Self-erecting, collapsible and foldable dome structure

Details Self-erecting, collapsible and foldable dome structure Self-erecting, collapsible and foldable dome structure

1999-12-23

2001-11-06

Yip, Winnie S. (Department: 3635)

Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane

Portable shelter

Framework

C135S128000, C135S136000, C135S137000, C135S115000, C135S905000, C446S478000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06311709

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to tents and other light, temporary structures made of canvas stretched over a collapsible armature.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There is disclosed in the prior art several types of self-erecting tents and similar structures which rely on springy armatures made of wire loops to instantaneously deploy the devices. Some of those simplest structures, such as the ones disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,892 Norman, are very unstable and require the use of ground spikes or other securing devices.
More stable, but also more complex self-erecting tents, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,461 Ivanovich et al., use long lengths of steel wire to form numerous loops, adding considerable weight to a device which is intended to be easily carried.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,812 and 5,301,705 disclose other self-erecting tents that requires interconnecting six separate panels to form a dome-shaped enclosed space.
The instant invention results from an attempt to reduce the amount of panels and armature material without compromising the volume and stability of a dome-shaped tent structure, and to improve the structure foldability by reducing the number of wire loop panels.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The principal and secondary object of this invention are to provide a simple self-erecting and easily collapsible dome-shaped tent structure that combines stability and light weight. These and other valuable objects are achieve in a basic model by using only two unconnected wire loops to form the armature of the structure. The fabric cover comprises two cruciform capping pieces peripherally sewn together for form an envelope that contains and constrains the two loops into a quasihemispherical shape. Gore segments are used to bridge the gaps between the arms of the capping piece. The corners of a quadrangular floor mat is attached to the distal ends of the cruciform capping piece, while its sides are connected to the bases of the gore segments. Alternately, a circular floor mat may be used to achieve a near-perfect hemispherical shape.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3699986 (1972-10-01), Kirkham
patent: 3990463 (1976-11-01), Norman
patent: 4825892 (1989-05-01), Norman
patent: 4858634 (1989-08-01), McLeese
patent: 5038812 (1991-08-01), Norman
patent: 5159948 (1992-11-01), Moreau et al.
patent: 5163461 (1992-11-01), Ivanovich et al.
patent: 5301705 (1994-04-01), Zheng
patent: 5396917 (1995-03-01), Hazinski et al.
patent: 5676168 (1997-10-01), Price
patent: 5816278 (1998-10-01), Kim
patent: 6098349 (2000-08-01), Zheng
patent: 6109282 (2000-08-01), Yoon

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