Folding Beam Systems

Abstract

Structural beams for a building structure that can be folded, to permit the creation of a compact building structure shipping module. The structural beams also can be unfolded and locked in the unfolded position to provide a rigid structure for resisting vertical loads and transferring them to lower levels and ultimately the building foundation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hinge assembly rotatable between an open first position and a closed second position comprising:
 (a) a first hinge portion and a second hinge portion, each such hinge portion comprising:   (i) a base plate with an obverse face, a reverse face, an upper edge, an opposed lower edge and a base plate vertical centerline;   (ii) a hinge section with a hinge section vertical centerline, the hinge section extending from the obverse face and comprising a plurality of spaced-apart hinge leaves symmetrically positioned about the hinge section vertical centerline, with the hinge section vertical centerline being offset from the base plate vertical centerline, each of the plurality of hinge leaves defining a hinge leaf aperture, and with the hinge leaf apertures positioned in horizontal alignment with each other along a hinge aperture centerline;   (iii) a locking pin barrel extending from the obverse face and positioned to a first side of the base plate vertical centerline, the locking pin barrel defining a bore;   (iv) a plurality of locking pin leaves extending from the obverse face and positioned to the first side of the base plate vertical centerline, each locking pin leaf defining a locking pin aperture, the locking pin apertures positioned in vertical alignment with each other, and with the bore of the locking pin barrel; and   (v) a plurality of free interlock leaves extending from the obverse face, each free interlock leaf defining an interlock aperture, with the interlock apertures in vertical alignment with each other, the free interlock leaves positioned to a second side of the base plate vertical centerline at a position so that, when the hinge assembly is in the second position, the free interlock leaves of each of the first and second hinge portions interleave with the locking pin leaves of the other of the first and second hinge portions;   (b) the hinge leaves of the first hinge portion interleaved with the hinge leaves of the second hinge portion, with a hinge pin positioned in the hinge leaf apertures of the interleaved hinge leaves of the first and second hinge portions to pivotally join the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion and permit the second hinge portion to rotate relative to the first hinge portion from the first position to the second position; and   (c) a first locking pin adapted to be inserted into the bore defined in the locking pin barrel of the first hinge portion and received in (i) the locking pin apertures of the first hinge portion and (ii) the interlock apertures of the second hinge portion, when the hinge assembly is in the second position.   
     
     
         2 . The hinge assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a second locking pin adapted to be inserted into the bore defined in the locking pin barrel of the second hinge portion and received in (i) the locking pin apertures of the second hinge portion and (ii) the interlock apertures of the first hinge portion, when the hinge assembly is in the second position. 
     
     
         3 . The hinge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge section vertical centerline of each of the first and second hinge portions is positioned so that the base plate vertical centerline of the first and second hinge portions are in an overlying relationship when the hinge assembly is in the second position. 
     
     
         4 . The hinge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of spaced-apart hinge leaves of each of the first and second hinge portions has a thickness the same as the other of the plurality of spaced-apart hinge leaves, and the hinge leaves are spaced-apart a distance equal to the thickness. 
     
     
         5 . The hinge assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the hinge section vertical centerline of each of the first and second hinge portions is positioned so that the base plate vertical centerline of the first and second hinge portions is offset from the hinge section vertical centerline an offset distance equal to one-half the thickness of any of the plurality of spaced-apart hinge leaves. 
     
     
         6 . The hinge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first locking pin is tapered. 
     
     
         7 . The hinge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first locking pin is cylindrical in cross-section. 
     
     
         8 . The hinge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the first locking pin, adapted to be received in (i) the locking pin apertures of the first hinge portion and (ii) the interlock apertures of the second hinge portion, when the hinge assembly is in the second position, is tapered. 
     
     
         9 . The hinge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the locking pin apertures of each of the first and second hinge portions are smaller with increasing distance from the hinge aperture centerline. 
     
     
         10 . The hinge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the interlock apertures of each of the first and second hinge portions are smaller with increasing distance from the hinge aperture centerline. 
     
     
         11 . The hinge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each locking pin leaf of each of the first and second hinge portions has an upper face and a lower face which are curved about the hinge aperture centerline. 
     
     
         12 . The hinge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each free interlock leaf of each of the first and second hinge portions has an upper face and a lower face which are curved about the hinge aperture centerline. 
     
     
         13 . The hinge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein of each of the first and second hinge portions further comprises a stop projection extending from a free interlock leaf at a point distal from its base. 
     
     
         14 . The hinge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the reverse face of the first hinge portion is adapted to be secured to an end of a first beam by one or more positioning tabs extending away from the reverse face of the first hinge portion, which one or more positioning tabs are positioned to conform to the profile of the end of the first beam, and wherein the reverse face of the second hinge portion is adapted to be secured to an end of a second beam by one or more positioning tabs extending away from the reverse face of the second hinge portion, which one or more positioning tabs are positioned to conform to the profile of the end of the second beam. 
     
