Modular housing systems

Abstract

Modular housing systems may include a structural base frame and relocatable modular housing units configured to be installed within the structural base frame. Modular housing systems may also include stand-alone relocatable housing units that can be folded up into a transport configuration and unfolded to an installed configuration. Such systems may be more mobile and comfortable than previous modular housing systems.

Description

MODULAR HOUSING SYSTEMSBACKGROUNDTechnical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to modular housing systems, which may include a stationary base frame configured to receive relocatable housing units.Description of the Related Art

[0002] Many efforts have been made to make housing more affordable, convenient, and comfortable. Nevertheless, these remain persistent issues and there remains much room for improvement in this field.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0003] A method may be summarized as comprising: removing a relocatable housing unit from a first structural framework or its place of original manufacture; transporting the relocatable housing unit from the first structural framework or the place of original manufacture to a second structural framework; and installing the relocatable housing unit within the second structural framework.

[0004] Transporting the relocatable housing unit may include transporting the relocatable housing unit at least one mile, from a first city to a second city, and / or from a first country to a second country. The relocatable housing unit may include kitchen appliances, bathroom fixtures, furniture, and personal items. The relocatable housing unit may not include weather-proof exterior walls or cladding. When the relocatable housing unit is installed in the first structural framework, the relocatable housing unit may not include any structural elements that carry any loads of the first structural framework, and, when the relocatable housing unit is installed in the second structural framework, the relocatable housing unit may not include any structural elements that carry any loads of the second structural framework.

[0005] Removing the relocatable housing unit from the first structural framework may include moving the relocatable housing unit through an exterior wall of the first structural framework and installing the relocatable housing unit within the second structural framework may include moving the relocatable housing unit through an exterior wall of the second structural framework. Transporting the relocatable housing unit may include transporting therelocatable housing unit by roadway. The first and second structural frameworks may each include at least three floors or at least ten floors.

[0006] When the relocatable housing unit is installed in the first structural framework, a first plurality of additional relocatable housing units may be installed in the first structural framework and all of the relocatable housing units installed in the first structural framework may be occupied by different residents, and, when the relocatable housing unit is installed in the second structural framework, a second plurality of additional relocatable housing units may be installed in the second structural framework and all of the relocatable housing units installed in the second structural framework may be occupied by different residents.

[0007] A structural framework may be summarized as comprising: a first bay configured to receive a first relocatable modular housing unit, wherein the first bay includes a first dropped ceiling configured to be coupled to upper portions of the first relocatable modular housing unit when the first relocatable modular housing unit is installed in the first bay; and a second bay configured to receive a second relocatable modular housing unit, wherein the second bay includes a second dropped ceiling configured to be coupled to upper portions of the second relocatable modular housing unit when the second relocatable modular housing unit is installed in the second bay.

[0008] The first dropped ceiling may be configured to be arranged as either a flat ceiling or a cathedral ceiling. The first dropped ceiling may be configured to be arranged as either a level ceiling or a sloped ceiling. The first dropped ceiling may not include any structural elements that carry any loads of the first structural framework other than loads of the first dropped ceiling, and the second dropped ceiling may not include any structural elements that carry any loads of the second structural framework other than loads of the second dropped ceiling.

[0009] The first bay may include first upper portions of walls coupled to the first dropped ceiling, where the first upper portions of walls are configured to be coupled to first lower portions of walls of the first relocatable modular housing unit when the first relocatable modular housing unit is installed in the first bay; and the second bay may include second upper portions of walls coupled to the second dropped ceiling, where the second upper portions of walls are configured to be coupled to second lower portions of walls of the second relocatable modular housing unit when the second relocatable modular housing unit is installed in the second bay.

[0010] A relocatable modular housing unit configured to be installed within a structural frame may be summarized as comprising: a first lower portion of a side wall configured to becoupled to a first upper portion of a sidewall of a ceiling of the structural frame; a second lower portion of a side wall, opposite to the first lower portion of a side wall, configured to be coupled to a second upper portion of a sidewall of the ceiling of structural frame; a floor; and appliances; wherein the relocatable modular housing unit does not have a ceiling.

[0011] The relocatable modular housing unit may be configured to fit within a standard shipping container.

[0012] A relocatable modular housing unit configured to be installed within a structural frame may be summarized as comprising: a first side wall; a first floor portion coupled to the first side wall; a second floor portion rotatable with respect to the first floor portion; and a second side wall, opposite to the first side wall and coupled to the second floor portion; wherein the second side wall and second floor portion are configured to rotate and tip-in relative to the first side wall and the first floor portion.

[0013] When the second side wall and the second floor portion are rotated and tipped-in relative to the first side wall and the first floor portion, the relocatable modular housing unit may be configured to fit within a standard shipping container. The second floor portion may have a floor space that is half of a total floor space of the relocatable modular housing unit. The second floor portion may have a floor space that is one third of a total floor space of the relocatable modular housing unit. The first and second floor portions may each extend along a longest dimension of the relocatable modular housing unit. Permanently installed fixtures and appliances may be located on the first floor portion and no permanently installed fixtures or appliances may be located on the second floor portion.

[0014] A relocatable modular housing unit having a transport configuration and an installed configuration may be summarized as comprising: a first floor panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a second floor panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a first roof panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a second roof panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a first wall panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a second wall panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a third wall panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a fourth wall panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; wherein the first end of the first wall panel is coupled to the first end of the first floor panel, the first end of the second wall panel is coupled to the second end of the first wall panel, the first end of the first roof panel is coupled to the second end of the second wall panel, the first end of the second roof panel is coupled to the second end of the first roof panel, the first end of the thirdwall panel is coupled to the second end of the second roof panel, the first end of the second floor panel is coupled to the second end of the first floor panel, and the first end of the fourth wall panel is coupled to the second end of the second floor panel.

[0015] When the relocatable modular housing unit is in the transport configuration, the first floor panel, the first roof panel, the second roof panel, and the third wall panel may extend horizontally and parallel to one another, and the first wall panel, the second wall panel, the second floor panel, and the fourth wall panel may extend vertically, parallel to one another, and perpendicular to the first floor panel, the first roof panel, the second roof panel, and the third wall panel, and when the relocatable modular housing unit is in the installed configuration, the first floor panel and the second floor panel may extend horizontally and parallel to one another, and the first wall panel, the second wall panel, the third wall panel, and the fourth wall panel may extend vertically, parallel to one another, and perpendicular to the first floor panel and second floor panel.

[0016] The first wall panel may be rigidly coupled to the first floor panel, the second wall panel may be slidably coupled to the first wall panel, the first roof panel may be rotatably coupled to the second wall panel, the second roof panel may be rotatably coupled to the first roof panel, the third wall panel may be rotatably coupled to the second roof panel, the second floor panel may be rotatably coupled to the first floor panel, and the fourth wall panel may be rotatably coupled to the second floor panel. The relocatable modular housing unit may further comprise: a fifth wall panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; wherein the first end of the fifth wall panel is rotatably coupled to the second end of the fourth wall panel. When the relocatable modular housing unit is in the installed configuration, the third wall panel may be slidably coupled to the fifth wall panel.

[0017] A method of installing a relocatable modular housing unit may be summarized as comprising: positioning a first floor panel at an installation location; rotating a second floor panel with respect to the first floor panel until the second floor panel extends horizontally at the installation location; rotating a first wall panel with respect to the second floor panel until the first wall panel extends vertically; rotating a first roof panel until the first roof panel extends at an oblique angle relative to the first and second floor panels; rotating a second roof panel with respect to the first roof panel until the second roof panel extends at an oblique angle relative to the first and second floor panels; and rotating a second wall panel with respect to the second roof panel until the second wall panel extends vertically directly above the first wall panel.

[0018] A relocatable modular housing unit having a transport configuration and an installed configuration may be summarized as comprising: a first floor panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a second floor panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a third floor panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a fourth floor panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a first wall panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and a second wall panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; wherein the first end of the first wall panel is coupled to the first end of the first floor panel, the second end of the first floor panel is rotatably coupled to the first end of the second floor panel, the second end of the second floor panel is rotatably coupled to the first end of the third floor panel, the second end of the third floor panel is rotatably coupled to the first end of the fourth floor panel, and the first end of the second wall panel is coupled to the second end of the fourth floor panel.

[0019] A method of installing a relocatable modular housing unit may be summarized as comprising: positioning a first floor panel at an installation location; and rotating a second floor panel with respect to the first floor panel, a third floor panel with respect to the second floor panel, and a fourth floor panel with respect to the third floor panel until the second, third, and fourth floor panels extend horizontally at the installation location.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 illustrates a structural framework configured to receive relocatable housing units.

[0021] Figure 2 illustrates a top plan view of the structural framework of Figure 1.

[0022] Figure 3 illustrates a first embodiment of a floor plan of a floor of the structural framework of Figure 1.

[0023] Figure 4 illustrates a second embodiment of a floor plan of a floor of the structural framework of Figure 1.

[0024] Figure 5 illustrates a third embodiment of a floor plan of a floor of the structural framework of Figure 1.

[0025] Figure 6 illustrates another structural framework configured to receive relocatable housing units.

[0026] Figure 7 illustrates a top plan view of the structural framework of Figure 6.

[0027] Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of a floor plan of a floor of the structural framework of Figure 6.

[0028] Figure 9 illustrates a first embodiment of a floor plan of a relocatable housing unit.

[0029] Figure 10 illustrates a second embodiment of a floor plan of a relocatable housing unit.

[0030] Figure 11 illustrates a third embodiment of a floor plan of a relocatable housing unit.

[0031] Figure 12 illustrates a front view of a relocatable housing unit installed within a portion of a structural framework, having a flat ceiling.

[0032] Figure 13 illustrates a front view of a relocatable housing unit installed within another portion of a structural framework, having a cathedral ceiling.

[0033] Figure 14A illustrates a side view of a level flat ceiling.

[0034] Figure 14B illustrates a side view of a sloped flat ceiling.

[0035] Figure 15A illustrates a side view of a level cathedral ceiling.

[0036] Figure 15B illustrates a side view of a sloped cathedral ceiling.

[0037] Figure 16 illustrates a lower and left side view of a modular housing system, arrangement, or configuration including three removable and relocatable housing units.

[0038] Figure 17 illustrates an upper and right side view of the modular housing system, arrangement, or configuration of Figure 16.

[0039] Figure 18 illustrates a front view of the modular housing system, arrangement, or configuration of Figure 16.

[0040] Figure 19 illustrates a rear view of the modular housing system, arrangement, or configuration of Figure 16.

[0041] Figure 20 illustrates another modular housing system, arrangement, or configuration including two housing units, specifically, two removable / relocatable housing units.

[0042] Figure 21 illustrates another modular housing system, arrangement, or configuration including three housing units, specifically, two removable / relocatable housing units and a permanent unit on the top floor.

