Uni-Tool for Foldable Transportable Structure Deployment

Abstract

A tool for the deployment of a foldable transportable structure comprising an elongate housing, an elongate threaded worm screw rotatably mounted to the elongate housing, a slider block defining both a threaded slider passage into which is threaded the worm screw and a slider pin aperture for receiving a slider unfolding pin, and means for constraining the slider block from rotating upon rotation of the worm screw, such that the slider block translates along the length of the worm screw upon rotation thereof. A first end of the elongate housing defines a housing pin aperture for receiving a housing unfolding pin. There is also provided means for applying torque to the worm screw to rotate the worm screw and cause the displacement of the slider block along the length of the worm screw relative to the housing

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tool for the deployment of a foldable transportable structure, comprising:
 an elongate housing;   an elongate threaded worm screw rotatably mounted to the elongate housing;   a slider block defining (i) a threaded slider passage into which is threaded the worm screw and (ii) a slider pin aperture for receiving a slider unfolding pin;   means for constraining the slider block from rotating upon rotation of the worm screw, such that the slider block translates along the length of the worm screw upon rotation thereof;   a first end of the elongate housing defining a housing pin aperture for receiving a housing unfolding pin; and   means for applying torque to the worm screw to rotate the worm screw and cause the displacement of the slider block along the length of the worm screw relative to the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongated housing is a C-shaped channel. 
     
     
         3 . The tool according to  claim 1 , comprising a first guide rail and a second guide rail secured to inner sides of the elongated housing. 
     
     
         4 . The tool according to  claim 1 , comprising an end cap coupled to a first end of the elongated housing. 
     
     
         5 . The tool according to  claim 4 , comprising a first bearing disposed within an opening of the end cap and configured to receive a first end of the threaded worm screw. 
     
     
         6 . The tool according to  claim 5 , comprising a collar secured to the end cap to limit axial movement of the threaded worm screw and the first bearing. 
     
     
         7 . The tool according to  claim 6 , comprising a removable end cap cover configured to cover the first bearing and the collar. 
     
     
         8 . The tool according to  claim 5 , comprising a motor end cap fitted to a second end of the elongated housing. 
     
     
         9 . The tool according to  claim 8 , comprising a second bearing disposed within the motor end cap and configured to receive a second end of the threaded worm screw. 
     
     
         10 . The tool according to  claim 9 , comprising a removable motor end cap closure plate configured to limit axial movement of the threaded worm screw and the second bearing. 
     
     
         11 . The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the slider block defines a T-shaped configuration including a body and co-planar slider wings extending from opposing ends of the body. 
     
     
         12 . The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the threaded slider passage extends through the slider block in a direction perpendicular to the slider pin aperture. 
     
     
         13 . The tool according to  claim 1 , comprising a scissor assembly including two elongate bars each including a first end and a second end. 
     
     
         14 . The tool according to  claim 13 , wherein the first end of each of the two elongate bars is hingedly joined together to the slider unfolding pin. 
     
     
         15 . The tool according to  claim 13 , wherein the slider unfolding pin hingedly joins the first end of the two elongate bars to the slider block. 
     
     
         16 . The tool according to  claim 13 , wherein the second end of each of the two elongate bars includes a bar end pin. 
     
     
         17 . A method of constructing a folded building structure, (A) the folded building structure including (i) a building unit, (ii) a first enclosure member and (iii) a second enclosure member, (iv) the building unit, the first enclosure member and the second enclosure member each having a pin support affixed thereto for receiving an unfolding pin, and (v) the first and second enclosure members each being joined in a folded position to the building unit and moveable with respect thereto, the method employing (B) a tool comprising an (i) elongate housing, (ii) an elongate threaded worm screw rotatably mounted to the elongate housing, (iii) a slider block defining a threaded slider passage into which is threaded the worm screw and a slider pin aperture for receiving a slider unfolding pin, (iv) means for constraining the slider block from rotating upon rotation of the worm screw, such that the slider block translates along the length of the worm screw upon rotation thereof, and (v) a first end of the elongate housing defining a housing pin aperture for receiving a housing unfolding pin, the method comprising:
 (a) inserting a first end of a first unfolding pin in the pin support affixed to either the building unit or the first enclosure member;   (b) inserting a first end of a second unfolding pin in the pin support affixed to the second enclosure member;   (c) inserting a second end of the first unfolding pin in a first of the slider pin aperture or the housing pin aperture;   (d) inserting a second end of the second unfolding pin in a second of the slider aperture or the housing pin aperture; and   (e) rotating the worm screw.