Abstract:
A collapsible structure includes a plurality of foldable frame members each having a folded and an unfolded orientation. A fabric material is provided for covering portions of the frame members to form a side panel for each frame member. The structure can have a removable roof. The structure may be folded and stored by folding the side panels and their corresponding frame members on top of each other about the hinge portions to have the side panels and frame members overlying each other. The overlaying side panels and frame members are then collapsed by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric frame members and side panels to substantially reduce the size of the shade structure.

Description:
RELATED CASE 
     This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/639,530, filed May 1, 1996, which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/529,552, filed Sep. 18, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,799, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/024,690, filed on Mar. 1, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,794, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/764,784, filed Sep. 24, 1991, entitled “Collapsible Shade Structure”, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,705, whose disclosures are incorporated by this reference as though set forth fully herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to collapsible shade structures and specifically to collapsible or folding tents. The shade structure of the present invention provides an integral structure capable of supporting itself to act as a shelter. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Prior art collapsible shade structures have suffered from several drawbacks. One drawback with such collapsible shade structures is the difficulty associated with erecting and stably supporting such structures. Another drawback associated with these prior art collapsible shade structures is that the construction of such structures tends to be complicated and bulky. As a result, such structures are expensive to manufacture and are troublesome to fold away and to store. 
     A further drawback of such prior art collapsible shade structures is that the frame structure itself tends to be weak even after it has been erected, and often requires other means to provide the required structural integrity. Examples of such structures are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,990,463 and 3,960,161, both of which disclose collapsible shelters each having a flexible and coilable frame member secured to the fabric of the structure and held in a “figure-eight” configuration. Tie members secured to portions of the fabric are required to stabilize the frame and to hold the frame and the remainder of the structure upright because the frame member alone cannot accomplish this. 
     Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,812, which discloses a collapsible shelter in which the frame members as configured cannot hold the side panels together because the side panels tend to stretch outwardly. Hence, a floor member or straps are required to hold the side panels together. 
     The various existing collapsible shade structures have not been successful in providing a simple structure which is inexpensive to manufacture, is easy to erect, and may be easily folded to a compact size, in which the structure when erected is capable of stably supporting itself. The present invention, therefore, provides for an improvement over the prior art collapsible shade structures and provides a collapsible shade structure with a novel frame structure in which the structure when erected is capable of stably supporting itself, and which also allows the collapsible shade structure to be of simple construction, to be easily erected and to be easily folded to a compact size. The present invention further includes improvements to the retention of the frame members which make the structure easier and less expensive to manufacture, and easier to operate. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, a collapsible structure is provided which includes a plurality of foldable frame members each having a folded and an unfolded orientation. A fabric material is provided for covering portions of the frame members to form a side panel for each frame member. The structure can have a removable roof. 
     The structure may be folded and stored by folding the side panels and their corresponding frame members on top of each other about the hinge portions to have the side panels and frame members overlying each other. The overlaying side panels and frame members are then collapsed by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric frame members and side panels to substantially reduce the size of the shade structure. 
