U.S. patent application number 14/486731 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-24 for expandable iso shelters.
The applicant listed for this patent is Philip T. Cantin, Jeffrey GRANT, Kevin Kinerson, James Matthew, Justin White. Invention is credited to Philip T. Cantin, Jeffrey GRANT, Kevin Kinerson, James Matthew, Justin White.
Application Number | 20150267396 14/486731 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45437693 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150267396 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cantin; Philip T. ; et
al. |
September 24, 2015 |
EXPANDABLE ISO SHELTERS
Abstract
An expandable shelter having an expanded configuration and a
collapsed configuration in which the shelter has the approximate
dimensions of a standard International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) freight container. The expandable shelter
includes first and second substantially parallel corner posts
disposed at a first end of the shelter. The expandable shelter also
includes a ramp coupled with hinges at the first end of the shelter
and is configured to fit securely on the interior of the first and
second corner posts when in a closed configuration in which the
ramp is disposed between the first and second corner posts. The
expandable shelter has sufficient strength to withstand the forces
of at least eight similar shelters stacked on top of the
shelter.
Inventors: |
Cantin; Philip T.;
(Guildhall, VT) ; GRANT; Jeffrey; (Hardwick,
VT) ; Kinerson; Kevin; (Corinth, VT) ;
Matthew; James; (Sheffield, VT) ; White; Justin;
(West Danville, VT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cantin; Philip T.
GRANT; Jeffrey
Kinerson; Kevin
Matthew; James
White; Justin |
Guildhall
Hardwick
Corinth
Sheffield
West Danville |
VT
VT
VT
VT
VT |
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
45437693 |
Appl. No.: |
14/486731 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13168713 |
Jun 24, 2011 |
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14486731 |
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61358120 |
Jun 24, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/79.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 1/3444 20130101;
E04B 1/34305 20130101; E04H 2001/1283 20130101; E04B 1/34357
20130101; E04B 1/34336 20130101; E04H 1/1205 20130101; E04B 1/34384
20130101; E04B 2001/34389 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/343 20060101
E04B001/343; E04H 1/12 20060101 E04H001/12; E04B 1/344 20060101
E04B001/344 |
Goverment Interests
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. W81XWH08-C-0060. The U.S. Government has certain
rights in the invention.
Claims
1. An expandable shelter having an expanded configuration and a
collapsed configuration, the shelter comprising: first and second
substantially parallel corner posts disposed at a first end of the
shelter, the first and second corner posts having first and second
ends, and third and fourth substantially parallel corner posts
disposed at a second end of the shelter, the third and fourth
corner posts having first and second ends; a first upper frame
support extending between the first ends of the first and second
corner posts and a second upper frame support extending between the
first ends of the first and third corner posts; a first lower frame
support extending between the second ends of the first and second
corner posts and a second lower frame support extending between the
second ends of the first and third corner posts; a first
displaceable panel hinged at the first end of the shelter and
configured to fit securely on the interior of the first and second
corner posts and the first lower and upper frame supports when in a
closed configuration in which the first displaceable panel
comprises substantially all of a first end wall of the shelter,
wherein the first displaceable panel is perpendicular to a
longitudinal axis extending through the shelter, and a second
displaceable panel configured to fit securely on the interior of
the first and third corner posts and the second lower and upper
frame supports when in a closed configuration in which the second
displaceable panel comprises substantially all of a wall of the
shelter that is adjacent to the first end wall of the shelter, and
wherein the shelter has sufficient strength to withstand the forces
of at least eight similar shelters stacked on top of the
shelter.
2. The expandable shelter of claim 1, further comprising: one or
more locking bars operable on a surface of the first upper frame
support, each comprising a cam configured to be inserted into a
respective one of one or more receivers when the first displaceable
panel is in the closed configuration, wherein the first
displaceable panel and the one or more locking bars are configured
to transfer forces from the first upper frame support to the first
lower frame support when the one or more cams are disposed in the
one or more receivers.
3. The expandable shelter of claim 1, wherein each of the corner
posts comprises first and second connection blocks disposed
adjacent the first and second ends of the corner post.
4. The expandable shelter of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
corner posts comprises an interior cavity configured to receive a
jack configured to assist with leveling the shelter.
5. The expandable shelter of claim 1, further comprising: a jack
configured to assist with leveling the shelter; and a hinge
connecting the jack and one of the corner posts, wherein the hinge
is configured to allow the jack to pivot from a first position in
which the jack is disposed substantially within an interior cavity
of the one of the corner posts to a second position in which the
jack is disposed outside of the one of the corner posts.
6. The expandable shelter of claim 5, wherein a longitudinal axis
of the jack is substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of
the one of the corner posts in both the first and second
positions.
7. The expandable shelter of claim 1, wherein each of the corner
posts comprises an interior cavity configured to receive a jack
configured to assist with leveling the shelter.
8. An expandable shelter having an expanded configuration and a
collapsed configuration, the shelter comprising: first, second,
third and fourth substantially parallel corner posts disposed at a
first end and second end of the shelter; four upper frame supports
and four lower frame supports; and a ramp coupled with hinges at
one of the lower frame supports at the first end of the shelter and
configured to fit securely on the interior of the first and second
corner posts when in a closed configuration in which the ramp is
disposed between the first and second corner posts and wherein the
ramp comprises substantially all of an end wall of the shelter, and
a displaceable panel disposed between the first and third corner
posts when in a closed configuration wherein the displaceable panel
comprises substantially all of a wall of the shelter that is
adjacent to the end wall of the shelter, wherein the shelter has
sufficient strength to withstand the forces of at least eight
similar shelters stacked on top of the shelter and wherein
substantially all of the weight of any such stacked shelters is
supported by the corner posts and the upper frame supports.
