Expandable shelter system

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.

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   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.