US20040216419A1 - Apparatus and method to facilitate erecting a collapsible structure - Google Patents
Apparatus and method to facilitate erecting a collapsible structure Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040216419A1 US20040216419A1 US10/429,136 US42913603A US2004216419A1 US 20040216419 A1 US20040216419 A1 US 20040216419A1 US 42913603 A US42913603 A US 42913603A US 2004216419 A1 US2004216419 A1 US 2004216419A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- collapsible shelter
- tool
- shelter
- sidewalls
- leg
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H15/00—Tents or canopies, in general
- E04H15/32—Parts, components, construction details, accessories, interior equipment, specially adapted for tents, e.g. guy-line equipment, skirts, thresholds
- E04H15/34—Supporting means, e.g. frames
- E04H15/44—Supporting means, e.g. frames collapsible, e.g. breakdown type
- E04H15/48—Supporting means, e.g. frames collapsible, e.g. breakdown type foldable, i.e. having pivoted or hinged means
- E04H15/50—Supporting means, e.g. frames collapsible, e.g. breakdown type foldable, i.e. having pivoted or hinged means lazy-tongs type
Definitions
- the present invention relates to collapsible structures and, more particularly, to a tool that facilitates an individual erecting the collapsible structure.
- Some early collapsible shelters have frames comprising X-shaped linkages, telescoping legs, and a canopy covering the framework such as the shelter described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,656, titled QUICK ERECTION COLLAPSIBLE SHELTER, issued to Carter on Aug. 26, 1986, incorporated herein by reference.
- the legs of that shelter are capable of telescoping to provide additional height, and the framework of the X-shaped truss pairs is capable of horizontal extension between the legs to support a canopy.
- a tool that facilitates the erecting of a collapsible shelter.
- the tool comprises a grip portion and a lever portion.
- the present invention also provides methods for using the tool that facilitates the erecting of a collapsible shelter.
- the method comprises arranging a collapsible shelter in its collapsed state.
- the tool is attached to the shelter and the shelter is erected.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 show a representative erecting operation without using the present invention
- FIG. 3 shows an apparatus for facilitating the erection of a shelter in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 4 shows another apparatus for facilitation the erection of a shelter in accordance with the present invention.
- FIGS. 5-9 show a user using the apparatus of FIG. 3 in the erection of a shelter in a manner consistent with the present invention.
- FIG. 1 is representative of a collapsible shelter 20 in a mostly collapsed state.
- FIG. 2 is representative of collapsible shelter 20 in a mostly expanded state.
- Two users 22 are shown at opposing sides of collapsible shelter 20 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Users 22 grasp linkages 14 and move away from each other in the direction shown by the arrows A in FIG. 2 to move the collapsible shelter 20 from the collapsed to the expanded state. With at least two users 22 , the erecting of shelter 20 is relatively easy and quick.
- FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an apparatus or tool 300 capable of allowing a single user 22 , as shown in FIGS. 7-9, to provide increased leverage to facilitate a single user 22 erecting shelter 20 alone. While tool 300 is useful in facilitating the erection of shelter 20 by a single person, tool 300 would also be useful if two or more users 22 were attempting to erect shelter 20 .
- Tool 300 includes a fitted portion 302 and a lever portion 304 .
- Fitted portion 302 includes sidewalls 306 , a cover 308 , and protrusions 310 .
- Fitted portion 302 means portion should be generally the same shape as the leg(s), but the tool can have some play when attached to leg(s) 314 .
- the sidewalls could form an arc or curve that fits relatively snuggly with a rectangular leg.
- tool 300 is shown attached to leg 314 , one of ordinary skill in the art would know recognize that tool 300 could be designed with a fitted portion that would attach to linkage 14 instead of leg 314 .
- tool 300 could be fitted to linkage 14 , it is believed leg 314 is better able to withstand the leverage better than linkage 14 .
