Patent Publication Number: US-2023132608-A1

Title: Below-grade expandable shelter

Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Storm shelters are designed to protect occupants and articles and withstand violent severe weather, such as tornadoes. These shelters are typically seen in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States in areas known for tornadic activity. Such shelters may also be used for other events including bomb shelters, and the like. 
     Generally, storm shelters are built within or close to a home or business providing access in an emergency situation. There are several different types of storm shelters with each providing an enclosed space capable of withstanding violent severe weather. For example, some storm shelters are positioned entirely underground; however, such placement is more than a typical basement and provides overhead cover that withstands removal from a severe storm. Underground storm shelters, however, may be subject to flooding during severe weather. Some storm shelters are positioned above ground as a “safe room”. Safe rooms can provide a shelter where groundwater tables may make it difficult to build the shelter below ground, for example. Safe rooms, however, as above ground structures may be intrusive in day to day life. As such, there exists a need for a storm shelter capable of providing protection to occupants and articles without intruding on day to day life. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of shelter system positioned in an expanded configuration in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2 A  is a side view of the shelter system illustrated in  FIG.  1   . The shelter system is positioned in an idle configuration in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2 B  is a top down view of the shelter system illustrated in  FIGS.  1  &amp;  2 A . 
         FIG.  2 C  is simplified diagrammatic view of a plurality of exemplary joint walls connected via exemplary angled rods. 
         FIG.  3 A  is a side view of a plurality of exemplary doors in the shelter system illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3 B- 3 C  are simplified diagrammatic views of exemplary hinges of the doors in the shelter system illustrated in  FIG.  3 A . 
         FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  are side view of exemplary locks for the doors in the shelter system illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  5    is a simplified perspective view of an exemplary hydraulic cylinder system for positioning the shelter system of  FIG.  1    in an expanded configuration and an idle configuration in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a simplified perspective view of another exemplary hydraulic cylinder system for positioning the shelter system of  FIG.  1    in an expanded configuration and an idle configuration in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is a flow chart of exemplary method of using a storm shelter in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before explaining at least one embodiment of the inventive concept(s) in detail by way of exemplary language and results, it is to be understood that the inventive concept(s) is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description. The inventive concept(s) is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. As such, the language used herein is intended to be given the broadest possible scope and meaning; and the embodiments are meant to be exemplary and not exhaustive. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terms used in connection with the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) shall have the meanings that are commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular. The foregoing techniques and procedures are generally performed according to conventional methods well known in the art and as described in various general and more specific references that are cited and discussed throughout the present specification. 
     All patents, published patent applications, and non-patent publications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this presently disclosed inventive concept(s) pertains. All patents, published patent applications, and non-patent publications referenced in any portion of this application are herein expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual patent or publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
     All of the compositions, assemblies, systems, and/or methods disclosed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions, assemblies, systems, and methods of the inventive concept(s) have been described in terms of particular embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the inventive concept(s). All such similar substitutions and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the inventive concept(s) as defined by the appended claims. 
     As utilized in accordance with the present disclosure, the following terms, unless otherwise indicated, shall be understood to have the following meanings: 
     The use of the term “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” As such, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a compound” may refer to one or more compounds, two or more compounds, three or more compounds, four or more compounds, or greater numbers of compounds. The term “plurality” refers to “two or more.” 
     The use of the term “at least one” will be understood to include one as well as any quantity more than one, including but not limited to,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  10 ,  15 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50 ,  100 , etc. The term “at least one” may extend up to 100 or 1000 or more, depending on the term to which it is attached; in addition, the quantities of 100/1000 are not to be considered limiting, as higher limits may also produce satisfactory results. In addition, the use of the term “at least one of X, Y, and Z” will be understood to include X alone, Y alone, and Z alone, as well as any combination of X, Y, and Z. The use of ordinal number terminology (i.e., “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc.) is solely for the purpose of differentiating between two or more items and is not meant to imply any sequence or order or importance to one item over another or any order of addition, for example. 
