Abstract:
A structure has at least one foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form at least one panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. A water tube is attached to the fabric material and connected to a water supply, and a water outlet is coupled to the water tube.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to collapsible structures, and in particular, to collapsible structures which incorporate the use or delivery of water. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    There are presently many collapsible structures that are being provided for use by children and adults in a number of different applications. Examples of these collapsible structures are illustrated in the following patents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,954 (Zheng), U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,772 (Zheng), U.S. Pat. No. 5,778,915 (Zheng), U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,794 (Zheng), U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,101 (Zheng), U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,446 (Zheng), U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,634 (McLeese), U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,592 (Norman), U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,533 (Ziglar), U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,188 (Kellogg et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,485,344 (Arias), U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,391 (LeGette), U.S. Pub. No. 2004/0139997 (Zheng) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,812 (Norman), among others. These collapsible structures are supported by one or more frame members that can be twisted and folded to reduce the overall size of the structure. These collapsible structures can be used in a wide variety of applications, such as containers, tents, play structures, executive toys, shelters, sports structures, and others. As a result, collapsible structures have become very popular. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a collapsible structure that incorporates the use or delivery of water. 
         [0006]    In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, the collapsible structure according to the present invention provides a structure having at least one foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form at least one panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. A water tube is attached to the fabric material and connected to a water supply, and a water outlet is coupled to the water tube. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a collapsible structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a partial cut-away view of the section A of the structure of  FIG. 1  illustrating a frame member retained within a sleeve. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 3A through 3C  illustrate how the collapsible structure of  FIG. 1  may be twisted and folded for compact storage. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the section  4 -- 4  in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIGS. 5-6  illustrate other embodiments of collapsible structures according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0012]    The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0013]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a structure  20  is provided that comprises four panels  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  connected to each other to encircle an enclosed space. Each panel  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  can have four sides, such as a left side  30 , a bottom side  32 , a right side  34  and a top side  36 , although each panel  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  can assume any configuration and have any number of sides. Each panel  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  has a frame retaining sleeve  38  provided along and traversing the four edges of its four sides  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 . A frame member  40  is retained or held within each respective frame retaining sleeve  38  to support each panel  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 . Only the frame member  40  is shown in  FIG. 2 ; the other frame members are not shown but are the same as frame member  40 . 
         [0014]    The frame members  40  may be provided as one continuous loop, or may comprise a strip of material connected at both ends to form a continuous loop. The frame members  40  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. Thus, each frame member  40  is capable of assuming two  positions or orientations, an open or expanded position such as shown in  FIG. 1 , or a folded position in which the frame member is collapsed into a size which is much smaller than its open position (see  FIG. 3C ). 
         [0015]    Fabric or sheet material  42  extends across each respective panel  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 , and is held taut by the respective frame member  40  when in its open position. 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 water-resistant and durable to withstand the wear and tear associated with rough treatment. The frame members  40  may be merely retained within the respective frame retaining sleeves  38  without being connected thereto.  Alternatively, the frame retaining sleeves  38  may be mechanically fastened, stitched, fused, or glued to the respective frame members  40  respectively, to retain them in position. 
         [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates one possible connection for connecting adjacent edges of two panels  22  and  24 . The fabric pieces  42  are stitched at their edges by a stitching  44  to the respective sleeves  38 . Each sleeve  38  may be formed by folding a piece of fabric. The stitching  44  also acts as a hinge for the panels  22  and  24  to be folded upon each other, as explained below. The connections for the three other pairs of adjacent edges may be identical. Thus, the connections on the left side  30  and the right side  34  of each panel  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  act as hinge connections for connecting an adjacent panel. 
         [0017]    At the top side  36  and the bottom side  32  of each panel  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 , where there is no hinge connection to an adjacent panel, the frame retaining sleeve  38  may be formed by merely folding over the corresponding fabric piece and applying a stitching  46  (see  FIG. 2 ). The fabric piece  42  for the corresponding panel may then be stitched to the sleeve  38 . 
         [0018]    Openings  48  and  50  may be provided in some or all of the panels  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 . These openings  48  and  50  may be of any shape (e.g., triangular, circular, rectangular, square, diamond, etc.) and size and can be designed to allow an individual to pass through them to enter or to exit the structure  20  (among other functions). 
         [0019]    A plurality of tubes are provided on one or more of the panels  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  via stitching, glue or similar attachment means, or via removable attachment mechanisms such as hooks, straps, ties, VELCRO™ pads and the like. These tubes can be used to form tube systems for delivering water or other liquids to selected locations or outlets. For example, a tube  52  can have a first end  54  that extends away from the structure  20  for connecting to a water supply  56 , such as a water tap or faucet. The intermediate portion of the tube  52  can extend along a bottom side  32  of the panel  24  and then up along the sides  34  and  32  of the panels  22  and  24 , respectively, before traversing a portion of the fabric  42  of the panel  22  to a shower outlet  60  positioned above the opening  50 . The shower outlet  60  can have a plurality of spray holes to allow water to be sprayed like a mist on to any individual passing through the opening  50 . Another tube  58  branches off from the tube  52  along the fabric  42  of the panel  24 , then extends around the circular opening  48 , and then extends along the top sides  36  of the panels  24  and  22  to a shower head  62 . Spray holes  66  can be provided along the circular portion of the tube  58  to allow water to be sprayed like a mist on to any individual passing through the opening  48 . A branch of tubing  64  can connect the tubes  52  and  58  along the fabric  42  of the panel  22 . Thus, water can be delivered from the supply  56  through the tubes  52 ,  58  to outlets such as the spray holes  66 , shower outlet  60  and shower head  62 . This water spraying ability can be both functional and for amusement. For example, the structure  20  can be placed around a sandbox or other location where it might be desirable for the individuals exiting that location to be washed or showered. 