     The collapsible shade structure may be used as a shelter affording a camper, for example, the convenience of a tent which may be easily erected and easily collapsed and folded to a compact arrangement that is a fraction of its unfolded size for easy storage. The materials used are lightweight, and together with its compact size, the tent is very convenient to transport. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the collapsible shade structure having four triangular side panels; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the internal frame structure of the collapsible shade structure of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view partially broken away showing the vent of the collapsible shade structure of FIG. 1 in an open position; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the vent of FIG. 3 in a closed position; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the vent of FIG. 3 in an open position; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a roof which may be used with the collapsible shade structure of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is a second embodiment of the collapsible shade structure having six side panels; 
     FIG. 8 is a third embodiment of the collapsible shade structure having five side panels; 
     FIG. 9 is a fourth embodiment of the collapsible shade structure having four rectangular side panels and a roof comprising two triangular panels; 
     FIG. 10 is a fifth embodiment similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1, having three triangular side panels along two of the sides thereof; 
     FIGS.  11 (A) through  11 (F) illustrate the operation of the collapsible shade structure of FIG. 1 showing how it may be folded up for compact storage; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the collapsible shade structure which may be used as a cabana, showing a side panel acting as a door in an open position exposing the interior of the cabana; 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of one of the corners of the cabana of FIG. 12; 
     FIGS. 14A-14C are perspective views of a seventh embodiment and modifications thereto in which one retaining sleeve is used to hold two frame members of adjacent side panels; 
     FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a retaining sleeve and frame members taken along lines  15 — 15  of FIG. 14A; 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment in which a plurality of the collapsible structures of FIG. 14 are combined to form a large structure having a plurality of defined “rooms” or compartments; 
     FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a retaining sleeve and frame members taken along lines  17 — 17  of FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a ninth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of a tenth embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in terms of tents with reference to FIGS. 1-17, although the principles and concepts are equally applicable to other collapsible shade structures. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1,  2  and  3 , the basic structure for a tent  30  comprises four resilient frame members  34 ,  38 ,  42  and  46 . While this basic structure is shown and described as having four frame members, it will be appreciated that three or more frame members may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Each of the frame members  34 ,  38 ,  42  and  46  has three sides connected by curved portions to form a triangular-shape. The frame members  34 ,  38 ,  42  and  46  are retained in position by fabric or sheet material  50 , which includes retaining sleeves  54 ,  58 ,  62  and  66  for retaining the frame members  34 ,  38 ,  42  and  46 , respectively. The retaining sleeves  54 ,  58 ,  62  and  66  may be mechanically fastened, stitched, fused, or glued to the frame members  34 ,  38 ,  42 , and  46  to retain them in position. The fabric  50  in conjunction with the frame members  34 ,  38 ,  42 , and  46  form four triangular side panels  70 ,  74 ,  78 , and  82 , respectively, so that each frame member is used to support one side panel. Each side panel and its associated frame member is vertically inclined inwardly at an angle and held together by hinged interconnecting portions  41  of fabric  50  to create a domed structure in which the interior area of the structure gradually decreases from the bottom to the top. 
     The frame members  34 ,  38 ,  42 , and  46  are preferably formed of flexible coilable steel, although other materials such as plastics may also be used. The frame members should be made of a material which is relatively strong and yet is flexible to a sufficient degree to allow it to be coiled. The term fabric is to be given its broadest meaning and should be made from strong, lightweight materials and may include woven fabrics, sheet fabrics or even films. The fabric should be waterproof and capable of withstanding the harsh outdoor environment to be suitable for use as an outdoor tent during camping. The fabric and frame members are preferably made of lightweight material to facilitate ease of transportation of the tent. 
     The tent  30  is further provided with a roof  86  which is preferably made of the same material as fabric  50 . The roof  86  is located between the upper curved portions of the side panels  70 ,  74 ,  78  and  82  and takes the form of an interconnecting fabric. 
     A floor portion  84  which may be made from the same material as the fabric  50  is provided to interconnect the lower edges of the side panels  70 ,  74 ,  78  and  82 . Ties  88  are provided at the corners of the side panels  70 ,  74 ,  78  and  82  for additionally securing the tent  30  to the ground, although it will be appreciated that such ties  88  are not necessary for holding the tent  30  upright. The area of the floor  84  is larger than the area of the roof  86  due to the vertically inclined side panels forming the domed structure. 
     The tent  30  is also provided with a door  90 , preferably located in a side panel, for example, side panel  70 , for ingress and egress. The door  90  is essentially a triangular-shaped cut-out in the side panel  70  having a portion which is made of a fly-screen  94 . The door  90  has two zipper edges  98  and  102  and a hinged edge  106 . Mating zipper halves are provided along each side of the edges  98  and  102  of the door  90  and the corresponding edges of the side panel  70  to releasably hold the door  90  in a sealed position when the tent  30  is being occupied and the zippers pulled up. 
