WO2011064521A1

WO2011064521A1 - Foldable frame assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2011064521A1
Application number: PCT/GB2009/002787
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wei Heng Yang
Original assignee: Flaxman, Andrew
Priority date: 2009-11-26
Filing date: 2009-11-26
Publication date: 2011-06-03

Abstract

A foldable frame assembly which comprises a first shaping member, a second shaping member located at top of the first shaping member, and at least one modeling member furnished on the shaping members in order to make the combination of the shaping and modeling members shaped like a 3D object having a round head part and a fat body part. Each shaping member further includes a canopy portion and a frame body for lifting and supporting the canopy portion for a predetermined height so as to form a compartment inside the shaping member. An upper side of the canopy portion of the first shaping member is formed with an opening such that the compartments of the first and second shaping members can communicate through the opening. The frame bodies can be folded into a smaller 2D shape for storage and carry.

Description

FOLDABLE FRAME ASSEMBLY

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to frame assemblies, and more particularly, to stacked 3D frame structures which are covered by canopies and can be folded into smaller sizes for easy storage.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Structure is one of the most fundamental elements upon which the existence of a material form, such as a house or a machine is based. Without structure, the material form cannot be maintained, and if the material form cannot be maintained, it cannot be clearly expressed. Therefore, without the material structure, the organic and inorganic materials cannot be combined together. The strength that resists force and preserves the perpetuity of the form of an object is termed structure. In human technical environment, structure is a material pattern that preserves the functions of objects.

The technical mission for the structure to shoulder is to not only control the weight of an object itself, but also bear an external load (force). Such a mission is mechanically termed as bearing. As a structure system for upholding a form is subject to the load conditions and strictly dominated by the rules of natural force flows, it cannot be achieved under an arbitrary and free design. For instance, the form and space of a hollow 3D object are resulted from considerations related to the bearing mechanism.

Frame structure is the foremost and the only tool for a hollow 3D object to present the form and space thereof. In virtue of this function, frame structure is regarded as a basis of the human material environment. Thus, among various considerations in the design of a hollow 3D object, such like a tent, big ball or snowman, the frame structure is the primary factor to be considered. As the frame structure can be entirely hidden within the hollow 3D object and may substantially appear as the form of the object itself, such adaptability of the frame structural design of the object permits a designer to embody his creative ideas through combining the forms, materials and forces. Hence, for increasing the utility rate and market share of products, how to actualize the hollow 3D objects with improved frame structure and enhanced functions to meet the consumers' need has become the primary challenge for the manufactures to deal with.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under these circumstances in view. It is one objective of the present invention to provide a foldable frame assembly, which implements a structure to form stacked 3D frame bodies. The frame bodies has sufficient strength and rigidity to support canopies in the 3D manner and can be promptly folded into smaller sizes for easy storage.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a foldable frame assembly which comprises a first shaping member, a second shaping member located at top of the first shaping member, and at least one modeling member furnished on the shaping members in order to make the combination of the shaping and modeling members shaped like a 3D object having a round head part and a fat body part. Each shaping member further includes a canopy portion and a frame body for lifting and supporting the canopy portion for a predetermined height so as to form a compartment inside the shaping member. An upper side of the canopy portion of the first shaping member is formed with an opening such that the compartments of the first and second shaping members can communicate through the opening. The frame bodies can be folded into a smaller 2D shape for storage.

In order to achieve aforementioned objectives, the present invention discloses a foldable frame assembly which comprises: a first shaping member, a second shaping member located at top of the first shaping member, at least one connecting member for fixing the first shaping member to the second shaping member, and at least one modeling member furnished on at least one of the shaping members in order to make the combination of the shaping members and the at least one modeling member shaped like a predetermined 3D object. The connecting member is chosen from one of the following: magnet, sewing, clip, button, fastener, adhesive, Velcro, and quick-release buckle.

Wherein, the first shaping member further comprises:

a first limit portion, enclosing a first area having a first predetermined figure;

a first canopy portion connected with the first limit portion; and a first frame body, connected with the first canopy portion for lifting the first canopy portion from the first limit portion for a first predetermined height so as to form a first inner compartment inside the first canopy portion; said first frame body having a lower side connected with the first limit portion and an upper side.

Wherein, the second shaping member further comprises:

a second limit portion, enclosing a second area having a second predetermined figure;

a second canopy portion, connected with the second limit portion; and a second frame body, connected with the second canopy portion for lifting the second canopy portion from the second limit portion for a second predetermined height so as to form a second inner compartment inside the second canopy portion.

