SELF ERECTING PROTECTIVE SHIELDING DEVICE FOR A ONE OR MORE USER

Abstract

A self-erecting shielding structure is configured for erection in an outdoor/indoor seating area having a first predetermined width W and a first predetermined depth D. The self-erecting shielding structure includes a structure operable for transforming from a stored collapsed mode into an open expanded mode and post use back into the stored mode.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to self-erecting structures. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the instant invention relates to a self-erecting structure which protects a user from the elements and potential harmful surrounding environmental conditions and is preferably portable and rapidly transformed from a stored mode to a fully erected mode.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Structures for shielding oneself from the elements or environment, such as tents have long existed. Some more novel structures include those which are self-erecting. Such structures are typically made of a water resistant fabric material and include a spring like wire frame for supporting such fabric when the frame is relaxed to an erected position. The frame includes a single loop of flexible, coil type, resilient material secured along its length into the structure's fabric. These structures are typically configured for application on ground, wherein the structure is stabilized with the driving stakes through stake loops contained on the four corners of the structure.

These type of structures are relatively lightweight and can be carried by one person. While these types of structures have found great use in various ground or beach front applications, these do not lend themselves well to all venues, such as sporting venues including stadiums, and outdoor spectator events, or indoor use in arenas, planes, trains, buses, classrooms, for sanitary or privacy needs.

Accordingly, there remains a need for a new and unique structure which addresses these deficiencies in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a self-erecting structure which is configured for application within an existing seating area and can be easily transformed between from a confined stored mode to an expanded open mode.

Another object is to provide a self-erecting shielding structure which is configured for application within an existing seating area and can be easily transformed between from a confined stored mode to an expanded open mode and includes a material which is one of rain resistant, sun blocking, and/or radio wave blocking or absorbing.

Another objective is to provide a portable structure which is configured for application within an existing seating area which is lightweight and easily carried.

Accordingly, the instant invention is directed to a self-erecting shielding structure configured for erection in a seating area A of which can be a public or private place having a first predetermined width W, preferably 18 inches to 24 inches, and a first predetermined depth D, preferably at least about 18 inches. The self-erecting shielding structure is operable by transforming from a stored collapsed mode into an expanded mode and post use back into the stored mode. The self-erecting shielding structure includes a frame formed from at least one or more flexible coilable members, the frame having, when in expanded mode, a defined base which is a width which is substantially that of the first predetermined width W and a depth substantially that of the first predetermined depth D, and a plurality of sides which are a height substantially sufficient to extend up from the base and above a head of a person sitting in the seating area, or at least between about 3 to 4 feet. The coilable member is configured in a way to form a perimeter shape defining a generally rectangular area and includes a flexible sheet material connected to the coilable member having fully customizable fully removable panels, to accommodate environmental needs. There can also be an optional attachable leg covering sheet which is connectable to the front panel to be draped over one's legs. The sheet material can include a material made of a waterproof material, a UV sun screen material blocking or absorbing, and/or an RF blocking or absorbing material. All of the sides, top and bottom are fully removable connected by way of hook and loop material, or a zipper for example. The sheet like material can be transparent, mesh or opaque depending on the user's needs.

The top by virtue of the frame structure provides a run off of the environmental elements. In this regard, the structure in the expanded configuration maintains the sheet material in a stretched manner to aid in run off. The structure can be easily collapsed into a stored mode without separation of the sides and top from the coilable member. Likewise, once collapsed, the structure can be easily converted to an expanded mode without separating the sides and top and optional components. This is achieved by virtue of the coilable material providing sufficient spring force to provide the self-erecting structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention in a use mode.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a stadium seat.

FIG. 3 is a left side panel view of a stadium seat.

FIG. 4 is a back side panel view of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a front side panel the invention.

FIG. 6 is a right side panel view of the invention.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the invention in expanded mode.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the invention in expanded mode with side, top, back and front panels removed.

FIG. 8 is a view of the invention in a stored and collapsed mode.

FIG. 9 is a view of a container for the invention.

FIG. 10 is another perspective view of a SELF ERECTING PROTECTIVE SHIELDING DEVICE.

FIG. 11 is a top view of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of FIG. 10 with a translucent side.

FIG. 14 is a back side elevation of FIG. 10.

