Patent Description:
It should also be noted that prior art collapsible canopies can be unstable if exposed to certain conditions. For example, <FIG> shows prior art canopy <NUM> covered in fabric. Wind force is blowing against the side of canopy <NUM>. Unfortunately canopy <NUM> has no means to resist this external force and consequently its side is deformed due to the action of the wind force.

The prior art collapsible canopies, such as those disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>, often have complex structures or are prone to deformation when exposed to wind on the sides.

<CIT> provides a foldable tent, which comprises column assemblies and top rod assemblies, and the top rod assemblies comprise first top rods, second top rods and overhanging rods, inner end portions of the first top rods are rotatably connected with each other, outer end portions of the first top rods and inner end portions of the second top rods are rotatably connected, and outer end portions of the second top rods, inner end portions of the overhanging rods and upper end portions of the column assemblies are rotatably connected via two axles or coaxially rotatably connected; each of the top rod assemblies further comprises transmission members connected between the first top rods and the overhanging rods for unfolding or folding the overhanging rods and the first top rods. The foldable tent has a large sunshade area and of which the overhanging rod can be unfolded and folded together with the first top rods, which is convenient to operate. <CIT> relates to a framework of foldable frame tent, which is comprised of roof braces and relieving braces, wherein said roof brace includes the first brace and the second brace abutted together in pivoting connection, in which one end of the first brace is pivoted on the pivoting hub at the central top, and another end of the second brace is pivoted on the pole; and in the same way, said relieving brace also includes the first and the second relieving braces abutted together in pivoting connection, one end of the first relieving brace is pivoted on the middle portion of the first brace, the middle portion of the second relieving brace is pivoted on the middle portion the second brace together, and another end of the second relieving brace is pivoted on the pole. Due to adding a pair of draw-bars on the both sides of the roof brace or the relieving brace, the roof staying mechanism provided by the present invention has more powerful supporting intention, and more uniform load distribution, meanwhile the service life of the framework can be greatly prolonged. The design of this application is more complicated and weaker.

What is needed is collapsible canopy with a better locking mechanism and structural reinforcement to better resist deformation of shape.

The present invention provides a collapsible canopy with an improved locking mechanism. The collapsible canopy has at least three supporting legs. The collapsible canopy also has a central lock that is used for locking the collapsible canopy in an unfolded state and permits the collapsible canopy to be folded into a folded state when the central lock is unlocked. An outer retractable unit is connected between each adjacent supporting leg. An inner retractable unit having an inner end is connected between each supporting leg and the central lock. The inner end of the inner retractable unit is connected through the central lock. Reinforcement bars are pivotally connected between the outer retractable units and the inner retractable units, the reinforcement bars function to maintain the shape of the collapsible canopy when the collapsible canopy is in a locked and unfolded position. Each inner retractable unit of said plurality of inner retractable units comprises at least one first oblique top pipe pivotally connected to said central lock. Each outer retractable unit of said plurality of outer retractable units comprises at least one eave pipe. Each of said plurality of reinforcement bars is pivotally connected between said at least one first oblique top pipe and said at least one eave pipe.

Optionally, the outer retractable unit comprises at least one middle eave pipe, wherein each of the plurality of reinforcement bars is pivotally connected between the first oblique top pipe and the middle eave pipe.

Optionally, the outer retractable unit comprises at least one middle eave pipe, wherein each of the plurality of reinforcement bars is pivotally connected between the at least one first oblique top pipe and the position near the at least one middle eave pipe in the inner retractable unit.

Further, the outer retractable unit further comprises at least one first eave pipe and at least one second eave pipe respectively connected to the two adjacent supporting legs, and the middle eave pipe is pivotally connected between the first eave pipe and the second eave pipe, and wherein each of the plurality of reinforcement bars comprises two ends, wherein one end is pivotally connected to the first oblique top pipe, and the other end is pivotally connected to the position near the junction between the first eave pipe and the middle eave pipe or between the second eave pipe and the middle eave pipe in the inner retractable unit.

Further, the central lock is a self-locking central lock comprising:.

Optionally, the stopping device is a stopping pole rigidly connected to the center top cap.

Optionally, the stopping device is the underside of the center top cap.

Optionally, the stopping device is at least one stopping plug rigidly connected to at least one of the top pipes.

Optionally, the stopping device is at least one stopping plug rigidly connected to at least one of the connecting rods.

Further, said at least two top pipes are four top pipes and wherein said at least two connecting rods are four connecting rods.

According to the technical propos, the collapsible canopy can be locked in an unfolded state for secure usage by the self-locking central lock which is highly effective and reliable, and can better maintain the shape of the canopy and resist any force that may cause shape deformation by using the reinforcement bars.

