Abstract:
A mechanism for raising or lowering a sidewall of a container. The mechanism has a shaft that extends across a substantial width of the container adjacent an upper frame support. The shaft has two spools fixedly attached to opposing ends of the shaft. The mechanism has two cables each having one end secured to an associated one of the spools, an opposing end secured to the sidewall, and a length wrapped around the spool and extending between the spool and sidewall. The mechanism has a drive for rotating the shaft to unwrap a portion of the cable allowing for the sidewall to rotate away from the container in response to gravity, and to wrap a portion of the cable around the spool, causing the sidewall to rotate toward the container.

Description:
[0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/373,473; filed August 13, 2010. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    The work resulting in this invention was supported in part by the U.S. Army Medical Material Development Agency (USAMMDA) under Contract No. W81XWH-08-C-0060. The U.S. Government therefore has certain rights in the invention. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0004]    The present application relates to ISO containers and container units coupled to form an ISO container, and more particularly to a mechanism for ISO containers and container units. 
         [0005]    2. Related Art 
         [0006]    Standard (International Organization for Standardization) shipping containers are capable of being formed by using multiple container units or modules. Standard ISO shipping containers having three equal sized modules are known. Each module is known as a tri-con container. The three tri-con containers, when coupled together, have generally the size and shape of a standard ISO shipping container. The standard size for such containers is about 8 feet tall, 8 feet wide, and 20 feet long. The tri-con containers may be coupled together by coupling devices that extend through mating, locking holes on corner posts of the containers. The resulting assembled container may be shipped by commercial means, such as by truck, railway, boat or aircraft, including military aircraft. If need be, such a tri-con container may be deployed at a remote location. 
         [0007]    Expandable shelters are known which can be inflated at a remote location for medical uses, temporary housing, disaster recovery, meeting space, office space or laboratory space. These shelters typically include a skin or fabric which may rest on a frame. Such a frame may be formed from an air beam structure. Air beam structures typically comprise tubes which have a desired size and shape and which are inflated with air to form a relatively rigid structure. Prior to deployment, these shelters may be rolled up and stowed in relatively small space. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a mechanism for raising or lowering a sidewall of a container is provided. The container has first and second substantially parallel corner posts, an upper frame support extending between first ends of the corner posts and a lower frame support extending between second ends of the corner posts. The sidewall has a lower portion hinged at the lower frame support and an upper portion fitting securely on the interior of the corner posts when the sidewall is in the closed configuration. The mechanism comprises a shaft extending across a substantial width of the container adjacent the upper frame support. The shaft has two spools fixedly attached to opposing ends of the shaft. The mechanism also comprise two cables each having one end secured to an associated one of the spools, an opposing end secured to the sidewall, and a length wrapped around the spool and extending between the spool and sidewall. The mechanism further comprises a drive for rotating the shaft to unwrap a portion of the cable allowing for the sidewall to rotate away from the container in response to gravity, and to wrap a portion of the cable around the spool, causing the sidewall to rotate toward the container. 
         [0009]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a container is provided. The container comprises first and second substantially parallel corner posts. The container also comprises an upper frame support extending between first ends of the corner posts. The container further comprises a lower frame support extending between second ends of the corner posts. The container additionally comprises a sidewall having a lower portion hinged at the lower frame support and an upper portion fitting securely on the interior of the corner posts when the sidewall is in the closed configuration. The container also comprises a mechanism for raising or lowering the sidewall. The mechanism comprises a shaft extending across a substantial width of the container adjacent the upper frame support, the shaft having two spools fixedly attached to opposing ends of the shaft. The mechanism also comprises two cables having one end secured to an associated one of the spools, an opposing end secured to the sidewall, and a length wrapped around the spool and extending between the spool and the sidewall. The mechanism further comprises a drive for rotating the shaft to unwrap a portion of the cable allowing for the sidewall to rotate away from the container in response to gravity, and to wrap a portion of the cable around the spool, causing the sidewall to rotate toward the container. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like descriptor. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. 
