Arch Member Patents (Class 135/136)
  • Patent number: 6478038
    Abstract: A screen includes a collapsible frame member having an arcuate member, and a strut member extending from the arcuate member such that a substantially three legged structure is formed. A covering extends between opposite sides of the arcuate member around the strut member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Gray Matter Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Edward Le Gette, Justin Saul Werner
  • Publication number: 20020157697
    Abstract: A tent which includes a body, a door which is connected to the body by a seam line, a zipper sewn and attached to the body and the door, a slider for opening and closing the zipper and connection equipment for holding an open portion of the door. The zipper includes a holder provided with a pair of through holes for holding the slider when a user opens and closes the door. The connection equipment includes an elastic string and a connection portion which is attached to a position which is connected to the seam line and the zipper. With a holder hole of the zipper slider and the connection portion at the bottom of the tent door integrated into the body of the tent, the door of the tent does not reach to the ground while people go in and out, thus making outdoor life more enjoyable and comfortable by preventing the tent door from getting dirty or damaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Kyong-Jai Choi
  • Patent number: 6470901
    Abstract: A tent comprises a shell and a frame comprising a plurality of poles extending over the shell holding the shell up in an erect configuration in which the shell encloses a living space. Tension-taking trussing extends between the poles on the exterior of the shell to stabilize the tent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: American Recreation Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Scherer
  • Patent number: 6463948
    Abstract: A tent with an exterior screen structure (200) having an inner tent structure (310), including an inner fabric enclosure (311) which serve as walls (328, 330, 332), roof (334) and floor (336) of the inner tent structure (310) and an outer tent structure (210) including an outer fabric enclosure (211). A single frame (212) supports both inner (311) and outer fabric enclosures (211).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventor: Youn Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 6454340
    Abstract: A collapsible top (13) fits over a child's pull wagon (10), may be taken apart easily, and flatly packaged for store display or mail order shipment. It has a light weight, flexible frame (15) universally adjustable to fit the various sizes of wagon beds (12). In principle, however, the top may be scaled up as a tent for adults, or as a canopy for outdoor recreation. The top includes a cover material (14) stretched between a pair of spaced hoop members (16). They are bowed into an arch above their lower ends which are fitted into mounting brackets (20) secured to the corners of the wagon. A spreader rod (22) forces apart the arched portions of the hoop members sufficiently at the top to develop an overhang beyond the ends of the wagon, thereby allowing the lower legs adjustment to any wagon size, and creating internal mutual stresses between the frame and the cover in a modular, unitary structure strengthened thereby enough to avoid having to use intermediate ribs or other support parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventors: Mark E. Miller, Kathleen R. Mattone
  • Publication number: 20020092554
    Abstract: A canopy tent with an automatic umbrella-type collapsible frame is disclosed. The frame allows a user to easily, simply and quickly pitch or close the tent, in addition to simplifying its construction. In the collapsible frame (12) of the tent (10), a rib holder (14) rotatably holds the collapsible ribs (24) at its upper end while allowing the ribs to be stretchable in a radial direction when pitching the tent. A stopper (20) is mounted to the lower end of the rib holder (14), while a rope connector (22) is integrally formed at the lower end of the rib holder (14) and is used for holding a tension rope extending from the center of the ceiling part of the tent's canopy. A spreader holder (16) is movably fitted over the shank part of the rib holder (14) such that the spreader holder is movable upward and downward along the shank part. The spreader holder (16) rotatably holds the collapsible spreaders (28) while allowing the spreaders to be stretchable in a radial direction when pitching the tent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Se-Il Ham, Gi-Hun Kim
  • Publication number: 20020083971
    Abstract: A collapsible vehicle storage system having a pair of spaced apart, tapered side walls, where the distance therebetween is sufficient to accommodate a vehicle. The respective sides walls pivotally mount plural U-shaped support members, with adjacent members hinged together, where the members are covered by a flexible canopy, such as canvas. At least one ratchet arm is provided to manually pivot the respective U-shaped members from an open position to a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Jerry M. Blount
  • Patent number: 6363955
    Abstract: A self-deploying, collapsible and foldable fabric structure suitable for use as a shelter, shower stall or modesty screen in a changing room, comprises a base panel formed by a piece of fabric stretched over a flexible wire-looped frame. A series of additional flexible close wire-loop frames are mounted over the base panel at spaced-apart locations, and are covered with another piece of fabric to form a tubular enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Billwin Auto Accessories, Ltd.
