FOLDABLE STEEL STRUCTURE FRAME

Abstract

A mechanically foldable frame can be used in a steel structure framing process. Since the framing process costs a lot of time in the house building process, a foldable steel structure can realize fast framing. The foldable frame structure includes beams and columns can be folded into flat frames for transportation. The foldable frame structure can save on-site operation time by replacing the framing process with factory-made mechanical equipment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to structural framing systems. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to a foldable steel structural framing system that can reduce on-site framing time.

2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

As the population grows, the demand for housing is increasing. To adapt to this change, solutions are sought out as to how to improve traditional construction methods by making the way houses are built modular and simple, thus increasing the speed of construction. In the traditional construction method, framing is a required process, but can prove both time-consuming and laborious.

Conventional basic framing structure includes a sole plate and a top plate with wall studs spanning therebetween. Typically, this structure is built on-site with wood or steel structural elements. This requires substantial on-site labor to erect such a framing structure. Further, such framing may be performed before the outer envelope of the structure is complete, subjecting the materials and builders to the environment during the laborious construction process.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved framing process that can reduce required on-site labor time in constructing a building frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a foldable steel frame structure that allows people to finish the steel structure building framing process very quickly. The frames can be manufactured in the factory and can be transported to a construction site by folding into substantially flat pieces. Then, the framing process includes spreading the folded framing structure out and locating them in specific locations. By joining several frames together, a one-story building can be formed. By piling on the layers, a building structure can be formed. In addition to faster erection as compared to conventional framing processes, embodiments of the present invention permit the disassembly of the structure to, for example, move the structure to other places. Therefore, the frame structure according to embodiments of the present invention can also be treated as a mobile house structure.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a building frame comprising at least two end frame structures, each end frame structure including: a side wall beam assembly including an upper side wall beam and a lower side wall beam; first and second corner columns attached at respective ends of the side wall beam assembly, wherein the upper side wall beam attaches to an upper end of the first and second corner columns and the lower side wall beam attaches to a lower end of the first and second corner columns; a front wall beam assembly including an upper front wall beam and a lower front wall beam, the front wall beam assembly pivotably attached, with a first pivot connection, at an attachment end thereof to the first corner column, wherein the upper front wall beam attaches to an upper end of the first corner column and the lower front wall beam attaches to a lower end of the first corner column; a rear wall beam assembly including an upper rear wall beam and a lower rear wall beam, the rear wall beam assembly pivotably attached, with a second pivot connection, at an attachment end thereof to the second corner column, wherein the upper rear wall beam attaches to an upper end of the second corner column and the lower rear wall beam attaches to a lower end of the second corner column; and first and second end studs, the first end stud spanning between the upper front wall beam and the lower front wall beam at an end opposite the attachment end thereof, the second end stud spanning between the upper rear wall beam and the lower rear wall beam at an end opposite the attachment end thereof, wherein each of the at least two end frame structures are operable to attach to each other to form a building frame; and each of the at least two end frame structures are movable between a flat, folded configuration, and an expanded configuration having a squared C-shape.

