PORTABLE SHELTER HAVING RESILIENTLY SUPPORTED AWNING

- YJIP, INC.

A portable shelter has a canopy assembly that includes a main portion and an awning. The shelter also includes a frame assembly with a main frame and an awning support member. The main frame defines a main area and supports the main portion of the canopy assembly such that the main portion covers the main area. The awning support member includes a first portion operably coupled to the main frame and a second portion that extends away from the main area. The awning support member is resiliently flexible, and the awning support member supports the awning such that the awning covers an adjacent area that is adjacent the main area.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/160,811, filed on Mar. 17, 2009. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a portable shelter and, more particularly, relates to a portable shelter having a resiliently supported awning.

BACKGROUND

Portable shelters have been proposed for conveniently providing shade from the sun, for providing shelter from inclement weather, and the like. These shelters can include a self-supporting frame and a tarp, canvas, or other foldable roof or canopy that is coupled to and supported by the frame. The frame can be assembled or expanded to unfold, unfurl, or otherwise extend the canopy such that the canopy provides shelter. The frame can also be disassembled or retracted to fold, furl, or otherwise retract the canopy and to make the shelter more compact and portable.

In some cases, the canopy can include a main portion and an awning that spans transversely away from the roof portion, over and above the ground. The awning can be supported above the ground by a metal or other rigid rod.

Although conventional portable shelters with awnings have been adequate for the intended purposes, they do suffer from certain disadvantages. For instance, the awning can be inadequately supported, and weight of the awning and/or external forces on the awning (e.g., wind, rain, etc.) can cause the awning to droop, sag, or even fall. In addition, rainwater can pool on the awning. This can add additional weight to the awning and cause the awning to droop, sag, or fall. Also, in order to remove the pooled water, the awning can be poked from within, below the pool. However, it can be difficult to direct the flow of water as it rushes off the awning. Thus, rainwater can inadvertently flow off the awning and onto people or other objects below.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, despite the improvements of known devices described above, there remains a need for a portable shelter having a canopy assembly that includes a main portion and an awning. The shelter also includes a frame assembly with a main frame and an awning support member. The main frame defines a main area and supports the main portion of the canopy assembly such that the main portion covers the main area. The awning support member includes a first portion operably coupled to the main frame and a second portion that extends away from the main area. The awning support member is resiliently flexible, and the awning support member supports the awning such that the awning covers an adjacent area that is adjacent the main area.

A portable shelter for providing shelter above a base surface is also disclosed. The shelter includes a canopy assembly having a main portion and an awning that is fixedly attached to the main portion. The shelter further includes a frame assembly with a main frame and a plurality of elongate, resiliently flexible awning support members. The main frame includes a plurality of upright legs having a respective axis. A main area is defined between the plurality of legs. The main frame supports the main portion of the canopy assembly such that the main portion covers the main area. The awning support members each include a respective first portion removably coupled to respective ones of the legs. The first portions extend substantially parallel to the axis of the respective ones of the legs. The awning support members each also include a respective second portion that extends away from the main area and transverse to the axis of the respective ones of the legs. The awning support members support the awning such that the awning covers an adjacent area that is adjacent the main area. Furthermore, the shelter includes at least one guy-line that is operably coupled to the awning and that is operably coupled to the base surface to bias the awning toward the base surface.

In addition, a portable shelter is disclosed having a canopy assembly that includes a main portion and an awning. The awning includes a proximal end that is fixed to the main portion and a distal end that is opposite the proximal end. The awning also includes a first edge and a second edge that are opposite each other and that each extend between the proximal and distal ends. Furthermore, the shelter includes a main frame with a plurality of upright legs and a plurality of roof frame members. The legs support the roof frame members above a base surface. The main frame supports the main portion of the canopy assembly to cover a main area defined between the legs. In addition, the shelter includes a plurality of resiliently flexible, elongate awning support members that collectively support the awning to cover an adjacent area that is adjacent the main area. The awning support members each include a first portion that is removably coupled to an outer surface of a respective one of the legs. Also, the awning support members each include a second portion that extends away from the respective leg and that is received in a respective pocket of the awning to removably couple to the awning. Each of the first portions extend parallel to an axis of the respective leg, and each of the second portions extend transverse to the axis of the respective leg to be cantilevered over the adjacent area. The plurality of awning support members include a first awning support member that extends along the first edge of the awning, a second awning support member that extends along the second edge of the awning, and a third awning support member that is disposed between the first and second awning support members. Still further, the shelter includes a first resiliently flexible guy-line that couples a first corner of the awning to the base surface to bias the first awning support member toward the base surface. The shelter additionally includes a second resiliently flexible guy-line that couples a second corner of the awning to the base surface to bias the second awning support member toward the base surface. Moreover, the shelter includes a plurality of securing straps that are each attached to the awning and that each extend about respective awning support members to secure the respective awning support members to the awning.

