HK1136854A - Collapsible support structure - Google Patents

Description

Collapsible support structure

Cross Reference to Related Applications

【0001】 This application is a PCT application claiming rights under 35USC119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application No.60/831,884 entitled "collapsible support structure" filed on 19.7.2006. This related application is incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this application. In the event of any conflict between the disclosure in the present PCT application and the disclosure of the related provisional application, the disclosure in the present PCT application shall control. Further, the inventors incorporate by reference any and all U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other documents, hardcopy or electronic, cited or referenced in this application, including U.S. patent No.6,748,962 and pending U.S. publication serial No.10/726,003, filed 11/12/2003.

Definition of

【0002】 The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," etc. are intended to be inclusive and open-ended in the sense that one or more elements following any one of the words are not meant to be exhaustive of, nor limited to, one or more of the elements listed.

Background

【0003】 U.S. patent No.6,748,962 discloses the inventor's collapsible support structure. The invention disclosed herein is an improvement of the collapsible support structure.

Disclosure of Invention

【0004】 My collapsible support structure has one or more of the features described in the examples discussed in the section entitled "detailed description of certain embodiments". The appended claims distinguish my collapsible support structure from the prior art and define it; however, as these claims express, they do not limit the scope of my collapsible support structure, in a general sense, the following features are some but not necessarily all of them:

【0005】 First, my collapsible support structure comprises a plurality of substantially triangular frame members each having corners connected by flexible connections. Each frame section has a pair of elongated rigid tubular members having a pair of openings at opposite ends adjacent the ends of the tubular members. The rigid tubular member may be a single piece. The individual openings of each pair of openings may be substantially aligned. Each frame section also includes a collapsible elongated tubular member having a rigid state and a collapsed state, such that when the collapsible member is collapsed, the support structure is collapsible. An elongate flexible tension member passing through the tubular member forms a flexible connection interconnecting adjacent frame components. The frame members may be interconnected to form a portion of a geodesic (geodesic) structure, a portion of a truncated icosahedron, or other geometric three-dimensional structure. Some ends of the rigid tubular member and the collapsible tubular member may be beveled.

【0006】 Second, at least some of the interconnected frame sections may share their collapsible tubular members as one side of the interconnected triangular frame sections and at least some ends of the rigid tubular members may be disposed between adjacent shared collapsible tubular members of the interconnected frame sections. The elongated flexible tension members may extend through the common collapsible tubular members and outwardly from opposite open ends thereof and through a pair of openings in the ends of the rigid tubular members disposed between adjacent common collapsible tubular members of the interconnected frame sections.

【0007】 Third, my collapsible support structure may include a frame top formed from a predetermined number of frame sections. The frame top may include a flexible wire that passes through a pair of openings in a tubular member forming the frame top to provide a flexible connection at an apex. This allows the frame top to fold inwardly without untwisting the flexible wires when the collapsible tubular members are collapsed. A connector member of substantially annular configuration may be used through which a flexible wire is wound and passed through a pair of openings in the ends of the tubular member near the apex.

【0008】 Fourth, my collapsible support structure may also include frame sidewalls formed from a predetermined number of frame members. The frame side wall may have: a top section comprising a collapsible tubular member forming each frame part of the frame top; and a bottom section comprising a collapsible tubular member forming a replaceable frame part of the frame side wall. The collapsible tubular members of each frame section forming the frame top and frame side walls may be oriented from end-to-end and through which elongate flexible tension members extend.

【0009】 Fifth, the flexible tension members are within the collapsible elongated tubular members of each triangular frame section, extend outwardly from their opposite open ends and through openings in the ends of adjacent rigid tubular members and into and through the collapsible elongated tubular members of adjacent frame sections. The elongated flexible tension member may have opposite ends that are tied, one of the tied opposite ends generally remaining tied and the other end unfastened and released when the support structure is in the erected condition to fold the support structure. A portion of the tension member can include a pair of knots straddling outer ends of the collapsible elongated tubular member such that a pair of axially aligned rigidizing tubular members of the collapsible member do not move a substantial distance laterally along the tension member after the collapsible elongated tubular member is collapsed.

