Frame for portable shelter and assembly

A portable shelter including a base, a collapsible support member that is projectable substantially diagonally upward and rearward from the portion of the base, a collapsible base support member that is projectable first diagonally downward to a bend and then forward from the portion of the base, and another collapsible support member or a spreader bar that is attachable to an end portion of the collapsible base support member, wherein the collapsible support member, the another collapsible support member or the spreader bar, and the collapsible base support member include a frame.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to a portable shelter and more specifically it relates to a collapsible portable fish house with a side door.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Currently, a collapsible portable fish house is known that has a frame and a canvas cover with a single opening for egress, located at the front of the fish house. This arrangement is inconvenient, especially when more than one fishermen share a fish house. In order to enter into and exit from the fish house, a fisherman has to reach the front door and unzip the door or flip the tent flap. This is difficult to perform without stepping over his fellow fishermen, the fish holes cut into the ice, or the fishing gear. Because of this problem, there is a need for a new and improved fish house that will allow multiple fishermen to enter and exit the fish house with ease and convenience.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Accordingly, one aspect of the present disclosure provides a portable shelter which includes a base, a support bracket that is attachable to the base, a first collapsible support member that is projectable substantially vertically upward from the support bracket, a second collapsible support member that is projectable substantially diagonally upward and rearward from the support bracket, a collapsible base support member that is projectable first diagonally downward to a bend and then forward from the support bracket, a third collapsible support member that is attachable to an end portion of the collapsible base support member, a first spreader bar that is configured to extend upward from the base to an end of the second collapsible support member, the end being distal to the support bracket, a second spreader bar that is configured to extend upward and forward from the end of the second collapsible support member to an end of the first collapsible support member that is distal to the support bracket, and a third spreader bar that is configured to extend downward and forward from the end of the first collapsible support member to an end of the third collapsible support member that is distal to the collapsible base support member, wherein the first collapsible support member, the second collapsible support member, the third collapsible support member, the base collapsible support member, the first spreader bar, the second spreader bar, and the third spreader bar include a frame. The first, second, or third spreader bar may include a collapsible spreader bar.

The portable shelter may include a cover mounted on and over the frame. The cover may include a door formed into at least one side of the cover. The side door is capable of being opened and closed to allow entrance into and egress from the portable shelter.

At least one of the collapsible support members and the spreader bars may include a fastener. The fastener may include a push button, a pin, a lock, a clip, a clamp, a bolt, or a screw.

The portable shelter may further include a wind flap that is positionable over a bottom end of a door.

The portable shelter may include a window.

According another aspect of the present disclosure, a portable shelter is provided that includes a base, a collapsible support member that is projectable substantially diagonally upward and rearward from the portion of the base, a collapsible base support member that is projectable first diagonally downward to a bend and then forward from the portion of the base, and another collapsible support member or a spreader bar that is attachable to an end portion of the collapsible base support member, wherein the collapsible support member, third collapsible support member or the spreader bar, and collapsible base support member comprise a frame.

The portable shelter includes a cover mounted on and over the frame.

The portable shelter includes a side door formed in a sidewall of the cover, the side door being capable of being opened and closed to allow entrance into and egress from the portable shelter.

The portable shelter may include a spreader bar that is configured to extend upward from the base to an end of the collapsible support member, the end being distal to the portion of the base. The portable shelter may include a spreader bar that is configured to extend from the end of the collapsible support member.

The portable shelter may include a spreader bar that is configured to extend from the another collapsible support member.

The portable shelter may include a wind flap that is positionable over a bottom portion of the side door.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided for manufacturing a portable shelter. The method includes providing a base, attaching a collapsible support member to the base, the collapsible support member being configured to project substantially diagonally upward and rearward from the base when the portable shelter is erected, attaching a collapsible base support member to the base, the collapsible base support member being configured to project first diagonally downward to a bend and then forward from the base, and attaching another collapsible support member or spreader bar to an end portion of the collapsible base support member, wherein the collapsible support member, said another collapsible support member or spreader bar, and the collapsible base support member comprise a frame.

The method may include providing a spreader bar that may be positioned between end portions of a pair of collapsible support members.

The method may include placing a cover on and over the frame. The cover includes a side door formed in a side wall of the cover allow entrance into and egress from the portable shelter.

The method may further include attaching a further collapsible support member that is projectable substantially vertically upward from the base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The terms “including,” “comprising” and variations thereof, as used in this disclosure, mean “including, but not limited to,” unless expressly specified otherwise.

Although process steps, method steps, or the like, may be described in a sequential order, such processes and methods may be configured to work in alternate orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be described does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of the processes or methods described herein may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously.