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a portable shelter with awnings according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the portable shelter of FIG. 1, wherein one of the awnings is shown supported and the other awning is shown unsupported;

FIG. 3A is an isometric view of an inner portion of an awning of the portable shelter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is an isometric view of another inner portion of the awning and an awning support member of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3C is a detail view of an inner portion of the awning and an awning support member of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is an isometric view of a guy-line of the portable shelter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is a detail view of a hook member of the guy-line of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a detail view of an anchoring assembly of the guy-line of FIG. 4A; and

FIG. 5 is a detail view of a portion of the frame assembly of the portable shelter of FIG. 1.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a portable structure or shelter 10 is illustrated according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The portable shelter 10 can generally include a frame assembly 12. The frame assembly 12 can be substantially self-supporting and free-standing on a base surface 13 (e.g., topsoil, grass, etc.). Also, the frame assembly 12 can support a canopy assembly 14 above the base surface 13. The canopy assembly 14 can be made out of any suitable material, such as foldable, waterproof sheeting, canvas sheeting, plastic sheeting, and the like. The canopy assembly 14 can extend about an exterior, upper portion of the frame assembly 12, and the frame assembly 12 can support the canopy assembly 14 above the base surface 13. Accordingly, the canopy assembly 14 can provide shade, shelter from the elements, and the like.

It will be appreciated that the portable shelter 10 can be quickly assembled and supported. Also, the shelter 10 can be relatively light to allow users to move the frame assembly 12 over the base surface 13 if necessary. Moreover, the shelter 10 can be quickly and easily disassembled such that the shelter 10 is even more portable and compact.

Moreover, in some embodiments, the shelter 10 can incorporate one or more features of Applicants' co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/401,213, filed Mar. 10, 2009 and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/720,932 filed Mar. 10, 2010, each of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Thus, the frame assembly 12 can include a plurality of hinges, pivot joints, or other rotational joints that rotatably or hingeably connect separate members of the frame assembly 12. In addition, the frame assembly 12 can be constructed such that the frame assembly 12 can remain assembled and yet still move between an extended state (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) and a retracted (i.e., compact or collapsed) state. Accordingly, the shelter 10 can be quickly and easily deployed for providing shelter and can be quickly and easily retracted for increased portability and/or storage.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the canopy assembly 14 will be discussed in greater detail. As shown, the canopy assembly 14 can include a main portion 20 and at least one or more awnings 22a, 22b. (Only one of the awnings 22a is shown in detail in FIG. 1 and will be described in detail herein; however, it will be appreciated that the other awning 22b can be a mirror-image of the awning 22a.) The awnings 22a, 22b can be rectangular so as to include a proximal end 51, a distal end 53, a first edge 55, and second edge 57. The proximal end 51 can be adjacent to and fixed to the main portion 20 of the canopy assembly 14. Also, in some embodiments, the awnings 22a, 22b can be a separate section of material that is joined (e.g., stitched) to the main portion 20; however, in other embodiments, the awnings 22a, 22b can be a single, continuous piece of material. In other embodiments, the proximal end 51 can be separated at a distance from the main portion 20. The distal end 53 can be opposite the proximal end 51. Furthermore, the first and second edges 55, 57 can be opposite each other and can extend between the proximal and distal ends 51, 53.