【0010】 These features are not listed in any rank order and such listing is not comprehensive.

Drawings

【0011】 Some embodiments of my collapsible support structure will be discussed in detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only. The drawings include the following figures, with like reference numerals referring to like parts:

【0012】 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a collapsible support structure of the present invention.

【0013】 FIG. 1A is a partial perspective view of the collapsible support structure shown in FIG. 1 in a partially collapsed state.

【0014】 Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view taken along line 2 of fig. 1.

【0015】 FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view similar to FIG. 1 showing the collapsible tubular member about to be collapsed.

【0016】 Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view taken along line 4 of fig. 1, showing one corner of the collapsible support structure of the present invention.

【0017】 Fig. 4A is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view similar to fig. 4 showing the corner in a folded condition.

【0018】 Fig. 5 is a plan view from below the apex of the frame top of the collapsible support structure shown in fig. 1.

【0019】 Fig. 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5A-5A of fig. 5.

【0020】 FIG. 6 is a plan view of the underside of the apex similar to FIG. 5, showing the flexible wire partially threaded through the ends of the tubular members forming the apex.

【0021】 FIG. 7 is a plan view similar to FIG. 6 showing the flexible wire passing almost completely through the end of the tubular member forming the apex.

【0022】 Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view taken along line 8 of fig. 1 showing opposite ends of a flexible tension member tied together.

【0023】 FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view similar to FIG. 8 showing the opposite ends of the flexible tension member being unwound.

【0024】 Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the collapsible support structure shown in fig. 1 in a partially collapsed state.

【0025】 FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the collapsible support structure shown in FIG. 1 in a fully collapsed state and folded into a compact assembly.

Detailed Description

【0026】 One embodiment of the collapsible support structure of the present invention is designated by the numeral 10. The collapsible support structure 10 has an upright condition as shown in fig. 1, a collapsed condition as shown in fig. 11, and a partially collapsed condition as shown in fig. 10. The collapsible support structure 10 comprises a plurality of interconnected substantially triangular frame members 12, each frame member 12 having corners connected by flexible joints J (fig. 1). Some of the interconnected frame members 12 form a frame top R and others form frame sidewalls SW (fig. 10). Each frame section 12 includes a pair of rigid tubular members 14 and a collapsible tubular member 18 having a rigid state and a collapsed state. The tubular members 14 and 18 may be hollow cylinders made, for example, of metal such as aluminum or steel having an outer diameter of substantially from 1/2 to 2 inches and a length of substantially from 3 to 15 feet. As shown in fig. 11, when the collapsible tubular members 18 are collapsed and all of the tubular members 14 and 18 are collapsed inwardly, the support structure 10 can be collapsed into a compact assembly.

【0027】 The frame member 12 is substantially an equilateral triangle. As may be the case, the rigid member 14 and the collapsible member 18 of each frame section 12 are joined at the flexible joint J (fig. 1 and 2) by an elongated tension member 26 along the junction 24 or by an elongated tension member 26' along the bottom edge B (fig. 2 and 3). For example, the tension members 26 and 26' may be cords, cables, ropes, and the like. Elongated tension members 26 and 26' pass through the axially aligned collapsible member 18. The portion of the tension members 26 and 26' that passes from one triangular frame section 12 to the adjacent frame section at the corners forms a flexible joint J that acts as a hinge. Therefore, no other structure is required to form the hinge or joint J. Thus, the tension members 26 and 26' have a dual function: i.e., connecting the triangular frame members 12 at the corners and acting as hinges at the corners when folding the collapsible support structure 10.