FIG. 15 is a right side elevation of FIG. 10.

FIG. 16 is a left side elevation of FIG. 10.

FIG. 17 is a view of a leg blanket part of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, the instant invention is directed to a self-erecting shielding structure which protects a user from the elements and potential harmful surrounding environmental conditions as described herein is generally referred to by the numeral 10. The self-erecting shielding structure 10 configured for erection in a, indoor/outdoor seating area A, such as chair 20 in a private or a public place. For example, a stadium chair 20 has seat 22 of a first predetermined width W, preferably 18 inches to 24 inches, and a first predetermined depth D, preferably at least about 22 inches. The exemplary chair 20 shown has a height of about 30 inches with a back 24 of a height of about 15 inches. The seat 22 is about 15 inches from a bottom of the chair 20.

The self-erecting shielding structure 10 includes is operable transforming from a stored collapsed mode as seen in FIG. 8 into an open expanded mode as depicted in FIGS. 1, 4-76,10-16 and post use back into the stored mode. The self-erecting shielding structure 10 includes a frame 12 which is formed from at least one or more flexible coilable member 14. In particular, the coilable member 14 can be a made of a memory spring like wire material. The frame 12 in an expanded mode defines a bottom 16 which has a width substantially that of the first predetermined width W and a depth substantially that of the first predetermined depth D and a height substantially sufficient to extend up from the bottom 16 and above a head of a person sitting in the seating area A or at least up between about 3 to 4 feet from the bottom 16. In a preferred embodiment, it is envisioned this depth and width be slightly less than that defined by the seat 22, but need not be tightly restrictive.

A flexible enclosure material 28 can cover the bottom 16, a top 34, sides 30, 32, back 36, and front 38. The coilable member 14 here is shown as configured in a way to form a perimeter shape of defining a generally rectangular area and includes flexible enclosure material 28 connected to the coilable member 14.

It is envisioned that one or more of the bottom 16, top 34, sides 30, 32, back 36, and front 38 are equipped with a fully removable panel 25, 31, 33, 37 and 39, respectively, see 31 in FIG. 6. Note, panel 33 is similarly fully removable as is panel 37 in back 36, for example (see FIG. 4) or and likewise panel 39 in front 38 as seen in FIG. 5. There can also be an optional attachable leg covering 40 which is connectable to the lower part of the front panel 39 to be draped over one's legs. It is contemplated for example that the front 38, back 36 and leg covering 40 can be optional and connected by such means as hook and loop or zipper. The flexible enclosure material 28 can include a sheet material made, e.g, fabric, plastic, a sun screen material, UV and/or RF blocking or absorbing and/or of a waterproof material. The one or more of the panel 31, 33, 37 or 39 can connect by way of a zipper or hook and loop material, for example. The flexible enclosure material 28 (panels 31, 33, 37 and 39) can be translucent or opaque at least in areas of sides 30, 32, back 36, and front 38. The top 34 can also have a panel 35 like formed to be entirely removable and optionally translucent or opaque. FIGS. 10 and 13 depict an embodiment wherein the front panel 39 is translucent. All panels 25, 35, 31, 33, 37 and 39 can be selectively entirely removable.

The top 34 is preferably is configured by virtue of the frame 12 in this way to provide a run off for the environmental elements away from the frame 12, such as rain or snow. In this regard, the self-erecting shielding structure 10 in the expanded or open configuration maintains the flexible enclosure material 28 in a stretched manner to aid in run off. The structure 10 can be collectively collapsible to a stored mode and provided with a restraining member 42, such as a bag or ties, to maintain in a stored closed mode and whereupon removing said restraining member 42 self-erect to provide said self-erecting shielding structure 10.

The components identified above, namely, bottom 26, top 34, sides 30, 32, back 36, and front 38 can include fasteners 41A and 41B such as hook and loop materials, such as Velcro™, snaps, buttons, straps or grommets or a zipper extending along a portion of each component, such as the perimeter of the same and a complementary part thereof is connected to the frame 12. The fastener (41A) can connect to the coilable member 14 and extends along a perimeter of the bottom (26), the top (34), and the one or more side (30, 32), back (36), and front (38). The fasteners 41A and 41B can be selectively disposed on the inside or outside of the frame 12, with a preferred orientation disposed wherein a person disposed on the inside of the structure 10 can remove a desired panel 31, 33, 35, 37 or 39 and in FIGS. 10-16, the fasteners 41A can preferably be a hook and loop portion which extend from the frame 14 with the respective connecting surface facing inward toward the structure and the complementary faster 41B is connected on the perimeter of respective panel 31, 33, 35, 37 or 39 facing outward and configured to mate with fastener 41A.