     
         15 . The hinge assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more positioning tabs of the first hinge portion comprise plural positioning tabs forming a guide frame having an “I” shape in profile, and the one or more positioning tabs of the second hinge portion comprise plural positioning tabs forming a guide frame having an “I” shape in profile. 
     
     
         16 . The hinge assembly of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the plural positioning tabs of the first hinge assembly is provided with a serpentine cut-out, and at least one of the plural positioning tabs of the second hinge assembly is provided with a serpentine cut-out. 
     
     
         17 . The hinge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge leaves extend from the obverse face so that the hinge aperture centerline is positioned above the upper edge. 
     
     
         18 . The hinge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge leaves extend from the obverse face proximate the upper edge and a sufficient distance from the lower edge so that the hinge assembly can rotate through one hundred eighty degrees from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         19 . A folding beam assembly rotatable from a folded position to an unfolded position comprising:
 (a) a first beam having a first end;   (b) a second beam having a second end and an opposed third end;   (c) a first hinge portion secured to the first end and a second hinge portion secured to the second end, each such hinge portion comprising:   (i) a base plate with an obverse face, a reverse face, an upper edge, an opposed lower edge and a base plate vertical centerline;   (ii) a hinge section with a hinge section vertical centerline, the hinge section extending from the obverse face and comprising a plurality of spaced-apart hinge leaves symmetrically positioned about the hinge section vertical centerline, with the hinge section vertical centerline being offset from the base plate vertical centerline, each of the plurality of hinge leaves defining a hinge leaf aperture, and with the hinge leaf apertures positioned in horizontal alignment with each other along a hinge aperture centerline;   (iii) a locking pin barrel extending from the obverse face and positioned to a first side of the base plate vertical centerline, the locking pin barrel defining a bore;   (iv) a plurality of locking pin leaves extending from the obverse face and positioned to the first side of the base plate vertical centerline, each locking pin leaf defining a locking pin aperture, the locking pin apertures positioned in vertical alignment with each other, and with the bore of the locking pin barrel; and   (v) a plurality of free interlock leaves extending from the obverse face, each free interlock leaf defining an interlock aperture, with the interlock apertures in vertical alignment with each other, the free interlock leaves positioned to a second side of the base plate vertical centerline at a position so that, when the second beam is in an unfolded position relative to the first beam, the free interlock leaves of each of the first and second hinge portions interleave with the locking pin leaves of the other of the first and second hinge portions;   (d) the hinge leaves of the first hinge portion interleaved with the hinge leaves of the second hinge portion, with a hinge pin positioned in the hinge leaf apertures of the interleaved hinge leaves of the first and second hinge portions to pivotally join the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion and permit the second beam to rotate relative to the first beam from the folded position to the unfolded position; and   (e) a first locking pin adapted to be inserted into the bore defined in the locking pin barrel of the first hinge portion and received in (i) the locking pin apertures of the first hinge portion and (ii) the interlock apertures of the second hinge portion, when the second beam is in the unfolded position relative to the first beam.   
     
     
         20 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 19 , further comprising a second locking pin adapted to be inserted into the bore defined in the locking pin barrel of the second hinge portion and received in (i) the locking pin apertures of the second hinge portion and (ii) the interlock apertures of the first hinge portion, when the second beam is in the unfolded position relative to the first beam. 
     
     
         21 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the hinge section vertical centerline of each of the first and second hinge portions is positioned so that the base plate vertical centerline of the first and second hinge portions are in an overlying relationship when the hinge assembly is in the unfolded position. 
     
     
         22 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 19 , wherein each of the plurality of spaced-apart hinge leaves of each of the first and second hinge portions has a thickness the same as the other of the plurality of spaced-apart hinge leaves, and the hinge leaves are spaced-apart a distance equal to the thickness. 
     
     
         23 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the hinge section vertical centerline of each of the first and second hinge portions is positioned so that the base plate vertical centerline of the first and second hinge portions is offset from the hinge section vertical centerline an offset distance equal to one-half the thickness of any of the plurality of spaced-apart hinge leaves. 
     
     
         24 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 19 , wherein each locking pin leaf of each of the first and second hinge portions has an upper face and a lower face which are curved about the hinge aperture centerline. 
     
     
         25 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 19 , wherein each free interlock leaf of each of the first and second hinge portions has an upper face and a lower face which are curved about the hinge aperture centerline. 
     