9. The expandable shelter of claim 8, wherein the first and second
substantially parallel corner posts have first and second ends, the
expandable shelter further comprising: an upper frame support
extending between the first ends of the first and second corner
posts; a lower frame support extending between the second ends of
the first and second corner posts; and a wall support attached to
the first and second corner posts and the upper frame support.
10. The expandable shelter of claim 9, further comprising: one or
more locking bars operable on a surface of one of the upper frame
supports, each comprising a cam configured to be inserted into a
respective one of one or more receivers when the ramp is in the
closed configuration, wherein the ramp and the one or more locking
bars are configured to transfer forces from the upper frame support
to its corresponding lower frame support when the one or more cams
are disposed in the one or more receivers.
11. The expandable shelter of claim 10, wherein each of the corner
posts comprises first and second connection blocks disposed
adjacent the first and second ends of the corner post.
12. An expandable shelter having an expanded configuration and a
closed configuration, the shelter comprising: first, second, third
and fourth substantially parallel corner posts disposed at a first
end and second end of the shelter, the first and second corner
posts having first and second ends; an upper frame support
extending between the first ends of the first and second corner
posts; a lower frame support extending between the second ends of
the first and second corner posts; a first displaceable panel
hinged at the first end of the shelter and configured to fit
securely on the interior of the first and second corner posts when
in the closed configuration and configured to open away from the
rest of the shelter in the expanded configuration, a second
displaceable panel that comprises substantially all of a wall of
the shelter that is adjacent to the first end of the the shelter,
wherein the shelter has sufficient strength to withstand the forces
of at least eight similar shelters stacked on top of the shelter in
either the expanded or collapsed configuration such that
substantially all of the weight of any such stacked shelters is
supported by the corner posts and the upper frame supports.
13. The expandable shelter of claim 12, further comprising a wall
support attached to the first and second corner posts and the upper
frame support.
14. The expandable shelter of claim 12, further comprising a fabric
connector connected to the wall support wherein the fabric
connector comprises a fabric clamp that extends around the
perimeter of the wall support.
15. The expandable shelter of claim 14, wherein the fabric
connector comprises at least a first layer of fabric, the at least
first layer of fabric being mounted in the fabric clamp.
16. The expandable shelter of claim 12, further comprising: one or
more locking bars operable on a surface of the upper frame support,
each comprising a cam configured to be inserted into a respective
one of one or more receivers when the first displaceable panel is
in the closed configuration, wherein the first displaceable panel
and the one or more locking bars are configured to transfer forces
from the upper frame support to the lower frame support when the
one or more cams are disposed in the one or more receivers.
17. The expandable shelter of claim 12, wherein each of the corner
posts comprises first and second connection blocks disposed
adjacent the first and second ends of the corner post.
18. The expandable shelter of claim 12, further comprising a wall
support attached to the first and second corner posts and the upper
frame support.
19. The expandable shelter of claim 1, further comprising a third
displaceable panel configured to fit securely on the interior of
the third and fourth corner posts when in a closed configuration in
which the third displaceable panel comprises substantially all of
the second end of the shelter.
20. The expandable shelter of claim 19, wherein the second end wall
of the shelter is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis extending
through the shelter.
21. The expandable shelter of claim 1, wherein substantially all of
the weight of any such stacked shelters is supported by the corner
posts and the upper frame supports.
Description
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/168,713, filed on Jun. 24, 2011 which
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application
61/358,120; filed Jun. 24, 2010.
BACKGROUND
[0003] 1. Field of Invention
[0004] The present application relates to a shelter system, and
more particularly, to an expandable shelter system.
[0005] 2. Related Art
[0006] Deployable shelter systems generally provide self-contained
shelters for use in a variety of environments. Deployable shelter
systems are known which are configured to be in the size and shape
of a standard ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
shipping container. In this way, the shelters may be shipped by
commercial means, such as by railway, boat or aircraft, including
military aircraft. Such a shelter may be deployed at a remote
location. These shelters typically are expandable from the size of
an ISO container to a larger size. Such shelters may be used for a
variety of purposes, such as medical, temporary housing, disaster
recovery, meeting space, office space, or laboratory space.
SUMMARY
[0007] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an
expandable shelter is provided. The expandable shelter has an
expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration in which the
shelter has the approximate dimensions of a standard International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) freight container. The
shelter comprises first and second substantially parallel corner
posts, the first and second corner posts are disposed at a first
end of the shelter. The first and second corner posts have first
and second ends. The shelter also comprises an upper frame support
extending between the first ends of the first and second corner
posts. The shelter additionally comprises a lower frame support
extending between the second ends of the first and second corner
posts. The shelter also comprises a wall support attached to the
first and second corner posts and the upper frame support. The
shelter further comprises a displaceable panel hinged at the first
end of the shelter and configured to fit securely on the interior
of the first and second corner posts when in a closed configuration
in which the displaced panel is disposed between the first and
second corner posts, wherein the shelter has sufficient strength to
withstand the forces of at least eight similar shelters stacked on
top of the shelter.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
an expandable shelter is provided. The expandable shelter has an
expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration in which the
shelter has the approximate dimensions of a standard International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) freight container. The
shelter comprises first and second substantially parallel corner
posts disposed at a first end of the shelter. The shelter also
comprises a ramp coupled with hinges at the first end of the
shelter and configured to fit securely on the interior of the first
and second corner posts when in a closed configuration in which the
ramp is disposed between the first and second corner posts, wherein
the shelter has sufficient strength to withstand the forces of at
least eight similar shelters stacked on top of the shelter.
