Shelter And Container Structural Elements And Assemblies

Abstract

Systems for wall sections, wall panels assembled from sections, walls assembled from panels, and shelters assembled from walls. In embodiments, a wall for a shelter is disclosed, the wall comprising a frame comprising frame segments forming an n-sided closed polygon; at least one wall panel, each wall panel contained within the frame; and a plurality of flats, each flat attached to and overlapping a frame segment and a portion of a wall section, thereby retaining each wall panel within the frame. In embodiments, a shelter is disclosed, the shelter comprising a plurality of walls, each wall comprising a frame comprising frame segments forming an n-sided closed polygon; at least one wall panel, each wall panel contained within the frame; and a plurality of flats, each flat attached to and overlapping a frame segment and a portion of a wall section, thereby retaining each wall panel within the frame.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/613,350, entitled "SHELTER AND CONTAINER STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS AND ASSEMBLIES", filed on Mar. 20, 2012.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field of The Disclosure

[0003] The present technology relates generally to portable shelter systems and containers, and more particularly, shelter and container structural elements and assemblies.

[0004] 2. Related Art

[0005] Portable shelters are often used to provide temporary facilities for various purposes, such as military, civilian, and medical applications. Such portable shelters may be used to supplement permanent structures when additional space is desired, or to provide new facilities for temporary use, such as the provision of emergency response services after a disaster. Motorized vehicles, such as vans, buses, and recreational vehicles (RVs), etc., may be used as portable shelters under certain circumstances. While these types of motorized vehicles are able to transport themselves to a desired location, they may provide limited interior space for intended use, while also being relatively expensive.

[0006] Some portable shelters are configured to be in the size and shape of a standard International Organization for Standardization (ISO) intermodal shipping container. In this way, such shelters may be shipped by commercial means, such as by railway, boat, or aircraft, including military aircraft.

SUMMARY

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, a wall for a shelter is disclosed. The wall comprises: a frame comprising frame segments forming an n-sided closed polygon; at least one wall panel, each wall panel contained within the frame; and a plurality of flats, each flat attached to and overlapping a frame segment and a portion of a wall section, thereby retaining each wall panel within the frame

[0008] In a second aspect of the present invention, a shelter is disclosed. The shelter comprises: a plurality of walls, each wall comprising: a frame comprising frame segments forming an n-sided closed polygon; at least one wall panel, each wall panel contained within the frame; and a plurality of flats, each flat attached to and overlapping a frame segment and a portion of a wall section, thereby retaining each wall panel within the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Embodiments of the disclosed technology are described below with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a wall section of the present technology in a projection view;

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a wall section of the present technology in front and side views;

[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates the wall section of the present technology in side and section views illustrating a first flange and a second flange;

[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the second flange of the present technology;

[0014] FIG. 5 is an expanded partial cross-section view illustrating a wall panel at the joint between wall sections of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 in accordance with the present technology;

[0015] FIG. 6 is an expanded top view of the joint of a wall panel between wall sections in accordance with the present technology; and

[0016] FIG. 7 is a flow chart describing assembly of a wall panel from wall sections.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a wall panel in accordance with the present technology.

[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates wall panels of the present technology assembled in a frame to form a wall in accordance with the present technology.

[0019] FIG. 10A illustrates wall panels in an eight-sided frame as part of forming a wall with a portal of the present technology.

[0020] FIG. 10B illustrates wall panels in an eight-sided frame having flats securing the wall panels within the frame to form a wall with a portal of the present technology.

[0021] FIG. 11 illustrates a shelter built using sections and panels of the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The technology includes wall sections, wall panels assembled from wall sections, and walls assembled from wall panels. The wall section has a substantially rectangular main body, and two flanges extending in the same direction away from opposing longitudinal sides of the main body--an L flange and a second flange. The L flange includes an L flange perpendicular portion and an L flange parallel portion. The L flange perpendicular portion can have a first longitudinal side at the main body first longitudinal side. The L flange parallel portion extending in width from the second longitudinal side of the L flange perpendicular portion, along a line parallel to the main body, away from the main body interior. The second flange having a width, in a direction parallel to the L flange first portion, substantially equal to the L flange width minus the L flange parallel portion thickness. The second flange including a second flange first portion and a second flange second portion. The second flange first portion extending along its first longitudinal side from the main body, and substantially parallel to the L flange perpendicular portion. The second flange second portion is not coplanar with the second flange first portion, and extends from the second longitudinal side of the second flange first portion, along a line parallel to the main body, more toward the main body interior than the second flange first portion.

