US2865386A

US2865386A - Collapsible structure

Info

Publication number: US2865386A
Application number: US599271A
Authority: US
Inventors: John M Burns
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1956-07-20
Filing date: 1956-07-20
Publication date: 1958-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 1975-12-23

Description

Dec. 23, 1958 J. M. BURNS 2,865,386

COLLAPSIBLE STRUCTURE ""Filed July 20. 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mar/iris:

Dec. 23, 1958 J. M. BURNS COLLAPSIBLE STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 20, 1956 United States Patent COLLAPSIBLESTRUCTURE John M. Burns, Oak Park, Ill.

Application July 20, 1956, Serial No. 599,271 8 Claims. (Cl. 135-1) This invention relates to a collapsible structure, and more particularly to a portable screened shelter.

Heretofore, screened shelters have comprised permanent or semi-permanent structures, taking such forms as small rooms or houses constructed of relatively large, rigid screened panels bolted together and provided with rigid screened doors hingedly mounted thereon in standard door manner. Such structures proved to have considerable popularity as shelters for backyards or lawns, which shelters were left erected throughout all of the warm seasons, if not permanently. However,the construction of these structures does not lend itself to quick and simple erection and disassembly, nor are the disassembled panels freely portable or capable of being knocked-down into compact form. Accordingly, these paneled shelters do not lend themselves. to use for picnics and other outings where shelter from insects, sun and rain on a light, portable, easily erected .andknockeddown basis is desired. Additionally, these paneled screened shelters are expensive to manufacture, and accordingly out of the financial reach of the large group of families to whom picnics and outings afford an attainable pleasure.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel collapsible screened shelter.

Another object is to provide a collapsible screened shelter of novel light-weight construction, yet having substantial structural rigidity when erected.

Yet another object is to provide a screened shelter adapted to be knocked-down into a small, compact, and light-weight package which may be easily carried, shipped and stored.

Still another object is to provide a collapsible shelter adapted to provide protection from insects as well as protection from rain and the direct rays of the sun.

A further object is to provide a collapsible screened shelter adapted to be easily and quickly erected, and as easily and conveniently knocked-down for carrying and storing.

A still further object is to provide a collapsible screened structure of simple and inexpensive construction, which provides a shelter which can conveniently be kept on hand and available at all times.

Yet a further object is to provide a collapsible screened shelter having a relatively small number of component parts' Another object is to provide a collapsible screened shelter having a simple entranceway closure member.

Still another object is to provide a screened shelter having frame members which are adapted to be knocked down, and having flexible roof, sidewall and entranceway-closure members which are adapted to be folded and rolled up about the knocked-down frame members in compact form.

A further object is to provide a collapsible screened shelter having frame members which are releasably connected together by simple, inexpensive means.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention "ice 2" a will appear.fromthefollowing detailed description. thereof, taken inconnectionwith the. appended drawings, in which: t

Figure 1. is a perspective view -of..a-coll'apsible shelter constructed in accordance with.thc.principles\ of thepresent invention; t

Fig. 2 is a side elevational. view oftbestructure show in Fig.1; i

Fig. 3. is a fragmentary perspective view offthe framework for the shelter of Fig. 1;. i t

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view taken. substantially on line 44' of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View of a pole of the shelter framework;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of an upper corner oftheslielter framework;

Fig. 7is a fragmentary elevational view of a lateral rod ofthe shelter framework;

Fig.8 is a sectional View taken substantiallyon the line. 8%8 of Fig. 7;,

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view showing detailsof an. uppercorner of the shelteroff Fig. 1;.

Fig. 10 is. a fragmentary perspective view of a modificationof'the shelter. shown in. Fig. 1; 1

Fig. ll'is a fragmentary elevational view of an upper corner of the shelter shown in Fig, 10, with portionsthereof brokenaway and in section, and with the sidewall memberand' roofmember shown in. position for connection to'a vertical pole; i

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of the reenforci'ng means for the shelter shown in Fig. 1 0;

Fig; 13 is a fragmentary plan view of a modifiedform of construction of the sidewall member; and

Fig. 14 is a perspective View of the shelter in knockeddown condition for storingor carrying. v

The collapsible shelter hereinbelow described is especially well-adapted for use where it is desired totemporarily enclose a small area, such as a picnic table or other food eating area, and is described, herein with particular emphasis being-placed on such a use. However, itis to be understood that the present shelter lends itself to a wide variety of other' uses and that it need not be used only where a very temporary structure is desired.

Referring now to the drawings and {more particularly to Figs. '1 and 2 thereof, the shelter comprises a framework consisting of a plurality of vertical poles 10 spaced to form an enclosure preferably of rectangular shape, and a plurality oflateral rods 12 connecting ,the vertical poles at their top ends. For a shelter having dimensions of approximately seven feet infront height, nine feetin length, and six feet in depth, seven verticalpoles 10 are preferred and consistof four front-forming poles 14; 16;, 18 andZl), and three back-forming poles 2'2, 24 and 26. Two of these poles, 16 and 18,,are suffi'ciently spaced, such as, for'exampl'e, a distance of two to two andone- .half feet, to form an entranceway into the shelter.

