METHOD, ASSEMBLY AND SYSTEM FOR ASSEMBLING AND DISASSEMBLING A SHELTER

Abstract

A method, assembly and system of assembling and disassembling a shelter is provided. The method provided is configured to assemble a modular shelter in a hard to access location without heavy machinery. The assembly comprises a plurality of shipping modules having truss systems composed of beams and columns. The trusses may be connected to other trusses with the help of joint nodes. The truss system may be extended for sliding columns, may be connected to varying other trusses with varying joint nodes and may comprise connecting elements for angled connections. The assembly and the truss system are modular in that a plurality of the beams, columns and joint nodes may be removable.

Claims

1. An extendable truss structure for a modular building, the system comprising: a plurality of columns, at least one of the columns having an extendable length, each of the plurality of columns comprising a first end and a second end; a plurality of beams attached to at least two of the plurality of columns at an angle; and two joint assemblies, each of the joint assemblies connecting the first or second end of one of the columns to a first or a second end of one of the beams.

2. The structure of claim 1, at least one of the joint assemblies being pivotally connected to the first or second end of one of the columns to a first or a second end of one of the beams.

3. The structure of claim 2, each of the joint assemblies comprising a connecting member pivotally connected to the first or the second end of one of the beams.

4. The structure of claim 1, the beams having an extendable length.

5. The system of claim 2, the joint assembly being connectable to a second of the beams.

6. The structure of claim 2, the first and second ends of the beam comprising a recess portion, the connecting member of the joint assembly comprising a protuberant portion mating with the recess portion of the first and second ends of the beam.

7. The structure of claim 2, a first of the plurality of columns being extended at a first length being greater than a second length of a second of the plurality of columns.

8. A module for a modular building, the module comprising: a structural frame comprising at least one extendable truss structure of claim 1, a floor detachably connectable to structural frame; and a roof detachably connectable to structural frame.

9. The module of claim 8, the structural frame comprising two extendable truss structures forming two opposite side walls.

10. The module of claim 9, the structural frame further comprising a third extendable truss structure connecting the two opposed extendable truss structures.

11. The module of claim 10, a first of the extended columns of the opposed two extendable truss structures having a length greater than a second of the extended columns of the extendable truss system.

12. The module of claim 8, the module comprising one or more roof supporting beams having a plurality of sections.

13. The module of claim 12, the one or more roof supporting beams comprising a plurality of connectors, each connector linking a first of the beam sections to a second of the beam sections.

14. The module of claim 8, comprising extendable legs supporting the structural frame.

15. A modular building comprising at least two of the modules of claim 8, each of the modules being adjacent and secured to another of the modules.

16. The modular building of claim 15, the modular building comprising detachable panels covering the side walls.

17. The modular building of claim 15, comprising a connector for receiving and securing an additional panel, the additional panel covering an extended section of the modular building created from the extension of the extendable truss system.

18. A method for assembling a modular building, the method comprising: positioning a structure of the modular building on a surface; vertically extending at least one column of the structure of the modular building to form extended structures; and covering the extended structures of the building.

19. The method of claim 18, the method further comprising extending four columns of the structure.

20. The method of claim 19, the four columns of the structure being extended for a roof of the structure to form an angle.

21. The method of claim 18, the method further comprising securing a second structure to the structure of the building.

22. The method of claim 21, the method comprising removing adjacent panels of side wall structures of the secured structures.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shelter assembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a shelter assembly in accordance with the principles of the invention in a folded mode.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shelter assembly of FIG. 2 shown in an unfolded mode.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a side wall section comprising trusses in accordance with the principles of the invention in a folded mode.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the side wall section of FIG. 4 shown in an unfolded mode.

[0027] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an exemplary attachment system for a truss in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the attachment system of FIG. 6.

[0029] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a side wall section comprising a truss section with detailed views of node joints in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a compressed extendable side column in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the extendable side column of FIG. 9 now extended.

[0032] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the extendable side column of FIG. 10.

[0033] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a compressed extendable side column in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the extendable side column of FIG. 12 now extended.