     The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean an inclusive “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or unless the alternatives are mutually exclusive. For example, a condition “A or B” is satisfied by any of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present). 
     As used herein, any reference to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one example,” “for example,” or “an example” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearance of the phrase “in some embodiments” or “one example” in various places in the specification is not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, for example. Further, all references to one or more embodiments or examples are to be construed as non-limiting to the claims. 
     Throughout this application, the term “about” is used to indicate that a value includes the inherent variation of error for a composition/apparatus/device, the method being employed to determine the value, or the variation that exists among the study subjects. For example, but not by way of limitation, when the term “about” is utilized, the designated value may vary by plus or minus twenty percent, or fifteen percent, or twelve percent, or eleven percent, or ten percent, or nine percent, or eight percent, or seven percent, or six percent, or five percent, or four percent, or three percent, or two percent, or one percent from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods and as understood by persons having ordinary skill in the art. 
     As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “includes” and “Include”), or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. 
     The term “or combinations thereof” as used herein refers to all permutations and combinations of the listed items preceding the term. For example, “A, B, C, or combinations thereof” is intended to include at least one of: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if order is important in a particular context, also BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB. Continuing with this example, expressly included are combinations that contain repeats of one or more item or term, such as BB, AAA, AAB, BBC, AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, and so forth. The skilled artisan will understand that typically there is no limit on the number of items or terms in any combination, unless otherwise apparent from the context. 
     As used herein, the term “substantially” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance completely occurs or that the subsequently described event or circumstance occurs to a great extent or degree. For example, when associated with a particular event or circumstance, the term “substantially” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance occurs at least 80% of the time, or at least 85% of the time, or at least 90% of the time, or at least 95% of the time. For example, the term “substantially adjacent” may mean that two items are 100% adjacent to one another, or that the two items are within close proximity to one another but not 100% adjacent to one another, or that a portion of one of the two items is not 100% adjacent to the other item but is within close proximity to the other item. 
     Generally, the systems and methods provided herein are configured to provide an enclosure for one or more occupants and/or articles. For example, the systems and methods may provide an enclosure for one or more humans for protection from external sources (e.g., adverse weather event, bomb event, and the like). Generally, at least a portion of the system is at least partially positioned below-grade. In some embodiments, the system may be expandable from a collapsed position to an expanded position. In some embodiments, the system is at least partially below-grade such that in a collapsed position, the system is substantially flush with the surrounding grade, and in an expanded position, the system is above grade to provide for one or more users to enter the system. 
     Referring to the Figures, and in particular  FIG.  1   , illustrated therein is an exemplary shelter system  10  in an expanded configuration and configured to provide an enclosure for one or more occupants and/or articles. The shelter system  10  includes a housing  12  having one or more stationary sections  14  configured to be positioned below-grade (i.e., below ground level G) during use and at least one or more telescoping sections  16  configured to be positioned on-grade (i.e., at ground level G) or above-grade (i.e., above ground level G) with the shelter system  10  in the expanded configuration. For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the stationary section  14  is positioned below grade, a first telescoping section  16   a  is positioned on-grade, and telescoping sections  16   b - 16   e  are positioned above grade forming the housing  12 . 
       FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  illustrate the shelter system  10  in an idle configuration. The idle configuration is used between severe weather events, for example. In some embodiments, the shelter system  10  may be positioned such that the stationary section  14  is within and attached to a concrete slab of a house (e.g., concrete slab forming the floor of a garage or dining room). In some embodiments, the shelter system  10  may be fastened or attached to the concrete slab. In some embodiments, the shelter system  10  may be positioned external to a house such that the stationary section  14  is within a hole in the ground G positioned external to a housing or building structure. 
