Abstract:
A convertible shelter system includes an enclosure having a removable side wall that selectively may be hinged to provide open access or to be held in an open position as a wind break. The convertible shelter system also includes the ability to fully remove the removable side wall on two enclosures having the same construction and to quickly and conveniently connect the remaining enclosure structures with a bridging panel, resulting in an enlarged, combined space while maintaining an essentially unobstructed ground surface.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention generally relates to portable shelters, and more particularly to convertible shelter systems and methods that permit hinging of a side wall or removal of a side wall and connection of two similarly constructed enclosures using a bridging panel to achieve one elongated enclosure defining an open floor space. 
         [0003]    Discussion of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Portable shelters, such as may be used for ice fishing, are known and typically include a lightweight flexible enclosure supported by a collapsible frame. The flexible enclosure often has multiple side walls, with each side wall permanently connected to adjacent side walls and to a top wall. When the collapsible frame is erected, the enclosure is free standing. Such portable shelters generally are sized to accommodate one or two individuals and their gear with the exposed ground surface serving as a floor. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The purpose and advantages of the invention will be set forth in and apparent from the description and drawings that follow, as well as will be learned by practice of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0006]    This disclosure generally provides convertible shelter systems that retain the qualities of compactness, light weight and easy set-up of portable shelters, yet have desirable advantages. The convertible shelter systems feature an enclosure having a removable side wall that selectively may be hinged to provide enhanced, quick and open access for ease in moving items into or out of the enclosure. The hinged side wall also can be held in an open position, such as by staking to a ground surface, to serve as a wind break, if desired. The convertible shelter systems also feature the ability to fully remove the removable side wall on two enclosures having the same construction, and to quickly and conveniently connect the remaining enclosure structures with a bridging panel, without requiring the use of tools. The connected enclosures and bridging panel advantageously provide an enlarged, combined space having greater capacity, while maintaining an essentially unobstructed ground surface. The enhanced interior space is capable of accommodating more occupants, furnishings and gear. The open floor space and absence of one or more intermediate interior walls also facilitate more flexible arrangements for furnishings and other items, as well as greater freedom of movement throughout the interior for the occupants. 
         [0007]    In a first aspect, this disclosure provides a convertible shelter system having an enclosure that includes a plurality of interconnected side walls defining an open floor space and being connected to a top wall, with at least one of the side walls being removable, wherein the removable side wall has opposed first and second side edges and a top edge and defines an opening in the enclosure. The opening in the enclosure has a perimeter edge that further comprises a connecting member that is configured to selectively disconnect the removable side wall from the perimeter edge of the opening along the first and second side edges and the top edge of the removable side wall or to hinge the removable side wall from the enclosure by disconnecting the removable side wall from the perimeter edge of the opening along the first side edge and the top edge of the removable side wall. 
         [0008]    In another aspect, this disclosure provides a convertible shelter system having an enclosure that includes a plurality of interconnected side walls defining an open floor space and being connected to a top wall, with at least one of the side walls being removable, wherein the removable side wall has opposed first and second side edges and a top edge and defines an opening in the enclosure. The opening in the enclosure has a perimeter edge that further comprises a connecting member that is configured to selectively disconnect the removable side wall from the perimeter edge of the opening along the first and second side edges and the top edge of the removable side wall or to hinge the removable side wall from the enclosure by disconnecting the removable side wall from the perimeter edge of the opening along the first side edge and the top edge of the removable side wall. The convertible shelter system further has a second enclosure that includes a plurality of interconnected side walls defining an open floor space and being connected to a top wall, with at least one of the side walls being removable, wherein the removable side wall has opposed first and second side edges and a top edge and defines an opening in the second enclosure. The opening in the second enclosure has a perimeter edge that further comprises a connecting member that is configured to selectively disconnect the removable side wall from the perimeter edge of the opening along the first and second side edges and the top edge of the removable side wall or to hinge the removable side wall from the second enclosure by disconnecting the removable side wall from the perimeter edge of the opening along the first side edge and the top edge of the removable side wall. The convertible shelter system additionally includes a bridging panel having first and second opposed side edges with the first opposed side edge configured to be connected to the first enclosure at the opening of the first enclosure and the second opposed side edge configured to be connected to the second enclosure at the opening of the second enclosure, and wherein when the at least one removable side wall is removed from each of the first and second enclosures and the respective openings are located in an opposed and spaced apart position and the first enclosure is connected by the bridging panel to the second enclosure, the interconnected bridging panel and side walls of the first and second enclosures define an open and continuous floor space. 