In a preferred embodiment, an opening is formed on the first canopy portion in such a manner that the opening is located at the upper side of the first frame body. The second area is a hollow hole intercommunicating with the opening of the first canopy portion. The second inner compartment is intercommunicating with the first inner compartment through the opening of the first canopy portion.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the first and second frame bodies comprises at least one elastic wire. The foldable frame assembly further comprises a combining portion, which allows the elastic wires of the first and second frame bodies to pass therethrough and be positioned with respect to the first and second canopy portions, respectively.

In a preferred embodiment, two ends of each elastic wire are connected so as to form an integral ring. The first shaping member is shaped like a hemisphere. The first frame body comprises two rings of elastic wires. Each ring is elongated and has one end connected to a side of the first limit portion and another end connected to an opposite side of the first limit portion in such a manner that a middle part of the ring is located at the upper side of the first frame body. The upper sides of these two rings intersect with each other in such a manner that a rectangular-shaped frame is formed at said upper side. Wherein, the opening is located within the rectangular-shaped frame. The second shaping member is also shaped like a hemisphere. The second frame body also comprises two rings of elastic wires.

In a preferred embodiment, each ring of elastic wire is elongated in a vertical manner. Each ring has a lower end connected with one side of the first limit portion, and extends upward along the first canopy portion to a top of the first canopy portion, and extends sideward to another side of the first limit portion, and extends upward along the second canopy portion to a top of the second canopy portion. Such that, the first frame body is interconnected with the second frame body by means of the rings of elastic wires. The first and second frame bodies are constructed by four rings of elastic wires. In addition, the first canopy portion and the second canopy portion are connected together to form a single component.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the first and second frame bodies comprises four elongated elastic wires respectively. Each elastic wire has one end connected to a side of one of the limit portions and another end connected to an opposite side of the same limit portion in such a manner that a middle part of the elastic wire is located at an upper side of that frame body. The upper sides of the four elastic wires intersect with each other in such a manner that a rectangular-shaped frame is formed at said upper sides of the four elastic wires.

a preferred embodiment, the first area is covered by a bottom sheet; and, the first canopy portion is formed with an entrance; the entrance is covered by a curtain which is connected with the first canopy portion and is openable.

In order to achieve aforementioned objectives, the present invention discloses another foldable frame assembly which comprises:

a frame body, said frame body further comprising a first ring, a plurality of second rings, and at least one third ring; said first, second and third rings are circular and made of elastic wires, and substantially have the same center and similar diameters; wherein, the first ring defines an inner surface which further defines a first direction parallel to and flush with the inner surface and a second direction vertical to the inner surface; both the first and second directions pass through the center; each of the second rings flush with the first direction; the third ring has an inner surface vertical to the first direction and flush with the second direction;

at least one canopy portion, covering the frame body and supported by the frame body in such a mariner that an inner compartment is formed inside the canopy portion;

at least one zipper, furnished on the canopy portion and connected to an outer rim of the first ring, said zipper can be unzipped in order to make a part of the canopy portion detached from one side of the first ring;

at least one first connecting member for connecting the third ring to the first and second rings in a detachable manner; and

a strip extending along the first direction and having its two ends connected to two opposite sides of one of the first and second rings;

wherein, when the at least one zipper is zipped and the first and second connecting members are fastened, the frame body is shaped like a round ball covered by the canopy portion;

wherein, when the at least one zipper is unzipped and the first connecting member is detached, the second rings are rotatable about the first direction so as to make the second rings adjoining the first ring, and the third ring is rotatable about a third direction which is vertical to both the first and second directions so as to make the third ring adjoining the first ring.

In a preferred embodiment, the strip has an adjustable length. The strip is furnished with a second connecting member, the first and second connecting members are fasteners or quick-release buckles. In addition, each of the rings has a rectangular cross-section.

In a preferred embodiment, the frame body comprises an amount of the second rings is even number and is greater than two.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the foldable frame assembly of the present invention in an assembled manner;

FIG 2 is a partially exploded view of the first embodiment of the foldable frame assembly of the present invention in a disassemble manner;

FIG 3 is a perspective schematic view showing the frame bodies of the first embodiment of the foldable frame assembly of the present invention in a disassemble manner;

FIG 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view of line A-A of FIG 2 for showing the connections between the first frame body and the first canopy portion;

FIGs. 5A-5C are schematic drawings showing the steps to fold up the 3D shaped shaping members into a smaller 2D shape for storage;

FIG. 6 illustrates the second embodiment of the frame body of the foldable frame assembly of the present invention;

FIG 7 illustrates the third embodiment of the foldable frame assembly of the present invention; FIG. 8 illustrates the fourth embodiment of the foldable frame assembly of the present invention;

FIGs. 9A and 9B show cross-sectional views of two embodiments of the rings of the frame body according to the fourth embodiment of the foldable frame assembly of the present invention, in which FIG. 9A is rectangular and FIG 9B is circular;

FIGs. 10Α-Γ0Ε are schematic drawings showing the steps to fold up the globe-like frame body into a smaller 2D shape for storage.

