Abstract:
A foldable enclosure structure containing a fabric cover defining a desired shape when expanded to an expanded position; a first supporting frame fixedly attached to the cover and a second supporting frame provided within the cover and rotatably coupled to the first frame such that the second frame is movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position. The second frame is superposed over the first frame in the collapsed position for ease of storage, but is rotated axially to intersect with the first frame in the expanded position to prop up the cover to the desired shape. To ensure that the structure is stable in the expanded position, fixing means is/are provided for fixedly attaching the second frame to the first frame in the expanded position.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention is related to collapsible toy structures such as tents and playhouses.  
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     Collapsible structures that are used for playhouses are well-known in the art. They are typically collapsible into a small volume but can be easily popped up by various means, including the use of extendable frames and inflatable tubes. U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,396 described a collapsible structure that is provided with a plurality of foldable frame members each having a folded and an unfolded orientation. A fabric material is provided for covering a portion of each frame member to form a side panel therefrom. 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. The overlying side panels and frame members are then collapsed by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric frame members to substantially reduce the size of the structure.  
         [0003]     The above described structure has many advantages, but has the limitation of not being able to create structures with irregular sides or unusual shapes. One solution to this problem is provided by the Airmaze air play tent that uses a fan to blow the enclosure open. The fan, however, obviously poses a hazard, especially to small children. It is therefore an object to have present invention to provide improved collapsible structures.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0004]     Accordingly, the present invention provides a foldable enclosure structure containing a fabric cover defining a desired shape when expanded to an expanded position; a first supporting frame attached to the cover; and a second supporting frame provided within the cover and rotatably coupled to the first frame such that the second frame is movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position. According to the structure of the instant invention, the second frame is superposed over the first frame in the collapsed position for ease of storage, but is rotated axially to intersect with the first frame in the expanded position to prop up the cover to the desired shape. To ensure that the structure is stable in the expanded position, fixing means are provided for fixedly attaching the second frame to the first frame in the expanded position.  
         [0005]     In the preferred embodiment, the shape of the two frames assume the same shape as the cross-sectional shape of the cover along the points to which they attach such that they effectively prop up the cover in the expanded position.  
         [0006]     In another embodiment, the first and second frames are both fixedly sewn onto the cover. The frames may be sewn either onto the inner or outer sides of the cover. The intersections between the first and second frames are left unsewn, such that the two frames can rotate axially relative to each other.  
         [0007]     In another preferred embodiment, the first and second frames are each foldable from an open position to a folded position, the folded position achievable by twisting and folding the frames into at least two concentric circles. Since the two frames are superimposed onto each other in the collapsed position, it is most convenient for the user to twist and fold the two frames together simultaneously. This would reduce the total area of the collapsed structure to a minimum.  
         [0008]     In one specific embodiment of a toy house, the first and second frames are each in the general shape of a loop and containing a first and second central vertical axis respectively. The first and second frames are coupled together such that the first and second central vertical axes coincide with each other, and the second frame rotatable therealong. In this embodiment, the two loops may be coupled theretogether by an elastic band provided at the top intersection between the frames. In another preferred embodiment, the fixing means is a set of Velcro tapes that allow the two frames to be fixedly attached theretogether after the second frame has been rotated to the expanded position.  
         [0009]     In another embodiment, the fixing means is a bottom pad for mounting onto the bottom of the enclosure. This bottom pad has a bottom frame shaped to match the shape of the bottom of the desired shape for abutment of the first and second frame in the expanded position.  
         [0010]     Near the top of the structure, at least one reinforcement frame may further be attachable along the girth of the first and second frames in the expanded position to prop up the cover to the desired shape. This reinforcement frame is preferably attached to the first and second frames after they are arranged into the expanded position.  
         [0011]     In another preferred embodiment, the cover defines a complete enclosure with a top portion, a bottom portion and side portions for sheltering at least one person therein, the cover further provided with at least one opening for the person to access therethrough.  
         [0012]     In another embodiment, the first and second frames are each in the general shape of a loop with a first and second central horizontal axis respectively. The first and second frames are coupled together such that the first and second central horizontal axes coincide with each other, and the second frame rotatable therealong. This embodiment is suitable for shapes such as aeroplanes and airships. In the preferred embodiment, the fixing means is at least one loop attachable to the first and second frames along the vertical girth for abutment in the expanded position.  
         [0013]     In another aspect of the present invention, a method of supporting a fabric enclosure is provided comprising providing a plurality of rigid or semi-rigid loops having a shape of a section of the enclosure and defining a central axis therein; fixedly attaching one of the loop to a cross-section of the enclosure; and coupling the other loop or loops to the attached loop at a position wherein the loop or loops are rotatable along the central axis relative to the attached loop. In the preferred method, the loops in pre-determined relative position are abutted into position using a reinforcement frame.  