Embodiments of the present invention further provide a steel building frame comprising at least two end frame structures, each end frame structure including: a side wall beam assembly including an upper side wall beam and a lower side wall beam; first and second corner columns attached at respective ends of the side wall beam assembly, wherein the upper side wall beam attaches to an upper end of the first and second corner columns and the lower side wall beam attaches to a lower end of the first and second corner columns; a front wall beam assembly including an upper front wall beam and a lower front wall beam, the front wall beam assembly pivotably attached, with a first pivot connection, at an attachment end thereof to the first corner column, wherein the upper front wall beam attaches to an upper end of the first corner column and the lower front wall beam attaches to a lower end of the first corner column; a rear wall beam assembly including an upper rear wall beam and a lower rear wall beam, the rear wall beam assembly pivotably attached, with a second pivot connection, at an attachment end thereof to the second corner column, wherein the upper rear wall beam attaches to an upper end of the second corner column and the lower rear wall beam attaches to a lower end of the second corner column; and first and second end studs, the first end stud spanning between the upper front wall beam and the lower front wall beam at an end opposite the attachment end thereof, the second end stud spanning between the upper rear wall beam and the lower rear wall beam at an end opposite the attachment end thereof, wherein each of the at least two end frame structures are movable between a flat, folded configuration, and an expanded configuration having a squared C-shape; and a middle frame structure, the middle frame structure comprising: a front wall beam assembly including an upper front wall middle frame beam and a lower front wall middle frame beam, the upper front wall middle frame beam having a first upper wall middle frame beam portion and a second upper wall middle frame beam portion, the lower front wall middle frame beam having a first lower wall middle frame beam portion and a second lower wall middle frame beam portion; a front wall column pivotably attached, with a seventh pivot connection, as its upper end, to first ends of the first and second upper wall middle frame portions, the front wall column further pivotably attached, with an eighth pivot connection, at its lower end, to first ends of the first and second lower wall middle frame portions; a first wall stud spanning second ends of the first upper and lower middle frame beam portions; a second wall stud spanning second ends of the second upper and lower middle frame beam portions; upper and lower fixed beams attached, at a first fixed beam end, to the front wall column, wherein, in a folded configuration, the upper and lower fixed beams are substantially parallel with the upper and lower front wall middle frame beams, and, in an expanded configuration, the upper and lower fixed beams are substantially orthogonal with the upper and lower front wall middle frame beams; a rear wall beam assembly including an upper rear wall middle frame beam and a lower rear wall middle frame beam, the upper rear wall middle frame beam having a first upper wall middle frame beam portion and a second upper wall middle frame beam portion, the lower rear wall middle frame beam having a first lower wall middle frame beam portion and a second lower wall middle frame beam portion; a rear wall column pivotably attached, with a ninth pivot connection, at its upper end, to first ends of the first and second upper wall middle frame portions of the rear wall beam assembly, the rear wall column further pivotably attached, with a tenth pivot connection, at its lower end, to first ends of the first and second lower wall middle frame portions of the rear wall beam assembly; a first rear wall stud spanning second ends of the first upper and lower middle frame beam portions; a second rear wall stud spanning second ends of the second upper and lower middle frame beam portions; upper and lower rear fixed beams attached, at a first fixed beam end, to the rear wall column, wherein, in a folded configuration, the upper and lower rear fixed beams are substantially parallel with the upper and lower rear wall middle frame beams, and, in an expanded configuration, the upper and lower rear fixed beams are substantially orthogonal with the upper and lower rear wall middle frame beams; and a central middle frame column pivotably connected, with an eleventh pivot connection, at its upper end, to the upper fixed beam and the upper rear fixed beam at respective second ends thereof, the central middle frame column further pivotably connected, with a twelfth pivot connection, at its lower end, to the lower fixed beam and the lower rear fixed beam at respective second ends thereof.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements.

FIG. 1A illustrates an assembly view of a steel frame structure for an apartment according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B illustrates a top view of the frame structure of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a single foldable steel frame structure for a middle part of a building according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of a single foldable steel frame structure for a side part of a building according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of the middle part frame structure of FIG. 2A in a folded configuration;

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of the side part frame structure of FIG. 2B in a folded configuration;

FIG. 3C illustrates a perspective view of the middle part frame structure of FIG. 2A in a partially folded configuration;

FIG. 3D illustrates a perspective view of the middle part frame structure of FIG. 2A in a nearly fully folded configuration;

FIG. 4A illustrates a front view of a beam used in the foldable steel frame structure of FIG. 1A according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B illustrates a front perspective view of the beam of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C illustrates a rear perspective view of the beam of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of a column used in the foldable steel frame structure of FIG. 1A according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the column of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C illustrates a front view of the column of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of an interconnection between a beam and a column, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B illustrates a top view of the interconnection between the beam and the column of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the interconnection between the beam and the column of FIG. 6A; and

FIG. 6D illustrates a front view of a blocker used with the interconnection between the beam and the column, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description wherein illustrated embodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way of limitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE OF INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal configuration of a commercial implementation of any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may be configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanically foldable frame for a steel structure framing process. Since the framing process costs a lot of time in the house building process, a foldable steel structure can realize fast framing. The foldable frame structure includes beams and columns can be folded into flat frames for transportation. The foldable frame structure can save on-site operation time by replacing the framing process with factory-made mechanical equipment.

