Auxiliary section for a canopy
A canopy has a frame with a plurality of legs for defining a main area of protection, an auxiliary leg for defining an auxiliary area of protection adjacent the main area of protection, the auxiliary leg capable of being removed and a roof frame supported by the uprights. A tarp, secured to the frame, has a main section for covering the main area, and an auxiliary section adjacent the main section. The auxiliary section is (i) extendable between the legs and the auxiliary leg to cover the auxiliary area, (ii) extendable between the legs and the support surface to provide additional cover to the main area as a wall, and (iii) storable such that only the main section covers the main area and the at least one auxiliary leg is removed.
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This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application Nos. 200420020474.4, filed Feb. 27, 2004, and 200420020757.9, filed Mar. 12, 2004, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/793,369 filed Mar. 4, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The subject disclosure relates generally to shelters, and more particularly to an improved shelter that can provide additional protection when desired. Even more particularly, the subject disclosure relates to a shelter including a canopy that selectively extends.
2. Background of the Related Art
Over the years, many tents and other shelters having collapsible frames have been introduced. Such structures are commonly used to provide shelter during camping trips, picnics, parties, military operations, and other outdoor activities. One advantageous feature of such structures is their ability to provide relief from weather elements when desired but allow removal when no longer needed.
However, prior art shelters have several problems. The shelters are unable to vary their configuration easily to suit varying demands. Some prior shelter frames also allow the overlying canopy to sag in an unsightly manner or be blown loose. Moreover, varying the configuration can be a challenging task even when multiple people are involved in the assembly. In view of these apparent shortcomings, many attempts at overcoming these difficulties have been patented, such as: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,779,635; 5,511,572; 5,555,681; 5,632,293; 5,638,853; 5,701,923; 5,797,412; 5,813,425; and 6,173,726 (each of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,681 to Cawthon discloses a building system that is modular in that a plurality of differently shaped buildings 10, 12 may be constructed from the same basic part set. The foundation of the buildings 10, 12 includes base plates 14 and headers 16 that are oriented horizontally. Vertical stud members 18 extend vertically between the base plates 14 and headers 16. Connectors 22 couple the components 14, 16, 18 together. Rafters 20 also terminate within the connectors 22 to form a roof structure. Wall panels 24 and roof panels 26 enclose the buildings 10, 12 and are selectively extendible from and retractable into the respective associated base plate members 14 and headers 16. This is an essential purpose of the buildings of Cawthon to selectively store the panels 24, 26 to allow enjoyment of ambient weather. However, once the building takes shape, major effort is required to reconfigure the space. Thus, it would be desirable to build a shelter that can quickly and easily be modified to have additional space that is protected from the elements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present disclosure is directed to a canopy including a frame assembly including a plurality of legs upstanding from a support surface. A resilient tarp covers the frame assembly. The resilient tarp has a main section for substantially defining a main area of protection, an auxiliary section for substantially defining an auxiliary area of protection and an overhang. A plurality of cords attach the resilient tarp to the frame assembly in a plurality of positions including: i) a set up position wherein the main section substantially covers the main area and the auxiliary section is stored; and ii) a set up position wherein the main section substantially covers the main area, the auxiliary section substantially covers the auxiliary area, and at least one of the plurality of cords extends at least partially over the auxiliary area.
Another aspect of the invention is a canopy providing shelter on a support surface. The canopy includes a frame assembly with a plurality of legs for defining a main area of protection, two auxiliary legs for defining an auxiliary area of protection adjacent the main area of protection, and a roof frame supported by the plurality of uprights. A resilient tarp secures to the frame assembly. The tarp includes a main section for substantially covering the main area, and an auxiliary section adjacent the main section, wherein the auxiliary section is (i) extendable between the plurality of legs and the at least one auxiliary leg to substantially cover the auxilary area, (ii) extendable between the plurality of legs and the support surface to provide additional cover to the main area, and (iii) storable such that only the main section substantially covers the main area.