- Fitted portion 302 can be designed to slip over leg 314 such that tool 300 is coupled to leg 314 by sliding cavity 312 onto leg 314 , or tool 300 can be designed to snap onto leg 314 by applying lateral pressure.
- Lever portion 304 can be wrapped with a padding 316 as shown or left as a rigid material. It is believed the padding would provide comfort to user 22 , however.
- fitted portion 302 can have various combinations of sidewalls, top (or bottom), and protrusions as a matter of design choice as long as supplying pressure on tool 300 does not cause excessive slippage of tool 300 in relation to leg 314 , which could cause injury.
- FIG. 4 shows a tool 400 for use with taller shelters 20 .
- Tool 400 includes lever portion 304 and fitted portion 302 , but fitted portion 302 is separated from lever portion 304 by an extender 402 .
- the separation of fitted portion 302 and lever portion 304 can cause difficulty in stabilizing tool 400 so a stabilizer 404 can be provided.
- Stabilizer 404 comprises at least one stabilizing wall 406 , but can have two (as shown) or more walls. Stabilizer 404 would not need to be a snug fit around leg 314 , but would be to prevent excessive lateral movement of tool 400 .
- Tool 300 and tool 400 could be constructed as single integrated pieces using, for example, injection molding. But, it is contemplated that lever portion 304 and fitted portion 302 can be separate parts capable of being coupled together using a connector 330 .
- Connector 330 could be, for example, a screw fitting, a snap fitted, pin and detent fitting, or the like. Using a connector 330 would allow for easy conversion between tool 300 , without the extender 402 , and tool 400 , with the extender 402 .
- extender 402 would be designed with a matching connector such that fitted portion 302 can be separated from lever portion 304 and then fitted portion 302 and lever portion 304 could be coupled to opposing ends of extender 402 .
- FIGS. 5-9 a procedure for using tool 300 to erect shelter 20 is described.
- shelter 20 is arranged in a spot (not labeled in the FIGS.) where it is to be erected.
- User 22 attaches tool 300 to one leg 314 .
- User 22 would then grasp legs 314 and/or linkage 14 and begin opening (or expanding) shelter 20 .
- tool 300 Once tool 300 is in place and shelter 20 is partially expanded, user 22 grasps linkage 14 and/or leg 314 such that tool 300 provides an anchor of sorts allowing user 22 to provide increased force or leverage to facilitate additional expansion of shelter 20 . As shown in FIG. 7, it is contemplated that user 22 would wedge lever portion 304 of tool 300 between the body of user 22 and the arm of user 22 . Thus, tool 300 would assist in the application of force when user 22 pulls on linkage 14 and/or legs 314 .
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to collapsible structures and, more particularly, to a tool that facilitates an individual erecting the collapsible structure.
- Temporary shelters that can be easily transported and rapidly set up have been in existence for sometime. These shelters can be useful for emergency situations to provide temporary care shelters as well as outdoor recreational situations to provide protection from the environment.
- Some early collapsible shelters have frames comprising X-shaped linkages, telescoping legs, and a canopy covering the framework such as the shelter described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,656, titled QUICK ERECTION COLLAPSIBLE SHELTER, issued to Carter on Aug. 26, 1986, incorporated herein by reference. The legs of that shelter are capable of telescoping to provide additional height, and the framework of the X-shaped truss pairs is capable of horizontal extension between the legs to support a canopy. Other similar canopies described in the following patents, all incorporated herein by reference, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,641,676; 4,700,862; 4,779,635; 4,947,884; 5,404,962; 5,485,863; 5,490,533; 5,511,572; 5,632,292; 5,632,293; 5,797,412; 5,813,425; 5,865,127; 5,921;260; 5,934;301; 6,070,604; 6,076,312; 6,129,102; 6,206,202; 6,230,729; 6,240;956; 6,412,507; 6,431,193; 6,520,196;
- Of course, numerous variations on the above collapsible canopies exist to increase structural integrity, headroom, and the like. One such improvement is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,701,923, TITLED COLLAPSIBLE SHELTER, issued to Losi et al. on Dec. 30, 1997, incorporated herein by reference. The shelter described in that patent uses a non X-shaped linkage assembly capable of folding in a manner similar to the above referenced structures, but instead of a back-to-back X linkages, uses an intermediate linkage to increase headroom and structural integrity.