【0028】 All of the rigid tubular side wall members 14 are substantially identical, and each rigid tubular side wall member 14 has an upper end E1 and a lower end E2. Each upper end E1 has an open distal tip T and is beveled, and each upper end has a single opening 16c (fig. 4A) in the sidewall of tubular member 14 adjacent the open distal tip T. Thus, as shown in fig. 4 and 4A, a wire, such as the flexible tension member 26, may pass through the opening 16c and another opening formed by the open distal tip T. Within the lower end E2, adjacent these ends E2, there are a pair of substantially aligned openings 16a and 16b (fig. 2 and 3). End E2 may be covered by a cap 20 made of, for example, plastic. The cap 20 acts as a shield to minimize damage to a tent canopy 22 (fig. 1) supported by the support structure 10 or to avoid other injury to the user.

【0029】 All of the collapsible tubular members 18 are substantially identical. As best illustrated in fig. 2 and 3, each collapsible tubular member 18 includes a rigidizing sleeve member 18c and a pair of tubular rigidizing members 18a and 18b extending along a portion of one of the elongated flexible tensioning members 26 or 26', as the case may be. As shown in fig. 2, the rigidizing members 18a and 18b are substantially axially aligned when the tubular member 18 is in a rigid, unfolded state. In such a rigid state, the outer open ends E5 of the rigidizing members 18a and 18b are squeezed toward the adjacent rigid member 14 and their respective right angle cut inner ends E6 (fig. 3) abut each other. The tension member 26 passes through the hollow interiors of the rigidizing members 18a and 18b and out the opposite outer ends E5 of the rigidizing members 18a and 18 b. The outboard end E5 may be beveled. The rigidizing sleeve member 18c is slidably mounted on the rigidizing members 18a and 18 b. The inner diameter of the sleeve member 18c is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the rigidizing members 18a and 18b, while the rigidizing members 18a and 18b have substantially the same outer diameter. Thus, the sleeve member 18c is sized to slidably engage the rigidizing members 18a and 18b to form the collapsible elongated tubular member 18.

【0030】 At least some of the interconnected frame components 12 share the tubular member 14 as a common side of their triangular configuration. The other interconnected frames 12 share the collapsible tubular member 18 as a common side of their triangular configuration. The frame top R meets the frame side walls SW at a common section forming a joint 24. The joint 24 includes the collapsible tubular member 18 of the replaceable frame component 12, the replaceable frame component 12 forming a frame top R and a frame sidewall SW that are aligned and oriented end-to-end (fig. 1 and 10). An elongated flexible tension member 26 extends longitudinally through the hollow interior of each collapsible tubular member 18 forming the junction 24 and has opposite ends E3 and E4, the opposite ends E3 and E4 being tied down when the structure 10 is erected as shown in fig. 8 and 9.

【0031】 As shown in fig. 10, when the rigidizing sleeve member 18c is moved laterally to allow the rigidizing members 18a and 18b to be folded, the collapsible support structure 10 is collapsed if their ends meet, folding the tubular member 18. The bottom section of the frame side wall SW forming the base B comprises a collapsible tubular member 18 forming the replaceable frame part 12 of the frame side wall SW. The collapsible tubular members 18 of the base B are aligned and oriented from end to end. As shown in fig. 2 and 3, an elongated flexible tension member 26' extends longitudinally through the hollow interior of each collapsible tubular member 18 forming the base B. The opposite ends E3 ' and E4 ' of the tension member 26 ' are tied at knot K1 and remain so regardless of the erected or folded state of the structure 10. The tension member 26 extends through each collapsible tubular member 18 forming the junction 24 and, as shown in fig. 9, connects its opposite end E3 with E4 in the following manner: that is, when the collapsible support structure 10 is to be collapsed, the end E3 may be detached.

