Collapsible structures
A collapsible structure has a first panel, a second panel and a third panel, with the second and third panels each having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of each respective frame member to form the second or third panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. The left side of the first panel is hingedly coupled to the right side of the second panel, and the right side of the first panel is hingedly coupled to the left side of the third panel. A support member includes a frame member that has unconnected ends, the support member having a first portion hingedly coupled to the left side of the second panel, and a second portion hingedly coupled to the right side of the third panel.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to collapsible structures, and in particular, to collapsible structures which may be twisted and folded to reduce the overall size of the assembly to facilitate convenient storage and use.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are presently many collapsible structures that are being provided for use by children and adults in a number of different applications. 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.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present invention provides collapsible structures having a first panel, a second panel and a third panel, with the second and third panels each having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of each respective frame member to form the second or third panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. The left side of the first panel is hingedly coupled to the right side of the second panel, and the right side of the first panel is hingedly coupled to the left side of the third panel. A support member includes a frame member that has unconnected ends, the support member having a first portion hingedly coupled to the left side of the second panel, and a second portion hingedly coupled to the right side of the third panel.
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.
As used herein, the terms “hingedly coupled” or “hingedly connected” mean to couple two edges or sides by stitching or by the use of removable attachment mechanisms, such as but not limited to, Velcro™ pads or opposing toggles and loops in a manner where the panels can be folded about the connection.
The continuous frame members 44 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 44 are preferably formed of flexible coilable steel, although other materials such as plastics may also be used. The frame members 44 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 44 is capable of assuming two positions or orientations, an open or expanded position such as shown in
Fabric or sheet material 46 extends across each panel 22, 24, 26, and is held generally taut by the respective frame members 44 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 44 may be merely retained within the respective frame retaining sleeves 42 without being connected thereto. Alternatively, the frame retaining sleeves 42 may be mechanically fastened, stitched, fused, or glued to the frame members 44 to retain them in position.
The structure 20 further includes an arched or curved support member 52 that has opposite ends 54 and 56. The support member 52 includes a frame member 58 which can be housed inside a sleeve 60 (see
An optional roof 48 can be attached to the top of the support member 52, and the top sides 41 of the panels 22, 24 and 26, respectively, to form a canopy or shade. The roof 48 can be made of the same material as the fabric 46, and can be stitched to the sides 41 of the panels 22, 24 and 26, respectively, and to the support member 52, in the manner shown in
The structure 20 shown in
To deploy the structure 20 for use, the user merely opens the folded panels 22, 24, 26. The natural bias of the frame members 44, 58 will cause the frame members 44, 58 to uncoil, so that the panels 22, 24, 26 and the support member 52 quickly spring back to the configuration shown in
A base or mat 70 can be provided for the structure 20 in
The support member 52 functions to provide or define an opening for access to the interior of the structure 20. In addition, the support member 52 provides stability to the panels 22, 24, 26 that would allow the structure 20 to be embodied in larger sizes. For these reasons, the structures 20, 20a and 20b illustrated herein are well-suited for use as display booths, soccer goals, and other similar applications where a free-standing, largish yet stable, structure with a opened side (with the opening having good structural support) is desired.
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. As a non-limiting alternative, the panel 22 can be provided without a frame member 44, and provided merely in the form of a fabric material 46 that extends between the sides 38 and 40 of the panels 24 and 26, respectively.
Claims
1-16. (canceled)
17. A collapsible structure, comprising:
- a first panel, a second panel and a third panel, each panel having a continuous foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of each respective frame member to form the panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, each panel having a first side and a second side;
- wherein the first side of the first panel is hingedly coupled to the second side of the second panel, and the second side of the first panel is hingedly coupled to the first side of the third panel;
- a support member that includes a frame member that has unconnected ends, the support member having a first portion hingedly coupled to the first side of the second panel, and a second portion hingedly coupled to the second side of the third panel.
18. The structure of claim 17, wherein the support member has a sleeve that houses the frame member of the support member.
19. The structure of claim 17, wherein each panel has a sleeve that retains the respective frame member for the panel.
20. The structure of claim 17, wherein each panel has a sleeve that retains the respective frame member for the panel, and wherein the sleeve of the support member at the first portion is stitched to the sleeve of the second panel at the first side of the second panel, and the sleeve of the support member at the second portion is stitched to the sleeve of the third panel at the second side of the third panel.
21. The structure of claim 17, wherein the first portion is coupled to the first side of the second panel by a first interconnecting fabric, and the second portion is coupled to the second side of the third panel by a second interconnecting fabric.
22. The structure of claim 17, further including a roof coupled to the panels.
23. The structure of claim 17, wherein the support member is arched.
24. The structure of claim 17, further including a base coupled to the panels.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 26, 2007
Publication Date: Jan 29, 2009
Inventor: Yu Zheng (Walnut, CA)
Application Number: 11/881,276
International Classification: E04H 15/44 (20060101);