Patent Publication Number: US-2007107286-A1

Title: Self-standing collapsible portable structure and method

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      The present document claims the benefit of the earlier filing date of co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/704,481, entitled “Self-Standing Collapsible Portable Structure and Method,” filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Aug. 1, 2005, hereby incorporated by reference, having common inventors as the present document. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to collapsible structures and more particularly to self-standing collapsible portable structures having resilient panels supported by collapsible frame members, and a method for using same. The collapsible frame structures may be positioned into either an expanded position or a collapsed position to reduce the structure&#39;s overall size.  
      2. Discussion of the Background  
      Prior art self-standing structures that have been used to provide information, advertisements, general messages and/or warning messages have suffered from several drawbacks. One drawback with such structures is the difficulty associated with erecting and stably supporting such structures. Another drawback associated with these prior art structures is that the construction of such structures tends to be complicated and bulky. As a result, such structures have been expensive to manufacture and are troublesome to fold away and to store. A further drawback of such prior art structures is that the size, weight and complexity of such structures make them difficult to carry and quickly deploy. Thus, the prior art structures that have been used to provide information, advertisements, general messages and/or warning messages have not been successful in providing a simple structure which is inexpensive to manufacture, is lightweight and easy to carry, is quick and easy to erect, and is quick and easy to collapse into a compact size.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention may include a collapsible portable structure that includes at least three collapsible frame members, a resilient material substantially covering each collapsible frame member to form a side panel for each collapsible frame member, and a hinge portion hingedly connecting each of the collapsible frame members. Each collapsible frame member has a collapsed position and an expanded position. Each collapsible frame member has three or more edges defining a continuous loop in the expanded position. A first edge of each collapsible frame member is hingedly connected to a second edge of a first adjacent frame member, and the second edge of each collapsible frame member is hingedly connected to the first edge of a second adjacent frame member. The collapsible frame members and their associated side panels are connected together such that an interior space is formed between the side panels, and a third edge of each collapsible frame member substantially rests on the surface to support the collapsible portable structure. At least one side panel includes a message area portion.  
      Another aspect of the present invention may include a collapsible portable structure that includes at least three collapsible frame members, a resilient material substantially covering each collapsible frame member to form a side panel for each collapsible frame member, and means for connecting each collapsible frame member to adjacent collapsible frame members. Each collapsible frame member has a collapsed position and an expanded position. Each collapsible frame member defines a continuous loop in the expanded position. The collapsible frame members and their associated side panels are connected together such that an interior space is formed between the side panels, and a third edge of each collapsible frame member substantially rests on the surface to support the collapsible portable structure. At least one side panel includes a message area portion.  
      Yet another aspect of the present invention may include a method for providing notice of a condition using a collapsible portable structure. The method includes a first user carrying a collapsible portable structure, observing a condition requiring a message, deploying the carried collapsible portable structure, and notifying a second user of the condition. The collapsible portable structure includes at least three collapsible frame members, a resilient material substantially covering each collapsible frame member to form a side panel for each collapsible frame member, and means for connecting each collapsible frame member to adjacent collapsible frame members. Each collapsible frame member defines a continuous loop. At least one side panel includes a message area portion. Each collapsible frame member has a collapsed position and an expanded position. The collapsible portable structure is carried in the collapsed position at all relevant times by the first user. In the expanded position, the collapsible frame members and their associated side panels are connected together such that an interior space is formed between the side panels, and a third edge of each collapsible frame member substantially rests on the surface to support the collapsible portable structure. The second user is notified of the condition with a message displayed on the message area portion. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a collapsible portable structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is an elevation side view of a collapsible portable structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective top view of a collapsible portable structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 4A  is an illustration of a collapsible portable structure showing a first transition position according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 4B  is an illustration of a collapsible portable structure showing a second transition position according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 4C  is an illustration of a collapsible portable structure showing a third transition position according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 4D  is an illustration of a collapsible portable structure fully collapsed according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 5  is a section view partially broken away showing collapsible frame members according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 6  is cross-sectional side view of a collapsible portable structure showing collapsible frame members according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  are elevation side views of a collapsible portable structure showing a detachable message area portion according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 7C  is an elevation side view of a collapsible portable structure showing a detachable message area portion according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating a process for using the collapsible portable structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a collapsible portable structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Collapsible portable structure  100  includes at least three side panels  102   a ,  102   b  and  102   c  that are connected or held together. Collapsible portable structure  100  is configured such that in an expanded or non-collapsed position, the at least three side panels  102   a ,  102   b  and  102   c  are connected or held together to form an interior space defined by the at least three side panels  102   a ,  102   b  and  102   c  with an open bottom. Collapsible portable structure  100  is further configured such that in a collapsed position, the collapsible portable structure  100  has a compact generally circular shape that is reduced in size, as shown in  FIG. 4D . In one embodiment, collapsible portable structure  100  in a collapsed position is reduced in size such that it may be carried at all relevant times by a user. Collapsible portable structure  100  may optionally include more than three side panels  102   a ,  102   b  and  102   c . For instance, collapsible portable structure  100  may include a fourth side panel  102   d , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . Collapsible portable structure  100  may optionally include top panel  114  to interconnect top portions of side panels  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  and  102   d . Side panels  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  and  102   d , and top panel  114  may be connected using any conventional manner including, but not limited to, stitching, weaving, joining, sealing, gluing, buttoning, zippering and hooking.  