[0035] FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the extendable side column of FIG. 12.

[0036] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of sheltering system shown with a single shipping module in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the sheltering system of FIG. 15 shown with two adjacent shipping modules.

[0038] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the sheltering system of FIG. 16 shown with three adjacent shipping modules.

[0039] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the sheltering system of FIG. 17 shown with an unfolded roof structure and transportation walls removed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the sheltering system of FIG. 18 shown with installed front trusses.

[0041] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the sheltering system of FIG. 19 shown with internal modules installed and doors installation in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the sheltering system of FIG. 18 comprising front walls and connectors.

[0043] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the sheltering system of FIG. 18 shown with an elevated roof section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] A novel method and system for assembling and disassembling a shelter will be described hereinafter. Although the invention is described in terms of specific illustrative embodiment(s), it is to be understood that the embodiment(s) described herein are by way of example only and that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited thereby.

[0045] Referring first to FIGS. 15 to 22, a method 400 for assembling a shelter is illustrated. The method 400 may be used for assembling a modular building, such as but not limited to as shelter in a remote location. The method 400 may generally comprise a step for preparing a site for installation 410 of the modular building 100. The method 400 further comprises installing the modular building 100 on the site 420.

[0046] The step of preparing the site for installation may comprise analyzing or studying a site 412, cleaning and preparing the site 414, establishing a foundation on the site 416 and/or installing water installations 418. The step of analyzing the site 412 may comprise analyzing different aspects of the terrain, such as but not limited to the topology, the hydrology, the fauna and flora and the quality of the soil. The step of cleaning and preparing the site 414 may comprise any tasks needed to establish a surface for installation of the building 100, such as but not limited to removing unwanted materials and flattening the ground, if necessary. The step of establishing the foundation 416 generally aims at building or creating a solid anchor on the ground for the modular building 100. Establishing the foundation 416 may comprise, but is not limited to, selecting the type of foundation to use, such as screw piles, EPS slabs, concrete blocks, concrete slab, or any other type of foundation, and installing the foundation, such as but not limited to digging a support hole, filling the support hole with concrete, and installing a top plate on the hardened concrete. The step of installing water installations 418 generally aims at providing water, drains and/or aqueduct to the modular building. The water installation connection 418 may comprise digging a well and installing related equipment and/or installing a water treatment installation, for example a septic tank.

[0047] The installation of one or a plurality of modular buildings 420 aims at building or assembling the modular building 100 on the site. The installation 420 may comprise the steps of transporting or moving at least one container or shipping module 20 to the closest possible drivable location of the site 421, such as the end of the road. The installation 420 may further comprise emptying the shipping module 422 and/or disassembling the at least one shipping module 20 into a plurality of parts 423. Dissembling the shipping module 20 generally includes separating the said shipping module 20 in a plurality of parts to a degree dictated by the available remaining path and means of transportation to the site. The installation may further comprise transporting the plurality of parts or the shipping module 20 to the site 424 using any means of transportation available on the path. In some embodiments, the means of transportation may comprise an ATV, side-by-side or four wheelers, horses or even by foot.

[0048] The container 20 or shipping module 20 is typically sized as a standard shipping container, which may be certified by a third-party organization. The container 20 is typically made of outer or inner side walls being foldable.

[0049] Still referring to FIGS. 15 to 22, in some embodiments, the installation 420 may further comprise installing the one or more shipping modules 20 on the site 425. As shown in FIG. 15, the shipping module 20 typically comprises a floor 26, side walls 28 and a roof 24. The shipping module 20 may further comprise legs 102, generally adapted to level and maintain the shipping module on the ground. Understandably, the legs 102 may be vertically extendable to allow different heights to level the shipping module 20 and/or building 100.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the installation 420 may further comprise installing and interconnecting a plurality of shipping modules 20, 426. In such embodiments, the shipping modules 20 are fixed or mounted one to another using any type of fastening means 104. The shipping modules 20 are also typically leveled on the ground to form a uniform structure. Understandably, more than three shipping modules 20 may be attached to one another to form larger buildings or structures.

