Patent Abstract:
An internal collapsible frame for use with an outdoor living structure is provided. The internal collapsible frame can include a center tube assembly including a center tube including a top end portion and a bottom end portion. A slidable hub can be slidably arranged on the center tube. The internal collapsible frame can include a plurality of roof tube assemblies each including a first proximal end and a second distal end, each first proximal end being pivotably attached to the top hub. The internal collapsible frame can include a plurality of ceiling tube assemblies each including a first proximal end and a second distal end, each first proximal end being pivotably attached to the sliding hub and each second distal end being attached to an outer corner connection assembly. The internal collapsible frame can include a plurality of hinged strut assemblies each including a first end and a second end and being capable of folding about a hinge, each of the first and second ends of the hinged strut assemblies being attached to a ceiling tube end cap of a respective outer corner connection assembly and being capable of pivoting and rotating with respect to the ceiling tube end cap.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit from earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/297,921, filed Feb. 21, 2016, and from earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/435,765, filed Dec. 17, 2016, which are both incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present teachings relate to a collapsible outdoor structure. In particular, the present teachings relate to an outdoor living structure that includes an internal collapsible frame and a fabric roof and side walls for residential, commercial, and humanitarian uses. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Known humanitarian outdoor structures can be categorized as emergency shelters, intermediate shelters, and long-term shelters. Emergency shelters typically include rapid set-up tents or suspended tarps to protect people from the elements within 24 hours. Intermediate term shelters are more robust and are intended to serve as a bridge shelter, up to 12 months, until a long term permanent housing solution can be found. However, known intermediate term shelters require a great deal of time and resources to construct. 
         [0004]    Known commercial outdoor structures have frames that require assembly. After frame assembly, a fabric covering is installed over the frame. The frames remain fixed in the location chosen for the structure and complete disassembly is required to relocate. In regions subject to snow, the fabric coverings must be removed each winter because the outdoor structures are unable to support the snow load. The installation and removal of fabric coverings usually requires up to 2 people, or even more. Often, the user will elect to leave the assembled frame erected without the fabric covering until the next season of use. This leaves a skeletal frame that is not very attractive and is itself subject to adverse weather and potential damage. 
         [0005]    Known commercial structures include a single layer roof fabric and sidewall screen. In some instances, optional frame components can be installed for attachment of a screen and curtain combination for the sidewall. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, there exists a need for an outdoor structure that can be readily set-up and taken down, is fully assembled in a stored state, and is easily transportable. A need also exists for an outdoor structure that a single person can readily open and close in a short period of time. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present teachings provide an internal collapsible frame for use with an outdoor living structure. The internal collapsible frame can include a center tube assembly having a center tube including a top end portion and a bottom end portion. A top hub can be fixably attached to the center tube in the vicinity of the top end thereof. A slidable hub can be arranged on the center tube and slidably movable between the top end portion and a bottom end portion. The internal collapsible frame can include a plurality of roof tube assemblies each including a first end and second end, each first end being pivotably attached to the top hub. The internal collapsible frame can include a plurality of ceiling tube assemblies each including a first end and a second end, each first end being pivotably attached to the slidable hub and each second end can be attached to an outer corner connection assembly. The internal collapsible frame can include a plurality of hinged strut assemblies each including a first end and a second end and being capable of folding about a hinge, each of the first and second ends of the hinged strut assemblies can be attached to a ceiling tube end cap of the outer corner connection assembly. The distal end of each roof tube assembly can be attached via a pivot hinge to a ceiling tube assembly in an area between the first end and the second end of the ceiling tube assembly. When the internal collapsible frame is being erected by the application of an upward force to the slidable hub, the distance between neighboring outer second ends of the ceiling tube assemblies increases forcing each of the hinged strut assemblies to unfold until the hinged strut assemblies are all in a straightened state and form a ring around an outer perimeter of the collapsible frame. 