     
         26 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the first end of the first beam is received in one or more positioning tabs extending away from the reverse face of the first hinge portion, which one or more positioning tabs are positioned to conform to a profile of the first end of the first beam, and wherein the second end of the second beam is received in one or more positioning tabs extending away from the reverse face of the second hinge portion, which one or more positioning tabs are positioned to conform to a profile of the second end of the second beam. 
     
     
         27 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the one or more positioning tabs of the first hinge portion comprise plural positioning tabs forming a guide frame having an “I” shape in profile, and the one or more positioning tabs of the second hinge portion comprise plural positioning tabs forming a guide frame having an “I” shape in profile. 
     
     
         28 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 27 , wherein at least one of the plural positioning tabs of the first hinge assembly is provided with a serpentine cut-out, and at least one of the plural positioning tabs of the second hinge assembly is provided with a serpentine cut-out. 
     
     
         29 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the first hinge portion is secured to the first beam by a weld line along at least part of the serpentine cut-out thereof, and the second beam assembly portion is secured to the second beam by a weld line along at least part of the serpentine cut-out thereof. 
     
     
         30 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the first beam and the second beam are co-linear when the folding beam assembly is in the unfolded position. 
     
     
         31 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the first beam and the second beam are not co-linear when the folding beam assembly is in the unfolded position. 
     
     
         32 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the obverse face of each of the first and second hinge portions is canted a positive angle about the hinge aperture centerline relative to the reverse face thereof. 
     
     
         33 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the obverse face of each of the first and second hinge portion is not coplanar with the respective reverse face thereof. 
     
     
         34 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 (f) a third beam having a fourth end;   (g) a third hinge portion secured to the third end and a fourth hinge portion secured to the fourth end, each such hinge portion comprising:   (i) a base plate with an obverse face, a reverse face, an upper edge, an opposed lower edge and a base plate vertical centerline;   (ii) a hinge section with a hinge section vertical centerline, the hinge section extending from the obverse face and comprising a plurality of spaced-apart hinge leaves symmetrically positioned about the hinge section vertical centerline, with the hinge section vertical centerline being offset from the base plate vertical centerline, each of the plurality of hinge leaves defining a hinge leaf aperture, and with the hinge leaf apertures positioned in horizontal alignment with each other along a hinge aperture centerline;   (iii) a locking pin barrel extending from the obverse face and positioned to a first side of the base plate vertical centerline, the locking pin barrel defining a bore;   (iv) a plurality of locking pin leaves extending from the obverse face and positioned to the first side of the base plate vertical centerline, each locking pin leaf defining a locking pin aperture, the locking pin apertures positioned in vertical alignment with each other, and with the bore of the locking pin barrel; and   (v) a plurality of free interlock leaves extending from the obverse face, each free interlock leaf defining an interlock aperture, with the interlock apertures in vertical alignment with each other, the free interlock leaves positioned to a second side of the base plate vertical centerline at a position so that, when the third beam is in an unfolded position relative to the second beam, the free interlock leaves of each of the third and fourth hinge portions interleave with the locking pin leaves of the other of the third and fourth hinge portions;   (h) the hinge leaves of the third hinge portion interleaved with the hinge leaves of the fourth hinge portion, with a hinge pin positioned in the hinge leaf apertures of the interleaved hinge leaves of the third and fourth hinge portions to pivotally join the third hinge portion and the fourth hinge portion and permit the third beam to rotate relative to the second beam; and   (i) a third locking pin adapted to be inserted into the bore defined in the locking pin barrel of the third hinge portion and received in (i) the locking pin apertures of the third hinge portion and (ii) the interlock apertures of the fourth hinge portion, when the third beam is in the unfolded position relative to the second beam.   
     
     
         35 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 34 , further comprising a fourth locking pin adapted to be inserted into the bore defined in the locking pin barrel of the fourth hinge portion and received in (i) the locking pin apertures of the fourth hinge portion and (ii) the interlock apertures of the third hinge portion, when the third beam is in the unfolded position relative to the second beam. 
     
     
         36 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 34 , wherein the second beam and the third beam are co-linear when the folding beam assembly is in the unfolded position. 
     
     
         37 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 34 , wherein the second beam and the third beam are not co-linear when the folding beam assembly is in the unfolded position. 
     
     
         38 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 34 , wherein the obverse face of each of the third and fourth hinge portions is not coplanar with the respective reverse face thereof. 
     
     
         39 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 34 , wherein the hinge aperture centerline of each of the first, second, third and fourth hinge portions is closer to the upper edge of the base plate thereof than to the lower edge thereof. 
     
     
         40 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 39 , wherein the first and second hinge portions are secured to the first and second ends in a first orientation, and the third and fourth hinge portions are secured to the third and fourth ends in a second orientation, where the first orientation is opposite to the second orientation so that the beam assembly folds in an accordion pattern. 
     