      Side panels  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  and  102   d  are respectively formed by resilient materials  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c  and  104   d  that substantially cover collapsible frame members  106   a ,  106   b ,  106   c  and  106   d . In one embodiment, each of the collapsible frame members  106   a ,  106   b ,  106   c  and  106   d  has three edges connected by curved portions to form a generally triangular shape, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . In this configuration, each side panel  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  and  102   d  is connected to adjacent side panels  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  and  102   d  at first and second edges of the generally triangular shape, shown as  116   a ,  116   b ,  116   c  and  116   d  in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The third edge of each side panel  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  and  102   d  substantially rests on the surface to support the collapsible portable structure  100 . For instance, side panel  102   a  is connected to side panel  102   d  at a first edge  116   d , and side panel  102  is connected to side panel  102   a  at a second edge  116   a . The remaining edge of the generally triangular shape of side panel  102   a  substantially rests on the surface. Collapsible portable structure  100  may optionally take a variety of external shapes within the scope of the present invention. For instance, non-triangular shapes are possible including, but not limited to, rectangular, trapezoidal, octagonal, hexagonal, circular, oval and elliptical shapes. Collapsible portable structure  100  may optionally include bottom members  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c  and  110   d  resting on the surface and used to respectively interconnect lower portions of side panels  102   a  and  102   b ,  102   b  and  102   c ,  102   c  and  102   d , and  102   d  and  102   a . Lower portions  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c  and  110   d  may be configured to extend to the surface and/or to provide additional support to the collapsible portable structure  100 , when the collapsible frame members are in the expanded position. The shape, size and number of bottom members  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c  and  110   d  depend on the shape, size, and number of side panels  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  and  102   d.    
      Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , partially broken away section and cross-section views of a collapsible portable structure showing collapsible frame members according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown. Collapsible frame members  106   a ,  106   b ,  106   c  and  106   d  are respectively retained in position by resilient materials  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c  and  104   d  which respectively include retaining sleeves  108   a ,  108   b ,  108   c  and  108   d . Retaining sleeves  108   a ,  108   b ,  108   c  and  108   d  may be stitched, woven, joined, sealed, glued, buttoned, zippered, hooked or connected in any conventional manner to resilient materials  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c  and  104   d . Optionally, retaining sleeves  108   a ,  108   b ,  108   c  and  108   d  may be an extending portion of resilient materials  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c  and  104   d.    
      Resilient materials  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c  and  104   d , retaining sleeves  108   a ,  108   b ,  108   c  and  108   d , top panel  114 , and bottom members  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c  and  110   d  may be composed of any flexible material including, but not limited to, fabric, nylon, mesh, netting, polymer sheets, paper and plastic. Retaining sleeves  108   a ,  108   b ,  108   c  and  108   d  may also be composed of other non-flexible materials including, but not limited to, metal and graphite, configured in the form of multiple rings, hooks, combs and/or springs. Optionally, all or portions of resilient materials  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c  and  104   d  and/or message area portions  112   a ,  112   b ,  112   c  and  112   d  may be composed of fluorescent or glow-in-the-dark materials and/or reflective materials to aid in the visibility of the collapsible portable structure  100  or any portion thereof. Collapsible portable structure  100  may optionally include a bottom panel interconnecting bottom portions of side panels  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  and  102   d  at the surface such that the interior space is not open to the surface. In one embodiment, resilient materials  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c  and  104   d  are free of openings that cover a substantial portion of the resilient material and that are configured to be used as an entry into an interior space formed by side panels  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  and  102   d.    
