Abstract: A foldable dome which comprises a set of bowed supports made up of a driving bowed support, an end bowed support and intermediate bowed supports, said bowed supports ending into levers projecting out of the planes thereof. These bows are supported, on each side of the dome, on bowed supports provided at the top with the pivot mechanism each of which comprises an axle, transverse said bowed supports, over which said levers on one side of said bowed supports are mounted so as to allow rocking of said bowed supports between a folded position, on one side of said axle, and an unfoldable position wherein said bowed supports are supported around said axle in the form of a dome. The axle dividing said levers of said divides and end bowed supports each into a driven section, on the bowed support side and a driving section on the side away from the bowed supports.
Abstract: A tent cover retaining device is disclosed for tents having an exterior frame supporting a tent fabric. A hook extends integrally from each frame member, adjacent to a folding joint, and a rubber string secured to the tent cover is connected to the hook. This prevents the tent cover from slipping down when the frame members adjacent to the joint are folded with the joint upward. The tent cover of the folded tent is stabilized in position and is not permitted to slide loosely on the tubular tent frame component. This is particularly important when the tent is re-erected and the frame is unfolded.
Abstract: The frame for a collapsible canopy is suspended on an externally threaded shaft which extends downwardly from a head in a concave socket at the free end of an overhead supporting arm. A nut which mates with the shaft beneath the frame can be rotated by way of a downwardly extending handle to move the frame into frictional engagement with the underside of the socket while urging the head against the upper side of the socket. If the angular position of the frame is to be changed, or if the frame is to be separated from the arm, the grip of the head and frame upon the socket is relaxed and the shaft is then ready to be withdrawn from an open slot of the socket.
Abstract: An umbrella having an umbrella cover portion, with a stem portion extending downward for providing the coverage for a single individual as a normal umbrella. Further, there is provided a means for separating the stem portion into two separate stem portions, with a section intermediate the stem portion expandable outward to provide that the single coverage umbrella portion expand to a double coverage umbrella portion, with the stem portions at their lowermost end, either hand held by one of the individuals, or may be separated to be held by both individuals being covered under the expanded fold of the umbrella.
Abstract: A modular tent structure comprises a canopy structure (20) including a peripheral frame (23) adapted to support a covering roof sheet (24) and comprising collapsible sides, each constituted by a central crown joint structure to each side of which is pivoted a laterally extending support member (34), and a tie member releasably interconnecting the crown joint structure and the pivotally-connected laterally-extending support members (34). An axially-extendible mast structure is disposed centrally of the peripheral frame and is adjustable to vary tension in the covering roof sheet (24). Bracing means releasably interconnect the central mast structure and each central crown joint of the peripheral frame (23).
Abstract: A sun shade (10) for mounting to a chair or other furniture comprises a support frame (11) including a lateral tube (21) and vertical tubular legs (12, 13) pivotally mounted to the lateral tube. A central clamp (26) is rigidly mounted to the lateral tube (21) and includes a U-shaped opening (36) for engagement over an upper edge portion of the chair. Outboard clamps (41, 42) are slidably positioned on lateral tube (21) and have U-shaped openings (43, 44) for engagement over side edge portions of the chair. Means (22, 23, 24) are provided for resisting the pivotal movement of the tubular legs (12, 13) relative to the lateral tube (21). A canopy assembly (51) is pivotally mounted to the tubular legs (12, 13) and includes a rectangular frame (52) and a fabric panel (56).
Abstract: A storm umbrella comprises a canopy, a center pole, a first sleeve slidably mounted on the center pole, and a plurality of outer ribs extending outwardly from a top of the pole and forming a frame for the canopy. A plurality of intermediate ribs are each connected at one end to a corresponding one of the outer ribs and connected at another end to the first sleeve to support the outer ribs and open and close the canopy. In one embodiment of the invention, the center pole is divided and a rotational joint is connected between upper and lower portions of the center pole. In a second embodiment, the center pole is not divided and the rotational joint is connected between the center pole and a handle for the umbrella. Consequently, in either embodiment, when the canopy is subject to a torsional force, the canopy can rotate relative to the handle to shunt the force. This avoids damage to the umbrella and makes the umbrella easier to hold by a person.
Abstract: A self supporting collapsible tent structure having a tension bearing polygonal shaped floor member defining a first tent level, a plurality of hub members each carrying a plurality of sockets which are pivotal about axes which are co-planer and are interrelated one to the other as the sides of polygon, a series of said hub members disposed in a plane at a second tent level which is spaced apart from said first tent level and whose sockets are pivotal in a first direction, and additional series of said hub members disposed in a plane at a third tent level which is spaced apart from said second tent level and whose sockets are pivotal in a second direction, opposite to the said first direction, a single, apex forming hub member disposed at a fourth tent level and whose sockets are pivotal in said first direction, a first plurality of compression rods, the ends of which are seated in the said sockets of the hub members in slightly curved polygonal planes defined and bounded by the rod members and a second plura
Abstract: A support device for supporting longitudinal rigid members in a poured layer for example rebar within concrete comprises two V-shaped wire elements which are inverted and have parallel rails welded across the elements. Two lower rails are spaced at the end of the legs of the elements to allow the ends of the legs to be inserted into the ground. The elongate members then rest across the upper rails between two apex portions of the elements which extend upwardly above the upper rails. The rails extend out beyond the elements to provide portions which can be inserted into the ground when the device is rotated through 90.degree. to support the elongate members at a different height from the base layer. The use of a wire structure enables the concrete to be poured around the device without the formation of voids. The use of four legs inserted into a sand or similar base provides great stability.
