Method and system for a foldable structure employing material-filled panels

Abstract

In one embodiment, the present invention can include a foldable structure employing material-filled panels which can be used as an emergency shelter in disaster areas. A building can formed from one or more building blocks. The building blocks can be in a compact position, such as when being transported to a disaster area, or in an expanded position, such as when the building is ready to be built in the disaster area. In the expanded position, the building blocks can be filled with various materials such as expanding foam material. The expanding foam material can be formed from two mixing materials. In addition, the expanding foam material can have insulating properties. The building of the present invention can also be used, for example, as sheds, tree houses, and / or permanent housing. The building blocks can have marine applications and / or military application due to their light weight, yet, ballistic nature.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 61 / 219,281 entitled “FOLDABLE BUILDING STRUCTURE EMPLOYING FOAM-CORE BUILDING PANELS” filed on Jun. 22, 2009, and which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Disclosure[0003]The present disclosure generally relates to a method and system for a foldable structure employing material-filled panels.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Each year natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornados, floods, tsunamis, storms, and / or hurricanes occur in areas all over the world. These natural disasters are often unpredictable, terrifying, and devastating causing millions of dollars in damage and tremendous loss of life. The first hours and days of a natural disaster are critical to relief workers when attempting to mitigate the damage and casualties of the natural disaster area. However, the relief workers often have little to no place to s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The present invention is directed, for example, to a building which can be easily erected in an efficient manner while providing a comfortable and adequate shelter. In one embodiment, the present invention can be a foldable structure employing material-filled panels which can be used as an emergency shelter in disaster areas.

[0012]In addition, the present invention is sturdy enough such that when the relief workers are not needed anymore, the buildings can provide shelter for any displaced native population, reducing the recovery time period. The building of the present invention is also not limited to the emergency shelter, but can also be used, for example, as storage sheds, field hospitals, tree houses, and / or permanent housing. In addition, the building blocks can have marine applications and / or military application due to their light weight, yet, durable and ballistic nature.

Problems solved by technology

These natural disasters are often unpredictable, terrifying, and devastating causing millions of dollars in damage and tremendous loss of life.

However, the relief workers often have little to no place to stay due to the damage caused by the natural disaster to suitable shelters such as hotels, vacant apartments, or houses.

Moreover, to the extent that the natural disaster damages houses, apartments and hotels belonging to the native population, this displaced native population will also be in dire need of suitable shelter.

Because the building of even temporary housing is time consuming and expensive and can require, for example, natural resources which may not be readily available in the area affected by the natural disaster, the critical first hours and days of the natural disaster, are either wasted building housing for the relief workers rather than the displaced native population or are spent erecting temporary shelters that typically do not provide a long term solution for the displaced native population.

In the meantime, the critical first hours and days are not used efficiently since a limited amount of relief workers will be present, and furthermore, energy is wasted building housing for the limited amount of relief workers.

This can lead to a high amount of damages and casualties.

Temporary solutions such as tents are generally unsatisfactory since they may not provide adequate shelter against extreme temperatures at night or the day.

In addition, such temporary solutions are generally uncomfortable, which can fatigue and tax the rescue workers.

This can reduce the efficiency of the rescue workers.

In addition to natural disasters, additional housing may be needed during military conflicts and / or during peacekeeping missions.

Temporary solutions are also generally undesirable during such problematic issues.

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