     
         41 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 34 , wherein the hinge aperture centerlines of the first and second hinge portions are positioned a hinge pivot distance from the lower edges of the first and second hinge portions sufficient so that the second component portion can rotate relative to the first component portion at least one hundred eighty degrees from a folded position to an unfolded position. 
     
     
         42 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 41 , wherein the hinge aperture centerlines of the third and fourth hinge portions are positioned a hinge pivot distance from the lower edges of the third and fourth hinge portions sufficient so that the third component portion can rotate relative to the second component portion at least one hundred eighty degrees from a folded position to an unfolded position. 
     
     
         43 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 40 , wherein the obverse face of each of the first and second hinge portions is canted a positive angle about the hinge aperture centerline relative to the reverse face thereof. 
     
     
         44 . The folding beam assembly of  claim 43 , wherein the obverse face of each of the third and fourth hinge portions is canted a negative angle about the hinge aperture centerline relative to the reverse face thereof. 
     
     
         45 . A foldable enclosure component having a folded position and an unfolded position comprising:
 (a) a planar first component portion having a planar laminate construction and a first edge, and a first beam reinforcing the planar laminate construction with a first end positioned proximate to the first edge;   (b) a planar second component portion having a planar laminate construction and an elongate second edge, and a second beam reinforcing the planar laminate construction with a second end positioned proximate to the second edge, with the first edge of the first component portion positioned proximate to the second edge of the second component portion;   (c) the planar laminate construction of each of the first and second component portions comprising: (i) a planar foam panel layer having a first face and an opposed second face, (ii) a planar first metal layer bonded to the first face of the planar foam panel layer, and (iii) a planar second metal layer bonded to the second face of the planar foam panel layer; and   (d) a first hinge assembly comprising a first hinge portion and a second hinge portion, the first hinge portion secured to the first end of the first beam and the second hinge portion secured to the second end of the second beam, the first hinge portion pivotally joined to the second hinge portion to permit the second component portion to rotate relative to the first component portion from a folded position to an unfolded position.   
     
     
         46 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 45 , wherein each of the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion comprises:
 (i) a base plate with an obverse face, a reverse face, an upper edge, an opposed lower edge and a base plate vertical centerline;   (ii) a hinge section with a hinge section vertical centerline, the hinge section extending from the obverse face and comprising a plurality of spaced-apart hinge leaves symmetrically positioned about the hinge section vertical centerline, with the hinge section vertical centerline being offset from the base plate vertical centerline, each of the plurality of hinge leaves defining a hinge leaf aperture, and with the hinge leaf apertures positioned in horizontal alignment with each other along a hinge aperture centerline;   (iii) a locking pin barrel extending from the obverse face and positioned to a first side of the base plate vertical centerline, the locking pin barrel defining a bore;   (iv) a plurality of locking pin leaves extending from the obverse face and positioned to the first side of the base plate vertical centerline, each locking pin leaf defining a locking pin aperture, the locking pin apertures positioned in vertical alignment with each other, and with the bore of the locking pin barrel; and   (v) a plurality of free interlock leaves extending from the obverse face, each free interlock leaf defining an interlock aperture, with the interlock apertures in vertical alignment with each other, the free interlock leaves positioned to a second side of the base plate vertical centerline at a position so that, when the second component portion is in the unfolded position relative to the first component portion, the free interlock leaves of each of the first and second hinge portions interleave with the locking pin leaves of the other of the first and second hinge portions, wherein:   (e) the hinge leaves of the first hinge portion interleave with the hinge leaves of the second hinge portion, with a hinge pin positioned in the hinge leaf apertures of the interleaved hinge leaves of the first and second hinge portions to pivotally join the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion and permit the second component portion to rotate relative to the first component portion; and the foldable enclosure component additionally comprises:   (f) a first locking pin adapted to be inserted into the bore defined in the locking pin barrel of the first hinge portion and received in (i) the locking pin apertures of the first hinge portion and (ii) the interlock apertures of the second hinge portion, when the second component portion is in the unfolded position.   
     
     
         47 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 46 , further comprising a second locking pin adapted to be inserted into the bore defined in the locking pin barrel of the second hinge portion and received in (i) the locking pin apertures of the second hinge portion and (ii) the interlock apertures of the first hinge portion, when the second component portion is in the unfolded position relative to the first component portion. 
     
     
         48 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 46 , wherein each of the plurality of spaced-apart hinge leaves of each of the first and second hinge portions has a thickness the same as the other of the plurality of spaced-apart hinge leaves, and the hinge leaves are spaced-apart a distance equal to the thickness. 
     
