Abstract: Collapsible structures are provided with enhancements and other features that impart additional utility or amusement value to the basic underlying structure. The collapsible structure has at least one foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form a panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. An electrical component can attached to the fabric material, and an electrical coupling connected to the electrical component. Alternatively, a two-dimensional or three-dimensional object can be attached to the fabric material.

Abstract: A transparent, disposable cover for patients during their transport. The cover protects against cigarette smoke, air borne bacteria, dust, etc. The cover can vary in size and has multiple access panels held in place with VELCRO®. The cover may feature multiple bacterial filters. The cover will fit three types of holders: corner holders, “T” shaped frames, and a canopy frame. A disaster emergency cover and frame, and a utility cart cover are also embodiments of the present invention.

Abstract: An electric fan with mounted light (6) mounted overhead within a square dome camping tent (1). The fan/light unit is supported by a series of fiberglass poles (12), and pole footings (10). The fan/light unit is powered by a portable power supply and control unit (7) which contains power switches (23), an updraft/downdraft switch (24), an accessory plug (25), and a charger plug (27).

Abstract: Collapsible structures are provided with enhancements and other features that impart additional utility or amusement value to the basic underlying structure. The collapsible structure has at least one foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form a panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. An electrical component can attached to the fabric material, and an electrical coupling connected to the electrical component. Alternatively, a two-dimensional or three-dimensional object can be attached to the fabric material.

Abstract: A cabin cot includes a canopy, a base sheet, and legs. The base sheet forms a bed portion, and the canopy includes window mosquito netting portions. A plurality of legs support the cabin cot. A pair of ribs having stop portions are assembled in end frame members, and the end frame members are connected to side members for supporting the base sheet. The ribs are formed as rods of flexible material, so that they can be stored or carried as a generally straight piece, and can be manually bent or flexed into position in the end frame member 40 when assembly is performed. The resiliency of the ribs serves to provide a retaining force which retains each rib in position in retaining apertures in the respective end frame member. The retaining apertures can be disposed at varying angles, and the angle of the retaining apertures determines the amount of force retaining the ribs to the end frame members.

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.

Abstract: A free-standing ceiling structure including an elongate column member having a bottom end and a top end. A plurality of primary arms are attached to the column member and extend radially therefrom. Each primary arm includes first and second sub-arms extending outwardly therefrom. A pair of peripheral panel members are respectively attached to and supported by a primary arm and by the sub-arms attached to the primary arm. A plurality of central canopy members are attached to and supported by the primary arms. A plurality of secondary arms extend radially from the column member and are located below the primary arms. The outer end of each secondary arm includes a light fixture. The column member includes one or more utility devices for providing environmental control and communication services.

Abstract: A patio umbrella that includes a dining table and a fuel-burning radiant heater avoids overheating of the upper canopy by mounting the support on which the upper canopy rests in the shadow cast by a reflector that converges upwardly to a chimney portion. The reflector is affixed to the housing of the combustion chamber. In addition to reflecting radiant heat downwardly onto the table and the diners, the reflector shields the upper canopy support from radiant heat and provides a duct for venting the products of combustion. As the latter pass up through the chimney portion, cooler air is drawn up through the space between the reflector and the upper canopy support thereby preventing hot air from stagnating there. The upper canopy support is mounted to the reflector and spaced above it by a number of insulative ceramic spacers.

Abstract: A portable care facility includes at least one container defining a generally box-shaped configuration in a closed condition. The container is sized for transport and shipping and is constructed and arranged to be openable and expandable from the box-shaped configuration into a larger, operative configuration defining a space sufficient to conduct certain procedures therein. Tenting structure is provided in the container and is sized and configured to be supported over the space to define a ceiling over the space and to extend in at least one direction generally outwardly from the space to define a covered triage area.

Abstract: A tent having a ceiling comprised of a fixed permanent piece of clear flexible plastic material, The tent has a veil which shields or unshields the ceiling of the tent, the veil which when attached to the ceiling protects the interior from excessive heat, direct sunlight or an unencumbered view, or when removed permits an excellent celestial view, The veil functions from within the tents' interior structure. The veil spreads only across the interior surface Of the ceiling of the tent, connecting the outer peripheral edges of the veil to the interior edges of the ceiling, with VELCRO as a means of fastening. This benefit of being able to unshield, or shield the ceiling of the tent from within the interior of the tent structure gives great conveniences, such as privacy, comfort, security, and safety from inclement weather conditions and neighbors.

