Convertible Hard Side Shelter

Abstract

A hard side shelter is convertible between transport and deployed modes. When in the transport mode, the shelter has an envelope identical to an ISO-cargo container. A side section floor and cover are each connected to the center section for rotating between being coplanar with the center section floor and roof when in the deployed mode, and being vertical and lying in a center section side planes when in a transport mode. Each side section has end and middle panels that are turnable relative to each other, and a door assembly that is turnable relative to the middle panels. Locking bars engaged the center section floor when the shelter is in a transport mode, and engage the side section floors when the shelter is in the deployed mode. The shelter is handleable by pallet handling systems and includes insulation panels to enhance the heat transfer characteristics of the shelter.

1 . A convertible hard side shelter comprising:
 a. a center section having front and back ends and defining opposed first and second side planes and first and second end planes and comprising:
 i. a frame having a plurality of posts; 
 ii. a center section floor on the frame; 
 iii. a roof supported by the posts; and 
 iv. an end door on at least the back end; and 
   b. at least one side section comprising:
 i. a side section floor rotatably connected to the center section; and 
 ii. a plurality of panels mounted to each other and to the center section for cooperating with the side section floor to selectively fold between a transport mode whereat the side section floor is parallel to and proximate the first center section side plane and the panels lie generally within the first center section side plane, and a deployed mode whereat the side section floor and the panels are substantially outside of the first center section side plane. 
   
     
     
         2 . The convertible hard side shelter of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a. at least one winch received on the center section; 
 
       and
 b. a cable between the at least one winch and the side section floor, 
 
       so that operating the winch and cable assists the side section floor to rotate. 
     
     
         3 . A shelter that converts between a transport mode and a deployed mode comprising:
 a. a center section comprising a frame with horizontal beams and corner posts, a center section floor on the horizontal beams, and a roof on the corner posts, the center section having front and back ends that define respective front and back vertical end planes, and opposed first and second sides that define respective first and second vertical side planes; and   b. first and second side sections that selectively fold and unfold relative to the center section first and second sides, respectively, the shelter being in the transport mode when the sides sections are folded to lie parallel to and generally within the center section side planes and being in the deployed mode when the side sections are unfolded to lie substantially outside of the center section side planes.   
     
     
         4 . A method of sheltering persons and equipment comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a center section having a front end and an open back end that define respective vertical front and back end planes, and opposed first and second sides that define respective first and second vertical side planes, and having a rigid floor, corner posts, and a rigid roof;   b. folding first and second side sections to lie generally within the center section first and second side planes, respectively, to close the center sections first and second sides and cooperate with the center section floor, roof, and ends to make a shelter that is in a transport mode; and   c. unfolding the first and second side sections to be substantially outside of the center section first and second side planes, respectively, and cooperate with the center section to convert the shelter into a deployed mode.