Convertible, inflatable shelter apparatus

A convertible, inflatable shelter apparatus for use on land and in a body of water, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a buoyant vehicle comprising:
• (i) an inflatable frame comprising a cylindrical outer member having a substantially rectangular shape, the frame having a pair of longitudinal sides and a pair of lateral sides, wherein portions of each longitudinal side extend beyond the lateral sides of the frame, each extended portion forming a conical protrusion;
• (ii) a flexible member forming a floor for the vehicle, the flexible member having a perimeter, the perimeter of the flexible member being sealingly attached to the frame;
• and
• (iii) anchor means on the frame for holding a spaced plurality of cylindrical members;
• and
• (b) a shelter assembly comprising:
• (i) a plurality of flexible elongated struts, a cylindrical portion of each strut being removably held by the anchor means, each strut extending upwardly therefrom and across the floor;
• (ii) a flexible cover supported by the struts and extending to proximate the perimeter of the floor, the cover having entrance means for an occupant of the shelter, and a plurality of channels for insertion of each strut therein;
• (iii) an inflatable cushion for covering the floor, the cushion being removably retained against the floor by the frame;
• and
• (iv) means for holding a bottom portion of the cover proximate an edge of the cushion,
• wherein, when the cushion, the struts, and the cover are removed from the vehicle, the holding means is capable of maintaining the cover proximate the cushion when the cushion and the struts are supported on the land apart from the vehicle for forming a tent.

A method for providing shelter in a body of water, and then on land, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) selecting a buoyant vehicle comprising:
• (i) an inflatable frame comprising an outer member;
• (ii) a flexible member forming a floor for the vehicle, the flexible member having a perimeter, the perimeter of the flexible member being sealingly attached to the frame;
• and
• (iii) anchor means on the frame for holding a spaced plurality of cylindrical members;
• (b) inserting an inflatable cushion into the vehicle, the cushion covering the floor and being removably retained against the floor by the frame;
• (c) inserting one cylindrical end of a plurality of struts into the anchor means, the struts extending upwardly therefrom and across the floor;
• (d) attaching a flexible cover to the struts, the cover extending to proximate the perimeter of the floor for forming a shelter, the cover having entrance means for an occupant of the shelter;
• (e) extending an opposite cylindrical end of each strut across the floor;
• (f) inserting the opposite end of each strut into the anchor means;
• (g) securing a bottom portion of the cover proximate an edge of the cushion to thereby form a floating tent shelter;
• (h) removing the cushion, the struts, and the cushion from the vehicle;
• and
• (i) placing the cushion and the struts on the land to thereby form a tent with the bottom portion of the cover secured proximate the edge of the cushion, thereby forming a shelter on land apart from the vehicle and subsequent to the formation of the floating shelter.

A method for converting a land-supported shelter assembly for use in a body of water, the shelter assembly comprising a tent having a cover supported by a spaced plurality of struts, the struts extending upwardly from the land and across a floor region thereof, the cover extending to proximate the floor region and having entrance means for an occupant of the tent, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) removing the shelter assembly from the land;
• (b) providing a buoyant vehicle comprising:
• (i) an inflatable frame comprising an outer member;
• (ii) a flexible member forming a floor of the vehicle, the flexible member having a perimeter, the perimeter of the flexible member being sealingly attached to the frame;
• and
• (iii) anchor means on the frame for holding a spaced plurality of cylindrical members;
• (c) inserting one cylindrical end of each of the struts into the anchor means;
• (d) extending an opposite cylindrical end of each strut across the floor of the vehicle;
• and
• (e) inserting the opposite cylindrical end of each strut into the anchor means to thereby form a floating tent shelter.