Portable shelter

Abstract

A portable shelter in the form of a containerized tent having a hinged, folding and telescoping overhead support structure that mounted, stored and supported within a transportable container, wherein the tent box is capable of mounting on a variety of on and off-road vehicles, wherein the shelter is quickly and easily erected and dismantled by one individual, and wherein the full length of the tent is securely supported to prevent structural failure during utilization thereof, thereby enabling camping in remote locations.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A portable shelter device, comprising: 
 a plurality of elongated support members;    a covering material, said covering material carried by at least one of said elongated support members, wherein extension of said plurality of elongated support members and said covering material defines said portable shelter;    means for securing said covering material relative to the ground;    means for mounting said portable shelter device to an external support.    
     
     
         2 . The portable shelter device of  claim 1 , further comprising a container, said container having an interior cargo space and an exterior surface, wherein said plurality of elongated support members is carried by said container, wherein said interior cargo space of said container is dimensioned to receive said plurality of elongated support members and said covering material.  
     
     
         3 . The portable shelter device of  claim 2 , wherein one said elongated support member of said plurality of elongated support members is a first hinged member, one said elongated support member of said plurality of elongated support members is a second hinged member, and one said elongated support member of said plurality of elongated support members is a telescoping member, a first end of said telescoping member carried by said first hinged member and a second end of said telescoping member carried by said second hinged member, wherein said covering material is carried by said telescoping member.  
     
     
         4 . The portable shelter device of  claim 2 , wherein said exterior surface of said container carries means for mounting said container to a vehicle rack.  
     
     
         5 . The portable shelter device of  claim 4 , wherein said means for mounting said container to a vehicle rack is a plurality of brackets.  
     
     
         6 . The portable shelter device of  claim 2 , wherein said exterior surface of said container carries means for mounting said container to an external support.  
     
     
         7 . The portable shelter device of  claim 6 , wherein said means for mounting said container to an external support is a plurality of mounting plates.  
     
     
         8 . The portable shelter device of  claim 2 , wherein said exterior surface of said container carries means for carrying said container.  
     
     
         9 . The portable shelter device of  claim 1 , wherein said means for securing said covering material relative to the ground is a plurality of stakes.  
     
     
         10 . The portable shelter device of  claim 3 , wherein said first hinged member is pivotally mounted to a first bracket, said first bracket carried by said container, and wherein said second hinged member is pivotally mounted to a second bracket, said second bracket carried by said container.  
     
     
         11 . The portable shelter device of  claim 10 , wherein pivotal movement of said first hinged member and said second hinged member relative to said first bracket and said second bracket and unfolding of said first hinged member and said second hinged member, wherein said first hinged member and said second hinged member extend outwardly from said container, wherein said telescoping member is supported substantially between said first hinged member and said second hinged member, said covering material is suspended from said telescoping member, wherein extension of said telescoping member extends said covering material.  
     
     
         12 . The portable shelter device of  claim 1 , wherein said covering material is canvas.  
     
     
         13 . The portable shelter device of  claim 1 , wherein said covering material is plastic.  
     
     
         14 . The portable shelter device of  claim 1 , wherein said covering material is at least water-resistant.  
     
     
         15 . The portable shelter device of  claim 1 , wherein said covering material further defines at least one mesh panel.  
     
     
         16 . The portable shelter device of  claim 1 , wherein said covering material further defines at least one means for closure.  
     
     
         17 . The portable shelter device of  claim 16 , wherein said at least one means for closure is a zipper.  
     
     
         18 . The portable shelter device of  claim 16 , wherein said at least one means for closure is hook and loop fastener.  
     
     
         19 . The portable shelter device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of ring members, said ring members holding said covering material, said ring members positioned on at least one of said plurality of elongated support members, at least a first ring member positionally fixed proximate to a first end of said at least one of said plurality of elongated support members, and at least a second ring member positionally fixed proximate to a second end of said at least one of said plurality of elongated support members, wherein said remaining ring members are positionally adjustable.  
     
     
         20 . The portable shelter device of  claim 11 , wherein a first portion of said covering material is carried proximate to a first end of said telescoping member, a second portion of said covering material is carried proximate to a second end of said telescoping member, and hook and loop fastener is provided on a third portion of said covering material, said third portion positioned between said first portion and said second portion and said third portion removably secured to said telescoping member with said hook and loop fastener.  
     
     
         21 . The portable shelter device of  claim 11 , wherein said covering material has a plurality of grommets defined therein, whereby said covering material is carried by said telescoping member.  
     
     
         22 . The portable shelter device of  claim 1 , further comprising a storage cover.  
     
     
         23 . The portable shelter device of  claim 2 , wherein at least one said elongated support member of said plurality of elongated support members is an interlocking, multi-component rod.  
     
     
         24 . The portable shelter device of  claim 2 , wherein at least one said elongated support member of said plurality of elongated support members is a threaded, multi-unit extendable member.  
     
     
         25 . The portable shelter device of  claim 1 , wherein said covering material position is adjustable relative to said elongated support members.  
     
     
         26 . A cantilever, overhead-supported tent, comprising: 
 a box;    a tent; and    a collapsible frame, said frame carried by said box and said tent carried by said frame,    wherein said box is mountable to a transport vehicle, and wherein the transport vehicle and said mounted box facilitate overhead-support for said tent via said frame.    
     
     
         27 . The method of transporting, erecting and supporting a portable shelter, comprising the steps of: 
 a) obtaining a portable shelter device having a hinged, telescoping support structure, a tent carried by said support structure, and a receptacle for transporting, storing and supporting said portable shelter;    b) mounting said receptacle containing said portable shelter on a vehicle;    c) transporting said portable shelter to a user selected location;    d) opening said receptacle;    e) unfolding said hinged support structure, thereby removing said telescoping support structure and said tent from said receptacle;    f) extending said telescoping support structure, thereby extending said tent;    g) securing a first sidewall and a second sidewall of said tent, wherein a roof portion of said tent is substantially supported by said telescoping support structure.