FIG. 1A illustrates the final view of an assembled steel structure building frame 100. A four-level apartment has been taken as an example introduced herein. FIG. 1B shows a top view of the building frame 100 which looks like six square frames. This structure provides 26 thin columns on each floor. These columns can be enough to support the loading above. Further, in this embodiment, there are 17 primary beams for each floor. These beams can support the loading of the next floor. The beams and columns are designed as smaller features and combined to be enough for loading requirements. Bearing parts are distributed as shown, and leave a lot of space for diving rooms. The beams may span various lengths from its pivoting attachment end to its opposite end. For example, the beams may span distances of 8 feet, 10 feet, 12 feet, 16 feet, 24 feet, or 30 feet, as examples. The length may be determined by load characteristics, desired room configuration, or the like. Similarly, the height of the columns 204 may vary, depending on application. For example, column lengths of 8 feet, 10 feet, 12 feet or longer may be used. In some embodiments, the column length can be 10 feet and the beam length can also be 10 feet. Additional, non-load bearing walls may be added within the structure provided by the frame 100.

FIG. 2A illustrates a single piece of a middle part foldable steel structure frame 200 (also referred to simply as middle part 200). After it has been expanded, the middle part 200 becomes an H shape. The H-shape structure has relatively high stability. The middle part 200 can include beams 202, columns 204 and end studs 206. The beams 202 can attach to columns 204 with a pivoting connection to permit the folding of the middle part 200. Where a column 204A has two pivoting beams 202 and one non-pivoting beam 202A, the non-pivoting beam 202A may be fixed to the column 204A by means known in the art, including fasteners, welding, or the like.

FIG. 2B illustrates an end frame part 210. After several middle part frames 202 have been set up, the end frame part 210 can be used to create the boundary of the building. Two sides will both use the end frame part 210 to make the edge. The end frame part 210 can have a similar design as the middle part 200, with beams 202 pivotably attached to columns 204. In some embodiments, end columns 208 may only include a shoulder 400/protrusion 401/spindle 404 (see FIGS. 4A through 4C) on one side thereof to form a flush exterior side, as can be seen in FIG. 2B. In some embodiments, the end of the beam 202 that connects to the end columns 208 may be fixed to the end columns 208 by various manners, such as fasteners, welding, or the like.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show folded configurations for the foldable steel structure frame. FIG. 3A is for the H-shape middle part frame 200 and FIG. 3B is for the end frame part 210. The flat piece of structure frame saves space by transferring a 3D shape into a 2D shape. FIGS. 3C and 3D illustrate the folding process of the middle part frame 200. There are totally six beams 202 and seven columns 204 in one middle part frame 200. The mid column serves as an axis. Two beams connected to it can rotate around the mid column. Then beams on the most outside can also rotate around two side columns. The mid column and side columns are designed for folding features. And there are four edge columns used to keep the structural integrity located at the end of the side beams.

FIGS. 4A through 4C illustrate an exemplary column 204 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The column 204 can be a hollow column with spindles 404 which provide a pivot axis for the beams. At the top of the beam, there is an extended platform 400 for beams. The platform 400 and the hollow column have a Y-shape connection so that the load from the beam will be guided to the column. There are spindles 404 at the bottom of the column as well that are disposed in a protrusion 401 from the axis of the column 204. These spindles 404 are for bottom beam connections and the bottom beams can rotate around the column as illustrated above in the folding of the middle part 200.

The spindles 404 may be disposed on an opening 402 in the platform 400 such that there is a space entirely about the spindle 404. The beams may be attached to the spindles by various manners. In some embodiments, the beams may be placed in position and the spindles 404 may be inserted from a top end of the column 204, for example. In some embodiments, the top of the columns may be removable to permit access to the spindle 404. Once the beam is attached, the top cover can be placed on top to block the spindle. In some embodiments, the top cover may also block the opening 402 after assembly.

FIGS. 5A through 5C illustrate an exemplary beam 202 used in this invention. The beam can be formed, for example, as an I-shape beam. The beam can be attached to the hollow column as shown. The I-shape beam can fulfill the requirement of loading at the same time rotating around the column. The beam 202 can include a pivot end 500 and an attachment end 504. The pivot end 500 can include a pivot opening 502 through which the spindle 404 (see FIGS. 4A through 4C) can extend.

