Tent – canopy – umbrella – or cane – Portable shelter – Framework
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-28
2001-10-16
Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)
Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane
Portable shelter
Framework
C135S126000, C135S117000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302127
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The field of the present invention is structures made of simple frame elements and flexible sheet material.
Structures which are composed of one or more continuous flexible figure eight loops with fabric extending between sections of the loops to define a partial or full enclosure have been developed which can be quickly erected or collapsed. Such devices are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,900,463; U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,892; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,812, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The simplest of the structures disclosed in the aforementioned patents is formed by a single figure eight frame. Structures using this frame construction have proven to be stable in the erected position. Even so, they remain quite flexible in keeping with their facile erectible and collapsible nature.
Other devices have used flexible figure eight loops. Collapsible automobile window shades employ a loop contained within a bag to create a planar shade. The loop, when expanded, stretches the bag to fill the window. To maintain the figure eight form, the portions of the loop at the cross over point are pinned together. As the natural tendency of the loop in this application is to be open, the pin allows free relative rotation of the loop portions for facile deployment. The pin is used to keeps the loop portions together at the cross over. This insures that the shade remains substantially planar and in position.
Sheet material, including netting, can be arranged over a portion or all of the frame to define rounded tent-like structures, supporting structures for targets and the like, or containers or other devices utilizing the space-defining frame and support characteristics. The sheet material has included formed pockets and tubes to retain the frame member or members. The shapes of the structures have been principally defined by the operative frame elements arranged in the substantially continuous complex curved structure defined by the arched figure eight as constrained by the formed sheet material.
The sheet material has been used to define tighter curves, flat portions, and the like by constraining the frame element or elements. The frame elements have been left without permanent deformations such as tight bends and abrupt angles. This use of unbent frame elements has been encouraged by the spring steel makeup of the elements and by the desire to achieve a compact coiled device in the collapsed configuration. Reliance for shape has also been placed on the springy nature of the frame. Constraining elements and retainers have not been employed beyond the tensioning of the sheet material itself as interfering with the simplicity of the structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a structure including a frame formed of a resilient endless strap in the shape of an arched figure eight with sheet material extending over at least a portion of the loops of the figure eight.
In a first separate aspect of the present invention, a retainer is employed at the cross-over point on the figure eight of the frame. The retainer provides the capacity to fix the two opposed portions of the loop at the cross-over point in an open position. In the open position, the two opposed portions are retained in fixed relationship to decrease flexibility of the structure and increase stability. The retainer may be any of a number of mechanisms supplying a variety of advantages and functions. Bolts and wing nuts, clamps, overcenter mechanisms and friction pins and rivets are contemplated as the retaining system.
In a second separate aspect of the present invention, the retainer of the first separate aspect has the capability of providing a fixed position and a release position. The fixed position retains the two opposed positions of the frame at the cross-over point in fixed relationship to decrease flexibility of the structure and increase stability. The release position allows the structure to be collapsed.
In a third separate aspect of the present invention, the frame achieves amended structural shapes through the presence of permanent deformations such as tight bends and abrupt angles at strategic positions in the figure eight. A roof structure and wall structures can be more distinctly defined by such permanent bends and abrupt angles between roof sections and wall sections defined by the figure eight. Foot sections and wall sections can also be more distinctly defined by such permanent bends and abrupt angles. Other shapes are possible such as cubes and recognizable objects based on the permanent deformation of the frame.
In a fourth separate aspect of the present invention, the frame may include a brace extending between sections of the frame for added dimensional stability. Such braces contemplate a bar, simple, telescoping or collapsible, a frame such as of another flexible band and the like.
In a fifth separate aspect of the present invention, the frame achieves a cube or other polygonal shape through the presence of two arched figure eight bands opposing one another. Each figure eight may include permanent deformations in strategic positions. A roof structure and wall structures can be more distinctly defined by permanently defined abrupt angles between roof sections and wall sections.
In a sixth separate aspect of the present invention, the frame achieves a cube shape through the presence of a single arched figure eight band where the band is arched at abrupt angles at all corners. A floor piece is attached to the two structures, by a hinge on one side and by hook and loop material, snaps or other fasteners on the other, such that the floor piece or pieces, approximates the side and can be collapsed first for ease in disassembling the structure.
In a seventh separate aspect of the present invention, the frame is irregularly shaped such as in the likeness of a car, in that the figure eight band is positioned so that there is an extended foot section and the loops formed by the figure eight are asymmetrical. The figure eight is held in place at the cross-over point, which can be at a lower height than the apex.
In a eighth separate aspect of the present invention, any of the foregoing aspects are contemplated to be used in combination.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved structure defined by an arched figure eight and sheet material extending across at least a portion of the loops of the figure eight. Other and further objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3990463 (1976-11-01), Norman
patent: 4815784 (1989-03-01), Zheng
patent: 4825892 (1989-05-01), Norman
patent: 5038812 (1991-08-01), Norman
patent: 5301705 (1994-04-01), Zheng
patent: 5452934 (1995-09-01), Zheng
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patent: 5618246 (1997-04-01), Zheng
patent: 5664596 (1997-09-01), Zheng
patent: 5722446 (1998-03-01), Zheng
patent: 5778915 (1998-07-01), Zheng
patent: 5816278 (1998-10-01), Kim
patent: 6092544 (1998-10-01), Zheng
Lyon & Lyon LLP
Stephan Beth A.
LandOfFree
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