Framework Patents (Class 135/121)
  • Publication number: 20020059948
    Abstract: The lightweight erectable canopy shelters include a plurality of legs connected together by an extendible perimeter assembly of link members. In one embodiment, the roof structure is formed by a pole members pivotally mounted to the upper ends of the legs so as to extend across the shelter, and movable between a lowered position and a raised, upwardly arching position. The pole members are pivotally coupled to a central hub, and each of the pole members comprises pole sections hinged to permit downward folding and upward unfolding until they are fully extended. Comer support strut members are pivotally mounted to the legs, to be rotatable upwardly to engage and support the pole members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventor: Mark C. Carter
  • Patent number: 6390112
    Abstract: A tent door is hinged (44) and spring assisted to close the door and hold the door in a closed position against a bug-stopping weather-strip (18) attached to the surface of a door stop along the inside perimeter of a door frame. After entering or exiting a tent, a latch (74) on the inside surface of a door is needed only for security reasons. A tent door/tent door frame unit can be permanently attached around a tent's wall opening allowing the unit to fold around and with a rolled up tent. Folding of the unit is permitted by the removal of rigidity poles (61) from backbone columns (30). Because of the ease of entering and exiting a tent and of the convenience of folding the tent door/tent door frame unit around a rolled up tent, use of a tent so equipped becomes a pleasure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventor: Lyle J. Christiansen
  • Publication number: 20020043030
    Abstract: A novel airplane shelter provides a plurality of arched vertical support members arranged axially along a line corresponding to the fuselage of an airplane to be sheltered. A cantilevered beam is attached to the apex of each arched vertical support member, forming a “spine” along the top of the aligned arched support members. The cantilevered beam is attached at one end to the rearwardmost arched support member, and the opposite end extends forwardly past the forwardmost arched support member to a point corresponding to the forwardmost point of an airplane to be sheltered. Separate lateral support members are placed at points corresponding to the wingtips of the airplane. The result is an open frame that defines a volume capable of enclosing an airplane. A covering material is placed over the open frame and stretched taut over the entire structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventor: Donald W. Bogart
  • Patent number: 6367476
    Abstract: A support stand formed from a generally flat sheet of rigid material and having a base member, a generally vertical tube support member extending from the base, and a generally C-shaped portion interposed between the tube support and the base, the tube support having a generally circular edge with a plurality of generally circular notches defined therein. A canopy support member is provided having a generally vertical member with an elongate adjustment member extending therefrom and slidingly and detachably coupled to the tube support, and having a generally horizontal member hingedly attached to the generally vertical member, the generally vertical member having an opening for receiving a tube therethrough, the generally vertical member having at least one stop and the generally horizontal member having at least one surface capable of being positioned in a face to face relationship with and supporting a portion of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: Brenda Sue Conn
  • Patent number: 6354316
    Abstract: A skeleton for umbrella tent mainly includes a top hub to which multiple brace poles are radially and pivotally connected to stretch by a predetermined angle; a bottom hub to which multiple stretch arms are radially and pivotally connected to stretch by a predetermined angle, and outer ends of these stretch arms are separately pivotally connected to a predetermined point on the brace poles; a flexible telescopic portion located between the top and the bottom hubs and consisting of multiple sections in the form of hollow truncated cones; and a pull rope extending through the telescopic portion with an upper end fixed to the top hub and a lower end hanging from the bottom hub to connect to a ring handle. By pulling the pull rope downward, the telescopic portion is folded to easily cause the stretch arms and the brace poles to move into a stretched position to set up the tent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Inventor: Shih-Ching Chen
  • Patent number: 6347638
    Abstract: An article of manufacture for a portable shelter suspended above the ground having a flexible floor supported by a plurality of straps, a flexible framework attached to the floor, a canopy suspended over the framework for enclosing a space; and support means attached to the framework for attaching the shelter to a plurality of load bearing members. The floor may be further supported by rigid support poles made of PVC placed within a fold sewn along the shorter length of both ends of the floor. The floor may be further supported by diagonally crossing support straps under the floor. In another preferred embodiment, the floor may be rigid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventors: James I. Scott, George D. Scott
  • Patent number: 6336465
