Collapsible structures
Collapsible structures include one or more add-on panels that are coupled to the underlying collapsible structure to improve the variety of play, entertainment value, and utility of these collapsible structures. Each of these collapsible structures incorporate at least one foldable frame member, and fabric covering portions of the frame member. The collapsible structures can be collapsed into a smaller configuration by twisting and folding the at least one frame member.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to collapsible structures, and in particular, to modifications and additions to currently-known collapsible structures to enhance the utility and variety of use for these collapsible structures.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are presently many collapsible structures that are being provided for use by children and adults. Examples of these collapsible structures are illustrated in the following patents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,954 (Zheng), U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,772 (Zheng), U.S. Pat. No. 5,778,915 (Zheng), U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,794 (Zheng), U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,101 (Zheng), U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,446 (Zheng), U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,634 (McLeese), U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,592 (Norman), U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,533 (Ziglar), U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,188 (Kellogg et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,812 (Norman), among others. These collapsible structures are supported by one or more frame members that can be twisted and folded to reduce the overall size of the structure. These collapsible structures can be used in a wide variety of applications, such as containers, tents, play structures, executive toys, shelters, sports structures, and others. As a result, collapsible structures have become very popular.
Even though these collapsible structures exhibit surprising versatility in their utility and wide-ranging applications, the consumer is always demanding greater enhancements, better and more features, added convenience, and other related factors. Thus, there remains a need to provide collapsible structures that have increased variety of play, entertainment value, and utility.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present invention provides collapsible structures that provide additional panels and other features to known collapsible structures in order to improve the variety of play, entertainment value, and utility of these collapsible structures. These collapsible structures can be easily and quickly folded and collapsed into a compact configuration.
In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, the collapsible structures according to the present invention include one or more add-on panels that are coupled to the underlying collapsible structure to improve the variety of play, entertainment value, and utility of these collapsible structures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 5(A) through 5(E) illustrate how the collapsible structure of
The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
The present invention provides collapsible structures that provide additional panels and other features to known collapsible structures in order to improve the variety of play, entertainment value, and utility of these collapsible structures. As used herein, the terms “hingedly coupled” or “hingedly connected” mean to couple two edges by stitching or by the use of removable attachment mechanisms, such as Velcro™ pads or opposing toggles and loops (as illustrated in
The continuous frame members 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d may be provided as one continuous loop, or may comprise a strip of material connected at both ends to form a continuous loop. The continuous frame members 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d are preferably formed of flexible coilable steel, although other materials such as plastics may also be used. The frame members should be made of a material which is relatively strong and yet is flexible to a sufficient degree to allow it to be coiled. The material should have a memory that allows the frame members to spring back to the expanded position when unfolded from the folded position. Thus, each frame member 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d is capable of assuming two positions or orientations, an open or expanded position such as shown in
Fabric or sheet material 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d extends across each side panel 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d, respectively, and is held taut by the respective frame members 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d when in its open position. The term fabric is to be given its broadest meaning and should be made from strong, lightweight materials and may include woven fabrics, sheet fabrics or even films. The fabric should be water-resistant and durable to withstand the wear and tear associated with rough treatment by children. The frame members 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d may be merely retained within the respective frame retaining sleeves 24a, 24b, 24c and 24c without being connected thereto. Alternatively, the frame retaining sleeves 24a, 24b, 24c and 24d may be mechanically fastened, stitched, fused, or glued to the frame members 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d, respectively, to retain them in position.
