Patent ID: 8347560

Claim:
A modular assembly structured to assume either a shipping container configuration or a building unit configuration, the modular assembly comprising: a central frame which defines a box-shaped shipping container; a plurality of frame panels disposable in a substantially closed, interconnected position to at least partially define the shipping container; the plurality of frame panels moveably disposed outwardly from the central frame into an opened position to at least partially define the building unit configuration; a plurality of unit panels movably connected to and disposable on the central frame in a closed position aligned with the frame panels being in the closed position; the plurality of unit panels movably disposable outwardly from the central frame into fan opened position to further at least partially define the building unit configuration; and an automated erection system which converts the modular assembly between the shipping container configuration and the building unit configuration, and vice versa, according to an automatic, pre-programmed sequence, the automated erection system including a plurality of motors, a control processing unit coupled to the plurality of motors, and a storage including the pre-programmed sequence, wherein the automated erection system is coupled to each of the plurality of frame panels and to each of the plurality of unit panels to change the disposition thereof according to the pre-programmed sequence; wherein each of the plurality of frame panels includes at least one panel segment movably connected to a corresponding frame panel of the plurality of frame panels and positionable outwardly therefrom to further at least partially define a sidewall potion of the building unit configuration, the at least one panel segment is moveably connected at an upper most longitudinal end of the corresponding frame panel, and a first plurality of cables connected to the at least one panel segment and configured to displace the at least one panel segment, each of the cables of the first plurality of cables being threaded from the central frame through one of the plurality of unit panels to a distal end of the one of the plurality of unit panels.