         [0008]    The present teachings also provide an internal collapsible frame for use with an outdoor living structure. The internal collapsible frame can include a center tube assembly having a center tube including a top end portion and a bottom end portion. A top hub can be fixably attached to the center tube in the vicinity of the top end thereof. A slidable hub can be arranged on the center tube and slidable movable between the top end portion and a bottom end portion. The internal collapsible frame can include a plurality of ceiling tube assemblies each including a first end and a second end, each first end being pivotably attached to the slidable hub and each second end being attached to an outer corner connection assembly. The internal collapsible frame can include a plurality of hinged strut assemblies each including a first end and a second end and being capable of folding about a hinge, each of the first and second ends of the hinged strut assemblies being attached to a ceiling tube end cap of the outer corner connection assembly. When the internal collapsible frame is being erected by the application of an upward force to the slidable hub and causing the distance between neighboring outer second ends of the ceiling tube assemblies to increase, the ends of the hinged strut assemblies are configured to i) pivot with respect to a top surface of the ceiling tube end cap, and ii) rotate about a central axis of the hinged strut assembly. 
         [0009]    The present teachings further provide a collapsible structure including an internal collapsible frame and a fabric roof securable to the internal collapsible frame. The internal collapsible frame can include a center tube assembly including a center tube including a top end portion and a bottom end portion. A top hub can be fixably attached to the center tube in the vicinity of the top end thereof. A slidable hub can be slidably arranged on the center tube. The internal collapsible frame can include a plurality of roof tube assemblies each including a first proximal end and a second distal end, each first proximal end being pivotably attached to the top hub. The internal collapsible frame can include a plurality of ceiling tube assemblies each including a first proximal end and a second distal end, each first proximal end being pivotably attached to the sliding hub and each second distal end being attached to an outer corner connection assembly. The internal collapsible frame can include a plurality of hinged strut assemblies each including a first end and a second end and being capable of folding about a hinge, each of the first and second ends of the hinged strut assemblies being attached to a ceiling tube end cap of a respective outer corner connection assembly and being capable of pivoting and rotating with respect to the ceiling tube end cap. 
         [0010]    Additional features and advantages of various embodiments will be set forth, in part, in the description that follows, and will, in part, be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of various embodiments. The objectives and other advantages of various embodiments will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the description herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the collapsible outdoor living structure of the present teachings in an erected, non-collapsed state; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the collapsible outdoor living structure of  FIG. 1  with the fabric roof cap removed; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  shows a perspective view of the collapsible outdoor living structure of  FIG. 1  with the fabric removed and showing the internal collapsible frame; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3B  shows a blown-up perspective view of outer corner connection assembly of detail ‘ 3 B’ of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3C  shows a blown-up perspective view of the sliding hub assembly of detail ‘ 3 C’ of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3D  shows a blown-up perspective view of the top hub assembly of detail ‘ 3 D’ of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the internal collapsible frame of  FIG. 3A  in the process of being erected; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5A  shows a side view of the internal collapsible frame in a collapsed state; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5B  shows a blown-up view of a bottom portion of internal collapsible frame of detail ‘ 5 B’ of  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5C  shows a blown-up view of a top portion of internal collapsible frame of detail ‘ 5 C’ of  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6A  shows a perspective view of a roof tube assembly of the internal collapsible frame; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6B  shows a exploded view of the top hub connector of detail ‘ 6 B’ of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6C  shows a exploded view of the roof pivot connector of detail ‘ 6 C’ of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7A  shows a perspective view of a ceiling tube assembly of the internal collapsible frame; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7B  shows a exploded view of the sliding hub connector of detail ‘ 7 B’ of  FIG. 7A ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7C  shows a exploded view of the ceiling tab end cap of detail ‘ 7 C’ of  FIG. 7A ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8A  shows a perspective view of a leg tube assembly of the internal collapsible