- While a great improvement over prior art structures, one drawback of all of these structures is that they are designed to be erected by two or more people, and they are difficult to erect from the collapsible state to the expanded state by a single operator. Thus, it would be desirous to provide an apparatus and method that would facilitate the erecting of a collapsible shelter from a collapsed state to an expanded state.
- To attain the advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a tool that facilitates the erecting of a collapsible shelter is provided. The tool comprises a grip portion and a lever portion.
- The present invention also provides methods for using the tool that facilitates the erecting of a collapsible shelter. The method comprises arranging a collapsible shelter in its collapsed state. The tool is attached to the shelter and the shelter is erected.
- The foregoing and other features, utilities and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
- The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles thereof. Like items in the drawings are referred to using the same numerical reference.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 show a representative erecting operation without using the present invention;
- FIG. 3 shows an apparatus for facilitating the erection of a shelter in accordance with the present invention;
- FIG. 4 shows another apparatus for facilitation the erection of a shelter in accordance with the present invention; and
- FIGS. 5-9 show a user using the apparatus of FIG. 3 in the erection of a shelter in a manner consistent with the present invention.
- The present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-9. FIG. 1 is representative of a
collapsible shelter 20 in a mostly collapsed state. FIG. 2 is representative ofcollapsible shelter 20 in a mostly expanded state. Twousers 22 are shown at opposing sides ofcollapsible shelter 20 in FIGS. 1 and 2.Users 22grasp linkages 14 and move away from each other in the direction shown by the arrows A in FIG. 2 to move thecollapsible shelter 20 from the collapsed to the expanded state. With at least twousers 22, the erecting ofshelter 20 is relatively easy and quick. - When only one
user 22 is available to erect the shelter, erectingshelter 20 is rather difficult. In particular, oneuser 22 generally travels aroundshelter 20 to move each side a little at a time. Alternatively, oneuser 22 could attempt to stand at one spot and try to forceshelter 20 open; however, this requires significant leverage and strength. - FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an apparatus or
tool 300 capable of allowing asingle user 22, as shown in FIGS. 7-9, to provide increased leverage to facilitate asingle user 22 erectingshelter 20 alone. Whiletool 300 is useful in facilitating the erection ofshelter 20 by a single person,tool 300 would also be useful if two ormore users 22 were attempting to erectshelter 20.Tool 300 includes a fittedportion 302 and alever portion 304. Fittedportion 302 includessidewalls 306, acover 308, andprotrusions 310.Sidewalls 306,cover 308, andprotrusions 310 form acavity 312 adapted to fit snuggly tolegs 314, which is best seen in FIG. 9. Fittedportion 302 means portion should be generally the same shape as the leg(s), but the tool can have some play when attached to leg(s) 314. Also, while shown as a rectangular tool on a rectangular leg, other geometric shapes and combinations are possible. For example, instead of 90-degree sidewalls 306 as shown, the sidewalls could form an arc or curve that fits relatively snuggly with a rectangular leg. Whiletool 300 is shown attached toleg 314, one of ordinary skill in the art would know recognize thattool 300 could be designed with a fitted portion that would attach to linkage 14 instead ofleg 314. Althoughtool 300 could be fitted tolinkage 14, it is believedleg 314 is better able to withstand the leverage better thanlinkage 14. - Fitted