           [0011]    The advantages and features of this invention will be more clearly appreciated from the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of three tri-con containers assembled together to form an ISO shipping container for transport; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a hard walled shelter tri-con container; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the hard walled shelter container of  FIG. 2  in a partially deployed condition; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the hard walled shelter container of  FIG. 2  in a partially deployed condition; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a fragmentary perspective view of the hard walled shelter container of  FIG. 4  with a transition ramp; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a fragmentary perspective view showing the transition ramp of  FIG. 5  in an installed condition; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the hard walled shelter container of  FIG. 4  showing the softwalled shelter in an unrolled condition; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of one configuration of the softwalled shelters of this invention when attached to the hard walled shelter of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view illustrating the mechanical tri-con container when connected to the hard walled shelter shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of another configuration of the shelters of this invention when attached to the hard walled shelter of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a fragmentary, perspective view showing the connection between the expandable ISO container of  FIG. 10  and the hard walled shelter container of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a schematic, plan view of yet another configuration of the shelters of this invention when connected to the hard walled shelter container of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a front perspective view of the hard walled shelter container of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a schematic, rear perspective view of the hard walled shelter container of  FIG. 4  illustrating the mechanism for operating the ramps; 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a schematic, rear perspective view of the hard walled shelter container of  FIG. 14  showing a ramp being raised; 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is a front, cross-sectional view of the mechanisms for operating the ramps taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of the mechanism for operating the ramps taken along the line  17 - 17  of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  is a schematic, cross-sectional view taken along the line  18 - 18  of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  is a partial, cutaway view of the environmental layer and the chemical/biological barrier layer as seen from inside the vestibule; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 20  is a partial cutaway view of the chemical/biological barrier layer in a fully sealed condition as seen from inside the vestibule. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    In the present invention, typical tri-con containers may be configured to be used with inflatable shelters. Three such tri-con containers, or container units or modules, may be coupled together for shipping and storage. In this assembled state, the three tri-con containers have the size and shape of a typical ISO shipping container, and form a unitary structure. That is, they have a rectangular shape and a size of about 8 feet×8 feet×20 feet. 
         [0033]    In one aspect of this invention, one of the tri-con containers includes four corner posts, and four sidewalls extending between adjacent corner posts as well as a top wall and a bottom wall. At least one and typically two of the sidewalls are hinged at their bottom edge which permits these sidewalls to be pivoted downwardly to form a ramp. Typically, for two walls that pivot downwardly, they are disposed opposite one another, although they need not be. In one embodiment of this aspect, a softwalled, expandable shelter is associated with each of these sidewalls. These softwalled, expandable shelters may be strapped to the inside surface of the sidewall, prior to deployment. In another embodiment, the shelters, prior to deployment, are nested one above the other when the sidewalls are raised to their vertical position. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, each of the softwalled, expandable shelters includes an air beam structure with a skin or layer of fabric placed thereover. A vestibule or portico is disposed at one end of the shelter. The vestibule or portico is attachable to a fabric connector surrounding an opening in the tri-con containers formed by lowering the sidewall. The vestibule or portico may include an attachment device, such as a zipper, which mates with a zipper on the fabric connector to attach the vestibule or portico to the tri-con container. In another embodiment, the softwalled, expandable shelter may include an inner lining, such as an antimicrobial lining, which may also be attached to a layer of such lining in the fabric connector. 
         [0035]    In another aspect, two softwalled, expandable shelters may be provided extending from opposite sides of a tri-con container. The pivoted sidewalls provide a transition from a ground surface to an interior of the tri-con container. 