FIG 11, is a schematic perspective drawing showing a preferred embodiment of the connecting member according to the foldable frame assembly of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Please refer to FIGs. 1, 2 and 3, wherein, FIG 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the foldable frame assembly 10 of the present invention in an assembled manner, FIG 2 is a partially exploded view of the first embodiment of the foldable frame assembly 10 of the present invention in a disassemble manner, and FIG 3 is a perspective schematic view showing the frame bodies of the first embodiment of the foldable frame assembly of the present invention in a disassemble manner. The foldable frame assembly 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first shaping member 20, a second shaping member 30 stacked upon the first shaping member 20, at least one connecting member 40, and at least one modeling member 50.

The first shaping member 20 is hollow and shaped like a hemisphere and further comprises: a first limit portion 21, a first canopy portion 22 and a first frame body 23. The first limit portion 21 is located at bottom of the first shaping member 20 and is enclosing a first area 211 having a first predetermined figure. In the first embodiment shown in FIGs. 1-3, the first limit portion 21 is shaped like a circle having a predetermined first diameter. In addition, the first area 211 enclosed by the first limit portion 21 is covered by a bottom sheet.

The first canopy portion 22 is connected with the first limit portion 21 and is supported by the first frame body 23. In the first embodiment, the first canopy portion 22 includes a canopy which is made by sewing one or several clothes and is shaped like a hemisphere. The bottom part of the first canopy portion is connected with the outer rim of the first limit portion 21 and has the same first diameter. A waist part of the first canopy portion has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the bottom part, such that the first canopy portion 22 has a top part shaped like a hemisphere and a bottom part slightly smaller than the waist part thereof. In the first embodiment, the first canopy portion 22 is further formed with an opening 22 Ion its top part. The first canopy portion 22 is formed with at least one entrance 222 at one of the side surfaces. The entrance 222 is covered by a curtain 223 which is connected with the first canopy portion 22 and can be opened by lifting the curtain 223 upward, such that a child or even an adult will be able to enter the inner compartment of the first canopy portion 22.

The first frame body 23 is connected with the first canopy portion 22 for lifting the first canopy portion 22 from the first limit portion 21 for a first predetermined height so as to form a first inner compartment inside the first canopy portion 22. The first frame body 23 has a lower side 231 connected with the first limit portion 21 and an upper side 232 connected with the top part of the first canopy portion 22. Therefore, the opening 221 of the first canopy portion 22 is located at the upper side 232 of the first frame body 23. In the first embodiment shown in FIGs. 1-3, the first frame body 23 comprises two elastic wires 234, 235. These elastic wires 234, 235 can be made of metal such as steel or nonmetal such as fiberglass. Two ends of each elastic wire 234, 235 are connected so as to form an integral ring, such that the first frame body 23 comprises two rings of elastic wires 234, 235. Each ring of elastic wire 234 is elongated and has one end 2341 connected to a side of the first limit portion 21 and another end 2342 connected to an opposite side of the first limit portion 21 in such a manner that a middle part 2343 of the ring is located at the upper side 232 of the first frame body 23. As shown in FIGs. 2 and 3, these two rings of elastic wires 234, 235 intersect with each other at the upper side 232 in such a manner that a rectangular-shaped frame is formed at the upper side 232 of the first frame body 23. The opening 221 is located within and defined by the rectangular-shaped frame and thus is a rectangular-shaped opening 221.

Please refer to FIG 4, which is a cross-sectional schematic view of line

A-A of FIG 2 for showing the connections between the first frame body 23 and the first canopy portion 22. In order to make the first frame body 23 to be connected firmly with the first canopy portion 22, at least one combining portion 224 is formed on the first canopy portion 22 for allowing the ring-typed elastic wires 234, 235 of the first frame body 23 to pass therethrough and be positioned with respect to the first canopy portion 22. In one embodiment, the combining portion 224 is an elongated and flexible tube made of cloth by sewing 225. Each of the elastic wires 234, 235 has a circular cross-section and is threading through the tube-shaped combining portion 224. The combining portion 224 is then sewn on the first canopy portion 22 so as to fix the first frame body 23 on the predetermined locations of the first canopy portion 22.

