Abstract: A shelter structure is disclosed having a substantially dome-shaped frame comprising a plurality of flexible resilient poles maintained under tension in substantially arcuate shape. The poles are arranged in intersecting relationship and form a plurality of pole crossings. Opposite ends of the poles terminate in a common plane such as the ground or a base. The pole arrangement creates a plurality of adjacent four-sided openings having pole crossings as vertices and sections of poles as sides. A plurality of tension harnesses interconnect diagonal vertices of adjacent openings, thereby providing strength and rigidity to the structure. The frame defines an interior volume and a membrane or covering is connected to the frame to substantially shelter the interior volume.

Abstract: A flexible shelter structure has an elongated flexible main pole having first and second ends terminating in a substantially common plane, such as the ground or a base. The pole typically assumes a substantially arcuate shape under tension. A plurality of spars are connected to the pole in a flexible floating arrangement to form a flexible frame. The spars typically assume a generally arcuate shape under tension but their ends do not terminate in the common plane. A membrane is connected to the flexible frame to tension the main pole and the spars and define a substantially sheltered space.

Abstract: A fastener is provided for removably engaging and holding sections of material, such as a tarp, without piercing the material. One piece of the fastener is a base with one end providing a contact surface for a support structure, and the other forming a substantially elliptical flange. The second piece is a frame having an opening that substantially defines a first ellipse having a first orientation, and a second ellipse having a second orientation. The second elliptical opening is partially occluded at its opposite ends. A section of material to be engaged and held is placed over the elliptical flange. The second piece is oriented to align the first elliptical opening and the elliptical flange, and is inserted over the elliptical flange and section of material to be held. The second piece is then rotated to align the second elliptical opening and elliptical flange.

Abstract: A fastener is provided for removably engaging and holding sections of material, such as a tarp, without piercing the material. One piece of the fastener is a base with one end providing a contact surface for a support structure, and the other forming a substantially elliptical flange. The second piece is a frame having an opening that substantially defines a first ellipse having a first orientation, and a second ellipse having a second orientation. The second elliptical opening is partially occluded at its opposite ends. A section of material to be engaged and held is placed over the elliptical flange. The second piece is oriented to align the first elliptical opening and the elliptical flange, and is inserted over the elliptical flange and section of material to be held. The second piece is then rotated to align the second elliptical opening and elliptical flange.

Abstract: A segmented, articulated pole member structure is constructed of a plurality of pivotally interconnected, pole segments. The pole segments are arranged in an alternating or offsetting fashion such that in their disassembled state they may be folded into a compact bundle for storage. In the assembled state, adjacent pole segments are retained under tension in fixed angular position relative to each other by a pivoting connection and an engagement loop or similar structure. Applications for the pole member structure include the construction of flexible structures such as tents and shelters, and support frames for mounting, supporting, or suspending articles in a desired shape.

Abstract: A connector connects the end segments of one or more poles and a flexible membrane to form a tent, canopy, kite or other flexible shelter or non-shelter structure. The connector has a first and a second body section that are adapted to mate via loosely coupled threads in one adaptation. A portion of a flexible membrane is retained between the two body sections. The first body section has an open end and is adapted to engage an end segment of a pole. The second body section is adapted to be fitted with a ring, hook, or other structure to which a guy wire, rope, or other pole may be connected.

Abstract: A shelter structure is disclosed having a substantially dome-shaped frame comprising a plurality of flexible resilient poles maintained under tension in substantially arcuate shape. The poles are arranged in intersecting relationship and form a plurality of pole crossings. Opposite ends of the poles terminate in a common plane such as the ground or a base. The pole arrangement creates a plurality of adjacent four-sided openings having pole crossings as vertices and sections of poles as sides. A plurality of tension harnesses interconnect diagonal vertices of adjacent openings, thereby providing strength and rigidity to the structure. The frame defines an interior volume and a membrane or covering is connected to the frame to substantially shelter the interior volume.