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a modified clevis assembly for collapsible tents. The clevis assembly is modified so that it contains a conical pin entry guide on a first clevis member to allow safe directing of the tip of the pin on a second clevis member into the recess of the first clevis member. In the modified clevis assembly the pin is guided into the recess should any torque or twist to the frame occur when the tent is erected due to the inherent flexibility of the materials used in the construction of tent frames and the tendency for the user to inadvertently apply force off of vertical through pressure from the user's hands when moving the lower clevis member toward the upper clevis member. The conical pin entry guide preferably forms an integral part of the under surface of the upper clevis member or of the upper surface of the lower clevis member. The clevis assembly is further optionally modified to include in or on the upper clevis member means to receive a fly adaptor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventors: Dennis C. Surrendi, Paul V. Allegretto
  • Publication number: 20010052356
    Abstract: The present invention is an enclosure for sheltering a small aircraft, and provides an arcuate roof frame supported by a base frame. The roof frame has a fixed roof portion engaging a movable roof portion and a hydraulic system for adjusting the position of the movable roof. The fixed and movable roof portions are mutually engaged by a hinge system enabling vertical arcuate motion of the movable roof portion relative to the fixed roof portion. A fabric or thin sheet material cover is mounted over the fixed and the movable roofs so as to protect an aircraft stored within the shelter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: James M. Ross
  • Publication number: 20010035203
    Abstract: The present invention a collapsible shelter comprises spaced apart first and second upright pleated wall sections disposed substantially parallel to each other, first and second slanted pleated roof sections joined at upper ends to form a saw tooth roof peak, and joined at lower ends to upper ends of said wall section to form saw tooth wall-roof junctions, wherein said pleated wall sections together with said pleated roof sections form a tunnel member which is collapsible by folding said pleated sections onto each other in accordion style.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Michael D. Clee, Steve Ostrowski
  • Publication number: 20010035204
    Abstract: An orchard tent folding structure comprises two frame sets and a shelter member having a plurality of tubular members and a plastic cloth. The frame sets comprise a rod member which is provided with a power source to drive the rod member to turn, a sprocket wheel and a slide wheel linked with the sprocket wheel by a chain member. The sprocket wheel turns along with the rod member. The chain member is formed of a chain section and a steel cable section. The shelter member is fastened at one side with the chain section, and at other side with a first steel cable and a second steel cable of the frame sets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventor: Zong-Tsan Lin
  • Publication number: 20010022189
    Abstract: A camouflage shelter (1) has a collapsible self-supporting subframe (3), which is assembled from a lattice of poles (4), which are coupled in an articulated manner at their ends and form scissor-like pairs. The poles (4) are rotatably connected at their intersections (7). The camouflage shelter (1) has a camouflage net (8) arranged loosely over outer bearing points (5) of the subframe (3) and consisting of a polyester mesh with a perforated structure, incorporated metal fibers and a coating which contains absorbent pigments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventor: Gerd Hexels
  • Patent number: 6276381
    Abstract: A protective covering device having a weather-resistant sheet of material wound about a spring-loaded roller, which material may be extended off the roller and over an object to be covered in a relatively easy manner, and which material may then be spring-assisted back onto the roller during the uncovering of such object. Simple air buffered deceleration of the cover as it settles over the object to be covered is designed into the apparatus of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventor: Paul W. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6216291
    Abstract: An enclosure bed apparatus including a bed having a mattress supported on a bed frame, and wheels rotatably supported at a bottom thereof so as to rollably support the mattress on a floor, an enclosure frame extending over the mattress and having a lower portion affixed to the bed frame such that a bottom of the legs is supported a distance above the floor, and an enclosure affixed to the enclosure frame so as to extend over and around the mattress. A clamp is used so as to connect the lower portion of the enclosure frame to the bed frame. The enclosure has a top and a plurality of side walls and a bottom. The bottom of the enclosure is interposed between the mattress and the bed frame. The top of the enclosure extends over and around the upper structure of the enclosure frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Safe-T-Care Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Norman Eads, Barry Bearden
  • Patent number: 6213138
    Abstract: An improved tent frame apparatus comprising a rectangular tubular network having primarily four corner sections of tubular shape. Each of the corner pieces has a threaded hook and nut arrangement in connection with the corner in order to tightly stretch a tent flap that is connected to the hook and nut arrangement. In this manner, a tent flap having an eyelet may be connected to the hook and nut and then be tightly stretched in order to connect the tent to the frame structure by means of the tent flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: Ronald Lee Wimpee