Still another aspect of the invention is a canopy having a plurality of upright assemblies for defining a main area and an auxiliary area of protection, each upright having an interlocking male and female portion wherein the male portion includes at least one protuberance that causes at least one of the male and female portion to deform upon interlocking. A resilient tarp covering the main area and the auxilairy area whereby a plurality of cords attach the resilient tarp to the frame assembly in a plurality of positions including: i) a first position wherein the resilient tarp substantially covers the main area and the auxiliary area is exposed; and ii) a second position wherein the resilient tarp substantially covers the main area and the auxiliary area. Still another aspect of the invention is directed to a kit that allows a traditional canopy to be outfitted with an auxiliary area of protection.
It should be appreciated that the present invention can be implemented and utilized in numerous ways, including without limitation as a process, an apparatus, a system, a device, and a method for applications now known and later developed. These and other features of the system disclosed herein will become more readily apparent from the following description.
So that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosed system appertains will more readily understand how to make and use the same, reference may be had to the following drawings.
The present invention overcomes many of the prior art problems associated with canopies and temporary shelters. The advantages, and other features of the system disclosed herein, will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings which set forth representative embodiments of the present invention and wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural elements. For simplicity and clarity throughout this disclosure, only enough reference numerals with tag lines that are sufficient for understanding have been shown.
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The hollows 260 also include bumps or ridges 264 formed transverse to the cords 228, 230 to increase the holding retention thereon. The ridges 264 may be formed on one or both of the opposing sides 252, 254. Preferably, the opposing sides 252, 254 form a pathway 266 so that the cord 230 can centrally exit the clamp 250. As a result, the weight carried by the clamp 250 is evenly distributed. In the embodiment shown, the hollows 260 and pathways 266 are shaped and configured to receive cords having an 8 mm. diameter. It is envisioned that the side 252 may include depressions for insertion of the nuts 256 therein. The clamp 250 is preferably constructed from a strong plastic, aluminum or the like.
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The auxiliary portions 312A, 312B include one or more stiffening ridges 350. The stiffening ridge 350 may be a seam sewn into the fabric, a rod inserted into a sleeve or the like. The purpose of the stiffening ridge 350 is to control the manner is which rainwater may collect on the auxiliary portion 312. On auxiliary portion 312A, the stiffening ridge 350 is shaped and formed to direct collected water towards the sides of the shelter 300. Alternatively on auxiliary portion 312B, the stiffening ridge 50 is shaped and formed to direct collected water towards the front of the shelter 300. Dashed lines 360 indicate a manner in which the auxiliary portions 312A, 312B sags to collect rainwater. Preferably, the auxiliary portions 312A, 312B sag to a certain point at which deformation occurs. During deformation, the water is released to allow the auxiliary portions 312A, 312B to substantially return to shape. In another embodiment, the auxiliary sections 312A, 312B do not have any stiffening ridges but are allowed to sag/collect water and deform to release. In still another embodiment, the outer legs 313 are relatively shorter than the inner legs 309. As a result, the auxiliary portions 312A, 312B are slanted to further increase the propensity of water to flow off to the sides of the shelter 300.
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It is envisioned that numerous variations are possible beyond those specifically described here and such would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art based upon review of the subject disclosure. For example, the canopy may have two auxiliary sections on opposing sides of the main section. Of course, either or both auxiliary sections may be completely detachable. For another example, the main section of the canopy may be octagonal with a plurality of auxiliary sections that are various shapes such as triangular, trapezoidal and the like.
While the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1-17. (canceled)
18. An auxiliary section for attachment to a main canopy comprising:
- a tarp having a main portion extendable between a plurality of legs of the main canopy to cover a main area and an auxiliary portion for selectively covering an auxilary area adjacent the main area;
- at least two auxiliary legs for providing support to the auxiliary portion of the tarp; and
- means for selectively attaching the tarp to the plurality of legs and the at least two auxiliary legs wherein the means includes a clamping assembly for each corner of the main portion adjacent the auxiliary area each clamping assembly having an auxiliary cord with an s-hook on one end for coupling to a respective corner leg and a clamp on the other end for selectively coupling to a corner of the main portion of the tarp.