[0043] Figure 22 illustrates another modular housing system, arrangement, or configuration including four housing units, specifically, four removable / relocatable housing units.

[0044] Figure 23 illustrates another modular housing system, arrangement, or configuration including five housing units, specifically, four removable / relocatable housing units and a permanent unit on the top floor.

[0045] Figures 24A-24C illustrate a method of converting a self-contained modular housing unit from a transport configuration to an installed configuration.

[0046] Figure 25 illustrates an embodiment of a floor plan of the modular housing unit of Figures 24A-24C in an assembled state.

[0047] Figure 26 illustrates a layout of forty eight of the modular housing units of Figures 24A-24C.

[0048] Figure 27A illustrates another embodiment of a self-contained modular housing unit in a transport configuration.

[0049] Figure 27B illustrates the self-contained modular housing unit of Figure 27A in an installed configuration.

[0050] Figure 27C illustrates another embodiment of a self-contained modular housing unit in a transport configuration.

[0051] Figure 27D illustrates the self-contained modular housing unit of Figure 27C in an installed configuration.

[0052] Figure 27E illustrates another embodiment of a self-contained modular housing unit in a transport configuration.

[0053] Figure 27F illustrates the self-contained modular housing unit of Figure 27E in an installed configuration.

[0054] Figure 28A illustrates a front view of a modular housing unit installed within a structural framework.

[0055] Figure 28B illustrates a side view of the modular housing unit of Figure 28A.

[0056] Figure 28C illustrates a front view of a modular housing unit installed within a structural framework.

[0057] Figure 29A illustrates an exterior end view of portions of a structural framework.

[0058] Figure 29B illustrates a side view of the portions of the structural framework ofFigure 29A.

[0059] Figure 29C illustrates an interior end view of the portions of the structural framework of Figure 29 A.

[0060] Figures 30A-30C illustrate another modular housing system, arrangement, or configuration including a loft.

[0061] Figures 31 A-3 IE illustrate sequential steps in manufacturing, transport, and installation of a modular housing unit into a host frame with a loft.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well- known structures associated with the technology have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments.

[0063] Figure 1 illustrates a structural framework 10, which may also be referred to as a “base frame,” a “structural frame,” “interior-ready construction,” “interior-accepting construction,” or “structural skeleton,” configured to receive a plurality of relocatable modular housing units 18, which may also be referred to as “relocatable buildings.” As illustrated in Figure 1, the structural framework 10 is located at a ground surface 12, and can generally resemble an apartment or condominium building. In some embodiments, a portion of the structural framework 10, including a foundation thereof, may be located below grade or under the ground surface 12. In some cases, such a portion of the structural framework 10, including a ground floor 14a, may include retail outlets, office space, parking, etc. The structural framework 10 also includes a plurality of above-ground stories or floors 14b, 14c, 14d, and 14e, within which the relocatable modular housing units 18 may be received. As illustrated in Figure 1, the structural framework 10 includes five floors 14, but in alternative embodiments, a structural framework may include any suitable number of floors, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more floors.

[0064] As further illustrated in Figure 1, the structural framework 10 includes a crane, lift, hoist, or other system or machine 16, which may be installed on top of the roof or on a top floor of the structural framework 10, and which is configured to lift the relocatable modular housing units 18 from ground level at the ground surface 12, or around ground level at around the ground surface 12, to each of the floors 14 within which the relocatable modular housing units 18 are to be received. For example, in some embodiments, the relocatable modular housing units 18 may be loaded onto a truck 20 for transportation following either initial manufacture or removal and relocation from another structural framework. The truck 20 can transport the relocatable modular housing units 18 any distance, such as by roadway, to any suitable structural framework 10. When the truck 20 and a relocatable modular housing unit 18 carried thereon arrive at the structural framework 10, the modular housing unit 18 can be lifted off the truck 20 by the crane 16 and raised to a level of a floor 14 of the structural framework 10 where themodular housing unit 18 is to be installed. Once raised, the housing unit 18 can be moved onto the floor 14 and installed thereon for use by an owner, tenant, or resident of the housing unit 18.

[0065] Figure 2 illustrates a top plan view of a roof surface or of a top or upper floor of the structural framework 10. As illustrated in Figure 2, the structural framework includes an inner utility core region or area 22, and an outer residential area 24, where the outer residential area 24 extends completely around the core region 22 and around the entire periphery of the structural framework 10 when seen in a plan view. In some embodiments, the core region 22 may include one or more elevator bays, stairways, communal areas including restrooms, garbage chutes, closets, and water, electric, gas, and other pipes, conduits, cables, or lines. In some cases, the core region 22 may also form a structural core of the structural framework 10 and include a majority of the load bearing walls or columns, sheer walls, etc., so that, for example, the residential area 24 can be relatively free of such features to increase or maximize overall living space and flexibility in installing the modular housing units 18.

[0066] As further illustrated in Figure 2, the structural framework 10 includes a primary set of tracks 26 that extends in a generally rectangular path around the outer periphery of the structural framework 10. The crane 16 can be installed and mounted on the tracks 26 such that the crane 16 can be moved around the entire periphery of the structural framework 10, such that the crane can be used to lift and install a modular housing unit 18 at any location around the periphery of the structural framework 10, and through any of the exposed exterior side walls of the structural framework 10, that is, to any location within the residential area 24. As illustrated in Figure 2, the primary set of tracks 26 is curved at comers of the structural framework 10, making installation of modular housing units 18 more difficult near comers of the building. Thus, as also illustrated in Figure 2, the structural framework 10 also includes a plurality of secondary sets of tracks 28 that extend parallel to adjacent exterior walls of the structural framework 10 along the entireties of their lengths. Thus, the secondary sets of tracks 28 can assist in installing modular housing units 18 near corners of the building. The crane 16 may be mounted on the primary set of tracks 26 and / or the secondary sets of tracks 28, may be switched between the two, and may be moved along any of the sets of tracks to a location corresponding to a location where a modular housing unit 18 is to be installed or removed.

[0067] Figures 3-5 illustrate different floor plans of any one or more of the floors (e.g., floors 14) of a structural framework (e.g., structural framework 10) when it is filled with a plurality of modular housing units (e.g., modular housing units 18). Each of Figures 3-5 illustrate that the modular housing units can be arranged in a first row that extends along theentirety of a first exterior wall of the structural framework, a second row that extends along the entirety of a second exterior wall of the structural framework opposite to the first exterior wall, a third row that extends, between the first and second rows, along a portion of a third exterior wall, and a fourth row that extends, between the first and second rows, along a portion of a fourth exterior wall opposite to the third exterior wall. Figure 3 illustrates a structural framework when it is filled with a plurality of relatively large modular housing units 30, Figure 4 illustrates a structural framework when the first and second rows are filled with a plurality of relatively large modular housing units 30 and the third and fourth rows are filled with a plurality of relatively small modular housing units 32, and Figure 5 illustrates a structural framework when it is filled with a plurality of relatively small modular housing units 32.

[0068] As illustrated in Figures 3-5, a structural framework includes an inner utility core region or area, and an outer residential area, where the outer residential area extends completely around the core region and around the entire periphery of the structural framework when seen in a plan view. In some embodiments, the core region may include one or more elevator bays, stairways, communal areas including restrooms, garbage chutes, closets, and water, electric, gas, and other pipes, conduits, cables, or lines. In some cases, the core region may also form a structural core of the structural framework and include a majority of the load bearing walls or columns, sheer walls, etc., so that, for example, the residential area can be relatively free of such features to increase or maximize overall living space and flexibility in installing the modular housing units.

[0069] Figure 6 illustrates another structural framework 50 configured to receive a plurality of relocatable modular housing units 58. As illustrated in Figure 6, the structural framework 50 is located at a ground surface 52, and can generally resemble an apartment or condominium building. In some embodiments, a portion of the structural framework 50, including a foundation thereof, may be located below grade or under the ground surface 52. In some cases, such a portion of the structural framework 50 may include retail outlets, office space, parking, etc. The structural framework 50 also includes a plurality of above-ground floors 54a, 54b, 54c, 54d, 54e, etc., within which the relocatable modular housing units 58 may be received. As illustrated in Figure 6, the structural framework 50 includes many more floors than the structural framework 10 in Figure 1.

[0070] As further illustrated in Figure 6, the structural framework 50 includes a crane, lift, hoist, or other system or machine 56, which may be installed on top of the roof or on a top floor of the structural framework 50, and which is configured to lift the relocatable modularhousing units 58 from ground level at the ground surface 52, or around ground level at around the ground surface 52, to each of the floors 54 within which the relocatable modular housing units 58 are to be received. For example, in some embodiments, the relocatable modular housing units 58 may be loaded onto a truck 60 for transportation following either initial manufacture or removal and relocation from another structural framework. The truck 60 can transport the relocatable modular housing units 58 any distance, such as by roadway, to any suitable structural framework 50. When the truck 60 and a relocatable modular housing unit 58 carried thereon arrive at the structural framework 60, the modular housing unit 58 can be lifted off the truck 60 by the crane 56 and raised to a level of a floor 54 of the structural framework 60 where the modular housing unit 58 is to be installed. Once raised, the housing unit 58 can be moved onto the floor 54 and installed thereon for use by an owner, tenant, or resident of the housing unit 58.

[0071] Figure 7 illustrates a top plan view of a roof surface or of a top or upper floor of the structural framework 50. As illustrated in Figure 7, the structural framework 50 includes an inner utility core region or area 62, and an outer residential area 64, where the outer residential area 64 extends completely around the core region 62 and around the entire periphery of the structural framework 50 when seen in a plan view. In some embodiments, the core region 62 may include one or more elevator bays, stairways, communal areas including restrooms, garbage chutes, closets, and water, electric, gas, and other pipes, conduits, cables, or lines. In some cases, the core region 62 may also form a structural core of the structural framework 50 and include a majority of the load bearing walls or columns, sheer walls, etc., so that, for example, the residential area 64 can be relatively free of such features to increase or maximize overall living space and flexibility in installing the modular housing units 58.

[0072] As further illustrated in Figure 7, the structural framework 50 is generally circular in plan view and includes a set of tracks 66 that extends in a generally circular path around the outer periphery of the structural framework 50. The crane 56 can be installed and mounted on the tracks 66 such that the crane 56 can be moved around the entire periphery of the structural framework 50, such that the crane can be used to lift and install a modular housing unit 58 at any location around the periphery of the structural framework 50, and through an exposed exterior side wall of the structural framework 50, that is, to any location within the residential area 64.

[0073] Figure 8 illustrates a floor plan of any one or more of the floors (e.g., floors 54) of a structural framework (e.g., structural framework 50 of Figures 6-8) when it is filled with a plurality of modular housing units (e.g., modular housing units 58 of Figures 6-8). Figure 8illustrates that the modular housing units can be arranged in a plurality of rows of modular housing units, where each row may include, e.g., 16 individual modular housing units.

