Temporary shelter with adjustble door system

A portable temporary aircraft hanger that includes a lightweight frame covered with a durable, main outer cover. The frame includes a plurality of transverse frame members attached to a rigid base frame. Each frame member includes two opposite straight lower sections, two curved eave sections, two straight roof sections and a curved, central peak section. Adjacent frame members are interconnected by a plurality of purlins. Disposed over one end opening is a flexible end cover. Formed on one end panel of the shelter is wide rectangular door opening designed to allow wide equipment, such as a winged aircraft to easily enter and exit the shelter. In the first embodiment, the door opening is covered by two hinged door panels including a longitudinally aligned sliding door section. Disposed above the wide opening is an optional upper opening which is selectively closed and opened by a retractable door panel. In another embodiment, the lower door opening and upper opening are replaced by a single, large opening covered completely by a large retractable door.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention disclosed herein pertains to temporary shelters and more particularly to temporary shelters with adjustable wide doors.

2. Description of the Related Art

Companies and governmental agencies often need temporary shelters with wide doors that allow large equipment, such as aircraft, tanks, personal carriers and cranes, to easily enter and exit the shelter. Depending on the nature and size of the equipment that will be placed in the shelter and the amount of space available for the shelter, the door can be either a pivoting style mounted on hinges, a sliding-style mounted on wheels that ride on tracks, a folding-style that retracts or extends over a door opening or a curtain-style that unfolds or folds vertically over a door opening.

One drawback with doors used with large temporary shelters is that the doors must be made of smaller components that can be easily be transported in an aircraft and then easily assembled and disassembled at a remote location. Another drawback with temporary shelters with wide door openings is that special design features must be used to make it structurally stable and able to withstand strong winds when the door is opened or closed.

When a temporary shelter is used as an aircraft hanger, the door opening must be sufficient in width and height to accommodate the shape of the aircraft. Because the wing spans and shapes and heights of the vertical stabilizers vary with different aircraft, the size and shape of the door opening on the shelter may need to be adjusted. This is especially true with U.S. and foreign military because they use different types of aircraft.

Therefore, what is needed is a temporary shelter with a wide door system that uses doors made of components that can be easily transported in an aircraft, that is structurally stable to withstand high winds when the door is opened or closed, that allows the door opening to be adjusted for different size equipment to enter and exit the shelter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a temporary shelter with a wide adjustable door system that when disassembled, can be stored in a compact configuration and easily transported.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a shelter which when properly assembled, can be used in relatively high wind conditions.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a shelter that uses two hinged lightweight door panels that easily swing open or close so that large equipment may enter and exit the shelter.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a shelter with two hinged door panels each including a sliding door section that can be selectively retracted to create a smaller opening into the shelter.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a shelter with an upper door opening covered by a retractable door panel thereby enabling a wide and tall piece of equipment, such as an aircraft, to enter and exit the shelter.

These and other objects are met by the temporary shelter disclosed herein that includes a lightweight, easy to assemble frame covered with a durable, main outer cover. The frame includes a plurality of upright, transverse frame members attached to a rigid base frame. During assembly, the base is set-up in a flat level area on the ground. Each frame member includes two opposite straight lower sections, two curved eave sections, two straight roof sections and a curved, central peak section. The frame members are vertically aligned and evenly spaced apart over the base frame. Adjacent frame members are interconnected by a plurality of purlins. After the frame has been assembled, a flexible main body cover is stretched and attached over the main frame body. A flexible end cover is stretched and attached to the shelter's end frame.

Formed on the end of the shelter opposite the flexible end cover is a wide lower rectangular opening designed to accommodate two hinged door panels. The two hinged door panels are pivotally attached to the shelter by two hinges located along one edge. Attached to each hinged door panel is a longitudinally aligned sliding door panel. Each sliding door panel moves longitudinally over the hinge door panel thereby enabling the door's overall length to be selectively adjusted. The sliding door panels are mounted on wheels that roll over a header which supports the door panels in a closed position over the wide door opening. In the preferred embodiment, the two hinged door panels and sliding door sections are made of lightweight tubing material and a durable fabric cover.

