INTRODUCTION
Portable shelters, such as tents, are typically provided without any electrical and/or electronic features.
SUMMARY
The present description relates generally to a removable (e.g., portable) shelter that electrically and/or communicatively integrates with a vehicle when the removable shelter is mounted to the vehicle. In one or more implementations, the removeable shelter leverages electrical contacts in accessory mounting ports on a roof and/or truck bed of the vehicle. The removeable shelter may also communicate wirelessly (e.g., via Bluetooth communications) with the vehicle. The removable shelter may include any of various integrated electronic components that can be powered by the vehicle (e.g., by a battery of the vehicle), including, but not limited to, external lighting (e.g., entry port lighting, flood lighting, etc.), external proximity sensing, proximity-based external lighting, interior lighting (e.g., including reading lights, overhead lighting, flood lighting, ambient lighting, etc.), air temperature control (e.g., including one or more powered fans and/or ported vehicle HVAC), other temperature control (e.g., heated floor, heated blankets, heated walls, etc.), speakers, charging ports for mobile phones and/or other devices, and/or other features.
In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided that includes a removable shelter configured to be mounted to a vehicle and having at least one electrical connector configured to electrically couple one or more electronic components of the removable shelter to an electrical system of the vehicle when the removable shelter is mounted to the vehicle. The apparatus may also include communications circuitry configured to communicatively couple to vehicle communications circuitry of the vehicle. The communications circuitry of the removable shelter may include wireless communications circuitry.
The at least one electrical connector may be associated with a mechanical connector for mechanically mounting the removable shelter to the vehicle. The removable shelter may also include an enclosure configured to be occupied by one or more persons, in which at least one of the one or more electronic components is integrally mounted within the enclosure. The one or more electronic components may include at least one exterior light. The at least one exterior light may be configured to project light onto an entrance to the enclosure. The at least one exterior light may be configured to project light onto an access structure for the enclosure. The access structure may include a ladder. The ladder may include a powered ladder operable using power received from the vehicle via the at least one electrical connector.
The one or more electronic components may include at least one sensor configured to detect an object at or near the entrance to the enclosure. The at least one exterior light may be configured to project light onto an entrance to the enclosure responsive to a detection of the object using the at least one sensor. The at least one sensor may include a LIDAR sensor.
The apparatus may also include a switch for the at least one exterior light on an exterior surface of the removable shelter. The at least one exterior light may include an entrance light and a flood light. The one or more electronic components may include a powered dock for a flashlight. The one or more electronic components may include a heating component configured to heat at least a portion of the removable shelter. The heating component may include a heating element embedded in a floor of the removable shelter. The one or more electronic components may include a cooling component configured to cool at least a portion of the removable shelter. The cooling component may include a fan. The cooling component may include an air conditioning unit.
The one or more electronic components may include at least one interior light within an enclosure of the removable shelter. The at least one interior light may include a directional reading light. The at least one interior light may include a flood light embedded within a portion of the enclosure. The one or more electronic components may include a speaker. The one or more electronic components may include a charging port for a portable electronic device. The charging port may include a universal serial bus (USB) port. The one or more electronic components may include a display component for displaying visual content within an enclosure of the removable shelter. The display component may include a projection screen. The projection screen may be configured to allow viewing of the visual content from both of two opposing sides of the projection screen. The display component may also include a projector configured to project the visual content onto the projection screen. The display component may include an active display screen. The display component may be configured to display vehicle information for the vehicle, the vehicle information obtained via wired or wireless communication between the removable shelter and the vehicle. The vehicle information may include one or more of: a battery charge level, a battery discharge rate, a number of miles corresponding to the battery charge level, a change in the battery charge level based on a state of the removable shelter, or a change in the number of miles based on the state of the removable shelter.
The apparatus may also include a control panel integrally formed within an enclosure of the removable shelter, the control panel including one or more control elements for controlling the one or more electronic components. The one or more electronic components may be operable via a portable electronic device that is communicatively coupled to the removable shelter via communications circuitry of the removable shelter. The one or more electronic components of the removable shelter may be operable via a control panel within the vehicle. One or more electronic features of the vehicle may be operable via a control panel within the removable shelter. The electrical system of the vehicle may include a battery configured to power one or more wheels of the vehicle. The one or more electronic components may include a center high mounted stop lamp (CHMSL).
In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, a method is provided that includes mechanically mounting a removable shelter to a vehicle, where mechanically mounting the removable shelter to the vehicle electrically couples an electrical system of the removable shelter to an electrical system of the vehicle; and operating at least one electronic component of the removable shelter using power provided from the electrical system of the vehicle. The method may also include receiving, by the removable shelter, an electronic communication from the vehicle. Receiving the electronic communication may include receiving the electronic communication wirelessly from the vehicle. Receiving the electronic communication may include receiving the electronic communication via a communications port that is integrated into a mechanical connector for mechanically mounting the removable shelter to the vehicle. The mechanical connector may include an electrical connector for electrically coupling the electrical system of the removable shelter to the electrical system of the vehicle.
In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, a frame for a shelter is provided, the frame including a first portion including a window; a second portion coupled to the first portion and configured to form a first part of base for a floor of the shelter; a third portion coupled to the second portion and configured to form a second part of the base for the floor of the shelter; a first hoop coupled to the second portion and the third portion of the frame; and one or more second hoops coupled to the second portion of the frame. The first portion, the second portion, the third portion, the first hoop, and the one or more second hoops may be configured to support one or more fabric bounding features that form an enclosure for the shelter.
The first portion may include an inner shell, an outer shell, and an air gap between the inner shell and the outer shell, and the first portion may be configured to open to an angle of greater than ninety degrees relative to the second portion. The inner shell may be configured to house a control panel having a fan, and an inlet, where the air gap forms a duct between the inlet and the fan. The inner shell may be configured to support a screen that is extendible over the window. The one or more second hoops may include a door frame for a door for the enclosure, and an outer frame. The door frame may be configured to receive an inner door frame of the door, the door including a plurality of panels coupled together by fabric hinges.
The inner door frame and the plurality of panels may each include one or more magnets configured to hold the door in any of an open, partially open, or closed position. The door frame may be configured to open to an angle of ninety degrees relative to the second portion of the frame, and the outer frame may be configured to open to an angle of greater than ninety degrees relative to the second portion of the frame. The outer frame may include a plurality of Keder slots configured to receive a plurality of anchors for a plurality of fabric portions of the one or more fabric bounding features. The plurality of Keder slots may include a Keder slot for an anchor for a first end of a fabric bridge between the door frame and the outer frame, and the door frame may include an additional Keder slot configured to receive an anchor for an opposing end of the fabric bridge between the door frame and the outer frame.
The frame may also include a hydraulic strut that couples the first portion and the second portion; and a mechanism that couples the second portion and the outer frame. The mechanism may include a pulley mechanism or a ratchet mechanism. The frame may also include a plurality of mechanical connectors on the second portion, each of the plurality of mechanical connectors configured to attach to a corresponding crossbar on a roof of a vehicle. Each of the plurality of mechanical connectors may include a pair of opposing clamping members that are configured to move in unison to clamp that mechanical connector to the corresponding crossbar. Each of the plurality of mechanical connectors may include a spring and a paddle, the paddle configured to compress the spring to press the pair of opposing clamping members against the crossbar. The window may include a solid transparent cover.
In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, a removable shelter is provided that includes a frame configured to removably mount to a vehicle, the frame including a first portion including a window; a second portion coupled to the first portion and configured to form a first part of base for a floor of the removable shelter; a third portion coupled to the second portion and configured to form a second part of the base for the floor of the removable shelter; a first hoop coupled to the second portion and the third portion of the frame; and one or more second hoops coupled to the second portion of the frame. The first portion, the second portion, the third portion, the first hoop, and the one or more second hoops may be configured to support one or more fabric bounding features that form an enclosure for the removable shelter. The removable shelter may also include the one or more fabric bounding features. At least one of the one or more fabric bounding features may be anchored within at least one respective Keder slot in the first hoop.
In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, a system is provided that includes a vehicle and a removable shelter configured to removably mount to the vehicle, the removable shelter including a frame that includes a first portion including a window; a second portion coupled to the first portion and configured to form a first part of base for a floor of the removable shelter; a third portion coupled to the second portion and configured to form a second part of the base for the floor of the removable shelter; a first hoop coupled to the second portion and the third portion of the frame; and one or more second hoops coupled to the second portion of the frame. The first portion, the second portion, the third portion, the first hoop, and the one or more second hoops may be configured to support one or more fabric bounding features that form an enclosure for the removable shelter.
