Abstract:
A shelter has a packaged configuration and a deployed configuration. The shelter has four panels, each with four edges and two faces. The first and fourth panels have a rectangular shape, and the second and third panels have a quadrangle shape. The relationship of panel edge lengths and angles of the quadrangle shelter panels create a sturdy enclosure that is easy to erect, manipulate, and reconfigure. Furthermore, the shelter may be erected by rotating the panels into place via pivotal connections between the panels and optionally through the use of a lever arm.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/604,211, entitled “Deployable Portable Shelter,” filed Jan. 23, 2015, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/943,142, entitled “Air-Liftable, Modular, Rapidly Deployable Shelter,” filed Feb. 21, 2014, the contents and disclosure of which are each hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     GOVERNMENT LICENSE RIGHTS 
       [0002]    This invention was made with government support under W911QY-12-C-0128 awarded by the US Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC). The government has certain rights in the invention. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    The present disclosure relates generally to a rigid wall shelter having both a packaged configuration and a deployed configuration, and more particularly to a rapidly deployable portable shelter. 
       BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART 
       [0004]    A deployable shelter transforms from a smaller packaged state to a larger deployed state. Deployable shelters can be divided into two main groups: soft wall shelters and rigid wall shelters. 
         [0005]    Soft wall shelters utilize a frame or skeletal structure to create the general supporting form of the shelter and a flexible cover stretched over the support structure to form a barrier. Examples of existing frame materials include wood, steel, aluminum, and fiberglass in the form of support poles, posts, or rails. Examples of existing flexible cover materials include fabric, vinyl, and animal skin. More generally, examples of existing soft wall shelters include tents and canopies. 
         [0006]    As described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,602,044, tents of conventional, soft-sided construction are typically time-consuming to erect. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 8,602,044 describes that tents with conventional internal frames require substantial effort by more than one person to place all the poles in position and then build a tent body around the pole structures. 
         [0007]    As described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,368,575, some shelters require additional assembly and disassembly of the framework components (with the possibility of losing parts) and may require ropes, stakes, or other auxiliary devices to maintain them in an erected condition. Additionally, International Patent Application No. WO/2013/033819A1 describes large-scale collapsible fabric-covered structures, and typically the frames for such structures consist of multiple separate pieces which can become misplaced and are complicated to assemble, disassemble, and pack for shipment. 
         [0008]    As described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,156,952, due to their temporary and portable nature, tent structures are often made of lightweight materials, which can lead to only marginally sturdy enclosures. U.S. Pat. No. 8,156,952 further describes that the fabrics of the tents can expand and shrink due to weather conditions or storage conditions. 
         [0009]    Rigid wall shelters form a barrier from the outside environment through the use of rigid walls or panels. Examples of rigid-wall materials include wood, composites (e.g., carbon fiber or glass fiber reinforced polymer), brick, concrete, or layers of materials (e.g., sandwich panels). More generally, examples of existing rigid-walled shelters include buildings, houses, or containerized housing units (CHUs) such as mobile homes. 
         [0010]    As described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,364, prefabricated structures are heavy to manipulate and often require large cranes which are expensive. U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,364, further describes that many of the prefabricated or other type home or building structures are constructed for permanent installation and cannot be easily dismantled and reassembled on another site. 
         [0011]    As described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,622,066, due to their design and construction at least some of these portable shelters may require a significant amount of time and labor in order to properly set the shelter up for use, and to reconfigure the portable shelter for transportation when the shelter is no longer needed. 
         [0012]    Finally, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0014044 describes a folding shed including a first sidewall and a second sidewall. A first roof section is pivotally coupled with the first sidewall. A second roof section is pivotally coupled with the second sidewall. A foldable first end wall is pivotally coupled with the first sidewall, and the first end wall is pivotally coupled with the second sidewall. A foldable second end wall is pivotally coupled with the first sidewall, and the second end wall is pivotally coupled with the second sidewall. The first and second sidewalls, the first and second roof sections, and the first and second foldable end walls are configurable into a first position to define an interior of a shed. The first roof section is pivotally movable outwardly from the interior of the shed when the first and second sidewalls, the first and second roof sections, and the first and second foldable end walls are configured in the first position. 
