US20220154447A1

US20220154447A1 - Expandable shelter system

Info

Publication number: US20220154447A1
Application number: US17/455,323
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert P. Schumann; Matthew M. KALE; Timothy R. Riley; Michael W. ZAHENDRA; Daniel GUEST
Original assignee: Western Shelter Systems
Current assignee: Western Shelter Systems
Priority date: 2020-11-18
Filing date: 2021-11-17
Publication date: 2022-05-19

Abstract

Expandable shelter systems and associated methods are described herein. In one aspect, an expandable shelter system can include a system container, where the container defines a container cavity when the system container is in a collapsed form; an expandable container section positioned within the defined cavity or forming the defined cavity when the system container is in the collapsed form, and including at least one of an expandable container front, an expandable container rear, an expandable container first side, an expandable container second side, an expandable container bottom, or an expandable container top; and an actuation system coupled to the system container and the expandable container section, where the actuation system is configured or adapted to reposition the expandable container section from the collapsed form to an expanded form, where a dimension of the cavity is greater in the expanded form compared to the collapsed form.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and benefit of the filing date of U.S. Application No. 63/115,098 filed Nov. 18, 2020, and titled “Expandable Shelter System,” the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an expandable shelter system, and in particular to a shelter system that is capable of being automatically expanded and deployed as desired.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An expandable shelter system is a shelter system that may increase in physical dimensions once deployed. These systems can include a collapsed form, which can minimize the dimensions of the system. This can be beneficial in the transport of the system, storage of the system, and the like. Expansion of the system can include the increase of at least one dimension of the system, such as a width, length, or height of the system, as compared to the collapsed form. Expansion is typically performed manually, where a user utilizes a winch or some other mechanism to adjust the height, width, etc. of the shelter system. This can be undesirable due to a number or reasons, including user error, possible user injury, and manual operation typically requires more than one user for successful expansion.

SUMMARY

Expandable shelter systems and associated methods are described herein. In one aspect, an expandable shelter system can include a system container including a container front, a container rear, a container first side, a container second side, a container bottom, and a container top, where the container front, the container rear, the container first side, the container second side, the container bottom, and the container top define a container cavity when the system container is in a collapsed form; an expandable container section positioned within the defined cavity or forming the defined cavity when the system container is in the collapsed form, and including at least one of an expandable container front, an expandable container rear, an expandable container first side, an expandable container second side, an expandable container bottom, or an expandable container top; and an actuation system coupled to the system container and the expandable container section, where the actuation system is configured or adapted to reposition the expandable container section from the collapsed form to an expanded form, where a dimension of the cavity is greater in the expanded form compared to the collapsed form.
This aspect can include a variety of embodiments. In one embodiment, the system container further includes a beam statically disposed in the system container, where the actuation system is coupled to the system container via the beam. In some cases, the actuation system is hingeably coupled to the beam.
In another embodiment, the actuation system includes a hydraulic cylinder defining a cavity; a rod translatable through the cavity; and a surface lifting arm hingeably coupled to a distal end of the rod. In some cases, when the system container is in the collapsed form, the rod is disposed within the cavity, and a length of the surface lifting arm is substantially parallel to a length of the hydraulic cylinder. In some cases, when the system container is in the expanded form, the rod is disposed substantially externally to the hydraulic cylinder such that a proximal end of the rod is disposed within the cavity, and a length of the surface lifting arm is substantially perpendicular to a length of a beam statically disposed within the system container which the actuation system is coupled to. In some cases, the surface lifting arm includes a first end and a second end, where at least the first end maintains contact with the expandable container section during the collapsed form and the expanded form.
In another embodiment, a planar surface of the expandable container front, the expandable container rear, the expandable container first side, the expandable container second side, the expandable container bottom, or the expandable container top is adjacent and parallel to a planar surface of the container front, the container rear, the container first side, the container second side, the container rear, or the container top when in the collapsed form. In some cases, the planar surface of the expandable container front, the expandable container rear, the expandable container first side, the expandable container second side, the expandable container bottom, or the expandable container top is substantially perpendicular to the planar surface of the container front, the container rear, the container first side, the container second side, the container rear, or the container top when in the expanded form.
In another embodiment, the actuation system includes a roof actuation system, and the expandable container section includes at least the expandable roof. In some cases, the expandable roof includes one of the container front, the container rear, the container first side, or the container second side.
In another embodiment, the actuation system includes a floor actuation system, and the expandable container section includes at least the expandable floor. In some cases, the expandable floor includes one of the container front, the container rear, the container first side, or the container second side.
In another embodiment, the expandable container section includes the expandable top and the expandable floor, the actuation system is coupled to the system container and the expandable top; and an other actuation system coupled to the system container and the expandable floor. In some cases, a planar surface of the expandable top is adjacent and parallel to a planar surface of the expandable floor when in the collapsed form. In some cases, a planar surface of the expandable top is substantially parallel and nonadjacent to a planar surface of the expandable floor when in the expanded form.
In another aspect, a method of transitioning the expandable shelter system between the collapsed form to the expanded form includes pressurizing a hydraulic cylinder of the actuation system in a push direction; and translating a rod from a cavity defined by the hydraulic cylinder such that a length of the actuation system expands and transitions the expandable container section from the collapsed form to the expanded form.
This aspect can include a variety of embodiments. In one embodiment, the method can further include pressurizing the hydraulic cylinder of the actuation system in a pull direction; and retracting the rod into the cavity of the hydraulic cylinder, such that the length of the lifting arm retracts and transitions the expandable container section from the expanded form to the collapsed form.
In another embodiment, the method can further include depressurizing the hydraulic cylinder of the actuation system; and retracting the rod into the cavity of the hydraulic cylinder, such that the length of the lifting arm retracts and transitions the expandable container section from the expanded form to the collapsed form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are numbered alike in the several figures.

