Patent Abstract:
The technology of the present application provides a collapsible canopy shelter having one or more side awnings that are pivotally coupled to the canopy frame. The canopy shelter for this has reinforced eaves for additional structural integrity, as well as at least one collapsible ventilation flap in the canopy cover that is capable of moving between a closed position and an open position to ventilate air from beneath the canopy cover as desired. Further, the collapsible canopy shelter comprises a canopy frame with a robust, spring-loaded pull latch, allowing the user to quickly and easily assemble and, collapse the shelter without risking injury.

Full Description:
This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/855,013, filed Sep. 13, 2007 and U.S. application Ser. No. 11/854,974, filed Sep. 13, 2007, each of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
   FIELD 
   The present invention relates generally to collapsible canopy shelters and more specifically to collapsible canopy shelters with one or more adjustable side awnings. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Many tents and canopy shelters with collapsible frames exist. These structures are commonly used to provide portable shelter for outdoor activities such as camping, picnicking, parties, weddings, and more. Such collapsible canopy shelters typically comprise a canopy cover and a canopy frame configured to stand alone when in an assembled position and to collapse into a compact position for storage and transport. 
   While conventional collapsible canopy shelters, are useful for a variety of purposes, such as providing portable shade and/or shelter from the elements and providing an aesthetically pleasing backdrop for special events, conventional canopy frames lack structural integrity. As a result, they are vulnerable to severe weather and human or animal interference and are prone to bow or sag. 
   In addition, the support poles of conventional canopy frames typically have unreliable latches that stick when the user attempts to assemble or collapse the shelter. Moreover, traditional spring-pin latches, or latches comprising a retractable spring pin that the user pushes inward to release, are temperamental to use and can pinch the user&#39;s hands and fingers when he or she attempts to assemble or collapse the shelter. 
   Moreover, conventional canopy covers do hot allow for adjustable ventilation. They either have no ventilation at all and trap unwanted heat during warm weather, or alternately, they have permanent screens or vents that vent much needed warm air during cool weather. There is therefore a need in the art for a collapsible canopy shelter having a frame with greater structural rigidity and stability and robust, easy to use pull latches, as well as an adjustable ventilation system. 
   Additionally, conventional collapsible canopy shelters provide a limited amount of shade and shelter and offer little or no lateral protection from the environment. Individuals must be positioned directly under a conventional canopy to be sheltered from the sun or rain, which may often lead to overcrowding under the canopy in inclement weather. Conventional canopies are also incapable of protecting individuals from elements such as wind, which generally moves horizontally and will not be impeded by the cover over a canopy. 
   SUMMARY 
   Embodiments disclosed herein address the above stated needs by providing a collapsible canopy shelter with reinforced eaves to provide greater structural integrity. The technology of the present application also features a collapsible flap capable of moving between a closed and an open position to ventilate air from the collapsible canopy shelter when desired. Another aspect of the technology of the present application includes a sliding, spring-loaded pull latch to lock the eaves in an assembled position. Still another aspect of the technology of the present invention includes adjustable side awnings offering additional cover and protection from the elements. 
   The foregoing, as well as other features, utilities, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows a front plan view of one embodiment of a canopy frame for a collapsible canopy shelter; 
       FIG. 2  shows a side plan view of one embodiment of a sliding eave mount slidably coupled to an upwardly extending pole and fixably coupled to the first left cross member; 
       FIG. 3  shows a sectional view of one embodiment of the sliding eave mount shown in  FIG. 2  with the latch in the locked position; 
       FIG. 4  shows a sectional view of the embodiment of the sliding eave mount shown in  FIG. 2  with the latch in the unlocked position; 
       FIG. 5  shows a partial side plan view of one embodiment of the canopy frame and the canopy cover having at least one collapsible flap supported by a pivoting support; 
       FIG. 6  shows a side plan view of one embodiment of the pivoting support in the open position; 
       FIG. 7  shows a side plan view of the pivoting support shown in  FIG. 6  in the closed position; 
       FIG. 8  shows a side plan view of another embodiment of a pivoting support in the open position; 
       FIG. 9  shows a side plan view of the embodiment of the pivoting support shown in  FIG. 8  in the closed position; and 
       FIG. 10  shows a front plan view of one embodiment of a fulcrum. 
       FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of one embodiment of an adjustable side awning for a collapsible canopy shelter. 
       FIG. 12  shows a partial perspective view of one side of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11  with the awning cover removed. 
       FIG. 13  shows partial side plan views of the embodiment of the side awning in different positions. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The technology of the present application will be further explained with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 13 .  FIG. 1  shows a front plan view of one embodiment of a canopy frame  10  for a collapsible canopy shelter. In this embodiment, canopy frame  10  comprises a plurality of eaves  12  linking a plurality of upwardly extending poles  14 . Each eave  12  may comprise a series of pivotally coupled scissor-jacks  18   1-n . Each scissor-jack  1 - 8   1-n  may include a left cross member  20   1-n  and a right cross member  22   1-n , crossed and pivotally coupled at a cross point  24 . To provide additional rigidity to improve the structural integrity of canopy frame  10 , two reinforcing cross members  26  may be crossed and pivotally coupled to left cross members  20   1-n  and right cross members  22   1-n  at each intersection  28  of scissor-jacks  18   1-n . All pivoting joints may be pinned, bolted, riveted, joined by rotational fasteners, or otherwise rotatively connected as is known in the art. 
   Each eave  12  may be collapsibly coupled to a pair of upwardly extending poles  14  through two fixed eave mounts  30  and two sliding eave mounts  32 . Fixed eave mounts  30  may be fixably coupled to the top ends  34  of upwardly extending poles  14 , and sliding eave mounts  32  may be slidably coupled to poles  14 , such that sliding eave mounts  32  slide over the length of upwardly extending poles  14  from the bases  36  of poles  14  to just below fixed eave mounts  30 . In turn, a first left cross member  20   1  and a final right cross member  22   N  may be pivotally coupled to sliding eave mounts  32  while a first right cross member  22   1  and a final left cross member  20   N  may be fixably coupled to fixed eave mounts  30 , allowing, scissor-jacks  18   1-N  to collapse in a manner similar to the compression of an accordion when one or more of sliding eave mounts  32  are released and slid in a downward direction denoted by arrow A. 
   Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that several alternative mechanisms could be used to collapsibly couple eaves  12  to upwardly extending poles  14 . For example, eaves  12  could be coupled to upwardly extending poles  14  through locking channel systems or a quick release for scissor-jacks  18   1-N , as is generally known in the art. 
     FIG. 2  shows a side plan view of sliding eave mount  32  slidably coupled to upwardly extending pole  14  and fixably coupled to first left cross member  20   1 . In this embodiment, sliding eave mount  32  may comprise a sliding body  38 , a plurality of arms  40  to fixably attach to eaves  12  (e.g., via first left cross member  20   1  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ), and a latch  42 . In further detail, latch  42  may comprise a spring-loaded lever  44  with a locking pin  46  that is pivotally coupled to sliding body  38  through a hinge pin  48  that may be press fit into sliding body  38 . A torsion spring  50  ( FIGS. 3 ,  4 ) may encircle hinge pin  48 , such that a first leg  52  and a second leg  54  of torsion spring  50  compress when lever  44  is pulled in the direction of arrow B. Lever  44  and locking pin  46  may be configured to allow locking pin  46  to mate with a pin hole  56  located in upwardly extending pole  14  when latch  42  and locking pin  46  are slid into alignment with pin hole  56 . 
     FIGS. 3 and 4  show sectional views of one embodiment of sliding eave mount  32  with latch  42  in the locked and unlocked positions, respectively. To unlock latch  42 , a user may swivel latch  42  in the direction of arrows C and C 1 , thereby withdrawing locking pin  46  from pin hole  56  and compressing torsion spring  50 . Swiveling latch  42  in the directions of arrows C and C 1  may be accomplished by, for example, prying or pulling on latch  42  in the area of arrow C or pushing on latch  42  in the area of arrow C′. As a result, sliding eave mount  32  may slide in a downward direction along upwardly extending pole  14  ( FIG. 1 ) and allow eave  12  to collapse as upwardly extending pole  14  is moved inward towards the remaining upwardly extending poles  14 . 
