Patent ID: 7552956

Claim:
A folding apparatus comprising: a frame, having four substantially straight portions that are selectively detachable from one another, a tarp having at least one sleeve extending along edges of the tarp that is adapted to receive the frame; and at least one edge structure connected to the frame or an exterior portion of the tarp, the at least one edge structure being made of a semi-rigid material and being detachably attached to the apparatus; wherein the at least one sleeve of the tarp at least partially retains a corresponding portion of the frame; wherein a first portion and a second portion of the frame each include a respective pivot joint permitting the first portion and the second portion to be folded; and wherein the apparatus has an open configuration in which the first portion and the second portion of the frame are substantially straight and the at least one edge structure forms a ramp from the frame or the exterior portion of the tarp to a surface on which the at least one edge structure comes into contact, and a closed configuration in which the first portion and the second portion of the frame are folded using the respective pivot joints such that the tarp forms an enclosure.