         [0036]    In another aspect of the invention, a third side of the tri-con container, which is intermediate the first two sides and extends perpendicular thereto, may also be formed with a ramp and a fabric connector. Another shelter system, such as an expandable hard walled ISO shelter, or another softwalled, expandable shelter, may be attached to the tri-con container along the third side. This attachment may be similar to the attachment of the other softwalled, expandable shelters, such as by using a vestibule or portico and a fabric connector surrounding the opening to the tri-con container on the third side. 
         [0037]    In yet another aspect of the invention, another tri-con container may include a mechanical module which provides electrical and environmental support for the softwalled, expandable shelters. This second tri-con container could include heating and air conditioning systems, air filters, humidity control, electrical power and a fuel tank for powering the electrical generator and the heating and air conditioning systems. 
         [0038]    In yet another aspect of the invention, a third tri-con container may be provided having the same size and shape as the first two tri-con containers. This third tri-con container may include an additional mechanical module for servicing the expandable ISO shelter, or a third softwalled, expandable shelter. In another embodiment, the third tri-con container may provide storage for other supplies to be used in conjunction with the softwalled, expandable shelters, or with the expandable ISO shelter. 
         [0039]    In yet another aspect of the invention, the sidewalls on the first tri-con container may be raised or lowered using a cable and reel disposed on either side of the sidewall. The reels may be coupled by a shaft such that both reels may be operated in synchronism from a drive mechanism disposed on one side of the tri-con container. 
         [0040]    One embodiment of a structure  10  of this invention will now be described with respect to  FIG. 1 . A typical structure  10  comprises three tri-con containers, modules or units  20 ,  100  and  200 . Units  20 ,  100  and  200 , when joined together in a collapsed or closed condition, form a unitary, standard ISO shipping container having the dimensions of 8 feet high, 8 feet wide and 20 feet long. Units  20 ,  100  and  200 , when linked together, may be shipped as a standard ISO shipping container to facilitate transport and storage. Each of units  20 ,  100  and  200  has a separate structure and function, as will be described. 
         [0041]    In one aspect, unit  100  may be associated with at least one, and typically two softwalled, expandable shelters as will now be described with particular reference to  FIGS. 2-8 . Unit  100  includes four sidewalls  110 ,  112 ,  114  and  116 . Unit  100  also may include a top wall  118 , and a bottom wall  120 . Sidewalls  110  and  112  are disposed directly opposite from one another, and are generally parallel to one another. Sidewalls  110  and  112  typically, although not necessarily, are aligned to face another one of units  20  and/or  200  when connected to units  20  and  200  to form structure  10 . 
         [0042]    Typically, unit  100  includes four corner posts  126 . One corner post  126  is disposed at the junction of sidewalls  110  and  114 , another post  126  is disposed at the junction of sidewalls  110  and  116 , another post  126  is disposed at the junction of sidewalls  112  and  114 , and another post  126  is disposed at the junction of sidewalls  112  and  116 . These corner posts  126  are standard in such tri-con containers, and typically are formed with a square or rectangular cross-section to provide structural support for unit  100 . Each corner post  126  is generally vertically oriented and extends from just below bottom wall  120  to just above top wall  118 . Typically, horizontal structural supports  128  extend between the corner posts  126  both adjacent bottom wall  120 , and adjacent top wall  118 . Supports  128  and posts  126  are known and may be formed of any material, such as iron or steel or aluminum, which provides the necessary structural support for unit  100 . Typically, structural support  128  adjacent bottom wall  120  is indented or spaced inwardly with respect to the outer edge of corner posts  126 , providing a discontinuity between support  128  and the outer surface of corner posts  126 . Each corner post  126  typically has a connection block  130  attached, such as by welding, to its top and bottom ends. Each connection block typically has holes  132  to allow a standard container connector (not shown) to be inserted therein. These connectors permit coupling of adjacent units  20 ,  100  and  200  together. Holes  132  also may be used for interfacing with a crane, forklift or other like mechanism for movement of units  20 ,  100  and  200  from one place to another. Conventional jacks  103  may be provided for leveling of unit  100 . Jacks  103  may include pegs  105  that can be inserted into holes  102  in posts  126 . 
