Removable shelter

Abstract

A temporary shelter for use in a variety of situations, and the various components (bracket and tarp clamp) that are used in the construction of the shelter is disclosed. In particular, such a shelter may be used to cover an outdoor swimming pool, serve as a greenhouse, or serve as a temporary shelter from snow. The temporary shelter has a structural frame having a base frame and a rib frame, a sheet for covering the rib frame, one or more tarp clamps for stretching the sheet over the rib frame and one or more attachment members for securing the sheet to the base frame.

1 . A removable shelter comprising:
 a) a structural frame having a base frame and a rib frame; the rib frame consisting of a multiplicity of ribs, each rib consisting of a pair of brackets and one or more tubular members, wherein each bracket is attached to the base frame and receives a tubular member at a variable angle;   b) a sheet for covering the rib frame;   c) one or more tarp clamps for stretching the sheet over the rib frame; and   d) one or more attachment members for securing the sheet to the base frame.   
     
     
         2 . The shelter of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more tubular members are comprised of a series of telescoping tubular members. 
     
     
         3 . The shelter of  claim 2 , wherein the series of telescoping tubular members are secured using an annular gear clamp. 
     
     
         4 . The shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the base frame is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of: wood, steel, carbon fibre, plastic, plastic composite and aluminium. 
     
     
         5 . The shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more attachment members are selected from the group consisting of: a bungee cord, a chain, a rope and a metal cable. 
     
     
         6 . The shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet is selected from the group consisting of: a clear tarp, an opaque tarp, a reflective tarp, a mildew resistant tarp, a heat resistant tarp and a UV resistant tarp. 
     
     
         7 . The shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the shelter comprises a second sheet. 
     
     
         8 . The shelter of  claim 7 , wherein the second sheet is selected from the group consisting of: a clear tarp, an opaque tarp, a reflective tarp, a mildew resistant tarp, a heat resistant tarp and a UV resistant tarp. 
     
     
         9 . The shelter of  claim 7 , wherein the second sheet is stretched over the rib frame by the one or more tarp clamps and secured to the base frame by the one or more attachment members. 
     
     
         10 . The shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the rib members are constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of: wood, carbon fibre, steel, plastic, plastic composite and aluminium. 
     
     
         11 . The shelter of  claim 1 , further comprising a swimming pool, wherein the base frame is constructed around the swimming pool. 
     
     
         12 . The shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the base frame is constructed around a vehicle parking space. 
     
     
         13 . A bracket for receiving a tubular member at a variable angle, said bracket comprising:
 a) a cylindrical member for receiving the tubular member;   b) a base; and   c) a connecting member for connecting the cylindrical member to the base, wherein the cylindrical member is rotationally attached to the connecting member, and rotation of the cylindrical member is about an axis parallel to the base member.   
     
     
         14 . The bracket of  claim 13 , further comprising an annular gear clamp positioned about the tubular member for securing the tubular member relative to the cylindrical member. 
     
     
         15 . A tarp clamp for stretching a tarp, the tarp clamp comprising:
 a) an inner arc member having an inner arc radius; and   b) an outer arc member having an outer arc radius greater than or equal to the inner arc radius;   wherein the tarp is secured between the inner and outer members.   
     
     
         16 . The tarp clamp of  claim 15 , wherein said outer arc member has a small aperture for receiving an attachment device. 
     
     
         17 . The tarp clamp of  claim 16 , wherein the attachment device is selected from the group consisting of: a bungee cord, a chain, a rope and a metal cable. 
     
     
         18 . The tarp clamp of  claim 15 , wherein the inner arc member has at least one receiving holes and the outer arc member has at least one receiving holes, the at least one receiving holes of the inner arc member being aligned with the at least one receiving holes on the outer arc member. 
     
     
         19 . The tarp claim of  claim 18 , wherein a mechanical fastener is placed through the aligned at least one receiving holes on each of the inner arc member and the outer arc member to secure the inner arc member to the outer arc member. 
     
     
         20 . The tarp clamp of  claim 19 , wherein the mechanical fastener is selected from the group consisting of: a rivet, a sheet metal screw, a machine screw in combination with a nut and a machine screw in combination with a wingnut.