Abstract:
A slider mechanism is provided with a release mechanism for releasing a spring clip holding a protruding detent in a leg supporting an overhead canopy. The release mechanism is mounted to the slider so that it is automatically loaded in the detent engaging position of the slider so that a simple pushing action on the mechanism causes the detent to withdraw within the leg during lowering of the canopy for storage.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/892,952 filed Oct. 18, 2013, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present disclosure relates to collapsible frame structures, and more particularly, to a simplified slider mechanism for holding the frame in position when erecting the frame structures and quickly releasing the slider mechanism when the frame structure is collapsed or folded for storage or transport. While the disclosure is specifically directed toward canopy constructions, those skilled in the art will recognize the wider application of the disclosure described below. 
         [0004]    Commonly frame structures for supporting an erectable canopy use spring biased detents that protrude from the support legs such that the detents engage some form of slider mechanism under the spring bias that is adequate to support the canopy top of the frame. To collapse the structure, the detents have to be released from their protruded, slider engaging position. 
         [0005]    There have been a number of attempts to make detent releases easier to accomplish. U.S. Pat. No. 6,951,327 (327), for example, provides a spring loaded design having a complicated construction which functions to release the detent. While the device of &#39;327 patent works for its intended purpose, the construction is complicated by the spring loaded arrangement for releasing the detent. In order to simplify this specification, the description of conventional construction details of the common detent and canopy construction disclosed in the &#39;327 patent are incorporated herein by reference. While even the construction shown in the &#39;327 patent is preferable to a finger operated detent, the various spring mechanisms commonly employed can become misaligned and the structure for housing the spring and push button structural arrangement adds cost both to the slider and overall canopy construction. 
         [0006]    The present disclosure uses an improved detent engagement design which helps insure that the slider properly supports the canopy top while providing a quick release feature. The engagement of the slider with the detent also automatically loads the release mechanism. The release mechanism is pivotally mounted to the slider. The slider, besides mounting the release mechanism, also engages the detent and provides a simple and easy method for releasing the detent to collapse the frame structure. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Briefly stated, the present disclosure provides a slider mechanism for preferably at least two telescoping members, which in the preferred embodiment support a canopy in the extended position and permits easy retraction of the telescoping members for storage of the canopy. The slider preferably has a release mechanism attached to it in a manner to load the mechanism automatically without the need for spring actuation other than that provided by the normal interaction of a detent arrangement carried by at least one of the telescoping members associated with the slider during canopy erection for its normal intended use. 
         [0008]    The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention as well as presently preferred embodiments thereof will become more apparent from the reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a view in perspective of one illustrative embodiment of a slider mechanism used to extend the support structure of a canopy, or the like, prior to engagement with a corresponding detent; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a view in perspective of one illustrative embodiment of the slider of  FIG. 1  following engagement of the slider with the detent shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a generally bottom oriented side view in perspective of the slider shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a generally top oriented side view in perspective of the slider shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a view in side elevation of the slider of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the slider of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a view in side elevation of the slider body shown in  FIG. 4  with the release device removed; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a view in perspective of the release device shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . 
       
    
    
       [0018]    Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawing. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0019]    The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a slider mechanism  1  has a detent releasing device associated with it, generally indicated by reference numeral  3 . In general, the slider mechanism  1  is associated with a frame structure  5  for supporting a canopy, not shown. In general, the canopy is supported on the frame  5  in a conventional manner. For example, the frame  5  commonly is a scissors foldable frame  6  supported or attached to four corner support members  7 , one of the support members  7  being shown broken away by way of example in  FIG. 1 . The slider mechanism  1  has a plurality of canopy supporting arms generally indicated by reference numerals  8 ,  9 , and  10  integrally formed with it. The number of support arms and their configuration and/or construction may vary in other embodiments of this disclosure. The support members  7  commonly have one or more telescoping legs  12  and  14  associated with them. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, canopy constructions of various kinds are well known in the market. 