         [0043]    At least one of sidewalls  110  and  112 , and typically both of sidewalls  110  and  112 , are pivotally attached to a lower structural support  128  such as by hinges  122 . Thus, at least one of sidewalls  110  and  112 , and typically both of sidewalls  110  and  112 , may be pivoted downwardly about hinges  122  to form a ramp as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In so doing, access to the interior of unit  100  is permitted through the opening  124  which results. 
         [0044]    Associated with at least one of sidewalls  110  and  112 , and typically both sidewalls  110  and  112 , may be a softwalled, expandable shelter. In one embodiment, a first expandable shelter  140  is associated with sidewall  110 , and a second expandable shelter  142  is associated with sidewall  112 . Prior to deployment, each shelter  140  and  142  is folded and may be strapped or otherwise attached to associated sidewall  110  and  112 , respectively. Straps  144  may be used to hold the folded shelters  140  and  142  in place on respective sidewalls  110  and  112 . It should be appreciated that other known devices may be used in place of straps  144  to secure shelters  140  and  142  to walls  110  and  112 . Other examples include ropes, wire, hook and loop fasteners, snaps and the like. Typically, although not necessarily, first shelter  140  may be attached at an upper end of sidewall  110  and second shelter  142  may be attached at a lower end of sidewall  112 , so that shelter  140  is nested above shelter  142  when sidewalls  110  and  112  are pivoted into a closed or upright position. In this way, two relatively large, folded shelters may be accommodated in one unit  100 . 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 18 , each of first and second expandable shelters  140  and  142  may be a conventional softwalled shelter comprising a beam structure  146  comprising air beams  148  over which a skin or environmental fabric layer  150  extends. The interior of shelters  140  and  142  also may include a chemical/biological barrier layer  152 . Shelters  140  and  142  each typically include a transition vestibule  154  at one end ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ). Vestibule  154  provides a transition from shelters  140  and  142  into the interior of unit  100 . Vestibule  154  may include an opening  156  having an attachment device  158  extending around its perimeter for layer  150 . This attachment device  158  may be a zipper, Velcro or any other conventional attachment device. Similarly, if shelters  140  and  142  include a chemical/biological barrier layer  152 , layer  152  may include an attachment device  162  for just layer  152 . 
         [0046]    In another aspect of the invention, opening  124  includes around its perimeter a coupling, such as a fabric clamp  168  containing at least one strip of an environmental fabric layer  164 . There may also be a second strip of a chemical/biological barrier layer  166  in fabric clamp  168  ( FIG. 19 ). The strips of layers  164  and  166  may be clamped together by clamp  168  along one edge. The opposite edges of strips of layers  164  and  166  are provided with respective attachment devices  157  and  161 , such as a zipper, Velcro or the like which are designed to mate with associated, corresponding couplings, such as attachment devices  158  and  162  of vestibules  154  of shelters  140  and  142 . In this way, once sidewalls  110  and  112  are pivoted downwardly to form a ramp, shelters  140  and  142  may be deployed and then subsequently coupled to unit  100  at openings  124 . Strips of layer  164  are attached to layer  150  in shelters  140  and  142 , by attachment devices  157  and  158 , and strips of layer  166  are attached to layer  152  in shelters  140  and  142  by attachment devices  161  and  162  to form a sealed connection between unit  100  and vestibules  154  of shelters  140  and  142 . A slidable sleeve  167  may be slid over the attachment device to cover the attachment device, such as a zipper, used to attach layer  166  to layer  152  to provide a tighter seal about the attachment device. 