The main portion 20 of the canopy assembly 14 can cover a main area A defined by the portable shelter 10, and the awnings 22a, 22b can cover respective adjacent areas A1, A2, which are on opposite sides of and adjacent to the main area A. As will be discussed, the awnings 22a, 22b can be supported by the frame assembly 12 such that the awnings 22a, 22b are more likely to remain fully deployed and unfurled in the presence of external forces and such that water and other debris can be directed off of the awnings 22a, 22b in a controlled fashion.

The frame assembly 12 will now be discussed in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The frame assembly 12 can include a main frame 15 having a plurality of legs 16. For instance, as shown in FIG. 1, the main frame 15 can include eight legs 16 arranged in two rows; however, it will be appreciated that the shelter 10 can include any number of legs 16. The legs 16 can be generally elongate, hollow and tubular and can be made out of any suitable material, such as a rigid metal. In some embodiments, the legs 16 can be made out of aluminum, steel, or the like. Each leg 16 can include multiple sections that are removably attached and secured together via fasteners, detents, etc. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the legs 16 can include telescopingly attached portions such that the length of the respective leg 16 can be selectively changed.

Moreover, the main frame 15 can include a plurality of roof frame members 18. The roof frame members 18 can be constructed in a similar manner to the legs 16, but the roof frame members 18 can each extend between respective pairs of legs 16 to be thereby supported above the base surface 13. Some of the roof frame members 18 can extend in a generally horizontal direction between pairs of legs 16, and others of the roof frame members 18 (i.e., rafters) can extend at an acute angles relative to the ground.

The main area A of the portable shelter 10 can be defined between the legs 16 and underneath the roof frame members 18. For instance, the main area A can be a rectangular and elongate area of the base surface 13. However, it will be appreciated that the main frame 15 could be arranged such that the main area A has any other suitable shape (e.g., an octagonal shape, a hexagonal shape, ovate shape, and the like) without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Moreover, the legs 16 and roof frame members 18 can include fasteners, couplings, or other suitable members for assembling and operably coupling the components and sections of the frame assembly 12. For instance, the frame assembly 12 can include nuts and bolts, pins, detents, hinge joints, ball and socket joints, tubular couplings, or any other suitable components for this purpose.

The frame assembly 12 can further include one or more awning support members 24. The awning support members 24 can be elongate poles or rods that are resiliently flexible. It will be appreciated, however, that the awning support members 24 can be made out of strong, rigid material in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the awning support members 24 can include any one of the various features disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,187, entitled REINFORCED SUPPORT MEMBER AND METHOD, issued Sep. 17, 2002, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Thus, the awning support members 24 can each include a core (not specifically shown) made out of fiberglass or other suitable material, and the core can be jacketed in a resiliently elastic material, such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl, polypropylene, polyurethane, rubber and/or latex, to decrease the likelihood of splintering of the core.

As best shown in FIG. 3A, the awning support members 24 can include elongate members 25 made of flexible, resilient material (e.g., fiberglass rods), and the elongate members 25 can be joined end-to-end by rigid tubes 27 (i.e., ferrules). The elongate members 25 can have any suitable length, and the rigid tubes 27 can have an axis that is straight, positively angled, or curved. The elongate members 25 can be partially received within respective rigid tubes 27 and can partially extend out of the respective rigid tubes 27. Also, the elongate members 25 can be removably coupled to the rigid tubes 27. Moreover, a resiliently elastic cord (not shown) can extend axially through a continuous passage defined through the elongate members 25 and the rigid tubes 27 and can bias the elongate members 25 and the rigid tubes 27 together. As such, the awning support members 24 can be selectively assembled to be elongate and to support the load of the respective awning 22a, 22b, and the awning support members 24 can also be easily collapsed by disassembling the elongate members 25 from the rigid tubes 27 for added convenience when moving or storing the portable shelter 10.

It will be appreciated that the portable shelter 10 can include any suitable number of awning support members 24. As shown in FIG. 1, there can be one awning support member 24 for each leg 16, and there can be multiple awning support members 24 for each awning 22a, 22b as will be discussed in greater detail below.

