Abstract:
A collapsible, portable shelter has a quarter-spherical arcuate shape with an open face. A lightweight frame and covering allow for quick set-up and take-down. The shelter is suitable for protection from the sun and other elements, and also provides a degree of privacy to its occupants.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to collapsible shelters, such as those suited for providing privacy, sunshade, or both. More particularly, it relates to such a shelter that is lightweight, portable and formed from an assembly of frame members covered by a covering material.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Ever since the beginning of time man has sought shelter for protection from the environment. Early on this was in the form of caves. Later man started to build huts. Eventually huts became more elaborate, evolving into today&#39;s homes. Despite this evolution man periodically digresses back to the elements of the outdoors and during these times there is a need for a lightweight, portable shelter (e.g., for recreational enjoyment, during armed conflicts, etc.). Shelter at these times comes in the forms of tents. For example in the Civil War various tents were designed and used, including the Sibley, A-Frame, and Pup tents. Since then tents have evolved into a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate many specific needs. Today there are tents (e.g., bug screens, awnings, etc.) used in backyards for sun and bug protection, while hunting for camouflage and wind protection, at formal dances for enlarging a facility and bad weather, and most prominently, on beaches for sun protection.  
           [0003]    Most people enjoy relaxing at the beach. In particular, vacationers at hotels and resorts spend a considerable amount of their leisure time sunbathing in lounge chairs while reading, socializing, watching their children swim, or just simply relaxing. People have varying degrees of tolerance to the sun&#39;s potentially harmful rays and some individuals even prefer to avoid direct sunlight altogether even though they enjoy the outdoors. The threat of skin cancer and premature aging of the skin is particularly worrisome to a large percentage of the population. Because the face, neck and arms are exposed to the sun virtually everyday, many sunbathers try to protect these areas while lying in the sun using a towel or washcloth. While this helps to reduce sun exposure and potential skin damage (e.g., wrinkles, age spots, skin cancer), the use of a towel to cover areas of the body is generally awkward and many times uncomfortable. For instance, when covering the face, a person is unable to see, making it difficult to socialize or enjoy the surroundings. More importantly, covering one&#39;s face is particularly a problem for parents who need to be watching their children, especially if their children are swimming. Furthermore, it can be extremely uncomfortable to be covered with a towel in the higher temperatures normally experienced while sunbathing.  
           [0004]    Over the years, various devices have been developed for providing shade to sunbathers. Most notably, umbrellas are still widely used by beach-goers, homeowners, and commercial establishments such as restaurants, hotels and resorts, to provide protection and comfort from the sun&#39;s intense rays. Others have proposed various arched canopy and sunshade structures which sit around or mount to outdoor chairs. For example, many resorts provide lounge chairs with cabana style canopies that have a semi-dome configuration extending up from the back of the chair and surrounding the back rest and the sides, top and rear of the chair.  
           [0005]    Throughout the evolution of tents and sunshades, one prominent design as been in an arched quarter-sphere or semi-sphere shape. Many patents have been granted within the U.S. and abroad pertaining to this design. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,144,747 issued to John Q. Adams on Jan. 24, 1939 describes a Collapsible Tent formed of multiple sections of preformed pipe or tube and suitable connectors. The structural members are all preformed to provide the desired angular and/or arched shapes prior to assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 3,424,178 issued to Yoshimi Yazaki on Jan. 28, 1969 describes Small Size Constructions Which Are Readily Fabricated Or Dismantled, comprising a number of differently configured specialized components serving as connectors for a tubular framework structure.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,800,814 issued to Wayne G. Hibbert on Apr. 2, 1974 describes a Back Pack Tent Of Quonset Design With Side Opening For Entrance. The framework comprises a plurality of small diameter rods, at least some of which are forced to a curvature to form the cross sectional shape of the tent. Only two frame ends are provided with the intermediate space being devoid of any frame structure. In order to hold the tent erect, opposite lines in tension are secured to each end, with the tent fabric therebetween being pulled taut.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,855,643 issued to George N. Sanford et al. on Dec. 24, 1974 describes a Swimming Pool Covering Apparatus formed of a plurality of preformed curved or bowed components to provide the desired arched shape. The framework is anchored to the underlying deck by expansion bolts or the like. Permanent frame members are also installed at each end of the structure, unlike the present structure. U.S. Pat. No. 3,970,096 issued to William S. Nicolai on Jul. 20, 1976 describes a Tent having a framework formed of a series of ribs of small diameter tubular elements, with each rib comprising a plurality of members interconnected with an elastic cord through their centers. These ribs are sometimes referred to as “telescoping poles”. The tent is held erect by bowing the ribs to form an arch shape, and by pulling a tent cover taut from each end by opposite tension members.