Abstract:
The specification discloses a portable shelter which is conveniently transportable, easy to set up, and structurally stable in a variety a situations. The portable shelter comprises a canopy which is supported by opposing side support structures connected by a lateral support member and canopy support beams. The portable shelter can be disassembled and/or folded for convenient transportation.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIMS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/677,980, filed Jul. 31, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally directed to portable shelters, and in particular, to shelters that may be used for enjoyment of outdoor recreational activities. 
     BACKGROUND ART OF THE INVENTION 
     Many outdoor activities can be affected by weather and the elements. Even outdoor activities that rely on outdoor weather can be made less enjoyable by too much of a good thing. For example, people typically prefer sunny weather while lounging on a beach or near a pool. However, excessive sun exposure can cause discomfort, overheating, sunburns, and other problems. Additionally, bright sunlight can interfere with enjoyment of other activities while lounging, such as reading or using electronic devices. Accordingly, it is often desired to have a source of shade available. In some situations, protection from other weather conditions such as wind or rain is also desired. 
     Further, because shelter is often desired in locations where permanent structures do not exist or are unwanted, shelters which may be easily transported are often preferred. Many types of shelters are known and have been used, including some which are portable. However, all known prior art shelters suffer from one or more of the following problems: they are too heavy or bulky for convenient transport, too difficult to assemble, rely on external features for support, or suffer from instability when assembled. 
     SUMMARY 
     The inventions described herein provide a shelter which is conveniently transportable, easy to set up, and structurally stable in a variety a situations. The inventions include portable shelters comprising:
         left-side and right-side support structure comprising a first side support member, a second side support member pivotally-connected to the first side support member, and an upper side support member that is hingedly-connected to an upper end of the second side support member, wherein the upper side support member comprises one or more attachment locations configured to engage an upper end of the first side support member;   a lateral support member comprising a bottom support member configured to engage the first left-side and first right-side support member, and a brace member hingedly attached to the bottom support member and configured to engage the first left-side support member or the first right-side support member;   a first canopy support beam configured to engage a first end of the left-side and right-side upper support members;   a second canopy support beam configured to engage a second end of the left-side and right-side upper support members; and   a canopy configured to be secured between the first canopy support beam and at least one other location of the portable shelter.   all supports can be folded and placed into a bag for convenient transportation.       

     In certain embodiments, the portable shelter comprises a plurality of attachment points defined on the left-side and right-side upper support members and configured so that an angle of the left-side and right-side upper support members can be adjusted by selection from among the plurality of attachment points. 
     In other embodiments the portable shelter comprises elastic straps configured to secure the canopy to the lateral support member. 
     In some embodiments the canopy comprises a woven polyethylene fabric and or a UV resistant fabric. 
     In certain embodiments the portable shelter comprises a second brace member configured to engage the other side support member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosed inventions will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show important sample embodiments and which are incorporated in the specification hereof by reference, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portable shelter. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a portable shelter with canopy removed. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a portable shelter. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of a side support structure for a portable shelter in a folded configuration. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a portable shelter. 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of lateral support member of a portable shelter with attached canopy. 
         FIGS. 7-14  illustrate assembly of a portable shelter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a portable shelter  10  employing certain aspects of the present inventions. Portable shelter  10  preferablely comprises a frame  12  and a canopy  14 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of frame  12  without canopy  14 . Frame  12  preferably comprises side support structures  20  and  20 ′ located at opposing ends of frame  12 , lateral support member  30 , front canopy support member  40 , and rear canopy support member  50 . 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of portable shelter  10  in which one side support structure  20  is easily seen. Side support structure  20  preferably comprises first support member  22 , second support member  24 , and upper support member  26 . First support member  22  is preferably hingedly attached to outer support member  24 , e.g., by a hinge pin  25 . First support member  22  is preferably hingedly attached to upper support member  26 , e.g., by a double-holed plate  27 . Alternatively to hinged attachments, components of side support structure  20  can be configured to be selectively detachable from others. 
     Second support member  24  is preferably attachable to upper support member  26  at one or more locations. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , four attachment holes  28  are defined in upper support member  26 . Each attachment hole  28  represents a potential attachment location for second support member  24 . 