         [0009]    In a further aspect, this disclosure provides a method of assembling a convertible shelter system that includes the steps of providing a first enclosure, a second enclosure and a bridging panel, wherein each of the first and second enclosures includes a plurality of interconnected side walls defining an open floor space and being connected to a top wall, with the first and second enclosures each having at least one of the side walls being removable, wherein the removable side wall has opposed first and second side edges and a top edge and defines an opening in the respective enclosure, wherein the opening in the respective enclosure has a perimeter edge, and wherein the bridging panel has first and second opposed side edges with the first and second opposed side edges with the first opposed side edge configured to be connected to the first enclosure at the opening of the first enclosure and the second opposed side edge configured to be connected to the second enclosure at the opening of the second enclosure. The method further includes the steps of removing the removable side wall of the first enclosure, removing the removable side wall of the second enclosure, positioning the first and second enclosures to have the opening defined by the removed removable side wall of the first enclosure opposed to and spaced from the opening defined by the removed removable side wall of the second enclosure, and connecting the first enclosure at the opening defined by the removed removable side wall of the first enclosure to the first opposed side edge of the bridging panel and connecting the second enclosure at the opening defined by the removed removable side wall of the second enclosure to the second opposed side edge of the bridging panel, wherein the interconnected bridging panel and side walls of the first and second enclosures define an open and continuous floor space. 
         [0010]    As above noted, the example convertible shelter systems and example methods of assembling convertible shelter systems of this disclosure provide several advantageous features. The example systems and methods provide the ability to quickly and conveniently hinge a side wall of an enclosure, or to remove a side wall from an enclosure, and to combine similar portable first and second enclosures, each having a side wall removed. This is accomplished by being able to readily remove a side wall from each of the first and second enclosures, thereby defining an opening in each of the first and second enclosures. The first and second enclosures then are positioned to have the respective openings be opposed to and spaced apart from each other. The bridging panel then may be conveniently used to connect the first and second enclosures. The resulting assembled convertible shelter system has at least twice the floor space of one of the first and second enclosures, with the floor space being open and essentially unobstructed. Thus, occupants need not step or crawl through a tube when passing from one enclosure to another. Rather, the open floor space of the present convertible shelter system permits advantageous flexibility as to where furnishings and gear may be placed and allows occupants to move more freely within the interior of the convertible shelter system. The examples also offer the ability to accomplish these advantages with the further convenience of each of the enclosures having a pop up structure. This permits each of the enclosures and the entire convertible shelter system to be swiftly erected and/or collapsed, without the use of tools. 
         [0011]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and provided for purposes of explanation only, and are not restrictive of the subject matter claimed. Further features and objects of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent in the following description of the preferred embodiments and from the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    In describing the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawing figures wherein like parts have like reference numerals, and wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example convertible shelter system of the present disclosure including an enclosure having a removable side wall; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the example convertible shelter system of  FIG. 1 , showing the removable side wall hinged to an open position and showing the interior side of the hinged side wall; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the example convertible shelter system of  FIG. 2 , showing the exterior side of the hinged side wall; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of first and second enclosures of a further example convertible shelter system of the present disclosure, with each of the enclosures having a removable side wall; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the first and second enclosures of  FIG. 4 , showing each of the enclosures having the removable side wall removed; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a bridging panel of the further example convertible shelter system of the present disclosure, which also includes the first and second enclosures of  FIG. 5 , and wherein the bridging panel has first and second opposed side edges configured to be connected to the first and second enclosures; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the further example convertible shelter system of the present disclosure having the first and second enclosures of  FIG. 5  connected together by use of the bridging panel of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of first and second enclosures of yet another example convertible shelter system of the present disclosure, with each of the enclosures having a removable side wall that has been removed and further including a bridging panel that is extendible from inward of the opening in the respective enclosure; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the additional example convertible shelter system of the present disclosure having the first and second enclosures of  FIG. 8  connected together by use of the bridging panel that is extending from inward of the opening of one of the enclosures. 
