System for rapid concealment and shelter

Abstract

A modular free-standing shelter including a frame and a cover. The frame has an upper plate and a lower plate, and a number of cover shafts are each pivotally connected at one end to the upper plate. A number of stretcher shafts are each pivotally connected between a respective one of the cover shafts and the lower plate. A separation shaft is affixed to one of the plates for separating the upper and lower plates at a predetermined distance. The cover is a skin having a predetermined shape that is engaged by the cover shafts.

1 . A method of tightening the skin of a collapsible, lightweight, portable shelter by a human operator, the human operator having a body having hands and feet, wherein said shelter comprises:
 i) a frame comprising:
 (1) three or more cover shafts foldably connected to an upper plate which forms an apex of the shelter, the shelter having an axis substantially perpendicular to the upper plate, 
 (2) three or more stretcher shafts pivotally connected to each respective cover shaft and pivotally connected to a lower plate, 
 (3) a pull cord connected to one of the group of the upper plate and the lower plate and passing through the other plate, and 
 (4) a separation shaft connected to one of the plates and designed to engage the other plate, 
   ii) a cover skin, the skin having a predetermined shape having a number cover panels corresponding to the number of cover shafts and being connected to the cover shafts along cover seams between the cover panels,   
       the method comprising the steps of:
 a) pulling the pull cord with at least one hand or foot from the group of the hands or the feet while pushing in the opposite direction with one of the other of the group of the hands or the feet, and 
 b) applying a skin tightening force using a plurality of large muscle groups of the full body of the operator from the hands to the feet, 
 
       whereby the shelter is rapidly set up, 
       whereby the frame stores and transfers the force to the cover shafts, and 
       whereby the cover shafts stretch the cover panels with sufficient force that skin is held taut without substantial movement or noise. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of:
 a) before the pulling step, placing the collapsed shelter horizontally on the ground, the collapsed frame being folded at the apex, 
 b) sitting along the axis of the collapsed shelter nearest the apex, 
 c) placing one or more feet of the operator on the apex, 
 d) lifting and spreading two of the cover shafts, 
 wherein the pulling step is performed with at least one hand and the apex is lifted with one or more of the feet, and 
 wherein the applying step is performed with the operator in a seated row position. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of:
 a) before the pulling step, placing the collapsed shelter vertically, the collapsed frame being partially folded at the apex, 
 b) standing inside the partially collapsed shelter, parallel to the axis of the shelter, 
 wherein the pulling step is performed with at least one foot attached to the pull cord, 
 wherein the pushing is performed by one or more hand and is applied directly or indirectly to the lower plate, and 
 wherein the applying step is performed with the operator in a power jerk position. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the steps of the method are completed in less than about seven seconds. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the blind further comprises a safety means comprising one of a safety strap, a safety clip, or a safety pin, the method further comprising a step of engaging the safety means. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a take down step, wherein the operator, positioned outside the shelter, holds the apex substantially horizontally and kicks a tip of the separation shaft with the bottom of one foot to release the stored force,
 whereby the hands and head of the operator are positioned safely away from the area of potential injury. 
 
     
     
         7 . A collapsible, free-standing shelter, comprising:
 a frame and a cover;   the frame comprising:
 an upper plate and a lower plate, the upper plate forming an apex of the shelter, the shelter having a vertical axis substantially perpendicular to the upper plate; 
 three or more cover shafts each pivotably connected to the upper plate; 
 three or more stretcher shafts each pivotably connected to respective ones of the cover shafts and each pivotably connected to the lower plate, and 
 a separation shaft connected to one of the plates, wherein the separation shaft includes a separation shaft tip configured to pass through the other plate and a separation shaft stop configured to engage the other plate, and 
 a puller for applying opposing forces to the upper plate and the lower plate to cause the separation shaft to separate the plates at a predetermined distance, the predetermined distance set by the separation shaft stop, and 
   the cover attaches to the frame, comprising a skin having a predetermined shape.   
     
     
         8 . A collapsible shelter, comprising:
 a frame and a cover;   the frame comprising:
 an upper plate; 
 a plurality of cover shafts each pivotally connected at one end to the upper plate; 
 a lower plate; 
 a plurality of stretcher shafts each pivotally connected between a respective one of the cover shafts and the lower plate; and 
 a separation shaft affixed to one of the upper or lower plates for separating the upper and lower plates at a predetermined distance; and 
   the cover comprising a skin having a predetermined shape and engaged by the cover shafts.   
     
     
         9 . The shelter of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a first central aperture traversing the upper plate;   a second central aperture traversing the lower plate; and   a rope connected to the lower plate and extending through the first and second central apertures and the skin for engagement by a user.   
     
     
         10 . The shelter of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 at least one window in the skin having a perimeter surrounding the window;   a flap of material affixed to the skin proximate to the window, the flap of material having an edge substantially corresponding to the perimeter of the window; and   a connector detachably connecting the edge of the flap to the perimeter of the window.   
     
     
         11 . The shelter of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a cord affixed to the skin proximate to the window;   a clip affixed to the flap and detachably connectable to the cord to displace the flap from the window.   
     
     
         12 . The shelter of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a webbing strap affixed to the skin and traversing the flap;   at least one buckle slidably positioned along said webbing strap to displace the flap from the window.   
     
     
         13 . The shelter of  claim 10 , wherein the connector includes hook and loop material affixed to the flap and the skin for a breakable connection. 
     
     
         14 . The shelter of  claim 10 , wherein the connector includes magnets affixed to the flap and the skin for a breakable connection. 
     
     
         15 . The shelter of  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of inner capture pockets positioned proximate to the skin edge, one leg assembly engaging the pocket. 
     
     
         16 . The shelter of  claim 8 , wherein each cover shaft comprises:
 an upper leg pivotally connected to a lower leg; and   a leg bracket affixed to the upper leg, the leg bracket comprising a cylinder having a predetermined length and a flange extending along the length;   wherein the pusher rod is pivotally connected to the flange.