   To lock latch  42 , a user may slide sliding eave mount  32  upward into alignment with pin hole  56 . Once in alignment, torsion spring  50  automatically pivots latch  42  in the direction of arrow D ( FIG. 4 ), thereby snapping locking pin  46  into pin hole  56  and locking sliding eave mount  32  into an assembled position. While described as a torsion spring here, other elastically deformable devices are possible, including, for example, helical or coil springs, leaf springs, or the like. These deformable devices may be formed of spring metals such as music wire or metal alloys, plastics, composites, or any other suitable material known in the art. 
   As shown in  FIG. 11 , the canopy frame  10  may also include one or more side awnings  200 . While  FIG. 11  shows a canopy frame  10  having two side awnings  200 , the canopy frame  10  may have fewer or greater than two side awnings  200 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 12 , each side awning  200  comprises a first awning arm  202 , a first awning arm support  203 , a second awning arm  204 , a second awning arm support  205 , one or more awning arm connecting portion  206 . The side awning may also optionally include an intermediate support  212 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the first and second awning arms  202 ,  204  each have a first end  208  and second end  207  and are approximately equal in size and shape. In one embodiment, the length of the first and second awning arms  202 ,  204  is approximately equal to the height of the upwardly extending poles  14  of the canopy frame  10 . In such a configuration, the first and second awning arms  202 ,  204  may be retractable and extendible. In other words, at full extension, the first and second awning arms  202 ,  204  are approximately equal to the height of the upwardly extending poles  14 , while when retracted, the first and second arms  202 ,  204  may be any length shorter than the height of the upwardly extending poles  14 . For example, the extendible and retractable awning arms may be retracted to a length approximately half the height of upwardly extending poles  14  to thereby form a “half” awning. Extension and retraction of the first and second awning arms may be achieved by, for example, telescoping, unfolding, or by adding additional lengths of awning arms. 
   First and second awning arms  202 ,  204  need not be extendible and retractable. In one configuration, the first and second awning arms  202 ,  204  have a length approximately half the height of the upwardly extending poles  14  to thereby form a “half” awning, and do not include extendable sections of awning arm. Other side awning lengths, for example, “three-quarters” awnings, “one-quarter” awnings, etc., are also possible 
   The first end  208  of the first awning arm  202  is coupled to an upwardly extending pole  14  of the canopy frame  10 . The first end  208  of the second awning arm  204  is coupled to an upwardly extending pole  14  of the canopy frame  10  adjacent the upward extending pole to which the first awning arm  202  is coupled. The first ends  208  of the first and second awning arms  202 ,  204  may be coupled to the upwardly extending pole  14  at a location approximate to the fixed eave mount  30 . The first and second awning arms  202 ,  204  are coupled to the upwardly extending poles  14  in a manner that allows the first and second awning arms  202 ,  204  to pivot about a pivot point A. The first and second awning arms  202 ,  204  pivot in planes parallel to each other. 
   As shown in  FIG. 12 , the awning arm connecting portion  206  may couple to the second end  207  of the first awning arm  202  and the second end  207  of the second awning arm  204  at right angles, and may have a length equal to the distance between adjacent upwardly extending poles  14  when the canopy frame  10  is fully opened. In such a configuration, an awning cover frame in the general shape of a rectangle is formed. In an alternate embodiment, the awning arm connecting portion  206  may be longer or shorter than the distance between adjacent upwardly extending poles  14  and may couple to second ends  207  at angles greater than or less than 90 degrees, to thereby form trapezoidal shaped awnings. 
   In one embodiment, the awning arm connecting portion  206  is detachably coupled to the first awning arm  202  and second awning arm  204  in order to facilitate collapsing the canopy frame  10 . Any suitable mechanism for detachably coupling the awning arm connecting portion  206  to the first and second awning arms  202 ,  204  may be used. Alternatively, awning arm connecting portion  206  may comprise telescoping portions or foldable portions to facilitate collapsing the canopy and awning into a compact shape for storage and transport or opening the canopy and awning into an expanded state for use. 
