GB2265165A

GB2265165A - Collapsible umbrella-like shelter

Info

Publication number: GB2265165A
Application number: GB9205813A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony James Sheldon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-03-17
Filing date: 1992-03-17
Publication date: 1993-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 2012-03-17
Also published as: GB9205813D0; GB2265165B

Abstract

A collapsible shelter 10 comprising an upright ground engaging pole 16 upon which is slidably mounted an annular bracket 18. The bracket 18 is movable on the pole 16 between raised and lowered positions. A plurality of spaced arms 22 are pivotally mounted on the bracket 18. Linkages 24 are provided between each of the arms 22 and an upper part of the pole 12 such that when the bracket 18 is lowered the arms 22 extend generally upwardly and when the bracket 18 is raised the arms 22 extend radially outwardly from the pole 12. A roof portion 28 of a flexible material is mounted on the arms 22 to provide a roof for the shelter 10 when the bracket 18 is raised. Side panels 30 are provided extending from the edge of the portion 28 to provide sides for the shelter, which may be pegged down. An alternative form has legs extending downwardly from the ends of arms 22, allowing removal of the centre pole after erection. <IMAGE>

Description

Collapsible Shelter This invention concerns improvements in or relating to collapsible, shelters and particularly but not exclusively to shelters for use by fishermen.

Fishermen have traditionally used large umbrellas and other shelters to protect themselves from inclement weather. These have not been wholly satisfactory and a number of disadvantages have been encountered. These disadvantages include, not enough protection being provided; the shelters when collapsed being too bulky and/or heavy to transport to a riverbank or elsewhere; the shelters being too difficult to erect; and not enough space being provided to permit satisfactory fishing.

According to the present invention there is provided a collapsible shelter, the shelter comprising an upright, a bracket slidably mounted on the upright and movable between a first lowered position with the shelter collapsed and a second raised position with the shelter erected, the bracket pivotally mounting a plurality of spaced arms which extend generally upwards when the bracket is in the first position and extend outwardly in the second position, the arm supporting a roof portion of flexible material which locates between the arms and the upright in the first position and locates above the arms in the second position to provide a roof for the shelter, and wall portions of flexible material which extend downwardly from the free ends of the arms to provide side walls with a front opening when the bracket is in the second position.

The wall portions are preferably connected to the roof portion. The size of the front opening may be variable.

The length of one or more of the arms may be adjustable in length to provide the variable size of the opening. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more of the wall portions may be detachable from one or more of the arms and/or the roof portion to provide the variable size of the opening.

The spacing of the arms around the upright is preferably such that in the second position the upright is located towards the rear of the shelter.

Means are preferably provided for releasably locking the bracket in either of the first or second positions.

In an alternative embodiment, ground engaging legs are provided extendable downwardly from the arms when in the second position to support the shelter, thereby permiting removal of a lower portion of the upright whilst the shelter remains erect.

The legs may be pivotally mounted to the arms and may extend from the arms at or adjacent the free ends thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a shelter according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a similar view of part of a shelter of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic front view of part of the shelter of fig. 1 in a collapsed position; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of the shelter of fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective front view of the shelter of fig. 1 in an alternative configuration; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of part of a further shelter according to the invention.

Figs 1-5 show a collapsible shelter 10 suitable for use by fishermen. The shelter comprises an upright ground engaging pole 12 which has separable lower and upper sections 14, 16. An annular bracket 18 is slidably mounted on the upper section 16 and is movable between a first lowered position, as shown in fig. 3, and a second raised position as shown in for example fig. 2. The bracket 18 may be locked in either of the first or second positions by any suitable locking means 20.

The bracket 18 pivotally mounts a plurality of spaced arms 22. The arms 22 extend generally upwardly when the bracket 18 is in the first position and extend radially outwards when the bracket 18 is in the second position. Linkages 24 are provided between a mounting block 26 located towards the upper free end of the section 16 and a point along the length of each of the arms 22.

A roof portion 28 of a flexible material such as canvas or plastics material is mounted on the arms 22 so as provide a roof for the shelter 10 when the bracket 18 is in the second position. The roof portion 28 extends from the free ends of the arms 22. Extending from the edge of the roof portion 28 are a plurality of side panels 30 made of similar flexible. material. The panels 30 define sides for the shelter and can be pegged to the ground. No side panel 30 is provided between the arms 22 which form the front of the shelter 10, thereby providing an opening 32.