     
         49 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 48 , wherein the hinge section vertical centerline of each of the first and second hinge portions is positioned so that the base plate vertical centerline of the first and second hinge portions is offset from the hinge section vertical centerline an offset distance equal to one-half the thickness of any of the plurality of spaced-apart hinge leaves. 
     
     
         50 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 46 , wherein each locking pin leaf of each of the first and second hinge portions has an upper face and a lower face which are curved about the hinge aperture centerline. 
     
     
         51 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 46 , wherein each free interlock leaf of each of the first and second hinge portions has an upper face and a lower face which are curved about the hinge aperture centerline. 
     
     
         52 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 46 , wherein the first end of the first beam is received in one or more positioning tabs extending away from the reverse face of the first hinge portion, which one or more positioning tabs are positioned to conform to a profile of the first end of the first beam, and wherein the second end of the second beam is received in one or more positioning tabs extending away from the reverse face of the second hinge portion, which one or more positioning tabs are positioned to conform to a profile of the second end of the second beam. 
     
     
         53 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 52 , wherein each of the first and second beams has an “I” shape in profile, and the one or more positioning tabs of the first hinge portion comprise plural positioning tabs forming a guide frame having an “I” shape in profile, and the one or more positioning tabs of the second hinge portion comprise plural positioning tabs forming a guide frame having an “I” shape in profile. 
     
     
         54 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 53 , wherein at least one of the plural positioning tabs of the first hinge portions is provided with a serpentine cut-out, and at least one of the plural positioning tabs of the second hinge portions is provided with a serpentine cut-out. 
     
     
         55 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 54 , wherein the first hinge portion is secured to the first beam by a weld line along at least part of the serpentine cut-out thereof, and the second beam assembly portion is secured to the second beam by a weld line along at least part of the serpentine cut-out thereof. 
     
     
         56 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 45 , wherein the first beam and the second beam are co-linear when the folding beam assembly is in the unfolded position. 
     
     
         57 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 45 , wherein the first beam and the second beam are not co-linear when the folding beam assembly is in the unfolded position. 
     
     
         58 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 46 , wherein the obverse face of each of the first and second hinge portions is canted a positive angle about the hinge aperture centerline relative to the reverse face thereof. 
     
     
         59 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 46 , wherein the obverse face of each of the first and second hinge portion is not coplanar with the respective reverse face thereof. 
     
     
         60 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 45 , wherein the first hinge assembly is adapted to permit the foldable enclosure component to rotate the second component portion relative to the first component portion from a folded position to an unfolded position at least ninety degrees from the folded position. 
     
     
         61 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 45 , wherein the first hinge assembly is adapted to permit the foldable enclosure component to rotate the second component portion relative to the first component portion from a folded position to an unfolded position at least one hundred eighty degrees from the folded position. 
     
     
         62 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 45 , further comprising:
 (g) a second hinge assembly having a third hinge portion and a fourth hinge portion, wherein the third and fourth hinge portions each comprises:   (i) a base plate with an obverse face, a reverse face, a first vertical edge, an opposed second vertical edge and a base plate vertical centerline; and   (ii) a hinge section with a hinge section vertical centerline, the hinge section extending from the obverse face and comprising a plurality of spaced-apart hinge leaves symmetrically positioned about the hinge section vertical centerline, with the hinge section vertical centerline being offset from the base plate vertical centerline, each of the plurality of hinge leaves defining a hinge leaf aperture, and with the hinge leaf apertures positioned in horizontal alignment with each other along a hinge aperture centerline;   (h) a hinge pin positioned in the hinge leave apertures of the third hinge portion and the fourth hinge portion to pivotally join the third hinge portion and the fourth hinge portion; and   (i) the third hinge portion secured to the first component portion adjacent the first edge thereof at a location distal from the first hinge assembly, and the fourth hinge portion secured to the second component portion adjacent the second edge thereof at a location distal from the first hinge assembly.   
     
     
         63 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 62 , further comprising a planar first shield having a thickness and extending from the obverse face of the third hinge portion adjacent the first vertical edge thereof, and a planar second shield having a thickness and extending from the obverse face of the fourth hinge portion adjacent the first vertical edge thereof. 
     
     
         64 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 63 , further comprising a planar third shield extending from the obverse face of the third hinge portion proximate to the second vertical edge thereof inset an inset distance at equal to or greater than the thickness of the second shield, and a planar fourth shield extending from the obverse face of the fourth hinge portion proximate to the second vertical edge thereof inset an inset distance equal to or greater than the thickness of the first shield. 
     
     
         65 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 53 , wherein the first beam comprises a pair of elongate opposed flanges, and the foldable enclosure component further comprises a pair of elongate insulating members, each of the pair of insulating members defining a channel in which is positioned a respective one of the pair of opposed flanges. 
     
