US20040255997A1

US20040255997A1 - Fastener for assembling connecting parts of a collapsible canopy frame

Info

Publication number: US20040255997A1
Application number: US10/847,831
Authority: US
Inventors: Dong Seo
Original assignee: Caravan Canopy International Inc
Current assignee: Caravan Canopy International Inc
Priority date: 2003-06-19
Filing date: 2004-05-18
Publication date: 2004-12-23
Also published as: KR200325663Y1; WO2005000069A2; WO2005000069A3

Abstract

A collapsible canopy frame is provided that includes a first collapsible canopy frame component; a second collapsible canopy frame component; and a fastener connecting the first collapsible canopy frame component to the second collapsible canopy frame component. The first collapsible canopy frame component and the second collapsible canopy frame component each define at least one opening aligned with each other. The fastener includes a body portion that extends through the openings in the first and second collapsible canopy frame components; a head portion at a first end of the fastener that laterally extends from the body portion to abut a first outer surface the first collapsible canopy frame component; and a locking portion at a second end of the fastener including at least one shoulder that laterally extends from the body portion to abut a second outer surface of the first collapsible canopy frame component to connect the first collapsible canopy frame component to the second collapsible canopy frame component.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Utility Model Application No. 20-2003-0019422 filed on Jun. 19, 2003 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, now registered as Utility Model Registration No. 2003-25663-0000 on Aug. 26, 2003, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fastener for assembling connecting parts of a collapsible canopy frame and to a method of assembling connecting parts of a collapsible canopy frame.

BACKGROUND

Conventional collapsible canopy frames typically include multiple side poles disposed in a predetermined configuration. Typically each pair of adjacent side poles is connected and supported by an edge scissor assembly. Each edge scissor assembly is hingedly coupled to corresponding side poles through mounting brackets on the side poles. Typically nut and bolt combinations are utilized for such hinged couplings of the edge scissor assemblies to the mounting brackets.

For example, such a coupling is typically formed by inserting an end of an edge scissor assembly into a channel formed in the mounting bracket; aligning respective holes in the mounting bracket and the end of the edge scissor assembly; inserting a bolt through the respective holes in the mounting bracket and the end of the edge scissor assembly; and threadingly connecting a nut to the bolt until a desired tightness is achieved. However, this process is undesirably time consuming. In addition, it is often difficult for the assembler to determine how tightly the nut is to be fitted to the bolt, often relying on his personal experience and judgment. Accordingly, a need exists for an improved fastener and method for assembling connecting parts of a collapsible canopy frame.

SUMMARY

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a collapsible canopy frame that includes a first collapsible canopy frame component; a second collapsible canopy frame component; and a fastener connecting the first collapsible canopy frame component to the second collapsible canopy frame component, is provided. The first collapsible canopy frame component and the second collapsible canopy frame component each define at least one opening aligned with each other. The fastener includes a body portion that extends through the openings in the first and second collapsible canopy frame components; a head portion at a first end of the fastener that laterally extends from the body portion to abut a first outer surface of the first collapsible canopy frame component; and a locking portion at a second end of the fastener including at least one shoulder that laterally extends from the body portion to abut a second outer surface of the first collapsible canopy frame component to connect the first collapsible canopy frame component to the second collapsible canopy frame component.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a collapsible canopy frame that includes a scissor assembly; a mounting bracket; and a fastener pivotally connecting the scissor assembly to the mounting bracket, is provided. The scissor assembly and the mounting bracket each define at least one opening aligned with each other. The fastener includes a body portion that extends through the openings in the scissor assembly and the mounting bracket; a head portion at a first end of the fastener that laterally extends from the body portion to abut a first outer surface of the mounting bracket; and a locking portion at a second end of the fastener including spaced apart first and second arms each having a shoulder that laterally extends from the body portion to abut a second outer surface of the mounting bracket to pivotally connect the scissor assembly to the mounting bracket.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a collapsible canopy frame that includes a scissor assembly; a mounting bracket having first and second arms separated by a channel that receives an end of the scissor assembly; and a fastener pivotally connecting the scissor assembly to the mounting bracket, is provided. The scissor assembly and the mounting bracket arms each define an opening. The fastener includes a body portion that extends through the openings in the scissor assembly and the mounting bracket arms; a head portion at a first end of the fastener that laterally extends from the body portion to abut an outer surface the first mounting bracket arm; and a locking portion at a second end of the fastener including spaced apart first and second arms each having a shoulder that laterally extends from the body portion to abut an outer surface of the second mounting bracket arm to pivotally connect the scissor assembly to the mounting bracket.