         [0021]    In erecting the canopy the support members  7  are separated from a stored position not shown so that the scissor frame is opened. The telescoping legs  12  and  14  of each of the support members  7  are then extended until the respective telescoping legs interlock along one or more detents or locking pins  50 . The slider mechanism  1  is then raised upwardly until the slider mechanism is also interconnected with one of the detents  50  to hold the canopy in its upmost position on the frame  5  structure. Preferably at least two of the support members  7  have a slider mechanism  1  associated with them, but each of the support members  7  may have an associated slider mechanism if desired. 
         [0022]    In the embodiment illustrated, the slider mechanism  1  has an elongated rectangular body  20  having an axial opening  21  extending through it. While the slider body preferably is rectangular so as to accommodate corresponding rectangular support members  7 , the design may be altered to accommodate any number of support member  7  shapes, the prevalent shape for support members  7  in the market presently is rectangular. Those skilled in the art will recognize the wider application of the slider mechanism  1  described. The supports  8 ,  9  and  10  are integrally formed with the body  20  and are arranged in a predetermined configuration which may be altered in other embodiments to accept attachment of any associated canopy support structure or frame structure  5 . Attachment of the associated frame structure  5  conventionally is accomplished by conventional nut and screw threaded fasteners  90  although those skilled in the art will appreciate that other methods of attachment are acceptable and available. 
         [0023]    The body  20  has an open mouth channel  22  formed in it which is sized to receive the spring loaded detent or locking pin  50  during operation of the slider mechanism  1  as later described in greater detail. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the body  20  has an axial length dimension “D” while the channel  22  extends beyond the axial length of the dimension D of the body  20 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the channel  22  includes a wall  60 . The wall  60  has a slot  61 , formed in it, as shown in  FIG. 8 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , the support arms  10  also have a depth dimension D′, where D′ is less the D in an area described for the purposes of this specification as a channel extension  24 . In the embodiment illustrated, the extension  24  is defined in part by oppositely opposed side walls  30  and  31  and the wall  60 . The opposed side walls  30  and  31  are sized to receive a release lever  40  shown as an individual part in  FIG. 8 . The lever  40  is pivotally mounted to the side walls  30  and  31  at  45 . Lever  40  has an extension actuator  62  formed on it. The actuator  62  is positioned so that is will come into contact with the detent  50  as later discussed. 
         [0024]    The axial opening  21  of the body  20  is sized to receive the support  7  in a slip fit and the detent or pin  50  is sized for reception in the channel  22  first in a compressed state as the slider mechanism  1  moves upwardly past the detent  50  and then in an uncompressed state as the detent  50  reaches the slot  61 .  FIG. 1  illustrates the slider mechanism  1  position as it is moved upwardly from a first stored position to a second interlocked position in which any associated structure reaches its extended position for use. In that movement, the detent  50  moves down the channel in a compressed position, until the detent  50  reaches the slot  61  in the wall  60 . At that time, the detent  50  moves outwardly from the channel  22  into the slot  61 . At the same time the detent  50  also engages the extension  62  of the actuator  40  pivoting the actuator  40  outwardly about the pivot  45 . The engagement of the detent  50  in the slot  61  holding the slider in position on the support  7  and prevents unintended downward movement of the slider mechanism  1 . The engagement of the detent  50  with the extension  62  forces the lever  40  outwardly and automatically preloads the release mechanism lever  40 . To release the slider mechanism  1 , a user exerts pressure on the lever  40  which causes the detent  50  outwardly through from the slot  61  and permits the slider mechanism  1  to move downwardly as the detent  50  enters the channel  22  until it exits both the channel  22  and the slider mechanism  1 . 
         [0025]    The components of the slider mechanism  1  are simple to construct and the release mechanism operation does not require any additional springs to preload the lever  40 . The preloading of the lever  40  means that release of the slider from its engaged position with the detent  50  is accomplished easily. 
         [0026]    In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results are obtained. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.