         [0013]    Deployable shelters are often used in situations where a temporary or seasonal shelter is required. Examples include emergency and disaster relief situations, athletic events, entertainment venues, and livestock transportation. Military soldiers are one of the largest user groups of deployable shelters, utilizing shelters in theater environments for soldiers, aircraft, vehicles, equipment, or any other suitable device. Such shelters range from tents carried by mobile foot soldiers to entire camps built of prefabricated, re-locatable buildings. 
         [0014]    Accordingly, there is a need for a single deployable shelter solution that generally provides a sturdy enclosure that is relatively easy to erect, manipulate, and reconfigure as needed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of an example shelter constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention in an open, non-deployed configuration. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a plan view showing the example shelter in a packaged configuration. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an elevation view showing the example shelter in a packaged configuration. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the example shelter in a deployed configuration. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a plan view showing the example shelter in the deployed configuration. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are opposite side elevation views showing the example shelter in the deployed configuration. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a plan view showing the example shelter in the open, non-deployed configuration including insulation material between the panels. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 8A-8F  together illustrate one example of a general method of deploying the example shelter. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing two of the example shelters mated to form an example shelter compound. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a plurality of shelters interfacing with a container to create an example of a larger shelter compound. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    The following disclosure of example methods and apparatus is not intended to limit the scope of the description to the precise form or forms detailed herein. Instead the following description is intended to be illustrative so that others may follow its teachings. 
         [0026]    The shortcomings of previous efforts by others in the field of this technology may be overcome and additional advantages may be provided through a shelter having a packaged configuration and a deployed configuration. Additional features and advantages may be realized through the techniques utilized in the present shelter. Other embodiments and aspects of the shelter are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed shelter. For a better understanding of the shelter with advantages and features, refer to the description and to the drawings. 
         [0027]    Referring to the figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  illustrates a plan view of an example shelter  100  in a generally open, non-deployed configuration having a back wall, such as a first panel  101  having a first edge  102 , a second edge (Z 3 )  103 , a third edge  104 , a fourth edge (Z 2 )  105 , a first face  106 , and a second face  107 , a first wing wall such as a second panel  108  having a first edge (X 2 )  109 , a second edge  110 , a third edge (W 2 )  111 , a fourth edge  112 , a first face  113 , and a second face  114 , a second wing wall such as a third panel  115  having a first edge (X 3 )  116 , a second edge  117 , a third edge (W 3 )  118 , a fourth edge  119 , a first face  120 , and a second face  121 , and a roof such as a fourth panel  122  having a first edge  123 , a second edge (Y 3 )  124 , a third edge  125 , a fourth edge (Y 2 )  126 , a first face  127 , and a second face  128 . 
         [0028]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , an angle alpha (a)  600  is formed between the second edge  110  and third edge (W 2 )  111  of the second panel  108  and the third edge (W 3 )  118  and fourth edge  119  of the third panel  115 . Similarly, an angle beta (β)  601  is formed between the first edge (X 2 )  109  and second edge  110  of the second panel  108  and first edge (X 3 )  116  and fourth edge  119  of the third panel  115 . 
         [0029]    In the present disclosure, the angle alpha (α) is generally greater than zero degrees and generally less than or equal to 90 degrees, as provided in Equation (1). Similarly, the angle beta (β) is generally greater than 180 degrees minus alpha (180°−α) and generally less than 180 degrees, as provided in Equation (2). It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that other sizes of the shelter  100  will satisfy the conditions for the angles alpha (α) and beta (β). In one example, the first edge (X 2 )  109  of the second panel  108  has a length generally greater than zero and generally less than or equal to a length of the fourth edge (Y 2 )  126  of the fourth panel  122 , as provided in Equation (3). Further in one example, the first edge (X 3 )  116  of the third panel  115  has a length generally greater than zero and generally less than or equal to a length of the second edge (Y 3 )  124  of the fourth panel  122 , as provided in Equation (4). In one example, the third edge (W 2 )  111  of the second panel  108  has a length generally greater than zero and generally less than or equal to a length given by the equation (Z 2 ) cos (α)+(Y 2 ) cos (α+β−180°), as provided in Equation (5). Further in one example, the third edge (W 3 )  118  of the third panel  115  has a length generally greater than zero and generally less than or equal to a length given by the equation (Z 3 ) cos (α)+(Y 3 ) cos (α+β−180°), as provided in Equation (6). 
         [0000]      &lt;α≦90°  (1)
 
