A building sheltering structure is configured to facilitate the shielding of domicile or building into an underground foundation before an emergency environmental condition arises. The foundation includes a cover plate and/or a second plate that translate horizontally to occlude the at least one domicile upon retraction into a secure cavity of the foundation by a lift assembly in the foundation cavity. The cover plate and second plate offer optimal protection to the domicile thereunder for various extreme conditions. Mounted atop the lift assembly, the at least one domicile can be fully retracted into the foundation cavity and completely shielded. The operation of the lift assembly is commanded and powered by a supply system, of which a processor facilitates emergency warnings and panic transmissions to signal for help. Further, a plurality of solar panels mounted atop the at least one domicile keeps the system charged for the use in emergency.

A movable wall element for a building with a floor and a ceiling is disclosed, where the movable wall element comprises at least one lower roller device comprising a wheel element which is capable of engaging the floor of the building when the wall element is to be moved across the floor. The movable wall element further comprises at least one upper roller device comprising a wheel element which is capable of engaging the ceiling of the building when the wall element is to be moved across the floor.

An extendable and retractable column which is formed from at least three linked sections or chains. The linked sections include a plurality of individual segments linked end to end. As the linked segments are extended, each of the individual segments of the linked chains engage individual segments of adjacent linked sections to form a column. As the linked sections are retracted, each of the individual segments of the linked sections disengage from the individual segment of the adjacent linked sections and the individual linked sections may be rolled up into a multi-sided form for compact storage.

A shelter or camper that provides improved portability and protection. The shelter or camper may include rigid walls to offer greater protection from weather, animals, and theft. The shelter or camper may be transitionable between different configurations for different purposes, including an open and expanded configuration for use as a shelter, camper, or sleeping quarters and a compact, closed case configuration for easy storage and transport. To facilitate this, the walls may be foldable, expandable, or collapsible. When the walls are folded or collapsed, roof and floor sections may be connected to each other and may enclose the folded, collapsed walls and internal components within the collapsed closed case.

A building sheltering structure is configured to facilitate the shielding of at least one domicile or building into an underground foundation before an emergency environmental condition arises. The foundation includes a cover plate that translates horizontally to occlude the at least one domicile upon retraction into a secure cavity of the foundation by a lift assembly positioned at the bottom of the foundation cavity. Mounted atop the lift assembly, the at least one domicile can be fully retracted into the foundation cavity and completely shielded by the cover plate. The operation of the lift assembly is commanded and powered by a supply system. A processor of the supply system facilitates emergency warnings and panic transmissions to signal for help. Further, the supply system accommodates a plurality of solar panels mounted atop the at least one domicile to keep the system charged for the use in emergency.

A system for reversibly dividing a space is disclosed. A first panel consists of a first vertical member and a first horizontal member attached perpendicular to a bottom end of the first vertical member and extends away from the first vertical member towards a second panel. The second panel consists of a second vertical member and a second horizontal member attached perpendicular to a top end of the second vertical member and extends away from the second vertical member towards the first panel. The first and second panel can be stored in an overhead position. The space is reversibly divided when the first panel and the second panel are lowered. The first panel is lowered such that the first panel forms a top portion of a wall. The second panel is lowered until the second horizontal member rests on the first horizontal member, forming a bottom portion of the wall.

A system for reversibly dividing a space is disclosed. A first panel consists of a first vertical member and a first horizontal member attached perpendicular to a bottom end of the first vertical member and extends away from the first vertical member towards a second panel. The second panel consists of a second vertical member and a second horizontal member attached perpendicular to a top end of the second vertical member and extends away from the second vertical member towards the first panel. The first and second panel can be stored in an overhead position. The space is reversibly divided when the first panel and the second panel are lowered. The first panel is lowered such that the first panel forms a top portion of a wall. The second panel is lowered until the second horizontal member rests on the first horizontal member, forming a bottom portion of the wall.

A solar tracking carport comprises a supporting structure including a foundation and at least two columns connected or connectable to the foundation; a three-dimensionally rigid canopy deck having a length from a first edge to a second edge of at least one car, the three-dimensionally rigid canopy deck including one or more upper blocks, each of the upper blocks being rigid at least in its longitudinal direction, each of the upper blocks including at least one solar panel; a deck frame configured to support the one or more upper blocks, the deck frame including a torque transmitting member; a rotation enabling connection configured to rotatably connect at least the torque transmitting member of the three-dimensionally rigid canopy deck to the at least two columns of the supporting structure; and a drive system configured to control tilting of the three-dimensionally rigid canopy deck about the supporting structure over one axis of rotation to a first maximum angle in a first direction and to a second maximum angle in a second direction, the first maximum angle preventing the first edge of the three-dimensionally rigid canopy deck from going below a first minimum threshold height, the second maximum angle preventing the second edge of the three-dimensionally rigid canopy deck from going below a second minimum threshold height.

An expandable shelter assembly that includes a covering hinge coupled to an expandable frame and a base hinge coupled to the expanding frame opposite the covering. The expandable frame is a hollow quadrilateral structure that includes a plurality of sides. The expandable frame includes a collapsed state and a deployed state. When collapsed, the expandable frame is collapsed and the cover is positioned proximate to the base. When deployed, the expandable frame is expanded and the cover is positioned distal to the base. Each side of the expandable frame is insulated, collapsible; includes a first panel hinge coupled to a second panel; and folds inward when the expandable frame is in the collapsed state. The covering and the base are each complementary in shape compared to the expandable frame. The covering is a rigid structure that partially encloses the expandable frame. The base is a hollow and rigid frame.

The invention provides an apparatus for and method of making and using portable display kiosks. The invention is designed and fabricated to be highly collapsible for transport yet readily deployable for use. The invention is substantially preassembled in transport requiring only unfolding and the attachment of a backplate and counter top, none of which requires tools or any other ancillary items.