A shelter has a rear stationary portion and a front retractable door, both on a base. The retractable door comprises nesting arcuate-roofed panels that cooperate to form an enclosing dome-like structure when closed. Moisture drainage and abatement strategies assist in keeping the shelter usable for long periods in exposed environments. Mechanical spring-biased assistance aids in both opening and closing the nested panels, resulting in a shelter that is easy to deploy and suitable for long term use.

The present invention relates generally to the field of home protection devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a home protection dome device primarily comprised of at least one motor that powers a dome structure. The dome structure is comprised of a plurality of curved members that enclose and shield a home, other structure or object. The curved members can be deployed and retracted via a track within a base, wherein the track is powered by a motor. The motor may further receive power from a solar panel. The motor may also be controlled by a control panel to move the track and deploy or retract the curved members over a home, structure, or object in an enclosed manner. In this manner, the home, structure, or object is protected from severe weather.

A method and apparatus according to which a blast resistant shelter is assembled. The blast resistant shelter includes first and second structural members, a third structural member coupled to the first and second structural members, a first airway adjacent the third structural member, and a first blast panel pivotably mounted to the third structural member and adapted to pivot thereabout in response to a blast wave. In a first configuration, the first blast panel is detachably connected to a first portion of the blast resistant shelter and prevented from pivoting about the third structural member so that the first blast panel obstructs air flow through the first airway. In a second configuration, in response to the blast wave, the first blast panel is detached from the first portion of the blast resistant shelter and permitted to pivot about the third structural member to permit air flow through the first airway.

A method and apparatus according to which a blast resistant shelter is assembled. The blast resistant shelter includes first and second structural members, a third structural member coupled to the first and second structural members, a first airway adjacent the third structural member, and a first blast panel pivotably mounted to the third structural member and adapted to pivot thereabout in response to a blast wave. In a first configuration, the first blast panel is detachably connected to a first portion of the blast resistant shelter and prevented from pivoting about the third structural member so that the first blast panel obstructs air flow through the first airway. In a second configuration, in response to the blast wave, the first blast panel is detached from the first portion of the blast resistant shelter and permitted to pivot about the third structural member to permit air flow through the first airway.

A convertible shipping container includes a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge that is diagonally opposed to the first longitudinal edge in a first configuration and a hinged longitudinal edge and a lockable longitudinal edge that is diagonally opposed to the hinged longitudinal edge in the first configuration. The first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge each comprise 90° fixed edges, and the lockable longitudinal edge is configured to be unlocked and opened to thereby expand the convertible shipping container into a second configuration.

A convertible container includes a top panel, a first longitudinal wall panel, a second longitudinal wall panel, and a bottom panel. The first longitudinal wall panel has a first longitudinal edge. The first longitudinal edge is connected to the top panel via a hinge. The second longitudinal wall panel has a second longitudinal edge. The second longitudinal edge is connected to the top panel at a fixed 90-degree angle. The bottom panel has an openable edge. The bottom panel is permanently coupled to the first longitudinal wall panel and removably coupled to the second longitudinal wall panel at the openable edge. The top panel is moveable between a first configuration and a second configuration. A method of assembling a functional structure includes providing the convertible container and lifting and rotating the second longitudinal wall panel away from the bottom panel about the hinge.

A method and apparatus according to which a blast resistant shelter is assembled. The blast resistant shelter includes first and second structural members, a third structural member coupled to the first and second structural members, a first airway adjacent the third structural member, and a first blast panel pivotably mounted to the third structural member and adapted to pivot thereabout in response to a blast wave. In a first configuration, the first blast panel is detachably connected to a first portion of the blast resistant shelter and prevented from pivoting about the third structural member so that the first blast panel obstructs air flow through the first airway. In a second configuration, in response to the blast wave, the first blast panel is detached from the first portion of the blast resistant shelter and permitted to pivot about the third structural member to permit air flow through the first airway.

A shelter has a rear stationary portion and a front retractable door, both on a base. The retractable door comprises nesting arcuate-roofed panels that cooperate to form an enclosing dome-like structure when closed. Moisture drainage and abatement strategies assist in keeping the shelter usable for long periods in exposed environments. Mechanical spring-biased assistance aids in both opening and closing the nested panels, resulting in a shelter that is easy to deploy and suitable for long term use.

A first constituent member configured such that a plurality of panels overlaps and a second constituent member configured such that a plurality of panels overlaps are included, in which a first link member that can be expanded and contracted is connected to the first constituent member, a second link member that can be expanded and contracted is connected to the second constituent member, each of the constituent members can be expanded and contracted by expansion and contraction of each of the link members, the first constituent member and the second constituent member can relatively be rotated around rotation axes and also can removably be connected, the first link member and the second link member are connected to both ends of connecting link arm members via a free joint respectively, and the first link member and the second link member can be separated from each other.

A foldable staircase that can be easily transported and conveniently used rather than a ladder. The foldable staircase includes a lower staircase and an upper staircase. The upper staircase and the lower staircase are constructions that bridge vertical distances and provide platforms allowing the user to walk up or down the foldable staircase. The foldable staircase provides an alternative means to reach high areas that is easy and safe to ascend or descend as conventional stairways and staircases along with the transportability of a conventional ladder. The foldable staircase can be adjusted to a collapsed configuration or operative configuration. The collapsed configuration allows a user to store or easily transport the foldable staircase. The operative configuration allows the user to ascend or descend the foldable staircase.