[0023] Wall panels of the present technology include a plurality of wall sections as described above. The wall sections are arranged with a common orientation, parallel, and substantially coterminal along the longitudinal axis of each wall section. The wall panels further include at least one spacer disposed between a second flange first portion of a first wall section and the mating surface of the first flange perpendicular portion of a second wall section adjoining the first wall section thereby defining a gap. An adhesive substantially fills the gap.

[0024] Walls of the present technology include a frame comprising frame segments forming an n-sided closed polygon, at least one wall panel (as described above), and a plurality of flats. Each wall panel is contained within the frame. Each flat attached to and overlapping a frame segment and a portion of a wall section, thereby retaining each wall panel within the frame. In some embodiments, the frame is substantially rectangular, and each wall section is oriented having a wall section longitudinal side parallel to the shortest side of the rectangular frame. In some embodiments, the frame is rectangular and comprises four frame segments. In some embodiments, the wall further comprises at least one support member spanning the interior side of the wall from a first vertical frame segment to a second vertical frame segment. Each support member is attached to each L flange parallel portion outer face of each wall panel. In some embodiments, the frame defines a recess therein, and each wall panel is contained within the frame recess with flanges facing into the recess. In some embodiments each wall panel external face is flush with the frame external face.

[0025] Shelters of the technology include a plurality of walls. Each wall includes a frame, at least one wall panel, and a plurality of flats. Each frame includes frame segments forming an n-sided closed polygon. Each wall panel is contained within a frame. The flats are attached to and overlapping each frame segment and a portion of a wall section, thereby retaining each wall panel within the frame.

[0026] Both shelters and containers may be exposed to environmental extremes in which the typically metal body is subject to expansion and contraction that can weaken the integrity of the body. Further, conventional structural elements, typically horizontal structural elements, present disadvantages. For example, horizontal structural elements are typically roll formed--requiring specialized expensive capital equipment. Assembly of panels and walls from roll-formed horizontal structural elements, some as long as thirty feet, can be cumbersome. The mechanical fasteners used in typical shelter construction do not allow for sufficient expansion and contraction when the shelter is subject to temperature swings. Routing of utilities and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) elements, medical gases, water, and electricity can be complicated in shelters built primarily from horizontal structural members.

[0027] Certain aspects and embodiments of the present technology address(es) some of the above-cited disadvantages and offers other advantages, at least in part through the use of vertical wall sections more amenable to fabrication and assembly than horizontal wall sections. For example, embodiments of the wall sections of the present technology can be assembled into wall panels without the need for mechanical fasteners and in a fashion that allows for expansion and contraction with less likelihood of oil-canning or warping. Fabrication of embodiments of the wall sections of the present technology can be accomplished with more readily-available equipment and in more readily-available facilities, and can present simpler material handling tasks. Shelters assembled from wall built of wall panels using vertical wall sections of the present technology can be more amenable to assembly and offer more flexible routing of utilities than those assembled from horizontal wall sections.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, a wall section 100 of the present technology is show in projection. In some embodiments of the technology, wall sections 100 can be formed from metal sheets, e.g., 3000 series aluminum. In other embodiments of the technology the wall section 100 can be formed from materials such as plastics, polymers (e.g., fiberglass fiber reinforced polymer), and composites. The wall section includes a main body 110 of width substantially less than length. For example, the width can be 10''-12'' while the length can be 96''-120''. The wall section profile geometry (section width, overall height), material type, and material thickness can be determined by the structural requirements of the particular application, e.g., a shelter conforming in overall dimensions to the ISO container standard. The wall section 100 can be formed from a sheet of uniform thickness substantially less than the wall main body 110 width. For example, the wall section 100 thickness can be 0.080''. The wall section 100 includes an "L" flange 120 and a second flange 130.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, in which the wall section 100 is shown in front and side views, the L flange 120 includes a perpendicular portion 122 and a parallel portion 124, where "perpendicular" and "parallel" are in reference to the wall section 100 main body 110. The perpendicular portion 122 is of width less than the width of the main body 110, but substantially greater than the material thickness. For example, the perpendicular portion 122 can be 1.75'' wide. The perpendicular portion 122 of the L flange 120 is formed substantially perpendicular to, and (in most embodiments) substantially coextensive with, a first long side of the main body 110. The parallel portion 124 is of width less than the width of the main body 110, but substantially greater than the material thickness. For example, the parallel portion 124 can be 1.5'' wide. The parallel portion 124 of the L flange 120 is substantially perpendicular to, formed at, and (in most embodiments) substantially coextensive with the side of the perpendicular portion 124 not adjoining the main body 110. The parallel portion 124 extends away from the main body 110.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 3, the wall section 100 of the present technology is shown in a side view and in section views illustrating the first flange 120 and a second flange 130. The second flange 130 includes a second flange first portion 132 and a second flange second portion 134. The overall width W4 of the second flange 130 can be substantially equal to the overall width W2 of the L flange 110, minus the material thickness T. As described below, this relationship can facilitate assembly of wall panels and walls, and allows panels and walls assembled from wall sections to present a substantially co-planar surface on the non-flange side of the wall panels, walls, and shelters. For example, the overall width W4 of the second flange 130 can be 1.670''. The second flange first portion 132 is formed substantially perpendicular to, and (in most embodiments) substantially coextensive with, a second long side of the main body 110.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the second flange second portion 134 is an offset portion. The offset portion 134 can add rigidity to the wall section 100 when the wall section is subject to end loading, e.g., when the wall section is used as a vertical element in a wall panel. Generally, the second flange portion 134 can be any portion extends from the second flange first portion generally in the direction of the main body interior, and is not coplanar with the second flange first portion, e.g., as described below in connection with FIG. 4.