FIG. 6 introduced an optional stopper mechanism that can be used in embodiments of the present invention. The stopper mechanism can be added into the beam for locking it to a specific position. The axis on the spindle 404 of the column 204 can be cut by a square shape 602 and a similar geometric shape 604 cab be cut on the spindle opening 600 of the beam 202. After that, a blocker 606, supported with springs 608, can fill these cutouts 602, 604. The spring 608 can be squeezed until the beam 202 rotates to desired position. Then, the spring 608 can push the blocker 606 out and lock the beam 202 to form a stable structure.

All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples and that they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different ones of the disclosed elements.

The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification the generic structure, material or acts of which they represent a single species.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to not only include the combination of elements which are literally set forth. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the invention.

Claims

1. A building frame comprising:

at least two end frame structures, each end frame structure including: a side wall beam assembly including an upper side wall beam and a lower side wall beam; first and second corner columns attached at respective ends of the side wall beam assembly, wherein the upper side wall beam attaches to an upper end of the first and second corner columns and the lower side wall beam attaches to a lower end of the first and second corner columns; a front wall beam assembly including an upper front wall beam and a lower front wall beam, the front wall beam assembly pivotably attached, with a first pivot connection, at an attachment end thereof to the first corner column, wherein the upper front wall beam attaches to an upper end of the first corner column and the lower front wall beam attaches to a lower end of the first corner column; a rear wall beam assembly including an upper rear wall beam and a lower rear wall beam, the rear wall beam assembly pivotably attached, with a second pivot connection, at an attachment end thereof to the second corner column, wherein the upper rear wall beam attaches to an upper end of the second corner column and the lower rear wall beam attaches to a lower end of the second corner column; and first and second end studs, the first end stud spanning between the upper front wall beam and the lower front wall beam at an end opposite the attachment end thereof, the second end stud spanning between the upper rear wall beam and the lower rear wall beam at an end opposite the attachment end thereof, wherein

each of the at least two end frame structures are operable to attach to each other to form a building frame; and

each of the at least two end frame structures are movable between a flat, folded configuration, and an expanded configuration having a squared C-shape.

2. The building frame of claim 1, wherein the upper side wall beam is fixed to an upper end of the first and second corner columns and the lower side wall beam is fixed to a lower end of the first and second corner columns.

3. The building frame of claim 1, wherein:

the upper side wall beam is formed from a first upper side wall beam and a second upper side wall beam, each first and second upper side wall beam having a corner column attachment end, pivotably attached, with a third pivot connection to respective first and second corner columns, and upper beam distal ends opposite the corner column attachment ends;

the lower side wall beam is formed from a first lower side wall beam and a second lower side wall beam, each first and second lower side wall beam having a corner column attachment end, pivotably attached, with a fourth pivot connection, to respective first and second corner columns, and lower beam distal ends opposite the corner column attachment ends; and

a central side wall column is pivotably attached, with a fifth pivot connection, at its upper end, to the upper beam distal ends and the central side wall column is pivotably attached, with a sixth pivot connection, at its lower end, to the lower beam distal ends.

4. The building frame of claim 1, wherein:

the first corner column includes upper and lower spindles fitting into respective holes at the attachment ends of the upper and lower front wall beams; and

the second corner column includes upper and lower spindles fitting into respective holes at the attachment ends of the upper and lower rear wall beams.

5. The building frame of claim 1, wherein the corner columns include at least one platform, extending at an angle from a longitudinal axis of the corner columns to provide a pivot axis for the upper front wall beam and the upper rear wall beam.

6. The building frame of claim 2, wherein the central side wall column includes first and second platforms, at opposite upper sides thereof, extending at an angle from a longitudinal axis of the central side wall column to provide a pivot axis for the upper beam distal ends.

7. The building frame of claim 3, wherein:

at least one of first pivot connection, the second pivot connection, the third pivot connection and the fourth pivot connection includes a spindle on the column fitting into an opening on the beam;

the spindle includes a first cutout and the opening includes a second cutout;

a blocker operable to fit in the first cutout is resiliently movable into the second cutout when the building frame is in an expanded configuration.

8. The building frame of claim 7, wherein the first and second cutouts are square cutouts.

9. The building frame of claim 7, further comprising springs to resiliently urge the blocker into a locking position into the second cutout.