The top 34, and one or more side 28, 32, back 36, and front 38 includes a removable panel 35, 31, 33, 37 and 39, respectively, which can be interconnected via a fastener 41B having a connecting surface to complementary connect to a fastener 41A connected to and extending along the frame 12. Panels 31, 33, 37 and 39 extend from top 34 to bottom 16, whereas panel 35 extends downward from the top 34 and truncates short of the bottom 16 to permit one's legs to extend out from the frame 12. In this way, the user can apply or remove the desired panel 31, 33, 35, 37 or 39 from within the structure 10. The fasteners are preferably weather resistant to prevent leakage of water and the like as well as UV and RF blocking.

The self-erecting shielding structure 10 can be easily collapsed into a stored mode without separation of the sides and top from the coilable member. Likewise, once collapsed, the self-erecting shielding structure 10 can be easily converted to expanded mode without separating the sides and top, and option other components. This is achieved by virtue of the coilable member 14 providing sufficient spring force to provide the self-erecting shielding structure 10. The one or more coilable member 14 may be shaped as a rectangular, ellipse, oval, arcuate, square or the like. Other shapes are also possible as is recognized by practitioners in the art.

Claims

1. A self-erecting shielding structure which protects a user from the elements and potential harmful surrounding environmental conditions, the structure configured for erection in a seating area A of a first predetermined width W and a first predetermined depth D, which includes:

a frame (12) which is formed from at least one flexible coilable member (14), wherein said frame (12) in an open mode defines a bottom (16) which has a width substantially that of the first predetermined width W and a depth substantially that of the first predetermined depth D and a height substantially sufficient to extend up from said bottom (16) and above a head of a person sitting in the seating area A; and

a flexible enclosure material (28) covers a top (34), and one or more side (28, 32), a back (36), and a front (38) connected to said frame (12), wherein said frame (12) and said flexible enclosure material (28) are collectively collapsible and restrained to a stored mode and whereupon relaxing self erects to provide said self-erecting shielding structure and wherein said top (34), and said one or more side (30, 32), said back (36), and said front (38) includes a fully removable panel (35), (31), (33) (37) and (39), respectively, which are interconnected via a fastener (41B) having a connecting surface to complementary connect to a fastener (41A) which is connected to and extending along said frame (12), wherein panel (35) extends downward from said top and truncates short of said bottom (16) to permit one's legs to extend out from said frame (12).

2. The self-erecting shielding structure of claim 1, which is provided with a restraining member (42) to maintain in a stored closed mode and by removing said restraining member (42) enables expansion of said self-erecting shielding structure.

3. The self-erecting shielding structure of claim 1, wherein said fastening members 41A and 41B include complementary hook and loop material.

4. The self-erecting shielding structure of claim 1, wherein said flexible material includes an attachable leg covering (40) connectable to said front panel bottom with one of a hook and loop, snap, and zipper.

5. The self-erecting shielding structure of claim 3, wherein said panels (35), (31), (33) (37) and (39) and leg covering (40) are removably connected by way of one of a hook and loop, snap, and zipper

6. The self-erecting shielding structure of claim 1, wherein said flexible enclosure material (28) is made of one of a waterproof material, plastic, a UV absorbing and/or blocking material and an RF absorbing and/or blocking material.

7. The self-erecting shielding structure of claim 1, wherein said flexible enclosure material (28) includes one of translucent and opaque material.

8. The self-erecting shielding structure of claim 1, wherein said top (34) by virtue of said frame (12) provides a run off of the environmental elements away from a front of said frame.

9. The self-erecting shielding structure of claim 1, wherein said coilable member (14) is configured to self erect in a generally rectangular form.

10. The self-erecting shielding structure of claim 1, wherein said fastener portion (41A) connects to said coilable member 14 and extends along a perimeter of said bottom (26), said top (34), and said one or more side (30, 32), said back (36), and said front (38).