frame; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8B  shows a exploded view of the leg end cap of detail ‘ 8 B’ of  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of an outer corner connection assembly of the internal collapsible frame; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10A  shows a perspective view of a strut tube assembly of the internal collapsible frame; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10B  shows a blown-up view of left end hinge assembly of detail ‘ 10 B’ of  FIG. 10A ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 10C  shows a blown-up view of central hinge assembly of detail ‘ 10 C’ of  FIG. 10A ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 10D  shows a blown-up view of right end hinge assembly of detail ‘ 10 D’ of  FIG. 10A ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 10E  shows a cross-section through the strut tube of  FIG. 10A ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 11A  shows an exploded view of left strut end connector of the internal collapsible frame; 
           [0036]      FIG. 11B  shows an exploded view of right strut end connector of the internal collapsible frame; 
           [0037]      FIG. 12  shows a center hinge assembly of the strut tube assembly of  FIGS. 10A and 10C ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 13A  shows a perspective view of the center pipe assembly of the internal collapsible frame; 
           [0039]      FIG. 13B  shows a blown-up view of the top hub of detail ‘ 13 B’ of  FIG. 13A ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 13C  shows a blown-up view of the sliding hub of detail ‘ 13 C’ of  FIG. 13A ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 13D  shows a blown-up view of the center base tube of detail ‘ 13 D’ of  FIG. 13A ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 14  shows a side view of the fabric roof cap of the collapsible outdoor living structure of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 15  shows a perspective view of the fabric inner ceiling of the collapsible outdoor living structure of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 16  shows a perspective view of the 3-way cross brace assembly of the internal collapsible frame; 
           [0045]      FIG. 17  shows a perspective view of the sliding hub assembly of the internal collapsible frame; and 
           [0046]      FIG. 18  shows a perspective view of the top hub assembly of the internal collapsible frame. 
       
    
    
       [0047]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are intended to provide an explanation of various embodiments of the present teachings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0048]    Referring initially to  FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 4, and 5A , a collapsible outdoor living structure  100  of the present teachings can include an internal collapsible frame  140  onto which a fabric roof  180 , as well as optional sidewalls and interior screening can be detachably secured. As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the internal collapsible frame  140  can be manually actuated (i.e. erected or collapsed) by applying force, upward or downward, to a sliding hub  220  mounted about a center tube assembly  200 . The internal collapsible frame  140  can include a plurality of roof tube assemblies  300  that can be connected to a top hub  210  that is mounted on a top portion of the center tube assembly  200 . The internal collapsible frame  140  can include a plurality of ceiling tube assemblies  400  that can be connected to the sliding hub  220  which can slide freely up or down along the axis of the center tube assembly  200 . Each of the roof tube assemblies  300  can be connected to a respective ceiling tube assembly  400  via a pivot hinge connection  410 . 
         [0049]    When the internal collapsible frame  140  is fully erected, a plurality of hinged strut assemblies  600  form a ring around the entire outer perimeter of the collapsible frame  140 . Each of the ends of the hinged strut assemblies  600  can be connected to respective outer corner connection assemblies  420 . Attached to the outer ends of each of the ceiling tube assemblies  400  can be leg tube assemblies  500  that are allowed to pivot so that when the internal collapsible frame  140  is in a collapsed state, the roof tube assemblies  300 , ceiling tube assemblies  400 , leg tube assemblies  500 , and hinged strut assemblies  600  fold and rest in close proximity to the center tube assembly  200 , as shown in  FIG. 5A . 
         [0050]    When a user erects the outdoor living structure  100  by moving the sliding hub  220  upwardly along the center tube assembly  200 , the design of the internal collapsible frame  140  allows the creation of a gravity assist as will be described in more detail below. 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , when an upward force, F, is directly or indirectly applied to the sliding hub  220 , the ceiling tube assemblies  400  apply a load to the roof tube assemblies  300  via the pivot hinge connections  410  and force the ceiling tube assemblies  400  and roof tube assemblies  300  to extend radially outwardly from the center tube assembly  200 . As the roof tube assemblies  300  and the ceiling tube assemblies  400  extend outwardly, gravity causes the leg tube assemblies  500  to pivot via ceiling tube end caps  480  of outer corner connection assemblies  420  so that the leg tube assemblies  500  remain substantially parallel (i.e. vertically aligned) in relation to the axis of the center tube assembly  200 . 