    Inventor: Wai Hang Louie
  • Patent number: 6360760
    Abstract: A self-erecting, collapsible fabric shelter structure whose armature comprises two or more panels, each formed by a resiliently flexible filiform loop, and a pair of resiliently bendable arcuate rods tensioned between each two adjacent panels. A piece of cloth is spread between the loop of each end panel to form the end walls, and another over the rods to form the roof of the structure. Each panel can be folded into three small rings by a 360 degree twist of its loop, causing the associated rods to conveniently coil around the rings to form a compact package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Billwin Auto Accessories Limited
    Inventors: Hang Wai Louie, Ming Tak Yau
  • Patent number: 6345639
    Abstract: A collapsible shelter/tent, such as for example an umbrella tent, has a collapsible frame with a plurality of legs that are erected by manually moving two devises toward one another. The shelter/tent includes an improved locking mechanism that very securely maintains the structure in an erected position. The improved locking mechanism includes a generally vertical pin extending from one of the devises that is received inside a socket supported on the other of said clevises. The socket has an engaging member therein that can engage a groove in the generally vertical pin after said generally vertical pin has been inserted into said socket. Preferably, the engaging member is spring biased into the groove. The shelter/tent also includes a variety of novel frame structures. An erection device for erecting a collapsible tent is also included. The erection device includes an elongated pole and a slide member that can be used to control relative movement of the devises toward and away from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Negocios de Estella S.A.
    Inventors: Gisele B. Rousselle, Dennis C. Surrendi
  • Patent number: 6311709
    Abstract: A self-erecting, collapsible and foldable dome structure comprises an armature formed by two unconnected loops of resiliently flexible wire concentrically and orthogonally intersecting at the center of the structure, and being bent into a dome shaped configuration. The fabric cover comprises two commensurate cruciform sheets joined around their peripheries to form an envelope containing the armature, and a series of gore panels filing the gaps between the arms of the cruciform envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Billwin Auto Accessories, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wai Hang Louie, Ming Tak Yau
  • Patent number: 6276095
    Abstract: A support structure including a first and a second upper ring member. The support structure further includes a lower circular foundation of a diameter greater than the diameters of the first and second upper ring members. A plurality of initially straight and elongated structural members extend from each of the upper ring members. Extending from each of the ring members are an equal number of structural members. The structural members extend radially at angular intervals on both the upper and lower rings. Each of the structural members have a first and a second lateral end. The structural members are secured at their first lateral ends to either the first or second upper ring members. The structural members are further secured at their second lateral ends to the lower foundation. Thereafter, the structural members are manipulated to create a lattice formation comprised of S-shaped, elastically-modified structural members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventor: Lazaros C. Tripsianes
  • Patent number: 6199572
    Abstract: A collapsible shelter/tent, such as for example an umbrella tent, has a collapsible frame with a plurality of legs that are erected by manually moving two clevises toward one another. The shelter/tent includes an improved locking mechanism that very securely maintains the structure in an erected position. The improved locking mechanism includes a generally vertical pin extending from one of the clevises that is received inside a socket supported on the other of said clevises. The socket has an engaging member therein that can engage a groove in the generally vertical pin after said generally vertical pin has been inserted into said socket. Preferably, the engaging member is spring biased into the groove. The shelter/tent also includes a variety of novel frame structures. An erection device for erecting a collapsible tent is also included. The erection device includes an elongated pole and a slide member that can be used to control relative movement of the clevises toward and away from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Negocios de Estela S.A.