【0032】 Referring to fig. 8 and 9, this manner of connecting and disconnecting the ends E3 and E4 of the tension member 26 is illustrated. One rigid tubular member, indicated by the numeral 14c, of the frame top R is disposed between the beveled ends E1 of the rigid tubular members, indicated by the numerals 14a and 14b, respectively, of the adjacent frame sections 12 forming a portion of the side wall SW. When the support structure 10 is erected (fig. 1), as shown in fig. 8, the portion P1 of the tension member 26 near end E3 is secured and, as shown in fig. 9, is unfolded to allow the support structure to be folded up as shown in fig. 11. The P1 portion of the tension member 26 passes through the loop 30 and the enlarged knot K2 near the tip of the end E3 acts as a stop to prevent the end E3 from passing through the loop 30 when the collapsible support structure 10 is being collapsed.

【0033】 As shown in fig. 9, the adjacent foldable tubular members of junction 24, designated by numerals 18' and 18 ", provide a space S where end E4 of tension member 26 is tied to loop 30 within knot K3 (fig. 8). End E4 remains so tied regardless of the upright or folded state of structure 10. As shown in fig. 8, when the portion P1 of the tension member 26 wraps around the rigid tubular members of the adjacent frame section 12 (the adjacent frame section 12 forming part of the side wall SW near the space S), indicated by the numerals 14a and 14b, respectively, the end E3 is tied and secured in place and the collapsible support structure 10 is erected as shown in fig. 1. This imparts rigidity to the structure 10 since all of the tubular members 18, including members 18' and 18 ", are aligned with adjacent ends without allowing the structure to collapse on itself until the end E3 is unfastened or released. Once open end E3, ring 30 slides along portion P1 until meeting with a knot K2 serving as a stop near end E3.

【0034】 Initially during assembly, neither end E3 nor E4 of tension member 26 is tied in any way, and end E4 is fed through the aligned collapsible tubular members 18 and tied to loop 30. The end E4 is fed through the open beveled end E5 of the collapsible tubular member 18 "and through the opening 16c in the rigid member 14b and then out the tip T of the open beveled end E1 of the rigid member 14b, through the aligned pair of openings 16a and 16b in the rigid member 14c and into the tip T of the open beveled end E1 of the rigid member 14a and out the opening 16c in the end E1 of the rigid member 14a and finally tied to the ring 30 as a knot K3.

【0035】 When the tension member 26 is in tension, the ring 30 including the knot K3 acts as a stop. When the collapsible support structure 10 is in the erected condition (fig. 1), as shown in fig. 8, end E3 is pulled downwardly through loop 30 and the P1 portion is wrapped over tubular member 14c, down and around tubular members 14a and 14b and cinched tight, wrapping the P1 portion around these abutting members, as shown in fig. 8. This securely holds the tension member 26 under tension and the portion P1 hangs loosely from one end E3 of the tension member 26 in a generally vertical orientation. When structure 10 is to be folded, end E3 is released and portion P1 is unwrapped and slid through loop 30 until knot K2 contacts loop 30.

【0036】 As shown in fig. 5, 6 and 7, the rigid tubular members of the frame section 12 forming the frame top R and designated by the numerals 14c, 14d, 14e, 14f and 14g are substantially identical, having the same length as the rigid tubular members 14 forming the side walls SW. Each of the corresponding ends E1 of the rigid tubular members 14c, 14d, 14E, 14f, and 14g is not beveled and tied together to form an apex a. A connector member 31 having a generally ring-like structure and a flexible wire 32 are used to connect the ends E1 together. As may be the case, the wire 32 passes through the pair of openings 16a and 16b and each open end E1 of each tubular member 14c to 14g of the frame part 12 forming the frame top R, thereby providing a flexible connection or hinge at the apex a. This allows the frame top R to fold inwardly (fig. 10) without untying the flexible line 32 when the collapsible tubular members 18 of the frame sections 12 are folded along the joints 24. The wire 32 is sequentially passed through the ends E1 of the tubular members 14c to 14g and wound around the connector member 31.