     For additional flexibility, additional attachment points  25  can be defined on second support member  24 . Second support member  24  can be attached to upper support member  26  by inserting a removable pin  29  through a hole defined in outer support member  26  and through one of attachment holes  28 . 
     Preferably, frame  12  comprises a second side support structure  20 ′ that is a mirror-image of a first side support structure  20 . Alternatively, second side support structure  20 ′ can be identical to first side support structure  20 , rather than a mirror-image, or can be another variation. 
     At least some components of side support structure  20  are preferably configured to be foldable to increase convenience of transport.  FIG. 4  shows side support structure  20  in a folded configuration. To fold side support structure  20 , second support member  24  is preferably disconnected from upper support member  26 . Upper support member  26 , first support member  22 , and second support member  24  are then preferably moved to adjacent, parallel positions. 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of portable shelter  10  showing lateral support member  30 . Lateral support member  30  comprises bottom support member  32 , left-side brace  34 , and right-side brace  36 . Left-side brace  34  and right-side brace  36  are preferably hingedly-attached to bottom support member  32 . Most preferably, a plate  33  with two defined holes is attached to bottom support member  32 . Left-side brace member and right-side brace member are rotably-attached to the holes in plate  33 . 
     Also visible in  FIG. 5  is front canopy support member  40  and canopy  14 . Canopy  14  is preferably affixed to front canopy support member  40  by brads  42  placed through canopy-attachment holes  44  defined in canopy  14 . Canopy-attachment holes  44  are preferably reinforced using grommets. Alternatively, canopy  14  may be attached to front canopy support member  40 , by screws, staples, glue or other means. Canopy  14  preferably comprises a woven polyester material or lightweight, yet durable material. 
     Attachment holes are preferably defined near each end of front canopy support member  40 . Attachment holes are configured to engage a front most end of upper support members  26 . 
       FIG. 6  is a rear view of lateral support member  30  with attached canopy  14 . In this view, canopy  14  is shown with elastic straps  52  extending around bottom support member  32 . Elastic straps  52  preferably extend from canopy attachment holes  44  defined along an edge of canopy  14 . Elastic straps  52  are configured to secure canopy  14  to frame  12 . Optionally, the endmost elastic straps  52  can extend around second support member  24  and bottom support member  32 . 
     Components of frame  12  are preferably composed of rigid, relatively lightweight, and weather-resistant materials such as wood, plastic, fiberglass, or metal tubing. Most preferably, larger elements of frame  12  are composed of a weather-resistant wood such as teak or treated oak, while joints, pins, and other small elements are composed of aluminum or stainless steel. Canopy  14  can comprise any of many known fabrics such as woven polyethylene, polyester, nylon, cotton, or a blended fabric. Most preferably, canopy  14  comprises UV-resistant woven polyethylene. 
       FIGS. 7-14  illustrate one process for assembling a portable shelter. First, as shown in  FIGS. 7-11 , side-support structures  20 ,  20 ′ are assembled. 
     Next, side support structures  20 ,  20 ′ are lifted upright and attached to lateral support member  30 , as shown in  FIG. 12 . A first end of bottom support member  32  is attached to first side support structure  20  and a second end of bottom support member  32  is attached to a second side support structure  20 ′. The attachments are preferably removable, e.g., by removable pin. Next, left-side brace  34  is attached to first side support structure  20  and right-side brace  36  is attached to second side support structure  20 ′. 
     Then, rear canopy support member  50  is connected to side support structures  20 ,  20 ′, as shown in  FIG. 13 . Next, front canopy support member  40  is connected between side support structures  20  and  20 ′, as shown in  FIG. 14 . Finally, a back edge of canopy  14  is connected to bottom support member  32  by elastic straps  52 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 14 , canopy  14  is permanently attached to front canopy support member  40 . Canopy  14  can be rolled up around front canopy support member  40  for transport or storage. Alternatively, canopy  14  can be made detachable from front canopy support member  40 . 
     When disassembled and/or folded, portable shelter  10  can be placed in a bag, tote, backpack, or similar container for convenient transporation. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.