In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, a shelter is provided that includes a first portion including a window. The first portion may be coupled to a second portion configured to form a first base of a floor of the shelter, and the second portion may be coupled to a third portion configured to form a second base for the floor. The shelter may also include a first hoop coupled to the second portion and the third portion, and one or more second hoops coupled to the second portion. One or more of the first portion, the second portion, the third portion, the first hoop, and the one or more second hoops may be configured to support one or more fabrics that bind to form an enclosure for the shelter. The first portion may include an inner shell, an outer shell, and an air gap between the inner shell and the outer shell, and the first portion may be configured to open to an angle of greater than ninety degrees relative to the second portion. An inner shell of the first portion may be configured to house a control panel having a fan, and an inlet. An air gap may form a duct between the inlet and the fan.
An inner shell of the first portion may be configured to support a screen that is extendible over the window. The one or more second hoops may include a frame for a door for the enclosure, and an outer frame. A frame for a door for the enclosure may be configured to receive an inner door frame of the door, the door including a plurality of panels coupled together by fabric hinges. The inner door frame and the plurality of panels may each include one or more magnets configured to hold the door in any of an open, partially open, or closed position. The frame for the door may be configured to open to an angle of ninety degrees relative to the second portion of the frame, and the outer frame may be configured to open to an angle of greater than ninety degrees relative to the second portion of the frame. The outer frame may include a plurality of Keder slots configured to receive a plurality of anchors for a plurality of fabric portions of the one or more fabrics. The plurality of Keder slots may include a Keder slot for an anchor for a first end of a fabric bridge between the frame and the outer frame, and the frame may include an additional Keder slot configured to receive an anchor for an opposing end of the fabric bridge between the frame and the outer frame.
The shelter may also include a hydraulic strut that couples the first portion and the second portion; and a mechanism that couples the second portion and the outer frame. The mechanism may include a pulley mechanism or a ratchet mechanism.
The shelter may also include a plurality of mechanical connectors on the second portion, each of the plurality of mechanical connectors configured to attach to a corresponding crossbar on a roof of a vehicle. Each of the plurality of mechanical connectors may include a pair of opposing clamping members that are configured to move in unison to clamp that mechanical connector to the corresponding crossbar. Each of the plurality of mechanical connectors may include a spring and a paddle, the paddle configured to compress the spring to press the pair of opposing clamping members against the crossbar. The window may include a solid transparent cover.
In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, a removable shelter may be provided that includes a frame configured to removably mount to a vehicle. The frame may include a first base portion coupled to a window portion and configured to form at least part of a floor base; a second base portion configured to form at least another part of the floor base; and a support structure coupled to the first base portion and the second base portion. The first base portion, the second base portion, and the support structure are configured to support one or more fabrics that bind to form an enclosure for the removable shelter. The removable shelter may also include the one or more fabrics. At least one of the one or more fabrics may be anchored within at least one respective Keder slot in the support structure.
In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, a system may be provided that includes a vehicle and a removable shelter configured to removably mount to the vehicle. The removable shelter may include a frame that includes a first portion including a window. The first portion may be coupled to a second portion configured to form a first base of a floor of the removable shelter, and the second portion may be coupled to a third portion configured to form a second base for the floor. The removable shelter may also include a first hoop coupled to the second portion and the third portion of the frame; and one or more second hoops coupled to the second portion of the frame. At least one of the first portion, the second portion, the third portion, the first hoop, and the one or more second hoops may be configured to support one or more fabrics that bind to form an enclosure for the removable shelter. The removable shelter may also include a first light source on the first hoop, a second light source on the one or more second hoops, and a third light source on the third portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Certain features of the subject technology are set forth in the appended claims. However, for purpose of explanation, several embodiments of the subject technology are set forth in the following figures.
FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate schematic side views of example implementations of a vehicle having a removable shelter mounted thereto in accordance with one or more implementations.
FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example removable shelter in accordance with one or more implementations.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a removable shelter in accordance with one or more implementations.
FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of a removable shelter in accordance with one or more implementations.
FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of a removable shelter in a closed position in accordance with one or more implementations.
FIG. 5B illustrates a side view of a frame for a removable shelter in accordance with one or more implementations.
FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the frame of FIG. 5B in accordance with one or more implementations.
FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective bottom view of an end of a removable shelter in accordance with one or more implementations.
FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective bottom view of the end of the removable shelter of FIG. 5B with a door of the removable shelter in an open configuration in accordance with one or more implementations.
FIG. 9 illustrates an end view of a screen door for a removable shelter in accordance with one or more implementations.
FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a part of a portion of a frame of a removable shelter in accordance with one or more implementations.
FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another part of the portion of the frame of the removable shelter in accordance with one or more implementations.
FIG. 12 illustrates a control panel in a sidewall of a portion of a frame for a removable shelter in accordance with one or more implementations.
FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a portion of a rear hoop of a frame for a removable shelter in accordance with one or more implementations.
FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional top view of a portion of a frame for a removable shelter in accordance with one or more implementations.
FIG. 15 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of another portion of a frame for a removable shelter in accordance with one or more implementations.
FIG. 16 illustrates an end view of a frame for a removable shelter in accordance with one or more implementations.
FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of a mechanical connector for a removable shelter in accordance with one or more implementations.
FIG. 18 illustrates a top view of a mechanical connector for a removable shelter in accordance with one or more implementations.
FIG. 19 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a mechanical connector for a removable shelter in accordance with one or more implementations.
FIG. 20 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process for operating one more electronic components of a removable shelter in accordance with one or more implementations.
FIG. 21 illustrates an example computing system with which aspects of this disclosure may implemented.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology can be practiced. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. However, the subject technology is not limited to the specific details set forth herein and can be practiced using one or more other implementations. In one or more implementations, structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology.
Aspects of the subject technology described herein relate to a removable shelter that can be mechanically mounted to, and thereby electrically coupled to, a vehicle, such as an electric vehicle.
FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an example implementation of an apparatus as described herein. In the example of FIG. 1A, the apparatus includes a removable shelter 150 that is mounted to (e.g., mechanically mounted to) a moveable apparatus implemented as a vehicle 100. As shown, the vehicle 100 may include one or more batteries 110. The battery 110 may be coupled to an electrical system of the vehicle 100, to receive power for charging of the battery and/or to provide power to one or more electronic components of the vehicle electrical system.
In one or more implementations, the vehicle 100 may be an electric vehicle having one or more electric motors that drive the wheels 102 of the vehicle using electric power from the battery 110. In one or more implementations, the vehicle 100 may also, or alternatively, include one or more chemically powered engines, such as a gas-powered engine or a fuel cell powered motor. For example, electric vehicles can be fully electric or partially electric (e.g., hybrid or plug-in hybrid).
In the example of FIG. 1A, the vehicle 100 is implemented as a truck (e.g., a pickup truck) having a battery 110. The battery 110 may include one or more battery modules, which may include one or more battery cells, or may be provided without any battery modules (e.g., in a cell-to-pack configuration).
As shown, the battery 110 may be include in, or be electrically coupled to, an electrical system that may include a charging port 130, one or more electrical outlets 132 within the interior cab and/or within the truck bed of the vehicle, and/or one or more electrical contacts 160 that are incorporated into one or more respective mechanical connectors 159. For example, the mechanical connectors 159 may be disposed on a roof of the vehicle 100 and/or on a surface or a wall of the truck bed of the vehicle 100. The electrical system of the vehicle may include the battery 110 configured to power one or more wheels 102 of the vehicle 100.
In one or more implementations, the electrical system of the vehicle 100 may also include control circuitry 134. The control circuitry 134 may switchably couple the battery 110 to the charging port 130 (e.g., for charging the battery when the charging port 130 is connected to an external power source, such as an electrical grid or an external battery), to the electrical outlets 132 (e.g., for providing direct-current (DC) or alternating-current (AC) power to the electrical outlets 132), and/or to the electrical contacts 160 disposed in the mechanical connectors 159 (e.g., for providing power to one or more electronic components of the removable shelter 150, when the removable shelter 150 is mounted to the vehicle 100).
In the example of FIG. 1A, two mechanical connectors 159 (with electrical contacts 160) are visible on the roof of the vehicle 100 (e.g., at or near the left side of the vehicle that is visible in FIG. 1A). In one or more implementations, two additional mechanical connectors 159 (with electrical contacts 160) may be symmetrically disposed on the roof of the vehicle 100, such as at or near the right side of the vehicle that is not visible in FIG. 1A. In such implementations, the removable shelter 150 may include four mechanical connectors 161 (with electrical connectors 166) that mechanically and electrically couple (e.g., at the same time) with the four mechanical connectors 159 (with electrical contacts 160) on the roof of the vehicle. In one or more implementations, the mechanical connectors 161 (with electrical connectors 166) may mechanically and electrically couple (e.g., at the same time) with a roof rack structure (e.g., a crossbar) that mechanically and electrically couples to the mechanical connectors 159 (with electrical contacts 160) on the roof of the vehicle (e.g., and that routes power from the electrical contacts 160 of the vehicle 100 to the electrical connectors 166 of the removable shelter 150 via electrical components within the roof rack structure). For example, in one or more implementations, mounting the removable shelter 150 to the vehicle 100 may include mounting one or more crossbars to the mechanical connectors 159 on the roof of the vehicle 100, and mounting the removable shelter 150 to the one or more crossbars (e.g., using the mechanical connectors 161 of the removable shelter 150).