         [0047]    In use, once it is decided to deploy shelters  140  and  142 , sidewalls  110  and  112  are opened and pivoted downwardly to form ramps. Shelters  140  and  142  may then be removed from walls  110  and  112 , respectively, by releasing straps  144 . Shelters  140  and  142  may then be extended as shown in  FIG. 7 . Shelters  140  and  142  may then be expanded or inflated in a conventional way by first inflating the beam structure  146  and then anchoring the shelter to the ground in a manner well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Shelters  140  and  142  are attached to respective openings  124  of unit  100  as discussed above. When it is desired to deploy unit  100  elsewhere, air beam structure  146  may be deflated, and shelters  140  and  142  may then be rolled up and reattached to respective sidewalls  110  and  112  by straps  144 . Thereafter, sidewalls  110  and  112  may be pivoted upwardly into a vertical position and locked. 
         [0048]    In another aspect of the invention, sidewall  114  may include two doors  70  and  72  mounted on vertical hinges  74  on corner posts  126 . Inside doors  70  and  72  may be a ramp  76  attached by hinges  170  to lower structural support  128  to permit ramp  76  to be pivoted from an upright or closed position to a downward position to expose opening  178 . A coupling, such as fabric clamp  172 , is similar to fabric clamp  168  and may extend around the perimeter of opening  178  in a manner similar to that of opening  124 . Fabric clamp  172  may include first and second fabric layers affixed along one edge (not shown) similar to fabric clamp  168 . Like fabric clamp  168 , exposed, opposite edges of the fabric layers may include respective attachment devices (not shown), which may be zippers, Velcro strips or the like. These attachment devices are suitable for coupling with comparable attachment devices on another structure. Ramp  76  may include side ramp extenders  175  mounted on hinges  177 . Once ramp  76  is pivoted downwardly, extenders  175  may be pivoted outwardly about hinges  177  to provide a wider ramp, if needed, to facilitate mating with another shelter. 
         [0049]    One example of another shelter which may be affixed to opening  178  of unit  100 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , is an expandable shelter  300 , such as a hard walled shelter that expands from a collapsed shape having roughly the shape of a standard ISO container, to one which is approximately 3 times the size of an ISO container. An example of such a shelter  300  is described in U.S. application Ser. No. 61/358,120 filed Jun. 24, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Shelter  300  may have a portico  302  or other like transition portion, which is attached to a vestibule  304  which in turn is attached to fabric clamp  172 . Portico  302  and vestibule  304  each may include a chemical/biological layer and an environmental layer (not shown) with attachment devices (not shown) which mate with attachment devices on each other and on fabric clamp  172 . In this way, another structure, such as shelter  300 , may be attached to unit  100  allowing access to and from each of these shelters  300 ,  140  and  142  through unit  100 . 
         [0050]    It should be understood that shelter  300  need not be a one to three expandable ISO shelter, but could be any other suitable shelter that may be attachable to unit  100 . For example, shelter  300  may be a non-expandable ISO container or a softwalled expandable shelter which has been suitably equipped for its desired use. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 8 ,  10  and  12  illustrate three possible configurations. It should be understood, that  FIGS. 8 ,  10  and  12  are not exhaustive, and other configurations are possible. In  FIG. 8 , shelters  140  and  142  are shown extending from opposite sides of unit  100  at associated sidewalls  110  and  112  respectively.  FIG. 8  illustrates another softwalled shelter  141  which may be similar or identical to shelters  140  and  142  and which is shown attached to unit  100  at ramp  76  and opening  178  by means of vestibule  143 . 
         [0052]    With reference now to  FIG. 10 , in another possible configuration, shelters  140  and  142  are shown attached to opposite sides of unit  100  as in  FIG. 8 . Instead of another softwalled shelter  141  as shown in  FIG. 8 , shelter  300  may be attached, as previously described, at ramp  76  and opening  178  of unit  100  utilizing portico  302  and vestibule  304 . 