       
    
    
       [0022]    It should be understood that the drawings are not to scale. While some mechanical details of example convertible shelter systems, including other plan and section views of the examples shown and of examples that may have alternative configurations, have not been included, such details are considered well within the comprehension of those of skill in the art in light of the present disclosure. It also should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the example embodiments illustrated. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    For the following defined terms, these definitions shall be applied, unless a different definition is given in the claims or elsewhere in this disclosure. As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0024]    Referring generally to  FIGS. 1-9 , it will be appreciated that convertible shelter systems of the present disclosure generally may be embodied within numerous configurations, and may be used in various ways to alter and enhance the convenience of users. Indeed, while acknowledging that all of the example configurations of convertible shelter systems need not be shown herein, examples are provided to better demonstrate that a variety of configurations and methods of use are contemplated. 
         [0025]    Turning to a first example embodiment of a convertible shelter system shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , a convertible shelter system  10  is shown and generally comprises a portable enclosure  12  that includes a plurality of interconnected side walls  14 ,  14 A defining an open floor space and being connected to a top wall  16 , with at least one of the side walls  14 A being configured to be removable. The removable side wall  14 A has opposed first and second side edges  18 A,  18 B and a top edge  18 C and defines an opening  20  in the enclosure  12 . The opening  20  in the enclosure has a perimeter edge  22 , having first and second side edges  22 A,  22 B and a top edge  22 C, which further comprise a connecting member  24 . The connecting member  24  is configured to selectively disconnect the removable side wall  14 A from the perimeter edge  22  of the opening  20  along the first and second side edges  18 A,  18 B and the top edge  18 C of the removable side wall  14 A, or to hinge the removable side wall  14 A from the enclosure by disconnecting the removable side wall  14 A from the perimeter edge  22  of the opening  20  along the first side edge  18 A and the top edge  18 C of the removable side wall  14 A. In this example, the perimeter edge  22  of the opening  20  is shown to be located at the corners from the removable side wall  14 A to the adjacent side walls  14  and to the top wall  16 . It will be appreciated that the perimeter edge  22  of the opening  20  could be spaced from the actual corners, but it is desirable to avoid having an intermediate wall, because it would create an obstruction and limit the freedom of movement through the opening  20 . 
         [0026]    It will be appreciated that the side walls  14  and removable side wall  14 A may further include internal anchor straps  28  configured for use in holding a side wall  14  in place, or for holding the removable side wall  14 A in a hinged, open position, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Such internal anchor straps  28  may include a tab of flexible material or fabric having an eyelet  28 A through which an anchor  30  may pass downward and into the ground surface. The internal anchor straps  28  may be used adjacent the opening  20  to help anchor the enclosure to the ground surface and to keep the side walls  14  from moving further apart at the ground surface. In an example of use for ice fishing, the anchor  30  may be a threaded spike having a handle, for ease of turning by hand to secure the side walls  14  and/or to secure the removable side wall  14 A in a selected hinged open position. This arrangement permits the removable side wall  14 A to provide added utility by serving as a wind break, such as when it may be desirable if a user seeks to sit or fish outside of the enclosure, but to be at least partially sheltered from the wind. A hinging limiter  32 , such as is shown for example in the form of a removable elongated strap, also may be provided to limit the angle to which the removable side wall  14 A may swing to an open position. It will be appreciated that the hinging limiter  32  may be of various alternative constructions and may include a construction that is adjustable in length, such as may be provided by a buckle on the example strap. 