[0009] In accordance with a further aspect of the present
invention, an expandable shelter is provided. The expandable
shelter has an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration
in which the shelter has the approximate dimensions of a standard
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) freight
container. The shelter comprises first and second substantially
parallel corner posts, the first and second corner posts are
disposed at a first end of the shelter. The first and second corner
posts have first and second ends. The shelter also comprises an
upper frame support extending between the first ends of the first
and second corner posts. The shelter additionally comprises a lower
frame support extending between the second ends of the first and
second corner posts. The shelter also comprises a wall support
attached to the first and second corner posts and the upper frame
support. The shelter additionally comprises a fabric connector
connected to the wall support. The shelter further comprises a
displaceable panel hinged at the first end of the shelter and
configured to fit securely on the interior of the first and second
corner posts when in a closed configuration in which the displaced
panel is disposed between the first and second corner posts,
wherein the shelter has sufficient strength to withstand the forces
of at least eight similar shelters stacked on top of the
shelter.
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 multiple, stacked
deployable, expandable, shelters;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front, perspective view of a single deployable,
expandable, shelter in a retracted condition;
[0014] FIG. 2A is a schematic, cross-sectional end view taken along
the line 2A-2A of FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a front, perspective view of a single deployable,
expandable, shelter of this invention;
[0016] FIG. 3A is a schematic, cross-sectional end view taken along
the line 3A-3A of FIG. 3 showing a first floor panel being
lowered;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a front, perspective view showing the floor panel
in a lowered condition;
[0018] FIG. 4A is a schematic, cross-sectional end view taken along
the line 4A-4A of FIG. 4 showing one section in a deployed
condition;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the deployable,
expandable shelter of this invention in a deployed condition;
[0020] FIG. 5A is a schematic, cross-sectional end view taken along
the line 5A-5A of FIG. 5;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view illustrating the ramp of
this invention in a lowered position;
[0022] FIG. 6A is a schematic, cross-sectional plan view taken
along the line 6A-6A of FIG. 6;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view illustrating the ramp
transition panel of this invention;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the deployable,
expandable shelter of this invention in a deployed condition with a
fabric portico;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the deployable,
expandable shelter of this invention in a deployed condition;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of the deployable,
expandable shelter of this invention in a deployed condition;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a fragmentary side view of one end of the
deployable, expandable shelter of this invention as seen along line
11-11 of FIG. 10;
[0028] FIG. 12 is a fragmentary plan view of the ramp of FIG. 11 as
seen along line 1212 of FIG. 11;
[0029] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the ramp transition panel
of FIG. 11 in a folded position;
[0030] FIG. 14 is a schematic end view of the ramp as seen along
line 14-14 of FIG. 12;
[0031] FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the skirt
taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 12;
[0032] FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of a corner post showing
a jack in a stowed position;
[0033] FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of the post of FIG. 16
showing the jack in a deployed position;
[0034] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional side view taken along the line
18-18 of FIG. 16;
[0035] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along the line
19-19 of FIG. 18;
[0036] FIG. 20 is a fragmentary, rear perspective view, partially
cut-away, of a hinge assembly of FIG. 18;
[0037] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional side view taken along the line
21-21 of FIG. 17;
[0038] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along the line
22-22 of FIG. 21;
[0039] FIG. 23 is a fragmentary, rear perspective, partially
broken-away view of a hinge assembly of FIG. 21; and
[0040] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional front view of a foot mounted to
a ram taken along line 24-24 of FIG. 21.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] The present invention relates to a deployable, expandable,
shelter which may be expanded from a collapsed condition in which
it has the size and shape of a standard ISO container to a
condition in which it is about three times its original, collapsed
size. The collapsed shelter of the present invention can be stacked
nine units high for shipping or storage. The shelter of the present
invention, when deployed, may be used for hospital or medical
purposes, laboratory space, disaster recovery, temporary housing,
meeting or office space, or other like purposes.
[0042] In one embodiment, the deployable, expandable shelter may be
transported along with other standard ISO shipping containers by
cargo aircraft, military aircraft, rail, truck and container ship.
For example, two such shelters can be accommodated in a military
C-130 aircraft. The shelters may be stacked one on top of the other
to a height of nine for shipping on the deck of a container ship or
for storage. These shelters are built to structural standards for
shipping containers and to comply with ISO 1496/1 test
requirements.
[0043] One end of the shelter may be provided with a panel which
forms the end wall of the shelter in a collapsed condition and
which may be pivoted downwardly about a bottom hinge to form a
ramp. A portico may be attached to the shelter by a fabric
connector on a wall support when the ramp is lowered. The wall
support provides strength and rigidity to that end of the shelter.