FIG. 1shows a perspective view of an example of a portable shelter1A without a cover, which is constructed according to the principles of the disclosure. The portable shelter1A may be used as a portable fishing house, a camping shelter, a portable storage, or the like. The portable shelter1A includes a base200, a frame2A, a pair of brackets700(700A and700B), and a cover3A (not shown inFIG. 1). The portable shelter1A may further include a floor4A. The floor4A may include e.g., a tarp, an insulating material, a weatherproof material, and so on.

The base200has a front portion220, a first side portion230, a second side portion250, a back portion240, and a floor portion260. The base200may be made of a material, such as, for example, plastic, metal, carbon-fiber, fiberglass, glass, cloth, foam, wood, or the like, or any combination thereof.

The side portion230may include a plurality of openings231,232. The side portion230may further include a slanted wall portion235. The openings231,232may be configured so that a user may move the portable shelter1A by, for example, gripping a part of the side portion230by means of one or more of the openings231,232and moving the base200to a desired location. Alternatively, the openings231,232may be used to secure, e.g., a pull-cord that may be attached to a vehicle (e.g., an all-terrain-vehicle (ATV), a boat, or the like) to pull the base200. The openings231,232may be additionally (or alternatively) used to hold objects (e.g., a fishing pole) or to allow objects to pass there-through (e.g., a hose) to connect equipment (e.g., a propane heater) inside the base200to equipment (e.g., a propane tank) located outside of the base200, or simply outside of the base200(e.g., a heater exhaust output). The slanted wall portion235may assist in reducing drag, such as, e.g., when the base200is dragged by a user on snow, on water, or the like.

The side portion250may include openings (not shown) similar to openings231and/or232. The side portion250may also include a slanted wall portion (not shown) similar to slanted wall portion235.

The front portion220and the back portion240each include a side wall that may include one or more openings, such as, e.g., openings similar to openings231and/or232. The side walls may be substantially perpendicular to the floor portion260, or offset by a predetermined angle with respect to the floor portion260, where the angle formed by the planar surface of the side wall with respect to the planar surface of the floor portion260may be in the range of, e.g., about 90° to about 135°. Alternatively, the angle may be less 90° than or greater than 135°, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize.

The floor portion260tnay include one or more ribs262, which may function to increase strength and rigidity of the floor portion260and base200. The rib(s)262may also function to provide directional control of the base200such as, for example, when the base200is dragged by a user on snow or water.

The frame2A includes a plurality of support members300,400,500,600, and a plurality of stretcher bars12A,12B, and12C. The support members300,400,500,600, may include a portion that is U-shaped. The support member500may include a bent portion and a U-shaped portion. The support members300,400,500,600, may be telescopically adjustable so as to allow for adjustment in height of the frame2A. The stretch bars12A,12B,12C, may each include a rod. The stretch (or spreader) bars12A,12B,12C may each include a support member fastener12F, which may be attached to or integrally formed with an end of the stretch bar. One or more of the stretch bars12A,12B,12C may include a collapsible structure, such as, e.g., a two or more rod-members telescopically joined together. The fastener12F may include a U-shaped member, a C-shaped member, a bracket, a clamp, or the like, which may be configured to have a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the support members300,400,600. The fastener12F may be pivotally or rotatably mounted and secured to a portion of the support member300(or400or600), allowing the spreader bar12to pivot or rotate about the point at which the fastener12F is attached to the support member.

The brackets700may include a pair of opposing brackets700A,700B. The brackets700A,700B may include e.g., an L-shaped bracket, a U-shaped bracket, a C-shaped bracket, a plate, or the like. The brackets700may be integrally formed with or in the base200. The brackets700may be made of the same material as or a different material than the base200. The brackets700may form the structure to which a portion of the frame2A may be attached, including the support members300,400,500. The brackets700may be affixed to the base200by means of fasteners, or the brackets700may be integrally formed with the base200. The brackets700may be affixed to or formed integrally atop of or (partially or entirely) within the base200. The fasteners (not shown) may include, for example, push-buttons, adhesives, pins, bolts, screws, nuts, clips, clamps, rivets, hook-and-loops, tongue-and-groove, or the like. The support members300,400,500may be anchored to, and rotatable about the brackets700.

The support members300,400may be attached to an inner portion of each of the brackets700and the support member500may be attached to an outer (or an inner) portion of each of the brackets700. Alternatively, the support member500may be attached to an inner (or outer) portion of each of the brackets700and the support members300,400may be attached to an outer portion of each of the brackets700.

Each of the support members300,400, and500may include a horizontal portion320,420,520, respectively, and a pair of telescoping and opposing side portions340,440,540, respectively. The horizontal portion520may provide an anchor point for the pivotable U-shaped support member600. The support member600may include a horizontal portion620and a pair of telescoping and opposing side portions640. The side portions640may be rotatably attached to the horizontal portion520of the support member500by a pair of respective fasteners12F.

