AU2021218150A1

AU2021218150A1 - A portable shelter

Info

Publication number: AU2021218150A1
Application number: AU2021218150A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Mark Andrew Fraser
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-08-19
Filing date: 2021-08-19
Publication date: 2023-03-09

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable shelter. The shelter includes a support including an upright post extending from the ground at a single location. a canopy is supported by the support and includes a free-end for fluttering in the breeze. The support extends from the ground at a single location which may advantageously result in: improved assembly, and/or relocation of the shelter by simply moving the support to another single location. 1/4 C>o C>i 0 CCD 0C 'Il C)0 C)r CDr C>6 0 /) r /) C)r C> 0 rC

Description

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AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARDPATENT APORTABLESHELTER

The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me:

APORTABLESHELTER TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable shelter. The present invention has particular, although not exclusive application to beach shelters and other like outdoor shelters.

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] AU 2020100586 discloses a beach shelter suitable for windy conditions. The portable shelter includes a bridged frame, and a canopy including a fixed-end extending from the frame. A free-end of the canopy flutters freely in the breeze.

[0004] In practice, the bridged frame can be time-consuming and involved to assemble and/or relocate. The preferred embodiment provides for improved assembly and/or relocation of the shelter.

[0005] Further, in the event that the sun position or wind changes, the bridged frame is difficult to reconfigure to obtain desired shading from the shelter. The preferred embodiment provides for improved reconfiguration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable shelter including: a support including an upright post extending from the ground at a single location; and a canopy for being supported by the support and including a free-end for fluttering in the breeze.

[0007] The support extends from the ground at a single location which may advantageously result in: improved assembly, and/or relocation of the shelter by simply moving the support to another single location.

[0008] The support may be bent so that the canopy can be readily angled, without moving the support from the single location, to obtain desired shading from the shelter in the event that the sun position changes. The support may include a pair of hingedly coupled post members. The support may also be rotated about its axis in the ground. The canopy may be angled in a plane, up to 400 in either direction from vertical.

[0009] The canopy may include an expandable frame, and a sheet of material extending from the frame. The sheet may be permanently affixed to the frame. The frame may expand in a single plane. The frame may include the support.

[00010] The frame may include a pair of retractable ribs supporting the sheet. Each rib may be articulated. Each rib may be pivotally expandable. Each rib may be pivotally expandable in two different directions, namely including a pair of rib members with one rib member pivoting in a clockwise direction and the other rib member pivoting in an anticlockwise direction.

[00011] The frame may include a stretcher arrangement for expanding the ribs from the support. The stretcher arrangement may include a pair of stretchers coupled between a runner for running along the support and the ribs. The stretcher arrangement may further include another pair of stretchers coupled between the stretchers and another runner. The runners may move toward each other to expand the ribs. The shelter may include a lock for locking the expanded frame. The lock may include an over-centering arrangement for locking the frame in an expanded configuration when the runners are moved together beyond a certain point. The lock may include a pin for being received in the support and for locking at least one of the runners in place.

[00012] The shelter may include means for rotating the support to suit wind direction. The shelter may further include at least one foot protrusion for engaging with a foot to couple the support in the ground. The protrusion may be retractable. The shelter may include three spaced apart protrusions radially extending from the support. The support may terminate in a screw for screwing into the ground. The shelter may include a depth indicator to indicate that the support is of sufficient depth in the ground

[00013] The shelter may further include a tether for tethering to the support, and an anchor for anchoring the tether. The anchor may include a receptacle for receiving earth.

[00014] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for erecting a shelter including: erecting a support including an upright post extending from the ground; and supporting, using the support, a canopy so that its free-end flutters in the breeze.

[00015] 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

[00016] 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 regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[00017] Figures 1A - 1F are upper perspective views showing the sequential assembly of a portable shelter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[00018] Figures 2A - 2E are front views showing the frame configuration of the portable shelter in Figures 1A - 1F during the sequential assembly;

[00019] Figures 3A - 3C are upper perspective views showing the angling of the canopy of the portable shelter in Figures 1A - 1F;

[00020] Figures 4A - 4C are front views showing the angling of the canopy of the portable shelter in Figures 1A - 1F; and

[00021] Figures 5A - 5C are upper perspective, side detail and perspective detail views showing the sequential deployment of a retractable foot platform of the portable shelter in Figures 1A - 1F.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a portable shelter 100 as shown in Figure 1. The shelter 100 has a support 102 including an upright post extending up from the ground at a single location. A collapsible canopy 104 is supported by the support 102 and includes a free-end 106 for fluttering in the breeze.

[00023] The support 102 extends from the ground at a single location which advantageously results in improved assembly with ready erection of the sole support 102. Further, the shelter 100 can be readily relocated by simply moving the support 102 to another single location.

[00024] The canopy 104 includes an expandable frame 108, in turn, including the upper end of the support 102. Further, the canopy 104 includes a sheet of flaccid material 110 which extends from the frame 108 to its fluttering free end 106. The material sheet 110 is permanently affixed to the frame 108, and is expanded in-situ as the frame 108 expands in a single plane during shelter assembly, without the need for separate fastening of the sheet 110 which would otherwise be time-consuming.

[00025] As can best be seen in Figure 1F, the shelter 100 further includes a tether 112 for tethering to the support 102, and an anchor 114 for anchoring the tether 112. The anchor 114 includes a receptacle for receiving surrounding earth, such as sand and rock.