As shown in FIG. 3A, a first portion 29 of each of the awning support members 24 can be operably coupled to a respective leg 16. In some embodiments, the first portion 29 can be removably coupled to the leg 16. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 5, the respective leg 16 can include one or more apertures 28 (e.g., slotted holes), and the support member 24 can include projections 30 (e.g., pins) that are received in the apertures 28 to removably couple the first portion 29 of the awning support member 24 to the leg 16.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 3A, the first portion 29 can extend substantially parallel to the axis of the leg 16. The first portion 29 can also abut and can extend along an outer surface 31 of the leg 16. Furthermore, a second portion 33 of the awning support member 24 can bend and curve to extend upward and outward from the leg 16 in a direction that is transverse to the axis of the leg 16. As such, the second portion 33 of the awning support member 24 can extend away from the main area A to be cantilevered over the respective adjacent area A1, A2 of the portable shelter 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the main frame 15 can support the main portion 20 of the canopy assembly 14 such that the main portion 20 extends over and covers the main area A. Also, the awning support members 24 can support respective ones of the awnings 22a, 22b such that the awnings 22a, 22b extend over and cover the adjacent areas A1, A2, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the second portion 33 of the awning support members 24 can extend along and abuttingly support the respective awning 22a, 22b over the respective adjacent area A1, A2. Also, the awnings 22a, 22b can each include one or more pockets 34. Each pocket 34 can be included adjacent the distal end 53 of the awning 22a, 22b. The awnings 22a, 22b can include a pocket 34 for each awning support member 24, and the second portion 33 (i.e., the cantilevered, terminal end) of the awning support member 24 can be received in a respective pocket 34 to thereby removably secure the awning support member 24 to the awning 22a, 22b.

Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, the awnings 22a, 22b can include a plurality of securing straps 35. The securing straps 35 can be stitched or otherwise attached to the awning 22a, 22b, and the securing straps 35 can extend about a respective awning support member 24. For instance, the securing straps 35 can include pile tape (e.g., VELCRO™) that can be wrapped around and secured to itself to secure the awning support member 24 to the awning 22a, 22b. Also, in some embodiments, the securing strap 35 can be a rope, string, or other member that can be tied in a knot over the support member 24.

As such, the support members 24 can be securely coupled to both the frame assembly 12 and the respective awning 22a, 22b. It will be appreciated that the portable shelter 10 could include any suitable feature for securing the awning support members 24 to the awnings 22a, 22b. For instance, in some embodiments, the awnings 22a, 22b can include an elongate sleeve (not shown), which receives a significant length of a respective support member 24.

As shown in FIG. 1, the awning support members 24 supporting the awning 22a can include a first awning support member 61, a second awning support member 67, a third awning support member 63, and a fourth awning support member 65. (The awning support members 24 supporting the awning 22b can be similar.) The first, second, third, and fourth awning support members 61-67 can each extend generally in the same direction, X, and can also be spaced apart in a second, perpendicular direction, Y.

The first awning support member 61 can extend along and can support the first edge 55. The second awning support member 67 can extend along and can support the second edge 57. The third and fourth awning support members 63, 65 can be disposed between the first and second awning support members 61, 67.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4A. The shelter 10 can include one or more guy-lines 40. Each guy-line 40 can be made out of a flexible material, such as woven rope, cord, and the like. Also, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4C, each guy-line 40 can include a resiliently flexible portion 46 (e.g., a rubber band) and a relatively inelastic portion 47 (e.g., braided rope). It will be appreciated, however, that the guy-lines 40 can be made out of any suitable material and that the guy-lines 40 can be entirely resiliently flexible or entirely inelastic.

Each guy-line 40 can be secured to a respective corner 41 of the distal end 53 of the awning 22a, 22b. As shown in FIG. 1, the portable shelter 10 can include a guy-line 40 attached at each corner 41 of each of the awnings 22a, 22b. For instance, as shown in FIG. 4A, the guy-line 40 can include a hook 44 that hooks through a loop 43 formed at the corner 41 of the respective awning 22a, 22b. Also, the guy-line 40 can be secured to the base surface 13, for instance, by a stake 42 or screw (FIG. 4C).

Each guy-line 40 can bias and pull the respective corner 41 downward toward the ground such that the respective awning 22a, 22b remains taut. More specifically, the awning support members 24 can bias the respective awning 22a, 22b upwards, and the guy-lines 40 can bias and pull the respective awning 22a, 22b downward against the biasing force supplied by the support members 24.