     The one or more telescoping sections  16  may be nested within the stationary frame  20  when the shelter system  10  is in the idle configuration. Generally, the telescoping sections  16   a - 16   e  are of graduated size and configured to be positioned one inside the other within the stationary section  14  when the shelter system  10  is in the idle configuration. In some embodiments, the stationary section  14  may include a plurality of perimeter walls  22  connected to form the stationary frame  20 , with the plurality of perimeter walls  22  defining a cavity  24 . The one or more telescoping sections  16  may be nested within the cavity  24 . In some embodiments, the stationary frame  20  may optionally include a bottom wall  26 . The optional bottom wall  26  may provide support (i.e., perpendicular support) for the one or more telescoping sections  16 . In some embodiments, one or more anchoring posts (not shown) may be attached to the one or more perimeter walls  22 . Such anchoring posts may be buried within the ground G below the stationary section  14  providing additional anchoring of the housing  12  to the ground. 
     The perimeter walls  22  may be formed of rigid material configured to support the housing  12  within the ground G. Although the plurality of perimeter walls  22  of  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  form a rectangular frame, it should be appreciated that the perimeter walls  22  may form any shape, including circular, square, triangular, or any fanciful shape. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 ,  2 A and  2 B , in some embodiments, perimeter walls  22  may be joined at one or more corners  28  of the stationary frame  20  in any suitable manner, including but not limited to, welding, clamping, fastening, combinations thereof, and the like. For example, in some embodiments, each perimeter wall  22  may be connected at corners  28  via one or more fasteners  30  by overlapping perimeter walls  22  at the corner  28  and joining the perimeter walls  22  together via one or more fasteners  30 . Fasteners  30  may include, but are not limited to, bolts, nails, screws, rivets, washers/nuts, combinations thereof or the like. In some embodiments, corners  28  of the stationary frame  20  may be welded together. In some embodiments, the perimeter walls  22  may be formed of a singular integral piece of material. In some embodiments, additional reinforcement sections (e.g., bars, additional material) may be provided along the perimeter walls  22  of the stationary section  14  and positioned sporadically or at regular intervals to provide additional support. In some embodiments, the corners  28  of the stationary frame  20  may be formed of an elastomeric material providing flexibility at each corner  28  between perimeter walls  22 . 
     The stationary section  14  includes a lower end  32 . The telescoping section  16   e  contains an upper end  34 . The lower end  32  of the stationary section  14  is positioned below grade at a distance Di (e.g., 13 inches) from ground level G. The upper end  34  of the telescoping section  16   e  is positioned at about ground level G, e.g., preferably within ½ inch plus or minus of ground level. The one or more telescoping sections  16  may be nested within the stationary frame  20  of the stationary section  14  such that in the idle configuration of the shelter system  10  the one or more telescoping sections  16  are positioned between the lower end  32  of the stationary section  14  and the upper end  34  of the telescoping section  16   e . Each telescoping section  16  may include joint walls  50  forming an inner frame  52   a - 52   e . Each inner frame  52   a - 52   e  may have a slightly smaller perimeter such that telescoping section  16   a - 16   e  may be nested within the stationary frame  20  of the stationary section  14  and at least one adjacent telescoping section  16 . In some embodiments, the joint wall  50  may have a height of approximately 12 inches. The telescoping section  16   e  positioned furthest from the ground level G may also include a roof panel  54  attached to each of the joint walls  50  of the inner frame  52   e . The telescoping section  16   e  is referred to herein as a top telescoping section. Panel  54  may cover the entire perimeter of the system  10 . 
     In some embodiments, the upper end  34  of the stationary section  14  may include one or more overhangs  36  to assist in mounting the upper end  34  to ground level G, e.g., a concrete slab. Each overhang  36  may be integral to one or more perimeter walls  22  (e.g., formed at the same time from a singular mold) or attached to one or more perimeter walls  22 . In some embodiments, each overhang  36  may include a plurality of openings (not shown) to receive anchors configured to secure the stationary section  14  to ground level G. For example, in some embodiments, the overhang  36  may be anchored to a concrete slab of a house or building structure such that the stationary section  14  is positioned below grade and anchoring of the overhang  36  is at ground level G. 