     Ventilation of the tent  30  is achieved through the fly-screen  94  and through vents  110  and  114  disposed at the upper curved portion of side panels  74  and  82 , respectively. Vents  110  and  114  have the same construction. For example, referring to FIGS. 1,  3 ,  4 , and  5 , the vent  110  has a waterproof hood  118  which is sewn along the upper curved edges of the side panel  74 . The hood  118  extends outwardly from the side panel  74  in an open position. The outer periphery  120  of the hood  118  is formed by a small steel loop  122  enclosed within the outer periphery  120  which defines the semi-circular shape of the outer periphery  120 . A hinged hook  126  is provided at a central portion of the outer periphery  120 . A strip  130  having one end sewn to a central portion of the bottom of side panel  74  has an opposite end which may be hooked by the hinged hook  126  to keep the hood open. The upper portion of side panel  74  is made up of a mesh portion  132 . The upper curved portion of the frame member  38  and an elongated steel strip  138  together define the semi-circular shape of the mesh portion  132 . The outer periphery  120  of the hood  118  and the steel strip  138  define a semi-circular shape for fitting another screen mesh  134  therebetween. 
     The vent  110  may be held in the open position shown in FIGS. 1,  3 , and  5  by hooking the strip  130  to the hook  126 . The hood  118  is retracted when the tent  30  is to be collapsed and stored. When the hood  118  is to be retracted, the strip  130  is unhooked from the hook  126 , and the hood  118  is pulled upwardly so that the hinged hook  126  may be made to hook an elastic loop  142  so that the screen mesh  134  is held firmly against the mesh portion  132  of the side panel  74 . Regardless of whether the hood  118  is tied in the open or in the closed position, the mesh portion  132  and the screen mesh  134  provide ventilation to the inside compartment of the tent  30 , as well as shielding the interior of the tent  30  from bugs and insects. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates an additional modification that may be made to the tent  30  of the present invention. For example, rods  146  and  150  are provided in a manner perpendicular to each other to provide further support to the upper portion of the tent  30  and, in particular, the roof  86 . Openings  154  are provided at an upper central portion of each side panel for receiving the ends of the rods  146  and  150 . A retaining member  158  is fixed at the central point of the roof  86  and holds the rods  146  and  150  perpendicular to each other in such a manner that each end of the rod  146  or  150  is fitted through a guide  162  and its corresponding opening  154 . This provides more stability to the roof  86  and the structure of the tent  30 . 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a second embodiment  200  of the tent of the present invention wherein the tent  200  is provided with six inclined triangular side panels as opposed to the four triangular side panels shown in the embodiment of FIG.  1 . As with the embodiment of FIG. 1, each side panel  204  is provided with a separate frame member  208  to provide the necessary stable support. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a third embodiment  230  of the tent of the present invention wherein five inclined triangular side panels  234  supported by five frame members  238  are provided. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a fourth embodiment  250  of the tent of the present invention wherein four rectangular side panels  254  are provided but are arranged to stand vertically as opposed to being inclined at an angle so as to form a rectangular internal block or space. The roof in the embodiment of FIG. 9 may be formed by two triangular-shaped frame members  258  which may be folded one upon the other when the tent is folded and collapsed. 
     FIG. 10 illustrates a fifth embodiment  280  of the tent of the present invention wherein two opposing walls  284  may be lengthened by providing three inclined side panels  288  to comprise each wall  284 , each side panel  288  supported by a separate frame member  292 . 
     It can be seen, therefore, that the tent of the present invention may take a variety of external shapes. These external shapes are facilitated by the provision of additional frame members configured to form the desired shape. Each side of the tent, regardless of the shape, is supported by at least one frame member. The tent may be of any size but is commonly of such a size as to accommodate one or more persons. 