[0032] Wall section 100 can be formed by manufacturing methods such as using a press brake on sheet aluminum, to create bends, e.g., bend 140, and to create the offset between the second flange first portion 132 and the second flange second portion 134, thereby avoiding the disadvantages of methods such a roll forming. Bends 140 are substantially right angle bends along each side of the main body at the L flange 120 and the second flange 130, and along the length of the L flange perpendicular portion and the L flange parallel portion. For instance, bends 140 can be 1/8'' radius bends.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of the second flange 130 is illustrated as flange 430. In this embodiment the overall width W6 of the second flange 430 can be substantially equal to the overall width W2 of the corresponding L flange 110, minus the material thickness T. For example, the overall width W6 of flange 430 can be 1.5''. The flange first portion 432 is substantially similar to flange first portion 132. Flange 430 second portion 434, instead of being parallel to, but offset from, first portion 432, is oblique to first portion 432 at an angle A. The flange 430 of FIG. 4 can find use in ceiling sections. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 also can find use when mechanical fasteners are used to connect wall sections in to wall panels and walls. In embodiments employing mechanical fasteners for joining wall sections, maximizing the parallel surface area between the surfaces to be connected is not as critical as when adhesives are used.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 5, an expanded partial cross-section view illustrating a wall panel at the joint between wall sections 100A and 100B, each similar to wall section 100 of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, is illustrated. Both wall sections 100A, 100B are oriented with flanges in the same direction, i.e., down in FIG. 5.

[0035] Spacers 200 are shown as applied to the exterior surface of the L flange perpendicular portion 122A corresponding to the exterior of the second flange first portion 132B. Spacers 200 also can be applied to the exterior of the second flange first portion 132B. Preferably, spacers are applied before applying an adhesive, as described below.

[0036] In some embodiments, spacer 200 is a durable, resilient elastomer that resists drying, rotting, or embrittling, such as Bumpon.TM. from 3M.TM.. Spacer 200 can include an adhesive backing, e.g., of acrylic, natural rubber, synthetic rubber. Spacers 200 can facilitate having uniformly thick bond lines throughout the assembly, and promote regular and uniform curing of the adhesive that is desirable for final assembly of the sections into panels and panels into walls. Preferably, spacer 200 has a high coefficient of friction to resist skidding on most surfaces. Preferably, spacer is of width on the order of magnitude of 1'' (with 3/16'' squares being preferred), and of thickness to maintain separation between the upper portion of wall section L flange 120A and wall section second flange first portion 132B. The separation is determined by that distance desired to allow adhesive 300 to properly bond wall section 100A to wall section 100B. In some embodiments, the thickness of spacer 200 is 0.030''. While FIG. 5 illustrates a vertical distribution of spacers 200, and FIG. 6, described below, illustrates longitudinal distribution of the spacers, various other distributions are possible to facilitate proper bonding between the wall sections using the adhesive 300.