FIG. 1 shows an orthogonal view of an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of an actuation system for an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows an orthogonal view of an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of an actuation system for an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows an orthogonal view of an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of an actuation system for an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of an actuation system for an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 shows an orthogonal view of an expandable shelter system in an expanded form according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 shows an orthogonal view of an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 shows a detailed view of an actuation system for an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 shows an isometric view of an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 shows an isometric view of an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 shows a detailed view of an actuation system for an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 shows a detailed view of an actuation system for an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 shows a detailed view of an actuation system for an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 shows a detailed view of a lifting arm for an actuation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 shows an orthogonal view of an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 shows a cross-sectional view of an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 shows an isometric view of an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 shows a detailed view of an actuation system for an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 shows an orthogonal view of an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 shows a cross-sectional view of an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 26 shows a detailed view of an actuation system for an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 27 shows an orthogonal view of an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 28 shows a cross-sectional view of an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 29 shows a cross-sectional view of an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 30 shows an orthogonal view of an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 31 shows an orthogonal view of an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 32 shows a detailed view of an actuation system for an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 33 shows an isometric view of an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 34 shows an isometric view of an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 35 shows a detailed view of an actuation system for an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 36 shows a detailed view of an actuation system for an expandable shelter system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 37 shows a detailed view of a lifting arm for an actuation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an expandable shelter system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 can be, for example, a 3-in-1 system, where the dimensions of the system can expand to approximately 3 times its collapsed size. FIG. 1 depicts an orthogonal top view of the expandable shelter system 100, wherein the width and length of the system 100 in its collapsed form can be seen.
FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of an expandable shelter system 100. Each side of the system 100 can include an exterior panel 205 and multiple interior panels 210. In collapsed form, the interior panel 205 forms an exterior sidewall of the container system. In collapsed form, the exterior panel 205 overlaps with the interior panels 210. This overlap can form a cavity between the multiple wall elements and the structural column, where an actuation system 215 can be located. The actuation system 215 can automatically expand the system, such that the exterior sidewalls 205 actuate (e.g., hinge) away from the interior sidewalls 210, thereby allowing the system dimensions to expand. In some cases, both the interior sidewalls 210 and exterior sidewall 205 are expandable, for example if the exterior panel 205 is an expandable roof, and an interior panel 210 is a longwall or sidewall, and the like.
FIG. 3 depicts an actuation system 300 according to a first exemplary embodiment for the expandable shelter system 100. The actuation system 300 can include a roof lifting arm 305 and a hydraulic cylinder 310. The hydraulic cylinder can be an example of a telescoping actuator implemented within the actuation system 300, however, other forms of telescoping actuators can be implemented as well, such as pneumatic actuators, electric linear actuators, and the like. Below is an example process for expanding the expandable shelter system.
Step 1—The roof lifting arm 305 can actuate the expandable roof 325 via pressure inputted into the hydraulic cylinder 310. The roof lifting arm 305 can include a roller bearing 320, or in some cases a pivot point on a bracket with a fixed position relative to the expandable roof 325. In the case of a pivot point/fixed bracket implementation, the roof lifting arm 305 can also include an additional link arm similar to the floor lifting system discussed below.