As shown in FIG. 1, in one or more implementations, the vehicle 100 may optionally (e.g., in addition to and/or instead of one or more of the mechanical connectors 159 on the roof of the vehicle) include one or more mechanical connectors 159 (with electrical contacts 160) on or near a wall of the truck bed of the vehicle. In implementations in which the optional mechanical connector 159 is provided on a wall (or other portion) of a truck bed, the vehicle 100 or the removable shelter 150 may include an optional mounting structure 162 that mechanically and electrically couples to the mechanical connector 159 (with electrical contacts 160) on the wall of the truck bed, and includes a mechanical connector 164, which may also include electrical contacts, that mechanically couples to the removable shelter 150 to support the removable shelter 150 at the roof height of the vehicle). However, this is merely illustrative, and the vehicle 100 may be provided without any mechanical and/or electrical connectors on the wall of the truck bed, without a mounting structure 162, and/or may include more or fewer mechanical connectors 159 (e.g., including mechanical connectors 159 with electrical contacts 160) than those shown in FIG. 1A, each with or without one or more electrical contacts 160 that are electrically couplable to the battery 110.
As shown in FIG. 1A, a removable shelter 150 may be to be mounted to a vehicle 100 and may have at least one electrical connector 166 configured to electrically couple to at least one corresponding electrical contact 160 on the vehicle (e.g., directly or via a roof rack structure), to electrically couple one or more electronic components of the removable shelter to an electrical system of the vehicle 100 when the removable shelter is mounted to the vehicle. The removable shelter 150 may include a frame 152 and bounding features 154 (e.g., fabric walls) that are mounted to the frame 152. The frame 152 may be formed from various materials, including metal portions, plastic portions, and/or other portions. In one or more implementations, cork may be used in during a pre-preg lay-up process to reduce the weight and increase the stiffness of various shell portions of the frame 152 and/or portions of the bounding features 154. As shown, the removable shelter 150 may also include communications circuitry 178 configured to communicatively couple to vehicle communications circuitry 180 of the vehicle 100. For example, the communications circuitry 178 of the removable shelter 150 may include wireless communications circuitry (e.g., WiFi circuitry, Bluetooth circuitry, and/or other wireless communications circuitry). As another example, the communications circuitry 178 may include communications circuitry for communicating with the vehicle communications circuitry 180 via a physical communications port disposed in the mechanical connector 161 (e.g., coupled to a corresponding vehicle physical communications port in the mechanical connector 159).
As shown, the at least one electrical connector 166 of the removable shelter 150 may be integrated into a mechanical connector 161 for mechanically mounting the removable shelter 150 to the mechanical connector 159 of the vehicle 100. In one or more other implementations, the electrical connector 166 may be associated with the mechanical connector 161 without integrating the electrical connector 166 into the mechanical connector 161 (e.g., by placing the electrical connector 166 near the mechanical connector 161 such that connecting a mechanical connector 161 to a mechanical connector 159 on the vehicle 100 causes electrical contact between the associated, nearby, electrical connector 166 of the removable shelter 150 with an associated electrical contact 160 on the vehicle 100 (e.g., an electrical contact 160 that is nearby the mechanical connector 159 on the vehicle 100).
As shown in FIG. 1A, in one or more implementations, the electronic components of the removable shelter 150 may include one or more exterior lights, such as an exterior light 174 that is configured to project light onto an entrance 156 of the removable shelter 150 and/or onto an access feature 158, such as a ladder, for the removable shelter 150. In the example of FIG. 1A, the entrance 156 is shown as being located on a side of the removable shelter 150 (e.g., a side of the removable shelter 150 that is mounted above the doors 193 of the vehicle 100. In one or more implementations, the ladder may be a powered ladder that is operable using power received from the vehicle (e.g., from the battery 110) via the electrical connector 166 and the electrical contact 160. As shown in FIG. 1A, the electronic components of the removable shelter 150 may also include one or more sensors, such as a sensor 168, configured to detect an object (e.g., a person or an animal) at or near the entrance 156 to the removable shelter 150. In one or more implementations, the exterior light 174 is configured to project light onto an entrance 156 and/or the access feature 158 responsive to a detection of the object using the sensor 168. As examples, the sensor 168 may include a LIDAR sensor, a radar sensor, an imaging sensor, and/or any other type of proximity and/or motion sensor. As shown in FIG. 1A, the removable shelter 150 may also include one or more exterior switches, such as a switch 170 for the exterior light 174 and/or one or more other exterior lights on an exterior surface of the removable shelter 150.
For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the exterior lights of the removable shelter 150 may also, or alternatively, include one or more flood lights 176. For example, the flood lights 176 may be configured to project light onto a bottom exterior surface of the removable shelter 150 and/or other the vehicle and/or the ground surrounding the vehicle. In one or more implementations, the flood lights 176 and/or the exterior light 174 may be switchable between various colors, including, as examples, a white color or a red color (e.g., for stargazing or reduced light pollution, and/or to reduce attraction of insects). As shown in FIG. 1A, the removable shelter 150 may also include a powered dock 172 for a flashlight. For example, the powered dock 172 may securely hold a flashlight inserted therein, and may include electrical contacts for charging a battery of the flashlight using the power received from the vehicle 100.
As shown in FIG. 1A, the vehicle 100 may include a control panel 182 (e.g., a touchscreen control panel). The control panel 182 of the vehicle 100 may provide controls for operating various components and/or features of the vehicle 100 (e.g., climate control, audio control, etc.). In one or more implementations, the control panel 182 of the vehicle 100 may also be used for authorizing power to the removable shelter 150 and/or for controlling one or more of the electronic components of the removable shelter 150.
In the example of FIG. 1A, the removable shelter 150 is mounted to a vehicle 100 implemented as a pickup truck. However, in one or more other use cases, the removable shelter 150 may be mounted to another type of vehicle. For example, FIG. 1B illustrates another use case in which the vehicle 100 including the battery 110, the charging port 130, the electrical outlets 132, the control circuitry 134, the vehicle communications circuitry 180, the control panel 182, and the mechanical connectors 159 with the electrical contacts 160 is implemented as a sport utility vehicle (SUV), such as an electric sport utility vehicle. In the example of FIG. 1B, the vehicle 100 may include a cargo storage area in at least a rear portion of the vehicle that is enclosed within the vehicle 100 (e.g., behind a row of seats within a cabin of the vehicle). As shown, in this example, the vehicle 100 may include two mechanical connectors 159 with the electrical contacts 160 located on a left side of the roof of the SUV. One or more (e.g., two) additional mechanical connectors 159 with electrical contacts 160 may also be provided (e.g., symmetrically with the two mechanical connectors 159 with the electrical contacts 160 on the left side of the roof of the vehicle) on a right side of the roof of the vehicle. In other implementations, the vehicle 100 may implemented as another type of electric truck, an electric delivery van, an electric automobile, an electric car, an electric motorcycle, an electric scooter, an electric passenger vehicle, an electric passenger or commercial truck, a hybrid vehicle, or other vehicles such as sea or air transport vehicles, planes, helicopters, submarines, boats, or drones, and/or any other movable apparatus having a battery 110 (e.g., that powers the propulsion or drive components of the moveable apparatus) and to which a removable shelter 150 can be mechanically, electrically, and/or communicatively coupled.
FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the removable shelter 150, in accordance with one or more implementations. In the example of FIG. 2, the entrance (e.g., front wall and/or door) of the removable shelter are removed so that portions of the interior of the removable shelter 150 can be seen. As shown in FIG. 2, in one or more implementations, the removable shelter 150 may include an enclosure 215 configured to be occupied by one or more persons (e.g., for sitting, laying, sleeping, lounging, reading, etc.). As illustrated in FIG. 2, one or more of the electronic components of the removable shelter 150 may be integrally mounted within the enclosure 215 (e.g., within the walls and/or fabric that form the enclosure 215).