         [0027]    In addition, the removable side wall  14 A may be steadied and anchored in a hinged open position by an optional external anchor strap  34 . Each of the side walls  14 ,  14 A and top wall  16  may be equipped with an external connector  36 , which are shown in  FIGS. 1-3  at the center of each wall. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a first end of an external anchor strap  34  may be connected to an external connector  36  at the center of the removable side wall  14 A and a second end of the external anchor strap  34  may be staked to the ground using a suitable anchor, such as the anchor  30  previously described, which may extend through and end of the external anchor strap  34 . 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , at least one of the side walls  14  of the enclosure may include a doorway  38 . In this example, the doorway  38  may be closed by a door  40  that is in the form of a flap of material or fabric of a side wall  14 , or may include alternative materials that differ from the material of the side walls  14 . In this example, the doorway  38  and door  40  are shown as having a connecting member  42  having complementary portions  42 A and  42 B of a zipper located at their edges to be able to provide a convenient and relatively weather proof closure. It will be appreciated that one or more zippers, or alternative mechanical connecting members, such as hook and loop fasteners, snaps or the like, also could be used to close a door in a side wall  14 . Also, fasteners  44  may be used for holding open a door  40 . The fasteners  44  may be of any suitable type, such as hook and loop, snaps or other alternatives. Thus, a first fastener portion  44 A is shown on the exterior of a door  40 , while a second fastener portion  44 B is shown on an opposed exterior of a side wall  14 ,  14 A, for removable connection when the door  40  is in a fully opened position. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 1-3  also show at least one of the side walls  14 ,  14 A may include a window  46 . The window  46  may include a transparent panel and/or screen that is permanently connected to a side wall  14 ,  14 A in a closed position, or may be configured to permit opening. It will be appreciated that additional windows of generally similar construction may be connected to the top wall  16 , such as to form a skylight, or that windows may have an alternative construction, such as may be provided by a transparent or non-transparent flap that may be held in an open or closed position. 
         [0030]    In this first example convertible shelter system, the connecting member  24  includes two portions, with a first portion  24 A attached at the edge  22  of the opening  20  of the enclosure  12  and a second portion  24 B attached along the side and top edges  18 A,  18 B and  18 C of the removable the side wall  14 A. While it may be of a different construction, the connecting member  24  is shown, for example, as including complementary portions of a detachable zipper assembly. 
         [0031]    The example enclosure  12  further comprises a pop up structure that supports the side walls and top wall. In the example shown, each side wall  14 ,  14 A and the top wall  16  have a hub  50  that is connected to a plurality of rods  52 . The plurality of rods  52  are connected to a fabric panel  54  of the respective side wall or top wall, such as by fitting within a pocket in the corner of the respective panel. In this example, for each of the side walls  14 ,  14 A and the top wall  16 , the plurality of rods  52  include four rods  52  that are pivotally connected to the hub  50  and are movable to achieve an erected position that places the fabric panel  54  in tension, such as by pivoting to an over-center position. As seen in  FIG. 3 , an optional additional rod  58  may be used along the side of the opening  20  in the enclosure  12 , if there is a desire for additional vertical support of a side wall  14  at the opening  20 . The rods  52  and  54  may be somewhat flexible and may be constructed of suitable materials, such as fiberglass, plastic or metal. It also will be appreciated that alternative collapsible frame structures may be utilized. 
         [0032]    A further example convertible shelter system  110  is shown in  FIGS. 4-7 , which includes as a first enclosure the enclosure  12  of the first example system. The convertible shelter system  110  of this example further comprises a similarly constructed second enclosure  12 ′, which includes a plurality of interconnected side walls  14  defining an open floor space and being connected to a top wall  16 , with at least one of the side walls  14 A being removable. The removable side wall  14 A has opposed first and second side edges  18 A,  18 B and a top edge  18 C and defines an opening  20  in the second enclosure  12 ′. The opening  20  in the second enclosure  12 ′ has a perimeter edge  22  that further comprises a connecting member  24  that is configured to selectively disconnect the removable side wall  14 A from the perimeter edge  22  of the opening  20  along the first and second side edges  18 A,  18 B and the top edge  18 C of the removable side wall  14 A or to hinge the removable side wall  14 A from the second enclosure  12 ′ by disconnecting the removable side wall  14 A from the perimeter edge  22  of the opening  20  along the first side edge  18 A and the top edge  18 C of the removable side wall  14 A. As with the prior example, the connecting member  24  may include complementary portions  24 A and  24 B of a zipper or alternative connection assembly. For ease of explanation, the structure and features of the second enclosure  12 ′ are, in all of the other respects, the same as those of the first enclosure  12 , and therefore, they bear similar numerical references and the description need not be repeated. 