       FIG.  2 C  illustrates joinder between the joint walls  50  of the housing  12  in the expanded configuration. Generally, one or more of edges of the joint walls  50  may be formed by curling or bending such that each telescoping section  16   a - 16   e  may engage when moving to and positioned in the expanded configuration. Each joint wall  50  may comprise one or more angled rods  62  extending from a first end  63  and/or a second end  64  of a shaft  66 . The shaft  66  may be formed of a rigid material (e.g. metal) configured to support the housing  12  in the expanded configuration. In some embodiments, the shaft  66  may have a thickness of approximately 0.25 inches. For example, in some embodiments, the shaft  66  may be formed of steel having a thickness of approximately 0.25 inches. In some embodiments, the shaft  66  and one or more angled rods  62  may be integrally connected (i.e., formed via conventional metal forming processes). In some embodiments, one or more angled rods  62  may be attached to the shaft  66  (e.g., via welding). 
     Each angled rod  62  is configured to connect with adjacent angled rods  62 .  FIG.  2 C  illustrates the angled rod positioned at a 90 degree angle. For example, in  FIG.  2 C , the joint wall  50  comprises a first angled rod  60   a  extending from the first end  63  and a second angled rod  62  extending from the second end  64  of the shaft  66 . Angled rods  62  may extend at an angle at about 90 degrees or less from the shaft  66 . In some embodiments, angled rods  62  may include other shapes including, but not limited to, right-angles shapes, J-shapes, U-shapes, V-shapes, W-shapes, and/or the like. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 ,  3 A and  3 B , in the expanded configuration, the housing  12  provides one or more doors  70  configured to provide an opening  72 . The opening  72  may be sized and constructed to provide entrance and/or exit for one or more occupants and/or articles. Each door  70  may be configured to be in an open position (shown in  FIG.  1   ) and a closed position (shown in  FIG.  3 A ). To that end, each door  70  may be configured to move about on one or more respective hinges  76  to be positioned in the open position and the closed position.  FIG.  3 A  illustrates an exemplary embodiment having doors  70   a - 70   e  of each telescoping section  16   a - 16   e  including one or more hinges  76 . In some embodiments, hinges  76  may be positioned such that one or more doors  70  may open simultaneously. For example, hinges  76  may be provided on a single axis such that all doors  70  may open simultaneously. In some embodiments, hinges  76  may be positioned such that each door  70  may move independently of one or more doors  70  positioned adjacent. For example, hinges  76  for each door  70  may rotate on a separate axis AA-AE as illustrated in  FIG.  3 B .  FIG.  3 C  illustrates another exemplary embodiment wherein hinges  76  for each door  70  are in a staggered configuration on separate axis AA-AB. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 ,  3 A,  4 A and  4 B , one or more doors  70  may include one or more locks  80  configured to secure each door  70  and/or all doors  70 . The one or more locks  80  may be a bolt or system of bolts configured to be propelled and withdrawn by a mechanism operated by a key, dial, and/or the like. In some embodiments, one or more locks  80  may be latches.  FIG.  4 A  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the one or more locks  80  with the lock  80   a  positioned in a first open position  82  on the door  70   a  and the lock  80   b  positioned in a second secured position  84  on the door  70   b .  FIG.  4 B  illustrates the corresponding locks  80   a  and  80   b  from the inside of the housing  12 . The lock  80   a  may include a first side  86  and a second side  88 . The first side  86  may be positioned on the outside of the housing  12  and the second side  88  may be positioned on the inside of the housing  12 . A bolt  90  may be threaded through an opening  92  such that the bolt  90  is in communication with one or more protrusions  94  on the first side  86  and/or one or more protrusions  96  on the second side  88  of the lock  80   a . The bolt  90  may be configured to slidably move the protrusions  94  and  96  to secure each door  70 . For example, using mechanical force in a first direction F 1 , the lock  80   a  may be positioned from the first open position  82  to the second secured position  84 . Using mechanical force in a second direction F 2 , the lock  80   a  may be positioned from the second secured position  84  to the first open position  82 . 