【0037】 As shown for example in fig. 6, one end E7 of the wire 32 extends through one opening 16b of a pair of openings 16a and 16b in the rigid member 14E, then through the opening E1 of the rigid tubular member 14E and around the connector member 31, and then back through the opening E1 and finally out the other opening 16 a. As shown in fig. 7, such a process is repeated until ends E7 and E8 of wire 32 pass through openings 16b and 16a, respectively, of rigid member 14f and extend out of its open end E1. End E7 passes under connector member 31 and out the top of apex a and ties into knot K4 (fig. 1 and 5A). End E8 is above and passes around connector member 31, hanging loosely in a vertical direction out of the base of apex a.

【0038】 As shown in fig. 1A, collapsible tubular member 18 'provides an end member along junction 24 that prevents collapsible tubular member 18' from sliding off tension member 26 by a pair of pairs K5 and K6. As may be the case, the P2 portion of the tension member 26 passes through the tubular member 18 'and each of the knots K5 and K6 abuts an outer end X or Y of the tubular member 18'. The knots K5 and K6 are large enough to prevent lateral movement through the P2 portion of the tension member 26 of the tubular member 18'. Thus, by straddling the knots K5 and K6 of the end member 18 'with each knot abutting an outer end X and Y of the end member, the pair of axially aligned rigidizing tubular members 18a and 18b do not move a substantial distance laterally along the tension member 26 when the folding end member 18' is folded as the sleeve 18c moves laterally. Thus, all of the rigidizing members 18a and 18b remain more or less in the same relative position along the tension member 26, but are foldable relative to each other as the sleeve member 18c is moved laterally.

These advantages include, but are not limited to, a collapsible support structure that utilizes (a) tubular members having flexible tension members that pass along the hollow interiors of the tubular members or ends of the tubular members to provide a simplified and low cost method for joining the tubular members into a plurality of substantially triangular frames interconnected at the corners formed by the tension members with flexible hinge connections, (b) forming a frame top by joining the ends of the tubular members with flexible wires to provide a flexible apex at the top of the frame.

Scope of the invention

【0039】 The foregoing has disclosed in such full, clear, concise and exact terms a description of the best mode contemplated by i to achieve my collapsible support structure, and the manner and process of making and using it, so as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use my collapsible support structure. However, my collapsible support structure is susceptible to modifications and alternative constructions from the fully equivalent illustrative embodiments discussed above and, accordingly, the invention is not intended to limit my collapsible support structure to the specific embodiments disclosed. Rather, my invention is to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of my collapsible support structure, as generally expressed by the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of my invention.

Claims (20)

1. A collapsible support structure, comprising:

a plurality of substantially triangular frame members, each of said frame members including corners connected by flexible connections,

each frame member includes:

a first elongated rigid tubular member having opposed first and second ends and a pair of openings adjacent each end of the first member,

a second elongated rigid tubular member having opposite first and second ends and a pair of openings adjacent each end of the second member, an

A collapsible elongated tubular member having opposed first and second open ends, the collapsible tubular member having a rigid state and a collapsed state such that the support structure is collapsible when the collapsible member is collapsed;

a first predetermined number of said frame members forming a frame top of said support structure and a second predetermined number of said frame members forming a frame side wall of said support structure,

the side wall having a top section comprising a collapsible tubular member forming each frame part of the frame top and a bottom section comprising a collapsible tubular member forming a replaceable frame part of the frame side wall;

first ends of the first and second tubular members of the frame section forming the frame top are open and tied by a flexible wire to form an apex, the wire passing through the pair of openings and an open end within each of the first ends of the first and second tubular members of the frame section forming the frame top to provide a flexible connection at the apex such that when the collapsible tubular members of the frame section forming the frame top are collapsed, the frame top is collapsed inwardly without untying the flexible wire.

2. The collapsible support structure of claim 1, wherein the respective openings in each pair of openings are substantially aligned.

3. The collapsible support structure of claim 1 including a connector member near the first open ends of the first and second tubular members forming the apex, and at each of the first open ends near the apex the flexible wire is first threaded through one of the pair of openings in the open end near the apex, then threaded out of the open end near the apex and around the connector member, and then back into the open end near the apex and out of the other of the pair of openings in the open end near the apex.