         [0053]    In another possible configuration, as shown in  FIG. 12 , shelter  140  may be attached to unit  100  at opening  124  and sidewall  110 , as described in  FIG. 8 . However, instead of shelter  142  being attached at opening  124  and sidewall  112 , shelter  300  may be attached at sidewall  112 . Shelter  300  is attached to unit  100  by means of portico  302  and vestibule  304  in substantially the same fashion as shown in  FIG. 10 . A softwalled shelter such as shelter  140  may be attached to unit  100  at ramp  76  and opening  178  in substantially the same fashion as shelter  140  is attached to unit  100  at opening  124  and sidewall  110 . In this way, any desired configuration can be achieved depending on the needs and requirements of the user. It should be understood that there are other possible configurations, such as using only a single softwalled shelter, or no softwalled shelters, and instead employing multiple expandable hard walled shelters like shelter  300 . 
         [0054]    Another aspect of the invention, as shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  11 , relates to use of a hard walled shelter, such as expandable shelter  300  in conjunction with unit  100 . A transition may be required between shelter  300  and unit  100  that will support portico  302  and vestibule  304  and the weight of cargo or humans. In one embodiment, shelter  300  includes a ramp  350  which may be pivoted downwardly to a substantially horizontal position. Ramp  350 , in one embodiment, may form an endwall of shelter  300  when it is in a raised position. Ramp  350  may pivot about hinges  352  and be supported by cable  354 . An end  356  of ramp  350  typically is supported by conventional jacks  358  having a ratchet mechanism. Ramp  350  is configured to support portico  302 , Ramp  76 , as shown in  FIG. 11 , may also be supported at its free end by jacks  360 , which may be substantially identical to jacks  358  and may include a ratchet mechanism. Using jacks  358  and  360 , ramps  76  and  350  may be positioned to be at the same level to provide a smooth transition from unit  100  to shelter  300 . 
         [0055]    To facilitate a transition between ramp  76  and ramp  350 , it may be desirable to utilize a transition ramp  362 . One example of transition ramp  362  is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Ramp  362  is substantially identical to the transition ramp described in U.S. application No. 61/358,120 filed Jun. 24, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , ramp  362  typically includes a plurality of fingers  364  which are pivotally mounted to a plate  365  by hinges. In one embodiment, plate  365  may include a hinge  374  at its middle to allow folding of ramp  362  when not in use. Fingers  364  typically are permitted to pivot upwardly or downwardly within a limited range, but are sufficiently rigid to accommodate a relatively heavy weight or load. Plate  365  may include at each end a bracket  376  with a hole  373 . Typically, ramp  362  may be mounted onto the end of ramp  350  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . When mounted, bracket  376  sits on top of plate  370  so that a hole  372  in plate  370  is aligned with hole  373  in bracket  376 . Pin  366  may be inserted through the aligned holes and held in place with a locking sleeve  368 . Transition ramp  362  may provide a transition between ramp  350  and ramp  76 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . Ramp  362  may also provide a transition between ramp  350  and an underlying ground surface, as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0056]    As seen in  FIG. 4 , sidewall  116  may include two doors  117  which are affixed by vertical hinges  119  to posts  126 . Inside doors  117  may be a panel  21  that may include power ports  186  and ports  184  used for various purposes that include, but are not limited to supplying control cables, supplying water, removing waste, and supplying medical gases. Power may be provided to lights  185  by means of power ports  186 . Sidewall  116  also may include two drive mechanisms  188  for raising and lowering sidewalls  110  and  112 , as discussed below. 
         [0057]    At least one of walls  110  and  112 , and, in one embodiment, each of walls  110  and  112 , may be raised or lowered using a drive mechanism  188 , as shown in  FIGS. 14 ,  15 ,  16  and  17 . Sidewall  112  is shown being lowered in  FIG. 14  utilizing socket  386 , and is shown being raised in Fig,  15 , utilizing socket  385 . The drive mechanism  188  used to raise and lower sidewall  110  is substantially identical to that used to raise and lower sidewall  112  and this drive mechanism will be described only with respect to sidewall  112 . 
