COLLAPSIBLE SHELTER WITH A WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM

Abstract

A collapsible shelter includes horizontal base rails on a floor supporting vertical wall panels, a wall bracket perpendicularly joining adjacent vertical wall panels, roof brackets connected to a top of the vertical wall panels, joining the vertical wall panels to a first roof panel and a second roof panel, roof ridge connectors joining the first roof panel to the second roof panel, at least one gutter trough nested within at least one of the roof brackets, and at least one water filtration system configured to attach to the at least one gutter trough.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a collapsible shelter and, more particularly, to a collapsible shelter with a water filtration system.

Natural disasters can strike at any time leaving hundreds, if not thousands, of people without shelter. Currently, emergency tents are used to provide temporary housing for victims of natural disasters. However, tents are not durable, insulated, or secure from intruders. Larger, more durable shelters take days, sometimes even weeks to construct and require a team of experienced construction workers. The complexity of creating such shelters along with the materials and manpower needed contribute to higher costs. All the while, victims of a natural disaster are left without shelter.

In addition, when natural disaster strikes, it can spoil or cut off access to a clean, sanitary water supply. Access to a clean, sanitary water supply is essential to prevent dehydration and other ailments. Often, large contributions and donations from a government, large corporation, or various charities are needed to provide victims of natural disasters with enough clean water prevent dehydration and other ailments. Current temporary housing options do not provide access to a clean and sanitary water supply.

Alternatively, hunters, ice fishers, or other campers spending a night in the outdoors often use tents for shelter. As discussed above, the tents lack durability, insulation, and security. Other temporary shelters lack the ability to quickly assemble and transport and do not fit into a standard size truck bed and cannot assemble without the use of a crane or other equipment. As such, they often need power tools to assemble or disassemble.

As can be seen, there is a need for a durable shelter with a quick set up that also provides a water filtration system and that fits into a standard size truck bed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a collapsible shelter comprises horizontal base rails on a floor supporting vertical wall panels, a wall bracket perpendicularly joining adjacent vertical wall panels, roof brackets connected to a top of the vertical wall panels, joining the vertical wall panels to a first roof panel and a second roof panel, roof ridge connectors joining the first roof panel to the second roof panel, at least one gutter trough nested within at least one of the roof brackets, and at least one water filtration system configured to attach to the at least one gutter trough.

In another aspect of the present invention, a water filtration system comprises an adaptor joining a hose to a gutter trough and a filter, operative to filtering water, joining the hose to a valve, said valve being operative to controlling a flow of the water out of the water filtration system wherein the gutter trough is coupled to a roof bracket of a disassemblable and stackable collapsible shelter when said shelter is in an assembled state, wherein said disassemblable and stackable collapsible shelter includes horizontal base rails positioned on a floor, vertical wall panels fastened to the horizontal base rails, wall brackets perpendicularly joining the vertical wall panels, roof brackets joining the vertical wall panels to roof panels, and roof ridge connectors joining the roof panels.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible shelter according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown in an assembled condition;

FIG. 2 is a detail perspective view thereof, on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detail cross-sectional view thereof, taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view thereof, shown in a collapsed condition;

FIG. 5 is an exploded top perspective view thereof, showing a step of assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view thereof, taken on line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view thereof, showing another step of assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8A is an exploded cross-sectional view thereof, illustrating another step of assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view thereof, taken on line 8B-8B in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view thereof, showing a step of assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded top perspective view thereof, showing a step of assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 11 is an exploded cross-sectional view thereof, taken on line 11-11 in FIG. 10, illustrating another step of assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a collapsible shelter with a water filtration system. The collapsible shelter comprises base rails, wall panels, wall brackets, roof panels, roof brackets, roof ridge connectors, and gutter troughs.

The base rails may be straight or may have an angle forming a corner, such as a ninety-degree angle corner. The base rails may be placed on a surface, such as a floor, in a shape of a square or rectangle. Advantageously, the base rails do not require any cutting or measuring. Horizontal base rails, when joined, may form a rectangle on a floor or a surface operative to supporting vertical wall panels. In some embodiments, four base rails support four wall panels.

The base rails comprise a slot or slots for the insertion of a wall panel. The slots may be on a face of the base rail opposite of the face placed on the floor. The base rails may be connected by a placement of a wall panel or wall panels. Anchors may be inserted through the base rails into the floor. The type of anchor is not particularly limited by the present invention and may be any material suitable to secure the invention to the floor such as a helical dirt anchor. A foundation may be placed between the base rails and above the floor to level the floor or to sturdy the base rails. The material of the foundation is not particularly limited by the present invention and may be a flat surface such as cardboard or wood.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the wall panels may be about 3″ thick. The wall panel may be made of incompressible foam with a recycled plastic skin on the outside but may alternatively be made of any suitable material. The wall panels are inserted into the slots on the base rails. The wall panels may be secured to a corresponding base rail with a fastening device, such as a bolt or bolts. The wall panels may include windows, frames for windows, and/or an entrance such as a door.