4. The collapsible support structure of claim 3, wherein the connector member has a substantially ring-like structure.

5. The collapsible support structure of claim 1, wherein

Said foldable tubular members comprising said top section being aligned end-to-end and said first and second tubular members of said frame component forming said frame top having their respective second ends replaceably disposed between an adjacent pair of said aligned foldable tubular members comprising said top section, and

the collapsible tubular members comprising the bottom sections are aligned end-to-end and the second ends of the first and second tubular members of adjacent frame components forming the frame side walls are disposed between adjacent pairs of collapsible tubular members, an

A first elongated flexible tension member passing through the aligned collapsible tubular members comprising the top section, out a first open end of one of an adjacent pair of the collapsible tubular members of the top section, then through an opening in a rigid tubular member disposed between the adjacent pairs, and then into the second open end of the other of the collapsible tubular members of the adjacent pair in the top section, and

a second elongated flexible tension member passing through the aligned collapsible tubular members comprising the bottom section, out a first open end of one of the collapsible tubular members of an adjacent pair of the bottom section, then through an opening in a rigid tubular member disposed within the bottom section between the adjacent pair, and then into the second open end of the other of the collapsible tubular members of the adjacent pair within the bottom section.

6. The collapsible support structure of claim 5 wherein the first elongate flexible tension member has opposite ends, one of which is permanently tied to a loop and the other of which passes loosely through the loop when the collapsible tubular member forming the top section is collapsed.

7. The collapsible support structure of claim 1, wherein each of the collapsible tubular members comprises

A first tubular rigidizing member extending along a portion of the elongate flexible tension member,

a second tubular rigidizing member extending along another portion of the elongated flexible tensioning member, an

A rigidizing sleeve member mounted to slide over two rigidizing members when the rigidizing members are substantially axially aligned, and

the elongated rigid member and the collapsible elongated member are each hingedly connected by the elongated tension member within a flexible connection that interconnects at its corners with at least some adjacent frame components.

8. The collapsible support structure of claim 1, wherein one of the collapsible tubular members provides an end member comprising

A pair of axially aligned rigidizing tubular members through which a portion of the elongate flexible tension member extends; and a slidable sleeve member positioned to slide over the rigidizing member to form the tip member,

the elongated rigid members of adjacent frame sections and the collapsible elongated members are connected at the corners by the elongated tension members passing through the corners of the adjacent frame sections to form flexible connections at the corners,

a portion of the tension member includes a pair of knots straddling the outer ends of the end members such that the pair of axially aligned rigidizing tubular members do not move a substantial distance laterally along the tension member when the end members are folded.

9. The collapsible support structure of claim 1 wherein the interconnected frame members each form part of a geodesic structure.

10. The collapsible support structure of claim 1 wherein the interconnecting frame members form part of a truncated icosahedron.

11. The collapsible support structure of claim 1, wherein the rigid tubular member and at least some of the ends of the collapsible tubular member are beveled.

12. A collapsible support structure comprising

A plurality of substantially triangular frame members interconnected by flexible connections, each of said frame members comprising

A first elongated single-piece rigid tubular member having opposite first and second ends with an opening in each of said ends,

a second elongated single-piece rigid tubular member having opposite first and second ends with an opening in each of said ends, an

A collapsible elongated tubular member having opposite open ends, an

An elongated flexible tension member within the collapsible elongated tubular member extending outwardly from the opposite open ends and between the openings of the second ends of the first and second members and reentering and passing through the collapsible elongated tubular member of an adjacent frame section to form a flexible connection interconnecting the adjacent frame sections.

13. The collapsible support structure of claim 12 wherein the interconnected frame members each form part of a geodesic structure.

14. The collapsible support structure of claim 12 wherein the interconnecting frame members form part of a truncated icosahedron.