Please refer to FIG 5A-5C, which illustrate the steps to fold up the 3D shaped shaping members into a smaller 2D shape for storage. Because the first and second frame bodies 23, 33 are substantial identical in structure and only different in size, thus only the second frame body 33 is illustrated below. Firstly, use two hands to grab two intersections of elastic wires 334, 335 at the top of the second frame body 33 and push along Line B-B shown in FIG 3, and then the 3D structure of the second frame body 33 will collapse into a 2D planar structure as shown in FIG 5A. That is, the first elastic wire 334 will adjoin and overlap with the second elastic wire 335. And then, twist this 2D planar structure along the direction C shown in FIG. 5A and make two surfaces 3340 and 3350 to overlap with each other, so as to form an ellipse in smaller size as shown in FIG 5B. And then, once again twist the ellipse along the directions Dl and D2 and then fold it up along the direction D3 as shown in FIG 5B, so as to form a circle in even a smaller size as shown in FIG 5C. After the 3D hemisphere-shaped second shaping member 33 is folded up into the much smaller 2D-shaped circle as shown in FIG 5C, it is now much easier to be stored or carried. Please refer back to FIGs. 1-3, the second shaping member 30 is located at top of the first shaping member 20 and supported by the first frame body 23. In the first embodiment, the second shaping member 30 is shaped like a hemisphere and has the same structure with the first shaping member 20. The second shaping member 30 also comprises: a second limit portion 31, a second canopy portion 32, and a second frame body 33.

The second limit portion 31 encloses a second area 311 having a second predetermined figure. The second area 311 is a hollow circular hole having a size larger than the opening 221 of the first canopy portion 22 and is intercommunicating with the opening 221 of the first canopy portion 22.

The second canopy portion 32 is connected with the second limit portion 31 and is supported by the second frame body 33. The second canopy portion 32 is made by sewing one or several clothes and is shaped like a hemisphere. The bottom part of the second canopy portion 32 is connected with the outer rim of the second limit portion 31 and has a diameter slightly smaller than a waist part of the second canopy portion 32.

The second frame body 33 is connected with the second canopy portion 32 for lifting the second canopy portion 32 from the second limit portion 31 for a second predetermined height so as to form a second inner compartment inside the second canopy portion 32. The second inner compartment intercommunicates with the first inner compartment through the opening 221 of the first canopy portion 22. The second frame body 33 is substantially the same as the first frame body 23 and also has a lower side 331 connected with the second limit portion 31 and an upper side 332 connected with the top part of the second canopy portion 32. The second frame body 33 also comprises two integral rings of elastic wires 334, 335. Each ring of elastic wires 334, 335 is elongated and has one end 3341 connected to a side of the second limit portion 31 and another end 3342 connected to an opposite side of the second limit portion 31 in such a manner that a middle part 3343 of the ring 334 is located at an upper side of the second frame body 33. The upper sides of these two rings (ie., elastic wires 334, 335) intersect with each other in such a manner that a rectangular-shaped frame is formed at said upper side. The second frame body 33 is connected with the second canopy portion 32 by means of at least one combining portion. The combining portions allow the elastic wires 334, 335 of the second frame body 33 to pass therethrough and to be positioned with respect to the second canopy portion 32. Because the second frame body 33 has the same structure as the first frame body 23, therefore it also can be folded in the same way as illustrated in FIGs. 5A-5C.

In order to prevent the second shaping member 30 from dropping from the top of the first shaping member 20, the foldable frame assembly 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention employs at least one connecting member 40 for connecting the first shaping member 20 to the second shaping member 30 in a detachable manner. In a preferred embodiment, the connecting member 40 is chosen from one of the following: magnet, sewing, clip, button, fastener, adhesive, Velcro, and quick-release buckle. Preferably, each connecting member 40 includes two paired components that can be connected to or disconnected from each other. One of the component of the connecting member 40 is furnished on the first shaping member 20, while the other component is furnished on the second shaping member 30.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective drawing showing a preferred