Wall panels may be secured to each other via a wall bracket. The wall brackets in some embodiments of the present invention have two slots at a ninety-degree angle relative to each other, operative to joining wall panels together. Wall panels are inserted into slots of the wall bracket. A fastener, such as a bolt or bolts, secures the wall bracket to the wall panel. The wall brackets may perpendicularly join a side or an end of a wall panel to a side or an end of another wall panel.

In some embodiments of the present invention, roof panels are secured to the wall panels by roof brackets. The roof brackets may join a top of wall panels to a first roof panel and a second roof panel. The roof brackets comprise a first slot for the insertion of the wall panel and a second slot at an obtuse angle relative to the first slot for the insertion of the roof panel. The roof bracket may further comprise a third slot operative to accommodate a gutter trough and an aperture operative to accommodate an adaptor of a water filtration system. The adaptor may be connected to the gutter trough through the aperture of the roof bracket. In some embodiments, the gutter trough and the roof bracket are unitary. The gutter trough and the roof bracket may be molded together. In some embodiments of the present invention, the collapsible house includes at least one gutter trough with at least one water filtration system.

In some embodiments of the present invention, roof panels are about 2″ thick and are made of incompressible foam with recycled plastic skin on the outside but may alternatively be made of any suitable material. The roof panels may be secured to the corresponding roof brackets with a fastening device, such as bolt or bolts.

Solar panels may be secured to a roof panel.

In some embodiments of the present invention, roof ridge connectors secure the roof panels together. The roof ridge connectors comprise a slot for the roof panel and a surface opposite of the slot. An end of the roof panel is inserted into the slot of the roof ridge connector. When the invention is assembled, the surfaces of the roof ridge connectors about each other. A fastener, such as a bolt or bolts, secures the surfaces of the roof ridge connectors together. In some embodiments of the invention, two roof panels form an entirety. In other embodiments of the present invention, multiple roof panels may be used.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the gutter trough fits into the third slot of the roof bracket. In some embodiments, the gutter trough and the roof bracket are unitary. The gutter trough and the roof bracket may be molded together. The gutter trough may collect water and may also function as a storage tank for collected water. The gutter trough may include a slot. The adaptor of the water filtration system may be attached to the slot through the aperture of the roof bracket. The slot of the gutter trough may be threaded. The adaptor of the water filtration system may be threadedly attached to the slot of the gutter trough.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a water filtration system comprises the adaptor, a hose, a water filter, and a valve. The adaptor connects a first end of the hose to the slot of the gutter trough. A second end of the hose is attached to the filter. The filter is operative to filtering collected water. A valve may attach to the water filtration system, such as next to the filter. The valve allows a user to access the filtered water.

In some embodiments of the invention, multiple units may be combined to form larger units.

In some embodiments of the invention, the shelter may collapse into a portable unit. Said portable unit may fit into a standard truck bed. Multiple portable units may be stacked for convenience of transportation. The portable units may also be shipped in a shipping container. In some embodiments, eight portable units will fit in the shipping container.

Referring now to the Figures, FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a fully assembled shelter 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The view depicts wall panels 18 supported by base rails 12. Wall panels 18 are perpendicularly secured together by wall brackets 40. One wall panel 18 has a door 16, and one wall panel 18 has a window 18a. Roof panels 20 sit on top of the wall panels 18 and are joined to the wall panels 18 by a roof bracket 50. A gutter trough 80 is connected to the roof bracket 50. A water filtration system 70 is connected to the gutter trough 80.

FIG. 2 is a detail perspective view of the water filtration system 70 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. An adaptor 72 fastens a hose 74 to the gutter trough 80. The hose 74 is secured to a water filter 76 which is secured to a valve 78.

FIG. 3 shows a junction of the roof bracket 50 when the invention is fully assembled according to an embodiment of the present invention. A wall panel 18 fits into the roof bracket 50 and is secured by a bolt 26. The roof bracket has an aperture 25 for the insertion of the adaptor 72. A gutter trough 80 fits into the roof bracket 50. A roof panel 20 also fits into the roof bracket 50.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a collapsed shelter 32 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wall panels 18, roof panels 20, base rails 12, gutter trough 80, a water filtration system 70, roof brackets 50, and wall brackets 40 are folded into the collapsed shelter 32. Collapsed shelters 32 may be stacked 30 on top of each other for shipping.

