US 12,031,318 B1
System and methods employing prefabricated volumetric construction modules including transforming truss elements
Jason Langer, Dubai (AE); and Christian Moore, London (GB)
Assigned to ROBERT BIRD GROUP PTY LTD, (AU)
Filed by ROBERT BIRD GROUP PTY LTD, Fortitude Valley (AU)
Filed on Apr. 6, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/296,529.
Application 18/296,529 is a continuation of application No. 18/164,408, filed on Feb. 3, 2023, granted, now 11,802,402.
Int. Cl. E04B 1/344 (2006.01); E04B 1/343 (2006.01); E04B 1/348 (2006.01)
CPC E04B 1/3441 (2013.01) [E04B 1/34384 (2013.01); E04B 1/34815 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of construction using prefabricated volumetric modules that generates open space without interrupting vertical columns comprising:
fabricating a plurality of transforming volumetric modules, each transforming volumetric module including a habitation zone and a truss zone positioned above the habitation zone, the plurality of transforming volumetric modules including vertical support columns that are configured to fold at a column joint, wherein the column joint is positioned where the habitation zone meets the truss zone;
configuring the plurality of transforming volumetric modules for transport on trucks, wherein the vertical support columns are folded thereby reducing a height of each of the plurality of transforming volumetric modules and enabling multiple to stack on each truck;
transporting the plurality of transforming volumetric modules to a construction site;
arranging the plurality of transforming volumetric modules into a floorplan configuration with vertical support columns in a vertical arrangement in a specified order, wherein an interior module is placed into the floorplan configuration first and one or more edge modules are subsequently placed into the floorplan configuration leaning against the interior module;
affixing the plurality of transforming volumetric modules together to one another; and
transitioning the vertical support columns of the interior module from the vertical arrangement to a truss arrangement; and
installing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (“MEP”) elements in the truss zone.