Temporary and portable shelters for mourning, celebration, and spiritual use

Abstract

An expandable shelter includes a canopy adjustable in length along a longitudinal axis. Legs support the canopy in an A-frame configuration defining an apex angle along an upper ridgeline. A shaded or sheltered area that is variable in length and width is defined. A mobile shelter includes multiple protective structures, each supported by a respective generally vertical supporting column having a lower handle configured to be gripped and supported by a respective bearer. Each handle may be toroidal in shape for use at any angle. Non-level terrain may be traversed by coordinated movements of bearers with regard to each respective handle such that the protective structures are maintained in a desired configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An expandable shelter comprising:
 a canopy having pleats, the canopy being adjustable in length along a longitudinal axis between an expanded and a collapsed configuration; and   legs supporting the canopy in an A-frame configuration defining an apex angle along an upper ridgeline, the apex angle being adjustable between an open and closed configuration by angular adjustment of the legs such that a width transverse to the length is adjustable.   
     
     
         2 . The expandable shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the canopy is made of one of waterproof and water repellant material. 
     
     
         3 . The expandable shelter of  claim 1 , further comprising a grappling elements for securing one of the canopy and legs to another structure. 
     
     
         4 . The expandable shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the legs comprise a plurality of leg segments connected to each other for providing variable height to the canopy. 
     
     
         5 . The expandable shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the leg comprises an end cap. 
     
     
         6 . The expandable shelter of  claim 5 , wherein the end cap is configured to be removable. 
     
     
         7 . A mobile shelter for carriage by multiple bearers, the mobile shelter comprising:
 multiple protective structures, each supported by a respective generally vertical supporting column having a lower handle configured to be gripped and supported by a respective bearer; and   interconnecting structures maintaining relative spacings between the multiple protective structures.   
     
     
         8 . A mobile shelter according to  claim 7 , wherein each handle is toroidal in shape, providing a round comforting gripping surface for use at any angle. 
     
     
         9 . A method of sheltering a procession of people, the method comprising:
 supporting by multiple human bearers multiple respective protective structures, each protective structure supported by a respective generally vertical supporting column having a lower handle gripped and supported by a respective human bearer while interconnecting structures maintain relative spacings between the multiple protective structures.   
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein each handle is toroidal in shape, providing a round comforting gripping surface for use at any angle. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 traversing non-level terrain by coordinated movements of the bearers with regard to each respective handle such that the protective structures are maintained in a desired configuration.