The stretcher bars12A,12B, and12C may be disposed between the horizontal portions320,420of the support members300,400, and the horizontal portion620of the support member600, as shown inFIG. 1. Each of the stretcher bars12A,12B, and12C includes a straight portion having opposing ends, each opposing end including a fastener12F that can be removably positioned on the back portion240of the base200or on the horizontal portions320,420,620of the support members300,400,600, respectively, as mentioned above. The stretcher bar12A may include a rod-like end portion instead of the fastener12F, which may be inserted through a hole provided in the back portion240of the base200.

The stretcher bars12A,12B, and12C may be compressible and rotatably attached to the collapsible support members300,400, and600. For example, the stretcher bar12A may be pivotally attached at one end (e.g., by means of the fastener12F) to either the back portion240of the base200or to the horizontal portion320of the support bar300; and the other end of the stretcher (or spreader) bar12A may be removably attachable to either the horizontal portion320or back portion240, respectively, so as to allow the spreader bar12A to be readily detached from the base240(or horizontal portion320), pivoted so that it rests in the same plane as the support bar300(or rests in the base200), and collapsible to allow the bar12A to fit within the width of the base200. The stretcher bar12B may be pivotally fixed at one end to either the horizontal portion320of the support bar300or to the horizontal portion420of the support bar400, and the other end may be configured to be readily removal so as to allow the bar12B to be pivoted into the same plane as the bar300(or400). The stretcher bar12C may be pivotally fixed at one end to either the horizontal portion420of the support bar400or to the horizontal portion620of the support bar600, and the other end may be configured to be readily removal so as to allow the bard12C to be pivoted into the same plane as the bar400(or600). The foregoing configuration may ensure that the spreader arms12A,12B,12C don't get separated from the frame12A and, possibly, lost, while providing for easy collapsibility (or expandability) of the frame to or into the base200.

When fully and properly assembled, the frame2A may be configured to form a structure that has near vertical front and rear walls120,140(shown inFIG. 3). This configuration may be used to maximize the use of space within the portable shelter1A (as shown, e.g., inFIG. 2).

Referring toFIG. 3, a cover800may be placed over the frame2A to enclose the space therein. The cover800may include one or more access openings180that may be placed in, e.g., a pair of opposing side walls160for easy access to the interior of the shelter1A. The cover may further include one or more doors810that are configured to substantially seal the one more access openings180. The door(s)810may be configured to open in any direction, including, from left to right, from right to left, from top to bottom, from bottom to top, diagonally, or the like. The door(s)810may be configured to be partially or entirely removable. The seal may be formed by a fastening mechanism such as, e.g., zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, or the like. The cover800may be made of a material such as, e.g., cloth, fabrics, canvas, foam, insulating material, fiberglass, metal, carbon fiber, or the like, or any other suitable weatherproof material.

In application, the base200is used to anchor the support members300,400,500,600by means of, e.g., the brackets700. When stowed, the support members300,400,500,600are collapsed and lay on top of or in the base200. When assembly is required, the primary support members300,400,500are rotated to the positions shown inFIGS. 1 and 2and their respective telescoping side portions340,440,540are extended. The secondary support member600is then rotated upwardly and the stretcher bars12A,12B,12C are put into place. In alternative configuration, the stretcher bars12A,12B,12C, may already be attached at one end to the support members300,400,500, in which case the bards12A,12B,12C may be pivoted and aligned into position (e.g., the configuration shown inFIG. 1). The cover800may then be mounted over the assembled frame2A to form the structure (as shown inFIG. 3).

FIG. 4shows a side view of another example of a portable shelter1that is constructed according to the principles of the disclosure. The portable shelter1includes a base10, a frame5, a cover20, a wind flap30, a side door40, and a support bracket70, a non-removable hinged support member80. Base10may be made of the same material as base200. The cover20may be made of the same material as cover800.

A side door40is formed into the cover20. Side door40may opened and closed by means of fastening mechanism, such as, e.g., a zipper, a hook-and-loop fastener, or the like. The cover may, alternatively, include a mechanical door that may be opened by hand or by an actuator under control of an electrical signal, and the like. According to aspects of the disclosure, the side door40may be provided on only one side of the shelter, or on both sides of the shelter. If there is a second side door on the opposite side of the shelter, the second door40may be constructed to be a mirror image of the first side door40(as shown, e.g., inFIG. 4).

A wind flap30may be provided and positioned over a bottom portion of the side door40. The wind flap30may function to keep out light, wind, cold, snow, water, and the like, without the need to close the side door40all the way down to the ground surface. The wind flap30may be made out of same material as the cover20(or cover800).

The base10includes a plurality of side walls12and a floor as shown inFIG. 5. The side walls12may include a pair of first side walls, and a pair of longitudinal side wails. The base10may be configured to hold a portion of, or the entire frame5when it is folded into a collapsed configuration (as shown, inFIG. 5).