         [0052]    When the internal collapsible frame  140  is fully erected, the plurality of hinged strut assemblies  600  form a ring around the entire outer perimeter of the collapsible frame  140 . Each of the ends of the hinged strut assemblies  600  can be connected to respective outer corner connection assemblies  420 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , when the internal collapsible frame  140  is at rest in a closed or collapsed state, the plurality of hinged strut assemblies  600  fold and lay at rest between each of the ceiling tube assemblies  400 . Later, when the internal collapsible frame  140  is being erected, the distance between neighboring outer ends of the ceiling tube assemblies  400  increases. As this distance increases, each of the hinged strut assemblies  600  begin to unfold until the hinged strut assemblies  600  are all in a straightened state. When the internal collapsible frame  140  is fully erected, central hinge assemblies  630  of the hinged strut assemblies  600  can be locked via the insertion of a lock pin  618  into the hinged joint as discussed below with reference to  FIG. 12 . By way of the outer corner connection assemblies  420 , as the internal collapsible frame  140  is being erected the ends of the hinged strut assemblies  600  are designed to i) pivot approximately 60 degrees along the same plane as a top surface of the ceiling tube end cap  480  (discussed in more below), and ii) rotate about 30 degrees about the central axis of strut end hinge assemblies  610 ,  620  (also discussed in more detail below). 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 10E , the hinged strut assemblies  600  can include extruded tubes having t-slots  642  on each exterior face. The t-slots  642  can include fabric attachment slots that can incorporate common fabric rollers or slides, or can be used with t-slot nuts to attach accessories to each exterior face of the assembled hinged strut assembly  600 . When the t-slots  642  are used as fabric tracks, curtains and screening can be attached to and can slide along each strut tube segment  640  so the user can readily open or close wall fabrics and screening. 
         [0054]    The fabric roof  180  can be made as a single unit including sewn sections of material, or can be divided into two sections of overlapping sewn fabric stitched together along seams in a manner that allows air to pass between the two overlapping sections to reduce internal pressure. Fabric side wall materials of the collapsible outdoor living structure  100  can include an inner and outer curtain, an internal screening, or additional fabric layer. The internal collapsible frame  140  is designed to allow the roof and side wall fabrics and screening to remain attached to the internal collapsible frame  410  and to naturally fold in an orderly fashion about the components of the frame  410  as it is being collapsed. 
         [0055]    The collapsible outdoor living structure  100  of the present teachings simplifies seasonal set-ups and take downs by providing a fully assembled, transportable, and collapsible structure that can be collapsed into a narrow column, such as a hexagonal column. This allows a single person to open or close the collapsible outdoor living structure  100  in a very short period of time. When the collapsible outdoor living structure  100  is collapsed, a cover can be placed over the hexagonal column to protect the collapsible frame  140  and the attached fabric from the elements. The fully assembled collapsible outdoor living structure  100  can be readily moved from one location to another without disassembly. 
         [0056]      FIG. 1  shows the collapsible outdoor living structure  100  of the present teachings in an erected (i.e. non-collapsed) state with the fabric roof  180  including a fabric roof cap  184  being arranged on the internal collapsible frame  140 .  FIG. 2  also shows the collapsible outdoor living structure  100  of  FIG. 1  with the fabric roof cap  184  removed and showing a fabric inner ceiling  186  attached to the internal collapsible frame  140 . The fabric inner ceiling  186  can be attached around the perimeter of the internal collapsible frame  140  at the hinged strut assemblies  600  and can also be attached to the ceiling tube assemblies  400  and the roof tube assemblies  300 . 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C , the internal collapsible frame  140  is shown in a collapsed state where the roof tube assemblies  300 , ceiling tube assemblies  400 , and leg tube assemblies  500  are all folded and extend parallel to the axis of the center tube assembly  200  in a manner that leaves a sufficient gap to allow space for fabric to remain attached to the internal collapsible frame  140 . The hinged strut assemblies  600  are folded and resting about the ceiling tube assemblies  400 . 