The portico permits the maintenance of a controlled environment, or
a sterile environment in the interior of the shelter. The ramp end
may be provided with stabilizers.
[0044] The end of the ramp may be provided with a flexible
transition panel. The transition panel provides a transition from
the ramp end to the ground or to another ramp, and is flexible to
accommodate an uneven ground surface. This permits easy movement of
wheeled objects to and from the interior of the shelter through,
for example, a portico.
[0045] Corner posts are provided at each corner of the shelter.
These posts are load-bearing, and are reinforced to permit stacking
of the shelter. The corner posts may be provided with jacks that
may pivot outwardly from the post. Typically the jacks are provided
with feet, such as sand feet, which assist in stabilizing the
shelter. The jacks in the posts level the shelter. These jacks may
be either manually operated, or, if access to power is provided,
there is a self-leveling system which automatically levels the
shelter. Each of the expanded modules of the shelter are also
provided with stabilizers having feet which permit leveling of
those portions of the shelter.
[0046] In one embodiment, panels which serve as the side panels to
the shelter when collapsed are pivoted downwardly and serve as
floor panels for first and second modules on either side of the
shelter when in an expanded condition. The side walls and top walls
of the modules on either side of the shelter may be rolled or slid
outwardly along rails disposed on the floor panels. Each floor
panel may be lowered by a winch, which could be manually operated
or power operated.
[0047] One embodiment of shelter 10 of this invention will now be
described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a
typical shelter 10 in a collapsed configuration. When in a
collapsed configuration, shelter 10 may have the configuration of a
standard ISO container, which is typically twenty feet long, eight
feet wide, and eight feet high. As shown in FIG. 1, shelter 10 may
be stacked on top of other shelters 10, or ISO containers with
which it is compatible. In this manner, a shelter 10 or multiple
shelters 10 can be shipped by means of cargo aircraft, military
aircraft, rail, truck or container ship to a desired location. In
one example, two such shelters 10 may be accommodated in a C-130
aircraft for deployment. Moreover, the shelters 10 may be stacked
in a storage facility along with ISO containers. In one embodiment,
shelters 10 are configured so as to be able to be stacked nine
high, as illustrated in FIG. 1, which shows containers 10a through
10i in a stacked configuration. Shelters 10a-i preferably are built
to satisfy ISO 1496/1 test requirements.
[0048] Shelter 10 includes a main section 12 which has a first end
14, a second end 16, a roof 152, a floor panel 118 having a floor
surface 116, panel 62, panel 82, and four corner posts 20. As shown
in FIG. 2A, shelter 10 may further include a first expandable
module 60 and a second expandable module 80. When in a collapsed
condition, modules 60 and 80 are fully disposed within main section
12. The side of section 12 includes upper structural frame members
17, lower structural frame members 138 and side structural frame
members 13. Upper and lower frame members 17 and 138 may extend
between posts 20 on both sides of section 12. Side frame members 13
may be affixed to posts 20 on either side of panels 62 and 82.
Frame members 17, 138 and 13 may be formed of aluminum or other
suitable materials. Ends 14 and 16 may include upper frame supports
21 and lower frame supports 23, which may be formed of steel or
aluminum or the like.
[0049] Corner post 20 will now be described with particular
reference to FIGS. 16-23. There are four corner posts 20 which are
the main support elements of shelter 10. Corner posts 20 may be
made of heavy gauge, welded steel. Gusset plates 29 (see FIG. 2A)
may be provided at the top and bottom ends of posts 20 to provide
greater strength and rigidity. Each corner post typically has a
connection block 50 attached such as by welding to its top and
bottom ends. Each block 50 typically has holes 52 formed in the top
and bottom surfaces thereof to allow a standard container connector
54 to be inserted therein. Connectors 54 may be used to clamp
shelters 10 together vertically. Holes 56 formed on the sides of
blocks 50 may be used for interfacing with a crane, forklift or
other like mechanism for movement of shelter 10 from one place to
another.
[0050] In one embodiment, each post 20 contains a jack 22. FIG. 16
shows a jack 22 in a stowed or normally retracted position, while
FIG. 17 shows a jack 22 in a deployed condition. Jack 22 typically
includes a ram 24 for leveling of shelter 10. Typically, each jack
22 is disposed within a housing 264. Housing 264 may be disposed
within an interior cavity of post 20 in the retracted position. A
cover plate 260 may be disposed on the front of housing 264. In one
embodiment, cover plate 260 may have integral cross bolts 274 that
may lock the cover plate 260 and jack 22 in a stowed position as
seen in FIG. 19. A bracket 276 may be attached to the front of
cover plate 260 and may be used to manually pull the jack 22 out of
the post 20 and swing it into its deployed condition. There may
also be a manual access knob 278 that permits access to a socket
for a hand crank that can be used to manually crank down the ram 24
of jack 20, for leveling of shelter 10 in the absence of any power.
Alternatively, or in addition, ram 24 may be driven by an
electromechanical motor. Electrical power and sensor wires 280 may
be attached at connectors at the top end of housing 264. The bottom
end of ram 24 may be filled with a stabilizing foot 36.