    Inventors: Gisele B. Rousselle, Dennis C. Surrendi
  • Patent number: 6186640
    Abstract: A hand bag includes an axle structure; several arched support ribs each having a first rib end and a second rib end and being rotatably mounted at the first and second rib ends to the axle structure and bowing outwardly between the first and second rib ends; and flexible sheet material laterally interconnecting the support ribs, so that the sheet material folds and unfolds in accordion fashion as the ribs rotate about the axle structure, the flexible sheet material having an opening defining a hand bag access opening. The several of support ribs preferably include two immediately adjacent opening ribs which are not interconnected by the sheet material, so that rotating the opening ribs about the axle structure away from each other defines between the opening ribs the hand bag access opening. The hand bag preferably additionally includes a hand bag internal lighting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Melina Typaldos
  • Patent number: 6140576
    Abstract: Protective shield tent (100, 300, 400) provides a portable and repeatable method for protecting assemblies during various stages of a manufacturing process. Protective shield tent (100, 300, 400) is light weight and can be deployed manually. Protective shield tent (100, 300, 400) is simple to use and shortens the time required for a manufacturing process. The invention provides a simple, accurate, low-cost, and repeatable method for using a portable EMI shielding apparatus for protecting a component or large subassembly during various stages of a manufacturing process. A portable collapsible frame is provided along with a removable protective covering which is mounted over the collapsible frame to create an EMI shield around the component or subassembly. Protective shield tent (100, 300, 400) can easily be moved from one location to another facilitating re-use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Melvin Kanne, Ian Mark Whiting
  • Patent number: 6108980
    Abstract: The invention relates to a building element for lightweight constructions, such as halls and airship structures, having first wall segments mutually spaced, hollow and subjected to overpressure and extending over the whole thickness of the wall, with an intermediate space being formed between the wall segments and designed at least in parts as a negative pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Dieter Braun
  • Patent number: 6016823
    Abstract: A collapsible portable bale shaped field blind for wildlife observers and hunters generally includes a cylindrical and collapsible tubular frame supported upon a sled-like base. The frame, when fully extended, has a cylindrical shape much like that of a hay bale. In a collapsed shape, the frame is completely folded down suitably into a sled base. The frame has a camouflage waterproof fabric fastened there over and cooperates with the folding of the frame. A stand-up hatchway which is covered by a camouflaged arcuate door frame is pivotally mounted on the top of the collapsible frame. A stretch cord is provided which biases the arcuate door frame into either the fully open or fully closed position. Windows and viewing slots are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: Curtis J. Hill
  • Patent number: 5950649
    Abstract: An arch element (1") for protecting roofs has at least one tubular arch (2) held in the curved state by at least one brace (4). The ends of arch and brace (2, 4) are interconnected by end connectors (3). In order to keep the brace (2) out of the direct connection between both end connectors (3) and to guide it along the arch (2) at a certain distance thereof, a flat connecting part (5) is arranged between and joined to arch and brace (2, 4). By using three arches (2), two braces (4) designed as bracing booms, four fabric or plastic connecting surfaces (5) that join the braces (4) to the arches (2), and three spacers (10) that keep the outer arches (2) apart, an unsupported, dimensionally stable three-dimensional arch element (1") is obtained that may be used directly as a shade or associated to other arch elements to carry roof surfaces. By using arches (2), spacers (10) and end connectors (3) that can be plugged into each other, the arch element (1") may be dismounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Gerig Grafik Design
    Inventor: Thomas Gerig
  • Patent number: 5930971
    Abstract: A structural system for a building wherein multiple elongate rigid structural members, in the nature of posts and beams, include internal tensioning cables which, upon an end joining of the structural members, are interlocked and tensioned to each other and relative to a fixed foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventor: Diana C. Etheridge
  • Patent number: 5906217
