Temporary shelter and mobile cart

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are generally related to a mobile shelter, and more particularly to a movable storage container that converts into a shelter adequate for protection of its occupants against the elements, and optionally converts into a collapsed configuration suitable for transportation.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A mobile shelter, comprising:
 a chassis;   a base coupled to the chassis;   at least one primary support connected to the chassis;   two frames hingeably connected to the chassis such that the frames are moveable between at least a first mobile cart position wherein the frames are substantially perpendicular to the chassis, and a second shelter position wherein the frames are substantially parallel to the chassis and coplanar with the chassis; and   a covering enclosing at least a portion of the shelter, the covering connected to the frame and supported by the primary support such that a weather-protected interior volume is formed, the interior volume capable of sheltering an adult human when the frame is in the shelter position;   wherein the shelter is configured to be movable when the frame is in the mobile position.   
     
     
         15 . The mobile shelter of  claim 14 , wherein the two frames are moveable between a first mobile position, a second shelter position, and a third collapsed position wherein a lowered portion of each frame lies substantially parallel to and above the chassis. 
     
     
         16 . The mobile shelter of  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of wheels coupled to the chassis. 
     
     
         17 . The mobile shelter of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one primary support is substantially rigid and hingeably connected to the chassis, each of the at least one primary support structures comprising two side portions and a top portion connecting the two side portions, the two side portions being perpendicular to the chassis in the first cart and second shelter positions and the top portion having a center portion that is substantially parallel to the chassis in the first cart and second shelter positions, and having end portions that extend at an angle of about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees from the center portion towards each side of the primary support structures. 
     
     
         18 . The mobile shelter of  claim 15 , further comprising two secondary supports, one hingeably connected to each frame, moveable between the second shelter position wherein the secondary supports are substantially perpendicular to the chassis and the third collapsed position wherein the secondary supports lie between the lowered portion of the frame and the base. 
     
     
         19 . The mobile shelter of  claim 14 , wherein at least one storage compartment is connected to the shelter. 
     
     
         20 . The mobile shelter of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one storage compartment supports at least a portion of the mobile shelter when the frames are in the second shelter position. 
     
     
         21 . The mobile shelter of  claim 14 , wherein at least one handle is connected to the shelter. 
     
     
         22 . The mobile shelter of  claim 14 , wherein a wall is coupled to each of said two frames. 
     
     
         23 . The mobile shelter of  claim 14 , further comprising one or more locking mechanisms to prevent movement of the shelter when it is in the first mobile cart position. 
     
     
         24 . The mobile shelter of  claim 14 , further comprising one or more locking mechanisms to prevent movement of the shelter when it is in the second shelter position. 
     
     
         25 . The mobile shelter of  claim 22 , further comprising padding on one or more of said base or said wall. 
     
     
         26 . The mobile shelter of  claim 14 , wherein the weight of said shelter is between about 25 and about 200 pounds. 
     
     
         27 . The mobile shelter of  claim 14 , wherein the primary support comprises a rigid material capable of maintaining its shape. 
     
     
         28 . The mobile shelter of  claim 27 , wherein said rigid material capable of maintaining its shape comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         29 . The mobile shelter of  claim 27 , wherein said rigid material capable of maintaining its shape comprises a composite material. 
     
     
         30 . The mobile shelter of  claim 29 , wherein said composite material comprises carbon fiber. 
     
     
         31 . The mobile shelter of  claim 15 , wherein the shelter is suitable for stacking with a plurality of additional mobile shelters. 
     
     
         32 . The mobile shelter of  claim 14 , wherein the base is perforated to allow fluid to drain from the base. 
     
     
         33 . A method of converting a mobile shelter from a collapsed configuration to a cart configuration to a shelter configuration, comprising:
 converting the mobile shelter from a collapsed configuration to a cart configuration, wherein the mobile shelter comprises a chassis coupled to a plurality of wheels, two substantially rigid primary support structures hingeably connected to the chassis, two frames hingeably connected to the ends of the chassis, and two secondary supports, one hingeably connected to each frame, the conversion comprising:   raising the frames from a position substantially parallel to and above the chassis to a position substantially perpendicular to the chassis;   raising the primary support structures from a position substantially parallel to the chassis to a position substantially perpendicular to the chassis;   converting the mobile shelter from the cart configuration to a shelter configuration, the conversion comprising:
 lowering the frames such that the frames are substantially parallel to the chassis and coplanar with the chassis, wherein the frames and chassis form a substantially flat base capable of supporting the weight of an adult human; 
 raising the secondary supports from the frames such that the secondary supports are substantially perpendicular to the base, and substantially parallel to the two primary supports; 
 creating an interior volume by attaching a weatherproof covering around the primary supports, secondary supports, and base, such that the interior volume is capable of containing and sheltering an adult human from the elements.