  • Patent number: 6200060
    Abstract: The connector device of the arched poles of a tent is remarkable in that it includes two components (4-5), (9-10) which are able to be coupled into each other in a configuration and connection in the form of a knee permitting a positioning of said components either in a vertical plane or in an extension corresponding to the assembly and placing under tension of the segments of an arch, or by being folded corresponding to a folded position of said segments, and in that a male component (4-9) has on either side of its median portion a part receiving the end of the upper segment and opposite an arm of great length equipped with means permitting its articulation on the second component (5-10) and its locking into position, and in that a female component (5-10) has on either side of a median portion on the one hand means permitting the attachment of a lower segment, and on the other a fork shape (5b-10d) having a V configuration with inside an oblong port having a V configuration and permitting the positioning, th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Manufacture Stephanoise de Transformations Textiles M.S.T.T. (SA Counseil d'Administration)
    Inventor: Jacques Vernay
  • Patent number: 6196245
    Abstract: The subject invention discloses an arbor comprising a frame having at least three wall supports attachable to each other, at least three legs, each leg attachable to the wall supports, a removable cover which overhangs the wall supports, and a plurality of side panels which may include mesh areas and zippered openings to allow access to the interior of the arbor. The side panels may be provided with anchoring strips to anchor the arbor to the ground. Each of the side panels may be removably attachable to an appropriate portion of the cover by means including a hook and loop strip appropriately disposed on adjacent edges of these components. Further, the arbor may also comprise roof supports where a peaked arbor is desired. The wall supports, roof supports, and legs may all be formed of respective members which can be selectively connectable to each other for length when the arbor is in use or detached from each other for convenience in storage and transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Robert Eastman
  • Patent number: 6170504
    Abstract: An improved tent frame is disclosed. The tent frame includes a connector, a first curved flexible strap and a second curved flexible strap. The tent frame is composed of a first receptacle having a first end and a second end thereof, and a second receptacle having a first end and a second end thereof, with the receptacles pivotally connected to each other substantially at midpoints thereof. The first curved flexible strap has a first end attachable to the first end of the first receptacle and a second end attachable to the first end of the second receptacle. The second curved flexible strap has a first end attachable to the second end of the first receptacle and a second end attachable to the second end of the second receptacle. The curved flexible straps are configured so that an empty space sufficient to accommodate at least one user is formed between the curved flexible straps after the ends of the curved flexible straps are attached to the ends of the receptacles of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventor: Zung-Lin Tsai
  • Patent number: 6170503
    Abstract: A waterproof shelter includes a frame having two elongated first sides and two short second sides, a canopy mounted on the top of the frame and having two elongated first sides and two short second sides, two elongated side panels each mounted on one of the two first sides of the frame and each having a top side securely bonded to one of the two first sides of the canopy by means of a heat welding process, two end connecting panels each having a first side and a second side, the first side securely bonded to one of the two second sides of the canopy by means of a heat welding process, and at least one auxiliary sheltering panel mounted on one of the two second sides of the frame, and having a top side secured to the second side of one of the two end connecting panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Taiwan Shin Yeh Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mei-Mei Lin Shy
  • Patent number: 6167897
    Abstract: A metal canopy for a structure has an expansion strut which is directly affixed to a wall of the structure and at least one panel assembly for attachment to the expansion strut. More than one of the expansion struts may be affixed to the wall in abutting relationship to lengthen the span of the canopy. The expansion strut has flanges around its edges for attachment of the panel assembly or assemblies. A plurality of outwardly angled tabs are also positioned on the strut. Each of the panel assemblies has at least two panels, each of which has an upwardly extending flange along each of its sides, with adjacent panels aligned with corresponding flanges in abutting relationship. The panel assembly also has first and second end pieces affixed to an outside edge of the panel assembly along the outside edge of the outermost panels, with the end pieces having a bottom edge and a side edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Innovative Metals Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Resso, Dale Reagan
  • Patent number: 6085767
