AU2020100586A4

AU2020100586A4 - A shelter

Info

Publication number: AU2020100586A4
Application number: AU2020100586A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Mark Andrew Fraser
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-04-17
Filing date: 2020-04-17
Publication date: 2020-05-28
Anticipated expiration: 2028-04-17
Also published as: USD945019S1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shelter. The shelter includes a frame and a canopy. The canopy includes a fixed-end non-releasably extending from the frame and a free end for fluttering in the breeze. Advantageously, the fixed-end non-releasably extends from the frame, and need not be attached to the frame during assembly on site, thereby resulting in improved assembly time. c Q)

Description

A SHELTER

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a shelter. The present invention has particular, although not exclusive application to a beach shelter suitable to windy conditions.

BACKGROUND [0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] US 10,190,330 discloses a beach shelter suitable for windy conditions. The shelter includes a continuous frame, and a canopy including a fixed-end extending from the frame. A free-end of the canopy flutters freely in the breeze.

[0004] The frame includes frame segments which are serially interconnected during erection of the structure. In practice, assembly can be a time-consuming exercise, complicated in extremely windy conditions at the beach with sand flying around.

[0005] Once assembled, the frame is threaded through loops of the canopy. Once again, assembly can be a time-consuming exercise, complicated in extremely windy conditions at the beach with sand flying around.

[0006] The preferred embodiment provides for improved assembly of the shelter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shelter including:

a frame; a a canopy including a fixed-end non-releasably extending from the frame and a free-end for fluttering in the breeze.

2020100586 17 Apr 2020 [0008] Advantageously, the fixed-end non-releasably extends from the frame, and need not be attached to the frame during assembly on site, thereby resulting in improved assembly time.

[0009] The frame may include frame segments, and respective hinges interconnecting adjacent frame segments. Advantageously, the frame segments can be simply hingedly extended to form the expanded frame, and need not be connected together during assembly on site, thereby resulting in improved assembly time.

[00010] The canopy may define a sleeve though which the frame passes. The shelter may include one or more screws for non-releasably affixing the fixed-end to the frame.

[00011] The frame may terminate in a pair of uprights. The shelter may include one or more support spurs extending from the frame toward ground. The support spurs may be hinged to the frame. The support spurs may extend in line with the canopy.

[00012] The shelter may further include one or more anchors, and respective lines extending from the anchors toward the frame. Each anchor may include a receptacle.

[00013] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shelter including:

a frame including a frame segments, and respective hinges interconnecting adjacent frame segments; and a canopy including a fixed-end for extending from the frame and a free-end for fluttering in the breeze.

[00014] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [00015] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be

2020100586 17 Apr 2020 regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in anyway. The Detailed Description will make reference to a drawing as follows:

[00016] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a shelter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [00017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a portable beach shelter 100 as shown in Figure 1. The shelter 100 includes a continuous frame 102 engaging with the sand 103 at either end. A sheet canopy 104 includes a fixed-end 106 which non-releasably extends from the top of the frame 102. Afree-end 108 of the canopy 104 flutters in the breeze providing shade underneath from the sun. A couple of persons can be readily sheltered beneath the canopy 104.

[00018] Advantageously, the fixed-end 106 non-releasably extends from the frame 102, and need not be attached to the frame 102 during assembly at the beach, thereby resulting in improved assembly time.

[00019] The frame 102 includes multiple frame segments 110, and respective hinges 112 interconnecting adjacent frame segments 110. Advantageously, the frame segments 110 can be simply hingedly extended to form the expanded frame 102, and need not be connected together during assembly at the beach, thereby resulting in improved assembly time.

[00020] The canopy 104 defines a sleeve 114 at the fixed-end 106 though which the frame 102 passes. The shelter 100 includes screws for passing through and nonreleasably affixing the fixed-end 106 to the frame 102. The screws are screwed in the opposing ends of the sleeve 114 or along the length of the canopy’s fixed-end 106, or both.

[00021] The frame 102 terminates in a pair of sand-engaging upright segments, from which a pair of inclined segments extend toward each other to form a peak. The shelter 100 includes a pair of support spurs 116, extending from half way or above up the upright segments, toward the sand 103 (i.e. ground). The inclined support spurs 116 are also connected to the frame 102 with hinges 112. The support spur segments 116 fold

2020100586 17 Apr 2020 flat with the upright segments for transport, and extend in line with the canopy 104 in the wind. The uprights also fold in half, about the hinge 112, so the whole frame 102 can be collapsed with the segments 110 compactly stacked or bundled for transport without the need to release the canopy 104.

[00022] Although not always required, the shelter 100 further includes three sand anchors 118, and respective lines 120 extending from the anchors 118 toward the frame 102 to which they are releasably tied. Each anchor 118 includes a fabric receptacle which can be filled with sand 103.

[00023] A method for assembling the shelter 100 at the beach is briefly described.

[00024] Initially, the shelter 100 is transported in a collapsed state to the beach in a carry bag.

[00025] The frame segments 110 are expanded about the hinges 112 to form the uprights and peak. The canopy 104, permanently fastened to the frame 102 at the fixedend 106, is unwound from around the continuous frame 102.

[00026] The continuous frame 102 is then stood upright, standing from the sand perpendicular the breeze. The spurs 116 are pivoted outwardly to stabilize the frame 102 now free standing on the sand 103.

[00027] The anchors 118 can be filled with sand 103 and tied to the frame 102 with lines 120 as required.

[00028] At the end of the day, the shelter 100 can be unassembled for transport and storage by performing the reverse steps above.

[00029] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00030] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention

2020100586 17 Apr 2020 is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

[00031] Reference throughout this specification to One embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A shelter including:

a frame; a a canopy including a fixed-end non-releasably extending from the frame and a free-end for fluttering in the breeze.
2. A shelter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame includes frame segments, and respective hinges interconnecting adjacent frame segments.
3. A shelter as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the canopy defines a sleeve though which the frame passes and one or more fasteners for non-releasably affixing the fixed-end to the frame.
4. A shelter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame includes one or more support spurs extending from the frame toward ground.
5. A shelter as claimed in claim 4, wherein each support spur is hinged to the frame so that the frame can be collapsed with stacked or bundled together segments without the need to release the canopy.
6. A shelter including:

a frame including a frame segments, and respective hinges interconnecting adjacent frame segments; and a canopy including a fixed-end for extending from the frame and a free-end for fluttering in the breeze.