GB2510610A

GB2510610A - Collapsible covered frame

Info

Publication number: GB2510610A
Application number: GB1302286.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Damian Nicholas Nunez Cardozo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-02-08
Filing date: 2013-02-08
Publication date: 2014-08-13
Also published as: GB201302286D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a collapsible covered frame i.e. a tent constructed from three or more pre-shaped arms 1 that are covered with a fabric 2, the frame having a hinge 3 joining the top ends of the arms, around which the arms can he collapsed. The hinge may be constructed in various ways including but not limited to the embodiments shown in Figs 10-14, the fabric cover being foldable (8 figure 5) over the collapsed arms (7 figure 5). The frame may be constructed from pre-shaped arms in a variety of shapes, allowing the formation of a variety of differently shaped frames. The arms may have loops (5 figure 6) at the lower end, and the fabric cover may have ventilation holes (6 figure 1) or other openings in it.

Description

Title: Collapsible covered frame

DESCRIPTION

Background

This invention relates to a one-piece unit that creates a covered frame using pre-shaped arms, that can be easily collapsed and erected, and furthermore a frame as described, that can support a variety of materials as part of its structure.

Collapsible frames exist in various forms, and for many purposes, with many different materials attached to them, from cloches for plant protection, to methods of food protection from flies, to temporary dwellings such as tents. The collapsible nature of the units is desirable to allow easy storage and transport when not in use.

Many of these devices rely upon flexible materials, such as carbon fibre, to form the shape of the frame when erected. Flexible materials are more expensive than pre-shaped or rigid materials, which raises the cost of these units. Flexible materials are also bound to put extra stress on the unit when flexed.

Other devices use pre-shaped or rigid materials, and consist of multiple parts to form the frame. This is less efficient and less easy to use than a 1 piece frame, and is not easily packed away.

Statement of Invention

To overcome these issues, the current invention consists of a singular unit consisting of 3 or more pre-shaped arms that form a frame, the frame being covered in a fabric, the frame being collapsible due to a hinge which allows the pre-shaped arms to fold together.

Advantages The frame can be collapsed without any disassembly or stress to the materials.

The frame can be manufactured at lower cost than frames with flexible materials.

The frame can be constructed at any size whilst still being able to fold away in the same method.

The arms of the frame can be constructed in any number of shapes, allowing any number of different frames to be constructed using the same method.

As the shape, size and covering of the frame is variable, the frame can be used for many different purposes, from plant protection to temporary structures and tents.

Preferably the hinge is formed by having horizontal loops at the top end of each arm and aligning these loops vertically above each other, locating a bolt through the loops and securing the loops in position with a nut.

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the following drawings -Figure 1 shows an erected frame with 3 arms.

Figure 2 shows an erected frame with four arms.

Figure 3 shows a version of the frame with many arms.

Figure 4 shows a frame with the arms folded together.

Figure 5 shows a frame with the arms folded together, and the fabric cover folded over the arms.

Figure 6 shows a version of the frame with differently shaped arms.

Figure 7 shows the example of a frame from fig 6, with the arms folded together.

Figure 8 shows the example of a frame from fig 7 with the fabric cover folded over the arms.

Figure 9 shows a pre-shaped arm Figure 10 shows an example of a hinge at the top of the frame.

Figure 11 shows another example of a hinge in the closed position.

Figure 12 shows the hinge in fig.11 but in the erected position.

Figure 13 shows an alternative hinge that could be used, in the open position. The hinge is shown unassembled, to explain its construction.

Figure 14 shows the same hinge as in fig.13 but assembled and in the closed position.

A frame that is constructed from three or more pre-shaped arms (1), the arms meeting at a hinge (3) (Figs. 10,11,12,13,14) at the top of the frame, the arms being covered by a fabric (2) that is attachable to the arms. The frame may have any number of arms in excess of three (Fig 2, Fig 3).The fabric may be sewn or otherwise permanently attached to the arms, and may be temporarily attached to the arms by means of ties or another fixing device. The arms may be pre-shaped in a curve (10), or in another shape(4), to form differently shaped frames when opened (Fig 6). The arms can be collapsed together (7) around the hinge, and the fabric cover then folded over the arms(S). The hinge may be constructed by a ring or a tie being placed around the top of all of the arms on the frame(9) or the hinge may be constructed by having horizontal loops (10) at the top end of each arm and aligning these loops vertically above each other, locating a bolt (11) through the loops and securing the loops in position with a nut (12). The bolt may have a hexagonal top or it may have ring at its upper end that can be used as a handle for carrying the frame. The Frame may have loops (5)at the bottom of the arms either as part of the arms themselves, or attached separately to the arms or to the fabric cover. The fabric may have ventilation holes(6) or other openings. When the frame has in excess of four arms, the fabric may have an opening running from top to bottom such as a zip, in order to allow the frame to collapse.

Claims

Claims 1 A frame consisting of at least three pre-shaped arms, the arms being sewn or otherwise attached to a fabric cover, the arms joining at a hinge at the top of the frame, allowing the arms of the frame to be collapsed together.
2 A frame according to claims 1 where any number in excess of 3 arms are used.
3 A frame according to either of the previous claims where any type of fabric is be used to cover the frame.
4 A frame according to any of the previous claims where the arms may be formed in a variety of different shapes allowing for the formation of various differently shaped frames whilst using the same hinge system.
A frame according to any of the previous claims where if the frame has in excess of 4 arms then the fabric can have an opening running from top to bottom created by an opening and closing device such as a zip, allowing the fabric to open when collapsing the frame.
6 A frame according to any of the previous claims, where the arms have loops at the opposite end to the hinge, allowing pegs or other such fixing devices to secure the frame to the ground.
7 A frame according to any of the previous claims, where the fabric can have various openings, doors, ventilation slots, windows and the like built into it.