     
         66 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 65 , wherein each of the pair of elongate insulating members is polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
         67 . A foldable enclosure component having a folded position and an unfolded position comprising:
 (a) a planar first component portion having a planar laminate construction and a first edge;   (b) a planar second component portion having a planar laminate construction, a second edge and an opposed third edge, with the first edge of the first component portion positioned proximate to the second edge of the second component portion;   (c) the planar laminate construction of each of the first and second component portions comprising: (i) a planar foam panel layer having a first face and an opposed second face, (ii) a planar first metal layer having a first face and an opposed second face bonded to the first face of the planar foam panel layer, (iii) a planar second metal layer having a first face bonded to the second face of the planar foam panel layer and an opposed second face; and (iv) a protective layer having an inorganic composition, a first face bonded to the second face of the second metal layer, and an opposed second face;   (d) a first hinge assembly comprising a first hinge portion and a second hinge portion joining the planar first component portion and the planar second component portion along their respective first and second edges, the first hinge assembly adapted to permit the second component portion to rotate relative to the first component portion from a folded position to an unfolded position, with the protective layers of the first and second component portions positioned adjacent to each other when the second component portion is in the unfolded position.   
     
     
         68 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 67 , wherein the first component portion includes a first beam reinforcing the laminate construction of the first component portion, with a first end proximate to the first edge, and a second beam reinforcing the laminate construction of the second component portion, with a second end proximate to the second edge and an opposed third end proximate to the third edge. 
     
     
         69 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 68 , wherein the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion each comprises:
 (i) a base plate with an obverse face, a reverse face, an upper edge, an opposed lower edge and a base plate vertical centerline;   (ii) a hinge section with a hinge section vertical centerline, the hinge section extending from the obverse face and comprising a plurality of spaced-apart hinge leaves symmetrically positioned about the hinge section vertical centerline, with the hinge section vertical centerline being offset from the base plate vertical centerline, each of the plurality of hinge leaves defining a hinge leaf aperture, and with the hinge leaf apertures positioned in horizontal alignment with each other along a hinge aperture centerline;   (iii) a locking pin barrel extending from the obverse face and positioned to a first side of the base plate vertical centerline, the locking pin barrel defining a bore;   (iv) a plurality of locking pin leaves extending from the obverse face and positioned to the first side of the base plate vertical centerline, each locking pin leaf defining a locking pin aperture, the locking pin apertures positioned in vertical alignment with each other, and with the bore of the locking pin barrel; and   (v) a plurality of free interlock leaves extending from the obverse face, each free interlock leaf defining an interlock aperture, with the interlock apertures in vertical alignment with each other, the free interlock leaves positioned to a second side of the base plate vertical centerline at a position so that, when the second component portion is in the unfolded position relative to the first component portion, the free interlock leaves of each of the first and second hinge portions interleave with the locking pin leaves of the other of the first and second hinge portions; wherein:   (e) the hinge leaves of the first hinge portion interleave with the hinge leaves of the second hinge portion, with a hinge pin positioned in the hinge leaf apertures of the interleaved hinge leaves of the first and second hinge portions to pivotally join the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion and permit the second component portion to rotate relative to the first component portion; and the foldable enclosure component further comprises:   (f) a first locking pin adapted to be inserted into the bore defined in the locking pin barrel of the first hinge portion and received in (i) the locking pin apertures of the first hinge portion and (ii) the interlock apertures of the second hinge portion, when the second component portion is in the unfolded position relative to the first component portion.   
     
     
         70 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 69 , further comprising a second locking pin adapted to be inserted into the bore defined in the locking pin barrel of the second hinge portion and received in (i) the locking pin apertures of the second hinge portion and (ii) the interlock apertures of the first hinge portion, when the second component portion is in the unfolded position relative to the first component portion. 
     
     
         71 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 69 , wherein each of the plurality of spaced-apart hinge leaves of each of the first and second hinge portions has a thickness the same as the other of the plurality of spaced-apart hinge leaves, and the hinge leaves are spaced-apart a distance equal to the thickness. 
     
     
         72 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 71 , wherein the hinge section vertical centerline of each of the first and second hinge portions is positioned so that the base plate vertical centerline of the first and second hinge portions is offset from the hinge section vertical centerline an offset distance equal to one-half the thickness of any of the plurality of spaced-apart hinge leaves. 
     
     
         73 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 69 , wherein each locking pin leaf of each of the first and second hinge portions has an upper face and a lower face which are curved about the hinge aperture centerline. 
     
     
         74 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 69 , wherein each free interlock leaf of each of the first and second hinge portions has an upper face and a lower face which are curved about the hinge aperture centerline. 
     