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,121,604 issued to Lloyd H. Rain on Oct. 24, 1978 describes a Rigid Frame Structure With Tensioned Membrane Cladding, comprising a plurality of preformed arches which are permanently installed to a foundation by anchor bolts or the like. Each group of two arches is secured together at their tops, to provide resistance to end loads by forming a semi-geodetic configuration. The cover is applied in tension over the structure, by means of turnbuckles being used to draw it tight. U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,770 issued to Matthew P. Lobato on Mar. 3, 1987 describes a Wind-Deflector and shelter Apparatus. It is essentially a portable, self-anchoring, wind-reflector having the unique ability to employ the impinging wind forces to create the self-anchoring arrangement. The structure is formed with a base member defining a floor having an arcuate rear edge and a longitudinal front edge with forms either a parabolic or hyperbolic configuration, and includes an upright wall being angularity disposed to the base member. U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,505 issued to Aarn Tate on Mar. 30, 1993 describes several versions of Tents. It essentially shows a fabric layer over one or more arch poles, wherein the pole or poles is tensionable by means of tensioning members connected between the upper and lower points of each pole.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,203 issued to Mark A. Espinosa on Jan. 21, 1997 describes Stressed Arch Structures. In it a portable stressed arch structure is constructed by assembling an essentially flat, planar frame of straight, uncurved components, and then drawing two oppose sides together and securing them with tension cables to hold the frame in an arch configuration. U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,172 issued to Carl P. Trapp on Aug. 1, 2000 describes a Sunshade for Outdoor Furniture which removably mounts to outdoor furniture and includes a canopy structure. A tensioning bar removably secures to the respective frame members at opposite ends to maintain the frame members&#39; separation so that the canopy is pulled taut.  
           [0010]    The canopy structure collapses behind the furniture upon removing the tensioning bar and releasing the lower end of the support arm from attachment with the furniture. Finally, British Patent Publication No. 623,900 to Reynolds &amp; Co. et al. and accepted on May 25, 1949 describes Improvements In Or Relating To Collapsible Shelters, comprising a plurality of parallel ribs tied together by a series of rigid but foldable braces. Each of the ribs is preformed to provide the arched upper portion of the structure.  
           [0011]    Many products have been designed and constructed according to patents such as the ones above. One such device, called Have-a-Cabana from the Herrington catalog, provides sun protection and privacy at a beach, camp, or pool. It allows a person to shelter a beach chair and enjoy the environment around the water without exposing their skin to the sun. When folded Have-a-Cabana compresses into a 36″×2″ thin circle and weighs less than 5 lbs. It is set up by simply flinging it into the air. The flexible fiberglass of the device open up into a shelter with a 6-foot diameter floor and a 5-foot high ceiling. Front flaps close for privacy and the rip-stop floor won&#39;t tear. Three mesh “windows” also roll up for ventilation and the arched shape sheds the wind for stability. It folds into its own nylon carry pouch.  
           [0012]    Another similar item is the Portable Pop-Up Sunscreen. It again can be used for the beach, pool, or campsite as an instant shield against the sun. It folds to a compact size for easy portability. The unit has flapped doors that provide privacy. Setup is similar to the Have-a-Cabana apparatus—just toss the folded 36-inch diameter frame a few feet into the air and the Sunscreen pops open. Its 5-foot high interior has room enough for a lounger and other personal items. Mesh vented sides and a rear window let breezes come through. It also comes with a nylon carrying bag.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a portable, collapsible shelter. The shelter has at least three flexible support rods, each support rod having a first end and a second end defining therebetween a length. The shelter also has shelter cover provided with major threading sleeves through which the support rods are threaded, the major threading sleeves being arranged such that, when the shelter is assembled, first ends of said support rods meet at a first location and second ends of said support rods meet at a second location. In the assembled shelter, each of the support rods defines a corresponding plane, with the planes intersecting an imaginary line passing through said first and second locations.  
           [0014]    In the assembled structure, the first plane may be substantially perpendicular to the third plane, with the second plane oriented at an angle between said first and third planes. The shelter may also include a pair of struts which extend between the first and third support rods. In addition, an elastic member may extend between the first and second locations to provide a compressive force urging the first and second ends towards one another. The support rods of the shelter may be formed a plurality of interfitting tubular rod segments with an elastic cord running through centers of the rod segments. The assembled structure may take the form of a portion of a spherical shell, and the portion extends over approximately a quarter of a spherical shell.  