Abstract: A hunting blind is constructed of a set of reflectively mirrored wall panels with a camouflaged top cover, to form a rectangular structure which reflects the surrounding environment to conceal the structure of the blind. The wall panels are each preferably formed of a rigid sheet of reinforced closed cell foam material, with a sheet of mirrored clear plastic material bonded to one surface of the foam sheet. The mirrored surface of the plastic sheet is preferably secured directly to the foam sheet, thereby sandwiching the mirrored surface between the overlying clear plastic material and the foam panel to protect the mirrored surface from damage. The wall panels are rigidly but removably connected together with corner channel members to form a rigid, inflexible structure. A top closure or roof may be formed of a flexible camouflage sheet, or alternatively of rigid foam sheet having a camouflage pattern thereon.

Abstract: A portable bivouac shelter (10) is provided having an end pole (48) retaining on the top sheet (12) through a tunnel (46) for holding the top sheet (12) in a taught and semi-circular configuration. This permits the top sheet (12) to be held away from the bottom sheet (14) in an open configuration for enhanced ventilation. A top pole (54) is also provided across the top sheet 12 near the head end (20). The top pole (54) cooperates with the flexible end pole (48) to form a sloped roof over a user's head and to hold the top and bottom sheets (12) and (14) in a selected degree of an open configuration. Optional mounting snaps (62) in the interior (24) of the enclosure (18) enable a user to reconfigure the opening (26) without leaving the interior (24) of the shelter (10). The shelter (10) thus provides enhanced ventilation while the sloped roof formed by the top pole (54) prevents the entry of precipitation into the enclosure (18). Optional mosquito netting (32) is zippered on the interior of the opening (26).

Abstract: A tent is provided with a ventilator opening in one corner thereof. The tent includes a pair of side panels which are secured together along a side seam and a top panel which is secured to the side panels along a top seam. One of the side panels is provided with an opening adjacent the top and side seams, and a screen covers the opening. A skirt is secured to the top and side seams and includes a free edge which is spaced from the screen. A stiffener is secured to the skirt adjacent the free edge thereof for maintaining the free edge away from the screen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of establishing and maintaining in sealed tents or the like mobile units, an environment which is independent of the surroundings with regard to temperature and contamination. The invention is characterized by taking air from the surroundings, extracting contaminated particles and gas from the air by filtration, and causing the air to pass into the mobile unit so as to establish a predetermined air pressure which is higher than the air pressure of the surroundings. The filtered air is mixed with air recycled from within the mobile unit when the aforesaid predetermined air pressure has been reached and mixing of the filtered air with recycled air is continued for as long as the internal air pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined air pressure. The air mixture is heated or cooled to a predetermined temperature and is then distributed essentially uniformly in the mobile unit and filtered, in conjunction therewith, so as to extract any remaining particles and gas.

Abstract: A tarpaulin covering system for protecting a pile of material having an array of folded tubular vents connected to a tarpaulin to assist a weighting system on the tarpaulin in the prevention of aerodynamic lift. The vents remain in a folded state when the air pressure between the tarpaulin and the pile of material is minimal. During a period of increased air pressure, the vents in the area of increased air pressure open allowing for the escape of the entrapped air. The venting system prevents a protective tarpaulin from being lifted off the surface of the material pile which may cause damage to the tarpaulin resulting in an decrease in the overall integrity of the protective tarpaulin system.

Abstract: A shading device is provided which consists of a rooflike structure and a mechanism for supporting the rooflike structure above the ground, so that the rooflike structure will serve as a shelter, especially for the interception of rays from the sun to diminish light intensity.

Abstract: A tent supported by a center pole in which the center pole serves as a chimney for a stove disposed within the tent. A water jacket surrounds the center pole for heating water stored in the water jacket. The center pole is formed from pole segments with are nested on top of another through a slip fit connection, whereby the center pole can be disassembled for transporting and storing.

Abstract: An insulating flexible panel adapted to be releasably joined to like panels in side by side relationship, said panel comprising enclosure means for enclosing insulating material therein, said enclosure means presenting a first border and a second border, said second border extending generally outwardly of said enclosure, and releasable fastening means associated with said first and second borders adapted to releasably fasten said first border of one panel to said second border of another panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for tanning which may be easily and conveniently used inside the home. The invention employs a tent structure which can be disassembled and stored in a small place and a conventional sunlamp. The interior surfaces of the tent structure are made of a reflective material. The sunlamp is positioned between the reflective surfaces. In use, a person lies in the interior of the structure below the sunlamp. The person receives direct ultraviolet rays from the sunlamp but in addition receives reflected multidirectional ultraviolet rays from the interior reflective surfaces. The reflected rays increase the surface of the skin which may be reached by ulraviolet rays thereby promoting a more even tan.