SIMPLIFIED SLIDER MECHANISM
A slider mechanism is provided with a release mechanism for releasing a spring clip holding a protruding detent in a leg supporting an overhead canopy. The release mechanism is mounted to the slider so that it is automatically loaded in the detent engaging position of the slider so that a simple pushing action on the mechanism causes the detent to withdraw within the leg during lowering of the canopy for storage.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/892,952 filed Oct. 18, 2013, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCHNot Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present disclosure relates to collapsible frame structures, and more particularly, to a simplified slider mechanism for holding the frame in position when erecting the frame structures and quickly releasing the slider mechanism when the frame structure is collapsed or folded for storage or transport. While the disclosure is specifically directed toward canopy constructions, those skilled in the art will recognize the wider application of the disclosure described below.
Commonly frame structures for supporting an erectable canopy use spring biased detents that protrude from the support legs such that the detents engage some form of slider mechanism under the spring bias that is adequate to support the canopy top of the frame. To collapse the structure, the detents have to be released from their protruded, slider engaging position.
There have been a number of attempts to make detent releases easier to accomplish. U.S. Pat. No. 6,951,327 (327), for example, provides a spring loaded design having a complicated construction which functions to release the detent. While the device of '327 patent works for its intended purpose, the construction is complicated by the spring loaded arrangement for releasing the detent. In order to simplify this specification, the description of conventional construction details of the common detent and canopy construction disclosed in the '327 patent are incorporated herein by reference. While even the construction shown in the '327 patent is preferable to a finger operated detent, the various spring mechanisms commonly employed can become misaligned and the structure for housing the spring and push button structural arrangement adds cost both to the slider and overall canopy construction.
The present disclosure uses an improved detent engagement design which helps insure that the slider properly supports the canopy top while providing a quick release feature. The engagement of the slider with the detent also automatically loads the release mechanism. The release mechanism is pivotally mounted to the slider. The slider, besides mounting the release mechanism, also engages the detent and provides a simple and easy method for releasing the detent to collapse the frame structure.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONBriefly stated, the present disclosure provides a slider mechanism for preferably at least two telescoping members, which in the preferred embodiment support a canopy in the extended position and permits easy retraction of the telescoping members for storage of the canopy. The slider preferably has a release mechanism attached to it in a manner to load the mechanism automatically without the need for spring actuation other than that provided by the normal interaction of a detent arrangement carried by at least one of the telescoping members associated with the slider during canopy erection for its normal intended use.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention as well as presently preferred embodiments thereof will become more apparent from the reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings.
In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification:
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawing.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTThe following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention.
Referring now to
In erecting the canopy the support members 7 are separated from a stored position not shown so that the scissor frame is opened. The telescoping legs 12 and 14 of each of the support members 7 are then extended until the respective telescoping legs interlock along one or more detents or locking pins 50. The slider mechanism 1 is then raised upwardly until the slider mechanism is also interconnected with one of the detents 50 to hold the canopy in its upmost position on the frame 5 structure. Preferably at least two of the support members 7 have a slider mechanism 1 associated with them, but each of the support members 7 may have an associated slider mechanism if desired.
In the embodiment illustrated, the slider mechanism 1 has an elongated rectangular body 20 having an axial opening 21 extending through it. While the slider body preferably is rectangular so as to accommodate corresponding rectangular support members 7, the design may be altered to accommodate any number of support member 7 shapes, the prevalent shape for support members 7 in the market presently is rectangular. Those skilled in the art will recognize the wider application of the slider mechanism 1 described. The supports 8, 9 and 10 are integrally formed with the body 20 and are arranged in a predetermined configuration which may be altered in other embodiments to accept attachment of any associated canopy support structure or frame structure 5. Attachment of the associated frame structure 5 conventionally is accomplished by conventional nut and screw threaded fasteners 90 although those skilled in the art will appreciate that other methods of attachment are acceptable and available.
The body 20 has an open mouth channel 22 formed in it which is sized to receive the spring loaded detent or locking pin 50 during operation of the slider mechanism 1 as later described in greater detail. As shown in
The axial opening 21 of the body 20 is sized to receive the support 7 in a slip fit and the detent or pin 50 is sized for reception in the channel 22 first in a compressed state as the slider mechanism 1 moves upwardly past the detent 50 and then in an uncompressed state as the detent 50 reaches the slot 61.
The components of the slider mechanism 1 are simple to construct and the release mechanism operation does not require any additional springs to preload the lever 40. The preloading of the lever 40 means that release of the slider from its engaged position with the detent 50 is accomplished easily.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results are obtained. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Claims
1. In a support structure including at least one hollow support leg having a surface defining a detent receiving opening, a detent structure spring mounted to the support leg to define a support position and a slider moveably positioned on the and movable between at least a first position disengaged from said detent and a second position engaging said detent, the improvement which comprises a release mechanism mounted to said slider for releasing the slider from said second position, said release mechanism being pivotally mounted to said slider so that the detent automatically loads the release mechanism as said slider moves to said second position.
2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the release mechanism is pushed to disengage the detent.
3. The improvement of claim 2 wherein the support leg is square in cross section.
4. The improvement of claim 3 wherein the slider has at least one attachment for the canopy mounted to it.
5. A slider mechanism for a support structure comprising:
- at least one hollow support leg having a surface defining a detent receiving opening;
- a detent structure spring mounted to the support leg adapted to project a detent through the opening in the support leg;
- a slider moveably mounted to the support let between at least a first position below the detent projection and a second position at least partly above the detent projection;
- a release mechanism mounted to the slider, the release mechanism adopted to connect to the detent automatically as the slider movers between said first and second positions so as to load the release mechanism for disengagement of the detent.
6. A slider mechanism, comprising:
- a body having an axial opening extending through it, the body including a channel formed in the body and communicating with the axial opening, the channel being defined in part by a wall having a slot formed it; and
- a lever pivotally mounted to the body, the lever including an actuator position adjacent the slot in the mounted position of the lever.
7. The slider mechanism of claim 6 wherein the axial opening is generally rectangular.
8. The slider mechanism of claim 7 wherein the body further includes at least one support arm for attaching additional structure to the slider.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 20, 2014
Publication Date: Apr 23, 2015
Inventor: Samuel F. Lamke (Washington, MO)
Application Number: 14/518,315
International Classification: E04H 15/32 (20060101);