In still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of assembling a first collapsible canopy frame component to a second collapsible canopy frame component is provided. The method includes providing a first collapsible canopy frame component with at least one opening; providing a second collapsible canopy frame component with at least one opening; and inserting a fastener into the openings of the first and second collapsible canopy frame components such that: a body portion of the fastener extends through the openings in the first and second collapsible canopy frame components; a head portion at a first end of the fastener laterally extends from the body portion to abut a first outer surface of the first collapsible canopy frame component; and a locking portion at a second end of the fastener defines at least one shoulder that laterally extends from the body portion to abut a second outer surface of the first collapsible canopy frame component to connect the first collapsible canopy frame component to the second collapsible canopy frame component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Novel features in exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: [0009]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible canopy frame according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in an expanded position; [0010]
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of an upper side pole mounting bracket of the collapsible canopy frame of FIG. 1; [0011]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the upper side pole mounting bracket taken along line [0012] 3-3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fastener for assembling connecting parts of the collapsible canopy frame of FIG. 1; [0013]
FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of upper and lower side pole mounting brackets of the collapsible canopy frame of FIG. 1; [0014]
FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of upper and lower edge scissor assembly mounting brackets of the collapsible canopy frame of FIG. 1; [0015]
FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of upper and lower center pole mounting brackets of the collapsible canopy frame of FIG. 1; and [0016]
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the collapsible canopy frame of FIG. 1, shown in a retracted position.[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-8, the present invention is directed to a fastener for assembling connecting parts of a collapsible canopy frame and to a method of assembling connecting parts of a collapsible canopy frame. [0018]
FIG. 1 shows a [0019] collapsible canopy frame 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the collapsible canopy frame 10 includes four side poles 12 arranged in a generally rectangular or square configuration. In other embodiments, however, the collapsible canopy frame 10 may include any appropriate number of side poles 12 arranged in any appropriate configuration, such as pentagonal, hexagonal or octagonal, among other appropriate configurations.
Each pair of [0020] adjacent side poles 12 is connected to and supported by an edge scissor assembly 16. In the depicted embodiment, each edge scissor assembly 16 includes two scissor units 24. However, in other embodiments, each edge scissor assembly 16 may include any appropriate number of scissor units 24. Each scissor unit 24 includes two hingedly connected truss bars 26 that move about a pivot 28 in a scissor-like manner between an expanded position and a retracted position.
Each end of each [0021] edge scissor assembly 16 is connected to a corresponding one of the side poles 12. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each side pole 12 includes a side pole upper mounting bracket 30 and a side pole lower mounting bracket 32. In one embodiment, each upper mounting bracket 30 is fixedly mounted at a top end of a corresponding one of the side poles 12 and each lower mounting bracket 32 is disposed in surrounding relation to a corresponding one of the side poles 12 and is slidably mounted thereon.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the [0022] upper mounting bracket 30 includes a first mounting arm 34 and a second mounting arm 36 separated by a channel 40. The channel 40 receives an end of a corresponding one of the edge scissor assemblies 16. Specifically, the channel 40 receives an end of one of the truss bars 26 of one of the scissor units 24 of a corresponding edge scissor assembly 16. As shown in FIG. 3, the truss bar 26 includes an opening 42 that is aligned with openings 44 and 46 in the first and second mounting arms 34 and 36, respectively, of the upper mounting bracket 30.
As described below, the [0023] fastener 50 is inserted through the openings 42, 44 and 46 in the upper mounting bracket arms 34 and 36 and the truss bar 26, respectively, to pivotally connect the truss bar 26, and hence the edge scissor assembly 16, to the upper mounting bracket 30.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the [0024] fastener 50 includes a head portion 52 at one end thereof, a locking portion 54 at another end of thereof, and a body portion 56 extending between the head and the locking portion 54. The body portion 56 has a generally smooth outer surface. In the depicted embodiment, the head portion 52 is concentric with the body portion 56, which is generally cylindrical in shape. In this embodiment, the diameter of the head portion 52 is larger than the body portion 56, such that the head portion 52 laterally extends from the body portion 56. In other embodiments the head and body portions 52 and 56 may have shapes other than those shown in the depicted embodiments as long as the head portion 52 is larger than, and/or laterally protrudes from the body portion 56.
