Portable shelter

Abstract

The present invention relates to an expandable assembly to provide portable shelter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An expandable portable shelter assembly to provide a portable shelter comprising:
 a canopy configured to provide cover within the portable shelter;   a plurality of cells comprising:
 a frame assembly that defines a height and a width of one of the cells and, 
 a portion of the canopy that defines a length of the cells; 
   wherein the portable shelter is configured to be expanded from a collapsed position to an expanded position; and   wherein in the expanded position, the plurality of cells being supported by an anchor that provides tension to each of the cells wherein the tension is supplied through the canopy along the length of the cells.   
     
     
         2 . The expandable portable shelter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein in the collapsed position the length of the portable shelter is approximately the length of each frame assembly positioned adjacent to one another and the length of the portable shelter in the expanded position is approximately the length of the canopy. 
     
     
         3 . The expandable portable shelter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor is attached to a ratcheting strap to provide tension to the portable shelter. 
     
     
         4 . The expandable portable shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the support is positioned at first and second ends of the portable shelter and provide tension to the first and second ends. 
     
     
         5 . The expandable portable shelter of  claim 1 , further comprising secondary supports attached along the length of the portable shelter to prevent the portable shelter from rolling. 
     
     
         6 . The expandable portable shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the portable shelter fits within a shipping container in the collapsed position. 
     
     
         7 . The expandable portable shelter of  claim 1 , further comprising a heating and air conditioning system. 
     
     
         8 . The expandable portable shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the canopy comprises a canvas material. 
     
     
         9 . The expandable portable shelter of  claim 1 , wherein each cell includes a door configured to allow for entry therein. 
     
     
         10 . The expandable portable shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the cells include utilities within each of the cells. 
     
     
         11 . The expandable portable shelter of  claim 10 , wherein the utilities include one or more beds and lights. 
     
     
         12 . A method of assembling a portable shelter comprising:
 providing a portable shelter comprising:
 a frame capable of expanding from an unexpanded position to an expanded position; and 
 a canopy configured to provide an outer covering to the portable shelter; 
   engaging a pulling mechanism attached to the frame; and   applying a pulling force to the frame thereby expanding the frame from a collapsed position to the expanded position; and   anchoring the frame such that tension is maintained on the frame through the canopy such that the frame remains in an expanded state;   wherein the canopy defines a length of the portable shelter and the frame assembly define a width and height of the portable shelter.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising deploying the portable shelter. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the portable shelter is deployed within a container. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the portable shelter is deployed via a helicopter. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising anchoring the portable shelter along a length of the portable shelter to prevent the portable shelter from rolling.