When deployed, the hydraulic cylinder 310 may extend a rod or piston to “push” the expandable roof 325 from its collapsed state to an expanded state. The expandable roof 325 may hinge or pivot, such that the lower edge of the expandable roof (e.g., the lower edge when the expandable roof 325 is collapsed) hinges or pivots away from the column 330. The expandable roof 325 may be pivoted such that the roof length or width is substantially perpendicular to the length or width of its collapsed state, or to the length of the column 330. In some cases, the expandable roof 325 may be hinged or pivoted past a perpendicular position, such as to a maximum extension length of the hydraulic cylinder 310. This may provide additional clearance for the other collapsed walls/floors to deploy.
In some cases, an end of the roof lifting arm 305 can include a pivot point, such as pivot point 1310 shown in FIG. 13. The pivot point 1310 can maintain contact with a vertical column or interior wall as the hydraulic cylinder 310 expands. In some other cases, the actuation system to deploy a roof can include components discussed with respect to the floor actuation system described below with reference to Step 2.
As further shown in FIG. 3, the roof lifting arm 305 of the actuation system 300 is in a collapsed form. The roof lifting arm 305 is disposed between, and substantially parallel to, a column 330 and the expandable roof 325. Further, as depicted in FIG. 3, the hydraulic cylinder 310 can be nested within the roof lifting arm 305 when in collapsed form. For example, the roof lifting arm 305 as depicted in more detail in FIG. 19. The roof lifting arm 305 can be formed of two sidewalls and at least one connecting face between the sidewalls, which can define a cavity or depression within the length of the roof lifting arm 305. When collapsed, at least a portion of the length of the hydraulic cylinder 310 can be disposed within this defined cavity or depression of the roof lifting arm 305, which can minimize the amount of space required for the actuation system when in collapsed form.
As the hydraulic cylinder 310 expands, the expandable roof 325 can pivot away from the column 330, with the pivot point 1310 of the roof lifting arm 305 maintaining contact with a vertical column or interior wall. The expandable roof 325 can, when expanded, be substantially perpendicular to the column 330. Likewise, collapsing the expandable roof 325 can be initiated by de-pressurizing the hydraulic cylinder 310, or alternatively by pressurizing the hydraulic cylinder 310 in the opposing (pull) direction. This decreases the length of the hydraulic cylinder 310 (e.g., retracts a rod or piston back into the body of the hydraulic cylinder), which in turn rotates the roof lifting arm 305 to be substantially parallel to the hydraulic cylinder 310, thereby folding the expandable roof 325 back towards the column 330.
Step 2—Once the expandable roof is expanded, an expandable floor 345 can then be deployed via a floor actuation system, such as those depicted in FIG. 23. FIG. 23 depicts an actuation system 2300, and can be a magnified view of area K in FIG. 21. The actuation system 2300 can include a floor actuation system, which can further include a hydraulic cylinder 2305 and a floor lifting arm 2310. In collapsed form, the hydraulic cylinder 2305 and the floor lifting arm 2310 can be substantially parallel (e.g., the lengths of the hydraulic cylinder and floor lifting arm) to an I-beam column 2315 (or other type of column, such as a formed column) and an expandable floor 2325. The hydraulic cylinder 2305 can be rotationally coupled to the column 2315, for example via a mounting bracket 2320.
In some cases, the hydraulic cylinder 2305 can maintain the expandable floor 2325 in its collapsed form while pressurized. When de-pressurized, the hydraulic cylinder 2305 can expand due to the weight of the expandable floor 2325. The floor lifting arm 2310 can be coupled to the hydraulic cylinder 2305 via a hinge point 2335, allowing the floor lifting arm 2310 to rotate with respect to the hydraulic cylinder 2305 at the hinge point 2335. In some cases, the hydraulic cylinder 2305 can be bidirectional, such that the hydraulic cylinder 2305 can both lower and raise the expandable floor 2325 hydraulically.
The floor lifting arm 2310 can also be coupled to the column 2315 via a pivot arm 2340. The floor lifting arm can also rotate with respect to the column 2315 via the pivot arm 2340. Thus, as the hydraulic cylinder 2305 expands, the pivot points of the floor lifting arm 2310 allow for a controlled rotation of the floor lifting arm 2310 with respect to the hydraulic cylinder 2305 and the column 2315. The expanded form for the expandable floor 2325 can coincide with slightly less than the maximum length for the expanded hydraulic cylinder 2305, which can further coincide with the expandable floor 2325 being substantially perpendicular to the column 2315. This expanded form is depicted in FIG. 32. In some cases, the expandable floor 2325 may be expanded past perpendicular (e.g., 1°, 3°, 5°, 10° past perpendicular, and the like) which can coincide with a maximum extension of the hydraulic cylinder 2305. This may facilitate the deployment of walls yet to be expanded.