embodiment of the connecting member according to the foldable frame assembly of the present invention. In this embodiment, each connecting member 40 comprises a positioning clip 41 and a positioning ring 43. The positioning ring 43 is fixed to a predetermined location of one of the shaping members 46 by means of a first connecting strip 44. The positioning clip 41 is fixed to a predetermined location of the other shaping member 45 by means of a second connecting strip 42. The first connecting strips 44 is made of soft or flexible materials such like cotton cloth or nylon cloth and is firstly passing through the positioning ring 43 and then sewn to a predetermined location of the shaping members 46. The positioning clip 41 is made of plastic, rubber or the like, and further includes an opening portion 411 at a front end thereof and a through hole 412 at its rear end. The opening portion 411 is shaped like a duck beak and has a slightly enlarged opening at its front portion which is larger than the thickness of the positioning ring 43 and also larger than the diameter of the elastic wires 334, 335 of frame bodies. The size of opening of a middle portion of the opening portion 411 is slightly smaller than the thickness of the positioning ring 43 and also smaller than the diameter of the elastic wires 334, 335. The size of opening of a rear portion of the opening portion 411 is larger than the thickness of the positioning ring 31 and also larger than the diameter of the elastic wires 334, 335. Therefore, either the positioning ring 43 or one of the elastic wires 334, 335 (not shown in FIG 7) can be readily plugged into the rear portion of the opening portion 411 from the slightly enlarged front portion thereof, and then be constrained by the narrowed middle portion of the opening portion

411 so as to avoid it from dropping out of the opening portion 411. The second connecting strip 42 is made of soft or flexible materials such like cotton cloth or nylon cloth and is firstly passing through the through hole

412 of positioning clip 41 and then sewn to a predetermined location of the other shaping member 45. Therefore, by using the positioning clip 41 to clip either the positioning ring 43 or one of the elastic wires 334, 335, the first and second shaping members can be connected to each other in a detachable manner. The positioning clip 41 can also be detached from either the positioning ring 43 or one of the elastic wires 334, 335 easily by pulling it out of the positioning ring 43 or elastic wires 334,335.

The at least one modeling member 50 is furnished on at least one of the shaping members 20, 30 in order to make the combination of the shaping members 20, 30 and the at least one modeling member 50 shaped like a predetermined object. In the present invention, the second shaping member 30 is smaller than and located upon the first shaping member 20. Such structure looks like a round head part above a fat body part. According to the first embodiment shown in FIGs. 1 and 3, the at least one modeling member 50 comprises: a hat 51 located at top of the head-like second shaping member 30; eyes 52, mouth 53 and nose 54 located at a front surface of the second shaping member 30; a scarf 55 surrounding the second limit portion 31 of second shaping member 30; two hands 56 located at two side surfaces of the body-like first shaping member 20; and two buttons 57 located at the front surface of the body-like first shaping member 20. Such design of modeling members 50 makes the foldable frame assembly 10 of the present invention looking like a standing snowman. Apparently, in addition to the snowman shown in FIGs. 1 and 3, the structure of foldable frame assembly 10 of the present invention is also suitable for modeling the panda, bear, robot, elephant, pig, fat cat, fat dog, or any other object that has a round head part above a fat body part in a 3D manner. In another embodiment of the present invention, the modeling member 50 can also be printed on one of the shaping members 20, 30.

In a preferred embodiment of the foldable frame assembly 10 of the present invention, at least one part of either (or both) the first and second canopy portions 22, 32 is made of ventilative and transparent cloth such as screen or lace curtain, such that the foldable frame assembly 10 can act as a play tent for children to play inside.

Since most of the components in the following illustrated embodiments are identical or similar to those of the above-mentioned embodiments, identical name and numeral are imparted to identical components, while identical name is imparted with an additional letter added after the same numeral to similar components for the purpose of distinction.

Please refer to FIG 6, which illustrates the second embodiment of the frame body of the foldable frame assembly of the present invention. In the second embodiment, each frame body 23 a comprises four elongated elastic wires 234a, 235a, 236a, 237a respectively. Each elastic wire 234a, 235a, 236a, 237a has one end connected to a side of one of the limit portions 21a and another end connected to an opposite side of the same limit portion 21a in such a manner that a middle part of the elastic wire 234a, 235a, 236a, 237a is located at an upper side of that frame body 23 a. The upper sides 2343a, 2353a, 2363a, 2373a of the four elastic wires 234a, 235a, 236a, 237a intersect with others in such a manner that a rectangular-shaped frame is formed at said upper sides 2343a, 2353a, 2363a, 2373a of the four elastic wires 234a, 235a, 236a, 237a.

