A shelter system having an erecting frame system and a protective skin system. The erecting frame system has at least two A-frame legs and at least one tensioning element. The A-frame legs each comprise at least one elongated structural member, each of the A-frame legs coalescing with at least one other A-frame leg with at least one connection. The tensioning element is at least temporarily affixed to a free end of each of the at least two A-frame legs, and comprises at least one elongated structural element capable of generating a tension force to draw the free ends of the A-frame legs towards one another, thereby at least temporarily lifting the connection to a predetermined height above the free end of each A-frame leg. A protective skin system is also provided with at least one side plane, one roof plane, and one end plane. The side plane is disposed between two A-frame legs; the roof plane is concordant with the ground surface; and the end plane is disposed between two A-frame legs of a constituent A-frame leg pair and a ground surface. The planar element of the protective skin system provides at least a partial barrier from a ballistic threat to a volume behind the planar element, the loading of the protective skin system being transferred at least in part first to the erecting frame system and ultimately to the ground surface.

A shelter system having an erecting frame system and a protective skin system. The erecting frame system has at least two A-frame legs and at least one tensioning element. The A-frame legs each comprise at least one elongated structural member, each of the A-frame legs coalescing with at least one other A-frame leg with at least one connection. The tensioning element is at least temporarily affixed to a free end of each of the at least two A-frame legs, and comprises at least one elongated structural element capable of generating a tension force to draw the free ends of the A-frame legs towards one another, thereby at least temporarily lifting the connection to a predetermined height above the free end of each A-frame leg. A protective skin system is also provided with at least one side plane, one roof plane, and one end plane. The side plane is disposed between two A-frame legs; the roof plane is concordant with the ground surface; and the end plane is disposed between two A-frame legs of a constituent A-frame leg pair and a ground surface. The planar element of the protective skin system provides at least a partial barrier from a ballistic threat to a volume behind the planar element, the loading of the protective skin system being transferred at least in part first to the erecting frame system and ultimately to the ground surface.

An expandable tent structure with a side wall of mesh or fabric enclosing an internal volume of the tent. The tent has one or more openings in the roof and/or side walls of the tent, and a hatch pivotally attached to the tent. The hatch in one position covers an opening in the roof and/or side wall, and a mesh or fabric structure extends in an accordion-like manner between the hatch and edges of the opening. A plurality of ribs support the mesh or fabric, the ribs being pivotally attached to the tent supporting structure. When the hatch is in its open position, the internal volume of the tent is increased, with the mesh or fabric attached to the hatch and the edges of the opening providing a barrier over the opening against the environment.

An expandable tent structure with a side wall of mesh or fabric enclosing an internal volume of the tent. The tent has one or more openings in the roof and/or side walls of the tent, and a hatch pivotally attached to the tent. The hatch in one position covers an opening in the roof and/or side wall, and a mesh or fabric structure extends in an accordion-like manner between the hatch and edges of the opening. A plurality of ribs support the mesh or fabric, the ribs being pivotally attached to the tent supporting structure. When the hatch is in its open position, the internal volume of the tent is increased, with the mesh or fabric attached to the hatch and the edges of the opening providing a barrier over the opening against the environment.

A portable barrier has a pedestal assembly including (i) a plurality of legs that are movable with respect to each other, the plurality of legs include a first lateral leg and a second lateral leg, and (ii) a first limiter connected to the first lateral leg and the second lateral leg. The portable barrier further has a cover assembly including (i) a plurality of arms that are movable with respect to each other, the plurality of arms include a first lateral arm and a second lateral arm, and (ii) a covering connected to the first lateral arm and the second lateral arm. In addition, the portable barrier has a first side screen connected to the first lateral arm and the first lateral leg, the first side screen defining a side opening. The portable barrier further has a first side opening cover.

A portable barrier has a pedestal assembly including (i) a plurality of legs that are movable with respect to each other, the plurality of legs include a first lateral leg and a second lateral leg, and (ii) a first limiter connected to the first lateral leg and the second lateral leg. The portable barrier further has a cover assembly including (i) a plurality of arms that are movable with respect to each other, the plurality of arms include a first lateral arm and a second lateral arm, and (ii) a covering connected to the first lateral arm and the second lateral arm. In addition, the portable barrier has a first side screen connected to the first lateral arm and the first lateral leg, the first side screen defining a side opening. The portable barrier further has a first side opening cover.

A tent with hubs positioned on the outer circumference of the tent, wherein the hub includes a plurality of pin rings that are configured to independently rotate at offset positions along a rotational axis to incrementally open and close the tent.

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a portable shelter, whether being of the type having a floating canopy or an umbrella. The shelter includes a support including an upright. A canopy is supported by the support. The canopy includes an expandable frame, and a sheet of material supported by the frame. The frame includes retractable ribs supporting the sheet. The frame also includes a stretcher arrangement for stretching out each rib from the support. The stretcher arrangement includes a first stretcher for coupling between the support and the rib; and a second stretcher for coupling to the first stretcher.

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a portable shelter, whether being of the type having a floating canopy or an umbrella. The shelter includes a support including an upright. A canopy is supported by the support. The canopy includes an expandable frame, and a sheet of material supported by the frame. The frame includes retractable ribs supporting the sheet. The frame also includes a stretcher arrangement for stretching out each rib from the support. The stretcher arrangement includes a first stretcher for coupling between the support and the rib; and a second stretcher for coupling to the first stretcher.

An outdoor appliance has a support frame with multiple inner lining tubes that are sequentially connected end to end by flexible ropes and multiple outer sleeve tubes that are slidable on the outer surfaces of the inner lining tubes. The outer sleeve tube and the inner lining tube at the head end of the support frame are respectively connected to an elastic member. When the support frame is in a locked state, each inner lining tube is located between and supports two abutting adjacent outer sleeve tubes. When the support frame is in an unlocked state, each inner lining tube is moved out of one outer sleeve tube and into the next successively (e.g., longitudinal) axially adjacent outer sleeve tube against the force of the elastic member such that the radial support between adjacent outer sleeve tubes is eliminated thereby allowing the support frame to be folded.