Patent ID: 7044146

Claim:
A shelter frame, comprising: at least first and second upwardly extending poles; a linkage assembly linking the first and second poles, said linkage assembly having joints; at least first and second fixed connectors pivotally securing first portions of said linkage assembly to said first and second poles respectively; at least first and second sliding connectors pivotally securing second portions of said linkage assembly to said first and second poles respectively; a connector locking assembly sized and shaped to lock said first sliding connector relative to said first fixed connector; and a rolling element bearing interposed between mating members of said linkage assembly, wherein when said linkage assembly is folded and unfolded said mating members are operable to rotate about said rolling element bearing and cause movement of said rolling element bearing relative to said first fixed connector and said first sliding connector, and wherein said rolling element bearing moves in a plane that is substantially parallel to a plane that is defined by connection points of said first fixed connector, first sliding connector, and second fixed connector to said first and second poles respectively.