As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic components of the removable shelter 150 that may be powered by the vehicle 100 may include one or more thermal components 212. For example, the thermal components 212 may include a heating component configured to heat at least a portion of the removable shelter 150. In the example of FIG. 2, the thermal component 212 is implemented as a heating element (e.g., a heating coil) that is embedded in a floor 200 of the removable shelter. In one or more other implementations, the thermal component 212 may be implemented as a heater with a heating element and a fan that moves air over the heating element, a heat pump, or any other heating component. In one or more implementations, the thermal component 212 may also, or alternatively, include one or more cooling components (e.g., water-cooled or fluid-cooled channels in the floor of the removable shelter). As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic components of the removable shelter 150 that may be powered by the vehicle 100 may include a cooling component 210 configured to cool at least a portion of the removable shelter 150. In the example of FIG. 2, the cooling component 210 is implemented as a fan mounted in a sidewall (e.g., within the fabric of the sidewall) of the enclosure 215. In one or more other implementations, the cooling component 210 may be implemented as an air conditioning unit, a heat pump, and/or a component that allows for conditioned air generated by the vehicle to be piped into the enclosure 215. In one or more implementations, the cooling component 210 may include and/or be coupled to one or more airflow pathways (e.g., ducting) that are incorporated into the frame 152, the bounding features 154, the floor 200, and/or other structures of the removable shelter 150, such as for circulating external air throughout the shelter (e.g., external air blown or pulled into the one or more airflow pathways by a fan, and/or cooled by a heat pump or other cooling system of the removable shelter).
As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic components of the removable shelter 150 that may be powered by the vehicle 100 may include one or more one interior lights within the enclosure 215 of the removable shelter 150. For example, the interior lights may include one or more task lights, such as (e.g., directional) reading lights 201, and/or one or more flood lights 203 embedded within a portion (e.g., a ceiling) of the enclosure 215 (e.g., for generally lighting the interior space within the enclosure 215). As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic components of the removable shelter 150 that may be powered by the vehicle 100 may include one or more speakers 208. As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic components of the removable shelter 150 that may be powered by the vehicle 100 may include one or more charging ports 205 for a portable electronic device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, a smartwatch, a laptop computer, or the like). For example, the charging port 205 may be implemented as a universal serial bus (USB, or USB-c) port, a lightning port, or any other type of charging port, or an inductive charging surface.
In one or more implementations, the removable shelter 150 may include a display component 214 for displaying visual content within the enclosure 215 of the removable shelter 150 (e.g., for watching movies or other video content, and/or for viewing status information for the vehicle and/or the removable shelter). For example, the display component may include a projection screen on a wall 202 of the enclosure 215. The projection screen may be configured to allow viewing of the visual content from one or both of two opposing sides of the projection screen. In one or more implementations, the display component 214 may also include a projector (not shown) configured to project the visual content onto the projection screen. In one or more implementations, the display component 214 may include an active display screen, such as a touchscreen or a non-interactive screen. In one or more implementations, the display component 214 may be configured to display vehicle information for the vehicle 100, the vehicle information obtained via wired or wireless communication between the removable shelter 150 and the vehicle 100. As examples, the vehicle information may include one or more of: a battery charge level, a battery discharge rate, a number of miles corresponding to the battery charge level, a change in the battery charge level based on a state of the removable shelter, or a change in the number of miles based on the state of the removable shelter. As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic components of the removable shelter 150 that may be powered by the vehicle 100 may include a center high mounted stop lamp (CHMSL) 240. The removable shelter 150 may be foldable or collapsible, to allow the removable shelter 150, in a folded or collapsed configuration, to remain mounted to the vehicle 100 while the vehicle 100 is in motion (e.g., and while maintaining a powered connection for the CHMSL 240.
As shown in FIG. 2, the removable shelter 150 may include a control panel 204 integrally formed within the enclosure 215 of the removable shelter 150. As shown, the control panel may include one or more control elements 206 (e.g., buttons, switches, dials, touch-sensitive elements, or the like) for controlling respective electronic components of the removable shelter 150. In one or more implementations, one or more of the electronic components of the removable shelter 150 may also, or alternatively, be operable via a portable electronic device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, a smartwatch, a laptop computer, or the like) that is communicatively coupled to the removable shelter via communications circuitry of the removable shelter 150 (e.g., using an application installed on the portable electronic device). In one or more implementations, one or more of the electronic components of the removable shelter 150 may also, or alternatively, be operable via the control panel 182 within the vehicle 100. In one or more implementations, one or more electronic features of the vehicle 100 (e.g., lights, audio, information access) may be operable via the control panel 204 within the removable shelter 150.
In one or more implementations, the floor 200 of the removable shelter 150 may also include powered components (e.g., for lifting a portion of the floor 200 to provide a backrest or other seating feature).
In the examples of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the entrance 156 of the removable shelter 150 is shown as being located on a side of the removable shelter 150 (e.g., a side of the removable shelter 150 that is mounted above the doors 193 of the vehicle 100). In one or more other implementations, the entrance 156 of the removable shelter 150 may be located elsewhere on the removable shelter 150. For example, the entrance 156 may be located at a front or a rear of the removable shelter 150 in one or more implementations.
FIG. 3 illustrates an example in which the removable shelter 150 includes a window 300 along the side of the removable shelter 150 (e.g., a side of the removable shelter 150 that is configured to be mounted above the doors 193 of the vehicle 100). The window 300 may be formed by an opening in the bounding features 154 (e.g., in the fabric walls 307, such as in a main fabric wall) of the removable shelter 150. The opening for the window 300 may be covered by a mesh fabric that allows air and light to pass through, while preventing insects and/or debris from passing into the enclosure 215 formed by the bounding features 154. For example, the window 300 may have a fabric cover that can be zipped to close the window 300 or unzipped to open the window 300.
As shown in FIG. 3, the removable shelter 150 may also include a window 302 at an end (e.g., a front end) of the enclosure 215. In one or more implementations, the window 302 may include a transparent cover 303. For example, the transparent cover 303 may be formed from glass, transparent rigid plastic, plexiglass, or a transparent flexible plastic. As shown, the transparent cover may be mounted in an opening in a portion 304 of the frame 152 of the removable shelter 150. In the example of FIG. 3, the access feature 158 (e.g., the ladder) can be seen at an end (e.g., a rear end) of the removable shelter 150 that is opposite the end of the removable shelter 150 at which the window 302 is mounted. FIG. 3 also shows how the removable shelter 150 may be provided with an outer layer 306 (e.g., a canopy such as a rainfly and/or sun shield). For example, the outer layer 306 may be foldable and/or removable from the removable shelter 150 so that the outer layer 306 can be deployed and/or retracted as desired. The outer layer 306 may be positioned away from the fabric wall 307, as shown in FIG. 3, by a strut 308a and a strut 308b, each of which may be position in a respective port. Also, a user may actuate the struts 308a and 308b while positioned in the removable shelter 150 or while outside of the removable shelter 150. Moreover, based on the struts 308a and 308b, the outer layer 306 may be positioned at an angle (within a range of angles) relative to the fabric wall 307.
FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of the removable shelter 150 in the configuration of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the frame 152 of the removable shelter 150 may include the portion 304, a portion 400, and a portion 402. For example, the portion 402 (e.g., and the bounding features 154) may be configured to fold into a case formed by the portion 304 and the portion 400 for stowage of the removable shelter 150 (e.g., when the removable shelter 150 is not in use, and/or during driving of a vehicle to which the removable shelter 150 is attached). In the example of FIG. 4, the removable shelter 150 includes four mechanical connectors 161 (e.g., clamps) on the bottom of the portion 400 of the frame 152. As discussed in further detail hereinafter (see, e.g., FIGS. 17-19), the four mechanical connectors 161 of FIG. 4 may be configured to mount to one or more roof structures, such as one or more fixed or removable crossbars mounted to the roof of a vehicle. In one or more implementations, the mechanical connectors 161 of FIG. 4 may be provided with or without electrical contacts (e.g., electrical connectors 166) for receiving power (e.g., from the battery 110 via the crossbars) from the vehicle 100.
FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of a removable shelter 150 a closed position in accordance with one or more implementations. As shown, the portion 304 couples with the portion 400 to carry several components (e.g., within the portion 304) of the removable shelter 150. The removable shelter 150 may further include a latch 401. When actuated (e.g., by a user), the latch 401 allows the portion 304 to rotate away from the portion 400, thereby allowing the removable shelter 150 to deploy.
FIG. 5B illustrates a side view of the frame 152 of the removable shelter 150. In the example of FIG. 5B, the frame 152 includes the portion 304, the portion 400, the portion 402, a mid hoop 500, and a rear hoop 503. As shown, the rear hoop 503 may include a door frame 502, and an outer frame 504. As shown, the portion 304 may be mounted to the portion 400 (e.g., by a hinge), and may open to an angle of more than ninety degrees (e.g., as much as or more than one hundred five degrees) with respect to the portion 400 (e.g., to allow an occupant of the removable shelter 150 a view downward toward the ground when the removable shelter 150 is mounted to the roof of a vehicle). For example, the portion 304 may be secured to the portion 400 by a strut 508 (e.g., a hydraulic strut such as a gas strut, and/or an electric powered strut or actuator) that allows the portion 304 to be closed onto the portion 400, and limits the opening angle of the portion 304 (e.g., with respect to the portion 400) to an angle of more than ninety degrees, as shown. In one or more implementations, the portion 400 and the portion 402 of the frame may form a foundation or base for the floor 200 of the enclosure 215. As shown, the outer frame 504 may be mounted to the portion 402 and/or the door frame 502, such that, in an open/extended configuration, the outer frame 504 opens to an angle of more than ninety degrees (e.g., one hundred five degrees) and is outward of the door frame. Further, the access feature 158 may be coupled with the portion 402. As a result, when a user pulls the access feature 158, the portion 402 may be moved (e.g., rotated) to the position shown in FIG. 5B. When the access feature 158 takes the form of a ladder, the access feature 158 may include a telescoping ladder. In this regard, the access feature 158 may transition with a smaller footprint, thus allowing the access feature 158 to be stowed within the portion 304.