The other details relating to the structure 20 are set forth in greater detail in the specification and drawings of U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,772, and shall not be repeated herein. However, FIGS. 5(A) through 5(E) correspond to FIGS. 8(A) through 8(E) of U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,772, and illustrate how the structure 20 can be twisted and folded to reduce the structure 20 into a collapsed configuration having a reduced size. In
The structure 20 has many uses, including as a play structure and shelter, among others, and can even be used as a container, as illustrated in some of the embodiments of U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,772. In this regard,
A first add-on panel 76 has an edge 78 that is hingedly coupled to the upper edge 80 of the panel 54. The panel 76 can be pivoted about its hinged connection at the edges 78 and 80 to either cover the space 74 (which can be sized and configured to be similar to the size and shape of the panel 76), or to a position where the panel 76 is adjacent the panel 54 to cover the opening 72. Both sides of the panel 76 can be provided with different designs and indicia to fit the theme of the structure 50. For example, one side of the panel 76 can have the words “GAS STATION” and “MINI MART” (as shown in
A second add-on panel 84 has an edge 86 that is hingedly coupled to the fabric 88 of the panel 52. The panel 84 can be pivoted about its hinged connection at the edge 86 and the fabric 88 to either cover a lower portion 90 of the panel 52 or an upper portion 92 of the panel 52. The lower portion 90 can include depictions of two wheels, and the upper portion 92 can include depictions of two gasoline machines. Thus, when the panel 84 covers the lower portion 90 (see
As shown in
The structure 50 can be folded and collapsed by first folding the panels 76, 94, 96 and 98 against the panel 54 to create a stack of five panels 54, 76, 94, 96, 98 (in this order), and then folding the panel 84 in either direction against the panel 52 to provide a four-sided structure similar to structure 20. The four-sided structure 50 can then be folded and collapsed using the steps illustrated in FIGS. 5(A) through 5(E).
In particular, each add-on panel 210 and 212 is defined by a separate resilient frame members 222 and 224, respectively, that together define the outer boundary of the overlapping panels 210, 212. Each frame member 222 and 224 can be the same as the frame member 28c in
The other details relating to the overlapping panels 210 and 212 are set forth in greater detail in the specification and drawings of U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,101, and shall not be repeated herein.
Referring back to
Referring now to
As with the panels 22 described above, each panel 302, 304 has a continuous frame retaining sleeve provided along and traversing the edges of its sides. A continuous frame member (which can be the same as frame member 28) is retained or held within each frame retaining sleeve to support the respective panel 302, 304. Fabric or sheet material 324 (which can be the same as fabric 30) extends across each panel 302, 304 and is held taut by the respective frame members when each panel is in its open position.
Thus, the flexible and coilable nature of the frame members allows the wall panel 304 to be flexed so that its end edges 316 and 318 can be positioned at or adjacent the end edges 308 and 310 of the base panel 302. In this regard, the flexing of the wall panel 304 obviates the need to otherwise provide a plurality (e.g., at least three) of separate panels to enclose the space 306. The base panel 302 functions to hold the wall panel 304 in its flexed configuration.
Add-on panels 326 and 328 can be added to the basic structure defined by the panels 302, 304. For example, a first add-on panel 326 can be hingedly connected to the central portion of the edge 320 of panel 304, and can be used as a pivoting end door. A second add-on panel 328 can be hingedly connected to a side of the edge 322 of panel 304, and can also be used as another pivoting end door.
The structure 300 can be folded and collapsed in the following manner. First, the add-on panels 326 and 328 are pivoted against the wall panel 304 to overlie portions of the wall panel 304. For example, add-on panel 326 is pivoted upwardly to lie over the top of the wall panel 304. Then, the base panel 302 is pushed against the wall panel 304 (and the add-on panels 326, 328 that are stacked therewith) to form one stack of panels 302, 304, 326, 328 that can be twisted and folded in accordance with the steps shown in
The structure 460 has left and right frame retaining sleeves 462 and 464, respectively, which retain the frame member 450. The sleeves 462 and 464 also define straight portions 474 and 476, respectively to retain the straight portions 455 and 456, respectively. Fabric 470 and 472 can be stitched or otherwise attached to the sleeves 464 and 464, respectively. Referring to
The structure 500 in
In addition, a third add-on panel 528 can be hingedly coupled to a first side 530 of the loop 453a. A fourth add-on panel 532 can also be removably attached (e.g., by Velcro™ pads) to the sides 524 and 530 of the loops 452a and 453a, respectively, to define a removable wall or door.
