Abstract: A portable collapsible shelter comprises a floor, pairs of corner posts, a horizontal brace extending between and pivotally attached to the corner posts of each pair, and built-in seats. The floor, corner posts, braces, and seats are foldable between respective erected and collapsed modes. In the collapsed mode, each corner post is folded into a stack, with the stacks of each pair thereof being coplanar. The associated brace is initially at the top of the stacks of folded corner posts. The brace folds into a stack located coplanar with and between the stacks of the associated corner posts when the floor is folded to its collapsed mode. The seats fold with the corner posts and lie on the floor when the corner posts are folded to their collapsed mode. Locking devices selectively prevent and enable folding of the floor, corner posts, and braces.

Abstract: A free-standing outdoor enclosure is disclosed. The enclosure includes a frame having a lower section that engages the ground, a side section mounted to and extending upwardly from the lower section and a roof section attached to the side section. The side section includes a plurality of elongate support segments that are arranged about the periphery of the enclosure. The roof section has a like plurality of elongate, flexible support elements interconnected in a radial arrangement. A distal end of each support element is attached to an upper end of respective support segment such that the flexible support elements are flexed into an upwardly arched condition. A flexible skin is mounted to the frame and extends across the side section and the roof section to hold the flexible support elements in the arched condition and define an enclosed space.

Abstract: A multi-season, reversible tent adapted to accommodate prevailing solar conditions. Selected walls are constructed to include insulated liners and solar reflective and absorptive surfaces which cooperate with a longitudinal access opening. The walls assemble to an irregular triangular shape and can be reversed to optimally collect and reflect solar and thermal radiation in relation to one or more occupants and the prevailing conditions. Zippered reliefs at the door control the solar exposure of the wall surfaces and facilitate entry and egress. Multi-section, shock corded, end support frames are permanently contained at hemmed edges of the end walls. Adjoining pole ends are hinged to one another and longitudinal poles extend between eyelets at the hinge joints. Removeable cover, screen and window panels are supported to the door periphery. Rotating vents with overlapping apertures control interior temperature.

Abstract: A collapsible shade structure includes a plurality of foldable frame members each having a folded and an unfolded orientation. A fabric material is provided for substantially covering the frame members to form a side panel for each frame member, each side panel assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member. Interconnecting portions of the fabric material form a hinge portion between each frame member. Alternatively, frame retaining sleeve portions may be used to interconnect and retain two or more frame members from two or more adjacent side panels and to act as hinge portions. The structure may be folded and stored by folding the side panels and their corresponding frame members on top of each other about the hinge portions to have the side panels and frame members overlying each other.

Abstract: A combined tent-sleeping bag system including a pair of side panels. Each panel has a front edge, a rear edge, a bottom edge, and a common top edge. One of the side panels has a zipper assembly along the bottom edge. The common edge has a plurality of eyelets. Also, included are a plurality of flaps that have a panel edge that is integral the rear edge of the side panels, and a closing edge with a snap-type fastener assembly for coupling with another of the closing edges. Included is a mat that has long side walls, short side walls, a bottom surface, and a cushion-like material. The mat has a plurality of eyelets along the short side wall. The mat forms a first side wall that has a zipper assembly for coupling with the zipper assembly of one of the bottom edges. The mat forms a second side wall that is integral the bottom edge of another of the side panels. Provided is a support pole that is positioned through the eyelets.

Abstract: A collapsible play structure has one or more play modules connected together, each play module comprising at least three foldable frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation. A fabric material substantially covers each frame member to form a side panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. Each side panel further comprises at least three sides. The left side of each side panel is connected and hinged to the right side of an adjacent side panel, and the right side of each side panel is connected and hinged to the left side of another adjacent side panel. The bottom side of each side panel is adapted to rest on a supporting surface to support the play module.

Abstract: A portable, inflatable tent has a semi-cylindrical cover portion that fastens to a planar base portion. The cover portion is provided with rib air-passageways that, when inflated, support the cover portion in its semi-cylindrical configuration. Various configurations of the rib air-passageways connecting to edge air-passageways provided with air inflation valves are described. Generally, the rib air-passageways are segregated into two groups, so that the failure of a single rib air-passageway will not cause the deflation of all of the rib air-passageways. The inflation valve(s) are preferably disposed on a surface of the cover portion that will be interior the erected tent, so that the user may reinflate the tent without exiting the tent. The tent is sized and shaped so as to provide convenient, weatherproof, portable shelter for a user.