         [0020]    The tubes  52 ,  58 ,  64  can be made from any conventional soft tubular material that allows water to flow therethrough without leaking. Examples include the materials used for garden hoses, among others. The material is preferably soft and flexible so that the tubes can be folded as the structure  20  is twisted and folded in the manner described below. 
         [0021]    While the structure  20  of  FIG. 1  is shown and described as having four panels, each having four sides, it will be appreciated that the structure  20  may be made of any number of panels, each having any number of sides, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, each structure may have at least one panel (see  FIG. 5  below), and each panel may have three or more sides. Thus, the structures of the present invention may take a variety of external shapes. However, each panel, regardless of its shape, is supported by at least one frame member  40 . 
         [0022]      FIGS. 3A through 3C  describe the various steps for folding and collapsing the structure  20  of  FIG. 1  for storage. The first step consists of pushing panels  22  and  24  towards panels  28  and  26 , respectively, about their hinged connections so that panel  22  collapses upon panel  28  and panel  24  collapses upon panel  26 . Then, the two panels  22  and  28  are folded so as to be collapsed upon the two panels  24  and  26  to form a stack of four panels, as shown in  FIG. 3A . In the second step, the structure  20  is then twisted and folded to collapse the frame members  40  and panels  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  into a smaller shape. In particular, the opposite border  70  of the stack of panels  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  is folded in (see arrow  72  in  FIG. 3A ) upon the previous fold to further collapse the frame members  40  with the panels. As shown in  FIG. 3B , the folding is continued so that the initial size of the structure  20  is reduced until the frame members  40  and panels are collapsed on each other (see  FIG. 3C ) to provide for a small essentially compact configuration having a plurality of concentric frame members  40  and layers of the panels  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  so that the collapsed structure  20  has a size which is a fraction of the size of the initial structure. 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  illustrates a modification of the structure  20 , where the new structure  20   a  is essentially comprised of the panel  22   a , and the other panels  24 ,  26 ,  28  are omitted. The panel  22   a  and its fabric  42   a , opening  50   a , tube  52   a , tube  58   a , shower head  62   a  and shower outlet  60   a  can be the same as the corresponding panel  22  and its fabric  42 , opening  50 , tube  52 , tube  58 , shower head  62  and shower outlet  60 . The structure  20   a  further includes another shower outlet  74   a , and two hanging straps  76   a  attached to the top side  36   a . The straps  76   a  allow the panel  22   a  to be suspended from the top edge of an open door, from the branches of a tree, or any other support member that would allow the panel  22   a  to be suspended in a vertical manner. The panel  22   a  can be folded and collapsed in the same manner as described above in connection with  FIGS. 3A-3C . As with the structure  20 , the structure  20   a  allows for a collapsible structure to incorporate water use or water play, where the ability of the structure  20 ,  20   a  to be reduced in size for storage promotes convenience and ease of storage. 
         [0024]      FIG. 6  extends the principles of  FIGS. 1-5  to different types of collapsible structures. In  FIG. 6 , the structure  100  does not have separate panels  22 , but is instead made up of two crossing frame members  102 ,  104  that can be made of the same material as the frame member  40  described above. The frame members  102 ,  104  cross at an apex  106 , and their respective ends are secured to the ground or surface, so as to form a domed or apexed configuration for the structure  100 . Fabric material, which is provided in the form of a shell  108 , is removably attached to the frame members  102 ,  104  to form an enclosing structure. Frame retaining sleeves  110  and  112  can be stitched to the fabric shell  108  to retain the frame members  102  and  104 , respectively. Openings  116  and  118  similar to the openings  48 ,  50  can be provided in the fabric shell  108 , and tubes  114  can be attached to the fabric shell  108  or the sleeves  110 ,  112  to form tubing systems. For example, the tube  114  can have an end  120  that is adapted to be connected to a water faucet  122 . The tube  114  can be partially housed in its own sleeve  124  which is attached to (e.g., by stitching) and extends along the sleeve  110 , and then extends along the fabric shell  108  around the opening  116 , then along the bottom edge of the fabric shell  108  where it branches in three directions: towards a tubing section  126  (having spray holes) that encircles the opening  118 , towards a spray ring  128 , and towards a shower head  130 . The tube  114  can be made from the same material as the tube  52 . The structure  100  can be disassembled by removing and separating the frame members  102  and  104 , and then folding the fabric shell  108 . Since the tube  114  is flexible and soft, it can be folded together with the fabric shell  108 . 
         [0025]    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.