         [0033]    The example convertible shelter system  110  of  FIGS. 4-7  further includes a bridging panel  60  having first and second opposed side edges  60 A,  60 B with the first opposed side edge  60 A configured to be connected to the first enclosure  12  at the opening  20  of the first enclosure  12  and the second opposed side edge  60 B configured to be connected to the second enclosure  12 ′ at the opening  20  of the second enclosure  12 ′. Indeed, when the at least one removable side wall  14 A is removed from each of the first and second enclosures  12 ,  12 ′ and the respective openings  20 ,  20  are located in an opposed and spaced apart position and the first enclosure  12  is connected by the bridging panel  60  to the second enclosure  12 ′, the interconnected bridging panel  60  and side walls  14  of the first and second enclosures  12 ,  12 ′ define an open and continuous floor space. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , at least one of the first and second opposed side edges  60 A,  60 B of the bridging panel  60  further comprises a connecting member  64  that is configured to be connected to the connecting member  24  located at the perimeter edge of the opening  20  of the first enclosure  12  or second enclosure  12 ′. It will be appreciated that alternative bridging panels and constructions may be incorporated into the system. For instance, the gap between the opposed and spaced apart openings  20 ,  20  of the first and second enclosures  12 ,  12 ′ may be a filled by a bridging panel that is of a continuous construction or that may have multiple separate sections. Also, alternative connecting members may be used, including other fasteners, which may permit removable connection along one or both edges of a bridging panel. 
         [0035]    In the example shown in  FIGS. 4-7 , the first opposed side edge  60 A of the bridging panel  60  further comprises a connecting member  64 A that is configured to be connected to a connecting member  24 A located at the perimeter edge  22  of the opening  20  of the first enclosure  12  and the second opposed side edge  60 B of the bridging panel  60  further comprises a connecting member  64 A that similarly is configured to be connected to a connecting member  24 A located at the perimeter edge  22  of the opening  20  of the second enclosure  12 ′. Each of the respective connecting members  64 A and  24 A of this example represent complementary portions of a zipper assembly, although it will be appreciated that other mechanical connecting members may be utilized, as previously noted. 
         [0036]    The convertible shelter systems  10 ,  110  also are shown with a skirt  70  around the base of the exterior of each of the first and second enclosures  12 ,  12 ′. For each enclosure  12 ,  12 ′, it will be appreciated that a portion  70 A of the skirt  70  is connected to the removable side wall  14 A, and therefore, is removed when a removable side wall  14 A is removed from an enclosure. This ensures that the floor area, defined by the connected side walls  14  of the first and second enclosures  12 ,  12 ′ and bridging panel  60 , will not have an obstruction stretching between the respective enclosures  12 ,  12 ′, and instead will have a continuous open floor. However, so as to ensure that the combined first and second enclosures  12 ,  12 ′ and bridging panel  60  will have a full exterior skirt at the ground, the bridging panel  60  may include optional skirt portions  70 B at its opposed ends. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the skirt portions  70 B are located adjacent opposed side walls  14  of the first and second enclosures  12 ,  12 ′, so as to complete the skirt when the first and second enclosures  12 ,  12 ′ are connected by the bridging panel  60 . 
