Tent – canopy – umbrella – or cane – Portable shelter – Umbrella-type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-16
2001-06-26
Canfield, Robert (Department: 3635)
Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane
Portable shelter
Umbrella-type
C135S099000, C135S015100, C135S907000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250322
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to free-standing shelters and is particularly directed to an umbrella-shaped shelter having a single vertical support member and a fabric cover attached to and radially disposed about an upper end of the vertical support member.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Shelters are used in various environments, such as on golf courses, beaches, recreational parks, and in the work environment. In most cases, it is highly desirable that the shelter afford a high degree of structural strength to accommodate various environmental stresses, such as high wind loads, or snow loads. In addition, the shelter components should be easily and inexpensively fabricated, and capable of easy assembly. The shelter should be comprised of durable materials and afford an overall shape and appearance which is aesthetically pleasing.
In an effort to simplify the design, reduce the cost of assembly, and still provide a structurally strong, attractive structure, some shelters are constructed with a single vertical support post, or column. The roof may take on various forms such as that of a round, cone-shaped cover, or a hip roof. Examples of shelters having a single vertical support with a cone-shaped roof, and thus having the general shape of an umbrella, can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 244,058 to Hoek; 2,466,585 to Korman; 2,485,118 to Simpson; 2,577,317 to Eschrich; 4,023,582 to Buzzella et al.; and 4,677,796 to Mellott. All of the shelters disclosed in the aforementioned patents include a cone-shaped roof comprised of rigid material, such as wood, metal, or plastic. The roofs generally are comprised of a plurality of flat members extending radially from the central support column, and having the form of a sector, where adjacent sectors are connected together and arranged in an overlapping manner. Umbrellas having a cloth or fabric cover generally offer more flexibility in structural design as well as in the design and color of the shelter's cover. However, shelters having a fabric cover and in the general form of an umbrella typically have only limited structural strength and must be taken down in windy conditions to avoid tearing and destruction of the cover.
The present invention addresses the aforementioned limitations of the prior art by providing an umbrella-shaped shelter having a single vertical support column and a fabric cover, or roof, which is securely attached to an upper portion of the shelter's structural frame in a manner which allows tension on the fabric cover to be adjusted for optimum fabric wear.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a circular shelter having a single vertical support upright and a fabric cover which is free-standing, easily assembled and of high structural strength.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a permanently mounted, or removably installed, umbrella-shaped shelter comprised of a structural steel frame and a fabric cover and including an arrangement for adjusting the tension of the fabric cover.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an umbrella-shaped shelter having a fabric cover which is maintained under tension to withstand high wind loads and which is easily removed and re-installed.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an umbrella-shaped shelter having a fabric cover and a support frame with components adapted for sliding engagement during assembly and forming connections that are maintained by coupling bolts.
This invention contemplates a shelter comprising a vertical support column having an upper end and a lower end disposed on a support surface; a support frame attached to the support column adjacent its upper end, the support frame including a generally circular ring member concentrically disposed about the vertical support column; a flexible fabric cover disposed over and engaging the upper end of the support column and the ring member; and a retaining arrangement for maintaining the fabric roof disposed about and engaging the ring member in a stretched condition under tension.
REFERENCES:
patent: 244058 (1881-07-01), Hoek et al.
patent: 519178 (1894-05-01), Douglas et al.
patent: 657593 (1900-09-01), Dix
patent: 1543134 (1925-06-01), Tood
patent: 2466595 (1949-04-01), Korman
patent: 2485118 (1949-10-01), Simpson
patent: 2577317 (1951-12-01), Eschrich
patent: 4023582 (1977-05-01), Buzzella et al.
patent: 4184502 (1980-01-01), Anderson
patent: 4545629 (1985-10-01), Hackett
patent: 4677796 (1987-07-01), Mellott
patent: 4890634 (1990-01-01), Dalo et al.
patent: 4951327 (1990-08-01), Del Gorio
patent: 5259077 (1993-11-01), Hager et al.
patent: 5444943 (1995-08-01), Schelfhorst
patent: 5806547 (1998-09-01), Derlings
Canfield Robert
Emrich & -Dithmar
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