The present invention provides a collapsible canopy that utilizes a self-locking central lock to lock the canopy in an unfolded state for secure usage. The self-locking central lock is highly effective and reliable and is very resistant to corrosion and damage due to exposure and use. The present invention also shows the utilization of reinforcement bars to better maintain the shape of the canopy and to resist any force that may cause shape deformation. The below listed embodiments present collapsible canopies with various self-locking central locks and also shows the utilization of reinforcement bars.

Embodiment with Stop Pole Connected to Center Top Cap A first embodiment showing collapsible canopy <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, center top cap <NUM> is pivotally connected to four first oblique top pipes <NUM>. Center bottom cap <NUM> is pivotally connected to four bottom cap connecting rods <NUM>. Four second oblique top pipes <NUM> are each pivotally connected to a first oblique top pipe <NUM> at one end and are each pivotally connected to a supporting leg <NUM> at the other end. Leg connecting rods <NUM> are pivotally connected between support legs <NUM> and second oblique top pipes <NUM>, as shown. The pivot connection between center top cap <NUM> and support legs <NUM> of top pipes <NUM> and <NUM> form inner retractable units <NUM>.

First eave pipes <NUM> and second eave pipes <NUM> are pivotally connected to supporting legs <NUM> and are pivotally connected to each other as shown. Middle eave pipes <NUM> and <NUM> are pivotally connected between first eave pipes <NUM> and second eave pipes <NUM>, as shown. Pivotally connected eave pipes <NUM> - <NUM> form outer retractable units <NUM> that are pivotally connected between support legs <NUM>.

Stop pole <NUM> is bolted onto center top cap <NUM> so that it is rigidly attached. Stop pole <NUM> extends downward from center top cap <NUM> as shown.

Operation of the embodiment with Stop Pole Connected to Center Top Cap <FIG> shows collapsible canopy <NUM> in an unlocked and collapsed position, similar to that depicted in <FIG>. In <FIG> the force of gravity is pressing downwards on first oblique top pipes <NUM>. The user has not yet pressed upward on center bottom cap <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the user has begun to press upwards on bottom cap <NUM>. Oblique top pipes <NUM> have begun to pivot outwards from center. Bottom cap connecting rods <NUM> are pivotally connected to bottom cap <NUM> at bottom cap pivot axis <NUM> and bottom cap connecting rods <NUM> are pivotally connected to oblique top pipes <NUM> at top pipe pivot axis <NUM>. In <FIG>, pivot axis <NUM> is lower than pivot axis <NUM>. Therefore, the user must continue to press upward on bottom cap <NUM> to overcome the weight of oblique top pipes <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the user has pressed further upwards on bottom cap <NUM>. Oblique top pipes <NUM> have pivoted further outwards. In <FIG>, pivot axis <NUM> is still lower than pivot axis <NUM>. Therefore, the user must still continue to press upward on bottom cap <NUM> to overcome the weight of oblique top pipes <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the user has pressed further upwards on bottom cap <NUM>. Pivot axis <NUM> is now higher than pivot axis <NUM>. Once the pivot axis <NUM> becomes higher than pivot axis <NUM>, the weight of oblique top pipes <NUM> will cause bottom cap <NUM> to move upward so that the user no longer has to press upward on bottom cap <NUM>. In <FIG>, top pipes <NUM> have begun to pivot inwards and bottom cap <NUM> is being forced upwards towards stop pole <NUM>. The user may now stop upwards pressure on bottom cap <NUM>. The downward force provided by oblique top pipes <NUM> will move bottom cap <NUM> upwards until is stopped by stop pole <NUM>. In <FIG>, the downward force provided by oblique top pipes <NUM> has moved bottom cap <NUM> upwards so that it has been stopped by stop pole <NUM>. Pivot axis <NUM> is higher than pivot axis <NUM>. Center locking mechanism <NUM> is now in a self-locked position. It should be noted that a self-locked position is achieved after bottom cap pivot axis <NUM> becomes higher than top pipe pivot axis <NUM>. After that occurs, the user may cease applying upward force onto bottom cap <NUM>. The force of gravity acting on top pipes <NUM> will force bottom cap <NUM> upwards until it is stopped by a stopping device, such as stopping pole <NUM>. Once the upward motion has been stopped collapsible canopy <NUM> will be in a secure, locked position, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

To unlock collapsible canopy <NUM> the user will need to pull downward on bottom cap <NUM> until pivot axis <NUM> is lower than pivot axis <NUM>. Once this occurs, the force of gravity will take over and collapsible canopy <NUM> will be in the unlocked position as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Another embodiment showing collapsible canopy <NUM> is shown in <FIG> Collapsible canopy <NUM> is very similar to collapsible canopy <NUM> described above. However, rather than utilizing stop pole <NUM>, collapsible canopy <NUM> utilizes center top cap <NUM> as the stopping device. This embodiment is preferred due to its simplicity and its cost effectiveness.