         [0037]    The present disclosure includes another example convertible shelter system  210 , selective representative views of which are shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . This additional example is quite similar to the example shown in  FIGS. 4-7 , except with respect to having first and second enclosures  12 ″,  12 ′″, which differ from the earlier example first and second enclosures  12 ,  12 ′ with respect to the inclusion of an alternative bridging panel  160  and its respective connection to first and second enclosures  12 ″,  12 ′″. Accordingly, similar reference numerals will be used for structures of this example that are similar to the structures shown for the earlier example first and second enclosures  12 ,  12 ′. However, different reference numerals will be used with respect to the alternative constructions relating to incorporation of the bridging panel  160 . 
         [0038]    In the example convertible shelter system  210 , each of the first and second enclosures  12 ″,  12 ′″ is shown already having the respective removable side walls  14 A of each enclosure removed, and as having a bridging panel  160  connected to each enclosure, with the bridging panel  160  of the first enclosure  12 ″ deployed for use in connecting a first enclosure  12 ″ to a second enclosure  12 ′″. It will be appreciated that only one of the bridging panels  160  is needed to connect the enclosures  12 ″,  12 ′″, however, a bridging panel  160  could be included with each enclosure, for standardization of the enclosures. For instance, in  FIG. 8 , the first enclosure  12 ″ is shown with a bridging panel  160  that is extending outward from just inward of the opening so as to be available for connection to a second enclosure  12 ′″. Meanwhile, the bridging panel  160  of the second enclosure  12 ′″ is shown with the bridging panel  160  rolled up and stowed just inside of the opening  20 , such as by use of straps or other fasteners. Only one of the bridging panels  160  will be needed to connect the first and second enclosures  12 ″,  12 ′″. 
         [0039]    Each bridging panel  160  includes first and second opposed side edges  160 A and  160 B. In this example, the first opposed side edge  160 A has a connecting member  164 A that is connected to the first enclosure  12 ″ at the opening  20  of the first enclosure  12 ″. The connection may be made permanently, such as by sewing, stitching, riveting, gluing or other suitable permanent connection of the first opposed side edge  160 A along the interior of the side walls  14  and top wall  16 . Alternatively, removable mechanical connecting assemblies may be used, such as hook and loop fasteners, snaps, or even a further zipper assembly, so as to permit the bridging panel  160  to be removable. 
         [0040]    The second opposed side edge  160 B of the bridging panel  160  of this example includes a connecting member  164 B that is complementary to the connecting member  24 A at the opening of the second enclosure  12 ′″, which is shown as a portion of a zipper assembly along the edge  22  of the opening  20  of the second enclosure  12 ′″. Thus, each of the first and second enclosures  12 ″,  12 ′″ of this example may be constructed to carry a built in or removable bridging panel  160  that remains with the enclosure  12 ″,  12 ′″ and is available for use with a similar enclosure at any time. 
         [0041]    In light of the aforementioned description of the example convertible shelter systems, it will be appreciated that one may follow a method of assembling a convertible shelter system that is consistent with this disclosure. The method includes the steps of providing a first enclosure  12  (or  12 ″), a second enclosure  12 ′ (or  12 ′″) and a bridging panel  60  (or  160 ), wherein each of the first and second enclosures includes a plurality of interconnected side walls  14  defining an open floor space and being connected to a top wall  16 , with the first and second enclosures each having at least one of the side walls  14 A being removable, wherein the removable side wall  14 A has opposed first and second side edges  18 A,  18 B and a top edge  18 C and defines an opening  20  in the respective enclosure, wherein the opening  20  in the respective enclosure has a perimeter edge  22 , and wherein the bridging panel  60  (or  160 ) has first and second opposed side edges  60 A,  60 B (or  160 A,  160 B) with the first opposed side edge configured to be connected to the first enclosure at the opening of the first enclosure and the second opposed side edge configured to be connected to the second enclosure at the opening of the second enclosure. The method further includes removing the removable side wall  14 A of the first enclosure, removing the removable side wall  14 A of the second enclosure, and positioning the first and second enclosures to have the opening  20  defined by the removed removable side wall  14 A of the first enclosure  12  (or  12 ″) opposed to and spaced from the opening  20  defined by the removed removable side wall  14 A of the second enclosure  12 ′ (or  12 ′″). The method also includes connecting the first enclosure at the opening  20  defined by the removed removable side wall  14 A of the first enclosure  12  (or  12 ″) to the first opposed side edge  60 A (or  160 A) of the bridging panel  60  (or  160 ) and connecting the second enclosure at the opening  20  defined by the removed removable side wall  14 A of the second enclosure  12 ′ (or  12 ′″) to the second opposed side edge  60 B (or  160 B) of the bridging panel  60  (or  160 ), wherein the interconnected bridging panel  60  (or  160 ) and side walls  14  of the first and second enclosures define an open and continuous floor space. 