[0074] As illustrated in Figure 8, a structural framework includes an inner utility core region or area, and an outer residential area, where the outer residential area extends completely around the core region and around the entire periphery of the structural framework when seen in a plan view. In some embodiments, the core region may include one or more elevator bays, stairways, communal areas including restrooms, garbage chutes, closets, and water, electric, gas, and other pipes, conduits, cables, or lines. In some cases, the core region may also form a structural core of the structural framework and include a majority of the load bearing walls or columns, sheer walls, etc., so that, for example, the residential area can be relatively free of such features to increase or maximize overall living space and flexibility in installing the modular housing units.

[0075] The systems and frameworks illustrated in Figures 1-8 provide for modular and re-locatable housing. Recent trends indicate that populations may be becoming more mobile overall. That is, individuals may be more likely to move long distances more frequently than in the past. Thus, the systems and frameworks described herein allow residents to move their homes, or portions thereof, from one location to another more easily, economically, and conveniently than in the past. As one example, a first entity may build, own, and / or manage a structural framework such as structural framework 10 or 50. This entity could be a government, a for-profit business entity, a not-for-profit business entity, a collective, cooperative, individual person, or any other suitable entity. Other entities, such as individual people or families, may own, rent, and / or reside in relocatable modular housing units, such as relocatable modular housing units 18 or 58, which are received and housed within the larger structural framework. A plurality of such structural frameworks may be distributed around a geographical area, such as a city, a country, or the world, where each of the structural frameworks is designed, configured, and built to common specifications, such that each of the individual relocatable housing units may be installed within any of the geographically distributed structural frameworks. Such systems may allow individuals to live more mobile lives. For example, an individual relocatable housing unit may be removed from a first structural framework, together with furniture and other personal items therein, and moved to and installed within a second structural framework.

[0076] Figure 9 illustrates one embodiment of a floor plan of a relocatable housing unit 100. As illustrated in Figure 9, the relocatable housing unit 100 includes a kitchen or kitchenette, which may include a stove 102, a sink 104, and a refrigerator and / or freezer 106.The relocatable housing unit 100 also includes a bedroom area which may include a bed 108, a living area which may include a sofa or couch 110, and a bathroom, which may include a stacked washer and dryer 111, a bathtub and / or shower 112, a toilet 114, and a sink 116. The relocatable housing unit 100 may also include a utility hookup area 118, which may include connections for water, electricity, gas, communications, and other utilities, as well as an exterior / outside deck and an enclosed / inside porch or patio area 120, which may face toward the inside of a structural framework within which the relocatable housing unit 100 is installed. The floorplan illustrated in Figure 9 may be 23 feet wide and 19 feet long, and provide 437 square feet of living space.

[0077] As illustrated in Figure 9, the floor plan of the relocatable housing unit 100 is roughly divided into thirds, where permanently installed fixtures and appliances may all be located on one of the sides, such as one of the side thirds, of the floor plan (e.g., on the left third or on the right third of the floor plan as illustrated in Figure 9). The furniture, fixtures, and appliances may all be configured to be located to allow one or both of the side thirds of the floor plan to be rotated and folded upwards and over the central third of the floor plan, to improve overall compactness of the system for transportation. For example, the left third of the floorplan as illustrated in Figure 9 can rotate about an axis that defines the boundary between the left third of the floorplan and the central third of the floorplan so that the left third of the floorplan is above the central third of the floorplan to reconfigure the modular housing unit 100 to its transport configuration. Alternatively, the right third of the floorplan as illustrated in Figure 9 can rotate about an axis that defines the boundary between the right third of the floorplan and the central third of the floorplan so that the right third of the floorplan is above the central third of the floorplan to reconfigure the modular housing unit 100 to its transport configuration. A wall or section of the floorplan that moves in this manner may be referred to as a “tip-in” wall or portion of the floor plan. In some embodiments, a tip-in portion of the floor plan may span across half, rather than a third, of the width of the floor plan, and may span across less than the entire length of the floor plan. For example, the portion of the floor plan identified by dashed lines in Figure 9 may be a tip-in portion of the floor plan.

[0078] Figure 10 illustrates another embodiment of a floor plan of a relocatable housing unit 150. As illustrated in Figure 10, the relocatable housing unit 150 includes a kitchen or kitchenette, which may include a table 151, a stove 152, a sink 154, a refrigerator and / or freezer 156, and a stacked washer and dryer 163. The relocatable housing unit 150 also includes a bedroom area which may include a bed 158 and closet or dresser 159, a living area which may include a sofa or couch 160 and television and / or other entertainment system(s) 161, and abathroom, which may include a bathtub and / or shower 162, a toilet 164, and a sink 166. The relocatable housing unit 150 may also include a utility hookup area 168, which may include connections for water, electricity, gas, communications, and other utilities, as well as an exterior / outside deck and an enclosed / inside porch or patio area 170, which may face toward the inside of a structural framework within which the relocatable housing unit 150 is installed. The floorplan illustrated in Figure 10 may be 15 feet wide and 39 feet long, and provide 585 square feet of living space.

[0079] As illustrated in Figure 10, the floor plan of the relocatable housing unit 150 is roughly divided into three distinct sections along its width (that is, each of the distinct sections extends along the entire 39 foot length of the relocatable housing unit 150 but only partially along its 15 foot width), where each of the distinct sections is rectangular, and where permanently installed fixtures and appliances may all be located on one of the side sections of the floor plan (e.g., on the left-side or right-side section as illustrated in Figure 10). The furniture, fixtures, and appliances may all be configured to be located to allow one or both of the side sections of the floor plan to be rotated and folded upwards and over the central section of the floor plan, to improve overall compactness of the system for transportation. For example, the left-side distinct section of the floorplan as illustrated in Figure 10 can rotate about an axis that defines the boundary between the left-side distinct section and the central distinct section of the floorplan so that the left-side distinct section of the floorplan is above the central distinct section of the floorplan to reconfigure the modular housing unit 150 to its transport configuration. Alternatively, the right-side distinct section of the floorplan as illustrated in Figure 10 can rotate about an axis that defines the boundary between the right-side distinct section of the floorplan and the central distinct section of the floorplan so that the right-side distinct section of the floorplan is above the central section of the floorplan to reconfigure the modular housing unit 150 to its transport configuration.

[0080] As illustrated in Figure 10, there is a dashed rectangle within the central section of the floor plan indicating a region where a “drop-down” component, such as a built-in sleeping area, may be raised to provide additional floor space for other activities, and lowered to provide a sleeping area. In some embodiments, such a region may be physically suspended from the ceiling or components of a structural framework configured to support a raised loft area. In some embodiments, such a suspended loft area can span across an entire width of the floor plan, and may span across a portion of the length of the floor plan occupied by a bedroom area thereof, across one quarter, across one half of the length of the floor plan, or across between one quarterand one half of the length of the floor plan. Such a drop-down component or loft area can be provided in any of the embodiments described herein.

[0081] Figure 11 illustrates another embodiment of a floor plan of a relocatable housing unit 200. As illustrated in Figure 11, the relocatable housing unit 200 includes a kitchen or kitchenette, which may include a table 201, a stove 202, a sink 204, a refrigerator and / or freezer 206, and a dishwasher 213, as well as a stacked washer and dryer 215. The relocatable housing unit 200 also includes a bedroom area which may include a bed , which may be a bunk bed 208 or other type of bed, and closet or dresser 209, a living area which may include a sofa or couch 210 and television and / or other entertainment system(s) 211, and a bathroom, which may include a bathtub and / or shower 212, a toilet 214, and a sink 216. The relocatable housing unit 200 may also include a utility hookup area 218, which may include connections for water, electricity, gas, communications, and other utilities, as well as an exterior / outside deck and an enclosed / inside porch or patio area 220, which may face toward the inside of a structural framework within which the relocatable housing unit 200 is installed. The floorplan illustrated in Figure 11 may be 23 feet wide and 39 feet long, and provide 897 square feet of living space.

[0082] As illustrated in Figure 11, the floor plan of the relocatable housing unit 200 is roughly divided into thirds, where permanently installed fixtures and appliances may all be located on one of the sides, such as one of the side thirds, of the floor plan (e.g., on the left third or on the right third of the floor plan as illustrated in Figure 11). The furniture, fixtures, and appliances may all be configured to be located to allow one or both of the side thirds of the floor plan to be rotated and folded upwards and over the central third of the floor plan, to improve overall compactness of the system for transportation. For example, the left third of the floorplan as illustrated in Figure 11 can rotate about an axis that defines the boundary between the left third of the floorplan and the central third of the floorplan so that the left third of the floorplan is above the central third of the floorplan to reconfigure the modular housing unit 200 to its transport configuration. Alternatively, the right third of the floorplan as illustrated in Figure 11 can rotate about an axis that defines the boundary between the right third of the floorplan and the central third of the floorplan so that the right third of the floorplan is above the central third of the floorplan to reconfigure the modular housing unit 200 to its transport configuration.

[0083] Figure 12 illustrates a front exterior or deck view of a system 251 including a removable / relocatable modular housing unit 250 installed within a portion of a structural frame 252. The system 251 may also include a ceiling and / or roof, as described further below. As illustrated in Figure 12, the modular housing unit 250 may include a lower portion or a lowerhalf of a dwelling or home. That is, the modular housing unit 250 may include a floor, appliances and furniture supported on the floor, and walls that extend vertically but not all the way to a ceiling of the dwelling or home. In some embodiments, the walls of the modular housing unit 250 may extend vertically up to four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or twelve feet above the level of the floor, but not to the ceiling. Further, the portion of the structural frame 252 illustrated in Figure 12 includes a dropped ceiling 254, which may also be referred to as a “drop ceiling” or “false ceiling,” and which can be independent of structural components of the structural frame 252.

[0084] As illustrated in Figure 12, the dropped ceiling 254 includes a first vertical wall portion 256, which can form a continuous wall with a first portion of a wall of the modular housing unit 250, and a second vertical wall portion 258, opposite to the first vertical wall portion 256, which can form a continuous wall with a second portion of a wall of the modular housing unit 250. The dropped ceiling 254 may also include a first horizontal ceiling portion 260 that extends horizontally from the first vertical wall portion 256 inward across an outer portion of the modular housing unit 250, and a second horizontal ceiling portion 262 that extends horizontally from the second vertical wall portion 258 inward across an outer portion of the modular housing unit 250, where a gap remains between innermost ends of the first and second horizontal ceiling portions 260, 262. The dropped ceiling 254 may also include a third horizontal ceiling portion 264 that extends horizontally from the first horizontal ceiling portion 264 inward across an inner portion of the modular housing unit 250, and a fourth horizontal ceiling portion 266 that extends horizontally from the second horizontal ceiling portion 262 inward across an inner portion of the modular housing unit 250, where the innermost ends of the third and fourth horizontal ceiling portions 264, 266 are coupled to one another. Such a ceiling arrangement may be referred to as a flat ceiling.