FIG. 5 shows the beginning stages of assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. A foundation 11 is placed underneath base rails 12. A wall panel 18 is inserted into a base rail 12.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along 6-6 of FIG. 5 showing the wall panel 18 inserted into the base rail 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A bolt 26 is used to secure the base rail 12 to the wall panel 18. An anchor 28 goes through the base rail 12 and into a floor.

FIG. 7 shows a more advanced stage of assembly in comparison to FIG. 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Wall panels 18 are connected to base rails 12. One wall panel 18 has a window 18a. The wall panels are secured together by a wall bracket 40.

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view showing an assembly step of a wall panel 18 being inserted into the wall bracket 40 with one wall panel 18 having already been inserted according to an embodiment of the present invention. A bolt 26 secures the wall panel 18 to the wall bracket 40.

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7 showing both wall panels 18 fully inserted into the wall bracket 40. One wall panel 18 is secured by a bolt 26.

FIG. 9 shows a more advanced stage of assembly in comparison to FIG. 7 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Four wall panels 18 have been assembled. One wall panel 18 includes a door 16. One wall panel 18 includes a window 18a.

FIG. 10 shows a roof panel 20 being installed on a top of the the wall panels 18 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A roof bracket 50 connects a gutter trough 80 to the roof panel 20. The roof bracket 50 rests on top of the wall panel 18 as indicated in FIG. 11. A roof ridge connector 60 is affixed to the roof panel 20.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 11-11 of FIG. 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 shows a step of assembling the junction shown in FIG. 3. The wall panel 18 is inserted into the roof bracket 50. A bolt 26 secures the wall panel 18 to the roof bracket 50. The roof panel 20 is also inserted into the roof bracket 50. The gutter trough 80 is inserted into a slot in the roof bracket 50. An aperture 25 in the roof bracket 50 is configured to accommodate the adaptor 72. An end of the roof panel 20 opposite the roof bracket 50 is installed in a roof ridge connector 60. A planar surface 62 of the roof ridge connector 60 faces the planar surface 62 of another roof ridge connector 60 in which another roof panel 20 is installed. A bolt 26 fastens the planar surfaces 62 together. In some embodiments of the present invention, the bolt 26 joining the planar surfaces 62 can be positioned beneath the roof panels 20.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A collapsible shelter comprising: horizontal base rails on a floor supporting vertical wall panels;a wall bracket perpendicularly joining adjacent vertical wall panels;roof brackets connected to a top of the vertical wall panels, joining the vertical wall panels to a first roof panel and a second roof panel;roof ridge connectors joining the first roof panel to the second roof panel;at least one gutter trough nested within at least one of the roof brackets; andat least one water filtration system configured to attach to the at least one gutter trough.

2. The collapsible shelter of claim 1, wherein at least one of the wall panels has an entrance.

3. The collapsible shelter of claim 1, wherein at least one of the wall panels has a window.

4. The collapsible shelter of claim 1, wherein the shelter may be collapsed into a stackable, portable unit.

5. The collapsible shelter of claim 1, wherein the water filtration system further comprises an adaptor joining a hose to the at least one gutter trough, a filter fluidly communicating with the at least one gutter trough by way of the hose, and a valve operative to regulate water flow from the filter.

6. The collapsible shelter of claim 5, wherein said base rails, wall panels, wall brackets, roof brackets, roof ridge connectors, gutter trough, and water filtration system are disassemblable and stackable.

7. A shelter kit comprising: four horizontal base rails forming a rectangle on a floor operative to supporting four vertical wall panels;wall brackets operative to perpendicularly joining a side of a wall panel to a side of another wall panel;roof brackets operative to joining a top of the wall panels to a first roof panel and a second roof panel;roof ridge connectors operative to joining the first roof panel to the second roof panel;at least one gutter trough secured within the roof brackets; anda water filtration system containing an adaptor operative to joining a hose to the at least one gutter trough, a filter affixed to an end of the hose opposite the at least one gutter trough, and the filter affixed to a valve operative to regulating water flow from the filter;wherein said base rails, wall panels, wall brackets, roof brackets, roof panels, roof ridge connectors, gutter troughs, and the water filtration system are disassemblable and stackable.

8. A water filtration system comprising: an adaptor joining a hose to a gutter trough; anda filter, operative to filtering water, joining the hose to a valve, said valve being operative to controlling a flow of the water out of the water filtration system;wherein the gutter trough is coupled to a roof bracket of a disassemblable and stackable collapsible shelter when said shelter is in an assembled state;