           [0015]    The present invention is also directed to a kit for the portable, collapsible shelter described above. The kit may, in addition to the structural components of the shelter, include a bag, or other carrying means, for holding the various components so as to facilitate packing and transport of a disassembled shelter.  
           [0016]    The present invention is also directed to a portable, collapsible shelter having at least a base, an angled and a top support rods, each having first and second ends, and a cover provided with sleeves into which the three rods are inserted. When the shelter is assembled, the support rods are all bent into an arc-shape with an opening being defined between the top support rod and a ground surface on which the base support rod is situated. The shelter also includes first and second struts extending between the base support rod and the top support rod, each strut crossing the angled support rod, and at least one elastic member urging together first ends and second ends of the support rods. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings in which:  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a collapsible shelter in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 shows the side view of the shelter seen in FIG. 1  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 shows the skeleton, or frame of the shelter of FIG. 1;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 details the area where the strut is close to the base support rod;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 details the area where the strut is close to the top support rod;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 illustrates the ends of the base, angled, and top support rods; and  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 illustrates how the ends of the base, angled, and top support rods are connected with the elastic compression member. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an assembled collapsible privacy shelter  100  in accordance with the present invention. The shelter  100  is provided with cover a  102  formed from a cloth-type material, preferably canvas or nylon, although other materials may also be used. The cover  120  may be formed from a single piece of material, or may be formed from a plurality of panels, sewn or otherwise affixed to one another. The material preferably is formed and/or treated for such characteristics as waterproofing, fire-retardation and insect-resistance.  
         [0026]    The cover  102  is supported by a flexible skeleton, or frame, whose flexible support rods  302 ,  304 ,  306  pass through major threading sleeves  110   a - 110   c  which are attached to the cover. First ends of the supports rods meet at a first location at which a first joint  106   a  is formed, while second ends of the support rods meet at a second location at which a second joint  106   b  is formed. An elastic member  104  provides support to the entire structure by applying a compressive force to the meeting first ends and the meeting second ends, by connecting opposing joints  106   a ,  106   b . The compressive force applied by the elastic member urges said first ends towards said second ends. The elastic member  104  may take the form of an elastic cord, rope, cloth strap, fabric strap, cable, or other like material.  
         [0027]    The shelter  100  may be provided with a floor  108 , which may be formed of the same material as the cover. The floor  108  may be detachably connected to the cover  102  via a zipper. Alternatively, the floor may be sewn to the cover, in which case it is not intended to be separated from the cover.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 shows a side view of the assembled shelter seen in FIG. 1. The shelter  100  is provided with a single opening  112  having a maximum width (W) near the base of the shelter, and a maximum height (H) near the center of the opening. The opening  112  is sufficiently large for entry and exit of a person, perhaps in a crouched or non-erect position. The opening  112  is defined between the where the top member  306  is encased in the sleeve  110   c  and an imaginary line L extending between the first  106   a  and second  106   b  joints, substantially collinear with the elastic member  104 .  
         [0029]    In a preferred embodiment, the width (W) is between 2 and 4 meters, and more preferably is between 3 and 3.5 meters. The maximum height (H) of the shelter is preferably between 1.5 and 2.5 meters high, and more preferably between 1.75 and 2 meters high. And, as seen in the side view of FIG. 2, the shelter also has a depth (D), which is maximum at the base of the shelter and is preferably between 1.5 and 2.5 meters, and is more preferably between 1.75 and 2 meters. As seen in the side view, the cover extends over the surface of a quarter-sphere and so protects a quarter-sphere&#39;s worth of volume thereunder. The shelter preferably is of sufficient shape size to accommodate at least two people seated in chairs, or other seating. It should be kept in mind, however, that while the above dimensions and capacity for the shelter are preferred, larger or smaller shelters are also contemplated in the present invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 3 shows members of the assembled supporting frame  300 , relatively positioned as they would appear in an assembled shelter. The assembled supporting frame includes an arc-shaped base support rod  302 , an arc-shaped angled support rod  304 , and an arc-shaped top support rod  306 , each support rod having first and second ends. The compression member  104  extends between joints  106   a  and  106   b , thereby stabilizing the frame.  