         [0058]    Cables  195  and  196  may be disposed on opposite sides of each wall  110  and  112 . Each of cables  195  and  196  may be anchored at anchor  197  and  198 , respectively, each of which typically is disposed on an associated corner post  126 . Associated with another end of each of cables  195  and  196  is a spool  193  and  194 , respectively, onto which respective cables  195  and  196  may be wound after passing over respective pulleys  201  and  203  on associated corner posts  126 . Spools  193  and  194  may be mounted on a shaft  192  that spans the width of unit  100 . In this manner, spools  193  and  194  may be rotated in synchronism to allow wall  110  or  112  to be raised evenly on each side by raising each side at the same rate and the same distance. Cables  195  and  196  may pass over pulleys  199  disposed on walls  110  and  112 . 
         [0059]    Drive mechanism  188  may be coupled to shaft  192 . Typically, a separate, nearly identical drive mechanism  188  is associated with each of sidewalls  110  and  112 . As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , with reference to sidewall  112 , mechanism  188  may be coupled to a right angle drive  380  by a chain  381 . Right angle drive  380  may be coupled to a shaft  382  which rotates in response to mechanism  188 . Shaft  382  may be connected to a torque limiter (for example 58 pounds)  383  which then may pass through a gear reducer  384  which may then be coupled to shaft  192  for rotation of spools  193  and  194 . It is understood that the foregoing drive train is substantially identical for sidewall  110 . 
         [0060]    Each mechanism  188  will now be described with particular reference to  FIGS. 16 and 17 . Two separate sockets may be provided, a first up socket  385  for raising a sidewall  110  or  112 , and a second down socket  386  for lowering a sidewall  110  or  112 . In one embodiment, socket  385  provides a greater mechanical advantage than socket  386 . Either socket may be used in conjunction with a rotating device such as a handle  191  for manual operation, or either socket may be used in conjunction with a motor driven drill or the like (not shown), which includes a drill bit suitable for mating with sockets  385  and  386 . Socket  385  may be coupled to a spur gear  389  which, in one embodiment, has 60 teeth. Spur gear  389  may drive spur gear  388 , which in one embodiment, may have 16 teeth. Socket  386  is directly coupled to spur gear  388 . Spur gear  388 , in turn, may be coupled to a shaft  390 , which is directly coupled to a sprocket  387  which drives chain  381 . In this embodiment, when socket  385  is used to raise a sidewall  110  or  112 , approximately a 4 to 1 ratio results from the interaction of spur gear  389  with spur gear  388  which allows sidewall  110  or  112  to be raised slowly with a relatively large mechanical advantage. However, when door  110  or  112  is lowered, socket  386  is used and because socket  386  is directly coupled to gear  388 , sidewall  110  or  112  may be lowered under its own weight at a much more rapid pace than when sidewall  110  or  112  was raised. In this embodiment, spur gear  389  is allowed to free-wheel when sidewall  110  or  112  is lowered. 
         [0061]    Units  20  and  200  may have multiple applications. For example, unit  20  may be a mechanical module which provides electrical and environmental support for unit  100  and/or shelters  140  and  142  and/or shelter  300 . One example is shown in  FIG. 9 . Like unit  100 , unit  20  may include four corner posts  22  which are interconnected by horizontal supports  28 . Unit  20  may also include a top wall  24  and a bottom wall  26 . Connection blocks  30  may be disposed at the top and bottom of posts  22 . These blocks may include holes  32  for use with connectors (not shown) to couple units  20 ,  100  and  200  together, or to allow unit  20  to be hoisted or moved by a crane or the like. Unit  20  also may include sidewalls  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42 . In one embodiment, walls  36  may be formed as doors  36   a  and  36   b.  Doors  36   a  and  36   b , typically are mounted on adjacent posts  22 , such as by hinges  37 , allowing them to be pivoted into an open position or into a closed position. Doors  36   a  and  36   b  allow access to the interior of unit  20  for servicing, storage and the like. 