      Collapsible portable structure  100  may be configured as a portable free-standing sign. In this embodiment, one or more side panels  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  and  102   d  include message area portions  112   a ,  112   b ,  112   c  and  112   d , respectively. Optionally, top panel  114  may include a similar message area and/or a lighting mechanism, such as a detachable flashing light to aid in the visibility of the collapsible portable structure. Message area portions  112   a ,  112   b ,  112   c  and  112   d  may include letters and/or graphics. Message area portions  112   a ,  112   b ,  112   c  and  112   d  may be used to provide information, advertisements, general messages, and/or warning messages. Message area portions  112   a ,  112   b ,  112   c  and  112   d  may also include a flexible non-permanent writing surface. Flexible non-permanent writing surface includes, but is not limited to, 3M Post-it® Self-Stick Easel Wall Pads. Obviously, other nonpermanent equivalents are well known in the art.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 7A-7C , elevation side views of collapsible portable structures showing detachable message area portions according to other embodiments of the present invention are shown. In these embodiments, message area portions  702  and  704  may be detachably affixed to one or more side panels  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  and  102   d , such that message area portions  702  and  704  may be removed and/or replaced (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 7B ), using any conventional mechanism including, but not limited to, Velcro, magnets, pins, clips, buttons, and suction. Message area portion  702  may be composed of any flexible material including, but not limited to, fabric, nylon, mesh, netting, polymer sheets, paper and plastic. Message area portion  702  may also be composed of any non-flexible material including, but not limited to, a hardened plastic, glass, metal and graphite. Optionally, message area portions  702  and  704  may include a non-permanent writing surface or other messaging area including, but not limited to, an erasable marker board, a chalk board, and an electronic digital board (e.g., LED display). For instance, an electronic digital board  704  as a detachable message area is shown in  FIG. 7B . In this configuration, collapsible portable structure  100  may optionally include a wireless receiver  706  configured to receive electronic updates for electronic digital board  704 . Thereby, message area portions  702  and  704  may be used to provide different and configurable information, advertisements, general messages and/or warning messages depending upon the desired need and conditions.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 4A-4D , illustrations of a collapsible portable structure  100  showing transitions to a collapsed position and a fully collapsed position according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown. Collapsible portable structure  100  may be collapsed into a first transition position  402  by pushing in side panels  102   a  and  102   b  at edge  116   a  such that the interior space defined by the side panels  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  and  102   d  in the expanded position is substantially eliminated and edge  116   a  touches or is in close proximity to edge  116   c , as shown in  FIG. 4A . Side panels  102   c  and  102   d  are then folded together into a second transition position  404  such that edge  11   6   b  touches or is in close proximity to edge  11   6   d , as shown in  FIG. 4B . Collapsible portable structure  100  is then twisted and folded, at a middle portion  408 , into a third transition position  406 , as shown in  FIG. 4C . Finally, collapsible structure  100  is transitioned into fully collapsed position  410 , as shown in  FIG. 4D . Collapsible portable structure  100  has a compact generally circular shape in its fully collapsed position  410  that is reduced in size from the collapsible portable structure  100  in its expanded or non-collapsed position. Optionally, a flexible retaining strap  412  may be used to hold and retain collapsible portal structure  100  in its collapsed position  410 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 8 , a flow chart illustrating a process for using the collapsible portable structure  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown at block  802 , a first user carries a collapsible portable structure  100  in a collapsed position at all relevant times. For instance, the collapsible portable structure  100  may be carried in the first user&#39;s pant or shop pocket, or otherwise attached to or carried by the first user. The first user observes a condition that requires a message, as shown at block  804 . As shown at block  806 , the first user expands and deploys the carried collapsible portable structure  100 , having at least one message area portion  112   a ,  112   b ,  112   c  and  112   d , in an expanded position near the condition. A second user is notified of the condition with a message displayed on the at least one message area portion  112   a ,  112   b ,  112   c  and  112   d , as shown at block  808 . As shown at block  812 , the first user collapses and removes the deployed collapsible portable structure when the condition is no longer present. The collapsible portable structure  100  may be removed by returning the collapsible portable structure  100  in its collapsed position back to the first user&#39;s normal carrying location, such as the first user&#39;s pant or shop pocket. Optionally, the first user retrieves the equipment necessary for the condition concurrent to the notification of the condition to the second user, as shown at block  810 .  
      In a non-limiting example, an employee carries one or more collapsible portable structures  100  in a collapsed position at all relevant times, such as substantially at all times when the employee is on duty until the employee deploys the collapsible portable structure  100  in an expanded position. The employee observes a condition that requires a message, such as a spill or other hazard. Immediately upon observation of condition, the employee quickly retrieves one or more carried collapsible portable structures  100 , such as from the employee&#39;s pant or shop pocket, and expands and deploys the one or more collapsible portable structures  100  in an expanded position near the condition. For instance, the employee could deploy the collapsible portable structure  100  over the spill or other hazard, or the employee could deploy one or more collapsible portable structures  100  on the isle where the spill or other hazard occurred. The employee then retrieves the equipment necessary for the condition, such as a mop. During the period of time required for the employee to retrieve the equipment necessary for the condition and to remove the condition, any customer approaching the condition would be warned of the condition. For instance, any customer approaching a spill or other hazard would be warned of the spill or other hazard during the period of time required for the employee to retrieve a mop, and to mop the spill or otherwise remove the hazard. Thereby, the care and safety of the customer is improved regarding the condition.  
      In another non-limiting example, a meeting manager could deploy a collapsible portable structure  100  to notify attendees of a scheduled event of a room change or other valuable information. In yet another non-limiting example, the collapsible portable structure  100  could be deployed to temporarily redirect the flow of pedestrian traffic in an area or to provide other valuable information. For instance, the collapsible portable structure  100  could be deployed as a temporary sign for messaging and/or advertising purposes.  
      Obviously, many other modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention in any manner. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the disclosed concept, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. For instance, although four generally triangular side panels  102   a ,  102   b ,  102   c  and  102   d , top panel  114 , and bottom members  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c  and  110   d  are discussed and shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , this configuration is used for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the possible configurations of the present invention in any way.