portion 302 can be designed to slip overleg 314 such thattool 300 is coupled toleg 314 by slidingcavity 312 ontoleg 314, ortool 300 can be designed to snap ontoleg 314 by applying lateral pressure.Lever portion 304 can be wrapped with a padding 316 as shown or left as a rigid material. It is believed the padding would provide comfort touser 22, however. Moreover, fittedportion 302 can have various combinations of sidewalls, top (or bottom), and protrusions as a matter of design choice as long as supplying pressure ontool 300 does not cause excessive slippage oftool 300 in relation toleg 314, which could cause injury. - FIG. 4 shows a
tool 400 for use withtaller shelters 20.Tool 400 includeslever portion 304 and fittedportion 302, but fittedportion 302 is separated fromlever portion 304 by anextender 402. The separation of fittedportion 302 andlever portion 304 can cause difficulty in stabilizingtool 400 so astabilizer 404 can be provided. Stabilizer 404 comprises at least one stabilizingwall 406, but can have two (as shown) or more walls. Stabilizer 404 would not need to be a snug fit aroundleg 314, but would be to prevent excessive lateral movement oftool 400. -
Tool 300 andtool 400 could be constructed as single integrated pieces using, for example, injection molding. But, it is contemplated thatlever portion 304 and fittedportion 302 can be separate parts capable of being coupled together using a connector 330. Connector 330 could be, for example, a screw fitting, a snap fitted, pin and detent fitting, or the like. Using a connector 330 would allow for easy conversion betweentool 300, without theextender 402, andtool 400, with theextender 402. Basically,extender 402 would be designed with a matching connector such that fittedportion 302 can be separated fromlever portion 304 and then fittedportion 302 andlever portion 304 could be coupled to opposing ends ofextender 402. - Referring now to FIGS. 5-9, a procedure for using
tool 300 to erectshelter 20 is described. First,shelter 20 is arranged in a spot (not labeled in the FIGS.) where it is to be erected.User 22 attachestool 300 to oneleg 314.User 22 would then grasplegs 314 and/orlinkage 14 and begin opening (or expanding)shelter 20. Whileuser 22 could usetool 300 at this stage of deployment, it has been found that the strength and leverage needed for the initial portion of expandingshelter 20 is not significant and frequently it is easier to initially openshelter 20 without using the tool. - Once
tool 300 is in place andshelter 20 is partially expanded,user 22 graspslinkage 14 and/orleg 314 such thattool 300 provides an anchor ofsorts allowing user 22 to provide increased force or leverage to facilitate additional expansion ofshelter 20. As shown in FIG. 7, it is contemplated thatuser 22 would wedgelever portion 304 oftool 300 between the body ofuser 22 and the arm ofuser 22. Thus,tool 300 would assist in the application of force whenuser 22 pulls onlinkage 14 and/orlegs 314. - As shown in FIG. 9, once
shelter 20 is largely deployed in the expanded state,user 22 can apply leverage by resting the forearm ofuser 22 onlever portion 304 oftool 300. This will assist in the final expansion ofshelter 20 and the locking ofshelter 20 in place. As can be seen, it would be possible tomold tool 300 into shapes designed to fit body parts ofuser 22, such as, for example,lever portion 304 could be molded so the forearm ofuser 22 fits comfortably in a groove associated with the padding. - While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to particular embodiment(s) thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US10/429,136 US20040216419A1 (en) | 2003-05-01 | 2003-05-01 | Apparatus and method to facilitate erecting a collapsible structure |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/429,136 US20040216419A1 (en) | 2003-05-01 | 2003-05-01 | Apparatus and method to facilitate erecting a collapsible structure |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20040216419A1 true US20040216419A1 (en) | 2004-11-04 |