         [0062]    When unit  20  includes electrical and environmental support for unit  100  and/or shelters  140  and  142 , unit  20  may include a heating and air conditioning system  48  and a power unit  50 . In one embodiment, the heating and air conditioning system  48  is suitable for providing environmental support for shelters  140  and  142 , has a cooling capacity of about 10 tons and has a heating capacity of about 22 kilowatts. Filter beds may be included, along with a humidity control and a switchable fresh air source. Unit  50 , in one example, can be a 40-killowat on-board generator. Duct interfaces  54  may be provided along sidewall  40  at opening  46 . Duct interfaces may be connected to ducts in shelters  140  and  142  such as by duct work  58  to provide air flow to and from shelters  140  and  142 . Power unit  50  may be coupled to a power connection  56  which in turn can be coupled to power connector  186  on unit  100  and to shelters  140  and  142  by wires  59 . A fuel tank (not shown) may be included for providing fuel to the power unit  50 . One example is a 80-gallon fuel tank for any suitable fuel, such as diesel or jet fuel. Cooling fans  62  may also be provided for ventilation of unit  20 . These fans typically are provided in openings in top wall  24 . 
         [0063]    Unit  200  has the same conventional tri-con structure as units  20  and  100 . Unit  200  may be used in one of several different ways. In one embodiment, unit  200  serves as a storage facility for containing gear used in conjunction with shelters  140 ,  142  or shelter  300 . In another embodiment, when structure  10  is used in conjunction with a shelter  300 , unit  200  may contain apparatus that provides the heating and air conditioning support and electrical power support for shelter  300 . As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 12 , for example, unit  200  may be coupled to shelter  300  by duct work  202  for heating and air conditioning support, and by cables  204  for supplying electrical power to shelter  300 . In all other significant respects, when unit  200  provides mechanical and electrical power support for shelter  300 , it is substantially identical to unit  20 , and will not be further described. 
         [0064]    In another aspect, certain conventional handling devices used to move tri-cons or ISO containers from one place to another grip the container at the bottom end of post  126  utilizing holes  132  in connection blocks  130 . An example is the U.S. Military Future Medium Tactical Vehicle with Load Handling Systems (FMTV-LHS). These mechanized devices typically have arms that ride along lower structural supports  128  until arriving at connection block  130 . Conventional tri-con structures, as presently built, may not be manipulated by these devices, because the device hangs up at the intersection of surface  250  along structural support  128  and a surface on post  126  which is disposed at right angles to surface  250 . This problem may be solved with respect to each of units  20 ,  100  and  200  by the provision of an adaptor  254  which extends from surface  250  to surface  256 , the outside facing surface of post  126 . The outer surface of adaptor  254  may be generally flush with the outer surface  256  such that there is a smooth transition from surface to surface. Similarly, the outer surface of adapter  254  transitions smoothly to the outer surface  250  on support  128 . As a result, the handling device (not shown) can ride along surface  250  and then along the outer surface of adapter  254  and onto surface  256  where it can extend into a hole  132  on connection block  130 . The lifting device may be spring-loaded or biased inwardly toward support  128  to facilitate this movement. 
         [0065]    It should be appreciated that various embodiments may be formed with one or more of the above-described features. The above aspects and features may be employed in any suitable combination as the present invention is not limited in this respect. It should also be appreciated that the drawings illustrate various components and features which may be incorporated into various embodiments. For simplification, some of the drawings may illustrate more than one optional feature of the feature or component. However, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed in the drawings. It should be recognized that the invention encompasses embodiments which may include only a portion of the components illustrated in any one drawing figure, and/or may also encompass embodiments combining components illustrated in multiple different drawing figures. 
         [0066]    It should be understood that the foregoing description of various embodiments is intended merely to be illustrative thereof and that other embodiments, modifications, and equivalents are within the scope of the invention recited in the claims appended hereto.