Abstract:
A shelter configured to positioned on a supporting surface for covering a golfer. The shelter includes several vertical support members and a a truss structure connecting the vertical support members. A canopy overlies the truss structure. The shelter is configured so that the distance from the supporting surface to a lowermost point on the truss structure is at least ten feet six inches.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/443,812, filed Jan. 30, 2003.  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to shelters and, more particularly, to a shelter that assembles easily, provides sufficient height and mobility, and collapses to a portable size.  
         [0003]     Shelters are often used to provide protection and shelter from environmental elements, including sun and rain. They are typically used to provide temporary shelter for picnics, backyards, beach and sporting events, recreational activities, camping, and trade shows.  
         [0004]     A shelter often has multiple vertical support members and an overhead canopy support frame. When assembled, a shelter is a free-standing, self-supporting structure that supports a canopy of fabric. The canopy can function as a barrier to environmental elements, such as sun and rain, and can also function as a surface for displaying information and graphical material. Shelters can often be provided with accessories, such as mosquito netting, rain gutters, wheels, and weight bags.  
         [0005]     Shelters often have to be transported to the location of use. Conventional shelters are typically cumbersome. To address this problem, some shelters are designed to be disassembled. Shelter assembly and disassembly, however, can be time-consuming and may require tools or ropes. When disassembled, conventional shelters can be bulky and/or heavy, are not easily transported, and can take up too much storage space. Therefore, some shelters are designed to collapse to a portable size. Conventional shelters that collapse, however, are limited in height. This restricts the activities for which such shelters can be used. For example, such shelters are too short for golfers to use because they do not provide adequate height to swing a golf club. Although existing golf canopies provide sufficient height, they are large, heavy, and time-consuming to assemble and disassemble. Further, the size and weight of existing golf canopies prevents golf professionals from carrying a disassembled golf canopy to a golf lesson in the trunk of a car.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and together with the description serve to explain principles of the invention.  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portable shelter in the upright configuration according to the present invention.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the portable shelter of  FIG. 1  without the canopy.  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the portable shelter of  FIG. 1  in the collapsed configuration. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0010]     Reference will now be made in detail to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
         [0011]      FIGS. 1 through 3  show a preferred embodiment of a shelter  10  according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the present invention provides portability, ease of set up, and adequate height and mobility for such activities as golf.  
         [0012]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, the shelter  10  includes multiple vertical support members  20 , a truss structure  30 , a canopy  40 , and base supports  50 . The base supports  50  can also be replaced with rolling members (not shown).  
         [0013]     For conventional shelters, the clearance from the ground to the lowest truss is typically about 7 feet. The shelter  10  of the present invention includes multiple vertical support members  20  that are adjustable in height. The adjustability of the shelter enables the shelter  10  to vary in height, with the clearance from the ground to the lowest truss preferably 10′6″. The 10′6″ clearance enables a golfer to swing a golf club while standing underneath the shelter  10 . This increased clearance thus permits the shelter  10  to be used for a variety of purposes, including a driving range canopy at a golf course. In other embodiments of the shelter  10 , the clearance from the ground to the lowest truss (or the clearance from the ground to the lower edge of a canopy valence) may be greater than or less than 10′6″ depending upon the application for which the shelter  10  is being used. For example, if the shelter  10  is being used to provide cover while washing and waxing large vehicles, the clearance will depend on the height of the vehicle being washed. According to various embodiments of the invention, the height of the shelter  10  may vary from 7 feet to 12 feet at approximately 1 inch increments.  
         [0014]     The vertical support members  20  and the truss structure  30  are preferably constructed of lightweight material and can be powder-coated, for example, to provide rust protection. The length and width of the shelter  10  can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of vertical support members  20  and the size of the truss structure  30  and canopy  40 . For example, the shelter  10  may have the following dimensions: 5′×5′, 8′×8′, 10′×10′, 10′×15′, 10′×20′, or 12′×12′.  
         [0015]     Each vertical support member  20  includes a base support  50  at one end. The base supports  50  can also be replaced with rolling members (not shown), such as conventional wheels or stem casters. Replacing the base supports  50  with rolling members provides mobility and permits the shelter  10  to be easily relocated from one position to another while in the upright configuration. The rolling members can also reduce the amount of time required for handling and set up because the shelter  10  can be repositioned without having to be collapsed and reassembled. One or more of the rolling members can also have a conventional locking brake mechanism for stationary use of the shelter  10 .  
         [0016]     The canopy  40  is preferably constructed of lightweight fabric. The canopy  40  can be treated to resist fire, rot, mildew, water, and ultraviolet rays. The canopy  40  can also be made in various colors and patterns and can also function as a display surface for information or graphical material. Additionally, the shelter  10  can be configured to accept additional accessories (not shown), for example, wind drapes, lights, heaters, and/or misters can be provided.  
         [0017]     The truss structure  30  of the shelter  10  includes members that are hingedly connected to one another. This configuration enables a user to quickly and easily unfold the shelter  10  from a collapsed position to an upright position, which minimizes set up time and eliminates the need for tools and fasteners. The shelter  10  can also be biased toward the upright configuration to further aid the unfolding of the shelter  10 . Additionally, the configuration of the truss structure  30  enables the truss structure  30  to collapse from the upright configuration shown in  FIG. 1  to the collapsed configuration shown in  FIG. 3  without being disassembled from the vertical support members  20 . In the collapsed configuration, the length of the collapsed shelter  10  is preferably four feet. This makes the collapsed shelter  10  readily portable and provides for ease of handling and storage. A cover  60  and/or carrying case (not shown) into which the collapsed shelter  10  can be inserted may also be provided.  
         [0018]     Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only.