Collapsible Habitable Structure

Abstract

A collapsible structure adapted to accommodate and support at least one human with an accommodation unit formed from a number of flexible panels including at least one lower panel and at least one side wall panel; one or more elongate, flexible ground tensioning elements that are connected to one or more of the panels; and two or more elongate, flexible side tensioning elements that are connected to one or more of the panels, wherein the ground tensioning elements may be attached to a ground anchoring point, located substantially below the accommodation unit, and the side tensioning elements may be attached to at least two side anchoring points, located to the side of the accommodation unit, and tension may be applied to the ground and side tensioning elements so that the accommodation unit is pulled into a shape in which a main internal space, of sufficient size to accommodate a human.

1 . A collapsible structure adapted to accommodate and support at least one human, the structure comprising:
 an accommodation unit formed from a number of flexible panels including at least one lower panel and at least one side wall panel;   one or more elongate, flexible ground tensioning elements that are connected to one or more of the panels; and   two or more elongate, flexible side tensioning elements that are connected to one or more of the panels,   wherein the ground tensioning elements may be attached to a ground anchoring point, located substantially below the accommodation unit, and the side tensioning elements may be attached to at least two side anchoring points, located to the side of the accommodation unit, and tension may be applied to the ground and side tensioning elements so that the accommodation unit is pulled into a shape in which a main internal space, of sufficient size to accommodate at least one human.   
     
     
         2 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one side anchoring point is provided by a first end of a rigid leg. 
     
     
         3 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 2 , wherein the rigid leg is fixed at its second end at a point substantially below the accommodation unit. 
     
     
         4 . A collapsible unit according to  claim 3 , wherein the tension applied to the side tensioning elements attached to the rigid leg may be adjusted by an adjustment mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . A collapsible unit according to  claim 4 , wherein the accommodation unit is formed from a plurality of elongate flexible elements, with the tensioning elements being fixed to the accommodation unit where the flexible elements meet one another. 
     
     
         6 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 5 , wherein the panels extend between the flexible elements. 
     
     
         7 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 6 , wherein the main internal space is substantially enclosed. 
     
     
         8 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 7 , wherein three or more side tensioning elements are attached to a side anchoring point, and subsidiary panels extend between the three or more tensioning elements to form a side chamber. 
     
     
         9 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 8 , wherein the side chamber is substantially enclosed. 
     
     
         10 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 9 , wherein the side chamber may be accessed from the main internal space. 
     
     
         11 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 10 , wherein two or more ground tensioning elements are provided, and the ground tensioning elements meet and are joined to one another at a ground junction, which is attached to the ground anchoring point. 
     
     
         12 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 11 , wherein two or more side tensioning elements are attached to one of the side anchoring points, and the side tensioning elements meet and are joined to one another at a side junction, which is attached to the side anchoring point. 
     
     
         13 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 12 , wherein the ground or side junction is attached to the ground or side anchoring point by a flexible bracing element. 
     
     
         14 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 13 , wherein all or part of at least one of the panels may be at least partially detached. 
     
     
         15 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 14 , wherein the lower panel is of sufficient strength to support the weight of at least one average adult human. 
     
     
         16 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 15 , installed between a ground anchoring point and at least two side anchoring points. 
     
     
         17 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 16 , wherein at least three side anchoring points are provided. 
     
     
         18 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 17 , wherein each of the side anchoring points is above the level of the top of the uppermost panel of the accommodation unit.