[0051] The installation 420 may further comprise removing unnecessary materials 427 from the at least one shipping module 20, removing transportation walls 28 from the shipping module 20, 428 leveling and/or controlling the at least one shipping module 20 to be installed 429. In some embodiments, the removal of inner wall 428 may comprise using clips or quick fasteners 29 (as shown in FIG. 15) to easily detach the said transportation walls 28. Transportation walls may further be used to build various appliances such as decks, space for a fireplace, space for a hot tub, etc.

[0052] The installation 420 may further comprise installing roof bridges 105, 430. The roof bridges 105 are typically installed or mounted over roof 24 of the shipping module 20, as shown in FIG. 17. The roof bridges may further be attached to a roof structure 110, shown in FIG. 18. The roof structure 110 may comprises an edge structure 111 surrounding the roof bridges 105. The roof structure 110 may further comprise front wall 112 and side walls 113. The side wall 113 and front wall 112 may further comprise windows or apertures 114. The side wall 113 and front wall 112 are typically expandable to allow creating a slope in the bridge or for easily lifting the roof.

[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 18, 21 and 22, the installation 420 typically comprises lifting the roof structure 110, 431. Once shipping modules 20 of a building 100 are assembled one to the other, corner posts of each shipping module 20 may be raised to a desired height for lifting the roof structure 110. As shown in FIG. 22, the extendable vertical columns 34 at the front of the modules 20 are raised or extended. The extendable vertical columns 34 have thus a length greater than the length of the extendable vertical columns 34 at the rear portion of the modules 20. As such, the roof may be angled to create different angles and/or shapes. Understandably, any of the vertical columns 34 may be extended at various heights, thus giving different angles or shapes of the roof structure 110. The vertical columns 34 may be extended before installing connectors 122 and front 112 and side walls 113. Understandably, in other embodiments, the extendable vertical columns 34 at the rear portion of the module 20 may be greater than the extendable vertical columns 34 at the front portion of the module 20 and/or than the vertical columns 34 at a side portion of the module 20.

[0054] In yet other embodiments, a single column 34 may be extended at a one corner of the module 20. In such embodiments, the horizontal or transversal columns 34 shall be pivotally attached to the vertical columns 34 and shall be extended as the created angle of the roof require a longer horizontal column 34 or to create a volume over the top portion of the module 20 in a shipping configuration.

[0055] In a typical embodiment, two extendable columns 34 at each corner of a side of the module 20, such as the two corners of a side wall structure, a front wall structure or a rear wall structure, are extended at a similar height. In such embodiment, the roof is raised on one the said extended wall side while remaining un-extended on the opposite side, thus creating a roof at angle compared to a bottom portion of the module 20. Understandably, in such embodiment, one side may comprise more than two vertical columns 34 to be extended, such as the rear portion of the module 20 shown at FIG. 22 having six (6) vertical columns 34. In such illustrated embodiment, the vertical columns 34 at the front are also extended to form shorter columns than the vertical columns 34 at the rear side. As such, the roof 110 is raised over the structure 10 or module 20 while being angled.

[0056] In another embodiment, each of the vertical columns 34 of the module or structure 20 may be extended at equal length. In such embodiment, the roof 110 is raised to form a generally flat roof 110 or an equal volume over the top portion of the structure 10 module 20 in a shipping configuration.

[0057] After raising the corner posts, various wall pieces may then be placed in the unfolded configuration. As an example, the corner posts of each shipping module 20 may be lifted to a predetermined height using a jack or any lifting mechanism. The remaining wall sections may be then folded. When the roof structure 110 is lifted, the building 100 is in unfolded mode. Referring now to FIG. 21, the lifting of the roof structure 110, 431 may further comprise mounting a connector 122 for attaching the front wall 112. The installation may comprise removing intermediate columns 120 and/or storage 432.

[0058] Referring now to FIG. 19, the installation may further comprise installing front door structure 130, 432, such as a sliding door. The step 432 generally comprises attaching front trusses 132 adapted for receiving a sliding door or a window. The step 432 may further comprise installing sliding door structure 432 in between the trusses 131.