         [0042]    It will be appreciated that the method of assembling a convertible shelter system in accordance with this disclosure also may include providing the perimeter edge  22  of the opening  20  of each of the first and second enclosures with a connecting member  24 A. In addition, the method may further include providing at least one of the first and second opposed side edges  60 A,  60 B (or  160 A,  160 B) of the bridging panel with a connecting member  64 A (or  164 A) that is configured to be connected to the connecting member  24 A located at the perimeter edge  22  of the opening  20  of the removed removable side wall  14 A of the first or second enclosure. 
         [0043]    Further, the method may include providing the first opposed side edge  60 A of the bridging panel  60  with a connecting member  64 A that is configured to be connected to a connecting member  24 A located at the perimeter edge  22  of the opening  20  of the removed removable side wall  14 A of the first enclosure  12  and the second opposed side edge  60 B of the bridging panel  60  with a connecting member  64 A that is configured to be connected to a connecting member  24 A located at the perimeter edge  22  of the opening  20  of the removed removable side wall  14 A of the second enclosure  12 ′. It follows that the method also may further include connecting the connecting member  64 A on the first opposed side edge  60 A of the bridging panel  60  to the connecting member  24 A located at the perimeter edge  22  of the opening  20  of the removed removable side wall  14 A of the first enclosure  12 , and connecting the connecting member  64 A on second opposed side edge  60 B of the bridging panel  60  to the connecting member  24 A located at the perimeter edge  22  of the opening  20  of the removed removable side wall  14 A of the second enclosure  12 ′. 
         [0044]    The method of assembling a convertible shelter system in accordance with this disclosure also may include having each of the first and second enclosures  12  (or  12 ″),  12 ′ (or  12 ′″) include a pop up structure having each of the side walls  14 ,  14 A and the top wall  16  further include a hub  50  that is connected to a plurality of rods  52 , with the plurality of rods  52  being connected to a fabric panel  54 . The method may then include, for each of the side walls  14 ,  14 A and the top wall  16  of each of the first and second enclosures  12  (or  12 ″),  12 ′ (or  12 ′″), the plurality of rods  52  are pivotally connected to the hub  50  and are movable from a collapsed position to an erected position that places the fabric panel  54  in tension, with the method including the step of pivoting the rods  52  relative to the hubs  50  of the respective top walls  16  and side walls  14 ,  14 A to erect the pop up structure of the first and second enclosures  12  (or  12 ″),  12 ′ (or  12 ′″). 
         [0045]    From the above disclosure, it will be apparent that convertible shelter systems constructed in accordance with this disclosure may include a number of structural aspects that provide numerous advantages over conventional constructions. The example convertible shelter systems shown herein may exhibit one or more of the above-referenced potential advantages, depending upon the specific design chosen. 
         [0046]    It will be appreciated that a convertible shelter system constructed in accordance with the present disclosure may be provided in various configurations. Any variety of suitable materials of construction, configurations, shapes and sizes for the components and methods of connecting the components may be utilized to meet the particular needs and requirements of an end user. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made in the design and construction of such convertible shelter systems, as well as in the method of assembling a convertible shelter system, without departing from the scope or spirit of the claimed subject matter, and that the claims are not limited to the preferred embodiments and methods illustrated herein. It also will be appreciated that the example embodiments may be shown in simplified form, so as to focus on the key components and to avoid including structures that are not necessary to the disclosure and that would over complicate the drawings.