     
         75 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 69 , wherein the first end of the first beam is received in one or more positioning tabs extending away from the reverse face of the first hinge portion, which one or more positioning tabs are positioned to conform to a profile of the first end of the first beam, and wherein the second end of the second beam is received in one or more positioning tabs extending away from the reverse face of the second hinge portion, which one or more positioning tabs are positioned to conform to a profile of the second end of the second beam. 
     
     
         76 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 70 , wherein the first and second beams each has an “I” shape in profile, the one or more positioning tabs of the first hinge portion comprise plural positioning tabs forming a guide frame having an “I” shape in profile, and the one or more positioning tabs of the second hinge portion comprise plural positioning tabs forming a guide frame having an “I” shape in profile. 
     
     
         77 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 67 , wherein the protective layer of the second component portion rotates away from the protective layer of the first component portion when rotating the second component portion relative to the first component portion from a folded position to an unfolded position. 
     
     
         78 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 67 , wherein the protective layer of the second component portion rotates toward the protective layer of the first component portion when rotating the second component portion relative to the first component portion from a folded position to an unfolded position. 
     
     
         79 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 67 , further comprising:
 (e) a planar third component portion having a planar laminate construction and a fourth edge positioned proximate to the third edge of the second component portion, the planar laminate construction of the third component portion comprising (i) a planar foam panel layer having a first face and an opposed second face, (ii) a planar first metal layer bonded to the first face of the planar foam panel layer, and (iii) a planar second metal layer having a first face bonded to the second face of the planar foam panel layer and an opposed second face; and (iv) a protective layer having an inorganic composition, a first face bonded to the second face of the second metal layer and an opposed second face, with the protective layers of the second and third component portions positioned adjacent each other when the second and third component portions are in their unfolded positions; and   (f) a second hinge assembly joining the planar second component portion and the planar third component portion along their respective third edge and fourth edge and adapted to permit the third component portion to rotate relative to the second component portion from a folded position to an unfolded position.   
     
     
         80 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 79 , wherein the protective layer of the first component portion rotates toward the protective layer of the first component portion when rotating the second component portion relative to the first component portion from a folded position to an unfolded position, and the protective layer of the third component portion rotates away from the protective layer of the second component portion when rotating the third component portion relative to the second component portion from a folded position to an unfolded position. 
     
     
         81 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 79 , wherein the third component portion includes a third beam reinforcing the laminate construction of the third component portion, with a fourth end proximate to the fourth edge, and a second hinge assembly joining the planar second component portion and the planar third component portion along their respective third edge and fourth edge adapted to permit the third component portion to be rotated relative to the second component portion from a folded position to an unfolded position. 
     
     
         82 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 81 , wherein the second hinge assembly comprises a third hinge portion secured to the third end of the second beam and a fourth hinge portion secured to the fourth end of the third beam, and each of the third hinge portion and the fourth hinge portion comprises:
 (i) a base plate with an obverse face, a reverse face, an upper edge, an opposed lower edge and a base plate vertical centerline;   (ii) a hinge section with a hinge section vertical centerline, the hinge section extending from the obverse face and comprising a plurality of spaced-apart hinge leaves symmetrically positioned about the hinge section vertical centerline, with the hinge section vertical centerline being offset from the base plate vertical centerline, each of the plurality of hinge leaves defining a hinge leaf aperture, and with the hinge leaf apertures positioned in horizontal alignment with each other along a hinge aperture centerline;   (iii) a locking pin barrel extending from the obverse face and positioned to a first side of the base plate vertical centerline, the locking pin barrel defining a bore;   (iv) a plurality of locking pin leaves extending from the obverse face and positioned to the first side of the base plate vertical centerline, each locking pin leaf defining a locking pin aperture, the locking pin apertures positioned in vertical alignment with each other, and with the bore of the locking pin barrel; and   (v) a plurality of free interlock leaves extending from the obverse face, each free interlock leaf defining an interlock aperture, with the interlock apertures in vertical alignment with each other, the free interlock leaves positioned to a second side of the base plate vertical centerline at a position so that, when the third component portion is in the unfolded position relative to the second component portion, the free interlock leaves of each of the first and second hinge portions interleave with the locking pin leaves of the other of the first and second hinge portions; wherein:   (g) the hinge leaves of the third hinge portion interleave with the hinge leaves of the fourth hinge portion, with a hinge pin positioned in the hinge leave apertures of the interleaved hinge leaves of the third and fourth hinge portions to pivotally join the third hinge portion and the fourth hinge portion and permit the third component portion to rotate relative to the second component portion; and the foldable enclosure component further comprises:   (h) a third locking pin adapted to be inserted into the bore defined in the locking pin barrel of the third hinge portion and received in (i) the locking pin apertures of the third hinge portion and (ii) the interlock apertures of the second hinge portion, when the third component portion is in the unfolded position relative to the second component portion.   
     