[0059] Referring now to FIG. 20, the installation 420 may comprise placing or mounting various internal modules 140, 433. For example, internal modules 140 may comprise or form a lounge area. The internal modules 140 may be preassembled, and once on site, the floor structure may be opened to allow the installation of the internal modules 140. Understandably, all floor elements used in the folded mode may also be used in the assembled mode.

[0060] Still referring to FIG. 20, the installation 420 may further comprise installing different finishes 433. As example, the installation of finishes 433 may comprise, without limitations, installing windows 115, placing a roof membrane (not shown) and installing or building a ceiling (not shown). The installation of finishes 434 may further comprise installing exterior skin and/or an interior skin or finish on walls, floor and/or ceiling. The installation 420 may further comprise installing any parts or elements removed from the at least one shipping module 20 before the at least one shipping module 20 is transported to the site 435.

[0061] It shall be understood for one skilled in the art that the order of the steps may be changed depending on the situation and that some steps may be required in some embodiments while optional in other embodiments.

[0062] A method for disassembling 500 the modular building 100 is provided. Broadly, disassembling an assembled shelter 100 uses similar steps of the above-mentioned method of installation 420 in a substantially reverse order. In the method of disassembly 500, the different steps of installing and assembling are replaced with steps of uninstalling and disassembling, respectively.

[0063] Understandably, any step of the methods (400, 500) may be executed without the use of heavy machinery, or at least with a limited use of lightweight machines or vehicles. Furthermore, the methods (400, 500) may preferably be used on sites non accessible by usual transportation vehicles such as cars or trucks. Such sites may be forests, mountains, or any other remote area where roads are limited or non-existent.

[0064] Now referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary sheltering assembly 100 is shown. The assembly 100 may be assembled or disassembled using in any of the above-described methods 400 and 500. The assembly 100 generally comprises a structure 10. The structure 10 may be configured as a grid pattern. The structure 10 may be formed by one or more shipping modules 20 and may be made out of any material known in the art, such as aluminum like T6061 aluminum. In some embodiments the shipping module 20 has a substantially rectangular prism shape. The shipping module 20 generally comprises a plurality of outer surfaces, such as three to four walls 22, a roof 24 and a floor 26. Understandably, other embodiments of the shipping modules 20 may have any other desired shape and may be made of any other number of surfaces.

[0065] In some embodiments, each of the components of the sheltering assembly 100 may comprise an identification number. The identification is typically used to maintain a registry of all components. The registry may further be used to ensure that all parts are recycled after the assembly 100 is disassembled or to track a missing component in the assembly process. Understandably, in some embodiments, each of the components may comprise a unique identification number which may be embodied as an identification tag using any type of codes such as alphanumeric or numeric characters, bar code, HR code or NFC or RFID devices.

[0066] In some embodiments, at least one of the surfaces (walls, roof, floor, etc.) is a detachable transportation wall 28. In the embodiment shown at FIG. 1, the shipping module 20 comprises transportation walls 28 on both sides or on the front wall only, facing the exterior of the shipping module 20. The transportation walls 28 generally aim at creating a closed enclosure within the shipping module 20 to ease the transport of the said shipping module 20 and its content. The walls 28 may further provide support when transporting said shipping module 20.

[0067] The shipping module 20 typically comprises one or more trusses 30, beams 32 and columns 34 forming the structure of the shipping module 20. Understandably, any type of structural elements may be used to form the structure of the shipping module 20. In some embodiments, the transportation walls 28 cover the structural elements.

[0068] The transportation walls 28 are typically removable to allow connection of the shipping module 20 to an adjacent shipping module 20. As such, two adjacent shipping modules 20 may be connected to one another. In a typical embodiment, the adjacent sides, such as side walls 22, or adjacent structure elements are connected or mounted to one another to form a single structure. The same may be repeated with further shipping modules to form larger structures or buildings 100. The assembly of connected shipping modules 20 may thus form the structure 10.