[0085] Figure 13 illustrates the same features as Figure 12, where the dropped ceiling has been modified by lowering the outer ends of the dropped ceiling and / or raising the center of the dropped ceiling so that the dropped ceiling is arranged as a cathedral ceiling. When the relocatable housing unit 250 is installed in the structural frame 252, the dropped ceiling can therefore be adjusted to provide either a flat ceiling or a cathedral ceiling. Figure 14A illustrates a side view of a level flat ceiling 254. Figure 14B illustrates a side view of a sloped flat ceiling 254. Figure 15A illustrates a side view of a level cathedral ceiling. Figure 15B illustrates a side view of a sloped cathedral ceiling. In the sloped ceilings, the height of the ceiling is linearly variable along the entirety of the length of the modular housing unit 250. In some embodiments,the height of the ceiling may be greater at the front end of the modular housing unit 250, and in other embodiments, the height of the ceiling may be greater at the rear end of the modular housing unit 250. In some embodiments, a dropped ceiling as described herein may be reconfigurable between a flat ceiling configuration and a cathedral ceiling configuration, and / or may be re-configurable between a level ceiling configuration and a sloped ceiling configuration.

[0086] Many previous mobile homes have been designed and manufactured to be compact, to reduce overall costs and ease transportation. Nevertheless, it has been found that increasing a ceiling height in a compact space can make the space feel and appear unexpectedly and / or disproportionately larger. It has also been found that lived-in spaces most often encounter wear and tear on the floors and lower portions of the walls, and encounter much less wear and tear on the ceilings and upper portions of the walls. Thus, by providing relocatable modular housing units that include a floor, lower portions of walls, furniture, appliances, etc., but do not include ceilings or upper portions of walls, the size of the relocatable modular housing unit can be substantially increased without making the transportation of the housing unit any more difficult. Furthermore, because there is little wear and tear on ceilings and upper portions of walls, they can be provided as part of a permanently-installed structural frame that receives the relocatable modular housing units, such that successive residents within a bay of the structural frame can re-use such permanent components while moving their own relocatable modular housing unit into the bay. As used herein, the term “bay” refers to a location or area within which a relocatable modular housing unit may be installed and connected to utilities so that a resident can live therein, and may also be referred to as a “berth,” “space,” or “way.” Any of the relocatable modular housing units described herein may provide a floor, lower portions of walls, furniture, appliances, etc., but not ceilings or upper portions of walls. Similarly, any of the permanently-installed structural frames described herein may provide ceilings and upper portions of walls, but not floors, lower portions of walls, furniture, appliances, etc.

[0087] Figures 16, 17, 18, and 19 illustrate left, right, front, and rear side views of a modular housing system 300. In particular, the modular housing system 300 can be a triplex, or include three independent living units, where two of the removable / relocatable modular housing units are on the bottom or lower floor thereof and a third removable / relocatable modular housing unit is on a second floor thereof. In some embodiments, the modular housing system 300 may include one permanently installed or permanently constructed housing unit on the upper floor(s) and two relocatable modular housing units on the lower or bottom floor. That is, the modular housing system 300 can include a structural frame with two open bays in its lower or bottomfloor(s), each configured to receive a relocatable modular housing unit as described herein, and another housing unit permanently installed or permanently constructed in its upper or top floor(s).

[0088] Figure 20 illustrates another modular housing system 356, which can be a duplex or include two independent living units. The modular housing system 356 can include a structural frame with two open bays, each configured to receive a relocatable modular housing unit as described herein. Figure 21 illustrates another modular housing system 354, which can be a triplex or include three independent living units, where two of the living units are removable / relocatable modular housing units on the bottom or lower floor(s) thereof and a third living unit is permanent on upper floor(s) thereof. In some embodiments, the modular housing system 354 may include one permanently installed or permanently constructed housing unit on the upper floor(s) and two relocatable modular housing units on the lower or bottom floor(s). That is, the modular housing system 354 can include a structural frame with two open bays in its lower or bottom floors, each configured to receive a relocatable modular housing unit as described herein, and another housing unit permanently installed or permanently constructed in its upper or top floor(s). That is, the modular housing system 354 can be similar to the modular housing system 356, but with the permanent housing unit on the top floor(s) thereof.

[0089] Figure 22 illustrates another modular housing system 352, which can be a four- plex or include four independent living units. The modular housing system 352 can include a structural frame with four open bays, each configured to receive a relocatable modular housing unit as described herein. Figure 23 illustrates another modular housing system 350, which can be a five-plex or include five independent living units, where four of the living units are removable / relocatable modular housing units on the two bottom or lower floors thereof and a fifth living unit is permanent on upper floor(s) thereof. In some embodiments, the modular housing system 350 may include one permanently installed or permanently constructed housing unit on the upper floor(s) and four relocatable modular housing units on the lower or bottom floors. That is, the modular housing system 350 can include a structural frame with four open bays in its lower or bottom floors, each configured to receive a relocatable modular housing unit as described herein, and another housing unit permanently installed or permanently constructed in its upper or top floor(s). That is, the modular housing system 350 can be similar to the modular housing system 352, but with a permanent housing unit on the top floor thereof. As illustrated in Figures 20-23, the open bays of the modular housing systems illustrated thereinmay include level flat dropped ceilings, sloped flat dropped ceilings, level cathedral dropped ceilings, and / or sloped cathedral dropped ceilings.

[0090] The modular housing systems 350, 352, 354, and 356 are much smaller than the structural frames illustrated in Figures 1 and 6. Thus, the modular housing systems 350, 352, 354, and 356 are more likely candidates for ownership by individuals rather than government or corporate organizations. Further, the modular housing systems 350 and 354 include permanently installed or permanently constructed housing units, such that the owners of such systems may reside in the permanently installed or permanently constructed housing units while making the open bays available to others for use on a more temporary basis.

[0091] Figure 24A illustrates a self-contained removable / relocatable modular housing unit 400 in a folded-up, packed-up, or transport configuration and loaded into the trailer of a semi-truck for transportation from a first location to a second location. Figure 24A illustrates an end view of the folded-up modular housing unit 400 and the trailer. In other words, the view shown in Figure 24A looks from behind the trailer toward the front of the trailer, such that the longest rectilinear dimension of both the trailer and the folded-up modular housing unit 400 is into the page in the view of Figure 24A. The components of the modular housing unit 400 described herein may be substantially the same along their lengths into the page in the view of Figure 24A, that is, the wall, floor, and ceiling or roof elements of the modular housing unit 400 may have profiles that change very little or not at all in a direction extending into the page in Figure 24A.

[0092] As illustrated in Figure 24A, the modular housing unit 400 includes a first floor or base portion 402, which may also be referred to as a first foundation or first floor panel 402, and which may extend horizontally across the bottom end portion of the modular housing unit 400 in its transport configuration. The modular housing unit 400 also includes a first wall panel 404 rigidly coupled to the first floor panel 402 and extending vertically from a first side or end thereof. The modular housing unit 400 also includes a second wall panel 406 that lies adjacent to the first wall panel 404, that is, it extends vertically, and that overlaps the first wall panel 404 in a horizontal direction when the modular housing unit 400 is in the transport configuration. As illustrated in Figure 24A, a top end of the second wall panel 406 is adjacent to a top end of the first wall panel 404 when the modular housing unit 400 is in the transport configuration. In some embodiments, the second wall panel 406 is coupled to the first wall panel 404 such that the second wall panel 406 can slide or otherwise translate vertically with respect to the first wall panel 404.

[0093] The modular housing unit 400 also includes a first ceiling and / or roof panel 408 that is rotatably coupled, such as by a hinge, at a first end thereof, to a top end of the second wall panel 406 and extends horizontally from the top end of the second wall panel 406 to a second end thereof opposite to the first end thereof at a location directly or substantially directly above a second side or end of the first floor panel 402 that is opposite to the first side or end of the first floor panel 402 when the modular housing unit 400 is in the transport configuration. The modular housing unit 400 also includes a second ceiling and / or roof panel 410 that is rotatably coupled, such as by a hinge, at a first end thereof, to the second end of the first roof panel 408, and extends horizontally from the first end thereof at a location adjacent to the second end of the first roof panel 408 to a second end thereof at a location adjacent to the first end of the first roof panel 408 when the modular housing unit 400 is in the transport configuration. That is, the second roof panel 410 extends horizontally, and overlaps the first roof panel 408 in a vertical direction when the modular housing unit 400 is in the transport configuration.

[0094] The modular housing unit 400 also includes a third wall panel 412 that is rotatably coupled, such as by a hinge, at a first end thereof, to the second end of the second roof panel 410, and extends horizontally from the first end thereof at a location adjacent to the second end of the second roof panel 410 to a second end thereof at a location adjacent to a middle portion of the second roof panel 410 when the modular housing unit 400 is in the transport configuration. That is, the third wall panel 410 extends horizontally, and overlaps the first roof panel 408 and the second roof panel 410 in a vertical direction when the modular housing unit 400 is in the transport configuration. The modular housing unit 400 also includes a second floor panel 414 that is rotatably coupled, such as by a hinge, at a first end thereof, to the second side or end of the first floor panel 402 opposite to the first side or end thereof, and extends vertically from a first end thereof at a location adjacent to the second end of the first floor panel 402 to a second end thereof when the modular housing unit 400 is in the transport configuration.

[0095] The modular housing unit 400 also includes a fourth wall panel 416 that is rotatably coupled, such as by a hinge, at a first end thereof, to the second end of the second floor panel 414, and extends vertically from a first end thereof at a location adjacent to the second end of the second floor panel 414 to a second end thereof at a location adjacent to the second end of the first roof panel 408 and to the first end of the second roof panel 410 when the modular housing unit 400 is in the transport configuration. The modular housing unit 400 also includes a fifth wall panel 418 that is rotatably coupled, such as by a hinge, at a first end thereof, to the second end of the fourth wall panel 416, and extends vertically from the first end thereof at alocation adjacent to the second end of the fourth wall panel 416 to a second end thereof when the modular housing unit 400 is in the transport configuration. That is, the fifth wall panel 418 extends vertically, and overlaps the second floor panel 414 and / or the fourth wall panel 416 in a horizontal direction when the modular housing unit 400 is in the transport configuration.

[0096] As further illustrated in Figure 24A, the modular housing unit 400 also includes at least two braces 420a and 420b. The first brace 420a extends diagonally, that is, both vertically and horizontally, from a central portion of the first floor panel 420, to a central portion of the first wall panel 404. The second brace 420b extends diagonally, that is, both vertically and horizontally, from a central portion of the first floor panel 420, to the second end of the second floor panel 414. Thus, the braces 420a and 420b can support the overall structure of the modular housing unit 400 when it is in the transport configuration to reduce the chance of collapse or other structural failure during transportation.

