초록 ▼

A versatile equipment-hauling expandable shelter is disclosed configured to both provide shelter and store, transport, and launch equipment, such as motorized toys, military equipment, tools, and the like. The equipment-hauling expandable shelter includes a chassis and a shelter attached to the chas

A versatile equipment-hauling expandable shelter is disclosed configured to both provide shelter and store, transport, and launch equipment, such as motorized toys, military equipment, tools, and the like. The equipment-hauling expandable shelter includes a chassis and a shelter attached to the chassis, such as one of a tent, a container, and a cover. The shelter is configured to be stowed on the chassis at a small exterior profile size with a maximum equipment/storage volume and erected on or around the chassis into a spacious shelter with more than double the volume of the equipment/storage volume. The center roof section rises automatically by lift assemblies to provide adequate head room for standing. Drop assemblies allow for solid/sealed wheel fenders and solid inner side panel extensions which in turn provide for a continuous floor and ramps. Portable interior components provide changeable/versatile interior configurations.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. An equipment-hauling expandable shelter comprising: a chassis comprising a central floor section; and an expandable-collapsible shelter coupled to the chassis reversibly movable between a stowed position and expanded position, the expandable-collapsible shelter in the s

The invention claimed is: 1. An equipment-hauling expandable shelter comprising: a chassis comprising a central floor section; and an expandable-collapsible shelter coupled to the chassis reversibly movable between a stowed position and expanded position, the expandable-collapsible shelter in the stowed position having a first exterior profile size, the expandable-collapsible shelter in the expanded position having a second exterior profile size larger than the first exterior profile size, and the expandable-collapsible shelter comprising: an interior space within the expandable-collapsible shelter comprising: a fillable-dischargeable cargo space sized, shaped, and unobstructed for containing portable equipment, the cargo space within both the stowed position and the expanded position of the shelter, the cargo space available and accessible in both the stowed and the expanded positions of the shelter through a plurality of ingress and egress locations about the periphery of the expandable-collapsible shelter, and the cargo space having a first interior volume in the stowed position of the shelter; and a living space defined by the expanded position of the shelter, the living space shared and in communication with the cargo space, and the shared living and cargo spaces in the expanded position of the shelter having a second interior volume larger than the first interior volume in the stowed position of the shelter by increasing usable floor area in combination with increasing interior height. 2. The equipment-hauling expandable shelter of claim 1, wherein the chassis comprises at least one of a trailer chassis and a truck chassis. 3. The equipment-hauling expandable shelter of claim 1, wherein the second interior volume is about three times or more larger than the first interior volume. 4. The equipment-hauling expandable shelter of claim 1, wherein the second interior volume is large enough to allow a person to stand upright therein. 5. The equipment-hauling expandable shelter of claim 1, wherein the first interior volume comprises a cuboidal volume. 6. The equipment-hauling expandable shelter of claim 1 further comprising at least one flush tie-down channel in the central floor section, the at least one flush tie-down channel comprising: a base; opposing sides extending upward from the base forming a channel depth and a channel width; and a plurality of spaced apart tie-down bars coupled between the opposing sides, each tie-down bar sized and shaped to allow a tie-down hook to removably engage therewith. 7. The equipment-hauling expandable shelter of claim 6, wherein the at least one tie-down channel comprises a plurality of mutually spaced-apart tie-down channels. 8. The equipment-hauling expandable shelter of claim 6, wherein the at least one tie-down strip comprises a uniformly increasing depth towards an open end of the channel, operative to drain spilled fluids. 9. The equipment-hauling expandable shelter of claim 1, wherein the expandable-collapsible shelter comprises at least one of a tent, a container, and a cover. 10. An equipment-hauling expandable shelter comprising: a chassis comprising a central floor section; an expandable-collapsible shelter coupled to the chassis reversibly movable between a stowed position and an expanded position; a roof comprising: a substantially rigid, raisable-lowerable central roof section; and a plurality of substantially rigid roof extensions pivotably coupled to the central roof section, the roof extensions forming portions of shelter sidewalls when the shelter is in the stowed position, and the roof extensions forming additional roof sections when the shelter is in the expanded position; at least one extendable post coupled to the chassis and supporting the central roof section, the post adjustable to raise and lower the central roof section; and rear end and at least one side substantially rigid floor extensions pivotably coupled to the central floor section, the at least one side floor extension outside of and at least spanning a wheel fender, the floor extensions forming one of portions of shelter sidewalls and cargo ramps for aft and side loading and unloading equipment when the shelter is in the stowed position, and the floor extensions forming one of additional floor sections level with the central floor section and cargo ramps for aft and side loading and unloading equipment when the shelter is in the expanded position. 11. The equipment-hauling expandable shelter of claim 10, the expandable-collapsible shelter further comprising, in cooperation with the at least one extendable post, one of a cable system, a cable system with at least one torsion spring, hydraulic dampers, and at least one jack screw. 12. The equipment-hauling expandable shelter of claim 10, the expandable-collapsible shelter further comprising at least one lift assembly coupling together the at least one extendable post and at least one roof extension, each lift assembly comprising: a lower arm comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end pivotally coupled to a non-extendable portion of the at least one extendable post; an upper arm comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end pivotally coupled to an extendable portion of the at least one extendable post, wherein the proximal ends of the upper arm and the lower arm are pivotally coupled together; a tension spring in either the lower arm or the upper arm; a slot pin in either the lower arm or the upper arm; and a roof extension arm comprising a distal end and a proximal end having a slot therein, the distal end coupled to the at least one roof extension, and the slot of the proximal end slidably coupled to the slot pin; wherein as the at least one roof extension is lifted or lowered, the slot simultaneously slidably engages the slot pin, thereby simultaneously expanding or contracting the upper and lower arms, thereby simultaneously raising or lowering the extendable portion of the at least one extendable post, and thereby simultaneously raising or lowering the center roof section. 13. The equipment-hauling expandable shelter of claim 12, wherein the at least one lift assembly comprises four lift assemblies, wherein the at least one extendable post comprises four extendable corner posts, and wherein the at least one roof extension comprises a front end roof extension and an opposing rear end roof extension. 14. The equipment-hauling expandable shelter of claim 10, the expandable-collapsible shelter further comprising a plurality of wall sections detachably coupled to free edges of corresponding roof and floor extensions, the wall sections stowed between corresponding roof and floor extensions when the shelter is in the stowed position, and the wall sections forming shelter sidewalls when the shelter is in the expanded position. 15. The equipment-hauling expandable shelter of claim 14, wherein the plurality of wall sections, the plurality of roof extensions, and the plurality of floor extensions comprise a plurality of modular folding wall units. 16. The equipment-hauling expandable shelter of claim 14, wherein the wall sections comprise one of substantially flexible wall sections, substantially rigid wall sections, and combinations thereof. 17. The equipment-hauling expandable shelter of claim 16, wherein the substantially rigid wall sections comprise articulated sections operable to unfold to a size greater than their stowed dimensions.