[0069] It may be appreciated that any of the trusses 30, beams 32 and/or columns 34 may be replaced with alternatives structures. The said trusses 30, beams 32 and/or columns may be removed from the structure 10 before and/or after connecting the shipping modules 20 if required. For example, beams 32 found within a transportation wall 28 placed between two shipping modules 20 may be removed to create a bigger room inside the two shipping modules 20. Referring now to FIG. 3, an embodiment of the sheltering assembly 100 is shown wherein columns 34 in the middle and front of the assembly have been removed as compared to the embodiment of FIG. 2.

[0070] Now referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, an exemplary truss section 50 is shown. The truss section 50 may be located within a wall surface of a shipping module 20 or structure 10. Trusses 30 and truss sections 50 of a given structure 10 may comprise a plurality of beams 32, columns 34, joint nodes (40, 240) and fasteners. The truss section 50 may comprise columns 34 on each side. In some embodiments, as shown, the truss section 50 is rectangular. The truss section 50 may comprise a plurality of inner beams and columns 32. The inner beams and columns 32 are typically of smaller proportions than the outer columns 34. The inner beams and columns 34 may be positioned as a grid pattern and may support the outer beams and columns 34. Understandably, other embodiments may comprise any other pattern for the arrangement of the inner beams and columns 32.

[0071] The vertical columns 34 may be extendable. In some embodiment, each vertical column 34 comprises an extending/collapsing mechanism 52 allowing the extension and collapsing of a side of the truss section 50. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, as an example, the truss section 50 comprises a top section slidingly inserted in a side column 34. The top section comprises side columns having a cross-section 54 being smaller than the cross-section 56 of the other column section 34. Accordingly, FIG. 4 shows the truss section 50 being collapsed wherein FIG. 5 shows the truss section 50 being extended. When a side column 34 is extended, additional supporting beams 32 may be mounted within the newly created space 58. It may be appreciated that trusses 30 may be collapsed when transported and extended to set up the structure 10.

[0072] Now referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, an attachment system 60 for trusses 30, beams 32 and/or columns 34 is shown. In such an embodiment, the attachment system 60 comprises an elongated connecting element 62, two trusses 30 and fasteners, not shown. The elongated connecting element 62 is shaped to slide within a recess portion 66 of a first truss 30 at one end and to slide within a recess portion 66 of a second truss 30 at another end. In some embodiments, the recess portion 66 is a narrow extrusion 66 having a thickness allowing the connecting element 62 to snugly fit within the recess portion 66. In yet another embodiment the connecting element 62 may comprise a slit 68 adapted to fit in the recess. In another embodiment not shown, the trusses 30 may each have a narrow slit or protuberance 68 adapted to snugly fit in a recess of the connecting element 62.

[0073] In some embodiments, both the trusses 30 and the connecting element 62 may have a plurality of holes 70 located at predetermined locations so that fasteners may be slid into each of the plurality of holes or apertures 70 used for securing the trusses 30 to the connecting element 62. Each truss 30 may also comprise holes 70 located at surfaces in contact with surfaces of the other adjacent truss 30 for additional securing between the two trusses 30. It may be understood that, in other embodiments, trusses 30 may be replaced with beams 32 or columns 34. It may further be appreciated that the attachment system 60 provided allows connecting to adjacent trusses 30, beams 32 or columns 34 without requiring heavy or special machinery while maintaining a sufficient rigidity. In an embodiment, the attachment system 60 may be configured to be used in a modular roof system wherein the roof height and angle may be varied by adding a plurality of trusses 30 connected to each other's with attachment systems 60.