Accordingly, the awnings 22a, 22b are likely to remain taut, even if substantial loads are applied thereto. For instance, the awnings 22a, 22b can resist and absorb forces due to sudden gusts of wind. Furthermore, rain is unlikely to pool on the awnings 22a, 22b because of the tautness. Moreover, the resiliently flexible portions 46 can resiliently extend to absorb loading on the awnings 22a, 22b such that the shelter 10 can further withstand applied loads.

Furthermore, because the guy-lines 40 are attached to the corners 41, the guy-lines 40 can bias the first and second awning support members 61, 67 toward the base surface 13 such that the first and second awning support members 61, 67 are bent further toward the base surface 13 than the third and fourth support members 63, 65. As a result, a channel 83 (FIG. 1) can be defined in the awnings 22a, 22b between the first and third awning support members 61, 63 and between the second and fourth awning support members 65, 67. As such, rainwater and other debris can be directed along the channels 83 and off of the awnings 22a, 22b. Accordingly, rainwater and/or debris is unlikely to collect on the awnings 22a, 22b and is more likely to be directed in a known path off of the awnings 22a, 22b.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the awnings 22a, 22b can be lowered toward the base surface 13 easily. (FIG. 2 shows the awning 22a in a first raised position while the awning 22b is in a second lowered position.) To lower the awning 22b, the guy-lines 40 can be removed from the base surface and/or the awning 22b, and the awning support members 24 can be removed from the respective legs 16 and/or the awning 22b. As shown in FIG. 2, the awning 22b can be lowered to define a wall 81 that at least partially walls off the main area A of the shelter 10. Thus, the shelter 10 can be configured in a number of ways, making the shelter 10 more adaptable.

In summary, the awnings 22a, 22b can be supported in mid-air away from the main portion 20 of the canopy assembly 14 for providing shelter over the adjacent areas A1, A2. Also, as mentioned above, the support members 24 can be made out of a resilient material. Thus, the support members 24 can each be resiliently bent downward toward the base surface 13, for instance, due to the weight of the awning 22a, 22b, wind, rain, and the like. Because of the resilient flexibility of the support members 24, the support members 24 can bias the awning 22a, 22b upward away from the base surface 13. Accordingly, the awning 22a, 22b is more likely to remain supported outward above the ground, regardless of loads thereon. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that intermittent loads (e.g., due to wind gusts) can be absorbed due to the resilience of the support members 24.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A portable shelter comprising:

a canopy assembly that includes a main portion and an awning; and
a frame assembly that includes a main frame and an awning support member, the main frame defining a main area and supporting the main portion of the canopy assembly such that the main portion covers the main area, the awning support member including a first portion operably coupled to the main frame and a second portion that extends away from the main area, the awning support member being resiliently flexible, the awning support member supporting the awning such that the awning covers an adjacent area that is adjacent the main area.

2. The portable shelter of claim 1, wherein the awning is fixed to the main portion of the canopy assembly.

3. The portable shelter of claim 1, wherein the awning support member biases the awning in a first direction, and further comprising a guy-line that is operably coupled to the one of the awning and the awning support member to bias the awning in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

4. The portable shelter of claim 3, wherein the awning includes a proximal end that is adjacent the main portion, and wherein the awning includes a distal end that is opposite the first end, the guy-line being operably coupled to the distal end.

5. The portable shelter of claim 4, wherein the guy-line is operably coupled to a corner of the distal end.

6. The portable shelter of claim 3, wherein the guy-line is resiliently flexible.

7. The portable shelter of claim 1, wherein the awning support member is elongate.

8. The portable shelter of claim 1, wherein the main frame includes a leg that has an axis, wherein the first portion of the awning support member extends substantially parallel to the axis of the leg, and wherein the second portion of the awning support member extends transverse to the axis of the leg, the second portion being cantilevered over the adjacent area.

9. The portable shelter of claim 8, wherein the leg includes an outer surface, and wherein the first portion of the awning support member abuts and extends along the outer surface of the leg.

10. The portable shelter of claim 1, wherein the awning includes a pocket that receives the second portion of the awning support member.

