Abstract:
A handle for easily and quickly deploying a shelter wherein a conventional “instant” type shelter is provided having a deployment handle made of webbing material attached to the upper corner of diagonally opposed shelter frame comers, allowing the users to grasp the deployment handles and move outward from each other to expand the shelter frame to its full footprint prior to raising the frame to its desired height and locking it in place.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/906,473, filed on Nov. 20, 2013, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Portable shelters and tents are used for numerous activities including camping, sporting events, picnics, beach-going, fairs and the provision of simple shade from the sun and protection from other weather elements. A majority of conventional shelters are of the “instant” type wherein the frame is comprised of interconnected members, hubs, brackets and hinges so that deployment is relatively quick and easy. The canopy portion of the “instant” shelter can be attached to the frame prior to deployment or can be attached after the shelter is erected. 
         [0003]    Although these types of shelters are easy to deploy, improper set up can lead to unnecessary stress on the frame and premature failure of the frame structure. It is preferred for no more than 2 people located on opposite diagonal corners to expand the footprint of these shelters and then to raise the shelter frame to its desired height. The present invention provides a system for easily indicating to users the preferred method of deployment and for assisting the users in expanding the shelter frame in a simple and efficient manner. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
         [0005]    A shelter frame including at least four standing rods and a shelter top frame supported by each of the standing rods, the shelter top frame including a lateral supporting rod assembly arranged between each of the standing rods, the lateral supporting rod assembly including at least two cross pivoted bars pivotally connected together end to end, the bars of the lateral supporting rod assembly connected to the standing rods through a fixed bracket and an operably connected bracket, characterized in that at least one set of two diagonally arranged standing rods includes a handle on its upper end. In a first embodiment, the deployment handle is located on a fixed bracket. In a second embodiment, the deployment handle is located on a sliding bracket. 
         [0006]    In embodiments described herein, the shelter utilizes one of two deployment handle placements. It should be understood, however, that the mechanisms described herein can be applied to other types of portable shelters including tents having an attached floor and side walls. 
         [0007]    The present invention provides a visual for the user on where to grab the shelter frame and how to easily deploy the shelter. The present invention helps prevent users from pulling on all four upright poles at the same time which causes undue force on the scissor frame and ultimately results in premature breakage of the steel tubing. 
         [0008]    For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the shelter in a fully deployed upright configuration, in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the handle of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the handle of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will also be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described. 
         [0013]    Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  shows a conventional portable shelter  10  that includes a frame assembly  12  and a canopy (not shown). Frame assembly  12  is of a conventional construction and  12  includes leg members  14  and upper frame  16 , preferably made of steel. There are preferably four leg members  14  for supporting a four-sided shelter, each leg member  14  comprising an upper leg  18  telescopically connected to a lower leg  20  to enable the entire frame assembly  12  to be set at various heights through the use of locking mechanisms (not shown) which are known and used in the industry. Base feet (not shown) are located at the lower end of lower legs  20  to provide a stable foundation for the shelter frame. Upper frame  16  comprises truss assembly  22  which extends between the leg members  14  on each side of the shelter near the top edge and roof assembly  24 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , truss assembly  22  is comprised of multiple individual truss members  23  which are criss-crossed and connected to each other at hinge points to allow for scissor-like folding of the members for deployment and collapsing of the frame. Roof assembly  24  comprises roof members  25  and center hub  26  which are similarly connected to each other at hinge points to allow for expansion and collapsing. Certain of the hinge points are uni-directional hinges which are known in the industry and which allow the frame structure to maintain its desired rigidity. The upper criss-crossed truss members  23  having ends located at each corner of the frame are connected to a corner bracket  28  and the lower criss-crossed truss members  23  having ends located at each corner of the frame are connected to a sliding bracket  30  as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The sliding bracket  30  comprises a locking sleeve that can move vertically along the upper leg  18  to allow for adjustment of the frame height. The foregoing description of the shelter frame construction is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention but is intended only to provide a general description of “instant” type shelters that are known in the industry such as the structure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,293 and similar patents. Other frame constructions known and used in the industry can also be utilized with the present invention. 
         [0014]    A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 2 , wherein deployment handle  32  is connected to the sliding bracket  30  on leg member  14 . Deployment handle  32  is preferably a loop of nylon or polypropylene webbing, or a similar functioning material such as grosgrain ribbon, rope, folded fabric or the like. Although a loop is preferred, deployment handle  32  could also be a rigid or semi-rigid ring, a rigid or semi-rigid toggle handle, or similar structure provided it allows easy gripping by a user. Deployment handle  32  is preferably permanently attached to frame by a rivet  34  or other permanent attachment means such as a screw, nut and bolt or the like. Although not the most preferred method, it is also within the scope of the present invention for the deployment handle  32  to be attached by a more temporary means such as quick release buckles, ladder lock buckles, clips, hook and loop connectors, toggles and other releasable attachments known in the industry. 
         [0015]    An alternative embodiment is shown in  FIG. 3 , wherein the deployment handle  32  is attached to the frame  12  at the upper corner bracket  28 . Although it is preferred for deployment handle  32  to be attached to the frame  12  in an upper corner area when the frame is collapsed, it is within the scope of the invention for deployment handle  32  to be attached at any point along the vertical axis of upper frame  16  (not shown). 
         [0016]    Two deployment handles  32  are preferred. The deployment handles  32  are located in opposed corners of the shelter frame  12  as shown in  FIG. 1  so that only two users would be utilized to deploy a four-sided shelter, thus reducing the amount of stress on the frame members. It is within the scope of the present invention, however, for the shelter to have more than two deployment handles, although this is not the preferred method for a four-sided shelter. It is also within the scope of the present invention for the shelter  10  to have more than four corners—such as a hexagonal shaped shelter with six corners, an octagonal shelter with eight corner and the like. In such a case, the shelter would preferably have at least two handles which would be located on opposite corners. Although not described herein in detail, the shelter may have additional features known in the industry such as side walls, cup holders, vents, leg weights, stakes, guy lines and the like. The present invention would also be used with a tent having sidewalls and a floor if the tent comprises a similar frame structure. 
         [0017]    For deployment of the shelter  10 , the folded shelter is set on its base feet in an upright position as is conventionally done. Two users each grasp a deployment handle  32  located on opposed corners at or near the upper corner brackets. Each user then moves outward in opposite directions from each other, pulling the shelter frame corner as they move. The users continue moving outward until the shelter frame has been expanded to its standard footprint. At this point, the users can raise the shelter frame to its desired height and lock the frame in place. If the canopy is not already attached to the shelter frame prior to initial deployment, the canopy can be placed on and attached to the frame either before or after the frame has been raised to its desired height. 
         [0018]    Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. 
         [0019]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0020]    Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 
         [0021]    All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.