Tent – canopy – umbrella – or cane – Portable shelter – Framework
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-23
2004-06-15
Yip, Winnie B. (Department: 3635)
Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane
Portable shelter
Framework
C135S127000, C135S120300, C135S144000, C052S081100, C052S064000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06748962
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of collapsible support structures.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present invention is related to the application entitled COLLAPSIBLE STRUCTURAL FRAME STRUT WITH POP-IN-CONNECTOR, filed on the same date as the present invention with the same inventor and under the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. Nos., 3,968,808 and 4,026,313, each entitled COLLAPSIBLE SELF-SUPPORTING STRUCTURE, issued to Ziegler, respectively on Jul. 13, 1976 and May 31, 1977 each disclose collapsible structural support frames having a geodesic form. The '808 patent discloses: “ . . . a collapsible, self-supporting structure is disclosed wherein the structure is made up of a network of rod elements pivotally joined at their ends and forming scissors-like pairs in which rod element crossing points are pivotally joined. The network consists of a plurality of pairs of inner and outer apical points where groups of radiating rods are pivotally joined. The outer apical points lie on a surface of revolution such as a spherical section and each group of rods radiating from an inner apical point lie essentially in a common plane whereby to effect the self-supporting action. For any pair of apical points the group of rods defining the inner apical point radiate in their common plane and join rods of other groups at the surrounding outer apical points.” Abstract. The '808 patent states that “ . . . a preferred universal pivotal connection at the apical points is illustrated in FIGS. 12-14. As shown, each element has a double-ended fan flot 130 through which a wire ring 132 passes so as to allow universal movement of the rod elements. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, there may be as few as three elements intersecting at an apical point and as many as six elements, as shown.” Col 5, line 66-Col. 6, line 4. The '808 patent also notes that: “ . . . referring more particularly at this time to FIG. 25, certain principles of the construction according to FIG. 1 will be apparent therefrom. The FIG. 1 construction may be further explained in terms of conventional geodesic nomenclature. Specifically, the FIG. 1 embodiment is constructed as a four frequency icosahedron in which one of the triangular regions is illustrated in FIG. 25 and, in FIG. 26, all of the triangular regions are shown but laid out in flat form so as to give a better understanding of the elements involved.” Col. 7, lines 53-61. Similarly, the '313 patent discloses a “ . . . self-supporting structures and panels of diverse shapes are disclosed in which basic assemblies of crossed rod elements are employed to achieve the desired shape. Further, the crossing points of crossed rod elements in the structure involved may include limited sliding connections which effect transfer of collapsing force to other crossing points which are pivotally joined. An improved hub structure for pivotally joining ends of the rod elements at the outer and inner apical points is also disclosed.” Abstract.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,247 “ . . . a collapsible frame for use in erecting tents, insect screen rooms, shade awnings, canopies and the like at camp sights, back yard patios and other outdoor venues. The collapsible frame includes a plurality of telescopic legs for providing vertical structural support and a plurality of comer pin joints with one of the pin joints fixedly mounted upon a corresponding one of each of the telescopic legs. A plurality of horizontal support arms is included with one of the arms positioned between every adjacent pair of telescopic legs and attached to the corresponding comer pin joints. A mid-span hinge which includes a sliding sleeve is centrally positioned along each of the horizontal support arms. The mid-span hinge is flexibly collapsible when the sleeve is disengaged and is rigidly inflexible when the sleeve is engaged. A bottom slider is adjustably mounted upon each of the telescopic legs and is attached to the horizontal support arms which are connected to the corresponding comer pin joint. Finally, a plurality of top support members is included where each is anchored in a corresponding comer pin joint for stabilizing the frame. In the present invention, the telescopic legs, mid-span hinges and bottom sliders each cooperate to collapse the frame.” Abstract. The '247 patent also disclosed that “ . . . centrally positioned along each of the four horizontal support arms 162 is a mid-span hinge 188 clearly shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. Each of the four horizontal support arms 162 is circular and comprised of a lightweight material such as, for example, aluminum. The length of each of the four horizontal support arms 162 is interrupted approximately at the center of the span thereof forming two opposing, open-ended mid-span terminal ends 190 and 192 as shown in FIG. 3. Extending outward from each of the open-ended terminal ends 190 and 192 is a pair of connectors 194 and 196 having penetrations formed therethrough. Connectors 194 and 196 may be comprised of plastic having an outer surface which exhibits a low coefficient of friction such as Teflon. Positioned between the pair of connectors 194 and 196 is a pair of parallel positioned plates 198 and 200 swivelly attached to the corresponding connectors 194 and 196, respectively, of each of the horizontal support arms 162. The parallel positioned plates 198 and 200 are attached to each of the corresponding connectors 194 and 196 as by, for example, use of a pair of rivets 202 through the penetrations formed in the connectors 194 and 196 as is shown in FIG. 3. Mounted over each of the horizontal support arms 162 and the mid-span hinge 188 is a sliding sleeve 204 shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. The sliding sleeve 204 is cylindrical in shape and can be comprised of aluminum or a high strength plastic material such as polyvinylchloride (PVC). Further, the sliding sleeve 204 can have an inner surface (not shown) coated with a low friction material such as Teflon to minimize resistance to sliding. In the view of FIG. 3, the sliding sleeve 204 is disengaged and the mid-span hinge 188 is exposed and capable of swivelling. Under these conditions, the mid-span hinge 188 is flexibly collapsible and cooperates with the telescopic legs 108 and the bottom slider 130 to enable the collapsible frame 100 to collapse into the reduced size posture as clearly shown in FIG. 9. Located on the surface of the horizontal support arm 162 is a first mechanical stop 206 as shown in FIG. 3. The first mechanical stop 206 serves to limit the travel of the sliding sleeve 204 away from the mid-span hinge 188.” Col 7, line 47-Col. 8, line 11.
The '247 patent goes on to explain that “ . . . each of the top support members 174 comprise two portions best shown in FIG. 6. An outer portion 220 is shown fitting over the end of an inner portion 222 at a lip 224. With this arrangement, the inner portion 222 can be separated from the outer portion 220 under pressure. Running the length through the interior of each of the top support members 174 is an elastic cord 226 as shown in FIG. 6. The elastic cord 226 can be connected on each of its ends to the interior of each of the top support members 174 in any suitable manner such as, for example, by tying. The function of the elastic cord 226 is to urge the mating of the outer portion 220 with the inner portion 222 of the top support member 174 while simultaneously enabling them to be separated. This design facilitates the collapsing of the superstructure 106 but also prevents the outer portion 220 from being separated from the inner portion 222.” Col. 9, lines 7-22.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,797,412 and 5,632,293, each entitled COLLAPSIBLE SHELTER WITH FLEXIBLE, COLLAPSIBLE CANOPY, Aug. 25, 1998 and May 27, 1997 to Carter, disclose that “ . . . the collapsible shelter includes a truss and canopy framework that permits a flexible, collapsible canopy to be moved between a raised position and a lowered position. The collapsible shelter includes at least three legs supporting flex
Levin IP Group
Reed, Esq Randall L.
Yip Winnie B.
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