As discussed in further detail hereinafter (see, e.g., FIGS. 6-9), a door for the removable shelter 150 may be mounted to the door frame 502 (e.g., at an end, such as a rear end, of the removable shelter 150). As discussed in further detail hereinafter (see, e.g., FIGS. 13-16), the bounding features (e.g., fabric walls 307) of the removable shelter may be mounted to and/or pass over the mid hoop 500, the door frame 502, and/or the outer frame 504.
The rear hoop 503 can be actuated using a variety of mechanisms, such as a mechanism 506. As examples, the mechanism 506 may be implemented as a pulley mechanism or a ratchet mechanism. For example, a pulley mechanism may be provided that enables the rear hoop 503 to be deployed in the same motion of the removable shelter 150 being deployed (e.g., by opening the portion 304 of the frame 152 from the portion 400, and/or rotating the portion 402 away from the portion 400), such as by connecting the rotation of the rear hoop 503 to the mid hoop 500. In one or more other implementations, the mechanism 506 may be implemented as a ratchet mechanism. For example, the ratchet mechanism may include two ratchets, one extending from each side of the portion 402 to each side (e.g., arm) of the outer frame 504. When the ratchet is engaged, it can be used to tension the fabric of the bounding features 154 that form the enclosure 215. When released, the entire rear hoop 503 can be folded down.
The frame 152, including its components, may carry several light sources. For example, the mid hoop 500 may carry a light source 507a. When illuminated, the light source 507a may provide light in one or both directions along the Z-axis (of Cartesian coordinates). Also, the door frame 502 may carry a light source 507b designed to provide light near an entryway of the removable shelter 150. Further, the portion 402 may carry a light source 507c designed to provide light to the access feature 158.
FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the frame 152 of FIG. 5B. As shown in FIG. 6, the rear hoop 503 (e.g., including the door frame 502 and the outer frame 504) may be connected to the frame 152 (e.g., to the portion 402 of the frame 152) by a long hinge 603 that extends along the width of the platform created by the portion 402. The frame 152 may include two mechanisms 506, such as two arms, one on either side of the rear hoop 503. These arms of the mechanisms 506 may house the ratchet mechanism described herein, and may also support the rear hoop 503 in the deployed position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. For example, each arm of each mechanism 506 may include an upper arm portion 609 and a lower arm portion 607. The upper arm portion 609 may contain a ratchet outer, and the lower arm portion 607 may contain a pawl.
In one or more implementations of the mechanism 506, in an “on” position of the ratchet, the ratchet clicks as a user further tensions the tent (e.g., by pulling the outer frame 504) towards the one hundred five degree angle shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In these implementations, the ratchet mechanism prevents the rear hoop 503 from falling backwards. In an “off” position of the ratchet, the rear hoop 503 can move freely and the rear hoop 503 can be released into a closed position (e.g., with the rear hoop 503, the mid hoop 500, and the portion 402 folded into and contained by the portion 400 and the portion 304). In the “off” position, the ratchet may allow the rear hoop to collapse and prevent it from swinging out. In one or more implementations, the ratchet may be switched between the “on” and “off” positions, such as by a user operating a switching mechanism. In one or more other implementations of the mechanism 506, the mechanism 506 may automatically re-engage the ratchet to the “on” position responsive a push down motion or at a certain force when the rear hoop is lifted by the user. In this way, a step for a user may be removed for re-deploying the removable shelter 150, as the switch of the ratchet to “on” can be performed as part of the deployment action by the user, in order to tension the tent/removable shelter after it has been closed.
In the example of FIG. 6, a screen 602 is deployed over, and interior to, the window 302. The screen 602 may be a privacy screen that prevents viewing into the enclosure 215, a light shade that prevents light from outside the enclosure 215 from passing into the enclosure 215, and/or may function as a display component 214, such as a projection screen (e.g., for a projector 604, which may be mounted to the mid hoop 500, such as by a ball joint, in one or more implementations). The screen 602 may allow for front and rear projection, enabling the user to watch projected content (e.g., a movie or other content), projected onto the screen 602, from the inside or outside of the removable shelter 150. In one or more implementations, wiring may be run through the mid hoop 500 to power lights within the enclosure 215 and/or to power the projector 604. In the example of FIG. 6, and as discussed in further detail hereinafter (see, e.g., FIGS. 11 and 12), the control panel 204 may be mounted in a sidewall of the portion 304 of the frame 152.
In the perspective view of FIG. 6, a door 600 for the removable shelter 150 is shown mounted to the door frame 502. As discussed herein, the rear hoop 503 may consist of two separate hoops (e.g., the door frame 502 and the outer frame 504). For example, each of the door frame 502 and the outer frame 504 may be constructed of metal (e.g., aluminum) extrusions and machined corners. As shown, the outer frame 504 may be the outermost hoop of the removable shelter 150, and may extend to an angle (e.g., relative to the portion 402 of the frame 152) of greater than ninety degrees (e.g., to an angle of one hundred five degrees). The outer frame 504 may serve to tension the fabric of the enclosure 215, and may provide an attachment for the outer layer 306 (e.g., a canopy such as a rainfly). The door frame 502 may be mounted to the portion 402 of the frame 152 at an angle of ninety degrees to the floor, and configured to support the door 600 (e.g., a semi-rigid door). As described in further detail hereinafter (see, e.g., FIGS. 13-15), the mid hoop 500, the door frame 502, and/or the outer frame 504 (e.g., aluminum extrusions of the mid hoop 500, the door frame 502, and/or the outer frame 504) may include internal Keder slots for fabric attachment.
FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective end view of the removable shelter 150 of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 7, the door frame 502 (e.g., a door hoop) and outer frame (e.g., a rainfly hoop) may be connected by a fabric bridge 702 (e.g., using internal Keder slots). In one or more implementations, the door frame 502 may be connected to fabric of the enclosure 215 (e.g., a tent skin), such as using Keder slots, keeping the door frame 502 at ninety degrees.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the door 600 may be a semi-rigid magnetic door. For example, the door 600 may be free of zippers that are commonly used in tent doors. For example, the door 600 may be made with three overall parts: an inner door frame 705, a pair of door panels 703, and a mesh screen. For example, the inner door frame 705 may be formed from a sandwich of fabric and plastic (e.g., polypropylene) corrugate, with magnets 704 on the opening edge thereof. The inner door frame 705 may create an opening for the door 600, and may be supported by the door frame 502 (e.g., a metal extrusion frame) of the frame 152 (e.g., a metal extrusion frame). As shown, each of the two door panels 703 may include multiple (e.g., four) leaves 700. As shown, the leaves 700 may be connected to each other by a fabric hinge 711 between each pair of the leaves 700.
In this example, the outermost leaves 700 of each of the door panels 703 may be attached to the inner door frame 705. In one or more implementations, the leaves 700 may be formed from a sandwich of fabric and plastic (e.g., polypropylene) corrugate with magnets 706 at the edge of the leaf 700. In this way, the door 600 may be configured to be stable in the closed configuration of FIG. 7, an open configuration as shown in FIG. 8, and/or in any of various partially open configurations. For example, the door 600 may keep itself in a particular configuration (e.g., open, partially open, or closed) using the magnets 704 that are sewn on the edge of the inner door frame 705 and the magnets 706 in the edge of the door panel leaves 700. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, at least some of the leaves 700 may fold onto other leaves in the open configuration.
As shown in FIG. 9, on the inside of the inner door frame 705, a screen door 900 may be provided. For example, the screen door 900 may be formed from a layer of mesh fabric that is mounted to the inner door frame 705. In this way, the door 600 can remain open or partially open, and the screen door 900 may remain closed to prevent insects or debris from entering into the enclosure 215. In one or more implementations, the screen door 900 may include two panels 903 that each include magnets 904 that attract each other to hold the screen door 900 closed when the magnets 904 of the two panels 903 meet at an interface 902. In one or more implementations, the panels 903 may be rolled up and stored (e.g., in an elastic holder) to hold the screen door 900 in an open position. For example, the screen 602 can be pulled down to cover the entire window 302, or can be released and/or retracted, and hidden in between the inner shell 1000 and the outer shell 1002. As shown in FIG. 10, a cutout in the inner shell 1000 may allow for the screen 602 to be accessed.
FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a part (e.g., a top section) of the portion 304 of the frame 152. As shown in FIG. 10, the portion 304 may be formed from an inner shell 1000 and an outer shell 1002 that form a channel 1003 (e.g., an air gap) therebetween. As shown in FIG. 10, a base 1004 of the screen 602 may be mounted in the inner shell 1000 and may extend into the channel 1003. In this way, the screen 602 can be rolled and stored in the channel 1003, without occupying space within the enclosure 215. Also shown in FIG. 10 is a portion of the transparent cover 303 mounted to the portion 304 of the frame 152 at the location of a bonding flange 1006 between the inner shell 1000 and the outer shell 1002.
FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another part (e.g., a sidewall section) of the portion 304 of the frame 152. In the example of FIG. 11, a portion of the control panel 204 can be seen, mounted in a sidewall 1104 of the portion 304, the sidewall 1104 formed by a portion of the inner shell 1000. For example, the removable shelter 150 may include a fan 1106 mounted in between the inner shell 1000 and the outer shell 1002 of the portion 304 (e.g., a hard shell formed by the inner shell 1000 and the outer shell 1002) of the frame 152. In the example of FIG. 11, the fan 1106 is integrated with the control panel 204. However, in other implementations, the fan 1106 may be separated from (and controlled by) the control panel 204. As shown in FIG. 11, an inlet 1108 for the fan 1106 may also be disposed in the portion 304. In the example of FIG. 11, the inlet 1108 is disposed in the inner shell 1000 of the portion 304 of the frame 152. As shown, the inner shell 1000 may include a first portion 1100 on a first side of a Keder slot 1103 in the inner shell 1000, and a second portion 1102 on a second side of the Keder slot 1103.
When the bounding features 154 (e.g., fabric walls 307) of the enclosure 215 are mounted to the frame 152 (e.g., with at least one portion of the bounding features 154 mounted in the Keder slot 1103), the portion 1100 of the inner shell 1000 may form a sidewall 1104 of the enclosure 215 that is interior to the enclosure 215. In this configuration, the portion 1102 of the inner shell 1000 may be located externally to the enclosure 215. In this arrangement, inlet 1108 may be exposed to external (e.g., “fresh”) air from outside the enclosure 215. In this arrangement, the channel 1003 between the inner shell 1000 and the outer shell 1002 may act as a duct between the inlet 1108 and the fan 1106. By providing the inlet 1108 on the inner shell 1000 and outside the fabric of the enclosure 215, air can be drawn into the enclosure 215 by the fan 1106 from the outside, without the inlet 1108 being visible on the exterior of the outer shell 1002. The location of the inlet 1108 in the inner shell 1000 may also allow air to be drawn in while preventing water ingress through the inlet 1108 (e.g., by providing the inlet 1108 on a portion of the inner shell 1000 that is protected from rainfall onto the outer shell 1002). In one or more implementations, the fan 1106 may be a bi-directional fan that can also blow air from inside the enclosure 215 out to the external environment via the inlet 1108.
FIG. 12 illustrates an example implementation of the control panel 204 mounted in the sidewall 1104 formed by the portion 1100 of the inner shell 1000 that is interior to the fabric 1203 (e.g., a portion of the bounding features 154, such as a portion of the fabric wall(s) 307) that defines the enclosure 215. In this example, the control panel 204 incorporates the reading light 201, one or more charging ports 205 (e.g., USB, USB-c, and/or other charging ports), and a vent 1200 for the fan 1106. As shown, the control element 206 of the control panel 204 may include a button 1204 (or other control element) for turning on or off, and/or brightening or dimming, the reading light 201, a button 1202 (or other control element) for turning on or off other internal and/or external lights (e.g., the exterior light 174, the flood lights 176, and/or the flood light 203) of the removable shelter 150, a button 1206 (or other control element) for controlling the access features 158 (e.g., for lighting, retracting, and/or extending a ladder), a button 1201 (or other control element) for controlling (e.g., turning on or off) the fan 1106, and/or a button 1209 (or other control element) for controlling a thermal component 212. In the example of FIG. 12, a single control panel 204 is shown. In one or more implementations, the removable shelter 150 may include multiple control panels 204, each with the features shown in FIG. 12, such as for multiple respective zones of the removable shelter 150 (e.g., one control panel 204 on each of two opposing sidewalls of the inner shell 1000 to provide dual zone controls for two occupants of the removable shelter 150). In one or more implementations, an application can be provided on a mobile device of a user, and/or on the control panel 182 of the vehicle 100, to perform any or all of the control operations that can be provided by the control panel 204 of the removable shelter 150. Also, in one or more implementations, the control panel 204 is in communication with the vehicle 100, including a heating unit and a cooling unit of the vehicle 100. In this regard, a user interacting with the control panel 204 may cause the vehicle 100 to provide heated air or cooled air using the heating unit or the cooling unit, respectively, of the vehicle 100.
FIGS. 13-16 illustrate various features of the coupling between the bounding features 154 (e.g., fabric walls 307, fabric 1203, fabric bridge 702, and/or outer layer 306) and the frame 152 of the removable shelter 150. For example, FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the rear hoop 503, showing how the outer frame 504 may include multiple Keder slots, such as Keder slots 1301, 1303, and 1305. For example, the Keder slot 1301 may receive an anchor 1302 for the fabric bridge 702 that extends between the outer frame 504 and the door frame 502. As shown, the door frame 502 may include a Keder slot 1307 configured to receive an anchor 1300 for the other end of the fabric bridge 702.
The Keder slot 1303 may be configured to receive an anchor 1304 for a main fabric 1308 of the enclosure 215 (e.g., a fabric layer, such as a portion of the fabric walls 307, that forms the interior roof and/or walls of the enclosure 215). For example, the main fabric 1308 may extend over the door frame 502 and the mid hoop 500 to the portion 304 (e.g., and may be attached or anchored, at the opposite end, to the portion 304) of the frame 152. The Keder slot 1305 may be configured to receive an anchor 1306 for the outer layer 306 (e.g., the canopy or rainfly). The outer layer 306 may also extend, externally to the main fabric 1308, over the door frame 502 and the mid hoop 500 to the portion 304 (e.g., and may by attached or anchored at the opposite end to the portion 304) of the frame 152. FIG. 13 also illustrates the location of the inner door frame 705 on the door frame 502.
One or more of the multiple Keder slots in the outer frame 504 and/or the door frame 502 may extend around several portions (e.g., the entire hoop) thereof to create a seamless connection between the fabric and frame parts. For example, FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional top view of a portion of the frame 152. As shown in FIG. 14, the anchor 1304 for the main fabric 1308 may extend (within the Keder slot 1303) along the side arm of the outer frame 504 as well as the top of the outer frame 504. As shown, the anchor 1302 for the fabric bridge 702 may extend (within the Keder slot 1301) along the side arm of the outer frame 504 (e.g., interior to the location of the anchor 1304) as well as the top of the outer frame 504. FIG. 14 also shows how the anchor 1300 for the fabric bridge 702 may extend (within the Keder slot 1307) along the side arm of the door frame 502.
FIG. 15 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a lower portion of the rear hoop 503 at the connection to the portion 402 of the frame 152. FIG. 15 shows how portions of the anchors 1302 and 1304, for the fabric bridge 702 and the main fabric 1308, respectively, may also run along the bottom of the outer frame 504. As shown, a portion of the anchor 1300 of the fabric bridge 702 may run along the bottom of the door frame 502. As shown, the portion 402 may include a Keder slot 1600 that is configured to receive an anchor 1601 for an opposing end of a bottom portion of the main fabric 1308. As shown, the bottom portion of the main fabric 1308 may be loose when the rear hoop 503 is in the deployed or open position (e.g., to allow freedom of the outer frame 504 to fold onto the portion 402 when the removable shelter 150 is folded into a closed configuration).
FIG. 16 illustrates an end view of the frame 152, showing the long hinge 603 that hingedly connects outer frame 504 to the portion 402 of the frame. FIG. 16 also shows how two mechanisms 506 may be provided on either side of the outer frame 504.