Please refer to FIG 7, which illustrates the third embodiment of the foldable frame assembly 10b of the present invention. The foldable frame assembly 10b according to the third embodiment of the present invention also comprises: a first shaping member 20b, a second shaping member 30b, at least one connecting member (not shown in this figure), and at least one modeling member(not shown in this figure). The difference between the third embodiment shown in FIG 7 and the first embodiment shown in FIGs. 1-3 is the frame body. In the third embodiment, the first and second frame bodies 23b, 33b are constructed by four rings of elastic wires 234b, 235b, 236b, 237b in a integral manner. In addition, the first canopy portion 22b and the second canopy portion 32b are connected together to form a single component. These four rings of elastic wires 234b, 235b, 236b, 237b are identical and thus only one (e.g., the elastic wire 234b) of them is illustrated hereinafter. Each ring of elastic wire 234b of the frame bodies 23b, 33b is elongated in a vertical manner. Each ring of elastic wire 234b has a lower end 2341b connected with one side of the first limit portion 21b, and extends upward along a front surface the first canopy portion 22b to a top 226 of the first canopy portion 20b. And then, the elastic wire 234b extends sideward to another side of the top 226 of first canopy portion 22b, and extends upward along the back surface of second canopy portion 32b to a top 326 of the second canopy portion 32b. Such that, the first frame body 23b is interconnected with the second frame body 33b by means of the four rings of elastic wires 234b, 235b, 236b, 237b.

Please refer to FIG. 8, which illustrates the fourth embodiment of the foldable frame assembly 10c of the present invention. The foldable frame assembly 10c according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention comprises a frame body 23 c, at least one canopy portion 22c, at least one closing member 61, at least one first connecting member 62, and a strip 63.

The frame body 23c further comprises a first ring 238, a plurality of second rings 239, and at least one third ring 230. The first, second and third rings 238, 239, 230 are circular and made of elastic wires, and substantially have the same center and similar diameters. Typically the diameter of these rings can be ranged from 90 cm to 300 cm. Each of the first, second and third rings 238, 239, 230 has a rectangular cross-section 2384 (see FIG 9A). The width and thickness of the cross-section 2384 depend on the size of the diameter of rings. In this embodiment, when the diameter of these rings 238, 239, 230 is between 120 cm to 160 cm, then the width of the cross-section 2384 of each ring 238 is around 0.3 mm to 0.8 mm, while the thickness thereof is around 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm, so as to provide sufficient strength without being over- weighted. The first ring 238 defines an inner surface which further defines a first direction 2381 parallel to and flush with the inner surface and a second direction 2382 vertical to the inner surface. Both the first and second directions 2381, 2382 pass through the center. The amount of the second rings 239 is an even number and is greater than two. In this fourth embodiment, the number of the second rings 239 is four, which separated evenly in such a manner that the declined angles between neighboring rings are equal. Each of the second rings 239 defines an inner surface that is flush with the first direction 2381. The third ring 230 has an inner surface vertical to the first direction 2381 and flush with the second direction 2382. Therefore, the assembly of the first, second and third rings 238, 239, 230 substantially forms a globe-like structure; wherein the first and second rings 238, 239 look like the longitudinal lines of the globe, while the third ring 230 looks like the latitudinal line, typically the equator.

The at least one canopy portion 22c covers the frame body 23c and is supported by the frame body 22c in such a manner that an inner compartment is formed inside the canopy portion 22c. The at least one closing member 61 is for closing two separate clothes into a closed canopy portion 22c. The closing member 61 can be opened in order to make the inner compartment of the canopy portion exposed out of the outer environment In this preferred embodiment, the closing member 61 is a zipper 61. However, the closing member 61 can also be other means to close two separate clothes, such like using a rope to sew these clothes up.

The at least one zipper 61 is furnished on the canopy portion 22c and connected to an outer rim of the first ring 238. In this embodiment, there are two zippers 61 each extends along the outer rim of the first ring 238 for 180 degrees, that is, half of the first ring 238. However, it is understood that the zippers 61 are not necessary to be connected to the first ring 238; in another embodiment, the zippers 61 can also be furnished on the canopy portion 22c and are extending along the longitudinal directions but aren't adjacent to any one of the first and second rings 238, 239. The zippers 61 can be unzipped in order to make a part of the canopy portion 22c detached from one side of the first ring 238, so as to open a long gap or entrance on the canopy portion 22. The at least one first connecting member 62 is for connecting the third ring 230 to the first and second rings 238, 239 in a detachable manner. The strip 63 has an adjustable length and extends along the first direction 2381 and having its two ends connected to two opposite sides of either the canopy portion 22c or one of the first and second rings 238, 239. The strip 63 is furnished with a second connecting member 64 for fast adjusting the length. By adjusting the length of strip 63, the out contour of the foldable frame assembly 10c can be adjusted to be nearly a perfect round ball. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second connecting members 62, 64 are fasteners or quick-release buckles.