         [0014]     Using the teaching provided herein, many different structures with various shapes may be made. The structures may be expanded to huge enclosures, but readily collapsible into a very small package of concentric circles for ease of handling and storage. The time and skills required to construct the structure is nominal, since it is capable of expanding upon release, and the loops are coupled together such that they only need to be rotated into the appropriate expanded position, and the fixing means attached.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1A  is a drawing of an exploded view of the supporting structures according to one embodiment of the present invention. The fabric cover is not shown for ease of understanding.  
         [0016]      FIG. 1B  shows the assembled supporting structures according to the same embodiment as  FIG. 1A . The fabric cover is not shown.  
         [0017]      FIG. 1C  shows the perspective view of the fully expanded cover of the enclosure structure according to the same embodiment as  FIG. 1A  with windows and openings that can be provided on the cover.  
         [0018]      FIG. 1D  shows the step of the folding process for a frame into three concentric loops.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2A  shows a second embodiment according to the present invention in which a first, second and third frames are rotatable along a horizontal axis in an expanded position.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2B  shows an additional reinforcement loop provided within the structure shown in  FIG. 2A .  
         [0021]      FIGS. 2C and 2D  shows a second and third reinforcement loop provided respectively within the structure shown in  FIG. 2B .  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  shows a third embodiment of the present invention in which additional structures are provided.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]     In the following description and in the claims, the term “fabric” is simply used to describe a material that has the collapsible and foldable characteristics of a fabric, and is not meant to limit the instant invention to any particular type of material. The cover may be made of, among other things, nylon, cotton, leather, PVC and other natural, synthetic or blended material. The term “loop” is defined loosely as any rigid or semi-rigid frame that forms a complete piece without any break in the frame. The “loop” may be of any shape, such as circular, triangular, quadrilateral, polylateral, mushroom, or any other regular or irregular shape. A “semi-rigid” frame has the characteristic of maintaining a defined shape when it is expanded into the fully open position, but can also be folded, or twisted into concentric circles, or otherwise collapsible by other ways.  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIGS. 1A  to  1 C, the first embodiment exemplifying the present invention shows two identical frames  22  and  24  that have a mushroom-like shape in the fully open position. A fabric enclosure assuming the shape of a mushroom with a dome-shaped top  23   a  and a short, thick stem at the bottom  23   b  (see  FIG. 1C ). The bottom portion of the stem is also shown to have a girth that spreads wider than the top portion of the stem. For ease of illustration, only  FIG. 1C  shows the fabric enclosure or cover, and the relative position of the same cover is only shown as dotted lines in  FIG. 1A . The two frames in the open position assumes a shape that is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the cover (i.e. a mushroom shape in this example) along which they should propping up in the expanded position. In the most preferred embodiment, the first frame  22  is sewn and fixed onto the appropriate position along the cover. The first frame is sewn on the inside of the cover. In the operating position, the two frames are provided in the upright position, each with a central vertical axis defined therein (in  FIG. 1A , the two frames are positioned such that their central axes coincide along line  26 ). In this embodiment, the second frame is also be fixedly sewn onto the inside of the cover, except that the points of intersection  28  and  30  with the first frame are not sewn to the cover, such that the two frames may rotate axially relative to each other as shown by arrow  40 . In this embodiment, first and second frames may be sewn either on the outside or the inside of the cover, and are considered “rotatably coupled” with the cover itself acting as the coupling means.  
         [0025]     In this example, the frames are arranged such that they are axially aligned along the vertical axis and, when the frames are in the expanded position, intersect at a 90 degree angle. In this embodiment, three optional reinforcement loops  32 ,  34  and  36  of varying sizes, and a square pad  38  with a semi-rigid frame is also provided. Pad  38  assumes the same shape as defined by the bottom of the two frames, and once it is inserted into the enclosure as shown in  FIG. 1B , the two frames would be secured at a 90 degree angle. The three reinforcement loops can then be attached along various heights of the girth of the top portion of the mushroom structure, for example by velcro tapes provided at the appropriate position. The cover  25  as shown in  FIG. 1C  also illustrates how windows  25   a  and openings  25   b  may be provided.  