     FIGS.  11 (A) through  11 (F) describe the various steps for folding the tent  30  of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 for storage. In FIG.  11 (A), the first step consists of pushing in side panels  70  and  74  such that side panel  70  collapses upon side panel  82  and side panel  74  collapses upon side panel  78 . Then, in the second step shown in FIG.  11 (B), the two side panels  70  and  82  are folded so as to be collapsed upon the two side panels  74  and  78 . The structure is twisted and folded to collapse the frame members and side panels into a smaller shape. In the third step shown in FIGS.  11 (C) and  11 (D), the opposite border  320  of the structure is folded in upon the previous fold to further collapse the frame members with the side panels. As shown in FIG.  11 (E), the fourth step is to continue the collapsing so that the initial size of the structure is reduced. FIG.  11 (F) shows the fifth step with the frame members and side panels collapsed on each other to provide for a small essentially compact configuration having a plurality of concentric frame members and layers of the side panels so that the collapsed structure has a size which is a fraction of the size of the initial structure. 
     Referring to FIG. 12, the collapsible shade structure of the present invention may take the form of a cabana  170 . The cabana  170  is comprised of three side panels  174 ,  178  and  182 , each supported by a frame member,  176 ,  180  and  184 , respectively. The cabana  170  also has a mesh door  186  which is also supported by a frame member  188 . The mesh door  186  is sewn to the roof  190  along a hinged edge  194  so that the mesh door may be flipped up or down about the hinged edge  194 . The mesh door  186  may be flipped to an open position such as that shown in FIG.  12  and held in place atop the roof  190  by means of “Velcro” pads  198 . As shown in FIG. 13, the four corners of the cabana may be provided with pockets  202  which are used to collect sand. Each pocket  202  is provided with a flap  206 , which is normally secured to the pocket  202  by means of “Velcro” pads, but the flap  206  may be opened to allow the sand collected therein to be emptied. 
     FIGS. 14A-14C illustrate a seventh embodiment  400  in which the embodiment of FIG. 1 has been modified so that the portions of the retaining sleeves between each adjacent side panel retain the adjacent frame members and also act as interconnecting hinge portions. Referring specifically to FIG. 14A, the retaining sleeves  454  and  458  converge at sleeve portions  410  and  412  interconnecting side panels  470  and  474  to form one retaining sleeve which both retains the frame members  434  and  438 , and acts as a hinge for the side panels  470  and  474 . The frame members  434  and  438  are exposed at the central portion between sleeve portions  410  and  412 . 
     Embodiment  480  of FIG. 14B is a modification of embodiment  400  of FIG. 14A in which retaining sleeves  454  and  458  converge between side panels  470  and  474  to form sleeve portion  414  which entirely covers the frame members  434  and  438 , as well as acting as an interconnecting hinge portion. Embodiment  490  of FIG. 14C is yet another modification of embodiment  400  of FIG. 14A in which an outside retaining sleeve  416  is provided about the exposed portions of frame members  434  and  438  to cover the frame members  434  and  438 . The outside retaining sleeve  416  also acts as interconnecting hinge portion between side panels  470  and  474 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 15, both frame members  434  and  438  are retained within one retaining sleeve portion  410 . The other side panels are likewise hinged with their frame members retained at the hinged portions by one retaining sleeve portion. The use of one retaining sleeve portion to retain adjacent frame members and to hinge two adjacent side panels may also be applied to each of the above-described embodiments of FIGS. 7-10 and  12 - 13 . This singular retaining sleeve eliminates the need for interconnecting fabric material to act as a hinge portion, thereby making the collapsible structure easier and less expensive to manufacture, and making it easier to fold one side panel and its frame member on top of an adjacent side panel and its frame member. 