[0037] Adhesive 300, while shown in FIG. 5 as uniformly distributed, can be applied in one or more beads around the spacers on one or both of the surfaces to be joined, as known to those of skill in the relevant art. In some embodiments, adhesive 300 is a single component, high strength, elastomeric sealant. For example, Hybrid adhesive sealant 760 from 3M.TM.. The adhesive 300 is applied in sufficient quantity to substantially fill the space between the second flange first portion 132B of wall section 100B to the depth of the spacer 200.

[0038] The use of spacers and adhesive may allow a wall panel, and walls and other structural elements built therefrom, to expand and contract with less stress on the wall section than in other panel and wall configurations.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 6, the cross-section view of FIG. 5 is seen from a top view. In this view it can be seen that the spacers 200 are distributed along the joint between wall section 100A and wall section 100B. In assembling a wall panel from wall sections, sections 100A and 100B are brought together and clamped for sufficient time to allow the adhesive to bond the sections together. Excess adhesive 400, e.g., adhesive beyond that needed to substantially fill the gap between wall section 100B second flange first portion 132 B will flow 1) into the space between wall section 100B second flange second portion and the corresponding portion of wall section 100A first flange perpendicular portion 122A, and 2) out of the top of the joint. Adhesive 400 flowing out of the top of the joint can be removed.

[0040] This adhesive joint can expand and contract with changes in temperature more readily than the wall sections can. This property gives a shelter or container built using wall, ceiling, or floor elements in accordance with the present technology an advantage over the same structures assembled with fasteners such as rivets, screws, clips, welding, and nuts and bolts.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 7, a flow chart describing methods 700 for assembly of wall panels from wall sections is shown. In step 710, a plurality of wall sections 100 are formed (Step 710). For example, wall sections 100 are formed from aluminum sheets using a press brake for bending both an L flange 120 and a second flange 130 into the sheet. For the purpose of this example, three (3) wall sections are formed and aligned with long sides parallel; each wall section oriented as shown in FIG. 1--with the L flange on the right and the second flange on the left, both flanges facing down.

[0042] For the leftmost and center wall sections, spacers, such as spacers 200, are affixed to the L flange perpendicular portion 120 at a position corresponding to the mating second flange first portion 130 of the next wall section (Step 720), e.g., as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. Adhesive, e.g., adhesive 400, is applied to the L flange perpendicular portion 120 at a position corresponding to the mating second flange first portion 130 of the next wall section around the spacers (Step 730). Preferably, sufficient adhesive is applied to substantially fill the space between the L flange perpendicular portion 120 and the mating second flange first portion 130 of the next wall section.

[0043] The three wall sections, now joined by spacers and adhesive into a wall panel, are now clamped together, and the panel is allowed to cure (Step 740).

[0044] Referring to FIG. 8, a wall panel 800 of the present technology is illustrated. In FIG. 8, the wall panel 800 includes three (3) wall sections 100, and a partial wall section 910. Partial walls sections can be used when wall length is desired to be other than a multiple of the wall section length. In some embodiments of the technology, a partial wall section is, as shown in FIG. 8, simply a wall section 100 terminated before reaching either the L flange or the second flange. In some embodiments, a partial wall section includes both an L flange and a second flange as described above, but has a main body width different than the main body width of other wall sections used in a panel.

[0045] FIG. 8 also illustrates the L flange parallel portion 124, including the L flange parallel portion outer face 920. In some embodiments, the L flange parallel portion extends only as far as required to contact the second flange second portion 134 of the adjoining wall section. In other embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the L flange parallel portion extends beyond the second flange second portion 134, providing a broader L flange parallel portion outer face that can be used to secure other structural elements (such as horizontal rails) and finish elements (such as wall board). The space 930 that can be enclosed by finish elements such as wallboard can be used to route utilities (e.g., electrical, communications), water, medical gases, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) elements.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 9, a wall 990 of the present technology is illustrated. Wall 990 is not shown to scale; features are exaggerated to illustrate the relationship between the elements of the wall 990. Wall 990 can include a plurality of wall panels 800. Typically, wall 990 can include ten (10) or more wall panels 800; each wall panel 800 can include a number of wall sections 100, e.g., three (3) full-width wall sections 100 and one (1) partial-width wall section as shown in FIG. 8. In preferred embodiments, walls 990 are formed with wall sections 100 of the wall panels 800 oriented vertically, e.g., along the short dimension of the rectangular wall 990 for configurations in which the wall 990 is longer than it is high.