The structure 500 in
Each of the underlying or basic structures illustrated in
The structure 600 in
A basket 726 can be attached to the inner surface of the fabric 728 of the panel 706, and a fabric hook piece 730 can be stitched or connected to the top side 732 of the panel 706. Thus, the structure 700 can be suspended from a door hook (via the fabric hook piece 730) in the configuration shown in
While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
Claims
1. A collapsible structure adapted to be supported on a surface and comprising:
- at least three foldable frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation;
- a fabric material covering portions of each frame member to form a side panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation;
- each side panel further including a left side, a bottom side and a right side, with the left side of each side panel coupled to the right side of an adjacent side panel, and the right side of each side panel coupled to the left side of another adjacent side panel;
- wherein the bottom side of each side panel rests on the surface to support the structure; and
- an add-on panel coupled to a first of the side panels, the add-on panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member for the add-on panel.
2. The structure of claim 1, wherein the bottom side of each side panel has opposing first and second ends, with the first end of the bottom side connected to the left side and the second end of the bottom side connected to the right side.
3. The structure of claim 1, wherein the left side and right side of each side panel is vertical.
4. The structure of claim 1, wherein the add-on panel is coupled to a first side of the first side panel.
5. The structure of claim 1, wherein the add-on panel is coupled to the fabric of the first side panel.
6. The structure of claim 1, wherein the add-on panel is a first add-on panel, further including a second add-on panel coupled to a second of the side panels, the second add-on panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member for the second add-on panel.
7. The structure of claim 1, wherein the add-on panel is a first add-on panel, further including a second add-on panel coupled to the first side panel, the second add-on panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member for the second add-on panel.
8. The structure of claim 7, further including a third add-on panel coupled to a second of the side panels, the third add-on panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member for the third add-on panel.
9. The structure of claim 1, wherein the add-on panel is a first add-on panel, further including a second add-on panel coupled to the first add-on panel, the second add-on panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member for the second add-on panel.
10. The structure of claim 9, wherein each of the frame members of the first and second add-on panels defines a closed loop and has opposing first and second sides, with the two frame members overlapping each other at a first overlapping point along the first sides of the two frame members, and at a second overlapping point along the second sides of the two frames members, the overlapping frame members defining a hinge portion about which the two frame members are pivotable.
11. The structure of claim 1, wherein each of the side panels and add-on panel are foldable on top of each other to have the frame members and their associated fabric overlaying each other and with the overlaying frame members collapsible to the collapsed positions by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings and layers of fabric to substantially reduce the size of the structure in the collapsed position.
12. The structure of claim 4, further including fabric for coupling the add-on panel to a second side of the first side panel, the fabric limiting the extent to which the add-on panel can be pivoted with respect to the first side panel.
13. A collapsible structure, comprising:
- a first base panel having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, the first panel having an outer periphery;
- a second panel having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, the second panel being flexed and with the second panel having opposing first and second end edges that are attached to the first panel so that the first and second panels define an interior space; and
- an add-on panel coupled to the second panel, the add-on panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member for the add-on panel.
14. The structure of claim 13, wherein the second panel has opposing first and second end edges that are attached to the fabric material of the first panel and offset from the outer periphery.
15. The structure of claim 13, wherein the second panel has opposing first and second end edges that are attached to the outer periphery of the first panel.
16. The structure of claim 13, wherein the add-on panel is coupled to a side of the second panel.
17. The structure of claim 13, wherein the add-on panel is coupled to the fabric of the second panel.
18. The structure of claim 13, wherein the add-on panel is a first add-on panel, further including a second add-on panel coupled to another side of the second panel, the second add-on panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member for the second add-on panel.
19. The structure of claim 13, wherein the add-on panel includes a plurality of add-on panels, each add-on panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member for the respective add-on panel, with each add-on panel having a first side and a second side, and with the first side of each add-on panel coupled to the second side of an adjacent add-on panel to form a ring of add-on panels.
20. The structure of claim 13, wherein the add-on panel is a first add-on panel, further including a second add-on panel coupled to the first add-on panel, the second add-on panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member for the second add-on panel.