10. The building frame of claim 1, further comprising a middle frame structure, the middle frame structure comprising:

a front wall beam assembly including an upper front wall middle frame beam and a lower front wall middle frame beam, the upper front wall middle frame beam having a first upper wall middle frame beam portion and a second upper wall middle frame beam portion, the lower front wall middle frame beam having a first lower wall middle frame beam portion and a second lower wall middle frame beam portion;

a front wall column pivotably attached, with a seventh pivot connection, as its upper end, to first ends of the first and second upper wall middle frame portions, the front wall column further pivotably attached, with an eighth pivot connection, at its lower end, to first ends of the first and second lower wall middle frame portions;

a first wall stud spanning second ends of the first upper and lower middle frame beam portions;

a second wall stud spanning second ends of the second upper and lower middle frame beam portions;

upper and lower fixed beams attached, at a first fixed beam end, to the front wall column, wherein, in a folded configuration, the upper and lower fixed beams are substantially parallel with the upper and lower front wall middle frame beams, and, in an expanded configuration, the upper and lower fixed beams are substantially orthogonal with the upper and lower front wall middle frame beams;

a rear wall beam assembly including an upper rear wall middle frame beam and a lower rear wall middle frame beam, the upper rear wall middle frame beam having a first upper wall middle frame beam portion and a second upper wall middle frame beam portion, the lower rear wall middle frame beam having a first lower wall middle frame beam portion and a second lower wall middle frame beam portion;

a rear wall column pivotably attached, with a ninth pivot connection, at its upper end, to first ends of the first and second upper wall middle frame portions of the rear wall beam assembly, the rear wall column further pivotably attached, with a tenth pivot connection, at its lower end, to first ends of the first and second lower wall middle frame portions of the rear wall beam assembly;

a first rear wall stud spanning second ends of the first upper and lower middle frame beam portions;

a second rear wall stud spanning second ends of the second upper and lower middle frame beam portions;

upper and lower rear fixed beams attached, at a first fixed beam end, to the rear wall column, wherein, in a folded configuration, the upper and lower rear fixed beams are substantially parallel with the upper and lower rear wall middle frame beams, and, in an expanded configuration, the upper and lower rear fixed beams are substantially orthogonal with the upper and lower rear wall middle frame beams;

a central middle frame column pivotably connected, with an eleventh pivot connection, at its upper end, to the upper fixed beam and the upper rear fixed beam at respective second ends thereof, the central middle frame column further pivotably connected, with a twelfth pivot connection, at its lower end, to the lower fixed beam and the lower rear fixed beam at respective second ends thereof.

11. The building frame of claim 10, wherein:

the first and second end studs of one of the at least two end frame structures are operable to attach to respective ones of the first wall stud and the first rear wall stud; and

the first and second end studs of another one of the at least two end frame structures are operable to attach to respective ones of the second wall stud and the second rear wall stud.

12. The building frame of claim 10, wherein:

at least one of fifth pivot connection, the sixth pivot connection, the seventh pivot connection, the eighth pivot connection, the ninth pivot connection, the tenth pivot connection, the eleventh pivot connection and the twelfth pivot connection includes a spindle on the column fitting into an opening on the beam;

the spindle includes a first cutout and the opening includes a second cutout;

a blocker operable to fit in the first cutout is resiliently movable into the second cutout when the building frame is in an expanded configuration.

13. The building frame of claim 12, wherein the first and second cutouts are square cutouts.

14. The building frame of claim 12, further comprising springs to resiliently urge the blocker into a locking position into the second cutout.

15. The building frame of claim 1, wherein the building frame is a steel building frame.

16. A steel building frame comprising:

at least two end frame structures, each end frame structure including: a side wall beam assembly including an upper side wall beam and a lower side wall beam; first and second corner columns attached at respective ends of the side wall beam assembly, wherein the upper side wall beam attaches to an upper end of the first and second corner columns and the lower side wall beam attaches to a lower end of the first and second corner columns; a front wall beam assembly including an upper front wall beam and a lower front wall beam, the front wall beam assembly pivotably attached, with a first pivot connection, at an attachment end thereof to the first corner column, wherein the upper front wall beam attaches to an upper end of the first corner column and the lower front wall beam attaches to a lower end of the first corner column; a rear wall beam assembly including an upper rear wall beam and a lower rear wall beam, the rear wall beam assembly pivotably attached, with a second pivot connection, at an attachment end thereof to the second corner column, wherein the upper rear wall beam attaches to an upper end of the second corner column and the lower rear wall beam attaches to a lower end of the second corner column; and first and second end studs, the first end stud spanning between the upper front wall beam and the lower front wall beam at an end opposite the attachment end thereof, the second end stud spanning between the upper rear wall beam and the lower rear wall beam at an end opposite the attachment end thereof, wherein each of the at least two end frame structures are movable between a flat, folded configuration, and an expanded configuration having a squared C-shape; and

