Expandable shade and shelter system

Abstract

An expandable shade and shelter system that includes an expandable grid structure of reversibly expandable cells in a two-dimensional grid configured to collapse to a rectangular cuboid with a top surface, an anchored bottom, an anchored first end, an expandable second end, and two expandable sides. The system includes a connecting device fixed at corners of the top surface and / or the expandable second end of the structure, a vertically oriented support structure having a top and bottom ends, where the expandable grid structure is configured to expand upwardly from the second end and inwardly towards the top of the vertically oriented support structure, while the anchored first end remains anchored, to connect the connecting device to the top of the vertically oriented support structure to form a three dimensional shelter.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 474,144, having a filing date of Mar. 21, 2017, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention[0002]The present disclosure relates to a shelter and shade structure that is expandable and provides shelter from the elements, such as solar rays, and which may be collapsed to form an architectural feature, and a system comprising the expandable structure.Description of the Related Art[0003]Throughout time humans have sought shelter from the elements by erecting permanent and / or temporary structures. Such structures serve the purpose of protecting one or more individuals from elements such as solar radiation, weather effects such as precipitation and wind, and concurrently provides privacy. Conventional pet nanent shelter structures are typically fixed and are not adjustable to changes in environment or weather. In...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present disclosure is about an expandable shade and shelter system that can be collapsed and expanded as needed. It can be used as a temporary shelter or as an architectural feature in public spaces. The system includes a reversible expandable grid structure that can collapse to a rectangular cuboid and expand to a three-dimensional shelter. The grid structure is connected to a vertically oriented support structure that is anchored at one end and connected to a connecting device at the other end. The expandable grid structure can expand from the bottom to the top of the support structure to form a three-dimensional shelter. The technical effects of this invention include providing a flexible and expandable shelter option that can be easily moved and set up in various locations, and offering privacy and protection from the elements in a convenient and flexible way.

Problems solved by technology

Conventional pet nanent shelter structures are typically fixed and are not adjustable to changes in environment or weather.

Permanent structures are relatively expensive and time consuming to erect and complete.

While some of these structures may provide some of the advantages of a permanent shelter structure, such as protection from at least a portion of the elements to which they are exposed, they may suffer from disadvantages including a lack of permanence or hardiness, or less than desirable privacy protection.

In public spaces such permanent shelters are disfavored because they close in public spaces and often lead to a claustrophobic feel.

On the other hand, temporary spaces have an unprofessional appearance and are unable to withstand the constant changes and repositioning that may be necessary in order to accommodate large crowds.

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