An example of a floor lifting arm is floor lifting arm 3700 depicted in FIG. 37. The floor lifting arm 3700 can include a first end and a second end. The first end can be hingeably coupled to a pivot arm 3710, which can in turn be coupled to a mounting bracket 3715. The mounting bracket 3715 can be coupled to a column, such as column 2315 of FIG. 23. Thus, the floor actuation system can be coupled to a vertical column by at least two points: via an end of the hydraulic cylinder; and a first end of the floor lifting arm (such as floor lifting arm 3700). The second end of the floor lifting arm can be coupled to the expandable floor. The rod of the hydraulic cylinder can be hingeably coupled to the lifting arm at the hydraulic linking pin. As the rod expands from the hydraulic cylinder, the floor lifting arm can hinge about the mounting bracket 3715, and the rotation can be further controlled by the rotation allowed by the hydraulic linkage pin and the pivot arm 3710. Further, while this example is discussed with reference to the expandable floor, this type of lifting arm can be implemented by the roof lifting system described above with reference to Step 1.
Reverting the expandable floor 2325 into the collapsed form can be performed by pressurizing the hydraulic cylinder 2305 in the pull direction. This retracts the rod into the length of the cylinder, causing the floor lifting arm 2310 to rotate towards the column 2315, thereby retracting the expandable floor 2325 towards the column 2315.
Step 3—Once the expandable floor is deployed (expanded), the long wall can be deployed, such as the expandable long wall 415 of FIG. 4 or 2210 of FIG. 22. The longwall may be disposed to be flush with the expandable floor (e.g., floor 415) when the expandable floor is in a collapsed form. The long wall can also be flush with the expandable floor when the floor itself is expanded, as discussed above with reference to Step 2. Further, the expandable long wall can be coupled to the floor via a hinge or pivot point at a distal end of the floor panel. So, for example, when the floor is collapsed, the hinge or pivot point may be at the top of the expandable shelter system. When the floor is deployed, the hinge or pivot point can be at the distal end of the floor with respect to the expandable shelter system.
The expandable long wall can be configured to hinge or pivot away from the floor and become vertically disposed when in expanded form (e.g., to form a wall). The deployment or transition from collapsed to expanded forms may be performed or assisted by a set of gas springs, such as gas spring 315. The gas spring can be coupled to both the expandable floor and the expandable longwall. In some cases, at least one end of the gas spring can be hingeably or rotatably coupled to the longwall or floor. The gas spring can apply, when initiated, an expansive force between the expandable floor and expandable longwall, which can facilitate the long wall's rotation from the expandable floor (e.g., towards vertical). Likewise, transitioning the expandable long wall from expanded to collapsed can be performed by compressing the gas spring, which can allow for the expandable long wall to rotate back towards the expandable floor. In some cases, expanding, collapsing, or both, of the expandable long wall can be further facilitated manually.
Step 4—Once the expandable long wall is deployed, the sidewall can then be deployed, such as sidewall 420. The sidewalls may be hingeably coupled to a beam of the shelter system, such as I-beam column 330. Once the expandable floor is deployed, the side walls can be freely rotated about the hinge. The sidewalls can swing out and away from the original dimensions of the shelter system. In some cases, this hinging can be facilitated by gas springs, similar to the expandable long wall discussed above, or in some cases may be facilitated manually.
Once the sidewalls are deployed, the sidewalls, expandable floor, expandable roof, expandable long wall, and the original dimensions of the shelter system can define a cavity larger than the original cavity. In some cases, the expandable roof and/or the expandable floor may be “overextended”, such that the plane of the roof and/or floor are not parallel to the floor/roof of the shelter system. As discussed above, this may provide additional room for the long walls and sidewalls to deploy into the expanded form. In these cases, an additional step may be required. This may include repositioning the expandable floor and/or expandable roof to be substantially parallel with the other floor/roof portions of the expandable shelter system. This may include depressurizing a hydraulic cylinder or pressurizing it in the opposite (pull) direction to align the expandable roof with the other roof portion. Similarly, this could include pressurizing a hydraulic cylinder to align the expandable floor with the other floor portion, and the like.