As can be best seen in fig. 4 the two arms 22 towards the rear of the shelter 10 are spaced apart by a greater angle than the rest of the arms 22 such that the pole 12 locates towards the rear of the shelter 10 when erected. The side panels 30 by the side of the opening 32 are removably connected to the respective part of the roof portion 28 to permit the opening 32 to be widened.

The arms 22 which are adjacent to each of the arms 22 provided at either side of the opening 32, each have a telescopic portion 34 extendable from their free ends.

With the portion 34 fully extended an even wider opening 32 may be provided as shown in fig. 5. Extra flaps 36 may be provided on the roof portion 28 to overlie the extra roof area created by the portions 34.

In use, when the shelter 10 is collapsed, the position shown in fig. 3 is adopted. The roof portion 28 locates between the arms 22 and the pole 12 thereby providing a compact arrangement. The side panels 30 extend downwardly from the free ends of the arm 22 around the pole 12. This provides a very compact and easily transported arrangement. To erect the shelter 10, if not already done so, the lower and upper section, 14, 16 are joined. These may be connectable by any suitable means such as a screw thread. The bracket 18 is disengaged from the respective lower locking means 20 and slid up the pole 12 to engage with the respective upper locking means 20. As the bracket 18 is slid upwardly the free ends of the arms 22 move outwardly thereby opening out the roof portion 18 and causing the side panels 30 to hang as required.The panels 30 can subsequently be pegged to the ground to provide the shelter 10.

There is thus provided a shelter which can be erected and collapsed in a very easy manner. The construction of the shelter permits easy and compact storage. The shelter provides an opening whose width can be varied as required. The arrangement of the pole 12, arms 22 and linkages 24 provides for a strong structure. The provision of the pole 12 towards the rear of the shelter provides for increased free space.

Whilst the described shelter is intended to be used for fishermen, the shelter could be used for many other uses such as for bird watching or as a temporary market stall. Fig. 6 shows the frame 40 of a modified shelter. On the frame 40 legs 42 are provided pivotally mounted to the free ends of the arms 22. Bracing struts 44 are pivotally mounted on the arms 22 and detachably mountable on the legs 42 to retain the legs 42 in a vertical orientation. The pole 12 is provided with an increased size lower section and a reduced size upper section 46. In a collapsed position the legs 42 lie alongside the arms 22. The shelter provided by the frame 40 is erected in a similar manner to the shelter 10 and the legs 42 are pivoted to a generally vertical position engaging the ground. The bracing struts 44 are connected to the legs 42 to hold same relative to the arms 22. The lower section of the pole can then be removed leaving just the upper section 46. This arrangement obviously provides even more free space within the shelter.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the first embodiment six arms are provided whilst only four arms are provided in the second embodiment. Obviously differing number of arms may be used as is appropriate.

Different arrangements of roof portions and side panels may be provided as is required. A door may be provided for the front opening which would be particularly suitable e.g. for bird watching application.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims:

1. A collapsible shelter, the shelter comprising an upright, a bracket slidably mounted on the upright and movable between a first lowered position with the shelter collapsed and'a second raised position with the shelter erected, the bracket pivotally mounting a plurality of spaced arms which extend generally upwards when the bracket is in the first position and extend outwardly in the second position, the arms supporting a roof portion of flexible material which locates between the arms and the upright in the first position and locates above the arms in the second position to provide a roof for the shelter, and wall portions of flexible material which extend downwardly from the free ends of the arms to provide side walls with a front opening when the bracket is in the second position.

2. A shelter according to claim 1, in which the wall portions are connected to the roof portion.

3. A shelter according to claims 1 or 2, in which the size of the front opening is variable.

4. A shelter according to claim 3, in which the length of one or more of the arms is adjustable in length to provide the variable size of the opening.

5. A shelter according to claims 3 or 4, in which one or more of the wall portions is detachable from one or more of the arms and/or the roof portion to provide the variable size of the opening.

6. A shelter according to any of the preceding claims, in which the spacing of the arms around the upright is such that in the second position the upright is located towards the rear of the shelter.

7. A shelter according to any of the preceding claims, in which means are provided for releasably locking the bracket in either of the first or second positions.

8. A shelter according to any of the preceding claims, in which ground engaging legs are provided extendable downwardly from the arms when in the second position to support the shelter, thereby permitting removal of a lower portion of the upright whilst the shelter remains erect.

9. A shelter according to claim 8, in which the legs are pivotally mounted to the arms.

10. A shelter according to claims 8 or 9, in which the legs extend from the arms at or adjacent the free ends thereof.

11. A collapsible shelter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1-5 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A collapsible shelter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 6 of the accompanying drawings.

13. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed in the foregoing specification or claims and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.