     
         83 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 82 , further comprising a fourth locking pin adapted to be inserted into the bore defined in the locking pin barrel of the fourth hinge portion and received in (i) the locking pin apertures of the fourth hinge portion and (ii) the interlock apertures of the third hinge portion, when the third component portion is in the unfolded position relative to the second component portion. 
     
     
         84 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 82 , wherein each of the plurality of spaced-apart hinge leaves of each of the third and fourth hinge portions has a thickness the same as the other of the plurality of spaced-apart hinge leaves, and the hinge leaves are spaced-apart a distance equal to the thickness. 
     
     
         85 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 84 , wherein the hinge section vertical centerline of each of the third and fourth hinge portions is positioned so that the base plate vertical centerline of the third and fourth hinge portions is offset from the hinge section vertical centerline an offset distance equal to one-half the thickness of any of the plurality of spaced-apart hinge leaves. 
     
     
         86 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 82 , wherein each locking pin leaf of each of the third and fourth hinge portions has an upper face and a lower face which are curved about the hinge aperture centerline. 
     
     
         87 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 82 , wherein each free interlock leaf of each of the third and fourth hinge portions has an upper face and a lower face which are curved about the hinge aperture centerline. 
     
     
         88 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 82 , wherein the third end of the second beam is received in one or more positioning tabs extending away from the reverse face of the third hinge portion, which one or more positioning tabs are positioned to conform to a profile of the third end of the second beam, and wherein the fourth end of the third beam is received in one or more positioning tabs extending away from the reverse face of the fourth hinge portion, which one or more positioning tabs are positioned to conform to a profile of the fourth end of the third beam. 
     
     
         89 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 88 , wherein the third beam has an “I” shape in profile and the one or more positioning tabs of the third hinge portion comprise plural positioning tabs forming a guide frame having an “I” shape in profile, and the one or more positioning tabs of the fourth hinge portion comprise plural positioning tabs forming a guide frame having an “I” shape in profile. 
     
     
         90 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 80 , wherein the hinge aperture centerline of each of the first, second, third and fourth hinge portions is closer to the upper edge of the base plate thereof than to the lower edge thereof. 
     
     
         91 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 90 , wherein the first and second hinge portions are respectively oriented so that the hinge aperture centerlines of the first and second hinge portions are closer to the first metal layer of the first and second component portions than to the protective layer of the first and second component portions, and the hinge aperture centerlines of the third and fourth hinge portions are closer to the protective layer of the first and second component portions than to the first metal layer of the first and second component portions. 
     
     
         92 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 91 , wherein the hinge aperture centerlines of the first and second hinge portions are positioned a hinge pivot distance from the lower edges of the first and second hinge portions sufficient so that the second component portion can rotate relative to the first component portion at least one hundred eighty degrees from a folded position to an unfolded position. 
     
     
         93 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 92 , wherein the hinge aperture centerlines of the third and fourth hinge portions are positioned a hinge pivot distance from the lower edges of the third and fourth hinge portions sufficient so that the third component portion can rotate relative to the second component portion at least one hundred eighty degrees from a folded position to an unfolded position. 
     
     
         94 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 90 , wherein the hinge aperture centerlines of the first and second hinge portions extend beyond the first face of the first metal layer of each of the first and second component portions. 
     
     
         95 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 82 , wherein the hinge aperture centerlines of the third and fourth hinge portions extend beyond the second face of the protective layer of each of the second and third component portions. 
     
     
         96 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 82 , wherein the locking pin leaf of the plurality of locking pin leaves which is proximate the lower edge of each of the third and fourth hinge portions is extended toward the second side thereof to provide a platform tab. 
     
     
         97 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 67 , wherein the first hinge assembly is adapted to permit the foldable enclosure component to rotate the second component portion relative to the first component portion from a folded position to an unfolded position at least ninety degrees from the folded position. 
     
     
         98 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 67 , wherein the first hinge assembly is adapted to permit the foldable enclosure component to rotate the second component portion relative to the first component portion from a folded position to an unfolded position at least one hundred eighty degrees from the folded position. 
     
     
         99 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 76 , wherein the first beam comprises a pair of elongate opposed flanges proximate to the protective layer, and the foldable enclosure component further comprises a pair of elongate insulating members, each of the pair of insulating members defining a channel in which is positioned a respective one of the pair of opposed flanges. 
     
     
         100 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 99 , wherein each of the pair of elongate insulating members is polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
         101 . The foldable enclosure component of  claim 67 , wherein the inorganic composition of every protective layer comprises magnesium oxide.