21. The structure of claim 13, wherein each of the panels and add-on panel are foldable on top of each other to have the frame members and their associated fabric overlaying each other and with the overlaying frame members collapsible to the collapsed positions by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings and layers of fabric to substantially reduce the size of the structure in the collapsed position.
22. A collapsible structure, comprising:
- a first base panel having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, the first panel having an outer periphery;
- a second panel having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, the second panel being flexed and with the second panel having opposing first and second end edges that are attached to the first panel so that the first and second panels define an interior space; and
- an add-on panel coupled to the first panel, the add-on panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member for the add-on panel.
23. The structure of claim 22, wherein the add-on panel is coupled to a side of the first panel.
24. The structure of claim 22, wherein the add-on panel is coupled to the fabric of the first panel.
25. A collapsible structure, comprising:
- a wall panel having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric covering portions of the frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, the wall panel being flexed and with the wall panel having opposing first and second end edges that are positioned on a surface when the structure is in an upright orientation so that the wall panel defines an interior space; and
- an add-on panel coupled to the wall panel, the add-on panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member for the add-on panel.
26. The structure of claim 25, wherein the add-on panel is coupled to a side of the wall panel.
27. The structure of claim 25, wherein the add-on panel is coupled to the fabric of the wall panel.
28. The structure of claim 25, further including means associated with a side of the wall panel for maintaining the wall panel in a flexed orientation.
29. A collapsible structure, comprising:
- a frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, the frame member having a figure-eight configuration when in the unfolded orientation, the figure-eight configuration defining a first loop, a second loop, and a crossover that forms the apex of the frame member in the unfolded orientation and with the first and second loops extending downwardly from the apex;
- a fabric material covering portions of the frame member inside the first and second loops when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation; and
- an add-on panel coupled to the first loop, the add-on panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member for the add-on panel.
30. The structure of claim 29, wherein each of the first and second loops has a straight portion opposite the crossover, each straight portion resting on a surface.
31. The structure of claim 30, wherein the add-on panel is coupled to the straight portion of the first loop.
32. The structure of claim 29, wherein the add-on panel is coupled to the fabric material of the first loop.
33. The structure of claim 31, wherein the add-on panel is a first add-on panel, further including a second add-on panel coupled to the straight portion of the second loop, the second add-on panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member for the second add-on panel.
34. The structure of claim 31, wherein the add-on panel is a first add-on panel, further including a second add-on panel coupled to the first add-on panel, the second add-on panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member for the second add-on panel.
35. The structure of claim 34, wherein the second add-on panel is also coupled to the second loop.
36. A collapsible structure, comprising:
- a frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, the frame member having a figure-eight configuration when in the unfolded orientation, the figure-eight configuration defining a first loop, a second loop, and a crossover that forms the apex of the frame member in the unfolded orientation and with the first and second loops extending downwardly from the apex;
- a fabric material covering portions of the frame member inside the first and second loops when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation; and
- an add-on panel coupled to the first and second loops, the add-on panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member for the add-on panel.
37. The structure of claim 36, wherein each of the first and second loops has a straight portion opposite the crossover, each straight portion resting on a surface.
38. A collapsible structure, comprising:
- a frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, the frame member having a figure-eight configuration when in the unfolded orientation, the figure-eight configuration defining a first loop, a second loop, and a crossover that forms the apex of the frame member in the unfolded orientation and with the first and second loops extending downwardly from the apex;
- a fabric material covering portions of the frame member inside the first and second loops when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation; and
- first, second and third add-on panels, each add-on panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member for the respective add-on panel, with each add-on panel having a first side and a second side, and with the first side of the first add-on panel coupled to the first loop, the second side of the first add-on panel coupled to the first side of the second add-on panel, the second side of the second add-on panel coupled to the first side of the third add-on panel, and the second side of the third add-on panel coupled to the first loop.
39. The structure of claim 38, wherein each of the first and second loops has a straight portion opposite the crossover, each straight portion resting on a surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 17, 2005
Publication Date: Feb 22, 2007
Applicant:
Inventor: Yu Zheng (Walnut, CA)
Application Number: 11/206,194
International Classification: E04H 15/40 (20060101);