Collapsible structures
A collapsible structure has a coiled wire supporting a covering which is attached to the wire to define an internal space, the coiled wire and its covering having a first end and a second end, and the first end having a first edge that defines an opening. The structure can have a lid that is coupled to the first end to completely cover the opening, or an amusement item that is positioned in the opening and coupled to the first end.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to structures that can assume two positions, a first expanded position where the structure can be deployed for use, and a second collapsed position where the structure can be stored or transported.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Size and weight are two factors that are important to virtually every product because large and heavy products are usually difficult to store, transport and use. For example, metal and plastic containers can be heavy and take up much space when they are empty. As another example, certain game or play structures can be very large and bulky, making them difficult to move around.
Thus, there remains a need for products that are useful and effective for their intended applications, yet can be collapsed or reduced in size to facilitate convenient storage and transportation.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREIn order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, there is provided, in one embodiment, a collapsible structure having a coiled wire supporting a covering which is attached to the wire to define an internal space, the coiled wire and its covering having a first end and a second end, and the first end having a first edge that defines an opening. The structure also has a lid that is coupled to the first end to completely cover the opening.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides a collapsible structure having a coiled wire supporting a covering which is attached to the wire to define an internal space, the coiled wire and its covering having a first end and a second end, and the first end having a first edge that defines an opening. An amusement item is positioned in the opening and coupled to the first end.
In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a collapsible structure having a loop member that defines an opening, and a container portion having an enclosing wall that is made from a soft and foldable material. The enclosing wall defines an interior space and is attached to the loop member in a manner such that the interior space is accessed by the opening.
The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
The wire 22 has a plurality of coils 23 that form a helical coil, and includes a first outer coil 23a and an opposing second outer coil 23b. Two adjacent coils 23 are normally biased in spaced apart relation in the manner shown in
The covering 24 is attached to the wire 22 by gluing, stitching, fusing, mechanically fastening or other conventional attachment methods. Alternatively, as shown in
A first set of tie members 42 are provided in a spaced-apart manner along the first edge 32, and a second set of tie members 44 are provided in a spaced-apart manner along the second edge 36. As an example, each set of tie members 42, 44 can include two strings or thin pieces of fabric which can be tied together to create a knot. Each set of tie members 42, 44 can have any number of tie members, but preferably has at least two tie members. In addition, each edge 32 and 36 preferably comprises two sets of tie members, although any number of sets of tie members can be utilized at each edge 32 and 36 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
As a non-limiting alternative, the tie members 42, 44 can be replaced by VELCRO™ straps that also function to couple or connect two corresponding VELCRO™ straps.
The wire 22 is preferably made from a strong yet springy metal, such as steel or iron, but also can be made from other strong and coilable materials, such as fiberglass or plastic. Such materials are preferably capable of allowing the wire 22 to maintain its coiled shape.
The covering 24 is preferably made from a strong durable fabric, such as cotton, canvas, mesh or net, but can also be made from other strong durable materials such as polyethylene (PE), PVC or plastic. The term fabric is to be given its broadest meaning and should be made from strong, lightweight materials and may include woven fabrics, sheet fabrics or even films. The covering 24 should be water-resistant and durable to withstand the wear and tear associated with rough treatment by children.
The structure 20 can be easily collapsed for storage. To collapse the structure 20, the user grips the first edge 32 with one hand, grips the second edge 36 with the other hand, and pushes or compresses the first and second edges 32 and 36 against each other like an accordian. This compresses the plurality of coils 23 of the wire 22 against each other. This compression is made possible by the springy nature of the wire 22, and its helically coiled configuration. With the wire 22 compressed, one tie member 42 along the first edge 32 is tied or connected to one corresponding tie member 44 along the second edge 36 to maintain the plurality of coils 23 of the wire 22 compressed against each other. Since each set of tie members 42 and 44 are spaced apart about the circumference of the edges 32, 36, two or more tie members 42 can be coupled to two or more corresponding tie members 44 to safely secure the structure 20 in the compressed position. To deploy the structure 20 for use, all the tie members 42 and 44 are disengaged and the natural springiness or bias of the wire 22 will expand the structure 20 back to the configuration shown in
The above-described elements constitute the basic configuration of the structure 20. This structure 20 can be used in a large number of different applications. For example, in
First, the wall covering 56 can be stitched to the second edge 36 to completely cover the bottom opening defined by the second edge 36. The covering 56 can be made from any strong material, which can be the same material as the covering 24, and functions to define the bottom of the container.