The [0025] locking portion 54 includes a first locking arm 60 and a second locking arm 62 separated by a channel 64. As shown for example in FIG. 4, the channel 64 extends from an end of the locking portion 54 and into the body portion 56 of the fastener 50. The channel 64 enables the locking arms 60 and 62 to be bent inwardly towards each other when an external force is applied thereto. As such, in one embodiment, the fastener 50 is composed of a material that is flexible enough to allow the locking arms 60 and 62 to bend inwardly towards each other when an external force is applied thereto, but resilient enough and including a sufficient shape memory to return to the locking arms 60 and 62 to their original positions when the external force is released. In an exemplary embodiment, the fastener 50 is composed of a polymeric material, such as a plastic material. However in other embodiments, the fastener may be composed of other suitable materials having the above described properties, such as a metal material or a composite material among other suitable materials.
As is also shown in FIG. 4, the first and second locking [0026] arms 60 and 62 each include a ramp 66 that angles radially outwardly from the end of the locking portion 54 of the fastener 50 towards the body portion 56 of the fastener 50. The first and second locking arms 60 and 62 also each form a shoulder 68 that laterally extends from the body portion 56 of the fastener 50.
As shown in FIG. 3, when it is desired to assemble an [0027] edge scissor assembly 16 to a side pole upper mounting bracket 30, an end of a truss bar 26 of one of the scissor units 24 of a desired edge scissor assembly 16 is inserted into the channel 40 of the upper mounting bracket 30, such that the opening 42 in the truss bar 26 is aligned with the openings 44 and 46 in the mounting arms 34 and 36. The fastener 50 is then inserted in the direction of arrow 61 into the openings 42, 44 and 46.
The [0028] ramps 66 of the fastener 50 facilitate insertion of the fastener 50 into the openings 42, 44 and 46. As shown, the openings 42, 44 and 46 are smaller than the overall outer perimeter formed by the first and second locking arms 60 and 62. As such, sidewalls of the mounting arms 34 and 36 and the truss bar 26 compress the locking arms 60 and 62 inwardly towards each other (see the dashed representation of the fastener 50 in FIG. 3) as the fastener 50 passes therethrough.
As the [0029] fastener 50 passes through the openings 42, 44 and 46, the head portion 52 of the fastener 50 may be pressed in the direction of arrow 61 until the head portion 52 of the fastener 50, which is larger than the opening 46 in the second mounting arm 36, abuts an outer surface 70 of the second mounting arm 36
During this motion, the locking [0030] arms 60 and 62 traverse each of the openings 42, 44 and 46. When the locking arms 60 and 62 have traversed the opening 44 in the first mounting arm 34, the resiliency of the fastener 50 allows the locking arms 60 and 62 to move outwardly away from each other, such that the shoulders 68 of the locking arms 60 and 62 abut an outer surface 72 of the first mounting arm 34 to lock the truss bar 26, and hence the edge scissor assembly 16, to the upper mounting bracket 30.
It should be noted that although the mounting [0031] arms 34 and 36 are depicted as being disposed in surrounding relation to the truss bar 26, in alternative embodiments the mounting bracket may include only one mounting arm and the truss bar may be mounted adjacently to the single mounting arm. In such a case the fastener extends between an outer surface of the truss bar and an outer surface of the single mounting arm. In another alternative embodiment, the mounting bracket includes a single mounting arm and the truss bar includes two arms in surrounding relation to the single mounting arm. In such a case, the fastener extends between outer surfaces of the two truss bar arms. In each of the above described embodiments, the surface that receives the fastener ends may be recessed to protect the fastener against inadvertent disengagement with the mounting bracket.
As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the locking [0032] arms 60 and 62 are contained within a recess 80 in the first mounting arm 34. Such a positioning of the locking arms 60 and 62 reduces the likelihood of an inadvertent compression of the locking arms 60 and 62 towards each other which could lead to a disengagement of the fastener 50 with the upper mounting bracket 30. Similarly, in one embodiment, the head portion 52 of the fastener 50 is contained within a recess 82 in the second mounting arm 36.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and [0033] 5, the side pole upper mounting bracket 30 may include more than one set of mounting arms 34 and 36 separated by the channel 40 for receiving the truss bar 26 of another one of the edge scissor assemblies 16 to pivotally mount a desired one of the edge scissor assemblies 16 to the upper mounting bracket 30 by the fastener 50 as described above. In the depicted embodiment, one set of mounting arms is offset by another set of mounting arms by approximately 90°. However, this offset angle can vary depending on the desired overall configuration of the collapsible canopy frame 10.
