COLLAPSIBLE FRAMEWORKS FOR FREE STANDING AWNINGS

Abstract: A collapsible framework for a free standing awning consists of four inner elongate frame members (10) joined at one end, and eight outer elongate frame members (11) joined end-to-end, the frame members (10, 11) being movable from a collapsed state in which the members (10, 11) lie parallel and adjacent to one another to an erected state in which the inner members (10) form a central pyramidal structure and the outer members (11) form a series of inverted V-frames oppositely inclined to respective faces of the central pyramid.

Description: COLLAPSIBLE FRAMEWORKS FOR FREE STANDING AWNINGS This invention relates to a collapsible framework for a free standing awning or canopy. According to the invention the framework comprises at least three inner elongate frame members and at least six outer elongate frame members. The members are movable from a collapsed state, in which the members lie parallel and adjacent one another, to an erected state in which each member is inclined to the vertical. The inner members are joined at one end and in the erected state converge to a common apex to form a central pyramidal structure. Tfte outer members are joined end-to-end and in the erected state form at least three inverted V-frames oppositely inclined to respective faces of the central pyramidal structure. In the erected state, the respective lower ends of one inner and two successive outer frame members are preferably hinged to respective corner junction members at each corner of the base of the central pyramidal structure, the two successive outer frame members being at 180 to one another and the inner frame member being at 90 to the two outer frame members. Each corner junction preferably has an associated leg to support the erected free standing framework above ground level. A flexible cover with a double saddle-shaped curvature between the respective pairs of high and low apices is preferably attached to the framework such that, when the framework is erected, the cover opens out and provides an awning or canopy having a unique and striking appearance. The legs preferably lie parallel and adjacent the inner and outer frame members in the collapsed state. As the framework is erected, the legs move outwardly with the corners of the base of the central pyramidal structure being formed. When fully erected, the legs are vertical and each corner junction slidably receives a respective leg so that the height of the framework above the ground is adjustable. Once the framework is at the required height, each leg is releasably locked in position. In this manner, the structure can be unfolded and erected from an initial collapsed state in which all the members (including the legs) lie parallel with one another. The frame members are preferably pivotable in respective vertical planes, and further means are then provided to limit the angle through which each frame member can pivot away from the vertical. For example, the limiting means may comprise a stay having one end pivotally connected to the respective frame member and its opposite end pivotally connected to a second corner junction member disposed beneath the first corner junction member. Means are then provided to limit the vertical separation of the two corner junction members at each corner. In a preferred arrangement the framework includes four inner frame members providing a central pyramidal structure with a square or rectangular base, and eight outer frame members, the outer members forming four inverted V-frames. In the accompanying drawings, by way of example only:- Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a structure embodying the invention in an unfolded and erected state. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the same structure in a folded or collapsed state. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a detail of one corner junction. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the corner junction from the opposite side, Figure 5 is a vertical section through the corner junction, and Figure 6 is a pictorial view of the junction at the apex of each inverted V-frame. Referring now to fig. 1, the erected framework consists of four elongate inner frame members 10a, 10b, 10c and lOd each pivotally connected at one end to a central apex connector 30 to form an inner pyramidal structure, and eight elongate outer frame members lla-llh serially connected to form four inverted V-frames oppositely inclined to the respective faces of the inner pyramid. The central apex 30 of the pyramid is at a higher level than the apices 31 of the inverted V-frames. The inner and outer frame members 10, 11 each comprise hollow tubular rods. The rods 11 are pivotally joined to one another at the apices 31 of the inverted V-frames by connector links 32. In particular, each rod includes a solid end-piece 40 which is rotatable within the rod and which is notched to form respective lap joints at opposite ends of a short connecting link 32 as best shown in Fig. 6. This provides a self-aligning, floating linkage. The other ends of each rod 10 and each rod 11 are then pivotally connected to a junction member 43 (Fig. 3) at a respective corner of the base of the inner pyramid so that the rods 10 and 11 can open out from the collapsed state shown in Fig. 2 where they lie parallel and adjacent one another. The free standing structure is supported above ground level by four legs 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d which are slidably received in respective sleeves at the corner junctions. Each corner junction is identical, and only the junction which receives the leg 12b is therefore shown in Fig. 3. Referring to Figs. 3-5, the corner junction essentially consists of an upper junction plate 43 having three U-shaped recesses 15 angularly spaced at 90° to one another for receiving the respective ends of the rods 10, 11. Each recess 15 has an associated hinge pin 16 in the form of a bolt or rivet which passes through the respective rod 10 or 11 and can be retained by a nut. It can be seen that the outer rods lib, lie are pivotable about their respective hinge pins 16 in a vertical plane which is perpendicular to the vertical plane containing the inner rod 10b. The upper junction plate 43 also has an aperture for receiving a sleeve 13 which is secured to a lower junction plate 44 by a key 45. The leg 12b is slidably received in the sleeve 13, and can be releasably locked to the sleeve by wedging a circular shim or olive 46 between the sleeve and the leg using a screw threaded cap 47 at the base of the sleeve. The lower junction plate 44 is similar to the upper junction plate 43 and includes three mutually perpendicular horizontal hinge pins 20 for pivotally mounting respective ends of three stays 22a, 22b, 22c. The other end of each stay 22 is pivotally secured to a respective frame member lib, 10b, lie at a point spaced from the corner junction. This arrangement limits the angle through which the frame members lib, 10b, lie can pivot away from the vertical since further movement beyond that shown in Figs. 3 and 4 would require greater vertical separation of the two junction plates 43, 44. This is prevented by a retaining ring 49 on the sleeve 13 disposed above the upper junction plate. In the collapsed state shown in Fig. 2, the two junction plates are closely spaced and could abut one another. A friction dampening slide mechanism 48 with a slot 49 for the pin 16 interconnects the upper and lower plates 43, 44 to resist unwanted movement of the upper plate toward the lower plate which might otherwise occur under windy conditions or on uneven ground. This mechanism could be easily modified to provide a permanent locking mechansim if required. Additional stability and ease of opening is provided by bracing arms 24 pivotally connected at one end to the respective inner frame members 10 and at the other end to respective sides of a central pivot block 25 within the pyramidal structure. When fully erected with the legs 12 vertical, the bracing arms 24 lie generally horizontal and lock the framework in its erected state. To collapse the framework, it is therefore necessary to initially release this self-locking action by depressing the bracing arms 24. A flexible covering material is attached to the frame members, the material being cut according to a predetermined pattern such that, when fully erected, the covering material is tensioned and assumes a double saddle-shaped curvature between the high central apex 30 of the pyramidal structure and each of the low apices 31 of the inverted V-frames, the curvature being concave between the respective apices and convex between the respective corner junctions. The awning is easily converted to a tent by securing flexible material side panels to the framework, each panel extending in a vertical plane from one apex 31 to the next apex 31 Additional stability can be provided by guy ropes secured to the eye hooks 50 (Fig. 2), and/or by pegging the feet of the legs 12 to the ground. Each framework forms a self-contained free-standing unit, but a number of units can be assembled together in modular fashion to cover a wider area. In this case adjacent frame members 10 of adjacent units can be simply clipped together. A flexible material gutter is then positioned beneath the clipped together frame members to provide a water seal.