[0097] Figure 24B illustrates the modular housing unit 400 after it is removed from the trailer within which it was transported to its destination, and as it is being reconfigured from the transport configuration to an installed configuration. As illustrated in Figure 24B, the modular housing unit 400 may further include a foundation component or panel 422 that can be coupled to an underside or bottom surface of the second floor panel 414, to form a second floor or base portion, which may also be referred to as a second foundation. A method of converting or reconfiguring the modular housing unit 400 from its transport configuration to its installed configuration may include removing the modular housing unit 400 from the trailer. The method may further include positioning the first floor panel 402 on a ground surface at a desired installation location. The method may further include coupling, attaching, or mounting the panel 422 to the outer surface of the second floor panel 414. The method may further include removing the second brace 414 to allow the second floor panel 414 to rotate with respect to the first floor panel 402 about its hinged connection thereto, and rotating the second floor panel 414 with respect to the first floor panel 402 about its hinged connection thereto until the second floor panel extends parallel to the first floor panel 402, that is, horizontally, and the panel 422 rests on a ground surface at a desired installation location.

[0098] The method may further include rotating the fourth wall panel 416 with respect to the second floor panel 414 about its hinged connection thereto until the fourth wall panel 416 extends perpendicular to the second floor panel 414, that is, vertically. The method may further include rotating the fifth wall panel 418 with respect to the fourth wall panel 416 about its hinged connection thereto until the fifth wall panel 418 extends perpendicular to the second floor panel414 and parallel or aligned with the fourth wall panel 416, that is, vertically. The method may further include rotating the first roof panel 408 with respect to the first wall panel 404 and the second wall panel 406 about its hinged connection thereto, such as until the first roof panel 408 extends at a first oblique angle with respect to the first wall panel 404 and the second wall panel 406, that is, extends both vertically and horizontally. The method may further include rotating the second roof panel 410 with respect to the first roof panel 408 about its hinged connection thereto, such as until the second roof panel 410 extends at a second oblique angle with respect to the first wall panel 404 and the second wall panel 406, that is, extends both vertically and horizontally, and until the second end of the second roof panel 410 is directly vertically above the second end of the second floor panel 414. In some embodiments, the first and second oblique angles may be complementary such that an orientation of the first roof panel 408 is a mirror image of an orientation of the second roof panel 410 about a vertical axis.

[0099] The method may further include rotating the third wall panel 412 with respect to the second roof panel 410 about its hinged connection thereto, until the third wall panel 412 extends vertically and the second end of the third wall panel 412 is adjacent to the second end of the fifth wall panel 418. The method may further include coupling the second end of the third wall panel 412 to the second end of the fifth wall panel 418. In some embodiments, the second end of the third wall panel 412 may be coupled to the second end of the fifth wall panel 418 such that the third wall panel 412 can slide or otherwise translate vertically with respect to the fifth wall panel 418. The method may further include removing the first brace 420a. In some embodiments, these actions are performed in the order in which they have been described, while in other embodiments, these actions may be performed in other orders. In some embodiments, one or more of these actions may be performed simultaneously.

[0100] Figure 24C illustrates the modular housing unit 400 in an installed configuration. In the installed configuration, the second wall panel 406 can slide or otherwise translate vertically with respect to the first wall panel 404 and the third wall panel 412 can slide or otherwise translate vertically with respect to the fifth wall panel 418. Thus, the second wall panel 406, the first roof panel 408, the second roof panel 410, and the third wall panel 412 can collectively slide upwards and downwards with respect to the rest of the modular housing unit 400, such as to increase a height of the modular housing unit 400 and increase the amount of space enclosed therein. Figure 25 illustrates an example floor plan of the modular housing unit 400 in its installed configuration. As illustrated in Figure 25, the modular housing unit can have a floorplan with similarities to the floorplans illustrated in Figures 9-11. For example, the1floorplan may include a stacked washer and dryer and / or a laundry room. The floorplan illustrated in Figure 25 may be 14 feet wide and 38 feet long, and provide 532 square feet of living space.

[0101] As illustrated in Figure 24A, when the modular housing unit 400 is in its transport configuration, the first and second braces 420a, 420b support side walls of the modular housing unit 400 from the inside of the modular housing unit 400. As illustrated in Figure 24C, when the modular housing unit 400 has been converted to its installed configuration, the first and second braces 420a, 420b support side walls of the modular housing unit 400 from the outside of the modular housing unit 400. While Figures 24A-24C illustrate side walls of the modular housing unit 400, it is understood that the modular housing unit 400 also has front and rear end walls as well. In some embodiments, when the modular housing unit 400 is in the transport configuration, the two end walls, including any doors and windows installed therein, can be transported in pieces, such as two pieces each, and can be stored in the transport configuration within or inside of the open interior of the rest of the modular housing unit 400 as illustrated in Figure 24A. Such end walls can be configured to be manually manipulated and small enough and light enough to be lifted and positioned manually or by hand.

[0102] Similarly, various embodiments are described elsewhere herein as having side walls (e.g., upper and lower portions thereof), ceilings, floors, etc. While these described and illustrated embodiments include side walls, ceilings, floors, and other features, it is understood that the various embodiments described herein also include front and rear end walls as well. In some embodiments, the front and rear end walls are integral components of the modular housing units described herein, while in other embodiments, the front and rear end walls are integral components of the permanent structural frameworks described herein and not of the modular housing units. In some embodiments, a first, outside, or openable deck-side end wall is made of a combination of metal and glass and a second, inside, or non-openable / fixed patio-side end wall is constructed of metal and / or glass. In some embodiments, both of the first and second end walls remain with the permanently constructed structural framework, when a corresponding modular housing unit is removed therefrom, and are not moved with the modular housing unit.

[0103] As illustrated in Figure 25, permanently installed fixtures and appliances may all be located on one side, such as one half, of the floor plan (e.g., on the left 7 feet of the floor plan as illustrated in Figure 25. Thus, the left side of the floor plan illustrated in Figure 25 may correspond to the first floor panel 402 illustrated in Figures 24A-24C and the right side of the floor plan illustrated in Figure 25 may correspond to the second floor panel 414 illustrated inFigures 24A-24C. Furthermore, the furniture, fixtures, and appliances may all be configured to be located to allow the opposite side of the floor plan (e.g., the right side of the floor plan as illustrated in Figure 25) to fold upwards along the centerline of the floor plan to reconfigure the modular housing unit 400 to its transport configuration. A variety of distinct floor plans, including a floor plan of the modular housing unit 400, are described herein. In the context of the various floor plans of modular housing units described herein, it is understood that these are floor plans of individual modular housing units rather than an entire floor of a larger structural framework configured to receive the modular housing units. In practice, a single floor of such a larger structural framework may receive a variety of different modular housing units each having its own distinct or unique interior floor plan, such as in accordance with the descriptions herein.

[0104] Figure 26 illustrates that the modular housing unit 400 may be field-deployable. Thus, modular housing units as described herein may be configured for installation within a larger, more permanent structural frame, as described with respect to Figures 1-23, or may be configured for installation in a freestanding mode, as described with respect to Figures 24-26. As illustrated in Figure 26 in particular, a plurality of modular housing units 400 may be installed in an array, such as in an array of four by twelve, forming a total of forty-eight modular housing units 400. Each of the modular housing units 400 in such an array may be coupled to a variety of utility services, such as a water tank 450, a tank of natural gas 452, and / or an electrical generator 454. Such an array of modular housing units 400 may be particularly useful in quickly establishing housing services in the wake of a natural disaster or other circumstances which cause unplanned and urgent migration.

[0105] Figure 27A illustrates a removable / relocatable modular housing unit 500 in a folded-up, packed-up, or transport configuration for transportation from a first location to a second location. Figure 27A illustrates an end view of the folded-up modular housing unit 500, such that the longest rectilinear dimension of the folded-up modular housing unit 500 is into the page in the view of Figure 27 A. The components of the modular housing unit 500 described herein may be substantially the same along their lengths into the page in the view of Figure 27A, that is, the wall, floor, and ceiling or roof elements of the modular housing unit 500 may have profiles that change very little or not at all in a direction extending into the page in Figure 27A.

[0106] As illustrated in Figure 27A, the modular housing unit 500 includes a first wall portion 502, which extends vertically. The modular housing unit 500 also includes a first floor portion 504 rigidly coupled to a bottom end of the first wall portion 502 and extending horizontally from a first side or end thereof coupled to the bottom end of the first wall portion502. The modular housing unit 500 also includes a second floor portion 506 that is rotatably coupled, such as by a hinge, at a first end thereof, to a second side or end of the first floor portion 504, and extends vertically from the second side or end of the first floor portion 504 to a second end thereof opposite to the first end thereof at a location directly or substantially directly above the second side or end of the first floor portion 504. The modular housing unit 500 also includes a third floor portion 508 that is rotatably coupled, such as by a hinge, at a first end thereof, to a second side or end of the second floor portion 506, and extends vertically from the second side or end of the second floor portion 506 to a second end thereof opposite to the first end thereof at a location directly or substantially directly below the second side or end of the second floor portion 506.

[0107] The modular housing unit 500 also includes a fourth floor portion 510 that is rotatably coupled, such as by a hinge, at a first end thereof, to a second side or end of the third floor portion 508, and extends horizontally from the second side or end of the third floor portion 508 to a second end thereof opposite to the first end thereof at a location directly or substantially directly across from the second side or end of the third floor portion 508. The modular housing unit 500 also includes a second wall portion 512 rigidly coupled to a second side or end of the fourth floor portion 510 and extending vertically from a first side or end thereof coupled to the second side or end of the fourth floor portion 510. Figure 27B illustrates the self-contained modular housing unit 500 in an installed configuration, in which the floor portions have rotated with respect to one another about their hinged connections such that each of the first, second, third, and fourth floor portions 504, 506, 508, and 510 are arranged and oriented horizontally. Due to the way the modular housing unit 500 expands from the transport configuration to the installed configuration, it may be referred to as an accordion-style or accordion-actuated modular housing unit 500.

[0108] As illustrated in Figure 27A, in the transport configuration, the modular housing unit 500 can have an overall height of 8.0 feet and an overall width of 8.0 feet. As illustrated in Figure 27B, in the installed configuration, the modular housing unit 500 can have an overall height of 8.0 feet and an overall width of 24.0 feet. In some embodiments, the modular housing unit 500 can have an overall length (into the page in Figures 27A and 27B) of 40.0 feet, and therefore provide 960 square feet of total living space. As further illustrated in Figures 27A and 27B, the modular housing unit 500 may include lower cabinets, sink(s), counters, and appliances generally designated with reference 520 and / or upper cabinets 522. A separate utilidor 521 can provide a variety of utility connections, hookups, or other hardware for connecting the modularhousing unit 500 to utility services, such as water, gas, electric, and / or communications services. In some embodiments, these utility connections, hookups, or other hardware may extend through the vertical side walls of the modular housing unit 500, and not through the floor or ceiling thereof. In other embodiments, these utility connections, hookups, or other hardware may extend through the vertical side walls of the modular housing unit 500, and through the floor or ceiling thereof. In other embodiments, these utility connections, hookups, or other hardware may not extend through the vertical side walls of the modular housing unit 500, and may extend through the floor or ceiling thereof.