Abstract: A flexible shelter structure is disclosed. The flexible shelter structure has an elongated flexible main pole having first and second ends terminating in a substantially common plane, such as the ground or a base. The pole typically assumes a substantially arcuate shape under tension. A plurality of spars are connected to the pole in a flexible floating arrangement to form a flexible frame. The spars typically assume a generally arcuate shape under tension but their ends do not terminate in the common plane. A membrane is connected to the flexible frame to tension the main pole and the spars and define a substantially sheltered space.

Abstract: A flexible structure is described having one or more deformable, resilient poles and one or more tension webs associated therewith, having strut members, and being coupled to the poles to maintain the pole(s) in a selected shape under tension and to impart strength and rigidity to the structure. A flexible membrane may also be provided to define a sheltered space.

Abstract: A segmented, articulated pole member structure is constructed of a plurality of pivotally interconnected, pole segments. The pole segments are arranged in an alternating or offsetting fashion such that in their disassembled state they may be folded into a compact bundle for storage. In the assembled state, adjacent pole segments are retained under tension in fixed angular position relative to each other by a pivoting connection and an engagement loop or similar structure. Applications for the pole member structure include the construction of flexible structures such as tents and shelters, and support frames for mounting, supporting, or suspending articles in a desired shape.

Abstract: A flexible structure is described having one or more deformable, resilient poles and one or more tension webs associated therewith and coupled thereto to maintain the pole(s) in a selected shape under tension and to impart strength and rigidity to the structure. A flexible membrane may also be provided to define a sheltered space. Also disclosed is a method for making such a structure.

Abstract: A viewing toy is provided which may be held by a user in front of his eyes. The toy has a plurality of transparent openings and, when the toy is rotated by the user's finger, a pleasant visual effect is obtained when viewing a visual target.

Abstract: A foldable tent structure is provided wherein a plurality of pole clusters is utilized. Each pole cluster has three poles which form an inverted Y-shape, the poles being loosely connected at the center of the inverted Y so that each of the arms may articulate relative to each other. The poles forming the two arms of each inverted Y extend to the ground and the poles forming the stems of each Y extend upwardly and are connected to each other at the top of the structure. A foldable membrane is provided which is connected to both ends of each pole by a clip whereby a foldable tent structure is provided which may be assembled and disassembled repeatedly without separating the foldable membrane from the poles.

Abstract: A foldable polyhedral structure is provided having a plurality of identical diamond-shaped polygons. A first set of diamond-shaped polygons radiates outwardly and downwardly from the top center of the structure and a second set of diamond-shaped polygons extends upwardly from ground level. The design of the polygonal faces is such that the structure folds into a flat compressed structure. A plurality of poles which extend along the edges of each diamond-shaped face will fold together with the structure. The structure may be used as a tent, a hat or as a supporting structure for solar collectors.

Abstract: A tent is provided wherein a membrane is primarily kept under tension by a plurality of stressed poles wherein at least two sets of poles are used, radiating from at least two independent spaced points.

Abstract: A flexible vault structure is provided which includes a plurality of stressed poles each of which poles is composed of two or more short rod like members held together by connector elements.

Abstract: A smoking pipe in the form of a round or oval torus is provided having a bowl for the reception of a substance to be smoked at one end and a mouth hole at the opposite end with smoke passages leading from said bowl to said mouth hole on both sides of the torus.

Abstract: A climbing maze for children is provided by fastening together a plurality of rods. The maze includes three triangular members which are arranged with their apices resting on the ground and having the tops of the triangles intermeshed with each other and having a fourth triangular member arranged in a horizontal plane below the tops of the first three triangular members. The maze also includes three straight members resting on the ground and engaging the apices of the fourth triangular member and being lashed to the other triangular members where they cross. Preferably the rods are of ordinary plastic plumbing pipe.

Abstract: A clip is provided which is adapted for fastening onto a flexible web such as a sheet of fabric. The clip is particularly adapted for fastening the fabric of a tent to supporting poles or stakes or for fastening webs together.

Abstract: A tent is provided wherein the poles are a series of stressed, arcuate rods which surround a convex polyhedra such as a hemispherical structure. The arcuate rods are approximately in the configuration of segments of circles and they cross at a plurality of points and fit in sockets at each point of crossing and the crossing point is fastened to the membrane forming the tent.