Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to collapsible camping gear and party equipment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Outdoor activities are occasionally held in windy weather conditions, in a steady or intermittent breeze strong enough to interfere with the enjoyment of eating or ordinary conversation. Without resorting to holding activities inside an enclosed structure or tent, it is useful to be able to block said breeze with a portable means that is easy to set up and sturdy enough to withstand ordinary wind conditions. 
     The prior art includes several devices that act as wind screens and are reasonably portable. U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,286 to Russo teaches a portable canopy for bleacher seats, U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,319 to Shultz teaches a rigid plastic screen that is detachable into equally-sized sections, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,402 to Clary shows a screen of adjustable size that needs to be braced by attachment to external contacts. The present invention&#39;s features are easily distinguishable from these and other devices. 
     The present invention was developed to use tubular steel bracing and folding mechanisms available with portable canopies, as well as low-cost connector mechanisms, hinges and retractable pins. The invention is collapsible into a three-foot long, one-foot-in-diameter configuration that fits easily into a bag for storage and carrying. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible wind screen structure that is stable under ordinary wind conditions. 
     It is another object of the invention that the device be light-weight and easy to assemble. 
     It is another object of the invention that the device be available with Velcro™ connectors with which to attach wind screens comprised of a variety of materials. 
     It is another object of the invention to be constructed of easy-to-obtain connectors and metal tubing. 
     It is another object of the invention that it be easy to set up and not require an extensive manual to master in order to use the invention. 
     It is another object of the invention that it be quickly and easily folded for stowage, and fit into a cylindrically-shaped bag when collapsed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a single structure frame comprised of metal tubing, hinges, retractable pin connectors, and Velcro™ fasteners, said structure supporting a cloth or plastic wind screen attached via said fasteners 
     The wind screen is comprised of a tough fabric or plastic sheeting impermeable to wind. These fabrics include acrylic, polyester, nylon, and other outdoor-use fabrics. 
     When assembled, the frame is supported by folding legs that snap down and support the frame in a vertical position. The legs can be braced with sandbags or other weights in high-wind situations. 
     The metal tubing is configured such that the long vertical members are comprised of two separate pieces of tubing that slide into each other, held in the open position by retractable pins. The long horizontal members are hinged in the middle and are held in the open position by retractable pins. 
     The set up of the invention is comprised of approximately a dozen simple moves to open, unfold, or slide open pieces of metal tubing and snap then into the full open position with the retractable pins. Storage is the reverse, and the length of the individual members is designed to enable the entire structure to be held in a bag. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1 . Overview diagram of invention assembled 
         FIG. 2 . Invention frame 
         FIG. 3 . Invention frame partially collapsed 
         FIG. 4 . Side view of invention leg assembly 
         FIG. 5 . Invention leg assembly partially collapsed 
         FIG. 6 . Close up of invention leg assembly 
         FIG. 7 . Close-up of spring-loaded bolt 
         FIG. 8 . Side view of spring-loaded bolt 
         FIG. 9 . Top-down view of junction between vertical and horizontal bar 
         FIG. 10 . Bottom-up view of junction of legs and bottom horizontal bar 
         FIG. 11 . Collapsed invention 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention  100  as shown in  FIG. 1  is a wind screen comprised of a fabric or plastic screen  150  and a frame, the screen  150  held to the frame with a plurality of Velcro® connectors  151 , constructed from a set of tubular metal sections that are connected together with hinges and retractable pins. The frame is supported at the bottom by two retractable legs on each side of the frame, braced by a horizontal brace  152 , which legs can be weighted for stability. 
     In  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the vertical sections  101 , 102  and  103 , 104  slide into each other for storage, and when pulled out to their maximum length are held at that position by retractable pins  105 , 106 . 
     The horizontal sections  107 , 108  and  109 , 110  are hinged in the middle for storage and are held in their extended positions by retractable pins  113 , 114  placed near the hinges  111 , 112 . Hinges  115 , 116  and  125 , 126  at the juncture of the horizontal sections and vertical sections of the frame allow the horizontal sections to fold against the vertical sections. At no time does the assembly come apart, but the entire apparatus remains connected by hinges. 
     In  FIGS. 2 and 3 , at the bottom corners of the invention where the hinged vertical and horizontal sections come together are two bracing members  117 , 118  which are hinged in the middle and snap together with their own retractable pins  119 , 120 . 
     In  FIG. 4 . the inventions legs  131 , 130  are shown, which fold up against each of the lower vertical sections  118 , 120  as in  FIG. 5 . The top-down view of  FIG. 9  shows where the vertical section  101  meets the upper horizontal section  107 , hinged by hinge  115 . In  FIG. 10 , a bottom-up view of the junction of the frame vertical member  102  and bottom horizontal member  109  with the legs, the longer leg  130  and the shorter leg  131  deploying from the junction, rotating around hinges  140  and  141 , one pair on each side of the frame bottom. The legs are held in their extended positions by retractable pin  142  and bracing member  132  as in  FIG. 7 . 
     As designed, the longer and shorter leg can be further braced by placing a weight, such as a sandbag, on each of them after they are snapped into position. 
     The invention is designed to be covered by a cloth or plastic screen  150 , attached at the top, bottom, and sides by means of a plurality of hook and loop fasteners  151 . By placing the invention at the correct orientation against the wind, the invention will stop the movement of air behind the invention screen and remain stable and upright. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the screen is cloth, the metal comprising the tubular frame is light-gauge steel, and the folded-up length of the screen is between 2½ and 3 feet. 
     Although the invention has been described as a preferred embodiment, equivalent features may be employed and substitutions made within this specification without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the claims.

Technology Category: 0