FIGS. 17-19 illustrate various aspects of the mechanical connectors 161 of the removable shelter 150. For example, FIG. 17 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a mechanical connector 161 in accordance with one or more implementations. As shown, the mechanical connector 161 may include a base 1700 that is configured to be attached (e.g., using fasteners 1704, such as bolts or screws) to the portion 400 of the frame 152 of the removable shelter 150. In one or more implementations, a pair of clamping members 1702 may extend from the base 1700. As indicated by the arrows in the figure, the clamping members 1702 may move toward each other to close or shrink a gap 1701 therebetween, to clamp the mechanical connector 161 to a crossbar mounted to a roof of the vehicle 100. For example, the surfaces 1706 of the clamping members 1702 may press against the outer surface of a crossbar to secure the removable shelter 150 to the crossbar. In one or more implementations, the surfaces 1706 may be provided with electrical contacts 1707 (e.g., one or more pogo pins) for electrically coupling an electrical system of the removable shelter 150 to power from the battery 110 of the vehicle 100 (e.g., via coupling to one or more electrical contacts on a crossbar on the roof of the vehicle 100). While FIG. 17 shows one of the surfaces 1706 having electrical contacts 1707, an additional surface of the surfaces 1706 may include similar electrical contacts. In one or more other implementations, one or more cables may be provided through (or separately from) the mechanical connectors 161 to electrically couple the electrical system of the removable shelter 150 to power from the battery 110 of the vehicle 100. For example, one or both of the clamping members 1702 may have an opening that houses an electrical connector that connects to an electrical connector on or within a crossbar on the roof of the vehicle 100, in one or more implementations. Further, in one or more implementations, the mechanical connector 161 may provide, via the electrical contacts 1707 or another electrical component, a predetermined electrical resistance value. In this regard, when the removable shelter 150 is connected to the vehicle 100 via the mechanical connector 161, the mechanical connector may provide an electrical resistance value (e.g., the predetermined electrical resistance value) to the vehicle 100, and the vehicle 100 can identify the presence of the removable shelter 150 based on the electrical resistance value.
In one or more implementations, the clamping members 1702 may be configured to move in unison to clamp together. For example, FIG. 18 illustrates a top view of a mechanical connector 161 in which a gear 1804 is provided between an actuating member 1800 for a first one of the clamping members 1702 and an actuating member 1802 for a second one of the clamping members 1702. In this way, the gear 1804 couples motion of either of the clamping members 1702 to an opposite motion of the other of the clamping members 1702. The clamping members may be moved to clamp or release the mechanical connector 161 mechanically (e.g., by a user pushing the clamping members together) or electronically, in various implementations.
FIG. 19 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a mechanical connector 161 in an implementation in which a paddle 1900 is provided for clamping and releasing the clamping members 1702. In the example, of FIG. 19, when the paddle 1900 is depressed, it pulls both clamping members 1702 inwards towards each other (e.g., and towards a crossbar 1915 on the roof of the vehicle 100). Once the clamping members 1702 contact the crossbar, a remaining portion of a motion of the paddle 1900 may compress a spring 1904 (e.g., a die spring), creating a clamping force on the bars. For example, moving the paddle 1900 toward the closed configuration shown in FIG. 19 may cause a rocker 1906 to follow a path 1908 that guides a portion of the rocker up into an opening 1910 and then laterally to compress the spring 1904. The paddle 1900 may be over-centered so that it snaps into the closed configuration shown in FIG. 19. In one or more implementations, the mechanical connector 161 may be provided with a locking mechanism to allow the removable shelter 150 to be locked to a vehicle.
As illustrated by FIGS. 3-19, in one or more implementations, a frame 152 may be provided for a shelter (e.g., removable shelter 150). The frame may include a first portion (e.g., portion 304) including a window (e.g., window 302); a second portion (e.g., portion 400) coupled to the first portion and configured to form a first part of base (e.g., a first base) for a floor 200 (e.g., a floor base) of the shelter; a third portion (e.g., portion 402) coupled to the second portion and configured to form a second part of the base (as a second base) for the floor 200 of the shelter; a first hoop (e.g., mid hoop 500) coupled to the second portion and the third portion of the frame; and one or more second hoops (e.g., rear hoop 503) coupled to the second portion of the frame. The first portion, the second portion, the third portion, the first hoop, and the one or more second hoops may be configured to support one or more fabric bounding features (e.g., bounding features 154, including main fabric 1308, fabric bridge 702, fabric walls 307, fabric 1203, and/or outer layer 306) that form an enclosure 215 for the shelter. The first portion may include an inner shell 1000, an outer shell 1002, and an air gap (e.g., channel 1003) between the inner shell and the outer shell. The first portion may be configured to open to an angle of greater than ninety degrees relative to the second portion. The window may include a solid transparent cover (e.g., a glass or plexiglass cover).
The inner shell 1000 may be configured to house a control panel 204 having a fan 1106, and an inlet 1108. The air gap may form a duct between the inlet 1108 and the fan 1106. The inner shell 1000 may be configured to support a screen 602 that is extendible over the window 302. The one or more second hoops may include a door frame 502 for a door 600 for the enclosure, and an outer frame 504. The door frame 502 may be configured to receive an inner door frame 705 of the door 600, the door 600 include multiple panels (e.g., multiple leaves 700) coupled together by fabric hinges 711. The inner door frame 705 and the multiple panels may each include one or more magnets (e.g., magnets 704 and 706) configured to hold the door 600 in any of an open, partially open, or closed position.
The door frame 502 may be configured to open to an angle of ninety degrees relative to the second portion of the frame, and the outer frame 504 may be configured to open to an angle of greater than ninety degrees relative to the second portion of the frame. The outer frame 504 may include multiple Keder slots (e.g., Keder slots 1301, 1303, and 1305) configured to receive a multiple anchors (e.g., anchors 1302, 1304, and 1306) for a multiple fabric portions (e.g., including main fabric 1308, fabric bridge 702, and/or outer layer 306) of the one or more fabric bounding features (e.g., bounding features 154). The multiple Keder slots may include a Keder slot 1301 for an anchor 1302 for a first end of a fabric bridge 702 between the door frame 502 and the outer frame 504, and the door frame 502 may include an additional Keder slot 1307 configured to receive an anchor 1300 for an opposing end of the fabric bridge 702 between the door frame 502 and the outer frame 504.
In one or more implementations, the frame 152 may also include a strut 508 that couples the first portion and the second portion; and a mechanism 506 that couples the second portion and the outer frame. The mechanism 506 may be implemented as a pulley mechanism. The mechanism 506 may be implemented as a ratchet mechanism. In one or more implementations, the frame 152 may also include multiple mechanical connectors 161 on the second portion, each of the multiple mechanical connectors 161 configured to attach to a corresponding crossbar 1915 on a roof of a vehicle (e.g., vehicle 100). Each of the multiple mechanical connectors 161 may include a pair of opposing clamping members 1702 that are configured to move in unison to clamp the mechanical connector 161 to the corresponding crossbar 1915. Each of the multiple mechanical connectors may include a spring 1904 and a paddle 1900, the paddle 1900 configured to compress the spring 1904 to press the pair of opposing clamping members against the crossbar 1915. In one or more implementations, the shelter may also include a first light source (e.g., light source 507a) on (e.g., carried by or mounted to) the first hoop, a second light source (e.g., a light source 507b) on (e.g., carried by or mounted to) the one or more second hoops, and a third light source (e.g., light source 507c) on (e.g., carried by or mounted to) the third portion.
As illustrated by FIGS. 3-19, in one or more implementations, a removable shelter 150 may include a frame 152 configured to removably mount to a vehicle 100. The frame may include a first base portion (e.g., portion 400) coupled to a window portion (e.g., portion 304) and configured to form at least part of a floor base (e.g., a floor base, such as floor 200, which may be formed from the portion 400 and the portion 402 of the frame 152 when the frame is in a deployed configuration). The frame may also include a second base portion (e.g., portion 402) configured to form at least another part of the floor base (e.g., floor 200). The frame may also include a support structure (e.g., hoop 500, such as a closed or continuous hoop or a hoop with one or more discontinuities or gaps along the hoop structure) coupled to the first base portion and the second base portion. The first base portion, the second base portion, and the support structure may be configured to support one or more fabrics (e.g., bounding features 154, which may include fabric walls 307) that bind to form an enclosure 215 for the removable shelter. The removable shelter may also include the one or more fabrics. At least one of the one or more fabrics may be anchored within at least one respective Keder slot in the first hoop.
FIG. 20 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process 2000 that may be performed for operating one or more electronic components of a removable shelter, in accordance with implementations of the subject technology. For explanatory purposes, the process 2000 is primarily described herein with reference to the removable shelter 150 of FIGS. 1A-19. However, the process 2000 is not limited to the removable shelter 150 of FIGS. 1A-19, and one or more blocks (or operations) of the process 2000 may be performed by one or more other components of other suitable apparatuses, moveable apparatuses, devices, and/or systems. Further for explanatory purposes, some of the blocks of the process 2000 are described herein as occurring in serial, or linearly. However, multiple blocks of the process 2000 may occur in parallel. In addition, the blocks of the process 2000 need not be performed in the order shown and/or one or more blocks of the process 2000 need not be performed and/or can be replaced by other operations.