Disposed above the wide rectangular opening is an optional upper opening which is selectively closed and opened by a vertically retractable small door panel. The door panel is made of flexible material designed to fully cover the wide opening when extended. In the preferred embodiment, the lower edge of the flexible material is attached to a horizontal support bar that extends transversely in the door opening. The opposite ends of the support bar are connected to a rolling coupler that moves vertically inside tracks mounted on the perimeter edges of the upper opening. A header channel is attached to the bottom edge of the support bar which interconnects the two lower door panels when the two wide door panels are closed.

During use, the sliding door sections can be selectively retracted and extended to create different size openings into the shelter. Also, when the sliding door sections are retracted into their respective hinged door panel, the hinge door panels can be easily swung open to create a larger rectangular door opening. If a large, tall door opening is needed to allow aircraft or similar equipment to enter and exit the shelter, the two hinge doors and the retractable door panel can be easily opened.

In another embodiment, the wide lower rectangular opening and the upper opening are replaced by a single tall rectangular opening. A vertically expanding and retaining, curtain-style door is used in place of the two hinged door panels and the retractable small door panel. When using a single, tall rectangular opening and a single curtain-style door, the height of the door may be easily adjusted to accommodate different style aircrafts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring toFIGS. 1-16, there is shown a temporary shelter10with a wide rectangular lower opening50formed therein. The shelter10includes a lightweight frame12covered with a durable, main outer cover30. The frame12includes a plurality of transverse arching frame members13attached to a rigid three sided base frame14. Each frame member13includes two opposite straight lower sections13A,13B, two curved eave sections13C,13D, two straight roof sections13E,13F and a curved, central peak section13G. Adjacent frame members13are interconnected by a plurality of purlins15. Formed on the shelter10is a closed wall18made of a plurality of vertical posts covered by a flexible end cover32.

The shelter10includes a closed end wall18and a door wall19formed opposite of the closed wall18. Formed on the door wall19is a wide rectangular-shaped lower opening50. In the first embodiment, the lower opening50extends substantially the entire width of the shelter10.

Located inside the lower opening50are two square or rectangular-shaped pivoting door panels55,55′. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, each door panel5555′includes an outer frame comprising two horizontal rails,58,59and two vertical rails60,62. Each door panel55,55′ is covered by a flexible cover64. Two hinges66,68are used to attach one vertical rail60to a corner post21on the frame12. During use, each door panel55,55′ is able to independently pivot outward approximately 90 degrees, as shown inFIG. 4.

Each door panel55,55′ has a length of approximately ¼ to ⅓ the width of the shelter10. Each door panel55,55′ includes a sliding door section75,75′, respectively, which is sufficient in length and width to close approximately one-half of the wide opening50when the door panel55or55′ is closed and the sliding door section75or75′, respectively, is extended. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, each sliding door section75,75′ is longitudinally aligned on the hinge door panel55,55′, respectively, via a plurality of wheels102that roll over horizontal supports,56,56′ located on the door wall19and above the top rails56,56′ on the door panels55,55′. When the sliding doors75,75′ are extended from the two hinged door panels55,55′, the upper wheels110engage a fixed channel-shaped header85provided on the end door wall19or that extends from the top edge of one of the hinged door panels55,55′ which hold the two sliding door sections75,75′ in a closed position. Optional locks (not shown) are provided to hold each sliding door section75,75′ in a fixed longitudinally aligned position on each hinged door panel55,55′, respectively.

In the preferred embodiment, the two hinged door panels55,55′ and sliding door panels75,75′ are made of lightweight tubing material and a durable fabric cover.

In another embodiment of the invention, the door wall21also includes an small upper opening90which when combined with the wide lower opening50forms an inverted T-shaped opening200. An inverted T-shaped opening generally denoted as200is desired when the shelter10is used with a winged aircraft (not shown) with a vertical stabilizer. During use, the lower door opening50is able to receive the two wings and the fuselage of the winged aircraft and an upper opening90is able to receive the vertical stabilizer on the winged aircraft.