[0047] The wall panels 800 can be held in a frame built from frame segments 992, with the flange side of each wall section 100 facing the interior, thereby presenting a substantially co-planar surface to the exterior. The frame can form a recess, as shown in section D-D, such that the wall panels 800 present an exterior face substantially flush with the face of the frame. The frame segments 992 can be formed from various materials, e.g., extruded aluminum. Wall panels 800 can be secured in the frame using a metal-to-metal bonding such as SEM.RTM. 39537 weld bond. While the frame of FIG. 9 is rectangular and has four frame segments 992, the frame can be any shape, including an n-sided closed polygon. FIG. 10 illustrates an overall rectangular eight-sided closed polygon assembled as a frame 992. Zero or more supports 996 can horizontally span the frame, and be secured to each wall section 100 at the L flange parallel portion outer face 920 using a metal-to-metal bonding such as SEM.RTM. 39537 weld bond. The horizontal supports 996 can be tack welded to the vertical frame segments 992.

[0048] Perimeter flats 994 can be affixed to cover the abutment between each frame segment 992 and the wall sections 100, with a first portion of each flat 994 covering a portion of each wall section 100, and the remainder of each flat 994 covering a portion of the frame segment 992. FIG. 9 illustrates four (4) flats 994 miter joined at the corners. The flats 994 can be secured to each frame segment 992 using various adhesives, e.g., methacrylate-based adhesives. In some embodiments, an adhesive sealant such as a single component, high strength, elastomeric sealant (for example, Hybrid adhesive sealant 760 from 3M.TM.) can be used at the interface between the flats 994 and each wall section 100.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 10A, eight (8) frame segments 992 are illustrated forming an 8-sided closed polygon to frame a shelter wall 1000 including a portal 1010. While the frame forms an 8-sided polygon, the overall wall shape is rectangular with height less than width. Perimeter flats are not shown in FIG. 10A. The wall 1000 includes eighteen (18) full wall sections spanning the height of the wall, and four (4) shorter wall sections 100 over the portal 1010. In FIG. 10B, eight (8) flats 994 are affixed to the frame segments 992 and the wall sections 100. Each flat 994 overlaps the abutment between a wall section 100 and a frame segment 992. Referring to FIG. 11, a shelter 1000 formed from walls 990 of the present technology is shown in perspective view. Shelter 1000 includes long wall 990A and short wall 990B. Shelter 1000 can be sized to conform to ISO standards for intermodal shipping containers.

[0050] While various embodiments of the present technology have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. For instance, while the wall sections disclosed herein have been disclosed in the context of vertical wall sections that can be assembled in to panels and walls of a shelter, the wall sections can be used as ceiling and floor elements in those applications, along with applications such as aircraft, ships, rail cars, modular buildings, and fixed construction. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the technology. For instance, features described as part of one implementation can be used on another implementation to yield a still further implementation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present technology should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A wall for a shelter, the wall comprising: a frame comprising frame segments forming an n-sided closed polygon; at least one wall panel, each wall panel contained within the frame; and a plurality of flats, each flat attached to and overlapping a frame segment and a portion of a wall section, thereby retaining each wall panel within the frame.

2. The wall of claim 1, wherein each wall panel comprises: a plurality of wall sections, each wall section comprising: a substantially rectangular main body; an L flange: extending in a first direction away from the main body along a first longitudinal side of the main body; and comprising an L flange perpendicular portion, the L flange perpendicular portion having a first longitudinal side at the main body first longitudinal side; and a second flange: extending in the first direction away from the main body along the second longitudinal side of the main body; and the second flange comprising a second flange first portion extending along its first longitudinal side from the main body, and substantially parallel to the L flange perpendicular portion; the wall sections arranged parallel and substantially coterminal along the longitudinal axis of each wall section; at least one spacer disposed between a second flange of a first wall section and the mating surface of the L flange perpendicular portion of a second wall section adjoining the first wall section thereby defining a gap; and adhesive substantially filling the gap.

3. The wall of claim 2, wherein: the frame is substantially rectangular, and each wall section is oriented having a wall section longitudinal side parallel to the shortest side of the rectangular frame.

4. The wall of claim 2, wherein, for each wall section: the L flange is substantially coextensive with the first longitudinal side of the main body.

5. The wall of claim 2, wherein, for each wall section: the second flange is substantially coextensive with the second longitudinal side of the main body.