11. The portable shelter of claim 1, wherein the awning support member is removably coupled to the main frame.

12. The portable shelter of claim 1, wherein the awning support member includes a resiliently flexible, elongate member and a rigid tube, the resiliently flexible, elongate member being received within the rigid tube and extending out of the rigid tube.

13. The portable shelter of claim 1, wherein the awning includes a securing strap that extends about the awning support member to secure the awning support member to the awning.

14. The portable shelter of claim 1, wherein the frame assembly includes a first awning support member and a second awning support member, the first and second awning support members each supporting the awning, the first and second awning support members each extending away from the main area generally in a first direction, the first and second awning support members spaced apart from each other in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

15. The portable shelter of claim 1, wherein the awning has a first position in which the awning support member supports the awning and the awning covers the adjacent area, and wherein the awning has a second position in which the awning support member is disconnected from the main frame and the awning defines an upright wall that at least partially walls off the main area.

16. A portable shelter for providing shelter above a base surface comprising:

a canopy assembly that includes a main portion and an awning that is fixedly attached to the main portion;
a frame assembly that includes a main frame and a plurality of elongate, resiliently flexible awning support members, the main frame including a plurality of upright legs having a respective axis, a main area defined between the plurality of legs, the main frame supporting the main portion of the canopy assembly such that the main portion covers the main area, the awning support members each including a respective first portion removably coupled to respective ones of the legs, the respective first portions extending substantially parallel to the axis of the respective ones of the legs, the awning support members each also including a respective second portion that extends away from the main area and transverse to the axis of the respective ones of the legs, the awning support members supporting the awning such that the awning covers an adjacent area that is adjacent the main area; and
at least one guy-line that is operably coupled to the awning and that is operably coupled to the base surface to bias the awning toward the base surface.

17. The portable shelter of claim 16, wherein the at least one guy-line is resiliently flexible.

18. The portable shelter of claim 16, wherein at least one of the first portions of the awning support members abuts and extends along an outer surface of the respective one of the plurality of legs.

19. The portable shelter of claim 1, wherein the awning includes at least one pocket that receives one of the second portions of the awning support members.

20. A portable shelter comprising:

a canopy assembly that includes a main portion and an awning, the awning including a proximal end that is fixed to the main portion, the awning also including a distal end that is opposite the proximal end, the awning also including first edge and a second edge that are opposite each other and that each extend between the proximal and distal ends;
a main frame with a plurality of upright legs and a plurality of roof frame members, the plurality of upright legs supporting the plurality of roof frame members above a base surface, the main frame supporting the main portion of the canopy assembly to cover a main area defined between the plurality of upright legs;
a plurality of resiliently flexible, elongate awning support members collectively support the awning to cover an adjacent area that is adjacent the main area, the plurality of awning support members each including a first portion that is removably coupled to an outer surface of a respective one of the legs, the plurality of awning support members each including a second portion that extends away from the respective leg and that is received in a respective pocket of the awning to removably couple to the awning, each of the first portions extending parallel to an axis of the respective leg, each of the second portions extending transverse to the axis of the respective leg to be cantilevered over the adjacent area, the plurality of awning support members including a first awning support member that extends along the first edge of the awning, the plurality of awning support members including a second awning support member that extends along the second edge of the awning, the plurality of awning support members including a third awning support member that is disposed between the first and second awning support members;
a first resiliently flexible guy-line that couples a first corner of the awning to the base surface to bias the first awning support member toward the base surface;
a second resiliently flexible guy-line that couples a second corner of the awning to the base surface to bias the second awning support member toward the base surface; and
a plurality of securing straps that are each attached to the awning and that each extend about respective ones of the plurality of awning support members to secure the respective ones of the plurality of awning support members to the awning.
Patent History
Publication number: 20110030750
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 17, 2010
Publication Date: Feb 10, 2011
Applicant: YJIP, INC. (Addison, TX)
Inventors: Tseng Hsiang Lin (Kuala Lumpur), Craig B. Adams (Portland, OR)
Application Number: 12/725,891
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Plural Shelters, Shelter Having Plural Compartments, Or Plural Sectional Covering (135/97)
International Classification: E04H 15/18 (20060101); E04H 15/34 (20060101);