    Abstract: A tent structure convertible from a hanging tent to a ground-based tent is herein described. The tent structure includes a top portion having slots, T-shaped connectors stitched into the base portion and resilient rods having ends arranged to be inserted into either the slots or the T-shaped members. For use as a hanging tent, the ends of the resilient rods are inserted into connectors on opposite sides of the tent such that the resilient rods extend across the base portion of the tent and the tent is then hung from support structure(s). As a result of this arrangement, the base of the tent is firmly supported by the resilient rods and the tent is supported above the ground. For use as a ground-based tent, the connectors are pivoted such that the connectors are adjacent to the sides of the tent and the resilient rods are inserted one end into a connector and a second end into a slot such that the resilient rods extend along the sides of the tent and support the top portion of the tent above the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Brent Maslow
  • Patent number: 6044794
    Abstract: A contoured and suspended pet bed includes a frame and a cover. The frame has a cover ring which has an oval shape and a frame which can have cantilever, or S-shaped suspension. The cover is slipped over the top of the frame and has two flaps which are retained in place with VELCRO strips. The cover is structured such that there is extra material which will form a depression where the pet lays. This extra material not only supports the bottom of the pet but will contact the sides of the pet, similar to a hammock. If the cover is fabricated from a super stretchable synthetic material such as spandex, there would be no need to form a depression in the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventors: Lucy A. Raitanen, Gregory J. Clower
  • Patent number: 6021796
    Abstract: A lightweight, spacious and collapsible tent having an apex and contacting the ground on three struts, utilizing: three collapsible subframes each containg four struts pivotally connected at one end to a central hub and extending radially outward to a distal end; a flexible covering having four sides and corners, said covering overlaying the hub and struts and extending so that each corner extends to the distal end of a strut; each of said subframes being connected along two sides to one of the sides of each of the other two subframes; each of said subframes having a strut the distal end of which is pivotally connected to the distal end of a strut from each of the other two subframes to form the apex of the tent; and each of said subframes resting on the ground on the distal end of a strut farthest from the apex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: T.A. Pelsue Company
    Inventor: David A. Vavra
  • Patent number: 6021794
    Abstract: A portable shelter is provided including a frame having a base and a collapsible upper portion. A cover is removably mounted on the upper portion of the frame. A pair of shoulder straps are each coupled to the base of the frame for allowing the same to be worn on a back of a user. Next provided is a bag mounted on the base for receiving the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: Jose Inez Guerra
  • Patent number: 5906078
    Abstract: A clean environment enclosure assembly (10) fabricated of a framework comprising a plurality of struts (18, 118, 218) with a plastic sheet (20) suspended between the struts (18, 118, 218) to define an enclosed space (12). A cap (22, 122, 222) is secured to and extends longitudinally along each of the struts (18, 118, 218), the cap (22, 122, 222) presenting a generally planar outer surface (24, 124, 224) and a groove (26, 126, 226) extending longitudinally there along. The sheet (20) is disposed in the groove (26, 126, 226) and overlays the planar surface (24, 124, 224) of the cap (22, 122, 222). A retainer strip (28, 128, 228) is retained in the groove (26, 126, 226) to sandwich the sheet (20) in the groove (26, 126, 226).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Gallagher-Kaiser Corporation
    Inventor: George O. Cramer
  • Patent number: 5819474
    Abstract: A temporary shelter for use with an existing frame structure is provided. The temporary shelter has a flexible sheet having a pair of parallel slits. The flexible sheet encloses the frame structure to define an inner shelter space. A pair of zipper structures are provided. Each zipper structure has a separable zipper chain composed of two interlocking halves having fastening elements attached to flexible tapes. The fastening elements are interlocked and separated by a slider. The slider is operatively connected to the interlocking halves. Each flexible tape has an adhesive strip located on a back portion of the flexible tape and extends along side and parallel to the fastening elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Willard H. Strom
  • Patent number: 5813160
    Abstract: A portable hunting blind includes a collapsible frame structure having an upper frame assembly defined by generally U-shaped interconnecting sections and a lower frame assembly defined by generally U-shaped interconnecting sections, the frame assemblies being provided with a continuous track to accommodate movement of traveler assemblies therealong. The traveler assemblies each include oppositely disposed wheels which ride within the continuous track and a hook member extending from the frame assembly for removable attachment to a respective top or bottom peripheral edge of a curtain. The curtain can be provided with a camouflage pattern to suit any environment and is pulled closed, about the continuous track of the upper and lower frame assemblies, to define front, back and side walls. The front, back and side walls include window openings with closure flaps to facilitate viewing and firing of a weapon therethrough from within the blind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Inventor: Cary W. Thoelke
  • Patent number: 5711337