    Abstract: A collapsible portable bale shaped field blind for wildlife observers and hunters generally includes a cylindrical and collapsible tubular frame supported upon a sled-like base. The frame, when fully extended, has a cylindrical shape much like that of a hay bale. In a collapsed shape, the frame is completely folded down suitably into a sled base. The frame has a camouflage waterproof fabric fastened there over and cooperates with the folding of the frame. A stand-up hatchway which is covered by a camouflaged arcuate door frame is pivotally mounted on the top of the collapsible frame. A stretch cord is provided which biases the arcuate door frame into either the fully open or fully closed position. Windows and viewing slots are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Inventor: Curtis J. Hill
  • Patent number: 5901727
    Abstract: Tent structure includes a canopy formed of flexible sheet material. Poles are employed to support the canopy to form a tent interior. A web structure is attached to the canopy and formed of flexible sheet material. The web structure is maintained under tension when the canopy is supported. An article storage and support member formed of flexible sheet material is attached to the web structure within the tent interior and maintained under tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Mountain Hardwear, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Frederick Kramer, Martin S. Zemitis
  • Patent number: 5797411
    Abstract: A framework is provided for a tent canopy which is capable of being erected and collapsed quickly and simply. A cart is able to support the tent framework during erecting and collapsing and is used for transporting between erection sites. The framework has a center post which is pivotally attached to four roof beams which are oriented at 90 degree increments. Each roof beam is pivotally attached to a leg and each leg to two side bars, which side bars are linearly connectable to a mating side bar mounted on an adjacent leg. Each leg pivots to a vertical orientation and rests on the ground. The framework uses a cord and pulley apparatus for collapsing the cloth canopy which covers the framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Inventor: Alonzo E. Parker
  • Patent number: 5730281
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a canopy kit comprising a plurality of elongated pipes and a series of corner connectors and a package for containing the various kit components. An elongated container is provided and the various components of the kit, including the corner connectors and pipes, are disposed within the container such that the components of the kit structurally reinforce the total package and wherein the individual corner connectors are strategically disposed throughout the package so as to support the elongated pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Powell & Powell Supply Inc.
    Inventors: Billy R. Powell, David R. Powell, Tony A. Powell
  • Patent number: 5666986
    Abstract: A tent frame device comprising a hub from which radiates a multiplicity of ribs when the device is in use. The hub is provided with a multiplicity of retaining portions which extend in a tangential direction and which are spaced apart around the hub. A multiplicity of abutment portions are positioned outwardly of the retaining portions respectively. Respective rib-end portions are provided with respective recesses which are open in an intended upward direction and which receive the retaining portions respectively when the device is in use. The undersides of the rib-end portions abut the abutment portions. The invention extends to a tent frame comprising such a hub device and a multiplicity of ribs which radiate from the hub when the device is in use. It also extends to a frame having ribs which can each be folded at one or more joints having engagement means which maintain the relative orientation of the different parts of the rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Fox Design International Limited
    Inventor: Clifford Royston Fox
  • Patent number: 5638852
    Abstract: A combined sunbather shade and carrying case including two semicircular-shaped, stretchable panels of opaque material attached together along the arcuate portion of their perimeters, a semi-rigid semicircular tube of sufficient dimension for insertion between the two panels along their arcuate perimeters and for support thereof, easily releasable fastening means to retain the semicircular tube between the panels during use, and an elongated wire component smaller in diameter than the semicircular tube so that each of its ends can be inserted into one of the openings in each end of the semicircular tube, the wire component being made of a flexible material which can be reversibly shaped into different configurations but which is able to retain the configuration into which it is formed until reshaped, the wire component providing a support structure for the semicircular tube and panels, the attached stretchable panels having sufficient dimension for use in preventing solar radiation from reaching selected parts
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Hilary Dean