When the at least one zipper 61 is zipped and the first and second connecting members 62, 64 are fastened, the frame body 23c is shaped like a round ball covered by the canopy portion 22c. When the at least one zipper 61 is unzipped and the first connecting member 62 is detached, the second rings 239 are rotatable about the first direction 2381 so as to make the second rings 239 adjoining the first ring 238, and the third ring 230 is rotatable about a third direction 2383 which is vertical to both the first and second directions 2381, 2382 so as to make the third ring 230 adjoining the first ring 238.

Please refer to FIGs. 9 A and 9B, which show cross-sectional views of two embodiments of the rings 238, 239, 230 of the frame body 23c according to the fourth embodiment of the foldable frame assembly 10c of the present invention, in which FIG 9A is rectangular and FIG 9B is circular. Each of the rings 238 is wrapped with cloth 2385, and then, the cloth 2385 is sewn 2386 to enclose the rings 238 inside. Such structure can prevent the edges of rings 238 which have rectangular cross-section from damaging the canopy portion 22c. For the first ring, the cloth 2385 is also sewn to both the zippers 61 and the canopy portion 22c. Nevertheless, the rings 238, 239, 230 having rectangular cross-sections 2384 can provide better performance than the circular ones in supporting a large ball-like foldable frame assembly 10c.

Please refer to FIG 10A-10E, which illustrate the steps to fold up the globe-like frame body 23c into a smaller 2D shape for storage. Firstly, both the zippers 61 are unzipped and all of the first connecting members 62 are detached. And then, all of the second rings 239 and the third ring 230 are rotated to adjoin the first ring 238 so as to form a 2D circle as shown in FIG 10A. And then, stand behind the rings 238, 239, 230, and use two hands to keep holding up two sides of all of the rings 238, 239, 230, and then use body (such as abdomen) to push down a top point 2388 of these rings 238, 239, 230, and in the same time, use two hands to push two sides of these rings 238, 239, 230 forward as shown in FIG 10B. And then, keep pushing down the top point 2388, until that top point 2388 reaches the ground, and then use one foot to step on that top point 2388 to keep it on the ground, as shown in FIG IOC. And then, use two hands (one by one) to twist two sides of the rings 238, 239, 230 toward the top point 2388, as shown in FIG 10D. And then, the globe-like frame body 23 c is folded into a mush smaller 2D planar circle as shown in FIG 10E, which is easier to be stored or carried.

The preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed above, which however should not be construed as a limitation on the actual application of the invention. Hence all modifications and alterations made by those familiar with the skill without departing from the spirits of the invention and appended claims shall remain within the protected scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is;

1. A foldable frame assembly, comprising:

a first shaping member, said first shaping member further comprising:

a first canopy portion connected with the first limit portion; and a first frame body, connected with the first canopy portion for lifting the first canopy portion from the first limit portion for a first predetermined height so as to form a first inner compartment inside the first canopy portion; said first frame body having a lower side connected with the first limit portion and an upper side;

a second shaping member, located at top of the first shaping member and supported by the first frame body; said second shaping member further comprising:

a second canopy portion, connected with the second limit portion; and a second frame body, connected with the second canopy portion for supporting the second canopy portion ;

at least one connecting member for connecting the first shaping member to the second shaping member; and

at least one modeling member furnished on at least one of the shaping members in order to make the combination of the shaping members and the at least one modeling member shaped like a predetermined object.

2. The foldable frame assembly of Claim 1, wherein:

an opening is formed on the first canopy portion in such a manner that the opening is located at the upper side of the first frame body;

the second area is a hollow hole intercommunicating with the opening of the first canopy portion; and

the second frame body lifts the second canopy portion up from the second limit portion for a second predetermined height so as to form a second inner compartment inside the second canopy portion; the second inner compartment is intercommunicating with the first inner compartment through the opening of the first canopy portion.

3. The foldable frame assembly of Claim 1 , wherein, each of the first and second frame bodies comprises at least one elastic wire.

4. The foldable frame assembly of Claim 3, further comprising a combining portion, which allows the elastic wires of the first and second frame bodies to pass therethrough and be positioned with respect to the first and second canopy portions, respectively.

