaced in the longitudinal direction;
wherein each of the first and second legs has a stowed position in which the leg generally extends in the longitudinal direction and is in superposition with the roof portion, and an expanded position in which the leg depends from the roof portion and generally extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction; and
wherein the first and second legs are moveable independently of each other from their respective stowed positions to their respective expanded positions under the influence of gravity during lifting of the roof portion.
The modular building section of claim 1 , wherein the roof portion is substantially rigid and in their stowed positions the first leg and the second leg are both disposed beneath the roof portion.
The modular building section of claim 2 , wherein the first leg and the second leg in their stowed positions are substantially co-planar.
The modular building section of claim 2 , wherein each leg has a free end at which the leg lower end terminates; and wherein the distance between the pivot axis and the free end of each respective leg is no greater than one half the distance between the first and second pivot axes of the roof portion.
wherein the distance between the pivot axis and the free end of each respective leg is no greater than one half the distance between the first and second pivot axes of the roof portion.
The modular building section of claim 1 , wherein the roof portion is articulated and comprises a pair of roof sections pivotally connected to each other about a roof pivot axis; wherein the building section is adapted for selectively assuming, with the first and second legs in their stowed positions, a roof portion extended condition in which the first and second legs are disposed beneath the roof portion, and a folded configuration in which the roof sections are vertically stacked; and wherein the distance the roof portion extends in the longitudinal direction in the folded configuration is approximately one-half the distance that the roof portion extends in the longitudinal direction in the building section installed state, and the length of the building section in the folded configuration is comparatively reduced, whereby transportation or storage of the modular building section can be better accommodated.
wherein the building section is adapted for selectively assuming, with the first and second legs in their stowed positions, a roof portion extended condition in which the first and second legs are disposed beneath the roof portion, and a folded configuration in which the roof sections are vertically stacked; and
wherein the distance the roof portion extends in the longitudinal direction in the folded configuration is approximately one-half the distance that the roof portion extends in the longitudinal direction in the building section installed state, and the length of the building section in the folded configuration is comparatively reduced, whereby transportation or storage of the modular building section can be better accommodated.
The modular building section of claim 5 , wherein the roof portion is supported proximate the roof pivot axis during lifting of the roof portion, and in the building section installed state the roof sections define a roof portion apex along the roof pivot axis.
The modular building section of claim 1 , wherein the modular building section has an expanded state in which the first and second legs are in their expanded positions; wherein the modular building section further comprises a pair of expanding flanges, each of the pair of expanding flanges disposed proximate to one of the roof portion first and second ends and engageable with the respective first or second leg and the roof portion; wherein each expanding flange is biased into an open position in which movement of the respective leg from its expanded position towards its stowed position is prevented through abutting engagement of the expanding flange; and wherein each expanding flange is moveable from its open position through sliding engagement of the expanding flange into a depressed position in which movement of the respective leg into its expanded position is permitted, whereby the modular building section is retained in 
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