         [0058]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C , each roof tube assembly  300  can be made up of a roof tube  310  having a top hub connector  340  attached at one end thereof and a roof pivot connector  380  attached at the opposite end thereof. A top hub connector mount stem  342  can be inserted into an inner channel  344  of the roof tube  310  and can be fastened to the roof tube  310  by mating bolts  346 . The roof pivot connector  380  can be inserted into roof tube  310  and fastened with mating bolts  346 . The extruded roof tube  310  can include an upper t-slot  356  and a lower t-slot  358 . The top hub connector  340  can include stabilizer tabs  362  that are designed to engage the upper t-slot  356  and the lower t-slot  358  after insertion into roof tube  310 . The roof pivot connector  380  can also include stabilizer tabs  382  similar to the top hub connector  340 . 
         [0059]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C , each ceiling tube assembly  400  can include a ceiling tube  440 , a sliding hub connector  450 , roof pivot connector hinge  410 , a ceiling tube end cap  480 , and a soffit bracket  494 . The sliding hub connector  450  can be inserted into a ceiling tube inner channel  442  and can be fastened with mating bolts  444 . The sliding hub connector  450  can include stabilizer tabs  451  that can engage upper t-slot  414  and lower t-slot  418 . The roof pivot connection hinge  410  can be attached to a t-slot nut  412  which can be inserted into an upper t-slot  414  of ceiling tube  440  and fastened with bolts  416 . The ceiling tube end cap  480  can be attached to ceiling tube  440  via bolts  482  passing through top of ceiling tube end cap  480  and into upper t-slot nut  484  positioned within upper t-slot  414 . Two lower bolts  482  are inserted through ceiling tube end cap  480  and into a lower t-slot nut  486  positioned within a lower t-slot  418 . The ceiling tube end cap  480  can include two strut attachment protrusions  488  formed with thru holes  492 . A lower face of the ceiling tube end cap  480  can include a thru hole to receive a leg connector pin  490 . Attached to an outer face of the ceiling tube end cap  480  can be a soffit bracket  494  fastened with two bolts  482 . Structure anchor connectors  483  can be attached to ceiling tube end cap  480  via bolts  482 . As shown in  FIG. 7B , on a minimum of two adjacent ceiling tube assemblies  400 , a lift handle  402  can be attached via a lift handle bolt  404  inserted through ceiling tube thru-hole  406 . A pair of lift handles  402  can be attached on opposite sides of two adjacent ceiling tubes  440  selected for lift handle attachment to prevent interference between neighboring lift handles  402 . 
         [0060]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , each leg tube assembly  500  can include a leg tube  510 , a leg end cap  520 , and a leg base  550 . A leg end cap stem  534  of the leg end cap  520  can be inserted into a leg tube inner channel  522  and fastened with mating bolts  530 . The leg base  550  can be adjustably positioned as needed and is connected to leg tube  510  with a leg base connector pin  552  that can be passed through selected leg base adjustment holes  554  on the leg base  550  and a leg tube thru-hole  556  on the leg tube  510 . 
         [0061]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , an outer corner connection assembly  420  including a ceiling tube end cap  480  is shown. The outer corner connection assembly  420  can include a left end hinge assembly  610  and a right end hinge assembly  620 . The left end hinge assembly  610  can include a left strut end connector  422  that can be secured to the ceiling tube end cap  480  via a pin  424  and pin clips  426 . The right end hinge assembly  620  can include a right strut end connector  428  that can be secured on the opposite side of ceiling tube end cap  480  via a pin  424  and pin clips  426 . Universal strut end caps  430 ,  431  can rest on the flat surface of each of the strut end connectors  422 ,  428  and are allowed to rotate about central lock bolts  439  that are used to connect the outer corner connection assembly  420  to respective hinged strut assemblies  600 , shown on  FIG. 10 . A leg tube end cap  520  can be pivotally attached to the ceiling tube end cap  480  via a pin  432  and pin clips  434 . As previously discussed above, by way of the outer corner connection assemblies  420 , as the internal collapsible frame  140  is being erected the ends of hinged strut assemblies  600  are designed to i) pivot up to about 60 degrees along the same plane as the top surface of the ceiling tube end cap  480  of the outer corner connection assembly  420 , and ii) rotate up to about 30 degrees about the central axis of the strut end hinged connection assemblies  610 ,  620 . It is noted that the central axis of the strut end hinged connection assemblies  610 ,  620  is coaxial with a central axis of the strut tubes  640  of the hinged strut assemblies  600  when they are in a straightened state. 