       FIG.  5    is an exemplary embodiment of a lift system, which is described by way of example as a hydraulic cylinder system  100  configured to position the housing  12  from the idle configuration to the expanded configuration in accordance with the present disclosure. Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  5   , generally, the hydraulic cylinder system  100  may provide a force F 3  to the roof panel  54  in a vertical direction in relation to the stationary section  14 , raising telescoping sections  16  from the idle configuration. 
     The hydraulic cylinder system  100  may include one or more telescoping columns  102 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the hydraulic cylinder system  100  may include four telescoping columns  102 . Each telescoping column  102  may include a stationary end  104  and a working end  106 . The working end  106  may be positioned on the roof panel  54 . In some embodiments, the working end  106  may be attached to the roof panel  54 . In some embodiments, the working end  106  may be positioned in or attached to an engagement feature  107  of the roof panel  54 . In some embodiments, one or more telescoping columns  102  may be positioned near each corner  28  of the stationary section  14 . In some embodiments, at least one telescoping column  102  may be positioned at the center of the stationary section  14 . 
     One or more components of the hydraulic cylinder system  100  may be positioned within the cavity  24  of the stationary section  14 . For example, the hydraulic pump  108 , reservoir  110 , connectors  112 , filters and the like may be positioned within the cavity  24  of the stationary section  14 . In some embodiments, one or more components of the hydraulic cylinder system  100  may be positioned exterior to the housing  12 . 
     As the hydraulic cylinder system  100  applies a vertical force F 3  to the roof panel  54 , the joint wall  60  for each telescoping section  16  is also moved in the vertical direction such that each angled rod  62  of the joint wall  60  contactingly engages and/or interlocks with the adjacent angled rod  62  of the adjacent joint wall  60 . When the shelter system  10  is provided in the expanded configuration, at least one telescoping columns  102  may be locked so as to provide a vertical force F 3  on the roof panel  54  so as to maintain the housing  12  in the expanded configuration (as shown in  FIG.  1   ). 
     To lower the housing  12  from the expanded configuration to the idle configuration, the vertical force F 3  may be reduced sufficiently such that the force of gravity overcomes the vertical force F 3 . The roof panel  54  begins to lower under control of the vertical force F 3  as the engaged and/or interlocking angled rods  62  disconnect. The telescoping sections  16  are positioned in the nested position within the stationary section  14 . Although the lift system is described by way of example as the hydraulic cylinder system  100 , other manners of making the mechanical lift system may be employed, such as a vertical reciprocating conveyor. Exemplary vertical reciprocating conveyors include mechanical lifts and hydraulic lifts. 
       FIG.  6    is another exemplary embodiment of a lift system, which is described by way of example as a hydraulic cylinder system  100   a  configured to position the housing  12  from the idle configuration to the expanded configuration in accordance with the present disclosure. Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  5   , generally, the hydraulic cylinder system  100   a  may provide a force F 4  to the roof panel  54  in a vertical direction in relation to the stationary section  14 , raising the telescoping sections  16  from the idle configuration. 
     The hydraulic cylinder system  100   a  includes one or more scissor lifts  120  positioned within the stationary section  14 . For example, in  FIG.  6    the hydraulic cylinder system  100   a  includes a first scissor lift  120   a  and a second scissor lift  120   b . The first scissor lift  120   a  is positioned at a first end  122  of the stationary section  14  and the second scissor lift  120   b  is positioned at a second end  124  opposite of the first end  122  of the stationary section  14 . As illustrated, the first scissor lift  120   a  is in an expanded configuration and the second scissor lift  120   b  is in a retracted configuration. 
     Each scissor lift  120  includes a set of cross-braced arms  126  configured to expand and contract to apply the force F r  to the roof panel  54 . The cross-based arms  126  are hinged with one or more pivot points  128 . Length of each cross-braced arm  126  may be determined by design considerations for height of the shelter system  10 . The cross-braced arms  126  may raise the roof panel  54  as the cross-braced arms  126  constrict and lower the roof panel  54  as the cross-braced arms  126  expand. In some embodiments, at least one end  130  of the cross-braced arms  126  may be positioned or attached to an engagement feature  132  (e.g., hinge) of the roof panel  54 . In some embodiments, at least one end  130  of the cross-braced arms  126  may be directly positioned or attached to the roof panel  54 . 