   The awning cover frame may include an intermediate support  212  that further supports the awning cover frame. The intermediate support  212  may be coupled at each end to a first or second awning arm  202 ,  204 . The intermediate support  212  may also be aligned in parallel with the awning arm connecting portion  206 . The intermediate support  212  may be located anywhere along the length of the first and second awning arms  202 ,  204 . For example, the intermediate support  212  may be located approximately half way down the length of the first and second awning arms  202 ,  204 . As with the awning arm connecting portion  206 , the intermediate support  212  may comprise telescoping portion or foldable portions to facilitate collapsing of the canopy and awning. 
   The awning cover frame supports an awning cover. The awning cover is draped over the awning cover frame and preferably pulled taught so that the cover does not sag in the central, unsupported portion of the frame. Additionally, the intermediate support  212  may serve to prevent the awning cover from sagging. The awning cover may be coupled to the awning frame by any suitable means, such as by buttons, straps, zippers and the like. The awning cover may have an area approximately equal to the area of the cover frame, although the awning cover may also be slightly larger so as to drape over the sides of the awning frame, thereby providing additional shade. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the first awning arm support  203  and second awning arm support  205  each have a first end  209  and a second end  210 . The second end  210  of the first awning arm support  203  is coupled to the first awning arm  202  at a distance x away from the first end  208  of the first awning arm  202 . Similarly, the second end  210  of the second awning arm support  205  is coupled to the second awning arm  204  at the same distance x away from the first end  208  of the second awning arm  204 . The second end  210  of the first awning arm support  203  and the second end  210  of the second awning support arm  205  are coupled to the first awning arm  202  and second awning arm  205 , respectively, in a manner that allows the first awning arm support  203  and second awning arm support  205  to pivot about a pivot point B. 
   As shown in  FIG. 13 , the first end  209  of the first awning arm support  203  and the first end  209  of second awning arm support  205  are each coupled to a sliding support mount  211  that in turn is slidably coupled to upwardly extending pole  14 . The first end  209  of the first awning arm support  203  and the first end  209  of the second awning arm support  205  are coupled to the upwardly extending poles  14  in a manner that allows the first awning arm support  203  and second awning arm support  205  to pivot about a pivot point C. The sliding support mount  211  may include a latch as described above with respect to the sliding eave mount  32  or any other suitable mechanism for allowing the sliding support mount  211  to slide up and down the upwardly extending pole  14  and lock into place to position the side awning  200  at a desired angle or position. The sliding support mount  211  is located below the sliding eave mount  32  so that the sliding support mount  211  may freely slide up and down to reposition the side awning without being blocked by the sliding eave mount  32 . This allows selectable deployment of the side awning. However, it would be possible to couple the first and second awning arm supports  203 ,  205  to sliding eave mount  32 . But this may cause deployment of the side awning  200  whenever the canopy is in use. 
   In one embodiment, the sliding support mount  211  includes a hole and the upwardly extending poles  14  include a series of holes spaced along the length of the poles  14  and which may be aligned with the hole in the sliding support mount  211 . When the hole of the sliding support mount  211  is aligned with a hole in the pole  14 , a screw or pin may be placed through both holes to thereby lock the sliding support mount  211  in position. The holes may be arranged such that the awning can be positioned at angles of 0 degree, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, and 120 degrees, although any other angle or angle combination is possible. 
   While the adjustable side awnings are described in relation to the collapsible canopy also described herein, the adjustable side awnings are not limited to use with only the collapsible canopy described herein. The adjustable side awnings may also be adapted for use on other types of canopies. 
