Search

US-12618259-B1 - Shelter

US12618259B1US 12618259 B1US12618259 B1US 12618259B1US-12618259-B1

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for shelter are provided. The apparatus and methods may include a channel defining an interior and a slot that extends along a length of the channel in the interior and is configured to receive a retainer that retains a wall against a surface of the channel. The apparatus may include a retainer and a wall. The channel may be supported by a support. The channel may include exterior slots. The channel may define a slot that extends along a length of the channel in the interior and is configured to receive a guide to raise and lower a wall.

Inventors

  • Martin LICHTMAN

Assignees

  • Martin LICHTMAN

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20210820

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . Apparatus comprising: a flexible wall; one or more retainers configured to retain a portion of the flexible wall; and a channel comprising a length in a longitudinal direction that defines: an interior comprising at least one interior surface and configured to store the flexible wall along a portion of the length; a first slot that: extends along the length of the channel in the interior; and is configured to receive the one or more retainers that retain a portion of the flexible wall against the interior surface of the channel; and a second slot that extends along the length of the channel on an exterior surface of the channel; and wherein: the interior surface includes a retaining lip that extends into the interior and is configured to receive the portion of the flexible wall; the retainer includes a dowel and the first slot is configured to receive the dowel; and the flexible wall is: furlable; rollable; retractable; storable; or foldable.
  2. 2 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first slot is configured to slidably support the retainer.
  3. 3 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a spool; an end plate; and a spool bracket; wherein: the end plate is disposed transversely adjacent an end of the channel; the end plate supports the spool bracket; the spool bracket supports the spool; and the spool is configured to retain the wall.
  4. 4 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wall is retractable without a spool.
  5. 5 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dowel is fixed to the wall at a location inside the slot such that the dowel retains the wall against a force urging the wall to be withdrawn from the slot.
  6. 6 . The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the force is a force that causes the dowel to press the wall against the surface.
  7. 7 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dowel extends along the first slot.
  8. 8 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the retainer includes: an anchor that is configured to engage the first slot; and an extension that is configured to extend out of the first slot when the anchor is engaged in the first slot.
  9. 9 . The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a projection; wherein the projection is: supported by the extension; and is configured to be oriented in a position in which the projection retains the wall against the surface.
  10. 10 . The apparatus of claim 9 wherein: the retainer is a first retainer; and the projection extends from the first retainer to a second retainer that is disposed in the first slot.
  11. 11 . The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the anchor is slidable along the first slot.
  12. 12 . The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the extension is a bolt.
  13. 13 . The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the projection is circular.
  14. 14 . The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the anchor is circular.
  15. 15 . The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the anchor is a nut.
  16. 16 . The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the anchor further comprises a washer.
  17. 17 . The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the projection extends along a length of the first slot.
  18. 18 . The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the anchor extends along a length of the first slot.
  19. 19 . The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the projection extends along a length of the first slot greater than a width of the projection.
  20. 20 . The apparatus of claim 1 further including wherein: the channel includes a panel; and the surface extends into the interior away from the panel.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Applications Ser. No. 63/068,369 filed on Aug. 20, 2020, and Ser. No. 63/068,508 filed on Aug. 21, 2020, each of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND Forming a shelter with removable walls and roof may involve multiple pieces. A self-contained apparatus that may include a storable wall may be difficult to manufacture and assemble. However, a self-contained apparatus may be less expensive and more convenient. Therefore, it would be desirable for apparatus and methods for shelter that may include self-contained apparatus. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The objects and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: FIG. 1 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of the invention. FIG. 2 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of the invention. FIG. 3 shows an illustrative schematic in accordance with principles of the invention. FIG. 4 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of the invention. FIG. 5 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of the invention. FIG. 6 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of the invention. FIG. 7 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of the invention. FIG. 8 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of the invention. FIG. 9 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of the invention. FIG. 10 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of the invention. FIG. 11 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of the invention. FIG. 12 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of the invention. FIG. 13 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of the invention. FIG. 14 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of the invention. FIG. 15 is partial view “15” identified approximately in FIG. 14. FIG. 16 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of the invention. FIG. 17 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of the invention. FIG. 18 is partial view “18” identified approximately in FIG. 17. FIG. 19 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of the invention. FIG. 20 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of the invention. FIG. 21 is partial view “21” identified approximately in FIG. 20. FIG. 22 is a cross-section view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 21 identified approximately along the line 22. FIG. 23 shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of the invention. FIG. 24 is partial view “24” identified approximately in FIG. 23. FIG. 25 is a cross section of the apparatus shown in FIG. 24 along the line 25. FIG. 26 is a cross section of the apparatus shown in FIG. 23 along the line 26. FIG. 27 shows illustrative flowchart in accordance with principles of the invention. Generally, the leftmost digit (e.g., “L”) of a three-digit reference numeral (e.g., “LRR”), and the two leftmost digits (e.g., “LL”) of a four-digit reference numeral (e.g., “LLRR”), identify the first figure in which a part is called-out. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus and methods for shelter are provided. The apparatus may include a channel. The channel may define an interior. The interior may be configured to store a wall. The channel may include wood, plastic, metal, sheet metal, any other suitable material, or a combination thereof. The channel may be formed via an extrusion process. The channel may be formed via a computerized numerical control (“CNC”) process. The channel may be formed of one-piece molded, extruded, or formed into the appropriate shape. The channel may be formed of multiple pieces joined together (through fasteners, glue, welding, friction, or any other appropriate method or combination thereof). The channel may be formed by any other suitable method. The channel may be powder-coated. The channel may have a square cross-section. The channel may have a rectangular cross-section. The channel may have a circular cross-section. The channel may have an elliptical cross-section. The channel may be “U”-shaped. The channel may be “C”-shaped. The channel may have any other suitable cross-section or shape. The channel may include a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel. The first panel may be perpendicular to the second panel. The channel may have one, two, three, or more exterior faces. The channel may have a length. The length may be variable or extendable. The channel may extend in a longitudinal direction. The channel may define a longitudinal direction. The channel may be curved. The channel may be straight. The channel