     The hydraulic cylinder system  100   a  may include one or more cylinders  134 . Cylinders  134  are attached to the cross-braced arms  126  such that increase or reduction of pressure through the cylinders  134  actuates raising or lowering of the cross-braced arms  126  and roof panel  54 . For example, an increase in pressure through the cylinders  134  applies pressure to the cross-braced arms  126  causing the cross-braced arms  126  to expand about the pivot points  128  applying force F 4  to the roof panel  54  in the vertical direction in relation to the stationary section  14 , raising the telescoping sections  16  from the idle configuration. A decrease in pressure through the cylinders  134  reduces pressure to the cross-braced arms  126  allowing the cross-braced arms  126  to constrict about the pivot points  128  lowering the roof panel  54  towards the stationary section  14  such that the telescoping sections  16  are placed in the idle configuration. 
     Although the lift system is described by way of example as the hydraulic cylinder system  100   a , other manners of making the scissor lift  120  may be employed, such as a pneumatic lift system, electric lift system, diesel lift system, or the like. 
       FIG.  7    is a flow chart  200  of an exemplary method of using the shelter system  10  in accordance with the present disclosure. Generally, the shelter system  10  is selectively positioned between the idle configuration and the expanded configuration. In a step  202 , the shelter system  10  may be positioned in the idle configuration. In some embodiments, the idle configuration may be such that the housing  12  of the shelter system  10  is flush with ground level G (e.g., floor). For example, the roof panel  54  may be at, just above, or just below the ground level G when the shelter system  10  is positioned in the idle configuration. In some embodiments, a top of the roof panel  54  may be within plus or minus 1 inch of the ground level G. In some embodiments, a section of Earth or concrete may be removed to accommodate the stationary section  14  of the housing such that the roof panel  54  is positioned flush with the ground level G or floor. The overhangs  36  at the upper end  34  may be placed against the ground level G or floor, and then secured in place with mechanical fasteners, such as concrete screws. In some embodiments, the stationary section  14  may be optionally attached to the foundation of a building using concrete screws, for example. 
     In a step  204 , the hydraulic cylinder system  100  may be activated by a user. With the hydraulic cylinder system  100  activated, the lift system, e.g., one or more telescoping columns  102  apply a vertical force to the roof panel  54  of the telescoping section  16   e . Application of the vertical force F 3  to the roof panel  54  raises the telescoping sections  16  by having each angled rod  52  engage with the adjacent angled rod  52  such that joint walls  50  are raised in the upward direction. 
     In a step  206 , the hydraulic cylinder system  100  may be locked, thereby providing a vertical force necessary to maintain the housing  12  in the expanded configuration (as shown in  FIG.  1   ). In some embodiments, the housing  12  may have a height of 72 inches in the expanded configuration. 
     In a step  208 , one or more doors  70  may be opened to provide access via the opening  72  to an interior area. In a step  210 , the one or more doors  70  may be closed to provide shelter to the one or more persons or articles. In a step  212 , the one or more locks  80  may be engaged providing additional support to the housing  12 . 
     In a step  214 , the one or more locks  80  may be disengaged, the one or more doors  70  opened, and the one or more persons or articles may exit the housing via the opening  72 . In a step  216 , the one or more doors  70  may be closed and the one or more locks  80  reengaged. In a step  218 , the vertical force F 3  applied to the roof panel  54  may be reduced such that gravity overcomes the vertical force F 3  and the roof panel  54  may be lowered. With the roof panel  54  being lowered, the angled rods  62  of each joint wall may disengage and the telescoping sections  16  may be nested within the stationary section  14  such that the housing  12  is provided in the idle configuration. 
     From the above description, it is clear that the inventive concepts disclosed and claimed herein are well adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the advantages mentioned herein, as well as those inherent in the invention. While exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the inventive concepts disclosed and claimed herein.