[0051] Foot 36 may have a base plate 38 with flanges 40 and
reinforcing ribs 42. Foot 36 may include a post 34 which is
attached at a bottom end to the base plate 38. The top end of post
34 may include a spherical head 32. The bottom end of each ram 24
may be fitted with a spring ball connector 26 which is shown in
FIG. 24. Connector 26 may be a block which is attached to the
bottom of ram 24 and which has a central socket 30 with two spring
balls 28. When foot 36 is aligned with and moved upwardly toward
spring balls 28, head 32 will snap into place between spring balls
28 to retain foot 36 in a pivoting relationship with respect to the
end of ram 24.
[0052] A hinge 44 having arms 272 may be attached to pins 266 on
housing 264. Hinge arms 272 may be fitted onto pins 268 on spacers
269 which are attached to the inside of post 20. Hinges 44 permit
pivoting of jack 22 outwardly with respect to post 20. A stop 270
may be attached at 271 to the hinge arms 272. When jack 22 is in a
stowed position, stop 270 abuts the inside of post 20 and when jack
22 is in a deployed condition, stop 270 abuts housing 264,
preventing further outward pivoting or movement of jack 22. As
shown in FIG. 17, in one embodiment, cross bolt guides 48 may be
attached to the rear of housing 264. When jack 22 is deployed, a
cross bolt 46 may be inserted into guides 48 until stop 47 hits
housing 264. The cross bolt 46 spans the opening to the post 20 and
blocks the jack 22 and prevents it from pivoting back into a stowed
position under load.
[0053] Panel 62 may form a side panel of section 12 when in a
collapsed condition, but may form a floor panel of first expanded
module 60 when in an expanded condition as will be described.
Similarly, panel 82 may form a side panel of section 12 when in a
collapsed condition, but may form a floor panel of the second
expandable module 80 when in an expanded condition. Locking bars
140 hold panels 62 and 82 in place in a collapsed condition.
Locking bars 140 are conventional, and may include cam 142 at one
end which may be inserted into a receiver 144. The cam 142 is
rotated into a locking position by handle 146 which, when the
locking bar is fully locked, is flush with the outer surface of
panel 62 or 82 and may be held in place with clamp 147.
[0054] The first end 14 containing a first end wall 154 may include
a door 156. Door 156 may contain a latch 160 and is mounted on
hinges 162. A window 158 may be provided in door 156. Second end 16
may include a wall support 186, a frame 188 and an opening 180 for
a ramp 18 which pivots downwardly, as will be described. Ramp 18
may include a door 202 having a handle 204 mounted on hinges
206.
[0055] First expandable module 60 will now be described with
particular reference to FIGS. 2-4A. As previously noted, panel 62
which forms the outer wall of section 12 when in a collapsed
condition, is pivoted downwardly, as shown in FIG. 4, to form a
floor panel for the first expandable module 60. First expandable
module 60 also includes a side wall 64, a first end wall 66 and a
second end wall 68, a ceiling 70 and a floor surface 72 which is
disposed on the inside surface of the panel 62. Panel 62 is
pivotally attached to lower frame member 138 of section 12 at
hinges 114 (FIG. 5A). When pivoted downwardly, panel 62 may be
supported by two support arms 100, one at each side of panel 62.
Typically, although not necessarily, each support arm 100 is formed
of two rigid links, an upper link 102 and a lower link 104, which
are connected at hinge 106.
[0056] Each support arm 100 typically is anchored at an upper end
at anchor point 110 to an adjacent side frame member 13 of section
12. The lower end of each support arm 100 typically is attached to
panel 62 at an anchor point 112. Typically, although not
necessarily, turnbuckles 108 are provided at the upper and lower
end of each support arm 100 at anchor points 110 and 112 to adjust
the length of the support arm to equalize the length on both sides,
and to ensure that when deployed, panel 62 is substantially
horizontal.
[0057] Panel 62 is typically lowered by a cable 306 which is
attached to a winch 176. Winch 176 may be mounted to any suitable
interior surface of main section 12, such as panel 14 or side frame
member 13, on a surface thereof facing the inside of section 12.
Winch 176 may be manually operated. In another embodiment, winch
176 may be operated using a tool such as a drill D as shown in FIG.
3A, which is coupled to a drive socket 302 on the winch 176. Winch
176 includes a reel 304. Cable 306 may pass from reel 304 through
side frame member 13 over a pulley block 310. Cable 306 may extend
from pulley block 310 along end wall 66 to pulleys 312 on one side
of panel 62 and over pulley 314. Cable 306 may extend along the
outside surface of panel 62 through cable guide 316, as shown in
FIG. 3, to pulleys 312, 314 on the side of panel 62 opposite winch
176. Cable 306 may extend along end wall 68 to anchor 318 mounted
on side frame member 13. By passing cable 306 across the entire
outside surface of panel 62, panel 62 is adequately supported
during the deployment phase, and any torque or twisting of panel 62
during deployment is minimized.
[0058] Panel 62 may contain an outer lip 63 which abuts an upper
frame member 17 when in a collapsed condition. Panel 62 may also be
provided with a flange 78 that extends about the free, outer
perimeter of panel 62 to act as a stop to protect panel 62 when in
the collapsed condition. Flange 78 may include a gasket to seal the
interior of shelter 10 when in a deployed condition.