FIG. 4shows an example of a side view of the frame5that is constructed according to the principles of the disclosure. The cover20is installed over and supported by a frame5(as shown, e.g., inFIG. 4). The frame5includes non-removable collapsible support members50that may be rotated to a diagonal position and a vertical position, non-removable collapsible base support member50B, removable collapsible spreader bars60A and60B, removable collapsible spreader bar60C, and a non-removable hinged support member80.

The support bracket70, which may be mounted on or (partially or entirely) within the base10, functions to pivotally anchor the support members50and the base support member50B. One of the support members50(the first support member), when the frame5is in the erected position, extends substantially vertically upward from support bracket70, and the other support member50(the second support member), when the frame5is in the erected position, extends substantially diagonally upward and rearward from the bracket70. The base support member50B, when the frame5is in the erected position, extends first diagonally downward and then bends to continue forward from the support bracket70. The bend in the base support member50B allows for door clearance so that persons entering or leaving the shelter1do not have to step over the member50B to enter or exit the shelter1. The support members50and base support member50B are each collapsible and adjustable as to length by means of a fastener90(as shown e.g., inFIG. 7). The fastener90may include, for example a spring button clip, a spring pin, a pin, a clip, a clamp, a screw, a bolt, a nut, or the like.

The vertical support member50may include a plurality of sub-members, including a first submember52and a second submember54. The submembers52and54may be telescopically joined, with the submember52being configured to slidably hold submember54. The submembers52and54may be locked into an extended configuration as shown inFIG. 4, by means of a fastener90(as shown, e.g., inFIG. 7).

Additionally, the diagonal support member50may include a plurality of submembers, including a first submember56and a second submember58(as shown inFIG. 4). The submembers56and58may be telescopically joined, with the submember56being configured to slidably hold submember58. The submembers56and58may be locked into an extended configuration by the fastener90, as shown inFIG. 4.

The base support member50B may include plurality of submembers, including a first submember53and a second submember55(as shown inFIG. 4). The submembers53and55may be telescopically joined, with the submember53being configured to slidably hold submember55. The submembers53and55may be locked into an extended configuration as shown inFIG. 4, by means of the fastener90.

The non-removable hinged support member80may be connected by a hinge mechanism81to the vertical support member50(e.g., slightly below the top end of support member50). The hinged support member80may be configured to extend diagonally downward and forward from the support bracket70(and support member50) (as shown e.g., inFIG. 4). The hinge mechanism81may include, e.g., a pivot hinge, a pin, a rivet, a bolt-nut, a screw, or the like. Hinged support member80is configured to swing upward when the shelter1is erected and downward when the shelter1is collapsed. The hinged support member80supports the cover20and eliminates the need for an additional support members extending diagonally upward and forward from the support bracket.

The frame5of the shelter may be completed by adding the removable spreader bars60A,60B, and60C (as shown inFIG. 4). Spreader bars60A and60B are each collapsible and adjustable as to length by means of a fastener100as shown inFIG. 8. The fastener100may be the same as fastener90. Spreader bar60C, which is non collapsible and therefore has a fixed length, extends diagonally downward and rearward from the top of vertical support member50to the junction of diagonal support member50and spreader bar60A. The spreader bars60A,60B, and60C impart tension between the support members with which they interface, in order to keep the portable shelter in erected position and to prevent the cover20from sagging.

Spreader bar60A extends vertically upward from base10to the end of diagonal support member50that is distal to support bracket70. Spreader bar60B extends diagonally upward and to the rear from the front end of base support member50B to the front end of hinged support member80, forming an acute angle with the base support member SOB and forming an obtuse angle with hinged support member80. Spreader bar60B supports hinged support member80(as shown e.g., inFIG. 4).

The removable spreader bar60A may include a plurality of submembers, including a first submember62A and a second submember64A (as shown inFIG. 4). The submembers62A and64A may be telescopically joined, with the submember62A being configured to slidably hold submember64A. The submembers62A and64A may be locked into an extend configuration as shown inFIG. 4, by means of the fastener90(or100).

Additionally, the removable spreader bar609may include a plurality of submembers, including a first submember6213and a second submember64B (as shown inFIG. 4). The submembers62B and64B may be telescopically joined, with the submember62B being configured to slidably hold submember64B. The submembers62B and649may be locked into an extended configuration as shown inFIG. 4, by means of the fastener90(or100).

In order to transport and store the portable shelter, spreader bars60A,60B, and60C are removed, and support members50and base support member50B are folded down into the collapsed position shown inFIGS. 5 and 6.

While the disclosure has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure can be practiced with modifications in the spirit and scope of the appended claim, drawings and attachment. The examples provided herein are merely illustrative and are not meant to be an exhaustive list of all possible designs, embodiments, applications or modifications of the disclosure.