GB2197672A - Collapsible structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A structure comprises a support 11, a collapsible peripheral frame surrounding the support, and a membrane 15 of flexible material extending between the support and the frame to provide a canopy, which is held in tension by stressing means 33. <IMAGE>

Description

SHELTER THIS INVENTION relates to shelter which in appearance somewhat resembles an umbrella.

Shelters are used in outdoor areas to provide protecticn from weather generally and in particular shade fron direct sunlight. A particularly common form of such shelter is a large umbrella (commonly called a beach umbrella) which is often used to provide shelter for seating in entertaining and recreational areas. Beach umbrellas comprise a canopy of light-weight material attached to a collapsible frame which includes A central pole and a plurality of radiating ribs on the pole to which the canopy is attached. The radiating ribs support the canopy and provide tension for a series of radially segmented portions of the canopy.

The present invention seeks to provide a novel and useful shelter which does not require a collapsible frame of the co.nstruction described above.

In one form the invention resides in a shelter comprising a support, a peripheral frame surrounding the support, and a membrane of flexible material extending between the support and the frame to provide a canopy.

While the r.er'brane may be formed of any suitable flexible material, there are certain materials which are p rticularly suitable owing to their ability to withstand prolonged stress without stretching or shrinkage. Such materials include composite materials of pvc and polyester, fibreglass and teflon, or silicon and polyester. Further particularly suitable mer.,bralle materials are acrylic canvas and polyestcr canvas.

Preferably, the membrane is maintained- in a state of stress.

In a preferred arrangement, the membrane is generally cone shaped with a surface of anticlastic form.

Preferably the support comprises a pole which for preference is located centrally with respect to the canopy.

Preferably, the peripheral frame extends continuously around the support. For preference, the frame is annular when viewed in plan.

Preferably, the .n!er,brane includes an outer rr.arginal portion which wraps arourd the outer surface of the peripheral frarre and which is retained in such position by a Dand located on the underside of the peripheral frame and so di.mensioned relative to the frame so as to not fit over the frame. The band is preferably inextensible when in position. Preferably, the band is received in a pocket formed in the membrane at or near the outer peripheral edge thereof.

Preferably, stressing means extend between the peripheral fra-.e and the support to urge the frame dowllwardly whereby to maintain the re:r.brane in a state of stress. Preferablg, the stressing means is adapted to permit adjustment of the degree of stress in the membrane.

Preferably, a locating means is provided for locating the membrane with respect to the support. The locating means may comprise a locating cap attached to the membrane and located on an upstanding post provided on tile support. The locating cap may be cf hollow construction having an open bet tom end through which the pose extends, the cap resting on the upper end of the post.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of one specific embodiment thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shelter according to the embodiment; Figure 2 is a side view of the shelter of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional detail view of the apex of the shelter, showing the manner in which the membrane is supported on and located with respect to the support pole Figure 4 is a detail view in cross-section of part of the shelter, showing the manner in which the membrane is attached to the peripheral frame; and Figure 5 is a cross sectional view on an enlarged scale of a collar which forms part of the stressing means.

The em,bodiment shown in the drawings is directed to a shelter which can be used as an alternative to a beach um,brelia for providing shade in recreational and entertainment areas.

The shelter comprises a support 11 in the form of a central pole, a peripheral frame 13 and a membrane 15 extending between the central pole and the peripheral frame. The membrane 15 is formed of flexible material which can withstand prolonged stress without stretching and which is also resistant to shrinkage.

The membrane is in the shape of a dished cone having a surface of anticlastic form. Th geometry of the surface of the membrane corresponds approximately to the inner surface of a torus as such geometry enables both orthogonal planes (of warp and weft) to accept a similar and substantially even amount of stress to avoid distortion and membrane failure.

The membrane is supported at its apex on the central pole 11 and means 17 are provided for locating the membrane in such position. The locating means 17 includes a locating cap 19 attached to the membrane and a locating post zl projecting upwardly from the top of the central post 11.

The locating cap 19 is in the forn of a hollow cone having an open bottom end. The locating cap is adapted to locate on the locating post 21 with the inner portion of the apex of the cap resting on the upper end of the locating post and the base of the locating cap surrounding the upper end of the pole 11, as shown in Figure 3. The locating cap 19 comprises an inner part 23 ad an outer part 25 between which the membrane 15 is clamped. The inner and outer parts 23 and 25 respectively of the locating cap are fixed to the membrane by any suitable means such as rivets extending between the two parts.

The peripheral frame 13 is in the shape of an annulus and is circular in cross section (as best shown in figure 4 of the drawings) . The frame 13 may be formed in sections which are hingedly or otherwise connected to perrit the franc to be collapsed for transportation and storage purposes.