[0109] Figure 27C illustrates a removable / relocatable modular housing unit 600 in a folded-up, packed-up, or transport configuration for transportation from a first location to a second location. Figure 27C illustrates an end view of the folded-up modular housing unit 600, such that the longest rectilinear dimension of the folded-up modular housing unit 600 is into the page in the view of Figure 27C. The components of the modular housing unit 600 described herein may be substantially the same along their lengths into the page in the view of Figure 27C, that is, the wall, floor, and ceiling or roof elements of the modular housing unit 600 may have profiles that change very little or not at all in a direction extending into the page in Figure 27C.

[0110] As illustrated in Figure 27C, the modular housing unit 600 includes a first wall portion 602, which extends vertically. The modular housing unit 600 also includes a first floor portion 604 rigidly coupled to a bottom end of the first wall portion 602 and extending horizontally from a first side or end thereof coupled to the bottom end of the first wall portion 602. The modular housing unit 600 also includes a second floor portion 606 that is rotatably coupled, such as by a hinge, at a first end thereof, to a second side or end of the first floor portion 604, and extends vertically from the second side or end of the first floor portion 604 to a second end thereof opposite to the first end thereof at a location directly or substantially directly above the second side or end of the first floor portion 604. The modular housing unit 600 also includes a third floor portion 608 that is not directly coupled to, but is adjacent to and / or abuts the second floor portion 606, and extends horizontally away from the bottom end of the second floor portion 606.

[0111] The modular housing unit 600 also includes a second wall portion 610 rigidly coupled to a second side or end of the third floor portion 608 and extending vertically from a first side or end thereof coupled to the second side or end of the third floor portion 608. Figure 27D illustrates the self-contained modular housing unit 600 in an installed configuration, in which the second floor portion 606 has rotated with respect to the first floor portion 604 about their hingedconnection such that each of the first, second, and third floor portions 604, 606, and 608 are arranged and oriented horizontally. Figures 27C and 27D illustrate that the modular housing unit 600 can have a specific set of dimensions, although in other embodiments these dimensions may be different. Figures 27C and 27D also illustrate that the modular housing unit 600 can have additional features, such as utilidors, described with respect to the modular housing unit 500.

[0112] Figure 27E illustrates a removable / relocatable modular housing unit 700 in a folded-up, packed-up, or transport configuration for transportation from a first location to a second location. Figure 27E illustrates an end view of the folded-up modular housing unit 700, such that the longest rectilinear dimension of the folded-up modular housing unit 700 is into the page in the view of Figure 27E. The components of the modular housing unit 700 described herein may be substantially the same along their lengths into the page in the view of Figure 27E, that is, the wall, floor, and ceiling or roof elements of the modular housing unit 700 may have profiles that change very little or not at all in a direction extending into the page in Figure 27E.

[0113] As illustrated in Figure 27E, the modular housing unit 700 includes a first wall portion 702, which extends vertically. The modular housing unit 700 also includes a first floor portion 704 rigidly coupled to a bottom end of the first wall portion 702 and extending horizontally from a first side or end thereof coupled to the bottom end of the first wall portion 702. The modular housing unit 700 also includes a second floor portion 706 that is rotatably coupled, such as by a hinge, at a first end thereof, to a second side or end of the first floor portion 704, and extends vertically from the second side or end of the first floor portion 704 to a second end thereof opposite to the first end thereof at a location directly or substantially directly above the second side or end of the first floor portion 704.

[0114] As illustrated in Figure 27E, the modular housing unit 700 includes a third floor portion 708, which extends vertically, and which is not directly coupled to, but is adjacent to and / or abuts the second floor portion 706. The modular housing unit 700 also includes a fourth floor portion 710 that is rotatably coupled, such as by a hinge, to a bottom end of the third wall portion 708 and that extends horizontally from a first side or end thereof coupled to the bottom end of the third wall portion 708. The modular housing unit 700 also includes a second wall portion 712 rigidly coupled to a second side or end of the fourth floor portion 710 and extending vertically from a first side or end thereof coupled to the second side or end of the fourth floor portion 710. Figure 27D illustrates the self-contained modular housing unit 700 in an installed configuration, in which the floor portions have rotated with respect to each other about their hinged connections such that each of the first, second, third, and fourth floor portions 704, 706,708, and 710 are arranged and oriented horizontally. Figures 27E and 27F illustrate that the modular housing unit 700 can have a specific set of dimensions, although in other embodiments these dimensions may be different. Figures 27E and 27F also illustrate that the modular housing unit 700 can have additional features, such as utilidors, described with respect to the modular housing unit 500.

[0115] The units shown in Figures 27A-27F may have different allocations and / or sizes of floor space between the two sidewalls that define boundaries of the units as indicated with the numbered dimensions along the bottom of the units in feet. For example, the units may have 5.5 feet and 2.5 feet of floor space that is fixed in the sense that it does not change in the collapsed configuration with one or more 8-foot rotatable panels between these two fixed sections as in Figures 27A and 27B. Alternatively, the units may have 6.5 feet and 1.5 feet of fixed floor space and one or more intermediate panels or sections of 8 feet between the fixed sections as in Figures 27C-27F. These dimensions are selected to allow for suitable floor space for permanent installations (i.e., cabinets and the like) and overall dimensions in the collapsed configuration to allow for transport with a truck or other conventional method, as described herein. But the disclosure is not limited to the above examples and the fixed dimensions may be different, such as any value to two decimal places between 0 feet and 8 feet, or if specialized transports are used, more than 8 feet.

[0116] Figure 28A illustrates a front view of modular housing unit 500 installed within a structural framework including a first structural wall 550, a second structural wall 552, and a plurality of floor joists 564. In some embodiments, the structural framework, including the first structural wall 550, the second structural wall 552, and the floor joists 564, are made of steel, and are not made of concrete. As illustrated in Figure 28A, the overall system may include the structural walls 550 and 552, the floor joists 564, the modular housing unit 500, a drain pipe 554 below the modular housing unit 500 for carrying water, sewage, or other materials away from the modular housing unit 500, such as from the sink installed in or on cabinets 520, as well as a drip pan 556 below the modular housing unit 500 and drain pipe 554, where the drip pan 556 is configured to catch any liquids or other materials leaking out of the modular housing unit 500 and / or drain pipe 554. In some embodiments, the drain pipe 554 and the drip pan 556 may be permanently-installed components of the structural framework, rather than being components of the modular housing unit 500. A front end of the overall system may include a faqade 558, a fixed piece of glass sheathing 560, and an opening, openable, sliding, and / or slidable piece of glass sheathing 562. To secure the modular housing unit 500 to the structural framework, themodular housing unit 500 may be positioned to rest on the floor joists 564, and may be coupled to the first and second structural walls 550, 552, by a plurality of thru-bolts 566. In some embodiments, the modular housing unit 500 is also covered or sheathed in an insulative blanket or other material 568, which may provide acoustic and / or thermal insulation. The unit may also have a utilidor 521 and upper cabinets 522, as described above.

[0117] Figure 28B illustrates a side view of the modular housing unit 500 installed within the structural framework as illustrated in Figure 28A. As illustrated in Figure 28B, the modular housing unit 500 may rest on the plurality of floor joists 564, and may include a plurality of individual wall panels 570 secured between respective wall studs 572, where each of the wall studs 572 sits on a respective stud base 574 supported by a respective floor joist 564. In some embodiments, all utilities, such as electrical outlets, may be positioned at accessible locations. In some cases, such features may be located at least 3, at least 4, or at least 5 feet above ground level or above floor level, such that an occupant may more easily reach such features without reaching upward or downward.

[0118] Figure 28C illustrates a front view of a modular housing unit installed within a structural framework. The embodiment illustrated in Figure 28C may include features described herein with respect to Figures 28A and 28B. The embodiment illustrated in Figure 28C includes a drip pan 580, which may include features described herein for drip pan 556, except that the drip pan 580 has two low points, one at each of opposite sides of the system, rather than a single central low point. The embodiment illustrated in Figure 28C also includes two drain pipes 582, each of which may include features described herein for drain pipe 554, and each of which provides a drain at a respective one of the low points of the drip pan 580. Such an embodiment allows the contour of the drip pan 580 to nest with the contour of the ceiling of the floor just below it, improving overall space efficiency.

[0119] Figures 29A-C illustrate an exterior, front end view, a side view, and an interior, rear end view, respectively, of portions of a structural framework. In particular, Figure 29A illustrates that the structural framework may include a sliding glass door 584 that can be opened to create an opening that is 8 feet by 8 feet, through which a modular housing unit may be installed into or removed from the structural framework. In some embodiments, the sliding glass door may include one or more removable tracks along which the sliding glass doors slide. The tracks can be removed to increase the size of the opening when a modular housing unit is being installed into or removed from the structural framework. Figure 29B further illustrates that the front and / or rear walls of the structural framework may include hinges 586 at an upper portionthereof, such that the walls can be hinged and rotate outward to relieve tension during installation of the unit. In some embodiments, the front and / or rear walls of the structural framework may further include screws 588 or other mechanisms to allow the walls to be rotated about their hinges 586.

[0120] In more detail, and with reference to Figure 29B, a tower or structural frame may include multiple bays for receiving modular storage units in a stacked arrangement. Each unit may generally include at least the features described with reference to Figure 28A or as otherwise described herein, such as a floor 567, a lower sidewall 569, and one or more slide-ins 571. The structural frame may include floor joists 564 that support the floor 567 and / or overall unit, a secondary floor 583 (such as a loft floor 583), an upper sidewall 573 that may be a sidewall of the loft area, a ceiling 575, and an extendible and / or retractable cable 577 coupled between the secondary floor 583 and the ceiling 575. The framework further includes one or more winches 579, a drip pan 556, and hinges 586. The winches 579 are coupled to the cables 577 and operable to retract or extend the cables 577 to raise and lower the secondary floor 583, upper sidewall 573, and ceiling 575 as a single assembly or unit during insertion and removal. Specifically, the winches 579 may retract the cables 577 to raise the secondary floor 583 (as well as sidewall 573 and ceiling 575) to provide clearance and alleviate tension during the installation of the unit. The raised secondary floor 583 also provides space or clearance for extension of the slide-ins 571 during installation. Once the unit is installed, the winches 579 extend or lower the secondary floor 583 until it rests on top of, and is supported by, the lower sidewalls 569 and the slide-ins 571 of the unit. In an embodiment, the winches 579 move the secondary floor 583 by about 1-6 inches, and more preferably, about 1-3 inches. Accordingly, implementations of the systems herein may also provide for a loft as part of the permanent framework in a tower or stacked configuration of multiple units.