6. The wall of claim 2, wherein, for each wall section: the wall section is formed of a bent aluminum sheet.

7. The wall of claim 2, wherein, for each wall section: the second flange having a width, in a direction parallel to the L flange first portion, substantially equal to the L flange width minus the L flange thickness; the second flange being an offset flange comprising a second flange first portion and a second flange second portion: the second flange first portion extending along its first longitudinal side from the main body, and substantially parallel to the L flange perpendicular portion; a second flange second portion parallel to, and offset, along a line parallel to the main body, toward the main body interior from the second flange first portion.

8. The wall of claim 2, wherein, for each wall section: the second flange having a width, in a direction parallel to the L flange first portion, substantially equal to the L flange width minus the L flange thickness; a second flange first portion and a second flange second portion: the second flange first portion extending along its first longitudinal side from the main body, and substantially parallel to the L flange perpendicular portion; the second flange second portion oblique to the second flange first portion, and extending, along a line parallel to the main body, toward the main body interior.

9. The wall of claim 2, wherein, for each wall section: the L flange parallel portion extends in the direction along a line parallel to the main body, more toward the main body interior than the second flange second portion.

10. The wall of claim 1, wherein: the frame is rectangular and comprises four frame segments.

11. The wall of claim 1, further comprising: at least one support member spanning the interior side of the wall from a first vertical frame segment to a second vertical frame segment, and each support member attached to each L flange parallel portion outer face of each wall panel.

12. The wall of claim 1, wherein: the frame defines a recess therein, and each wall panel is contained within the frame recess with flanges facing into the recess.

13. The wall of claim 12, wherein: each wall panel external face is flush with the frame external face.

14. A shelter, the shelter comprising: a plurality of walls, each wall comprising: a frame comprising frame segments forming an n-sided closed polygon; at least one wall panel, each wall panel contained within the frame; and a plurality of flats, each flat attached to and overlapping a frame segment and a portion of a wall section, thereby retaining each wall panel within the frame.

15. The shelter of claim 14, wherein each wall panel comprises: a plurality of wall sections, each wall section comprising: a substantially rectangular main body; an L flange: extending in a first direction away from the main body along a first longitudinal side of the main body; and comprising an L flange perpendicular portion, the L flange perpendicular portion having a first longitudinal side at the main body first longitudinal side; and a second flange: extending in the first direction away from the main body along the second longitudinal side of the main body; and the second flange comprising a second flange first portion extending along its first longitudinal side from the main body, and substantially parallel to the L flange perpendicular portion; the wall sections arranged parallel and substantially coterminal along the longitudinal axis of each wall section; at least one spacer disposed between a second flange of a first wall section and the mating surface of the L flange perpendicular portion of a second wall section adjoining the first wall section thereby defining a gap; and adhesive substantially filling the gap.

16. The shelter of claim 15, wherein: the frame is substantially rectangular, and each wall section is oriented having a wall section longitudinal side parallel to the shortest side of the rectangular frame.

17. The shelter of claim 15, wherein, for each wall section: the L flange is substantially coextensive with the first longitudinal side of the main body.

18. The shelter of claim 15, wherein, for each wall section: the second flange is substantially coextensive with the second longitudinal side of the main body.

19. The shelter of claim 15, wherein, for each wall section: the wall section is formed of a bent aluminum sheet.

20. The shelter of claim 15, wherein, for each wall section: the second flange having a width, in a direction parallel to the L flange first portion, substantially equal to the L flange width minus the L flange thickness; the second flange being an offset flange comprising a second flange first portion and a second flange second portion: the second flange first portion extending along its first longitudinal side from the main body, and substantially parallel to the L flange perpendicular portion; a second flange second portion parallel to, and offset, along a line parallel to the main body, toward the main body interior from the second flange first portion.

21. The shelter of claim 15, wherein, for each wall section: the second flange having a width, in a direction parallel to the L flange first portion, substantially equal to the L flange width minus the L flange thickness; a second flange first portion and a second flange second portion: the second flange first portion extending along its first longitudinal side from the main body, and substantially parallel to the L flange perpendicular portion; the second flange second portion oblique to the second flange first portion, and extending, along a line parallel to the main body, toward the main body interior.

22. The shelter of claim 15, wherein, for each wall section: the L flange parallel portion extends in the direction along a line parallel to the main body, more toward the main body interior than the second flange second portion.