[0059] Rails 74 disposed on floor surface 72 of panel 62 and rails
120 disposed on floor surface 116 of section 12 accommodate slides
or rollers 76 on the bottom of walls 66 and 68 to allow module 60
and associated walls 64, 66 and 68 and ceiling 70 to be slid or
rolled outwardly away from section 12 in its collapsed condition to
an expanded position as shown in FIG. 4A. Flange 78 may limit the
movement of first expandable module 60 outwardly as it is pulled
from its collapsed position. Typically two handles 124 may be
provided, one at each end of panel 62, to allow two people to pull
wall 64 and walls 66, 68 and ceiling 70 outwardly to deploy first
expanded module 60.
[0060] FIG. 4A shows first expandable module 60 in its fully
deployed condition. Module 60 is open at the end facing into the
interior of section 12. A flange 126 may be provided on ceiling 70
to abut against an interior surface of section 12 to limit outward
movement of module 60 and/or to minimize any twisting of the module
resulting from downward tilting of module 60 with respect to
section 12. Ceiling 70 of first expandable module 60 may include a
light 150, such as flat LED lights or other lights that are
recessed or do not project sufficiently far downwardly from ceiling
70 to interfere with movement of the modules 60 and 80 or with the
head room within shelter 10.
[0061] Second expandable module 80 will now be described with
particular reference to FIGS. 4A, 5, 5A and 6A. The second
expandable module includes a floor panel 82, a sidewall 84, first
end wall 86, a second end wall 88, and a ceiling 90. As can be
seen, in one embodiment, ceiling 90 is spaced below ceiling 70 of
module 60 to allow ceiling 70 to pass above ceiling 90 when the
modules are in their collapsed position in section 12. Similarly,
end walls 86 and 88 are positioned so as to be located inside end
walls 66 and 68 when in a collapsed position. Thus, module 80 is
somewhat smaller than module 60 to permit collapse of shelter 10.
It is to be understood, however, that these positions could be
reversed, so that ceiling 70 is positioned below ceiling 90 and
walls 86 and 88 are outside walls 66 and 68 during the collapsed
condition of the modules. Expandable module 80 is deployed in much
the same fashion as first expandable module 60. Panel 82, which
serves as a side wall of the container when in a collapsed
condition is pivoted downwardly about hinges 114 to serve as a
floor panel of module 80. Panel 82 may include a flange 98 to
protect panel 82 when in the collapsed condition. Flange 98 may
include a gasket to seal the interior of shelter 80 when in a
deployed condition. Panel 82 may be connected to shelter 10 by
support arms 100 which may have upper links 102 and lower links 104
which are coupled at hinge 106. Support arms 100 may be attached to
panel 82 at anchor point 112 and to shelter 10 at anchor point 110
on side frame member 13. Turnbuckles 108 may be provided at each
end of arm 100. Cable 306 allows deployment of panel 82 in a
fashion similar to panel 62 of the first expandable module 60.
Cable 306 may extend from reel 304 of a winch 178, through pulley
blocks 310, over pulleys 312 and 314, along the outside end wall 86
and may pass along the outside of side wall 84 through a cable
guide 316, to another set of pulleys 312 and 314 at the other side
of wall 84. Cable 306 may extend along end wall 88 to anchor 318 on
side frame member 13.
[0062] Winch 178 may be manually operated, or connected to a drill
or other power device through a socket 302. Winch 178 may be fixed
to the wall like winch 176, or, in one embodiment, it may be
mounted on rails or slides 308 to be movable to allow the winch 178
to be stowed out of the way of wall 66 when the shelter is
collapsed. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 6A, slides or
rails 308 may allow winch 178 to be moved toward first end 14 out
of alignment with end wall 66 of first expandable module 60. In
this way, when shelter 10 is collapsed, wall 66 may abut the inner
wall of section 12 to allow module 60 to be collapsed as far as
possible without interference from winch 178. Winch 176 is already
out of alignment with any of the walls of first and second
expandable modules 60 and 80, and therefore may be permanently
mounted in position on the wall of section 12, if desired.
[0063] Like the first expandable module 60, the inside surface of
panel 82 forms the floor surface 92 of second expandable module 80.
Rails 94 are provided on surface 92 and rails 122 are provided on
floor surface 116 to accept slides or rollers 96 on the bottom of
walls 86 and 88 to permit the expansion of module 80. Flange 98 may
limit movement of walls 86, 88 and 84 outwardly. A flange 126 may
be provided on ceiling 90 to abut against an interior surface of
section 12 to limit outward movement of module 80 and/or to
minimize any twisting of module 80 resulting from downward tilting
of module 80 with respect to section 12. Handles 124 may also be
provided on sidewall 84 to permit manual expansion of module 80.
Like module 60, module 80 may be provided with lights 150, such as
flat LED lights or other lights that are recessed or that do not
interfere with movement of modules 60 and 80 or with sufficient
head room within shelter 10.
[0064] Stabilizers 148 may be provided adjacent the unsupported
corners of panel 62 of module 60 and panel 82 of module 80.
Typically, two such stabilizers 148 are provided for each panel 62
and 82. However, more stabilizers 148 may be utilized if necessary.
Stabilizers 148 are attached to respective panels 62 and 82 at
points 149 of the outer edge thereof, such as by means of a lip
disposed beneath the edges of panels 62 and 82. Stabilizers 148
preferably are provided with an enlarged, flat foot on which they
are mounted to provide stability. Stabilizers 148 may be provided
with spring loaded ratchets which are adjustable in height to
accommodate an uneven ground surface and which may be urged
upwardly against the edges of panels 62 and 82.
