Patent ID: 7896015

Claim:
A portable shelter for providing cover over an area, wherein the shelter is coupleable to a structure, the portable shelter comprising: a first base member and a second base member, each of which are coupleable to the structure; two subframe assemblies, each subframe assembly comprising: a vertical support member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupleable to a respective base member; at least two arm members, each having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each respective arm member is pivotally coupled to the second end of vertical support member; at least two brace members, each having a first end and a second end, each respective first end being coupled to the vertical support member and each respective second end being pivotably coupled to a respective arm member; a first coupling arrangement for pivotably coupling the respective first end of each arm member to the second end of the vertical support member; a second coupling arrangement, slideably coupled to the vertical support member, for coupling the respective first end of each brace member to the vertical support member, a canopy; a canopy supporting assembly coupled to the two subframe assemblies, wherein the canopy supporting assembly supports the canopy and provides cover over the area, wherein the canopy supporting assembly comprises: a first rib pole and a second rib pole, a first rib pole supporter coupled to the second end of the first arm member of the first subframe assembly; a second rib pole supporter coupled to the second end of the first arm member of the second subframe assembly; a third rib pole supporter coupled to the second end of the second arm member of the first subframe assembly; and a fourth rib pole supporter coupled to the second end of the second arm member of the second subframe assembly; wherein the first rib pole is supported by the first and second rib pole supporters and the second rib pole is supported by the third and fourth rib pole supporters; and wherein the canopy is substantially rectangular in shape and comprises: at one corner of a first end, a pocket for receiving and trapping a first end of the first rib pole; at the other corner of the first end, an open and closable pocket for facilitating the receiving and releasable trapping of a second end of the first rib pole; and along substantially the remainder of the first end, an enclosure for enclosing at least a substantial length of the first rib pole therein.