Second, the plurality of casters 52 can be secured to the second edge 36 by providing, for each caster 52, a pocket 48 that is sewn into the covering 24 adjacent a desired location along the second edge 36. The shaft (not shown) of the conventional caster 52 can be inserted into the pocket 48 and secured therein by welding or stitching.
Third, the lid 50 can comprise a loop member 58 that can be made from the same material as the support wire 22, and retained inside a peripheral sleeve 60 that extends around the circumference of the lid 50. The peripheral sleeve 60 is preferably sized and configured to have the same size and configuration as the first edge 32. A lid covering 62 can be attached to the sleeve 60 to form the lid 50, and the covering 62 can be made from the same material as the covering 24. A portion 64 of the peripheral sleeve 60 can be hingedly coupled to a portion of the first edge 32, such as by stitching or by using detachable VELCRO™ straps. Thus, the lid 50 can be pivotably hinged about the portion 64 to cover the interior of the structure 20, or to expose the opening 40. A locking mechanism 66 can be provided (e.g., stitched) along the sleeve 60 and is adapted to be releasably secured to a corresponding locking mechanism 68 that can be provided (e.g., stitched) along a corresponding location along the first edge 32. As a non-limiting example, the locking mechanisms 66 and 68 can be detachable VELCRO™ straps that can be engaged to lock the lid 50 over the opening 40, or can be disengaged to expose the opening 40 and the interior of the structure 20 for storing or removing objects.
The dimensions of the structure 20 are not critical, but must be large enough for its intended application (e.g., storage of objects, depending on the types of objects to be stored). These configurations can be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Other modifications can also be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the structure 20 does not necessarily need to be substantially straight, as shown in
In addition, an opening or door 88a can be cut out from any location on the covering 24a adjacent the second edge 36a so that the balls 72a collected in the interior of the structure 20a can be removed therefrom.
In one non-limiting example as shown in
The loop member 102 and its accompanying container portion 106 can be twisted and folded to reduce the size of the structure 100. The container portion 106 is compressed to make it flat against the loop member 102, and then the loop member 102 is twisted and folded to collapse the loop member 102 into a smaller shape. In particular, opposite locations of the loop member 102 are twisted in opposite directions as shown in
To re-deploy the structure 100 for use, the user merely opens the loop member 102. The natural bias of the loop member 102 will cause the loop member 102 to uncoil and return to the configuration shown in
It is also noted that the loop member 58 in the lids 50 and 50a can also be twisted and folded using the same technique illustrated above in
Although
While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
Claims
1-12. (canceled)
13. A collapsible structure comprising:
- a coiled wire supporting a covering which is attached to the wire to define an internal space, the coiled wire and its covering having a first end and a second end, the first end having a first edge that defines an opening; and
- an amusement item positioned in the opening and coupled to the first end.
14. The structure of claim 13, further including at least one connector for coupling the amusement item to the first end.
15. The structure of claim 13, further including a door provided in the covering adjacent the second end.
16. A collapsible structure, comprising:
- a loop member that defines an opening; and
- a container portion having an enclosing wall that is made from a soft and foldable material, the enclosing wall defining an interior space and attached to the loop member in a manner such that the interior space is accessed by the opening.
17. The structure of claim 16, further including a peripheral sleeve that retains the loop member, the peripheral sleeve attached to the enclosing wall.
18. The structure of claim 16, wherein the opening is circular.
19. The structure of claim 16, wherein the opening is rectangular.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 13, 2008
Publication Date: Sep 4, 2008
Applicant:
Inventor: Yu Zheng (Walnut, CA)
Application Number: 12/070,070
International Classification: B65D 25/00 (20060101); B65D 69/00 (20060101); B65D 8/14 (20060101); A63B 63/08 (20060101); B65D 6/16 (20060101);