The outer marginal portion 15a of the membrane wraps around the outer surface of the frame 13 and is provde.d with a circumferential pocket 27 at the outer edge thereof. The pocket 27 receives a retaining band 29 located on the underside of the frame and so dimensioned as to not fit over the frame. In this way,-retaining band 29 serves to secure the outer marginal portion of the membrane to the peripheral frame 13.The retaining band 29 is formed by an elongated flexible element such as a cable which can be threaded through the pocket 27 and t > .en connected at the ends to provide the endless band.

A stressing means 31 is provided to urge the peripheral frame 13 in a downward direction away from the membrane apex so as to induce stress into the membrane. The stressing weans 31 comprises a plurality of cables 33 each anchored at one into the peripheral frame 13 and anchored at the other end to a anchoring collar 35 mounted on the central pole 11 in a manner which permits selective movement of the collar along the pole to facilitate tensioning of the cables.The collar can be fixed to the central pole at any one of a selected number of positions nong hc.. pole by means of a locking pin 37 received in a bole 39 in the collar and adapted to locate in any one of a nurber of longitudinally spaced holes provided in the support pole, The collar 35 is formed in two parts being an upper part 41 and a lower part 43 which are secured together by fixing means 43 in the form of screws. The collar is provided with a plurality of internal cavities 47, one corresponding to each cable 33. ach cable 33 is a ,vided with an anchoring element 49 at the end thereof which is anchored to the collar.The cable enters the cavity 47 by way of a passage 51 in the collar and the anchoring element is maintained captive within the cavity by virtue of it being of a dimension grcater than the passage.

In use the shelter affords protection from weather generally and in particular shade from sunlight. The shelter can be readily disassembled in the event that it is no longer required at a particular location or if te membrane 15 has become soiled and requires cleaning. r)?o disassemble the shelter, it is merely necessary to detach the cables 33 and remove the retaining band 29. Once the retaining band 29 has been removed, the outer peripheral edge of the membrane can be manipulated over the peripheral frare 13 so as to separate the frame from the membrane. The membrane can then be readily lifted from the central pole 11 as the locating cap 19 nerely rests on the locating post 21 and is not otherwise secured thereto.

The shelter can be readily assembled in the reverse manner.

From the foregoing, it is evident that the present invention provides a shelter which is particularly suitable for use in outdoor and recreational areas. The rerbrane 15 can carry decorative patterns cr advertising material if so desired.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the scope of the particular embodiment described. In particular, it should be noted that the invention is not limited to a shelter for use as cn alternative to A beach umbrella. A shelter according to te invention may be constructed on a large scale so as to provide, for example, a marquee. On the other hand, a shelter according to the invention may be constructed on a small scale for use as a personal umbrella,

Claims (16)

1. CLAIMS 1. A shelter comprising a support, a peripheral frane surrounding the support, and a membrane of flexible material extending between the support and the frame to provide a canopy.
2. 2. A shelter according to claim 1 wherein the membrane is maintained in a state of stress.
3. 3. A shelter according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the membrane is generally cone shaped with a surface of anticlastic form.
4. 4. A shelter according to any one Of the preceding claims wherein the support comprises a pole.
5. 5. A shelter according to any one of the preceding claiJns wherein the peripheral frame extends continuously around the support.
6. 6. A shelter according to claim 5 wherein the frame is annular when viewed in plan.
7. 7. A shelter according to any one of the preceding claims where, the membrane includes an outer marginal portion which wraps around the outer surface of the peripheral frame and which is retained in such position by a band located on the underside of the peripheral frame and so dicnsiod relative to the frame so as to not fit ovc-r the frame.
8. 8. A shelter according to claim 7 wherein the band is substantially inextensible.
9. 9. A shelter according to claim 8 wherein the band is received in a pocket formed in the membrane at or near the peripheral edge thereof.
10. 10 A shelter according to any one of the preceding claims wherein stressing means extend between the peripheral frame and the support to urge the frare downwardly whereby to maintain the membrane in a state of stress.
11. 11. A shelter according to claim 10 wherein the stressing means is adapted to permit adjustment of the degree of stress in the membrane.
12. 12. A shelter according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a locating means is provided for locating the membrane with respect to the support.
13. 13. A shelter according to claim 52 wherein the locating cans comprises a locating cap attached to the nlen,brane and. located on an upstanding post provided on the support.
14. 14. A shelter according to claim 13 wherein the locating cap is of hollow construction having an open botton through which the post extends, the cap resting on the upper end of the post.
15. 15. A shelter according to claim 14 whercin the locating cap is in the form Qf a cone.
16. 16. A shelter substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.