[0065] The structure at second end 16 will now be described with
reference to FIGS. 6- 11. As noted, second end 16 may include a
ramp 18 in opening 180 which is connected to the floor panel 118 of
section 12 such as by a hinge 182. Ramp 18 may extend the entire
distance between spaced posts 20 at second end 16. Ramp 18 may
contain a door 202 mounted on hinges 206 (FIG. 5) which is flush
with ramp 18. Door 202 may include a recessed latch 204 on the
exterior or underside of ramp 18. Door 202 may be used as an access
to the interior of section 12 for storing items, when ramp 18 is in
an upright position. Ramp 18 may be provided with a smooth, flush
surface 208 on the interior or top side of the ramp to allow
movement of cargo or the like thereover. When in an upright
position, ramp 18 is held in place by, for example, locking bars
140. Four such bars are illustrated in FIG. 10. These locking bars
are conventional and may have cam heads 142 that are urged into a
snug relationship with receivers 144 when the handles are pivoted
against the ramp by handles 146, as shown in FIG. 5, Clamps 147 may
be provided for retention of the handles 146 in a stowed
position.
[0066] Typically, extending around the perimeter of ramp opening
180, there is a peripheral wall support 186. Wall support 186
provides the required rigidity and strength to second end 16 and
permits ramp 18 to extend from post 20 to post 20 to provide the
widest ramp possible without sacrificing strength or rigidity. Wall
support 186 may be formed of steel. Wall support 186 is attached to
posts 20. Bumpers, such as rubber bumpers 184, may be provided on
wall support 186 at the upper end of the opening 180 for ramp 18 to
allow the ramp to be drawn snugly into an upright position against
the outer surface of wall support 186. Wall support 186 may have
affixed thereto a fabric connector 190. Connector 190 is clamped to
wall support 186 such as by a retainer 192. (See FIGS. 5A, 6A and
10). Fabric connector 190 may have one fabric layer 194 or two
fabric layers 194 and 196. Layers 194 and 196 each have a
connecting device, such as zipper 198, which can be attached to a
structure or structures 350 which may form a portico when the ramp
is in a down or deployed condition as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10.
Layer 194 may be attached to, for example, a biological barrier,
while layer 196 may be attached to, for example, an environmental
barrier. When ramp 18 is in an upright position, connector 190 may
be rolled up and stowed using straps 200.
[0067] In another embodiment, a structure forming a portico 350 may
be provided. Portico 350 may be formed of two layers. For example,
one layer may form an environmental barrier and another layer may
form a biological barrier. Each layer may be selectively attached
by a connecting device, such as zipper 356, to a connecting device,
such as zipper 198, on a respective layer 194 or 196. Other known
connecting devices such as VELCRO.RTM. hook and loop fasteners,
snaps or the like may be used. Portico 350 may be of any desired
structure. In one embodiment, air beams (not shown) are used to
support the portico structure. Any type of conventional air beam
may be used. Air beams typically are tubes of fabric or plastic or
the like which are inflated and have a pre-configured shape to
provide structural support. Portico 350 may have a door 352, such
as a fabric door, at an end spaced from opening 180. Door 352 may
be opened or closed using zippers 354. Rings 212, such as D-rings,
may be provided on ramp 18, and strap 358 along the bottom and side
edges of portico 350 may be tied to rings 212 or the like on the
ramp 18 to hold the portico in position. Portico 350 may be stowed
within section 12 when shelter 10 is in a collapsed condition and
ramp 18 is upright.
[0068] When ramp 18 is in a down or deployed condition, it may be
supported by stabilizers, such as the two stabilizers 216 shown in
FIG. 7. Stabilizers 216 are conventional stabilizers which are
affixed to the end of ramp 18 in a conventional manner to support
ramp 18. Stabilizers 216 typically have enlarged feet. Stabilizers
216 may be adjusted by the use of spring loaded ratchets to
different heights to accommodate an uneven ground surface, and to
provide the desired spacing between the end of ramp 18 and the
underlying ground.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 11, ramp 18 may be raised and lowered by
use of a winch 320 which may be either manually operated or
motor-driven. Typically, winch 320 is attached to a corner post 20
by rails 322. A pulley arm 334 may be attached to post 20 by hook
336 that passes through a hole 56 in corner block 50. The pulley
arm 334 is aligned within guide blocks 338. A clamping member 340
may be attached to post 20 through a flange on pulley arm 334 by
use of a screw together with a threaded hole on post 20. A spool
326 on winch 320 may reel cable 328 out through rollers 330 and
through pulley 332 on arm 334. A snap hook 342 on the end of cable
328 may be attached to a ring 210 on the exterior of the ramp 18.
To lower ramp 18, handles 146 are removed from clamps 147 and the
locking bars 140 are released by turning handles 146. Cam 142 is
then withdrawn from receiver 144. Ramp 18 then can be lowered by
winch 320, using crank arm 324, if manually operated. As the ramp
18 approaches ground level, stabilizers 216 may be attached to the
end of the ramp by inserting pins 218 through holes 214. The
stabilizers 216 are urged upwardly against the end of ramp 18 to
provide a solid support independent of the winch 320 and cable
328.
