Rapid deployment shelters and shelter systems

Abstract

Disclosed are shelters and shelter systems that may be conveniently and rapidly deployed. In certain aspects, the shelter systems disclosed herein are self-contained when configured in a stowed configuration and may be rapidly deployed by one or more users without the use of tools, thereby making them particularly useful for deployment, for example, in disaster-stricken areas. Also disclosed are composite insulating materials that may be used to construct various structures, including the shelters and shelter systems disclosed herein.

1 - 60 . (canceled) 
     
     
         61 . A modular shelter comprising:
 a plurality of walls, the walls comprising a plurality of rigid wall panels, each wall panel comprising two side faces, a front face, a back face, a top face and a bottom face substantially parallel to the top face, wherein the bottom face of each rigid wall panel comprises a tongue; and   a floor, wherein the floor defines a perimeter of the shelter, and wherein the perimeter of the shelter comprises an extrusion affixed thereto or formed thereon, wherein the extrusion defines a channel and is configured to releasably couple a bottom end of the rigid wall panels to the floor by mating with the tongue of the bottom face of the rigid wall panels such that the tongue is seated in the channel and the extrusion thereby releasably couples the bottom end of the rigid wall panels to the floor.   
     
     
         62 . The shelter of  claim 61 , further comprising a plurality of rigid top caps, wherein a top end of the rigid wall panels is releasably coupled to the rigid top caps and thereby stabilize the walls of the shelter. 
     
     
         63 . The shelter of  claim 62 , wherein the shelter further comprises a roof, and wherein the roof comprises a roof support structure and a roof structure. 
     
     
         64 . The shelter of  claim 63 , wherein the roof support structure comprises a plurality of rafters, each comprising a first end and a second end comprising a rafter supporting member coupled thereto; wherein the rigid top caps are configured to releasably couple to the rafter supporting members to thereby form a roof support structure; and wherein the roof structure is releasably coupled to the roof support structure to thereby form the roof. 
     
     
         65 . The shelter of  claim 61 , wherein the floor comprises a plurality of rigid floor panels. 
     
     
         66 . The shelter of  claim 65 , wherein the floor may be configured into a folded state. 
     
     
         67 . The shelter of  claim 66 , wherein in the folded state the floor forms a container configured to securely house the shelter system in a stowed configuration. 
     
     
         68 . The shelter of  claim 65 , wherein the rigid floor panels each comprise an underside, and wherein the underside of the rigid floor panels comprise a plurality of adjustable footings releasably coupled to the underside of the rigid floor panels. 
     
     
         69 . The shelter of  claim 65 , wherein the one or more of the floor panels, the wall panels and the roof structure are thermally insulated. 
     
     
         70 . The shelter of  claim 61 , wherein one or more of the wall panels comprise an expandable connector, and wherein the expandable connector is configured to releasably connect the shelter to an adjacent second shelter. 
     
     
         71 . The shelter of  claim 61 , wherein the extrusion releasably couples the bottom end of the rigid wall panels to the floor at a ninety degree angle. 
     
     
         72 . The shelter of  claim 61 , wherein the extrusion is configured to perpendicularly couple the bottom end of the rigid wall panels to the floor. 
     
     
         73 . A modular shelter comprising:
 a plurality of walls, the walls comprising a plurality of rigid wall panels, each wall panel comprising two side faces, a front face, a back face, a top face and a bottom face substantially parallel to the top face, wherein the bottom face of each rigid wall panel comprises a tongue;   a floor, wherein the floor defines a perimeter of the shelter, and wherein the perimeter of the shelter comprises an extrusion affixed thereto or formed thereon, wherein the extrusion defines a channel and is configured to releasably couple a bottom end of the rigid wall panels to the floor by mating with the tongue of the bottom face of the rigid wall panels such that the tongue is seated in the channel and the extrusion thereby releasably couples the bottom end of the rigid wall panels to the floor; and   a roof, wherein the roof comprises a roof support structure and a roof structure.   
     
     
         74 . The shelter of  claim 73 , further comprising a plurality of rigid top caps, wherein a top end of the rigid wall panels is releasably coupled to the rigid top caps and thereby stabilize the walls of the shelter. 
     
     
         75 . The shelter of  claim 74 , wherein the roof support structure comprises a plurality of rafters, each comprising a first end and a second end comprising a rafter supporting member coupled thereto; wherein the rigid top caps are configured to releasably couple to the rafter supporting members to thereby form a roof support structure; and wherein the roof structure is releasably coupled to the roof support structure to thereby form the roof. 
     
     
         76 . The shelter of  claim 73 , wherein the extrusion releasably couples the bottom end of the rigid wall panels to the floor at a ninety degree angle. 
     
     
         77 . The shelter of  claim 73 , wherein the extrusion is configured to perpendicularly couple the bottom end of the rigid wall panels to the floor. 
     
     
         78 . The shelter of  claim 73 , wherein the floor comprises a plurality of rigid floor panels. 
     
     
         79 . The shelter of  claim 78 , wherein the floor may be configured into a folded state, and wherein in the folded state the floor forms a container configured to securely house the shelter system in a stowed configuration. 
     
     
         80 . The shelter of  claim 78 , wherein the rigid floor panels each comprise an underside, and wherein the underside of the rigid floor panels comprise a plurality of adjustable footings releasably coupled to the underside of the rigid floor panels.