[0074] Now referring to FIG. 8, embodiments of node joints (40, 240) are shown. Node joints (40, 240) are typically adapted to connect a structure to another type of structure, such as a column 34 to a beam 32. In some embodiments, a first type of node assembly 200 is shown for securing two trusses 30, beams 32 or columns 34 together is illustrated. The present embodiment uses columns 34, though it may be appreciated that other embodiments may comprise trusses 30 or beams 32. The node joint 40 may be used in parallel with each of the columns 34 or, as shown, with each of the columns or beam 34 perpendicular to other beam or columns 34. Understandably, the node joints 40 may connect at least two columns or beams 34 at any other angles. Each column or beam 34 may comprise a hollow section 42 at its extremity 35. The hollow section 42 is adapted to receive a connecting member 44 or an extrusion/protuberance 46 of the node joint 40. In other embodiments not shown, the columns 34 may have extrusions 46 at their extremity wherein the node joint 40 and the connecting member 44 may have a hollow section 42. The node joint 40 may thus be connected to a column 34 by sliding the extrusion 46 into the hollow or recess section 42 of the column 34 and may be connected to the connecting member 44 through a joint 45, such as a knuckle joint. The connecting member 44 may then be connected to the associated column or beam 34 by sliding the extrusion 46 of the connecting member 44 into the hollow section 42 of the column 34. Understandably, any other type of joint 45 may be used for the connecting member 44.

[0075] In the embodiment shown at FIG. 8, the connecting member 44 comprises a pivoting connector 47 mating with a pivoting connector 49 of the node joint 40. The pivoting connector 47 may be embodied as an aperture or passage adapted to receive a lock pin. The lock pin secured in the passage provides a pivot point or a freedom of rotation of one degree to angle the roof 110 of the module 20.

[0076] By using a joint 45 for connecting the connecting member 44 to the node joint 40, at least a rotational degree of freedom is allowed from the assembly which may be useful when parts of the structure 10 are connected to other parts of the structure 10 at any angle other than perpendicular, such as but not limited to raising the roof 110 of the structure 10. For example, having a connecting member 44 with joints 45 at each extremity 35 of the top horizontal column 34 of the structure 10 may allow for one vertical side column 34 to be longer than the other vertical side column 34 of the same structure 10, thus allowing for an angled roof. In some embodiments, the node joint 40 may be secured to more than two columns or beams 34. The node joints 40 may also have tabs 48 for connecting with another column 34, not shown. The embodied tabs 48 may guide the extremity 35 of a column 34 having holes of a similar shape and may thus provide additional structural stabilization to the structure 10. Each of the node joints 40, columns or beams 34 and connecting members 44 may have holes 70 located at predetermined locations relative to holes 70 of the other parts to secure the structure 10 with fasteners. It may be appreciated that the node joints 40 provided may allow a securing of the trusses 30, beams 32 or columns 34 without requiring heavy or special machinery.

[0077] In a second embodiment, a node assembly 300 comprising a node joint 240 is illustrated. This embodiment is configured to be secured to three columns, beams 34 and/or trusses 30. Accordingly, the node joint 240 comprises three extrusions 246 each configured to be slid in a hollow section 42 of a column or beam 34. The node joint 240 further comprises fastening holes 270 for the installation of fasteners 80, not shown, when inserted into columns or beams 34 for securing the assembly 300. Understandably, any other type of connection to columns or beams 34 as presented in the embodiment described above may be used. The node joint 240 may further be configured to be secured to more than three columns 34 with the appropriate number of connecting parts.

[0078] The beams 32 of the structure 10 located between the side, top and bottom columns 34 may be secured to other trusses 30, beams 32 or columns 34 by extrusions 46 inserted into hollow sections 42, with connecting members 44 and/or fasteners.

[0079] Now referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, exemplary extendable side column 34 connected to node joints (40, 240) are shown in the collapsed state (FIG. 9) and extended state (FIG. 10). Referring to FIG. 11, an exploded view of the side column 34 is shown.

[0080] Now referring to FIGS. 12 to 14, exemplary extendable side column 34 connected to node joints (40, 240) are shown in the collapsed state (FIG. 12) and the extended state (FIG. 13). Referring to FIG. 14, an exploded view of the extendable side column 34 is shown. It may be appreciated that both the smaller and larger cross-sections (54, 56) of the side column or beam 34 may have varying length. Furthermore, there may be more than two sections for each side column 34 in order to increase expansion of the columns or beams 34 compared to having a single extendable mechanism 52.

[0081] While illustrative and presently preferred embodiment(s) of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.