As shown in FIG. 5, the side pole lower mounting [0034] bracket 32 includes mounting arms 134 and 136 separated by a channel 140 (similar to the mounting arms 34 and 36 and channel 40 described above) for receiving the truss bar 26 of one of the edge scissor assemblies 16 to pivotally mount a desired one of the edge scissor assemblies 16 to the lower mounting bracket 30 by the fastener 50 as described above with respect to mounting the edge scissor assembly 16 to the upper mounting bracket 30. As with the upper mounting bracket 30, the lower mounting bracket may contain more than one set of mounting arms offset from each other by a desired offset angle depending on the desired overall configuration of the collapsible canopy frame 10.
In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, each side pole lower mounting [0035] bracket 32 includes a push/pull pin assembly 49, having a push/pull pin 51 that is spring biased towards the side pole 12. The push/pull pin 51 releasably engages the side pole 12, thereby allowing the height of the lower mounting bracket 32 to be adjusted relative to the side pole 12. An exemplary push/pull pin assembly 49 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,656, which is herein incorporated by reference.
As shown in FIG. 1, the ends of [0036] adjacent scissor units 24 in each edge scissor assembly 16 are pivotally mounted to an edge scissor assembly upper mounting bracket 90 and an edge scissor assembly lower mounting bracket 92. The upper and lower mounting brackets 90 and 92 each include mounting arms 234/334 and 236/336 separated by a channel 240/340 (similar to the mounting arms 34 and 36 and channel 40 described above) for receiving the truss bar 26 of one of the adjacent scissor units 24 to pivotally mount the desired scissor unit 24 to the upper and lower mounting brackets 90 and 92, respectively, by the fastener 50 as described above with respect to mounting the edge scissor assembly 16 to the side pole upper mounting bracket 30. The upper and lower mounting brackets 90 and 92 each contain one set of mounting arms offset from another set of mounting arms, such that each set of mounting arms receives a corresponding one of adjacent scissor units 24.
As shown in FIG. 1, each [0037] edge scissor assembly 16 is coupled to and supports a center pole 18 through an inner scissor assembly 20. The center pole 18 is disposed generally at the center of the collapsible canopy frame 10 and has a head member 22, such as a convex shaped head member, which supports a canopy cover (not shown). Similar to the edge scissor assembly 16, the inner scissor assembly 20 includes one of more scissor units 24 each having two hingedly connected truss bars 26 that move about a pivot 28 in a scissor-like manner between an expanded position and a retracted position.
As shown in FIG. 6, each upper and lower mounting [0038] bracket 90 and 92 also includes mounting arms 234′/334′ and 236′/336′ separated by a channel 240′/340′ (similar to the mounting arms 34 and 36 and channel 40 described above) for receiving the truss bar 26 one of the inner scissor assemblies 20 to pivotally connect a desired one of the inner scissor assembly 20 to a corresponding edge scissor assembly 16 through the upper and lower mounting brackets 90 and 92 by the fastener 50 as described above with respect to mounting the edge scissor assembly 16 to the side pole upper mounting bracket 30.
As shown in FIG. 1, an end of each [0039] inner scissor assembly 20 is connected to the center pole 18 by upper and lower center pole mounting brackets 108 and 110. As shown in FIG. 7, the upper and lower center pole mounting brackets 108 and 110 each include mounting arms 534/634 and 536/636 separated by a channel 540/640 (similar to the mounting arms 34 and 36 and channel 40 described above) for receiving the truss bar 26 of a desired one of the inner scissor assemblies 20 to pivotally connect the inner scissor assembly 20 to the center pole 18 the fastener 50 as described above with respect to mounting the edge scissor assembly 16 to the side pole upper mounting bracket 30. The upper and lower center pole mounting brackets 108 and 110 may contain more than one set of mounting arms offset from each other by a desired offset angle depending on the desired overall configuration of the collapsible canopy frame 10
In one embodiment, the lower center [0040] pole mounting bracket 110 is fixedly mounted at a bottom end of the center pole 18 and the upper center pole mounting bracket 108 is disposed in surrounding relation to the center pole 18 and is slidably mounted thereon.
When the [0041] collapsible canopy frame 10 according to the present invention is constructed as described above, the collapsible canopy frame 10 is moveable between an expanded position (forming a stable portable structure as shown in FIG. 1), and a retracted position (forming a compacted structure for ease of transport as shown in FIG. 8.)
It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The present invention is therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents thereof are intended to be embraced therein. [0042]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible canopy frame comprising:

a first collapsible canopy frame component;

a second collapsible canopy frame component; and

a fastener connecting the first collapsible canopy frame component to the second collapsible canopy frame component, wherein the first collapsible canopy frame component and the second collapsible canopy frame component each define at least one opening aligned with each other, and wherein the fastener comprises:

a body portion that extends through each said opening,

a head portion at a first end of the fastener that laterally extends from the body portion to abut a first outer surface of the first collapsible canopy frame component, and

a locking portion at a second end of the fastener comprising at least one shoulder that laterally extends from the body portion to abut a second outer surface of the first and collapsible canopy frame component to connect the first collapsible canopy frame component to the second collapsible canopy frame component.

2. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 1, wherein the locking portion comprises spaced apart first and second arms that each define a corresponding one of said at least one shoulder.

3. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 2, wherein the first and second arms are movable towards each other.

4. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 2, wherein the first and second arms each comprise a flexible, resilient material with shape memory.

5. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 3, wherein the body portion has a generally smooth outer surface.

6. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 3, wherein each arm comprises an angled portion that extends from a tip of the locking portion to an edge of a corresponding one of the shoulders to form a ramp.

7. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 1, wherein the first collapsible canopy frame component is a mounting bracket attached to a side pole of the collapsible canopy frame and the second collapsible canopy frame component is an edge scissor assembly.

8. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 1, wherein the first collapsible canopy frame component is an edge scissor assembly mounting bracket and the second collapsible canopy frame component is an edge scissor assembly.

9. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 1, wherein the first collapsible canopy frame component is an edge scissor assembly mounting bracket and the second collapsible canopy frame component is an inner scissor assembly.

10. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 1, wherein the first collapsible canopy frame component is a mounting bracket attached to a center pole of the collapsible canopy frame and the second collapsible canopy frame component is an inner scissor assembly.

11. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 1, wherein the head portion is contained within a recess formed in said first outer surface.

12. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 1, wherein the locking portion is contained within a recess formed in said second outer surface.

13. A collapsible canopy frame comprising:

a scissor assembly;

a mounting bracket; and

a fastener pivotally connecting the scissor assembly to the mounting bracket, wherein the scissor assembly and the mounting bracket each define at least one opening aligned with each other, and wherein the fastener comprises:

a body portion that extends through each said opening,

a head portion at a first end of the fastener that laterally extends from the body portion to abut a first outer surface of the mounting bracket, and

a locking portion at a second end of the fastener comprising spaced apart first and second arms each having a shoulder that laterally extends from the body portion to abut a second outer surface of the mounting bracket to pivotally connect the scissor assembly to the mounting bracket.

14. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 13, wherein the first and second arms are movable towards each other.

15. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 13, wherein the first and second arms each comprise a flexible, resilient material with shape memory.

16. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 14, wherein the body portion has a generally smooth outer surface.

17. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 14, wherein each arm comprises an angled portion that extends from a tip of the locking portion to an edge of a corresponding one of the shoulders to form a ramp.

18. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 13, wherein the mounting bracket is attached to a side pole of the collapsible canopy frame and the scissor assembly is an edge scissor assembly.

19. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 13, wherein the mounting bracket is an edge scissor assembly mounting bracket and the scissor assembly is an edge scissor assembly.

20. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 13, wherein the mounting bracket is an edge scissor assembly mounting bracket and the scissor assembly is an inner scissor assembly.

21. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 13, wherein the mounting bracket is attached to a center pole of the collapsible canopy frame and the scissor assembly is an inner scissor assembly.

22. A collapsible canopy frame comprising:

a scissor assembly;

a mounting bracket comprising first and second arms separated by a channel that receives an end of the scissor assembly; and

a fastener pivotally connecting the scissor assembly to the mounting bracket, wherein the scissor assembly and the mounting bracket arms each define an opening, and wherein the fastener comprises:

a body portion that extends through each said opening,

a head portion at a first end of the fastener that laterally extends from the body portion to abut an outer surface of the first mounting bracket arm, and

a locking portion at a second end of the fastener comprising spaced apart first and second arms each having a shoulder that laterally extends from the body portion to abut an outer surface of the second mounting bracket arm to pivotally connect the scissor assembly to the mounting bracket.

23. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 22, wherein the mounting bracket is attached to a side pole of the collapsible canopy frame and the scissor assembly is an edge scissor assembly.

24. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 22, wherein the mounting bracket is an edge scissor assembly mounting bracket and the scissor assembly is an edge scissor assembly.

25. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 22, wherein the mounting bracket is an edge scissor assembly mounting bracket and the scissor assembly is an inner scissor assembly.

26. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 22, wherein the mounting bracket is attached to a center pole of the collapsible canopy frame and the scissor assembly is an inner scissor assembly.

27. A method of assembling a first collapsible canopy frame component to a second collapsible canopy frame component comprising:

providing a first collapsible canopy frame component with at least one opening;

providing a second collapsible canopy frame component with at least one opening;

inserting a fastener into said opening such that:

a body portion of the fastener extends through each said opening;

a head portion at a first end of the fastener laterally extends from the body portion to abut a first outer surface of the first collapsible canopy frame component; and

a locking portion at a second end of the fastener defines at least one shoulder that laterally extends from the body portion to abut a second outer surface of the first collapsible canopy frame component to connect the first collapsible canopy frame component to the second collapsible canopy frame component.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the locking portion of the fastener has spaced apart first and second arms that each define a corresponding one of said at least one shoulder, such that the first and second arms move towards each other during said inserting.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein each of the first and second arms has a ramp that extends from a tip of the locking portion to an edge of a corresponding one of the shoulders, such that an application of an external force on said ramp allows the first and second arms to move towards each other.

30. The method of claim 27, further comprising forming the body portion of the fastener with a generally smooth outer surface.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein the first collapsible canopy frame component is a side pole mounting bracket and the second collapsible canopy frame component is an edge scissor assembly.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein the first collapsible canopy frame component is an edge scissor assembly mounting bracket and the second collapsible canopy frame component is an edge scissor assembly.

33. The method of claim 27, wherein the first collapsible canopy frame component is an edge scissor assembly mounting bracket and the second collapsible canopy frame component is an inner scissor assembly.

34. The method of claim 27, wherein the first collapsible canopy frame component is a center pole mounting bracket and the second collapsible canopy frame component is an inner scissor assembly.