   To ventilate air from the collapsible canopy shelter, one embodiment of the collapsible canopy shelter may include at least one collapsible flap that may be opened and closed as desired.  FIG. 5  shows a partial side plan view of one embodiment of canopy frame  10  having a cover support member  73 , as well as a canopy cover  60  having at least one collapsible flap  62  supported by a pivoting support  70 ,  100  ( FIGS. 9 ,  10 ). To ventilate air from beneath canopy cover  60 , pivoting support  70 ,  100  may be used to pivot collapsible flap  62  in the direction of arrow E into an open position. Alternately, collapsible flap  62  may be pivoted in the direction of arrow F into a closed position to prevent air flow. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that a user may also position collapsible flap  62  in any intermediate position between the open and closed positions. 
   In further detail,  FIGS. 6 and 7  show side plan views of one embodiment of pivoting support  70  in the open and a closed positions, respectively. In this embodiment, pivoting support  70  may comprise a cantilever  72  attached to collapsible flap  62  through a set of cover straps  63  or any other means of attachment generally known in the art, including, for example, a sheath formed of canopy material, snaps, VELCRO®, and the like. Cantilever  72  may also be pivotally coupled to cover support, member  73  through a fixed fastener  74  and an adjustable fastener  76 , each of which may intersect cover support member  73  and cantilever  72  along, an axis that is perpendicular to cantilever  72 . Fixed fastener  74  may beset at a fixed height y and held in position by a nut  78 . Adjustable fastener  76  may comprise a handle  80  and be threaded into a threaded receiving hole  82  in cantilever  72 , such that rotating handle  80  in a first direction pivots cantilever between the closed position and the open position in the direction of arrow G, and rotating adjustable fastener in a second, opposite direction pivots the cantilever between the open position and, the closed position in the direction of arrow H. 
   A first flexible spacer  84  may encase fixed fastener  74  between atop surface,  86  of cover support member  73  and a bottom surface  88  of cantilever  72 , while a second flexible spacer  90  may encase adjustable fastener  76  between a top surface;  86  of cover support member  73  and a bottom surface  88  of cantilever  72 . First and second flexible spacers  84 ,  90  stabilize cantilever  72  and allow it to pivot between the closed and open positions in response to the rotation of adjustable fastener  76 . Flexible spacers may be formed of rubber or any other suitable elastic material with a density sufficient to withstand the downward force exerted by the weight of cantilever  72  and collapsible flap  62 . 
   Fixed fastener  74  and adjustable fastener  76  may consist of a variety of rotational fasteners, including, for example, screws, bolts, adjustable pins, or any other suitable fastener as is generally known in the art. Optionally, pivoting support  70  may further comprise a sleeve  92 . Sleeve  92  may provide aesthetic benefits as well as protect cover support member  73  from exposure to light and moisture at the points where it has been drilled to accommodate fixed fastener  74  and adjustable fastener  76 . 
     FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate side plan views of another embodiment of pivoting support  100  in the open and closed positions, respectively. Pivoting support  100  may comprise a cantilever  102  that is attached to cover support member  73  in the same manner discussed with respect to cantilever  72  above. Moreover, cantilever  102  may be pivotally coupled with cover support member  73  through a pivoting bracket  104  located at a pivot point  105 . Pivoting bracket  104  may be offset a distance x from a pivot end  106  of cantilever  102 , such that pivot end  106  serves as a hard stop to prevent cantilever  102  from rotating beyond the open position shown in  FIG. 8 . In addition, a fulcrum  108  may be slidably coupled to cover support member  73  such that it restrains cantilever  102  when in the closed position and props cantilever  102  when in the open position or any position between the closed and open positions. 
     FIG. 10  shows a front plan view of one embodiment of fulcrum  108 . In this embodiment, fulcrum  108  may comprise a cantilever hole  110  sized to frictionally engage cantilever  102  when cantilever  102  is in the closed position shown in  FIG. 9 . Fulcrum  108  may further comprise a roof support hole;  112  configured to slidably engage with roof support member  73 , such that it props cantilever  102  when in the open position shown in  FIG. 8 . Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that fulcrum  108  may prop cantilever  102  in any intermediate position between the closed and open positions to provide varying levels of air flow. Cantilever  102 , bracket  104 , and fulcrum  108  may be formed of metal, plastic, or any other material of suitable strength as is generally known in the art. 
   The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other, embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4