         [0026]     When a user wants to store the mushroom in a small package, the semi-rigid detachable reinforcement loops  32 ,  34  and  36  and the pad  38  are removed. Frame  24  is then rotated according to general direction shown by arrow  40  such that frame  22  and  24  are superimposed one next to another. Due to the soft, foldable nature of the cover, the frames are readily rotatable and foldable even if they are fixedly sewn onto the cover. They can then be twisted into three concentric circles, and the fabric of the cover, still attached to frame  22 , would collapse together with the frames. The three reinforcement loops and the pad can also be twisted and folded into smaller concentric loops for ease of storage. The way one of the loops may be folded is shown in  FIG. 1D . Although only one loop is shown in  FIG. 1D , it is understandable that all the semi-rigid loops can be folded up in the same manner as illustrated in  FIG. 1D .  
         [0027]     Referring now to  FIG. 2A  to  2 C, another embodiment of the present invention is shown in the form of a generally olive-shaped space ship. In this example, there are three identical frames  42 ,  44  and  46  provided within a fabric cover or enclosure that has a general olive shape lying on its side under normal usage. For ease of illustration, the fabric cover is not shown in order to review the supporting structures therein. It is understood that openings may be provided in the enclosure for a user such as a child to enter the space ship and reside within the confines of the frames. Frame  42  is fixedly sewn onto the inner side of the cover, and frames  44  and  46  are rotatably coupled thereto using an elastic band attached to the cover at the two side ends  48  and  50  of the spaceship such that frames  44  and  46  are rotatable along a horizontal axis  52  that also coincides with their respective longitudinal axis of symmetry. In the expanded position as shown, the three frames intersect each other at an angle of 60 degrees.  
         [0028]      FIG. 2B  shows one large reinforcement loop  54  provided at one end of the olive-shaped structure and aligned perpendicularly to the axis  52 . For ease of description, this vertical alignment of the reinforcement loop relative to the horizontal axis of rotation is referred to as attachment of the reinforcement loop to the vertical girth of the frames. Fixing means such as Velcro tapes are provided at the relevant position of the inner side of the enclosure for the secure position thereof. In the specific example, the reinforcement loop  54  assumes a curved shape  54   a  along ¾ of sides, but contains on flat side  54   b  which is preferably facing the floor to stabilize the entire spaceship structure.  
         [0029]      FIGS. 2C and 2D  shows two further reinforcement loops  56  and  58  provided at the mid-section and right-end section of the space ship. Again, Velcro tapes are provided along the designated positions of the inner side of the cover for fixed attachment thereto. Again, the bottom side of these two reinforcement loops are flat to provide stability to the whole structure.  
         [0030]     When a user wishes to store the spaceship in a small package, the three reinforcement loops may again be detached and the three frames  42 ,  44  and  46  be rotated to superimpose on each other in the collapsed form. If the three frames are large, and made of a semi-rigid material, they can be further twisted and folded simultaneously each into two or three concentric circles for storage. The three frames will stay within the fabric of the cover, and they are attached or coupled to the inner side thereof, and therefore the entire structure would conveniently be stored. The three reinforcement frames may also be twisted and folded and put in the same small bag for storage.  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  shows another embodiment in which the basic enclosure or cover is a cube  60 , supported by two square frames  62  and  64 . One optional square reinforcement frames  66  and one optional abutment frame  68  are also provided at the top and bottom respectively of the enclosure, and fixed thereto by fixing means such as Velcro tapes. An opening  70  is provided on the cover for a user to access the interior. Windows  70   a  are also provided. In this example, four additional conical/cylindrical structures  72  are provided at the four corners to give the structure the appearance of a castle. The structures  72  are simply attached onto the expanded cover using velcro tape as illustrated in the shaped area  74 . For ease of illustration, only one of the four areas is shaped so as not to obscure the other structures.  
         [0032]     Although the above example has been described generally with two or three identically shaped frames or loops, the present invention may clearly be practised with more than two loops. For example, this may be a substitution for the reinforcement frames in the larger enclosures. In such a case, the loops may be, for example, spread evenly at 60 degree angles into three evenly distributed frames. The bottom pad, if desired, may be a hexagon.  
         [0033]     While the present invention has been described with particular reference to the aforementioned figures, it is understood that the figures are for illustration only, and the instant invention is not limited thereto. It is intended that the scope of the present invention be defined by the claims appended herewith, and include many variations and embodiments not specifically described herein. For example, the intersection of the frames in the examples are described as having 60 or 90 degree angles, but it is clear that, depending on the shape and size of the enclosure, the absence or presence of the optional reinforcement frames and other abutment means etc would affect the number and arrangement of the frames used for the fully expanded position. Furthermore, one of the fixing means are described as bottom pad or velcro tapes, but it is clear that other fixing means, such as zippers, tying cloth or string, button etc may also be used. The coupling means as described in the first example actually uses the cover therefor, with the two frames fixed thereto except at the points of intersection, while elastic band is described as the coupling means in the second example. Many other alternative arrangements may be used. For example, strings and mechanical joints may also be used.