<FIG> shows collapsible canopy <NUM> in an unlocked and collapsed position, similar to that depicted in <FIG>. In <FIG> the force of gravity is pressing downwards on first oblique top pipes <NUM>. The user has not yet pressed upward on center bottom cap <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the user has begun to press upwards on bottom cap <NUM>. Oblique top pipes <NUM> have begun to pivot outwards from center. Bottom cap connecting rods <NUM> are pivotally connected to bottom cap <NUM> at bottom cap pivot axis <NUM> and bottom cap connecting rods <NUM> are pivotally connected to oblique top pipes <NUM> at top pipe pivot axis <NUM>. In <FIG> pivot axis <NUM> is lower than pivot axis <NUM>. Therefore, the user must continue to press upward on bottom cap <NUM> to overcome the weight of oblique top pipes <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the user has pressed further upwards on bottom cap <NUM>. Pivot axis <NUM> is now higher than pivot axis <NUM>. Once the pivot axis <NUM> becomes higher than pivot axis <NUM>, the weight of oblique pipes <NUM> will cause bottom cap <NUM> to move upward so that the user no longer has to press upward on bottom cap <NUM>. In <FIG>, top pipes <NUM> have begun to pivot inwards and bottom cap <NUM> is being forced upwards towards center top cap <NUM>. The user may now stop upwards pressure on bottom cap <NUM>. The downward force provided by oblique top pipes <NUM> will move bottom cap <NUM> upwards until is stopped by center top cap <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the downward force provided by oblique top pipes <NUM> has moved bottom cap <NUM> upwards so that it has been stopped by center top cap <NUM>. Pivot axis <NUM> is higher than pivot axis <NUM>. Center locking mechanism <NUM> is now in a self-locked position. It should be noted that a self-locked position is achieved after bottom cap pivot axis <NUM> becomes higher than top pipe pivot axis <NUM>. After that occurs, the user may stop applying upward force onto bottom cap <NUM>. The force of gravity acting on top pipes <NUM> will force bottom cap <NUM> upwards until it is stopped by a stopping device, such as center top cap <NUM>. Once the upward motion has been stopped collapsible canopy <NUM> will be in a secure, locked position, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

To unlock collapsible canopy <NUM> the user will need to pull downward on bottom cap <NUM> until pivot axis <NUM> is lower than pivot axis <NUM>. Once this occurs, the force of gravity will take over and collapsible canopy <NUM> will be in the unlocked position as shown in FIGS. <NUM> and <NUM>.

Another embodiment showing collapsible canopy <NUM> is shown in <FIG> Collapsible canopy <NUM> is very similar to collapsible canopies <NUM> and <NUM> described above. However, collapsible canopy <NUM> utilizes plugs <NUM> mounted to top pipes <NUM> as the stopping device. <FIG> shows a detailed view of plug <NUM> mounted to top pipe <NUM> over connecting rod <NUM> pivotally connected at pivot axis <NUM>. This embodiment shows that a stopping device may be mounted to a top pipe.

In <FIG>, the user has pressed further upwards on bottom cap <NUM>. Pivot axis <NUM> is now higher than pivot axis <NUM>. Once the pivot axis <NUM> becomes higher than pivot axis <NUM>, the weight of oblique pipes <NUM> will cause bottom cap <NUM> to move upward so that the user no longer has to press upward on bottom cap <NUM>. In <FIG>, top pipes <NUM> have begun to pivot inwards and bottom cap <NUM> is being forced upwards towards center top cap <NUM>. The user may now stop upwards pressure on bottom cap <NUM>. The downward force provided by oblique top pipes <NUM> will move bottom cap <NUM> upwards until connecting rods <NUM> are stopped by plugs <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the downward force provided by oblique top pipes <NUM> has moved bottom cap <NUM> upwards so that the upward motion of connecting rods <NUM> has been stopped by plugs <NUM>. Pivot axis <NUM> is higher than pivot axis <NUM>. Center locking mechanism <NUM> is now in a self-locked position. It should be noted that a self-locked position is achieved after bottom cap pivot axis <NUM> becomes higher than top pipe pivot axis <NUM>. After that occurs, the user may stop applying upward force onto bottom cap <NUM>. The force of gravity acting on top pipes <NUM> will force bottom cap <NUM> upwards until connecting rods <NUM> are stopped by a stopping device, such as plugs <NUM>. Once the upward motion has been stopped collapsible canopy <NUM> will be in a secure, locked position, as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> show plugs <NUM> mounted to connecting rods <NUM>. This embodiment is similar to the previous embodiment with the exception that plugs <NUM> are mounted to connecting rods <NUM> rather than top pipes <NUM>.