Claims: CLAIMS 1 . A collapsible framework for a free standing awning or canopy, the framework comprising at least three inner elongate frame members joined at one end and movable from a collapsed state in which the members lie parallel and adjacent one another to an erected state in which each member is inclined to the vertical and the members converge to a common apex to form a central pyramidal structure, and at least six outer elongate frame members joined end-to-end and movable from a collapsed state in which the members lie parallel and adjacent the collapsed inner frame members to an erected state forming at least three inverted V-frames oppositely inclined to respective faces of the central pyramidal structure. 2. A framework according to claim 1 further comprising a leg at each corner of the base of the pyramidal structure. 3. A framework according to claim 1 in which respective ends of one inner and two outer frame members are pivotally connected to respective corner junction members at each corner of the base of the central pyramidal structure. 4. A framework according to claim 3 in which each corner junction member further includes means for slidably receiving a respective leg for supporting the framework above ground level. 5. A framework according to claim 4 further comprising means for releasably locking the leg at the required height. 6. A framework according to claim 3 in which the said ends of the respective frame members are each pivoted about a horizontal axis at the respective corner junctions such that the frame members are each pivotable in respective vertical planes. 7. A framework according to claim 6 further comprising means for limiting the angle through which each frame member is free to pivot in the respective vertical plane. 8. A framework according to claim 7 in which the limiting means comprises a stay having one end pivotally connected to the respective frame member and its opposite end pivotally connected to a second corner junction member disposed beneath the first corner junction member, the two junction members being relatively movable toward and away from one another, and means for limiting the vertical separation of the two junction members at each corner. 9. A framework according to any one of the claims 3 to 8 in which the said two outer frame members at each corner junction are at angle of 180° to one another, and the said inner frame member at the corner junction is at an angle of 90° to the two outer frame members. 10. A framework according to claim 1 or claim 2 comprising four inner frame members providing a central pyramidal structure with a square or rectangular base, and eight outer frame members providing four inverted V-frames respectively disposed opposite the four sides of the base. 11. A collapsible framework for a free standing awning or canopy, the framework comprising a plurality of elongate frame members pivotally interconnected with one another for movement between a closed collapsed state and an open erected state, at least three of the members in the erected state converging to form a central pyramidal structure, the remaining members being serially connected to form a series of inverted V-frames oppositely inclined to the respective faces of the pyramidal structure, and the members forming the pyramidal structure being joined to the said remaining members at respective junctions located at the corners of the base of the pyramidal structure. 12. A free standing awning or canopy comprising a collapsible framework according to any one of the preceding claims, and a • flexible covering secured to the framework at the apex of the central pyramidal structure, at the apices of the inverted V- frames, and at each of the corner junctions, the covering in the erected state having a generally concave curvature between the central apex and each of the said apices and a generally convex curvature between the consecutive corner junctions. 13. A collapsible framework substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings

Inventors: BROWNE ANTHONY NIGEL MORESBY, BROWNE, ANTHONY, NIGEL, MORESBY
Applicants: BROWNE ANTHONY NIGEL MORESBY, BROWNE, ANTHONY, NIGEL, MORESBY
Application year: 1989
Main classification: E04H15
IPC codes: E04B1, E04H15