19-20. (canceled)
21. An auxiliary section as recited in claim 18, wherein the clamping assembly includes opposing portions that form two respective elongated hollows for receiving the auxiliary cord and a main cord within a sleeve of the main portion.
22. An auxiliary section as recited in claim 21, wherein the hollows include transverse ridges.
23. An auxiliary section as recited in claim 21, wherein at least one of the elongated hollows aligns with at least one transverse pathway to allow selectively routing the respective cord through the elongated hollow only or the elongated hollow and the transverse pathway.
24. An auxiliary section as recited in claim 21, further comprising fasteners for tightening the opposing portions about the cords and the sleeve.
25. An auxiliary section as recited in claim 18, wherein the at least two auxiliary legs have a tubular male portion that interlocks with a tubular female portion, wherein the female portion includes at least one protuberance that causes the tubular male portion to deform radially inward upon interlocking.
26. An auxiliary section as recited in claim 25, wherein the at least one protuberance is three rows of three protuberances that are equally spaced about an inner diameter of the female portion.
27. An auxiliary section as recited in claim 25, wherein the female portion also deforms upon interlocking.
28. An auxiliary section as recited in claim 18, wherein the auxiliary portion of the tarp includes at least one seam sewn therein to form a stiffening ridge.
29. An auxiliary section as recited in claim 18, wherein the auxiliary portion of the tarp includes at least one rod inserted into a sleeve to form a stiffening ridge.
30. An auxiliary section as recited in claim 29, wherein the main canopy has a front and a back with the stiffening ridge running from the front to the back.
31. An auxiliary section as recited in claim 29, wherein the stiffening ridge is intermediate the at least two auxiliary legs.
32. An auxiliary section as recited in claim 18, wherein the at least two auxiliary legs are relatively shorter than the plurality of legs.
33. A kit for attaching an auxiliary section to a main canopy, the main canopy having a frame with sides intermediate a peaked front and back and a main tarp coupled to the frame by a first cord passing through a sleeve in the peaked front and a second cord passing through a sleeve in the peaked back, the kit comprising:
- at least two auxiliary legs;
- an auxiliary tarp extendable between the at least two auxiliary legs and the frame of the main canopy to cover an auxilary area, the auxiliary tarp having a front forming a front sleeve, a back forming a back sleeve, a first side for coupling to the frame, and a second side,
- wherein to secure the auxiliary tarp, the first cord passes through the front sleeve and the second cord passes through the back sleeve.
34. A kit as recited in claim 33, further comprising:
- a front corner cord for passing through a front corner sleeve on the main tarp to secure the main tarp to a respective corner leg, the front corner sleeve being substantially parallel the front sleeve; and
- a back corner cord for passing through a back corner sleeve on the main tarp to secure the main tarp to a respective corner leg, the back corner sleeve being substantially parallel the back sleeve.
35. A kit as recited in claim 33, wherein the auxiliary tarp has means for coupling to the main tarp.
36. A kit as recited in claim 36, wherein the means for coupling to the tarp is selected from the group consisting of hook/loop fabric, snaps, clips, holes with cords, a zipper and combinations thereof.
37. A kit as recited in claim 33, further comprising a cord and anchor for each of the at least two auxiliary legs.
38. A kit as recited in claim 33, wherein the main tarp has a side valence to prevent water from passing between the main tarp and the auxiliary tarp.
39. A kit as recited in claim 38, wherein the side valence forms a valence pocket and the first and second cords pass through the valence pocket into the front and back sleeves on the auxiliary tarp and secure to the respective auxiliary leg.
40. A kit as recited in claim 39, further comprising at least two clamp assemblies, each clamp assembly having a clamp cord coupled to the frame on one end and a clamp on the other end for selectively coupling to the first and second cords, respectively.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 30, 2008
Publication Date: Mar 5, 2009
Applicant: ShelterLogic, LLC (Watertown, CT)
Inventor: Brian L. Goldwitz (Orange, CT)
Application Number: 12/221,022
International Classification: E04H 15/58 (20060101); E04H 15/32 (20060101);