FIG. 4 depicts the shelter system of FIG. 1 in expanded form. Each of the expandable roof 405 and expandable floor 415 can undergo similar processes as explained with reference to the expandable roof 325 of FIG. 3. For example, each of the expandable roof 405, expandable long wall 410, expandable floor 415, and expandable sidewall 420, when collapsed, can be substantially parallel to one another (e.g., the width dimensions of each wall). As shown in FIG. 11, each expanded roof or floor can include a corresponding arm lift system (e.g., actuation systems 300 and 2300), which can expand their corresponding roof or floor as described with reference to FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 depicts a front orthogonal view of a shelter system in a collapsed form. FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of the shelter system of FIG. 5. FIG. 6 illustrates a location of stowed hydraulics between the inner and expandable walls, roof, floor, etc., of the shelter system.
FIG. 7 depicts a detail of the top cross-sectional view from FIG. 6, of an actuation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The actuation system of FIG. 7 can be an example of the actuation system 300 discussed with reference to FIG. 3.
FIG. 8 depicts a top orthogonal view of a shelter system in a collapsed form. FIG. 9 depicts a cross-sectional view of the shelter system of FIG. 8. FIG. 9 illustrates a location of stowed hydraulics between the container columns and nested expandable walls, roof, floor, etc., of the shelter system.
FIG. 10 depicts a cross-sectional view of an actuation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The actuation system of FIG. 10 can be an example of the actuation system 300 discussed with reference to FIG. 3.
FIG. 11 depicts an orthogonal view of a shelter system in an expanded mode, for example with expandable roofs and floors, expanded via actuation systems, such as actuation system described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 12 is an orthogonal view of the shelter system depicted in FIG. 11.
FIGS. 14 and 15 depict different isometric views of a shelter system in an expanded mode. FIG. 16 depicts a magnified view of area H of FIG. 14, which further depicts an actuation system for expanding the shelter system. Likewise, FIG. 17 depicts a magnified view of area I of FIG. 15, which further depicts an actuation system for expanding the shelter system.
FIG. 18 depicts an actuation system 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The actuation system 300 can be an example of the actuation system 300 of FIG. 3. FIG. 19 depicts a lifting arm 305 of a roof actuation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The lifting arm 305 can be an example of the lifting arm 305 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 20 depicts a top orthogonal view of a shelter system in a collapsed mode. FIG. 21 depicts a cross-sectional view of a shelter system in a collapsed mode. FIG. 22 depicts an isometric view of a shelter system in an expanded mode, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this expanded mode, one side of the shelter is expanded. For example, the roof 2205, long wall 2210, and floor 2215 can be expanded through a hydraulic cylinder and roof lifting arm (not shown), the gas spring 2225, and the hydraulic cylinder 2220 and floor lifting arm 2230, respectively.
FIG. 24 depicts a front orthogonal view of a shelter system in a collapsed mode. FIG. 25 depicts a cross-sectional view of the shelter system of FIG. 24, which further illustrates a location of a floor lifting arm, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 26 depicts a magnified view of area M of FIG. 25, which illustrates additional details of the floor actuation system. The floor actuation system shown in FIG. 26 can be an example of the floor actuation system of FIG. 23.
FIG. 27 depicts a top orthogonal view of a shelter system. FIG. 28 depicts a cross-sectional view of the shelter system depicted in FIG. 27. FIG. 29 depicts a magnified view of area 0 of FIG. 28. Further, FIG. 29 depicts a stowage location for a floor actuation system when the shelter system is in a collapsed mode.
FIG. 30 depicts a front orthogonal view of a shelter system in an expanded mode, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the system can include a floor actuation system and a roof actuation system, which can be examples of the floor actuation system described in FIG. 23, and roof actuation system of FIG. 3. FIG. 31 depicts an orthogonal view of the shelter system depicted in FIG. 30. FIG. 32 depicts a magnified view of area P of FIG. 31. Further, FIG. 32 depicts a floor actuation system in an expanded mode, which can include a lifting arm 3205, a hydraulic cylinder 3210, and a pivot arm 3215. The floor actuation system can be an example of the floor actuation system of FIG. 23.
FIGS. 33 and 34 depict isometric views of a shelter system in an expanded mode. FIGS. 35 and 36 depict magnified views of the shelter system depicted in FIGS. 33 and 34. For example, FIG. 35 depicts a magnified view of area Q from FIG. 33, and FIG. 36 depicts a magnified view of area R from FIG. 33. FIGS. 35 and 36 further depict floor actuation systems in an expanded mode, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
Although the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly to include other variants and embodiments of the invention which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein.
An apparatus and system as described above with reference to the foregoing description and appended drawings is hereby claimed.