         [0062]    Referring now to  FIGS. 10A-10E , each hinged strut assembly  600  can include a left end hinge assembly  610 , a right end hinge assembly  620 , and a central hinge assembly  630 . Each hinged strut assembly  600  can include a pair of strut tubes  640 . As shown in  FIG. 10E , each of the strut tubes  640  can include four t-slots  642  and a central hole  644  tapped on each end to receive lock bolts  646 ,  439  for attachment to the central hinge assembly  630  and the left and right end hinge assemblies  610 ,  620 . 
         [0063]    Referring now to  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the left end hinge assembly  610  can include the left strut end connector  422 , a universal strut end cap  430 , a thrust bearing  652 , and a central lock bolt  439 . The thrust bearing  652  fits into a cavity on left strut end connector  422 . The central lock bolt  439  is inserted through a center hole  662  on thrust bearing  652 , through center hole  656  on left strut end connector  422 , through center hole  662  on universal strut end cap  430 , and is threaded into center hole  644  on strut tube  640 , as shown on  FIG. 10 . The left strut end connector  422  can include two dowel pins  658  that can engage with slots  664  on universal strut end cap  430 . The slots  664  limit the degree of rotation of the hinged strut assembly  600  and the direction of the rotation. The upper plane of the hinged strut assembly  600  must be allowed to rotate 30 degrees inward to reduce stress on central hinge assembly  630  when the internal collapsible frame  140  is being collapsed. 
         [0064]    Referring to  FIG. 11B , the right end hinge assembly  620  can include a right strut end connector  428 , a universal strut end cap  431 , a thrust bearing  672 , and a central lock bolt  439 . The thrust bearing  672  fits into a cavity on right strut end connector  472 . The central lock bolt  439  is inserted through a thrust bearing center hole  682  on thrust bearing  672 , through right end hinge center hole  673 , through the center hole  682  on universal strut end cap  431 , and threaded into strut center hole  644  on strut tube  640 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . The right strut end connector  428  can include two dowel pins  678  that can engage the universal end cap slots  684  in the same manner as the left end hinge assembly  610 , however, the dowel pin  678  placement on the right end hinge assembly  620  is opposite of the dowel pin  658  placement on the left end hinge assembly  610  in order for the upper plane of the hinged strut assembly  600  to rotate inward 30 degrees. 
         [0065]    Referring now to  FIG. 12 , a center hinge assembly  630  for a hinged strut assembly  600  can include a female hinge half  632  and a male hinge half  634  connected via a pin  612  and pin clips  614 . Both hinge halves  632 ,  634  can include a lock pin protrusion  636  including a lock pin thru hole  616  to accommodate a lock pin  618 . The lock pin  618  can be inserted when the internal collapsible frame  140  is erected and then later removed prior to the frame  140  being collapsed. Female hinge half  632  can include an embedded spring plunger  638  that can apply force to open the hinged assembly  630  and to aide in strut collapse during the take down of the frame  140 . The strut hinge halves  632 ,  634  can be fastened to ends of strut tubes  640  through the use of lock bolts  646  and the central hole  644  formed in the strut tubes  640 , shown on  FIG. 9 . The heads of the lock bolt  646  can be arranged to securely fit into cavities  648  formed on each hinge half  632 ,  634 . 