         [0031]    The supporting frame  300  also includes a first strut  308  having a first end  320  which is proximate to the base support rod  302  in the assembled shelter, and a second end  322  proximate to the top support rod  306  in the assembled shelter. The assembled supporting frame  300  is also provided with a second strut having a first end  324  which is proximate to the base support rod  302  in the assembled shelter, and a second end  326  proximate to the top support rod  306  in the assembled shelter. The lengths of the struts preferably are equal to one another, and less than one-half the length of the shortest of the three support rods. As seen in FIG. 2, the struts form an angle (β) with respect to the base suport rod  302 . In an preferred embodiment angle (β) is between 25°-45°, and is more preferably in the range of 30°-40°. And as seen in FIG. 3, the struts  308 ,  310  cross over the angled support rod  304  when extending between the base support rod  302  and the top support rod  306 .  
         [0032]    The first ends of the three support rods  302 ,  304 ,  306  are connected to one another at the first joint  106   a  while the second ends of the three support rods  302 ,  304 ,  306  are connected to one another at the second joint  106   b . As also seen in FIG. 3, each of the three arc-shaped members defines in its own imaginary plane, the three imaginary planes substantially intersecting along an imaginary line defined by the compression member  104 . Thus, the imaginary planes defined by the three arc-shaped members are pivotally spaced apart from one another, with the imaginary line L defined by the compression member serving as the pivot.  
         [0033]    As seen in FIG. 3, relative to a ground surface on which the frame  300  is placed, the plane defined by the base support rod  302  is substantially parallel to the ground, the plane defined by the top support rod  306  is substantially perpendicular to the ground, and the plane defined by the angled support rod is between the two other planes. In a preferred embodiment, the plane defined by the angled support rod is at an angle (α) between 30°-65° relative to the ground, more preferably is at an angle between 45°-55° and most preferably is at a 50° angle relative to the ground. The exact angle will depends on such things as the relative placement of the threading sleeve which accommodates the angled support member, the length of the struts  308 ,  310 , and the orientation of the minor threading sleeves  110   d ,  110   e  into which the struts are inserted, the minor threading sleeves being shorter in overall length than the major threading sleeves through which the support rods  302 ,  304 ,  306  are threaded.  
         [0034]    Each of the base  302 , angled  304 , and top  306  support rods may be one continuous piece of material formed into a tube or pipe. In such case, each support rod can be coiled into a compact form, when the structure has been disassembled and transported. Any material may be used as long as it is flexible, it retracts back in to the original straight position when no force is applied, and it provides enough tension to support the shelter. Preferably, the support rods and also the struts are formed from fiberglass. They may instead be formed from polyvinyl chloride, rubber, composite plastics or a host of other suitable materials known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0035]    Instead of one continuous piece, however, each support rod may comprise a plurality of individual rod segments connected together. The individual rod segments may be configured as what are commonly known as telescoping poles. In a telescoping pole, each segment is between 0.5 and 1.5 meters long, preferably between 0.75 and 1.25 meters. The segments are preferably connected together by male/female abutments with friction preventing them from separating. Alternatively, stringed telescoping rods can be used. In such case, each of the support rods  302 ,  304 ,  306  comprise a plurality of individual interfitting tubular rod segments interconnected with an elastic cord through their centers. This interconnection helps hold the rods together when they are connected and facilitates rod assembly.  
         [0036]    The base  302 , angled  304 , and top  306  support rods preferably all have lengths between 4 and 7 meters, and preferably between 4.5 and 5.5 meters. While they may have the same length, it is understood that they may be different lengths. For instance, the angled support rod  304  may be longer than the other two. In such case, the angled support rod will bow further outward than the base and top rods in the assembled frame.  
         [0037]    The base  302 , angled  304 , and top  306  support rods are guided through major threading sleeves  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c , respectively, which preferably are sewn onto, or into, the cover  102 . Thus, the major threading sleeves  110   a - 110   c  and minor threading sleeves  110   d ,  110   e , may be embedded within the cover  102 , or may be external to the covering means. Each of the three major threading sleeves  110   a - 110   c  is provided with open ends so that the base  302 , angled  304 , and top  306  support rods may be inserted through the major threading sleeves. The threading sleeves may also be provided with spaced apart openings along their length to reduce friction during the insertion process, and also to permit interfacing to the struts  306 ,  310 . In such case, each sleeve may be configured as a plurality of spaced apart loops arranged along a path occupied by a support rod or strut, in the assembled shelter.  