[00026] As can best be seen in Figure 2C, the frame 108 includes an opposed pair of uppermost articulated ribs 200, retractable on either side of the support 102, for supporting the sheet 110. Each rib 200 is pivotally expandable from the support 102 in two different directions, namely including a pair of pivotally joined rib members 202 with one rib member 202a pivoting in a clockwise direction and the other rib member 202b pivoting in an anticlockwise direction. The weight of the sheet 110 on the distal members 202b biases the ribs 200 toward an expanded configuration.

[00027] As can best be seen in Figure 2D, the frame 108 also includes a stretcher arrangement 204 for expanding the ribs 200 from the support 102. The stretcher arrangement 204 includes a pair of upper stretchers 206 pivotally coupled between an upper runner 208 for running along the support 102 and the ribs 200.

[00028] As can best be seen in Figure 2E, the stretcher arrangement 204 further includes a pair of lower stretchers 210 pivotally coupled between the upper stretchers 206 and a lower runner 212. The runners 208, 212 move toward each other, along the support 102, to expand the ribs 200.

[00029] The shelter 100 includes a lock for locking the expanded frame 108. The lock includes an over-centering arrangement for locking the frame 108 in an expanded configuration when the runners 208, 212 are moved together beyond a certain point. The lock also includes a pin for being received in the support 212 and for locking at least one of the runners 208, 212 in place.

[00030] Turning to Figures 3 and 4, the bendable support 102 includes a pair of hingedly coupled post members 400a, 400b so that the canopy 104 can be readily angled, without moving the support 102 from the single location in the ground, to obtain desired shading from the shelter 100 in the event that the sun position changes. The support 102 can be rotated about its axis in the ground to accommodate changes in wind, and the expanded canopy 104 can be angled in a plane, up to about 400 in either direction from vertical.

[00031] Turning to Figures 5, the shelter 100 further includes three retractable foot platforms 500 (i.e. protrusions), extending transversely at the base of the support 102, for engaging with a foot to couple the support 102 in the ground. Each lever platform 500 includes a pair of hinged plates, with top plate fixed in position along the support 102, and radially extends transverse the support 102. The support 102 also terminates in a screw tip 502 for screwing into the ground.

[00032] A method for erecting the shelter 100 is now described.

[00033] Initially as shown in Figures 5A to 5C, the support 102 is screwed into the ground which, in turn, pushes against and expands the foot platforms 500. A user can kick the edge of one of the partially expanded lever platforms 500 to further rotate and drive the support 102 into the ground, which hardens with depth, to align the folded material sheet 110 into the wind. Meanwhile, the top end of the support 102 is held for stability. The fully expanded platforms 500 also serve as a dynamic depth indicator to expand and indicate that the support is of sufficient depth in the ground. The fully expanded platforms 500 are stabilizing protrusions for engaging with the adjacent ground surface in wind gusts and stabilizing the support 102 in the ground

[00034] Figure 1A shows the erected support 102 including the upright post extending from the ground in which it is screwed. The support 102 initially supports the retracted canopy 104 so that its free-end 106 flutters in the breeze.

[00035] As shown in Figures 1B to 1E, the runners 208, 212 (see also Fig. 2) are brought together by the user to expand the canopy 104. The lock locks the runners 208, 212 along the support 102.

[00036] As the day goes by, and the wind direction and sun position changes, the support 102 can be: rotated using the platforms 500 as shown in Figure 5, and angled about the hinge as shown in Figure 4, to maintain suitable shade from the canopy 104.

[00037] 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.

[00038] 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 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.

[00039] 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 portable shelter including: a support including an upright post extending from the ground at a single location; and a canopy for being supported by the support and including a free-end for fluttering in the breeze.

2. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support can be bent so that the canopy can be readily angled, without moving the support from the single location, to obtain desired shading from the shelter in the event that the sun position changes.

3. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 2, wherein the support can be bent in a plane, in either direction from vertical.

4. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support includes a pair of hingedly coupled post members.

5. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 1, further including a rotation mechanism for rotating the support to suit wind direction, the rotation mechanism including a screw tip terminating the support.

6. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canopy includes an expandable frame, and a sheet of material extending from the frame.

7. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sheet is permanently affixed to the frame and/or the frame expands in a single plane.

8. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 6, wherein the frame includes a pair of retractable ribs supporting the sheet.

9. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 8, wherein each rib is: articulated; pivotally expandable; and/or pivotally expandable in two different directions, namely including a pair of rib members with one rib member pivoting in a clockwise direction and the other rib member pivoting in an anticlockwise direction.

10. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 6, wherein the frame includes a stretcher arrangement for expanding the ribs from the support.

11. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 10, wherein the stretcher arrangement includes a pair of stretchers coupled between a runner, for running along the support, and the ribs.

12. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 11, wherein the stretcher arrangement further includes another pair of stretchers coupled between the stretchers and another runner.

13. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 12, wherein the runners move toward each other to expand the ribs.

14. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 6, wherein the shelter includes a lock for locking the expanded frame.

15. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 14, wherein the lock includes: an over-centering arrangement for locking the frame in an expanded configuration when runners are moved together beyond a certain point; and/or a pin for being received in the support and for locking at least one runner in place.

16. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 1, further including at least stabilizing protrusion for stabilizing the support in the ground.

17. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 16, wherein each protrusion is retractable and/or radially extends from the support.

18. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 1, further including: a screw terminating the support for screwing into the ground; and/or a depth indicator to indicate that the depth of the support in the ground, the depth indicator preferably being dynamic, and even more preferably expanding with depth.

19. A portable shelter as claimed in claim 1, further including a tether for tethering to the support and an anchor for anchoring the tether, the anchor including a receptacle for receiving weight.

20. A method for erecting a shelter including: erecting a support including an upright post extending from the ground; and supporting, using the support, a canopy so that its free-end flutters in the breeze.

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