Disposed in the upper opening90is a vertically retractable door panel100. In the preferred embodiment, the retractable door panel100is made of flexible material which can be selectively opened to different amounts to accommodate different aircraft. As shown inFIG. 6, in the preferred embodiment, the retractable door panel100includes a lower horizontal support bar105that extends longitudinally across the door opening90. The opposite ends of the support bar105are connected to roller couplers110,115that move vertically inside two vertical tracks120,125mounted on the vertical edges of the door opening90. Cables130are attached to the couplers110,115, which pull the couplers110,115along the tracks120,125to retract the door panel100.

When an upper door opening90is provided, a head channel140is attached to the lower support bar105which interconnects the two lower door sections75,75′ when the hinged door panels55,55′ are closed.

During use, the sliding door sections75,75′ can be selectively retracted and extended to create different size openings into the shelter10. Also, when the sliding doors sections75,75′ are retracted into their respective hinged door panels55,55′, respectively, the hinge door panels55,55′ can be easily swung open to create a wide tall inverted T-shaped opening200. When an upper door opening90is provided, the two sliding door sections75,75′ must be retracted in the hinged door panels55,55′, respectively, so that the retractable door panel100may be retracted. Once all of the door panels55,55′,100are opened or retracted, a winged aircraft may enter or exit the shelter10.

FIGS. 8-16shows another embodiment of the shelter10′ wherein the lower rectangular opening200and the upper opening are replaced by a single, tall rectangular opening. The shelter is similar to the shelter shown inFIGS. 1-7. The shelter10′ includes a three sided lower base frame14with a plurality of arching frame members13′ and purlins15′ coupled together. Extending over the top, sides and end walls of the shelter are flexible outer covers30′,32′.

As shown inFIG. 8, the end where the opening200is formed includes two vertically aligned side members202,204and a header beam206. The header beam206is supported at its opposite ends by two straps208,210that connect to the opposite eave members on the end frame member13′. Extended upward from the header beam200to the frame member13′ is a length adjustable, vertical center support212and two adjustable, vertical mid axis supports214,216. Extending laterally from the vertical side member218is a door support204. Located below the door support218is a door header220. During assembly, a pivoting door224is attached to the vertical door frame member222.

As shown inFIG. 9, the opposite end wall is made of four vertical members205and an upper horizontal member207. Two straps209,211connect the upper ends of the two outside vertical members205to the end frame members13′.

Disposed inside the tall, rectangular opening200is a single retractable curtain-style door230, shown more clearly inFIG. 11. The curtain-style door230is made of an upper and lower horizontal beams232,234and three intermediate horizontal beams236,238,240. Attached to the end of each beam240is a roller242,244that rides inside vertically aligned tracks246,248formed along the inside surface of the two vertical side members202,204, respectively.

Covering the door opening200and the outside surfaces of the horizontal beams232-240is a flexible door cover250. Sewn or adhesively attached to the inside surface of the cover250is a plurality of hook and loop straps252. The hook and loop straps252are located along the inside surface of the cover so they extend over and attached to one of the horizontal beams232-240located behind the cover250. As shown inFIGS. 15 and 16, each horizontal beam232-240is made of four tubular members261-263connected together by a center rib265.

Also sewn or adhesively attached to the inside surface of the door cover250are five vertically aligned strips270,272,274,276,278. Each strip270,278extend from the top end to the bottom edge of the door cover250. Attached to the inside surface are a plurality of inward extending short D-ring flexible straps280. During assembly, a pull cable282-284,286,288,290extends downward from a pulley292,294,296,298,300, respectively, located on the header beam206located directly above each strip270-278. Cables282-290extend downward over the strips270-278extend through the D-ring straps280, across the intermediate beams236-240and securely attach at one to the lower horizontal beam234. The cables extend laterally adjacent to the upper header beam232through pulleys and collected together via a multiple pulley block assembly310located at the upper corner of the door opening. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 8-5, the door measures approximately 30 feet in width and 18 feet in height. Five pull cables282-290that connect to the lower horizontal beam240used to lower and raise a door. The cables282-290extend downward from the pulley assembly310and connect to an electric wench320located near the door opening200. A switch box325is connected to the electric wench320that allows the door250to be selectively opened or closed.

In compliance with the statute, the invention described herein has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It should be understood however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown is comprised only of the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.