Abstract: There is disclosed a slab (10) adapted to be laid on a floor surface (11) in abutting relationship with like slabs to form an access floor. The slab has at least one channel (20) on its underside extending between edges thereof and adapted to be coincident with the channels of neighboring slabs to form an extended duct through which cabling and the like may be extended.
Abstract: A cane assembly, which is easily convertible between a single-tipped cane and a multitipped cane by operation of a single screw or nut, also includes an adjustable height shaft and enlarged pads on the arms of the multitipped cane to provide greater stability and load distribution to the cane assembly.
Abstract: A walker for aiding the movement of an invalid or other infirm person, comprising a plurality of rigid sections. Each of the sections has two laterally spaced-apart ends. Junction means are provided for removably securing the ends of the rigid sections to each other. Some of the rigid sections are removable from some of the junction means and the walker to form a cane. In addition, the rigid sections are recombinable with the junction means to form a cane. The rigid sections are preferably tubular to provide lightweight strength. These rigid, tubular sections may also include a telescoping portion having a plurality of holes or apertures for adjusting the height of the walker to suit each individual user, and for adjusting the width of the walker.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 7, 1989
Date of Patent:
February 26, 1991
Inventors:
Doris D. Hirn, Joyce R. Boin, Susan L. Breakwell
Abstract: A hydraulic self contained foundation leveling shim is provided and placed in the upper end of a poured concrete foundation leveling pier before curing. Hydraulic hoses lead to the surface to allow hydraulic fluid to be pumped into and removed from the hydraulic chamber of the shim to raise or lower the foundation on the pier. A plurality of the piers and shims is used to level the foundation of a structure that has settled in unstable soil.
Abstract: A combination invalid walker and crutch which includes a four-leg walker base having a pair of horizontally oriented hand grips which enable the base to be used as a conventional walker and to which a pair of vertically adjustable underarm crutch supports are selectively mounted to thereby enable the apparatus to be used as a walker while providing the underarm support of a crutch.
Abstract: A solid wood pole garden umbrella is adapted to permit a hand crank and pulley system to slidably move a ribholder vertically along such wood pole for opening and closing the umbrella. A pulley wheel is mounted in the umbrella pole below its top portion, with one end of a pulley cord attached to the ribholder while the other end of the pulley cord extends through a narrow groove formed longitudinally along the side of the pole down to a lower pole portion where such pulley cord is operatively connected to the hand crank. The pulley cord is contained within the groove in the umbrella pole by a flexible plastic bead or rod which is snugly held or attached to the outer part of the groove to thereby provide a retainer for the pulley cord. The groove and retainer design enables the pulley and crank system to be employed in a solid wooden pole umbrella while maintaining the structural integrity of the pole and avoiding other designs where the pulley cord might interfere with the ribholder operation.
Abstract: A structural member can be used alone or paired with a like member for use as an upright or cross member of a support structure. This structural member has particular application in greenhouse structures where a support structure is formed for retaining transparent panels. The structural members are preferably made of rolled steel and are of a generally `T` configuration with a pair of retaining flanges. The structure simplifies manufacturing by accommodating punching of various fastening ports or forming of securing flanges prior to the rolling operation. Any shaping of the members is easier as the shaping may be carried out on individual members prior to pairing of the members to form an upright or cross member.
Abstract: An automatic umbrella includes a plurality of ribs respectively pivotally secured to a plurality of ferrules respectively mounted or held on a telescopic central shaft, an opening tensioning spring formed in the central shaft for opening the umbrella, and at least a retraction restoring spring for closing the umbrella, in which a lower ferrule pivotally connecting one of the ribs is engageable with a hook portion of a controller formed in the grip when closing the umbrella for stably retaining the umbrella ribs especially when folded.
Abstract: Walker having four legged frame defining front and a pair of sides, each having a cross-bar. The invention provides a stabilizing bar secured to the front cross-bar to extend angularly forwardly at an acute angle to provide a non-tippable structure particularly while the user is using the walker as support during the act of assuming a sitting position or rising therefrom. The stabilizer bar can be adjusted as to length and, can be pivotally mounted so that it can be swingably maneuvered to be inactive when the walker is not being used.
Abstract: A collapsible shed for a vehicle and other objects includes a fixed enclosure anchored to the ground surface having an open front and a telescoping enclosure of inverted U-shape guidably mounted upon the fixed enclosure and at one end movably supported upon the ground surface, to overly the fixed enclosure when collapsed and retractable for an increased storage area. The telescoping enclosure is closed by retractable roller curtain that can be locked down with the movable enclosure in any position.
Abstract: An automatic umbrella includes a retraction restoring spring having an outer spring end contracted to form a narrow spring portion to be embedded in a concavely depressed stretcher rib and having an inner spring end secured to a top rib of a rib assembly for holding an umbrella cloth for smoothly developing the restoring spring force, and an extending spring formed in the central tubular shaft having an upper spring portion having larger spring diameter to be telescopically held in an upper shaft having larger diameter and a lower spring portion having smaller spring diameter than the upper spring portion to be telecopically held in a lower shaft, thereby causing a smooth tensioning or compression of the extending spring in the upper shaft and the lower shaft when extending or retracting the central tubular shaft.