Self-Deploying Tentage Utilizing Integral Folding Hinge

The U.S. Army has multiple needs for mobile structures for temporary deployment of forces. This need has become more critical as regional conflicts are now of primary concern to rapid Army deployment. Personnel must often be housed, in substantial numbers,in adverse areas, for long periods covering both conflicts and extended policing actions. Further, the risk of exposure to chemical and biological agents in these types of conflicts is greatly increased. Foster-Miller proposes to develop a low cost,lightweight, self deploying tent frame structure using its integral folding hinge (IFH) technology. The frame will be constructed from pultruded fiberglass tubulars with locally formed hinges to enable packaging and deployment actuation. The initialdevelopment is proposed to replace the TEMPER tent frame, thus providing a very near-term opportunity for integration. The technology is ideally suited to meet multiple configurations and the higher loading requirements of Chemical Biological (CB)protection fabrics and systems.Within the Phase I base program, this design will be finalized, materials and configurations tested and a full-scale kinematic model built. This hardware-based program and the substantial leveraging of ongoing Foster-Millerwork, will enable fabrication and testing of a complete deployable tent system in Phase II. (P-00891)The Foster-Miller deployable frame technology will immediately provide a rapidly erectable TEMPER tent system. This framing system can be easily adapted toa wide array of shelter configurations. Beyond shelters, Foster-Miller is pursuing multiple business opportunities ranging from deployable spacecraft structures to commercial staging and fencing products.