15. A collapsible supporting structure having a substantially truncated icosahedron configuration comprising

A plurality of substantially triangular frame sections interconnected by flexible connections at their corners to form a frame top and frame side walls, each frame section comprising a pair of rigid members with openings in their ends; and a collapsible elongated tubular member including first and second opposed open ends and having a rigid state and a collapsed state such that when the support member is collapsed, the support structure is collapsible,

the frame top and side walls are connected together by the collapsible elongated tubular members of the replaceable frame parts forming the frame top and side walls,

said collapsible elongated tubular members being adjacent and aligned end-to-end and with a first end of one rigid member comprising one frame section of said frame top and a first end of one rigid member comprising each adjacent frame section of said frame side walls being disposed between said first ends of said frame side wall rigid members between the ends of said adjacent collapsible members,

an elongated flexible tension member passing through an adjacent pair of said collapsible tubular members, out an open end of one of said adjacent pair of said collapsible tubular members and through said opening in said rigid member disposed between said adjacent and aligned collapsible tubular members and then into a second open end of the other of said adjacent pair of collapsible tubular members.

16. A support structure having an erected state and a folded state, comprising

A plurality of interconnected substantially triangular frame members, wherein adjacent frame members are connected at their corners to form a frame top and frame sidewalls,

each of said frame sections comprising a pair of rigid tubular members having a pair of substantially aligned openings in at least one end thereof and a collapsible tubular member,

the collapsible tubular members of each frame section being oriented end-to-end to form the frame top and frame side walls, and an elongated flexible tension member extending through the collapsible tubular members,

at least some of the ends of the rigid tubular members of adjacent frame sections forming the frame top and frame side walls, the rigid tubular members being disposed between the collapsible tubular members forming each of the frame top and frame side walls,

the elongated flexible tension member passes through the opening in the end to form a flexible connection and has opposed ends that are tied, wherein one of the opposed ends is permanently tied and one of the opposed ends is untied and released when the support structure is in the erected condition and untied to fold the support structure.

17. The collapsible support structure of claim 16 wherein one of the collapsible tubular members provides an end member comprising

A pair of axially aligned rigidizing tubular members through which a portion of the elongated flexible tension member extends; and a slidable sleeve member arranged to slide over the rigidizing member to form the tip member,

the elongated rigid member of an adjacent frame section and the collapsible elongated member are connected at their corners by the elongated tension member, wherein the elongated tension member passes through the corners of the adjacent frame section to form a flexible connection at the corners,

a portion of the tension member includes a pair of knots straddling the outer ends of the end members such that the pair of axially aligned rigidizing tubular members do not move a substantial distance laterally along the tension member when the end members are folded.

18. A collapsible support structure comprising

A plurality of interconnected substantially triangular frame members connected by flexible connections at their corners,

each frame section includes a pair of rigid tubular members having opposite ends and a collapsible tubular member having opposite open ends,

at least some of the interconnected frame sections share the collapsible tubular member as one side of the interconnected triangular frame sections and at least some ends of the rigid tubular members are disposed between adjacent shared collapsible tubular members of the interconnected frame sections, an

An elongated flexible tension member passing through the common collapsible member and extending outwardly from the opposite open ends thereof and between the ends of the rigid tubular members disposed between adjacent common collapsible tubular members of the interconnected frame sections.

19. The collapsible support structure of claim 18 wherein the rigid tubular members of some interconnected frame sections form a frame top and are open at their ends and are tied by a flexible wire to form an apex, wherein the flexible wire passes through the open end to provide a flexible connection at the apex such that when the collapsible tubular members are collapsed, the frame top folds inwardly without untying the flexible wire.

20. The collapsible support structure of claim 18, wherein each collapsible tubular member comprises

A pair of axially aligned rigidizing tubular members through which a portion of the elongate flexible tension member extends, the rigidizing tubular members being slidable along the tension member and one of the rigidizing tubular members having a larger diameter than the other rigidizing tubular member and being configured to slide over the other rigidizing tubular member to form the collapsible elongate tubular member.