         [0066]    Referring now to  FIGS. 13A-13D , the center tube assembly  200  can include a top hub  210 , a sliding hub  220 , a sliding hub stop ring  230 , a center tube  250 , and a center tube base  270 . The top hub  210  can include a fabric tensioner  212  that threads into a threaded hole  214  formed on top hub  210 . The fabric tensioner  212  can be threaded up or down to increase or decrease the tension on the fabric roof cap  184 . A lock nut  216  can be used to lock the fabric tensioner  212  in place once a desired fabric tension is achieved. The top hub  210  can be attached to the center tube  250  via bolts  252  that can be inserted through the top hub  210  and into center pipe  250  through bores  254 . The sliding hub  220  can be free to slide along the axis of the center tube  250  between sliding hub stop ring  230  and the center tube base  270 . After the internal collapsible frame  140  is erected, a safety pin  222  can be inserted through a bore in the center tube  250  to limit vertical movement of the sliding hub  220 . The center tube base  270  can include mounting holes  272  formed thereon to allow securement of the center tube base  270  to the ground or various platforms or structures. The center tube base  270  can include adjustment holes  256  to allow height adjustment of the center tube  250 . Center tube base  270  can be connected to the center tube  250  via a locking pin  274  that passes through the adjustment holes  256 . 
         [0067]    Referring now to  FIG. 14 , the fabric roof cap  184  can be made of a variety of outdoor fabrics sewn together in segments at seams  190 . Each seam  190  of the fabric roof cap  184  can be full flat felled. The fabric roof cap  184  can include a fabric soffit facia  192 . Each corner of the fabric roof cap  184  can include button snaps  193  that can attach to soffit bracket  494 , shown in  FIG. 7C . 
         [0068]    Referring now to  FIG. 15 , the fabric inner ceiling  186  can include a fabric center portion  170  that can be attached to a fabric perimeter portion  160 . The fabric center portion  170  can be a watertight fabric or screening that can be sewn together in segments at seams  172 . Each fabric center seam  172  can be full flat felled. The fabric inner ceiling  186  can be secured to hinged strut assemblies  600 , ceiling tube assemblies  400 , and the roof tube assemblies  300  via button snaps  188  that are positioned in t-slot features of these assemblies. The outer edge of the fabric inner ceiling  186  can include double folded seams  194  and a ceiling tube end connector notch  196  to accommodate the ceiling tube end cap  480 , shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7C . 
         [0069]    Referring now to  FIG. 16 , there is shown a perspective view of a 3-way cross brace assembly  422  that can be arranged at the ceiling tube end cap  480  of  FIGS. 7A and 7C . The 3-way cross brace assembly  422  can include a channel  424  that can accommodate an end of the ceiling tube  440 . The 3-way cross brace assembly  422  can secure to a hinged strut assembly  600 , shown on  FIG. 10 , via t-slot nuts  426  inserted into t-slots  642  formed in strut tube  640 , as shown on  FIG. 10 , and fastened with bolts  428 . The 3-way cross brace assembly  422  can include two flat planes  430  that can rest against strut tubes  640  and a lower flat plate  432  that can abut leg tube  510 , shown on  FIG. 8 . The cross brace assembly  422  can include gussets  434  to provide additional stiffness. 
         [0070]    Referring now to  FIG. 17 , the sliding hub assembly is shown including the sliding hub  220  along with a plurality of sliding hub connectors  450 . The sliding hub connectors  450  can be pivotably attached to the sliding hub  220  via pins  222  and pin clips  224 . When the internal collapsible frame  140  is in an erected, non-collapsed position, the sliding hub connectors  450  can pivot downwardly allowing the ceiling tube assemblies  400  to extend substantially horizontally. Moreover, after the internal collapsible frame  140  is erected, connector pins can be inserted through holes  228  formed on the sliding hub connectors  450  and through lower thru holes  226  formed on sliding hub  220  to lock the frame  140  in the erected, non-collapsed position. 
         [0071]    Referring now to  FIG. 18 , the top hub assembly is shown including the top hub  210  along with a plurality of top hub connectors  340 . The top hub connectors  340  can be pivotably attached to the top hub  210  via pins  370  and pin clips  372 . The fabric tensioner  212  can be threaded into the top hub  210  and can be locked in position with the lock nut  216 . 
         [0072]    Those skilled in the art can appreciate from the foregoing description that the present teachings can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while these teachings have been described in connection with particular embodiments and examples thereof, the true scope of the present teachings should not be so limited. Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the teachings herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4