         [0038]    As seen in the shelter  100  of FIG. 1, the first  308  and second  310  struts separate the base  302  and top  306  support rods in forming a quarter-sphere shaped shelter. The struts  308 ,  310  are threaded through minor threading sleeves  110   d ,  110   e , respectively. The first  308  and second  310  struts preferably each have a first end which is proximate to the base support rod  302  and a second end which is proximate to the top support rod. The struts  308 ,  310  help hold up the shelter simply by virtue of the friction they provide against the minor threading sleeves  110   d ,  110   e , respectively, into which they are inserted in the assembled structure.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIGS. 4 and 5 show the positional relationship between the strut  310  and the base and top support rods,  302 ,  306 , respectively. The minor threading sleeves  110   d ,  110   e  run from the base support rod  302  to the top support rod  306 , on either side of the shelter. FIG. 4 shows the first end  324  of the strut  310  near the minor threading sleeve  100   e , which encases the base support rod  302 . As seen in FIG. 4, the closed end  406  of the minor threading sleeve  110   e  and the base support rod major threading sleeve  110   a  prevent the first end  324  of the strut  310  from being removably joined to the base support rod  302 . FIG. 5 shows the second end  326  of the strut  310  near the major threading sleeve  100   c , which encases the top support rod  306 . As seen in FIG. 5, the second end  326  of the strut  310  is accessible at the opening  506  of the strut minor threading sleeve  110   e  to facilitate removal. In addition, the second end  326  preferably is set back from the outer contour of the top support rod major threading sleeve  110   c . This prevents objects and even passers-by from “snagging” the second end  326  of the strut  310 .  
         [0040]    While in the preferred embodiment, each strut  308 ,  310  has a fixed length, in an alternative embodiment the first  308  and second  310  struts are adjustable. This can be done by having each strut formed from a first, male strut component which adjustably telescopes into, and out of, a second, female, strut component. Such adjustable struts can be used to vary the angle of the plane formed by the top member  306  with respect to the base member  302 . This permits repositioning the top member  306  so as to offer a plurality of sun and privacy protection positions on either side of the top member&#39;s perpendicular position.  
         [0041]    And while in the preferred embodiment, the struts are not joined to either the base or top support rods, in an alternate embodiment, the struts may contact the base and/or top members. This can be advantageous when the struts have an adjustable length, and are used to selectively reposition the top member  306  to either expand, or contract the covered area.  
         [0042]    Assembly of the shelter with the base  302 , angled  304 , and top  306  support rods is performed by first inserting each rod into its corresponding major threading sleeve  110   a ,  11   b ,  110   c , respectively. Then, first ends of the three rods are collected together, as are the seconds ends, and the two sets of ends are secured with the elastic compression member  104 . This results in three arc-shaped support rods housed within the major threading sleeves  110   a ,  11   b ,  110   c  of the cover  102 , with the ends of the major threading sleeves terminating in joints  106   a ,  106   b . While in the preferred embodiment, three supports and three major threading sleeves are used, one skilled in the art will readily recognize that larger numbers of both, such as four, five or even more, may be used, especially for a larger shelter. In such case, there will be a plurality of angled support rods between the base and top support rods.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 6 shows in more detail the ends of the base  602 , angled  604 , and top  606  support rods. At each joint, the three support rod ends meet. In one embodiment, the ends of the meeting support rods are inserted into a corresponding tubular finger of a three-way connection joint having three appropriately angled fingers. The connection joint is provided with an eyehole which is used to secure one end of the elastic compression member. In another embodiment, each end of a support rod terminates in a connection member  108 , which itself may be an eyehole, or securing loop. The eyeholes on each support rod may be provided with posts which swivel so that the orientation of each eyehole may be adjusted for alignment with the others.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 7 shows that the eyeholes of the base  302 , angled  304 , and top  306  support rods are connected together by the elastic compression member  104 . One end of the compression means  104  is threaded through each of the three eyeholes on one side. The same operation is performed on the opposite side. Each end of the elastic compression member  104  is provided with a cap  710 , or end piece, which prevents the remainder of the elastic compression member from snapping, thereby causing the support rods to no longer be secured to one another. When assembled, the base  302 , angled  304 , and top  306  support rods push out against the two end pieces  710  of the elastic compression member  104  in an attempt to return to each&#39;s original straight configuration.  
         [0045]    To facilitate portability, a shelter kit in accordance with the present invention includes a bag or carrying case in addition to the remaining components. In such case, the collapsible shelter of the present invention is movable between an assembled state and a disassembled state, with the various components fitting into the bag or case. Thus, such a bag or case is configured and dimensioned to accommodate the base, angled and top support bars, the cover, the struts and the elastic member. Preferably, the support rods are of the sort formed from plurality of interfitting tubular rod segments with an elastic cord running through centers of the rod segments.  
         [0046]    Finally, while the invention has been described and illustrated herein with respect to preferred embodiments, it should be apparent that various alternatives, modifications, adaptions, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made utilizing the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the invention and are intended to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims herein.