[0070] In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12-15, a transition
panel 230 may be attached to the end of ramp 18. Panel 230 provides
a smooth transition from ground level to ramp 18 or from ramp 18 to
another ramp or the like. Panel 230 allows wheeled vehicles and the
like to be rolled onto or off ramp 18. Typically, panel 230 is
segmented as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 to accommodate any unevenness
in the ground. That is, panel 230 is comprised of hinged segments
or fingers 244. Fingers 244 may be spaced from one another by small
gaps, or they may be immediately adjacent one another.
[0071] Preferably, panel 230 extends across the width of ramp 18.
In one embodiment, panel 230 is attached to sections 232 and 234,
which may be angled structures for strength. Holes 236 in sections
232 and 234 may pass over posts 218 on stabilizers 216. A locking
sleeve retainer 220 may pass over posts 218 to lock the panel 230,
ramp 18 and stabilizers 216 together as shown in FIGS. 7, 11 and
12. It is understood, of course, that panel 230 may be attached in
other ways to ramp 18 and that this embodiment illustrates only one
possible way of attachment.
[0072] When panel 230 is stored, sections 232 and 234 may be folded
together so that panel 230 can be inserted within the interior of
shelter 10. In one embodiment, sections 232 and 234 are connected
together by hinge 238. During storage, a storage fixture, such as a
pin 224 may be inserted through holes 236 in sections 232 and 234
and a locking sleeve 220 may be attached at one end of pin 224.
[0073] Each of fingers 244 may be attached to a sealed tubing
spacer 240 by an associated hinge 242. In one embodiment, tubing
spacers 240 are welded or otherwise attached to the front of
sections 232 and 234. Fingers 244 may be tapered at the end
attached to hinges 242 and also at a second end 248. Each finger
244 floats or moves independently of the other fingers 244. Fingers
244 additionally may each have downwardly bent tabs 250 that have
holes 252. Fingers 244 typically are joined together on their
underside by a rod or rods 254 which pass through holes 252 in tabs
250. A pin 256 may be inserted in each end of rod 254 to prevent
movement of rod 254. The holes 252 are oversized to allow a certain
amount of sliding movement of rod 254. This arrangement permits a
predetermined amount of individual movement of the fingers 244 with
respect to one another. This flexibility or movement is illustrated
in FIGS. 14 and 15. Each finger 244 may rotate about axis 258 by an
angle equal to about 30.degree. above and below a median
position.
[0074] Typically, each panel, such as panel 62, wall 64, wail 66,
wall 68, panel 82, wall 84, wall 86, wall 88, ramp 18, ceiling 70
and ceiling 90, is formed of a structural panel 130 as illustrated
in FIG. 2A. Each panel 130 may include a framework of tubing 132
with a honeycomb support 134 filling the voids. The honeycomb
support may be formed of any type of material, such as a polymer.
One example is NOMEX.TM.. Insulation material may be inserted into
the honeycomb support 134. A sheet metal skin 136, such as an
aluminum skin, typically covers this structure.
[0075] When in a retracted or collapsed configuration as shown in
FIG. 2, the corner posts 20 provide bearing members which support
loads above shelter 10 and provide the necessary strength to allow
the shelters 10 to comply with ISO 1496/1. Also, loads are
transferred from frame members 17 to frame members 15 through
locking bars 140 by way of panels 62 and 82. At end 16, wall
support 186 provides load support as well as locking bars 140,
through ramp 18. At ends 14 and 16, upper frame supports 21 and
lower frame supports 23 provide load bearing support. To comply
with the racking requirements of ISO 1496/1, typically four
equally-spaced locking bars 140 are used for each panel 62 and 82.
Wall support 186 also helps maintain the required rigidity, as do
frame supports 21 and 23.
[0076] First end wall 154 may be provided with a power and
communications panel 164 which typically is flush with wall 154. A
leveling bubble may also be provided for manual leveling of the
shelter 10. Preferably, however, the shelter is self-leveling. A
self-leveling control panel 168 allows the shelter to level itself
through the use of built-in sensors and software. Control panel 168
may be in any suitable location, such as on the inside surface of
wall 154. A typical self leveling unit employs an inclinometer and
electric motors and gear reducers to operate rams 24 of jacks 22 in
a known manner to level shelter 10. One exemplary, suitable
self-leveling unit is leveling support model 287A, manufactured by
Hetek Hebetechnik GmbH, Treffurt, linter den Linden, Germany.
[0077] Power may be provided by line 400 to connector 402 (FIG. 3)
from a source, such as a peripheral mechanical module to power
communications panel 164. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
may be provided through supply and return ducts 406 and 408 (FIG.
8) which may connect to adapter plates 410 and 412, respectively,
in complexing panel 414 (FIG. 4), when the shelter is in an
expanded condition. Communication lines (not shown) may connect
with connectors 404 on panel 164. Clean and waste water lines 416
and 418, respectively, (FIG. 8) may be connected to adapter plate
420 which is interchangeable with other adapter plates at port 422
in wall 86. (FIGS. 6A and 9). Panel 164 may be integrated with
internal panel 166. Power from panel 166 may be supplied to panel
167 to supply power to outlet strips (not shown) and lights 150.
Power from panel 166 may also be supplied to panel 168.
[0078] 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.
[0079] 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.
* * * * *