a middle frame structure, the middle frame structure comprising: a front wall beam assembly including an upper front wall middle frame beam and a lower front wall middle frame beam, the upper front wall middle frame beam having a first upper wall middle frame beam portion and a second upper wall middle frame beam portion, the lower front wall middle frame beam having a first lower wall middle frame beam portion and a second lower wall middle frame beam portion; a front wall column pivotably attached, with a seventh pivot connection, as its upper end, to first ends of the first and second upper wall middle frame portions, the front wall column further pivotably attached, with an eighth pivot connection, at its lower end, to first ends of the first and second lower wall middle frame portions; a first wall stud spanning second ends of the first upper and lower middle frame beam portions; a second wall stud spanning second ends of the second upper and lower middle frame beam portions; upper and lower fixed beams attached, at a first fixed beam end, to the front wall column, wherein, in a folded configuration, the upper and lower fixed beams are substantially parallel with the upper and lower front wall middle frame beams, and, in an expanded configuration, the upper and lower fixed beams are substantially orthogonal with the upper and lower front wall middle frame beams; a rear wall beam assembly including an upper rear wall middle frame beam and a lower rear wall middle frame beam, the upper rear wall middle frame beam having a first upper wall middle frame beam portion and a second upper wall middle frame beam portion, the lower rear wall middle frame beam having a first lower wall middle frame beam portion and a second lower wall middle frame beam portion; a rear wall column pivotably attached, with a ninth pivot connection, at its upper end, to first ends of the first and second upper wall middle frame portions of the rear wall beam assembly, the rear wall column further pivotably attached, with a tenth pivot connection, at its lower end, to first ends of the first and second lower wall middle frame portions of the rear wall beam assembly; a first rear wall stud spanning second ends of the first upper and lower middle frame beam portions; a second rear wall stud spanning second ends of the second upper and lower middle frame beam portions; upper and lower rear fixed beams attached, at a first fixed beam end, to the rear wall column, wherein, in a folded configuration, the upper and lower rear fixed beams are substantially parallel with the upper and lower rear wall middle frame beams, and, in an expanded configuration, the upper and lower rear fixed beams are substantially orthogonal with the upper and lower rear wall middle frame beams; and a central middle frame column pivotably connected, with an eleventh pivot connection, at its upper end, to the upper fixed beam and the upper rear fixed beam at respective second ends thereof, the central middle frame column further pivotably connected, with a twelfth pivot connection, at its lower end, to the lower fixed beam and the lower rear fixed beam at respective second ends thereof.

17. The steel building frame of claim 16, wherein the upper side wall beam is fixed to an upper end of the first and second corner columns and the lower side wall beam is fixed to a lower end of the first and second corner columns.

18. The steel building frame of claim 16, wherein:

the upper side wall beam is formed from a first upper side wall beam and a second upper side wall beam, each first and second upper side wall beam having a corner column attachment end, pivotably attached, with a third pivot connection to respective first and second corner columns, and upper beam distal ends opposite the corner column attachment ends;

the lower side wall beam is formed from a first lower side wall beam and a second lower side wall beam, each first and second lower side wall beam having a corner column attachment end, pivotably attached, with a fourth pivot connection, to respective first and second corner columns, and lower beam distal ends opposite the corner column attachment ends; and

a central side wall column is pivotably attached, with a fifth pivot connection, at its upper end, to the upper beam distal ends and the central side wall column is pivotably attached, with a sixth pivot connection, at its lower end, to the lower beam distal ends.

19. The steel building frame of claim 16, wherein:

the first corner column includes upper and lower spindles fitting into respective holes at the attachment ends of the upper and lower front wall beams; and

the second corner column includes upper and lower spindles fitting into respective holes at the attachment ends of the upper and lower rear wall beams.

20. The steel building frame of claim 16, wherein the corner columns include at least one platform, extending at an angle from a longitudinal axis of the corner columns to provide a pivot axis for the upper front wall beam and the upper rear wall beam.