23. The shelter of claim 14, wherein: the frame is rectangular and comprises four frame segments.

24. The shelter of claim 14, further comprising: at least one support member spanning the interior side of the wall from a first vertical frame segment to a second vertical frame segment, and each support member attached to each L flange parallel portion outer face of each wall panel.

25. The shelter of claim 14, wherein: the frame defines a recess therein, and each wall panel is contained within the frame recess with flanges facing into the recess.

26. The shelter of claim 25, wherein: each wall panel external face is flush with the frame external face.

27. A wall panel for a shelter, the wall panel comprising: a plurality of wall sections, each wall section comprising: a substantially rectangular main body; an L flange extending in a first direction away from the main body along a first longitudinal side of the main body; and comprising an L flange perpendicular portion, the L flange perpendicular portion having a first longitudinal side at the main body first longitudinal side; and a second flange extending in the first direction away from the main body along the second longitudinal side of the main body; and the second flange comprising a second flange first portion extending along its first longitudinal side from the main body, and substantially parallel to the L flange perpendicular portion; the wall sections arranged parallel and substantially coterminal along the longitudinal axis of each wall section; at least one spacer disposed between a second flange of a first wall section and the mating surface of the L flange perpendicular portion of a second wall section adjoining the first wall section thereby defining a gap; and adhesive substantially filling the gap.

28. The wall panel of claim 27, wherein, for each wall section: the L flange is substantially coextensive with the first longitudinal side of the main body.

29. The wall panel of claim 27, wherein, for each wall section: the second flange is substantially coextensive with the second longitudinal side of the main body.

30. The wall panel of claim 27, wherein, for each wall section: the wall section is formed of a bent aluminum sheet.

31. The wall panel of claim 27, wherein, for each wall section: the second flange having a width, in a direction parallel to the L flange first portion, substantially equal to the L flange width minus the L flange thickness; the second flange being an offset flange comprising a second flange first portion and a second flange second portion: the second flange first portion extending along its first longitudinal side from the main body, and substantially parallel to the L flange perpendicular portion; a second flange second portion parallel to, and offset, along a line parallel to the main body, toward the main body interior from the second flange first portion.

32. The wall panel of claim 27, wherein, for each wall section: the second flange having a width, in a direction parallel to the L flange first portion, substantially equal to the L flange width minus the L flange thickness; a second flange first portion and a second flange second portion: the second flange first portion extending along its first longitudinal side from the main body, and substantially parallel to the L flange perpendicular portion; the second flange second portion oblique to the second flange first portion, and extending, along a line parallel to the main body, toward the main body interior.

33. The wall panel of claim 27, wherein, for each wall section: the L flange parallel portion extends in the direction along a line parallel to the main body, more toward the main body interior than the second flange second portion.

34. A wall section for a shelter, the wall section comprising: a substantially rectangular main body of thickness substantially less than width; an L flange: extending in a first direction away from the main body along a first longitudinal side of the main body, and comprising an L flange perpendicular portion and an L flange parallel portion, the L flange perpendicular portion having a first longitudinal side at the main body first longitudinal side, and the L flange parallel portion extending from the second longitudinal side of the L flange perpendicular portion, along a line parallel to the main body, away from the main body interior; and a second flange: extending in the first direction away from the main body along the second longitudinal side of the main body; having a width, in a direction parallel to the L flange first portion, substantially equal to the L flange width minus the L flange parallel portion thickness; and comprising a second flange first portion and a second flange second portion: the second flange first portion extending along its first longitudinal side from the main body, and substantially parallel to the L flange perpendicular portion; the second flange second portion: not coplanar with the second flange first portion, and extending from the second longitudinal side of the second flange first portion, along a line parallel to the main body, more toward the main body interior than the second flange first portion.

35. The wall section of claim 34, wherein: the L flange is substantially coextensive with the first longitudinal side of the main body.

36. The wall section of claim 34, wherein: the second flange is substantially coextensive with the second longitudinal side of the main body.

37. The wall section of claim 34, wherein: the wall section is formed of a bent aluminum sheet.

38. The wall section of claim 34, wherein the second flange is: an offset flange comprising: a second flange second portion parallel to, and offset, along a line parallel to the main body, toward the main body interior from the second flange first portion.

39. The wall section of claim 34, wherein the second flange the second flange second portion is oblique to the second flange first portion, and the second flange second portion extends, along a line parallel to the main body, toward the main body interior.

40. The wall section of claim 34, wherein: the L flange parallel portion extends in the direction along a line parallel to the main body, more toward the main body interior than the second flange second portion.