    Abstract: A party tent has a frame that includes an inner frame supported above an outer frame by a plurality of truss members. The inner frame is smaller than the outer frame in at least one dimensional aspect so that the span across the inner frame is less than the span across the outer frame. In the preferred embodiment, at least one cross member extends across the inner frame and supports a vertical member that extends away from the surface. During the assembly, the internal frame of the tent is put together so that the covering can be placed over this frame while it is at a height of less than six feet. The vertical members are then erected under the covering, thus lifting and stretching the covering for an aesthetically pleasing appearance. After the internal frame, vertical members, and covering are in place, a series of legs is positioned under the tent, thus supporting the tent in a normal fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Inventor: Joseph E. McKenney
  • Patent number: 5678904
    Abstract: A detachable wardrobe comprises a frame device and a casing enclosing the frame device. The frame device comprises a top frame having four three-way corner joints, a middle frame having four four-way joints, a bottom frame having four three-way bottom joints, a first bearing plate disposed on the bottom frame, a second bearing plate disposed on the middle frame, and a plurality of longitudinal rods disposed between the top frame and the middle frame and disposed between the middle frame and the bottom frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventor: Tzu-Wen Hung
  • Patent number: 5671766
    Abstract: A portable, adjustable tent assembly including a frame having first and a second opposite side sections, each having a plurality of individual support members hingedly secured with one another and structured to independently move between an extended and a collapsed orientation. Further, the tent assembly includes a primary and secondary roof panel, constructed of at least one flexible material sheet, and disposed in spanning relation between the primary and secondary horizontal supports of each side section, a front and rear wall panel extend respectively between spaced apart forward support members and spaced apart rear support members, and first and second side wall panels disposed correspondingly between the horizontal support members and the forward, central and rear support members. Each of the various panels being structured to define a corresponding portion of the tent assembly without restricting full collapsibility thereof wherein the fully collapsed opposite side sections generally abut one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Inventor: Johnny R. Williams
  • Patent number: 5638848
    Abstract: An improved tent comprising a fabric enclosure having a floor, walls, and a roof, supported by an external, free-standing frame comprising upwardly extending leg poles, roof poles; and yoke connectors having three tubular members for releasably connecting each pole to at least two other poles. The poles have tubular ends which are dimensioned to fit within the tubular members of the yoke connectors. Each yoke connector also has a flange extending between tubular members, with an eye in the flange. The fabric enclosure hangs tautly from the frame through the use of one or more loops, one or more pole sleeves, and connectors releasably engageable with the eyes in the flanges attached to the yoke connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Acadamy Broadway Corp.
    Inventor: Carl J. November
  • Patent number: 5598668
    Abstract: The invention is an adjustable building frame comprising a plurality of interfitting parts. The frame includes a base having a pair of opposing receiving surfaces and several parallel roof members received and connected by and between the receiving surfaces. The roof members are generally perpendicularly to the opposing receiving surfaces of the base. Each roof member comprises at least two telescoping sections which may be telescoped together or apart to adjust the length of the roof member. Increasing the length of each roof member of the frame increases the height and volumetric area defined by the frame, and decreasing the length of the roof members decreases the height and volumetric area defined by the frame. A flexible cover is attachable to the roof members by a plurality of clasps or a flexible but more rigid cover is attachable to the roof members by a series of bolts. The cover ideally overlaps itself, so that it will expand or retract as the height of the frame is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Inventor: Fred S. Isom
  • Patent number: 5584311
    Abstract: An internal, self-supporting, tent suppot framework. The collapsible framework includes a number of side and ridge support poles which mount to radially adjustable pole couplers. The couplers retain the support poles at preferred angular orientations in multiple wall planes as a support skeleton for an overlying fabric cover. Each coupler includes a pair of cast sleeves wherein a body piece includes a longitudinal bore, a projecting wing arm and a pair of hinge arms having transverse bores. A horizontal pole couples the hinge arms together in one plane, as a pair of other poles are supported to the longitudinal bores in a second plane at a splay angle established by the wing arms. The wing arms overlap and are retained with a fastener fitted between the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Inventor: Gary Schaefer
  • Patent number: 5551110