Family
ID=33310556
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/429,136 Abandoned US20040216419A1 (en) | 2003-05-01 | 2003-05-01 | Apparatus and method to facilitate erecting a collapsible structure |
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Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20090090408A1 (en) * | 2007-10-09 | 2009-04-09 | Milano Jr Arthur J | Portable Shelter Structure |
Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4720904A (en) * | 1986-09-16 | 1988-01-26 | Palla Jr Anthony M | Hinge pin puller |
US4785488A (en) * | 1987-12-04 | 1988-11-22 | Palbar, Inc. | Lever bar adapted for performing multiple functions |
US4792120A (en) * | 1987-11-20 | 1988-12-20 | Egaas Roy B | Post removing device |
US5269494A (en) * | 1993-04-19 | 1993-12-14 | Midas Tool Company | Deck and soffit board camming or pushing device for pushing boards together |
US5456053A (en) * | 1993-08-02 | 1995-10-10 | Fischer; Kenneth A. | Flooring installation apparatus |
US5478050A (en) * | 1994-04-11 | 1995-12-26 | Ott; George C. | Lumber compensation device |
US5605319A (en) * | 1995-08-07 | 1997-02-25 | Reiley; R. Patrick | Lumber-straightening device |
US5695230A (en) * | 1996-06-27 | 1997-12-09 | Thompson; Charles Earl | Panel handle |
US5826858A (en) * | 1996-12-06 | 1998-10-27 | Gordon; Robert A. | Carpentry tool |
US6233899B1 (en) * | 1999-05-21 | 2001-05-22 | David N. Nystrom | Apparatus and methods for installing tongue-and-groove materials |
US6748963B2 (en) * | 1994-07-25 | 2004-06-15 | Mark C. Carter | Collapsible shelter with flexible, collapsible canopy |
-
2003
- 2003-05-01 US US10/429,136 patent/US20040216419A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4720904A (en) * | 1986-09-16 | 1988-01-26 | Palla Jr Anthony M | Hinge pin puller |
US4792120A (en) * | 1987-11-20 | 1988-12-20 | Egaas Roy B | Post removing device |
US4785488A (en) * | 1987-12-04 | 1988-11-22 | Palbar, Inc. | Lever bar adapted for performing multiple functions |
US5269494A (en) * | 1993-04-19 | 1993-12-14 | Midas Tool Company | Deck and soffit board camming or pushing device for pushing boards together |
US5456053A (en) * | 1993-08-02 | 1995-10-10 | Fischer; Kenneth A. | Flooring installation apparatus |
US5478050A (en) * | 1994-04-11 | 1995-12-26 | Ott; George C. | Lumber compensation device |
US6748963B2 (en) * | 1994-07-25 | 2004-06-15 | Mark C. Carter | Collapsible shelter with flexible, collapsible canopy |
US5605319A (en) * | 1995-08-07 | 1997-02-25 | Reiley; R. Patrick | Lumber-straightening device |
US5695230A (en) * | 1996-06-27 | 1997-12-09 | Thompson; Charles Earl | Panel handle |
US5826858A (en) * | 1996-12-06 | 1998-10-27 | Gordon; Robert A. | Carpentry tool |
US6233899B1 (en) * | 1999-05-21 | 2001-05-22 | David N. Nystrom | Apparatus and methods for installing tongue-and-groove materials |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20090090408A1 (en) * | 2007-10-09 | 2009-04-09 | Milano Jr Arthur J | Portable Shelter Structure |
US7896015B2 (en) | 2007-10-09 | 2011-03-01 | Shelterlogic Llc | Portable shelter structure |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: VARIFLEX, INC., CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SY-FACUNDA, RON;REEL/FRAME:014305/0591 Effective date: 20030516 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BRAVO SPORTS ABC LLC, CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:VARIFLEX, INC.;REEL/FRAME:064822/0344 Effective date: 20230901 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BRAVO HIGHLINE LLC, CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BRAVO SPORTS ABC LLC;REEL/FRAME:064942/0933 Effective date: 20230911 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: AB LENDING SPV I LLC, D/B/A MOUNTAIN RIDGE CAPITAL, NEW YORK Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:BRAVO HIGHLINE LLC;BRAVO HIGHLINE MANAGER LLC;BRAVO HIGHLINE OWNER LLC;REEL/FRAME:065029/0931 Effective date: 20230831 |