     The use of one retaining sleeve portion to retain adjacent frame members and to act as an interconnecting hinge portion for two adjacent side panels is especially beneficial when used to combine a plurality of collapsible structures to form a large structure having a plurality of separate compartments or “rooms”. Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, an eighth embodiment  500  is comprised of a plurality of separate collapsible structures  502 , each having four side panels hinged to adjacent side panels by retaining sleeves in any of the manners described in FIGS. 14A-14C above. Some of the side panels, such as  512  and  514 , for example, act as walls to form separate compartments within the structure  500 . The separate compartments are actually defined by each separate structure  502 . Some retaining sleeves, such as  504  and  506  for example, may be used to retain two frame members, while other retaining members, such as  508  and  510 , for example, may retain up to three frame members and retaining member  508  may return four frame members (see FIG.  17 ). For a very large structure  500 , the different compartments could be used as “rooms”, each serving a different purpose, such as a dining room, a living room, a play room, a guest room, a bedroom, or a sun room (if the side panel is entirely meshed to allow sunlight to radiate therethrough). 
     FIGS. 18-20 illustrate another modification that can be made to the tents and structures illustrated above, where the roofs (e.g.,  86 ) are provided to be completely removable. Such removable roofs provide the user with the option of creating different types of conditions by using different types of roof. For example, when using the tent in the evening, the user may desire the roof to have a darker and water-impervious fabric material. However, during the day, the user may also desire the roof to have a meshed material to allow light and air to enter, while keeping out insects and bugs. Thus, a user can carry both of these roofs, and use either roof at any time. 
     FIG. 18 illustrates a structure  30   a  that includes modifications to the structure  30  of FIG.  1 . Therefore, the elements of the structure  30   a  that are the same as the elements of the structure  30  are provided with the same numeral designations except that an “a” has been added to the numeral designations in FIG.  18 . The structure  30   a  is essentially the same as the structure  30 , except that the roof  86  is a removable piece  86   a  of fabric, mesh or other material that can be removably coupled to the upper curved portions of the side panels  70   a,    74   a,    78   a  and  82   a.  Connection devices can be provided to effectuate the removable connection. For example, toggles  91  can be provided adjacent the top of each side panel  70   a ,  74   a ,  78   a  and  82   a , and loops  93  can be provided along the edge or border of the piece  86   a,  so that appropriate toggles  91  can be held by corresponding loops  93  to complete the connection. Other possible connection devices include opposing Velcro™ pads  95 . 
     FIG. 19 illustrates a structure  30   b  that has a different removable roof  86   b  from the roof  86   a  in FIG.  18 . Therefore, the elements of the structure  30   b  that are the same as the elements of the structure  30  are provided with the same numeral designations except that a “b” has been added to the numeral designations in FIG.  19 . The structure  30   b  is again essentially the same as the structure  30 , except that the roof  86  is now a removable panel  86   b.  The removable panel  86   b  can have the same construction as any of the side panels  70 ,  74 ,  78  or  82 , and includes a frame member partially or completely covered by a fabric, mesh or other material. The panel  86   b  can be removably coupled to the upper curved portions of the side panels  70   b,    74   b,    78   b  and  82   b.  Connection devices such as toggles  91  and loops  93 , or opposing Velcro™ pads  95 , can again be provided to effectuate the removable connection. 
     FIG. 20 illustrates a structure  250   a  that includes modifications to the structure  250  of FIG.  9 . Therefore, the elements of the structure  250   a  that are the same as the elements of the structure  250  are provided with the same numeral designations except that an “a” has been added to the numeral designations in FIG.  20 . The structure  250   a  is essentially the same as the structure  250 , except that the roof  258  is now a removable panel  258   a.  The removable panel  258   a  can have the same construction as any of the side panels  70 ,  74 ,  78  or  82 , and includes a frame member partially or completely covered by a fabric, mesh or other material. The panel  258   a  can be removably coupled to the upper sides of the side panels  254   a.  Connection devices such as toggles  91  and loops  93 , or opposing Velcro™ pads  95 , can again be provided to effectuate the removable connection. 
     While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.