    Abstract: A collapsible sunshade(50) includes a pair of support arms(54a, 54b). Disposed on outer ends of the support arms are a pair of ribs (62a, 62b). A fabric sheet (51) is disposed between the ribs to form a sunshade. The support arms include a pair of outwardly extending lever arms (58a, 58b). The ribs similarly include a pair of lever arms (64a and 64b). A pair of push rods (70a, 70b) extend between the lever arms of the support arms and the ribs. As the support arms are moved from a closed position in which they are substantially parallel to an open position in which they are substantially apart, the lever arms cause the ribs to extend outward thereby extending the shade. Preferably the sun shade is designed to be fitted on a collapsible headrest such that the combination of the collapsible shade and headrest can be easily stowed and transported by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Beachead Products Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Armstrong, Roger L. Sortino
  • Patent number: 5499646
    Abstract: A foldable tent is provided which achieves the desired stretch of a cloth tent body when fully pitched. The foldable tent includes a cylindrical center member comprising a top cylinder and a bottom cylinder detachably coupled to each other. A cylindrical slider having a notch on its inner surface is movably fitted over the center member. An elastic locking member is mounted in the to cylinder of the center member for locking the slider. The locking member has a locking projection snapping into the notch of the slider. A release mechanism for releasing the locking projection from the notch of the slider is received in the bottom cylinder. The tent framework further includes a plurality of ribs. Each the rib is hinged to a corresponding pipe frame and the slider at its opposed ends such that an angle formed between it and the top cylinder when pitching the tent is less than 90.degree.. This foldable tent is easily pitched and struck regardless of tent size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Inventor: Woon Lee
  • Patent number: 5439018
    Abstract: A tent includes a canvas and a frame. The canvas includes a rectangular floor piece and two pairs of opposite triangular side pieces thereby forming a substantially pyramid-like structure, the rectangular floor piece having a loop at each of four corners thereof. The frame includes two flexible triangular members respectively mounted to three sides of each of one pair of opposite triangular side pieces with top vertices of the triangular members meeting at an apex of the canvas. Each flexible triangular member is collapsible such that the vertices thereof coincide with one another. A fastening member passes through the loops after the triangular members are collapsed to retain the triangular members in the collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Inventor: Tzung-Lin Tsai
  • Patent number: 5439017
    Abstract: A frame of flexible hoops sets up automatically through spring tension. The frame has a first hoop and a second hoop attached to the first hoop at equally spaced apart quadrant points. The hoops can flex and twist relative to each other at the quadrant points, but cannot translate away from each other. Tension members hold the erected frame into an oblong shape. Fabric or elastic panels can form the floor, roof and sides, of a tent. The frame may be collapsed to a compact size by folding it into a series of spiralling hoops, against the spring force of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Blue Leaf Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas M. Brown
  • Patent number: 5438717
    Abstract: A canopy support for supporting a canopy above a bed or other desired area includes at least one support member including an elongated post positionable in an upright condition adjacent the bed or desired area and a base or other fastening members for maintaining the elongated post in an upright condition. Elongated support structure from which a canopy is to be supported is fixedly joined at one end to the support member so as to extend over the bed so that the elongated support structure is maintained in a free-standing condition above the bed or desired area and so that when the canopy is supported by the elongated support structure, the canopy overhangs the bed or desired area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Inventor: Robert T. Wells
  • Patent number: 5439016
    Abstract: A substantially cone-shaped tent comprises a plurality of rods connected to each other in the region of the top of the tent and arranged to extend divergingly downwardly to the ground on which the tent stands and bear thereagainst while each forming substantially a generatrix of an imagined cone, a substantially cone-shaped tent cloth adapted to bear on the outside of and be carried by the rods, and means adapted to interconnect adjacent rods at a distance from the top of the tent so as to hold them in a determined mutual position. Said interconnecting means comprise elongated rigid elements with a first engaging member at each end thereof, and the rods have second engaging members arranged to enter into engagement with the first engaging members arranged on the corresponding rigid elements when connecting adjacent rods by means of the rigid elements and by that hold two adjacent rods at a mutual distance defined by the rigid element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Inventor: Bengt Grahn
  • Patent number: 5429148
    Abstract: A portable structure to be used by an individual in an upright or seated position. Such a structure will be assembled where desired by first assembling tube connectors and inserting the tube assemblies into the cup shaped receptors around the opposing major body components. This skeleton assembly will then be covered with a suitable flexible material using temporary "S" shaped hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventor: Robert Hammer