5. The foldable frame assembly of Claim 3, wherein, two ends of each elastic wire are connected so as to form an integral ring.

6. The foldable frame assembly of Claim 5, wherein, the first shaping member is shaped like a hemisphere; the first frame body comprises two rings of elastic wires; each ring is elongated and has one end connected to a side of the first limit portion and another end connected to an opposite side of the first limit portion in such a manner that a middle part of the ring is located at the upper side of the first frame body; the upper sides of these two rings intersect with each other in such a manner that a rectangular-shaped frame is formed at said upper side; wherein, the opening is located within the rectangular-shaped frame.

7. The foldable frame assembly of Claim 5, wherein, the second shaping member is shaped like a hemisphere; the second frame body comprises two rings of elastic wires; each ring is elongated and has one end connected to a side of the second limit portion and another end connected to an opposite side of the second limit portion in such a manner that a middle part of the ring is located at an upper side of the second frame body; the upper sides of these two rings intersect with each other in such a manner that a rectangular-shaped frame is formed at said upper side.

8. The foldable frame assembly of Claim 5, wherein, each ring of elastic wire is elongated in a vertical manner; each ring has a lower end connected with one side of the first limit portion, and extends upward along the first canopy portion to a top of the first canopy portion, and extends sideward to another side of the first canopy portion, and extends upward along the second canopy portion to a top of the second canopy portion; such that the first frame body is interconnected with the second frame body by means of the rings of elastic wires.

9. The foldable frame assembly of Claim 8, wherein, the first and second frame bodies are constructed by four rings of elastic wires.

10. The foldable frame assembly of Claim 9, wherein, the first canopy portion and the second canopy portion are connected together to form a single component.

11. The foldable frame assembly of Claim 3, wherein, each of the first and second frame bodies comprises four elongated elastic wires respectively; each elastic wire has one end connected to a side of one of the limit portions and another end connected to an opposite side of the same limit portion in such a manner that a middle part of the elastic wire is located at an upper side of that frame body; the upper sides of the four elastic wires intersect with each other in such a manner that a rectangular-shaped frame is formed at said upper sides of the four elastic wires.

12. The foldable frame assembly of Claim 1, wherein, the first area is covered by a bottom sheet; and, the first canopy portion is formed with an entrance; the entrance is covered by a curtain which is connected with the first canopy portion and is openable.

13. The foldable frame assembly of Claim 1, wherein, said connecting member is chosen from one of the following: magnet, sewing, clip, button, fastener, adhesive, and Velcro.

14. The foldable frame assembly of Claim 1, wherein, said predetermined object has a head part and a body part; the head part is smaller than the body part; said second shaping member forms the head part, and said first shaping member forms the body part.

15. A foldable frame assembly, comprising:

a frame body, said frame body further comprising a first ring, a plurality of second rings, and at least one third ring; said first, second and third rings are circular and made of elastic wires, and substantially have the same center and similar diameters; wherein, the first ring defines an inner surface which further defines a first direction parallel to and flush with the inner surface and a second direction vertical to the inner surface; both the first and second directions pass through the center; each of the second rings has an inner surface flush with the first direction; the third ring has an inner surface vertical to the first direction and flush with the second direction;

at least one canopy portion, covering the frame body and supported by the frame body in such a manner that an inner compartment is formed inside the canopy portion;

at least one closing member, furnished on the canopy portion, said closing member can be opened in order to make the inner compartment of the canopy portion exposed out of an outer environment;

a strip extending along the first direction and having its two ends connected to two opposite sides of at least one of the following: the canopy portion, the first ring, and one of the second rings.

16. The foldable frame assembly of Claim 15, wherein the strip has an adjustable length.

17. The foldable frame assembly of Claim 15, wherein each of the rings has a rectangular cross-section.

18. The foldable frame assembly of Claim 15, wherein the strip is furnished with a second connecting member, the first and second connecting members are fasteners.

19. The foldable frame assembly of Claim 18, wherein, the closing member is zipper; when the zipper is zipped and the first and second connecting members are fastened, the frame body is shaped like a round ball covered by the canopy portion.

20. The foldable frame assembly of Claim 19, wherein, when the zipper is unzipped and the first connecting member is detached, the second rings are rotatable about the first direction so as to make the second rings adjoining the first ring, and the third ring is rotatable about a third direction which is vertical to both the first and second directions so as to make the third ring adjoining the first ring.

21. The foldable frame assembly of Claim 18, wherein, the frame body comprises an amount of the second rings is even number and is greater than two.