Abstract: A collapsible shade structure includes a plurality of foldable frame members each having a folded and an unfolded orientation. A fabric material is provided for substantially covering the frame members to form a side panel for each frame member, each side panel assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member. Interconnecting portions of the fabric material form a hinge portion between each frame member. Alternatively, frame retaining sleeve portions may be used to interconnect and retain two or more frame members from two or more adjacent side panels and to act as hinge portions. The structure may be folded and stored by folding the side panels and their corresponding frame members on top of each other about the hinge portions to have the side panels and frame members overlying each other.

Abstract: A portable bivouac shelter (10) is provided having an end pole (48) retaining on the top sheet (12) through a tunnel (46) for holding the top sheet (12) in a taught and semi-circular configuration. This permits the top sheet (12) to be held away from the bottom sheet (14) in an open configuration for enhanced ventilation. A top pole (54) is also provided across the top sheet 12 near the head end (20). The top pole (54) cooperates with the flexible end pole (48) to form a sloped roof over a user's head and to hold the top and bottom sheets (12) and (14) in a selected degree of an open configuration. Optional mounting snaps (62) in the interior (24) of the enclosure (18) enable a user to reconfigure the opening (26) without leaving the interior (24) of the shelter (10). The shelter (10) thus provides enhanced ventilation while the sloped roof formed by the top pole (54) prevents the entry of precipitation into the enclosure (18). Optional mosquito netting (32) is zippered on the interior of the opening (26).

Abstract: A portable shower is formed of a base and upper shower ring carrying spray nozzles. The base and the ring each have sockets directed slightly outwardly from the vertical. Straight plastic pipes are fitted into the sockets to join the base and the shower ring, and, since the pipes have to be flexed in order to fit within the sockets, the pipes provide a tensioned fit which holds the unit together. At least one of the pipes carries a water inlet so that it can be connected to a hose and, so, carry water to the ring. Two hoses can be used, if desired, one for hot water and the other for cold; and then two of the pipes will carry water to the ring. In such event, a mixing chamber is provided in the ring so water of uniform temperature comes from each of the spray outlets in the shower ring. The base is a tank which holds water to provide weight and, so, stability to the shower.

Abstract: A tent includes a canvas and a frame. The canvas includes a rectangular floor piece and two pairs of opposite triangular side pieces thereby forming a substantially pyramid-like structure, the rectangular floor piece having a loop at each of four corners thereof. The frame includes two flexible triangular members respectively mounted to three sides of each of one pair of opposite triangular side pieces with top vertices of the triangular members meeting at an apex of the canvas. Each flexible triangular member is collapsible such that the vertices thereof coincide with one another. A fastening member passes through the loops after the triangular members are collapsed to retain the triangular members in the collapsed position.

Abstract: A thermoformed plastic base has a collapsible frame which supports a flexible fabric covering which defines an ice fishing enclosure. A first brace extends frontwardly from the base and surrounds an ice fishing hole and engages against the lower edge of the flexible covering. A second brace is engaged with the first brace and extend frontwardly and upwardly from the base to engage against the flexible covering above the first brace. The engaged segments of the first and second braces restrict portion of the flexible covering from deflection toward the base and thereby define a volume adjacent the enclosed space above the ice fishing hole which is protected from interference from the flexible covering. An angler may jig a fishing rod in the defined volume without the wind blowing the flexible covering into conflict with the rod. The base preferably has a hook and a pin mounted on opposite sides for connection of two like shelters.

Abstract: A base having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a shape symmetrical about a fold line defining first and second halves is selectively moveable between an open position and a closed position. A substantially concave shell has an open bottom defining an outer periphery which is releasably attached to the top surface of the base. A resilient frame member supports the shell above the top surface of the base to define an interior volume between the base and the shell when the tent is in the open position. The shell and the resilient frame member collapse and fit between the first and second halves of the base when the two base halves are moved to the closed position. The base extends beyond the outer periphery of the shell, providing an area for the user to enjoy while being protected from the support surface.