[0121] The tower may also include hinges 586 that enable outer wall sections 590 of the framework to be articulated, rotated, or otherwise moved to likewise alleviate tension and create space and clearance for installation of the unit. The hinges 586 are located above the peak of the ceiling of the unit to allow the entire outer wall 590 of the framework to move. The framework may further include structural walls, supports, columns, and the like for supporting the framework as otherwise described herein that are not illustrated here for brevity and to avoid obscuring concepts of the disclosure.

[0122] Figures 30A-30C illustrate another modular housing system, arrangement, or configuration 600 including a loft. As described herein, a modular housing unit may be insertedinto an existing or permanent host frame. The system 600, as well as other systems described herein, are not limited to any particular frame design. Thus, for example, the system 600 may be framed to include a permanent loft as in Figures 30A-30C. Specifically, Figure 30A includes, from left to right, an end wall front view, a side view, and a back view of the system 600 and / or a frame 602 of the system 600 for receiving a modular housing unit of the type described herein. The frame 602 may include, on at least one end, a secondary floor 603 above the living area but below a cathedral or vaulted ceiling 604 (or other selected type of ceiling) with the space between the secondary floor 603 and the ceiling 604 forming a loft 608 or secondary living area. In other words, the loft 608 may extend from the second floor 603 to an upper portion or top of the ceiling 604. The frame 602 further includes frame elements 606 that support the secondary floor 603 and / or ceiling 604. The components of the frame 602 (i.e., the secondary floor 603, ceiling 604, and frame elements 606) as well as their respective constituent parts may be coupled together or otherwise constructed using any available framing technique as well as fasteners, brackets, and the like.

[0123] In an embodiment, the frame elements 606 are beams, columns, studs, and the like that provide structural support for the system 600. The frame elements 606 may be associated with, or covered by, various finishes typical of living spaces. For example, exterior surfaces of the frame elements 606 may be covered by siding while interior surfaces of the frame elements may be unfinished, or covered by sheetrock, drywall, etc.

[0124] The frame elements 606 include or define an access opening 612 that is configured to receive the modular housing units described herein. Preferably, the opening 612 has a size and a shape corresponding to a size and shape of the modular housing unit in a collapsed configuration. For example, where the modular housing unit has outer dimensions (i.e., width and height) of 8 foot by 8 foot, the opening 612 has a minimum size of 8 foot by 8 foot corresponding to the size of the modular housing unit. The opening 612 may preferably be slight larger (i.e., 8.5 foot by 8.5 foot) to provide some clearance during installation and removal of the modular housing unit(s). The frame 602 may also include one or more temporary openings 614 on one or both sides of the access opening 612 to provide workers with safe and easy access to expansion areas during installation of the modular housing unit. The frame 602 further includes ingress and / or egress windows, doors, openings, and the like for access to sleeping areas with the number, size, location, and other characteristics of the ingress and / or egress points depending on the design and local building codes.

[0125] In an embodiment, the ingress and / or egress points are permanently installed to the frame 602 in locations that avoid interference with insertion and / or removal of the modular housing unit. The temporary openings 614 may be removable and / or coverable areas of the external side or facade of the system 600 such that the openings 614 are accessible during insertion and removal of the modular housing unit, but coverable to ensure a secure and waterproof interior environment once the modular housing unit is installed. Such openings 614 may be covered by doors, siding or other dwelling covers, access panels, and the like. In an embodiment, the openings 612, 614 are covered by actuatable or movable panels of the type described herein, such as those described with reference to Figure 29B. Further, the secondary floor 603 is preferably suspended from the ceiling 604, such as with cables 610 shown in dashed lines in Figure 30A. The cables 610 have a variable length, such as through turnbuckles, brackets, and the like, so that the cables 610 can be retracted to raise the secondary floor 603 by a few inches during insertion and installation of a modular housing unit and lowered again to rest on the walls of the housing unit once installation is complete. Such an arrangement enables the sliding walls of the unit to be expanded without damaging the finishes or other aspects of the secondary floor 603.

[0126] Alternatively, the frame 602 may have a permanent construction and the loft is not movable. Instead, there may be sufficient clearance (i.e., 8 foot, 2 inches or other variations) between the primary floor of the frame 602 and the secondary floor 603. Once the unit is inserted and expanded, removable panels, coverings, and the like can be inserted to cover the gap between the top of the walls of the unit (at 8 foot tall) and the secondary floor 603 (at 8 foot, 2 inches or similar). In a further embodiment, the frame 602 is permanent and the loft is not movable, but instead of removable coverings to hide the gap, the entire housing unit is raisable or liftable to bring the walls of the unit into contact with the secondary floor 603 after installation. For example, the unit can be lifted and held in place by separate or integrated hydraulic jacks. If the jacks are separate, the unit can be blocked into location once raised so that the jacks can be removed and reused for future installations.

[0127] In a further embodiment, the entire ceiling assembly (i.e., secondary floor 603, ceiling 604, and corresponding frame elements 606) can be movable to allow for lifting during insertion and lowering once the unit is expanded to complete the installation, as further described herein, such as with reference to Figure 29B.

[0128] Figure 30B provides a side view of the system 600 with a modular housing unit 616 installed in the system 600. The frame 602 of the system 600 may include fixed walls, suchas walls 611, that are permanently joined to frame 602 with conventional framing techniques. The modular housing unit 616 and / or system 600 includes fixed end walls or fixed lower end walls 618 that are coupled, joined, and / or sealed to the permanent lower walls 610 of the frame 602 with expandable and / or collapsible joints. The lower end walls 618 of the unit 616 may also be secured to the frame elements 606 with fasteners, brackets, and the like. A length of the system 600 and / or frame 602 may correspond to the length of modular housing unit 616, which in one non-limiting example is 20 feet or 40 feet long.

[0129] Figure 30C illustrates insertion and installation of the modular housing unit 616. As described elsewhere, the system 600 may include an elevator and / or conveyor 620 for lifting and / or moving the unit 616 to the location of the access opening 612 (Figure 30A). The elevator and / or conveyor 620 may include tracks 622 for sliding the unit 616 through the opening 612 and into the frame 602. The tracks 622 may be a belt and / or chain conveyor driven by a motor where the tracks 622 are configured to engage the bottom of the unit 616 via friction, direct mechanical engagement (hooks, brackets, etc.), and others. As described above, the secondary floor and / or ceiling may be raised by 1-6 inches, and more preferably, 1-3 inches before insertion of the unit 616. The unit 616 is initially received in the frame 602 in the collapsed configuration in an initial insertion area 624. Once received in the initial insertion area, the unit 616 is expanded into expansion areas 626 on either side of the initial insertion area 624 and further steps are taken to complete installation, as described herein. In an embodiment, a bottom of the modular housing unit 616 may have a bottom skid plate to avoid damage to the unit 616 during insertion and removal. The bottom skid plate may generally be a selected material, but may preferably be a polymer such as polyethylene or variants thereof due to the high tensile strength and lower cost. Other options are available, such as various metals and alloys, although such solutions may have higher cost. As noted, the bottom skid plate may also have mechanical couplings for engaging the tracks 622.

[0130] Figures 31 A-3 IE illustrate sequential steps in manufacturing, transport, and installation of a modular housing unit, such as modular housing unit 616. Figures 31 A-3 IE are provided to illustrate important aspects of an overall process for manufacturing the unit 616. Certain aspects of the method are not illustrated for brevity. Starting with Figure 31 A, a method of manufacturing the modular housing unit 616 begins by recycling and / or repurposing materials, such as a shipping container. An outer shell 628 of the unit 616 can be made from a material selected from hard and / or rigid materials suitable for housing construction and because it will not be visible once installed, recycled and / or repurposed materials are an ideal candidateas the material of the outer shell 628, although other materials are contemplated herein. For example, walls of a shipping container can be cut apart to form the outer shell 628. Other materials, including virgin materials (or non-recycled and / or non-repurposed materials) are considered for the shell. Once the outer shell 628 is fabricated, interior sidewalls 630 or finishes 630 are applied and fixtures such as upper cabinets 632 and utilidor 634 for water and electrical lines are installed. Unless otherwise stated herein, all of the modular housing units may include a utilidor 634 even if not illustrated in the drawings. Preferably, the utilidor is located directly below the upper cabinets in the unit, although the same is not necessarily required.

[0131] The finished walls are attached to the middle or floor section of the outer shell 628 with full length hinges 636 and rotated into the installed configuration. Then, a floor covering 638 is installed. Once the floor 638 is installed, additional fixtures such as lower cabinets and other appliances (also generally designated with reference 632) are installed. In an embodiment, the floor covering 638 includes break points in the floor covering 638 corresponding to the hinges 636. The floor covering 638 may also include removable pieces, sections, or panels corresponding to the hinges 636 which can be removed when the floor is folded about the hinges 636 and reinstalled after insertion and installation of the modular housing unit 616. After the floor covering 638 is installed, additional cabinets 632 (i.e., lower cabinets), appliances, and slide-ins 640 are installed. The slide-ins 640 may be slidable and / or collapsible partitions. For example, the slide-ins 640 may be a wall section that slides to be received in a nested configuration in another, preferably permanent, wall section, similar to a pocket door, when the unit 616 is in the collapsed configuration for transport. Figure 31A illustrates the modular housing unit 616 after the completion of the above steps.

[0132] After the above initial manufacturing steps, and with reference to Figure 3 IB, the slide-ins 640 are expanded, wiring and plumbing are connected, and the unit 616 is inspected and tested to ensure it is suitable for use. At this stage, assuming the unit 616 passes testing and inspecting, manufacturing is complete and the unit 616 is ready to be collapsed for shipping. Turning to Figure 31C, the furniture and other movable items in the unit 616 are rearranged and stored in a “fixed” section 642 of the unit 616, meaning a section that does not fold or collapse. The floor covering 638 on the hinges 636 is removed as needed and the slide-ins 640 and shell 628 and / or floor 638 are collapsed by rotating about the hinges 636 as shown with arrows until the unit 616 is in a collapsed state ready for shipping. As shown in Figure 3 ID, the collapsed unit 616 is inserted into a standard-sized shipping container 644 or CONEX container, as described herein. The unit 616 can then be transported by truck 646 to its final destination. Theunit 616 may also be transported by any other method suitable for transport of shipping containers, such as by rail, boat, air, etc.