Claims

1. An expandable shelter system, comprising:

a system container including a container front, a container rear, a container first side, a container second side, a container bottom, and a container top, wherein the container front, the container rear, the container first side, the container second side, the container bottom, and the container top define a container cavity when the system container is in a collapsed form;

an expandable container section positioned within the defined cavity or forming the defined cavity when the system container is in the collapsed form, and comprising at least one of an expandable container front, an expandable container rear, an expandable container first side, an expandable container second side, an expandable container bottom, or an expandable container top; and

an actuation system coupled to the system container and the expandable container section, wherein the actuation system is configured or adapted to reposition the expandable container section from the collapsed form to an expanded form, wherein a dimension of the cavity is greater in the expanded form compared to the collapsed form.

2. The expandable shelter system of claim 1, wherein the system container further comprises:

a beam statically disposed in the system container, wherein the actuation system is coupled to the system container via the beam.

3. The expandable shelter system of claim 2, wherein the actuation system is hingeably coupled to the beam.

4. The expandable shelter system of claim 1, wherein the actuation system comprises:

a hydraulic cylinder defining a cavity;

a rod translatable through the cavity; and

a surface lifting arm hingeably coupled to a distal end of the rod.

5. The expandable shelter system of claim 4, wherein, when the system container is in the collapsed form, the rod is disposed within the cavity, and a length of the surface lifting arm is substantially parallel to a length of the hydraulic cylinder.

6. The expandable shelter system of claim 4, wherein, when the system container is in the expanded form, the rod is disposed substantially externally to the hydraulic cylinder such that a proximal end of the rod is disposed within the cavity, and a length of the surface lifting arm is substantially perpendicular to a length of a beam statically disposed within the system container which the actuation system is coupled to.

7. The expandable shelter system of claim 4, wherein the surface lifting arm comprises a first end and a second end, wherein at least the first end maintains contact with the expandable container section during the collapsed form and the expanded form.

8. The expandable shelter system of claim 1, wherein a planar surface of the expandable container front, the expandable container rear, the expandable container first side, the expandable container second side, the expandable container bottom, or the expandable container top is adjacent and parallel to a planar surface of the container front, the container rear, the container first side, the container second side, the container rear, or the container top when in the collapsed form.

9. The expandable shelter system of claim 8, wherein the planar surface of the expandable container front, the expandable container rear, the expandable container first side, the expandable container second side, the expandable container bottom, or the expandable container top is substantially perpendicular to the planar surface of the container front, the container rear, the container first side, the container second side, the container rear, or the container top when in the expanded form.

10. The expandable shelter system of claim 1, wherein the actuation system comprises a roof actuation system, and the expandable container section comprises at least the expandable roof.

11. The expandable shelter system of claim 10, wherein the expandable roof comprises one of the container front, the container rear, the container first side, or the container second side.

12. The expandable shelter system of claim 1, wherein the actuation system comprises a floor actuation system, and the expandable container section comprises at least the expandable floor.

13. The expandable shelter system of claim 12, wherein the expandable floor comprises one of the container front, the container rear, the container first side, or the container second side.

14. The expandable shelter system of claim 1, wherein the expandable container section comprises the expandable roof and the expandable floor, the actuation system is coupled to the system container and the expandable roof; and

an other actuation system coupled to the system container and the expandable floor.

15. The expandable shelter system of claim 14, wherein a planar surface of the expandable roof is adjacent and parallel to a planar surface of the expandable floor when in the collapsed form.

16. The expandable shelter system of claim 14, wherein a planar surface of the expandable roof is substantially parallel and nonadjacent to a planar surface of the expandable floor when in the expanded form.

17. A method of transitioning the expandable shelter system of claim 1 between the collapsed form to the expanded form, comprising:

pressurizing a hydraulic cylinder of the actuation system in a push direction; and

translating a rod from a cavity defined by the hydraulic cylinder such that a length of the actuation system expands and transitions the expandable container section from the collapsed form to the expanded form.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

pressurizing the hydraulic cylinder of the actuation system in a pull direction; and

retracting the rod into the cavity of the hydraulic cylinder, such that the length of the lifting arm retracts and transitions the expandable container section from the expanded form to the collapsed form.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

depressurizing the hydraulic cylinder of the actuation system; and