For example, in <FIG>, the downward force provided by oblique top pipes <NUM> has moved bottom cap <NUM> upwards so that the upward motion of connecting rods <NUM> has been stopped by plugs <NUM> coming in contact with top pipes <NUM>. Pivot axis <NUM> is higher than pivot axis <NUM>. Center locking mechanism <NUM> is now in a self-locked position. It should be noted that a self-locked position is achieved after bottom cap pivot axis <NUM> becomes higher than top pipe pivot axis <NUM>. After that occurs, the user may stop applying upward force onto bottom cap <NUM>. The force of gravity acting on top pipes <NUM> will force bottom cap <NUM> upwards until the upward motion of connecting rods <NUM> is stopped by a stopping device, such as plugs <NUM> coming into contact with top pipes <NUM>. Once the upward motion has been stopped collapsible canopy <NUM> will be in a secure, locked position, as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention where collapsible canopy <NUM> has multiple reinforcement bars <NUM>. Each reinforcement bar <NUM> is pivotally connected between inner retractable units <NUM> and outer retractable units <NUM>. Specifically, in the preferred embodiment shown in <FIG> each reinforcement bar <NUM> is shown pivotally connected between first oblique top pipe <NUM> and at a position near the junction between second eave pipe <NUM> ( or first eave pipe <NUM> ) and middle eave pipe <NUM>.

<FIG> show detailed perspective views of the pivot connection of reinforcement bar <NUM>. For example, in <FIG> reinforcement bar <NUM> is shown pivotally connected to middle eave pipe <NUM> via connection bracket <NUM>. Likewise, in <FIG> reinforcement bars <NUM> are shown pivotally connected to first oblique top pipe <NUM> via connection brackets <NUM>.

In <FIG>, canopy <NUM> has been placed into a locked and unfolded position as shown. Reinforcement bars <NUM> are shown positioned between inner retractable units <NUM> and outer retractable units <NUM>. Reinforcement bars <NUM> are rigid and will resist external forces acting on canopy <NUM> that will tend to deform the shape of canopy <NUM> in its locked position. For example, wind blowing against a locked and unfolded canopy <NUM> will be unable to press outer retractable units <NUM> inward because of the reinforcement provided by reinforcement bars <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a top view of canopy <NUM> in a locked and unfolded position. Reinforcement bars are clearly shown in position to resist deformation of the shape of canopy <NUM>.

<FIG> shows prior art canopy <NUM> covered in fabric. Wind force is blowing against the side of canopy <NUM>. Unfortunately canopy <NUM> has no means to resist this external force and consequently its side is deformed due to the action of the wind force.

Claim 1:
A collapsible canopy, comprising:
A. at least three supporting legs (<NUM>),
B. a plurality of outer retractable units (<NUM>), each outer retractable unit (<NUM>) connected between two of said at least three supporting legs (<NUM>),
C. a plurality of inner retractable units (<NUM>) comprising inner ends, each inner retractable unit (<NUM>) connected to one of said at least three supporting legs (<NUM>), wherein said outer retractable units (<NUM>) and said inner retractable units (<NUM>) form a roof frame of said collapsible canopy,
D. a central lock for locking said collapsible canopy in an unfolded state when said central lock is locked and for permitting said collapsible canopy to be folded into a folded state when said central lock is unlocked, wherein said inner ends of said inner retractable units (<NUM>) are connected to said central lock, and
E. a plurality of reinforcement bars (<NUM>), wherein each reinforcement bar (<NUM>) is respectively pivotally connected between one of said outer retractable units (<NUM>) and one of said inner retractable units (<NUM>),
wherein said plurality of reinforcement bars (<NUM>) function to maintain the shape of said collapsible canopy when said collapsible canopy is in a locked and unfolded position,
characterized in that,
each inner retractable unit (<NUM>) of said plurality of inner retractable units (<NUM>) comprises at least one first oblique top pipe (<NUM>) pivotally connected to said central lock, and wherein each outer retractable unit (<NUM>) of said plurality of outer retractable units (<NUM>) comprises at least one eave pipe, wherein each of said plurality of reinforcement bars (<NUM>) is pivotally connected between said at least one first oblique top pipe (<NUM>) and said at least one eave pipe.