[0133] As described elsewhere, the unit 616 arrives at its destination and is inserted into an assigned space within a host frame. Then, as shown in Figure 3 IE, the unit 616 is expanded, including by expanding the outer shell 628 and / or floor 638 and slide-ins 640. The process of expansion is the inverse of the process described above for collapsing the unit 616. Further, in some embodiments, the secondary floor 603 is raised prior to insertion and expansion of the unit 616 to allow for extension of the slide-ins 640. The floor covering 638 is reinstalled over the hinges 636 as needed. Then, the utilities are connected and furniture is rearranged. In an embodiment, the frame’s upper walls and loft (i.e., ceiling 604 and / or secondary floor 603) are lowered and come to rest atop the lower side walls and slide-ins 640 of the unit 616. Alternatively, only the secondary floor 603 is lowered into place with the ceiling 604 remaining static. Other variations are contemplated, as above. Finally, a drop-down staircase 648 that is part of the existing frame 602 and / or secondary floor 603 is lowered and installed to provide access to the loft 608, which is illustrated schematically with dashed lines. Notably, the size of the loft 608 (i.e., square footage or area over the lower floor) may generally be selected and may be approximately a quarter, half, three quarters, or all, of the floor space of the unit 616, among other options.

[0134] In some embodiments, the relocatable modular housing units described herein may be configured to fit within a standard shipping container, such as a CONEX box, to ease transportation. In some embodiments, the relocatable modular housing units described herein may include one or more “drop-down” components, such as a built in sleeping area, which may be raised to provide additional floor space for other activities, and lowered to provide a sleeping area. In some embodiments, the relocatable modular housing units described herein may be combined with one another to form larger living areas. For example, two modular housing units may be combined to provide a housing unit with twice the living space.

[0135] Any of the features described herein can be used in connection with modular housing units, and / or in connection with stand-alone housing units. In some embodiments, the features described herein can be used in any related application, such as in private, public, or other housing application, such as various secured, climate-controlled interior spaces, including offices, medical facilities including dental offices, manufacturing, storage, or other industrial or commercial facilities, retail stores, etc. These features can be used generally to exclude inclement and / or hazardous weather, unpleasant temperatures and / or unwanted intruders.Accordingly, the concepts of the disclosure provide a safe, efficient, enjoyable, flexible, sustainable and affordable occupant-owned habitat that can be utilized in a variety types of buildings and dwellings.

[0136] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 613,615 filed on December 21, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 561,158 filed on March 4, 2024, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0137] Aspects of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method, comprising: removing a relocatable housing unit from a first structural framework or its place of original manufacture; transporting the relocatable housing unit from the first structural framework or the place of original manufacture to a second structural framework; and installing the relocatable housing unit within the second structural framework.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein transporting the relocatable housing unit includes transporting the relocatable housing unit at least one mile.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein transporting the relocatable housing unit includes transporting the relocatable housing unit from a first city to a second city.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein transporting the relocatable housing unit includes transporting the relocatable housing unit from a first country to a second country.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the relocatable housing unit includes kitchen appliances, bathroom fixtures, furniture, and personal items.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the relocatable housing unit does not include weather-proof exterior walls or cladding.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein, when the relocatable housing unit is installed in the first structural framework, the relocatable housing unit does not include any structural elements that carry any loads of the first structural framework, and, when the relocatable housing unit is installed in the second structural framework, the relocatable housing unit does not include any structural elements that carry any loads of the second structural framework.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein removing the relocatable housing unit from the first structural framework includes moving the relocatable housing unit through an exterior wall of the first structural framework and installing the relocatable housing unit within the secondstructural framework includes moving the relocatable housing unit through an exterior wall of the second structural framework.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein transporting the relocatable housing unit includes transporting the relocatable housing unit by roadway.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second structural frameworks each include at least three floors.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second structural frameworks each include at least ten floors.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein, when the relocatable housing unit is installed in the first structural framework, a first plurality of additional relocatable housing units are installed in the first structural framework and all of the relocatable housing units installed in the first structural framework are occupied by different residents, and, when the relocatable housing unit is installed in the second structural framework, a second plurality of additional relocatable housing units are installed in the second structural framework and all of the relocatable housing units installed in the second structural framework are occupied by different residents.

13. A structural framework, comprising: a first bay configured to receive a first relocatable modular housing unit, wherein the first bay includes a first dropped ceiling configured to be coupled to upper portions of the first relocatable modular housing unit when the first relocatable modular housing unit is installed in the first bay; and a second bay configured to receive a second relocatable modular housing unit, wherein the second bay includes a second dropped ceiling configured to be coupled to upper portions of the second relocatable modular housing unit when the second relocatable modular housing unit is installed in the second bay.

14. The structural framework of claim 13, wherein the first dropped ceiling is configured to be arranged as either a flat ceiling or a cathedral ceiling.

15. The structural framework of claim 13, wherein the first dropped ceiling is configured to be arranged as either a level ceiling or a sloped ceiling.

16. The structural framework of claim 13 wherein the first dropped ceiling does not include any structural elements that carry any loads of the first structural framework other than loads of the first dropped ceiling, and the second dropped ceiling does not include any structural elements that carry any loads of the second structural framework other than loads of the second dropped ceiling.

17. The structural framework of claim 13, wherein: the first bay includes first upper portions of walls coupled to the first dropped ceiling, where the first upper portions of walls are configured to be coupled to first lower portions of walls of the first relocatable modular housing unit when the first relocatable modular housing unit is installed in the first bay; and the second bay includes second upper portions of walls coupled to the second dropped ceiling, where the second upper portions of walls are configured to be coupled to second lower portions of walls of the second relocatable modular housing unit when the second relocatable modular housing unit is installed in the second bay.

18. A relocatable modular housing unit configured to be installed within a structural frame, comprising: a first lower portion of a side wall configured to be coupled to a first upper portion of a sidewall of the structural frame; a second lower portion of a side wall, opposite to the first lower portion of a side wall, configured to be coupled to a second upper portion of a sidewall of the structural frame; a floor; and appliances; wherein the relocatable modular housing unit does not have a ceiling.

19. The relocatable modular housing unit of claim 18, wherein the relocatable modular housing unit is configured to fit within a standard shipping container.

20. A relocatable modular housing unit configured to be installed within a structural frame, comprising: a first side wall; a first floor portion coupled to the first side wall; a second floor portion rotatable with respect to the first floor portion; and a second side wall, opposite to the first side wall and coupled to the second floor portion; wherein the second side wall and second floor portion are configured to rotate and tip-in relative to the first side wall and the first floor portion.

21. The relocatable modular housing unit of claim 20, wherein, when the second side wall and the second floor portion are rotated and tipped-in relative to the first side wall and the first floor portion, the relocatable modular housing unit is configured to fit within a standard shipping container.

22. The relocatable modular housing unit of claim 20, wherein the second floor portion has a floor space that is half of a total floor space of the relocatable modular housing unit.

23. The relocatable modular housing unit of claim 20, wherein the second floor portion has a floor space that is one third of a total floor space of the relocatable modular housing unit.

24. The relocatable modular housing unit of claim 20, wherein the first and second floor portions each extend along a longest dimension of the relocatable modular housing unit.

25. The relocatable modular housing unit of claim 20, wherein permanently installed fixtures and appliances are located on the first floor portion and no permanently installed fixtures or appliances are located on the second floor portion.

26. A relocatable modular housing unit having a transport configuration and an installed configuration, comprising: a first floor panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a second floor panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;a first roof panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a second roof panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a first wall panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a second wall panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a third wall panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a fourth wall panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; wherein the first end of the first wall panel is coupled to the first end of the first floor panel, the first end of the second wall panel is coupled to the second end of the first wall panel, the first end of the first roof panel is coupled to the second end of the second wall panel, the first end of the second roof panel is coupled to the second end of the first roof panel, the first end of the third wall panel is coupled to the second end of the second roof panel, the first end of the second floor panel is coupled to the second end of the first floor panel, and the first end of the fourth wall panel is coupled to the second end of the second floor panel.

27. The relocatable modular housing unit of claim 26, wherein: when the relocatable modular housing unit is in the transport configuration, the first floor panel, the first roof panel, the second roof panel, and the third wall panel extend horizontally and parallel to one another, and the first wall panel, the second wall panel, the second floor panel, and the fourth wall panel extend vertically, parallel to one another, and perpendicular to the first floor panel, the first roof panel, the second roof panel, and the third wall panel; and when the relocatable modular housing unit is in the installed configuration, the first floor panel and the second floor panel extend horizontally and parallel to one another, and the first wall panel, the second wall panel, the third wall panel, and the fourth wall panel extend vertically, parallel to one another, and perpendicular to the first floor panel and second floor panel.

28. The relocatable modular housing unit of claim 26, wherein: the first wall panel is rigidly coupled to the first floor panel; the second wall panel is slidably coupled to the first wall panel; the first roof panel is rotatably coupled to the second wall panel; the second roof panel is rotatably coupled to the first roof panel; the third wall panel is rotatably coupled to the second roof panel; the second floor panel is rotatably coupled to the first floor panel; andthe fourth wall panel is rotatably coupled to the second floor panel.

29. The relocatable modular housing unit of claim 28, further comprising: a fifth wall panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; wherein the first end of the fifth wall panel is rotatably coupled to the second end of the fourth wall panel.

30. The relocatable modular housing unit of claim 29, wherein, when the relocatable modular housing unit is in the installed configuration, the third wall panel is slidably coupled to the fifth wall panel.

31. A method of installing a relocatable modular housing unit, comprising: positioning a first floor panel at an installation location; rotating a second floor panel with respect to the first floor panel until the second floor panel extends horizontally at the installation location; rotating a first wall panel with respect to the second floor panel until the first wall panel extends vertically; rotating a first roof panel until the first roof panel extends at an oblique angle relative to the first and second floor panels; rotating a second roof panel with respect to the first roof panel until the second roof panel extends at an oblique angle relative to the first and second floor panels; and rotating a second wall panel with respect to the second roof panel until the second wall panel extends vertically directly above the first wall panel.

32. A relocatable modular housing unit having a transport configuration and an installed configuration, comprising: a first floor panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a second floor panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a third floor panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a fourth floor panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a first wall panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and a second wall panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;wherein the first end of the first wall panel is coupled to the first end of the first floor panel, the second end of the first floor panel is rotatably coupled to the first end of the second floor panel, the second end of the second floor panel is rotatably coupled to the first end of the third floor panel, the second end of the third floor panel is rotatably coupled to the first end of the fourth floor panel, and the first end of the second wall panel is coupled to the second end of the fourth floor panel.

33. A method of installing a relocatable modular housing unit, comprising: positioning a first floor panel at an installation location; and rotating a second floor panel with respect to the first floor panel, a third floor panel with respect to the second floor panel, and a fourth floor panel with respect to the third floor panel until the second, third, and fourth floor panels extend horizontally at the installation location.

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