         [0000]      180°−α&lt;β&lt;180°  (2)
 
         [0000]      0&lt;X2≦Y2  (3)
 
         [0000]      0&lt;X3≦Y3  (4)
 
         [0000]      0 W 2≦( Z 2)cos(α)+( Y 2)cos(α+β−180°)  (5)
 
         [0000]      0 W 3≦( Z 3)cos(α)+( Y 3)cos(α+β−180°)  (7)
 
         [0030]    The shape of the panels can include any quadrilateral such as, for example, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, rhombus, or other suitable shape. Panel materials can include, for example, metal, composite (such as carbon fiber or glass fiber reinforced polymer), wood, or other suitable material. Panels can be of a solid construction of a single material or a sandwich construction of multiple layers of material. In the disclosed example, the first and fourth panels have a rectangular shape and the second and third panels have a quadrangle shape. A hinge, such as a pivot connection  129  connects the second panel  108  to the first panel  101 , the third panel  115  to the first panel  101 , and the fourth panel  122  to the first panel  101 . Such a pivot connections can include, for example, a single hinge or a plurality of hinges. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 2  there is illustrated a plan view of one example of the shelter  100  in a generally closed packaged configuration having the second face  114  of the second panel  108  generally parallel and adjacent to the second face  107  of the first panel  101 , and the second face  121  of the third panel  115  generally parallel and adjacent to the second face  107  of the first panel  101 . Other variations of packaged configurations are possible by rotating the panels about their respective pivot connections in any desired order. In one example, the packaged configuration of the shelter has a periphery within surface area dimensions of a standard military pallet. For instance, one example packaged configuration of the shelter has a periphery within surface area dimensions of a 463L pallet, which extends approximately 88 inches by approximately 108 inches. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 3  there is illustrated a elevation view of one example of the shelter  100  in a generally closed packaged configuration having the second face  114  of the second panel  108  generally parallel and adjacent to the second face  107  of the first panel  101 , the second face  121  of the third panel  115  generally parallel and adjacent to the second face  107  of the first panel  101 , and the first face  127  of the fourth panel  122  generally parallel and adjacent to the first face  106  of the first panel  101 . In the illustrated example, the fourth panel  122  is generally wider than the first panel  101 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 4  there is illustrated a perspective view of one example of the shelter  100  in a generally deployed configuration of the first panel  101 , second panel  108 , third panel  115 , and fourth panel  122 . 
         [0034]    Turning now to  FIG. 5  there is illustrated a plan view of one example of the shelter  100  in a generally deployed configuration having the second face  114  of the second panel  108  generally perpendicular to the second face  107  of the first panel  101 , the second face  121  of the third panel  115  generally perpendicular to the second face  107  of the first panel  101 , and the second face  128  of the fourth panel  122  generally perpendicular to the second face  114  of the second panel  108  and generally perpendicular to the second face  121  of the third panel  115 . Other variations of deployed configurations are possible by rotating the panels about their respective pivot connections in any desired order. Additionally, the panels may engage with one another at any suitable angle. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 6A-B  there are illustrated opposite side elevation views of the example shelter  100  in a generally deployed configuration having the angle alpha (α)  600  formed between the second edge  110  and third edge (W 2 )  111  of the second panel  108  and the third edge (W 3 )  118  and fourth edge  119  of the third panel  115 . The angle beta (β)  601  is formed between the first edge (X 2 )  109  and second edge  110  of the second panel  108  and first edge (X 3 )  116  and fourth edge  119  of the third panel  115 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 7  there is illustrated a plan view of the example shelter  100  in a generally open packaged configuration having a strip of insulation material  700  adjacent to the second edge  110  of the second panel  108  and the fourth edge (Z 2 )  105  of the first panel  101 , a strip of insulation material  700  adjacent to the fourth edge  119  of the third panel  115  and the second edge (Z 3 )  103  of the first panel  101 , and a strip of insulation material  700  adjacent to the third edge  125  of the fourth panel  122  and first edge  102  of the first panel  101 . Such insulation material can include, for example, spray foam, duct tape, weather-stripping, foam, putty, a gasket, or any other suitable material. Insulation material can be applied on site after deployment of the shelter  100 . In one example, insulation material can be applied to close any gap formed between panel edges. Other insulation methods can include, for example, covering the shelter  100  with canvas, tarpaulin fabric, or any other suitable material. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 8A-8F  there is illustrated one example of a general method of deploying the shelter  100  from a packaged configuration to a deployed configuration by providing the shelter  100  ( FIG. 8A ), rotating the shelter  100  about an axis of rotation defined by the third edge  104  of the first panel  101  in contact with a supporting surface ( FIG. 9B ,  9 C), rotating the second panel  108  about an axis of rotation defined by the second edge  110  of the second panel  108  and the fourth edge (Z 2 )  105  of the first panel  101  to extend from the first panel  101  ( FIG. 9D ), rotating the third panel  115  about an axis of rotation defined by the fourth edge  119  of the third panel  115  and the second edge (Z 3 )  103  of the first panel  101  to extend from the first panel  101  ( FIG. 9D ), and rotating the fourth panel  122  about an axis of rotation defined by the third edge  125  of the fourth panel  122  and the first edge  102  of the first panel  101  to rest upon the wing walls ( FIG. 9E ,  9 F). Other variations of deployed configurations are possible by rotating the panels about their respective pivot connections in any desired order. Additionally, the panels may engage with one another at any suitable angle. 
         [0038]    In the present example, the step of rotating the shelter  100  about an axis of rotation is further defined as operatively connecting a lever arm  900  in a generally perpendicular position to the first face  106  of the first panel  101  and adjacent to the third edge  104  of the first panel  101  and providing a force to the lever to overcome the self-weight of the shelter. In one example, the lever arm  900  may include a counterweight, or other suitable attachment for assisting in the erection of the shelter. Rotating the shelter  100  during deployment can be accomplished by any suitable method, including for example, via a cable(s) or by hand. The lever arm  900  materials can include, for example, metal, wood, composite, or any other suitable material. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 9  there is illustrated one example of two shelters  100  in a configuration to create a generally larger shelter compound. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that other panels and/or configurations may be utilized. For example, in one configuration, there may be enclosure panels utilized to construct a shelter having an enclosed space. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 10  there is illustrated one example of a plurality of shelters  100  interfacing with a container  1100  to create a generally larger shelter compound. In one example, the container  1100  can be a shipping container, building, home, shelter, or other suitable container. For instance, in one example, the container  1100  may be a Tricon modular container available from Charleston Marine Containers, Inc., Charleston, SC. 
         [0041]    Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present technology are possible in light of the above teachings and may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of the claims. For instance, although certain example methods and apparatus have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.