As illustrated in FIG. 20, at block 2002, a removable shelter (e.g., removable shelter 150) may be mechanically mounted (e.g., via mechanical connectors 159 and 161) to a vehicle (e.g., vehicle 100). Mechanically mounting the removable shelter to the vehicle may electrically couple an electrical system of the removable shelter to an electrical system of the vehicle (e.g., including a vehicle battery, such as battery 110). In one or more other implementations, the electrical system of the removable shelter may be coupled to the electrical system of the vehicle separately from the mechanical mounting.
At block 2004, at least one electronic component (e.g., sensor 168, powered dock 172, exterior light 174, flood lights 176, reading light 201 such as a directional reading light, flood light 203, control panel 204, speaker 208, thermal component 212, cooling component 210, etc.) of the removable shelter may be operated using power provided from the electrical system of the vehicle (e.g., from the battery 110). In one or more implementations, the process 2000 may also include receiving, by the removable shelter, an electronic communication from the vehicle (e.g., via communications circuitry 178 of the removable shelter, and/or via vehicle communications circuitry 180 of the vehicle). For example, the electronic communication may include vehicle status information, adjusted according to the presence, the weight, and/or the operational state of the removable shelter. In one or more implementations, receiving the electronic communication may include receiving the electronic communication wirelessly from the vehicle. In one or more other implementations, receiving the electronic communication may include receiving the electronic communication via a communications port that is integrated into a mechanical connector 161 for mechanically mounting the removable shelter to the vehicle. For example, the mechanical connector may also include an electrical connector 166 for electrically coupling the electrical system of the removable shelter to the electrical system of the vehicle.
FIG. 21 illustrates an example computing system 2100 with which aspects of the subject technology may be implemented in accordance with one or more implementations. The computing system 2100 can be, and/or can be a part of, any computing device or apparatus for generating the features and processes described above, including but not limited to control circuitry for a vehicle, control circuitry for a removable shelter, and the like. The computing system 2100 may include various types of computer readable media and interfaces for various other types of computer readable media. The computing system 2100 includes a permanent storage device 2102, a system memory 2104 (and/or buffer), an input device interface 2106, an output device interface 2108, a bus 2110, a ROM 2112, one or more processing unit(s) 2114, one or more network interface(s) 2116, and/or subsets and variations thereof.
The bus 2110 collectively represents all system, peripheral, and chipset buses that communicatively connect the numerous internal devices of the computing system 2100. In one or more implementations, the bus 2110 communicatively connects the one or more processing unit(s) 2114 with the ROM 2112, the system memory 2104, and the permanent storage device 2102. From these various memory units, the one or more processing unit(s) 2114 retrieves instructions to execute and data to process in order to execute the processes of the subject disclosure. The one or more processing unit(s) 2114 can be a single processor or a multi-core processor in different implementations.
The ROM 2112 stores static data and instructions that are needed by the one or more processing unit(s) 2114 and other modules of the computing system 2100. The permanent storage device 2102, on the other hand, may be a read-and-write memory device. The permanent storage device 2102 may be a non-volatile memory unit that stores instructions and data even when the computing system 2100 is off. In one or more implementations, a mass-storage device (such as a magnetic or optical disk and its corresponding disk drive) may be used as the permanent storage device 2102.
In one or more implementations, a removable storage device (such as a flash drive) may be used as the permanent storage device 2102. Like the permanent storage device 2102, the system memory 2104 may be a read-and-write memory device. However, unlike the permanent storage device 2102, the system memory 2104 may be a volatile read-and-write memory, such as random-access memory. The system memory 2104 may store any of the instructions and data that one or more processing unit(s) 2114 may need at runtime. In one or more implementations, the processes of the subject disclosure are stored in the system memory 2104, the permanent storage device 2102, and/or the ROM 2112. From these various memory units, the one or more processing unit(s) 2114 retrieves instructions to execute and data to process in order to execute the processes of one or more implementations.
The bus 2110 also connects to the input and output device interfaces 2106 and 2108. The input device interface 2106 enables a user to communicate information and select commands to the computing system 2100. Input devices that may be used with the input device interface 2106 may include, for example, alphanumeric keyboards and pointing devices (also called “cursor control devices”). The output device interface 2108 may enable, for example, the display of images generated by computing system 2100. Output devices that may be used with the output device interface 2108 may include, for example, printers and display devices, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a flexible display, a flat panel display, a solid state display, a projector, or any other device for outputting information.
One or more implementations may include devices that function as both input and output devices, such as a touchscreen. In these implementations, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.
Finally, as shown in FIG. 21, the bus 2110 also couples the computing system 2100 to one or more networks and/or to one or more network nodes through the one or more network interface(s) 2116. In this manner, the computing system 2100 can be a part of a network of devices (such as a LAN, a wide area network (“WAN”), or an Intranet, or a network of networks, such as the Internet). Any or all components of the computing system 2100 can be used in conjunction with the subject disclosure.
Implementations within the scope of the present disclosure can be partially or entirely realized using a tangible computer-readable storage medium (or multiple tangible computer-readable storage media of one or more types) encoding one or more instructions. The tangible computer-readable storage medium also can be non-transitory in nature.
The computer-readable storage medium can be any storage medium that can be read, written, or otherwise accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computing device, including any processing electronics and/or processing circuitry capable of executing instructions. For example, without limitation, the computer-readable medium can include any volatile semiconductor memory, such as RAM, DRAM, SRAM, T-RAM, Z-RAM, and TTRAM. The computer-readable medium also can include any non-volatile semiconductor memory, such as ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, NVRAM, flash, nvSRAM, FeRAM, FeTRAM, MRAM, PRAM, CBRAM, SONOS, RRAM, NRAM, racetrack memory, FJG, and Millipede memory.
Further, the computer-readable storage medium can include any non-semiconductor memory, such as optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, magnetic tape, other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of storing one or more instructions. In one or more implementations, the tangible computer-readable storage medium can be directly coupled to a computing device, while in other implementations, the tangible computer-readable storage medium can be indirectly coupled to a computing device, e.g., via one or more wired connections, one or more wireless connections, or any combination thereof.
Instructions can be directly executable or can be used to develop executable instructions. For example, instructions can be realized as executable or non-executable machine code or as instructions in a high-level language that can be compiled to produce executable or non-executable machine code. Further, instructions also can be realized as or can include data. Computer-executable instructions also can be organized in any format, including routines, subroutines, programs, data structures, objects, modules, applications, applets, functions, etc. As recognized by those of skill in the art, details including, but not limited to, the number, structure, sequence, and organization of instructions can vary significantly without varying the underlying logic, function, processing, and output.
While the above discussion primarily refers to microprocessor or multi-core processors that execute software, one or more implementations are performed by one or more integrated circuits, such as ASICs or FPGAs. In one or more implementations, such integrated circuits execute instructions that are stored on the circuit itself.
Those of skill in the art would appreciate that the various illustrative blocks, modules, elements, components, methods, and algorithms described herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative blocks, modules, elements, components, methods, and algorithms have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application. Various components and blocks may be arranged differently (e.g., arranged in a different order, or partitioned in a different way) all without departing from the scope of the subject technology.
It is understood that any specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes disclosed is an illustration of example approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes may be rearranged, or that all illustrated blocks be performed. Any of the blocks may be performed simultaneously. In one or more implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described program components (e.g., computer program products) and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.
As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the term “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list (i.e., each item). The phrase “at least one of” does not require selection of at least one of each item listed; rather, the phrase allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at least one of each of A, B, and C.
The predicate words “configured to”, “operable to”, and “programmed to” do not imply any particular tangible or intangible modification of a subject, but, rather, are intended to be used interchangeably. In one or more implementations, a processor configured to monitor and control an operation or a component may also mean the processor being programmed to monitor and control the operation or the processor being operable to monitor and control the operation. Likewise, a processor configured to execute code can be construed as a processor programmed to execute code or operable to execute code.
Phrases such as an aspect, the aspect, another aspect, some aspects, one or more aspects, an implementation, the implementation, another implementation, some implementations, one or more implementations, an embodiment, the embodiment, another embodiment, some implementations, one or more implementations, a configuration, the configuration, another configuration, some configurations, one or more configurations, the subject technology, the disclosure, the present disclosure, other variations thereof and alike are for convenience and do not imply that a disclosure relating to such phrase(s) is essential to the subject technology or that such disclosure applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to such phrase(s) may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A disclosure relating to such phrase(s) may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect or some aspects may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa, and this applies similarly to other foregoing phrases.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration”. Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” or as an “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include”, “have”, or the like is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for”.
The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more”. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the subject disclosure.
The title, background, brief description of the drawings, abstract, and drawings are hereby incorporated into the disclosure and are provided as illustrative examples of the disclosure, not as restrictive descriptions. It is submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the detailed description, it can be seen that the description provides illustrative examples and the various features are grouped together in various implementations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed configuration or operation. The claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.
The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects described herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims and to encompass all legal equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirements of the applicable patent law, nor should they be interpreted in such a way.
Patent Application
20250027330