Each vertical pole 10 comprises an uppersection'30 and a lower section 32 releasably connected. tothe former by suitable means, such as a shouldered plug 34 hereinafter described. Each vertical pole is preferably formed from a hollow, .cylindrical tube oflight-weight, relatively stiff material, such as aluminum tubing, and it has been found that forrthis use. thin-walled aluminum conduiting havingan outer diameter of about, one-half inch is satisfactoryrelative to weight, strength .and cost.

All the. upper pole sections 30. are similarly constructed with the. exception that the front-forming. upper pole. sections are .all. about six inches longer than the back-forming upper pol'e sections in order to give the shelter a rearwardly sloping or watershed roof. Onthe other hand, the lower ,pole sections 32 are. all identical in construction and length, and preferably are of a length slightly greater than the longer ones of the upper pole sections. Accordingly, for the shelter herein described, the lower pole sections are about 48 inches long, the front-forming upper pole sections are about 39 inches long, and the back-forming upper pole sections are about 33 inches long. I I

' The top end 36 of each upper pole section 30 is flattened slightly to elongate the top opening 38, for purposes hereinafter described (see Fig. 6). g

The lower end 42 of each lower pole section 32 is pointed to enable the lower pole section to be easily forced into the ground. To this end, the lower end 42 of each lower pole section is deeply serrated to form a plurality of spaced pointed fingers 44 which. are bent together into a point and fastened together as by spotwelding or other means.

,Each plug 34 by which an upper pole section is releasably connected to a lower pole section preferably includes an elongate cylindrical body 52 having an annular flange 54 projecting normally therefrom intermediate itsv two ends (see Fig. The cylindrical body 52 of the plug has the same diameter as the internal bore of the vertical poles so as to permit the plug ends to 'be inserted within the open bottom and top ends of the upper and lower pole sections respectively While the annular flange 54 has a diameter exceeding that bore. A first end 56 of the plug is inserted into the top end 50 "of the-lowerpole section 32 and retained therein by suitable means, such as a transverse pin 58 projected through the wall of the lower pole section and into the cylindrical body 52 of the connecting plug 34. A second end 60 of the cylindrical body 52 of the plug is adapted to be removably accommodated within the internal bore in the bottom end 61 of the upper pole section 30.

The same number of lateral rods 12 are provided as vertical poles 10, and are adapted to be releasably connected to and between each pair of consecutive vertical poles. Accordingly, and for a shelter having seven .vertical poles, seven

lateral rods

62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 and 74 are provided, each having both ends 76 thereof bent substantially at right angles to the intermediate portion thereof (see Figs. 6 and 7). The lateral rods preferably are formed of solid'stock and may be formed of material having a diameter such as A1 inch. For lateral rods taking such a form, bent ends 76 approximately inchin length produce excellent results for purposes of connecting the lateral rods to the vertical poles as hereinafter described.

It will be seen that the spaced front-forming

poles

14, 16, 18 and 20 require three

lateral rods

62, 64 and 66 therebetween, and that for a shelter nine feet in length with an entranceway two to two and one-half feet wide, no lateral rod exceeds a length of four feet. Accordingly, each of these

rods

62, 64 and 66 is preferably formed as a rigid unitary member.

ment. The U'shaped channel is positioned as to open in the direction in which the bent ends 76 are directed so that when the latter are directed downwardly into association with the vertical poles 10, the intermediate portion of the lateral rod Will not sag any substantial amount. By thus hinging the lateral rods, they may be folded into lengths which are easily carried and stored.

The lateral rods 12, including the non-jointed and jointed rods when the latter are opened into substantially straight shape, are releasably connected to the top ends of the upper pole sections by means of the bent ends 76 of the lateral rods. The elongated top opening 38 of each vertical pole 10 is adapted to receive one bent end 76 of each of a pair of successive lateral rods. It can be seen that two bent ends of lateral rods having a diameter of inch may be accommodated within the elongated opening 38 of a vertical pole 10 when the latter is formed of thin walled tubing having an external diameter of /2 inch and a wall thickness of .042 inch, whereas without the elongated opening, the two inch rods could not be accommodated therein. A inch length of the bent end provides an effective and substantially rigid connection with a vertical pole.

Referring now to Fig. 3, vertical pole 14, for example, accommodates a bent end 76 of each of the

lateral rods

62 and 74, withthe other bent ends 76 of the

lateral rods

62 and 74 being accommodated respectively Within the elongated open top ends of the

vertical poles

16 and 22. The top ends of all the vertical poles 10' are interconnected successively in similar manner, thus forming a rectangle of the lateral rods.

A sidewall member 100 is provided for the framework consisting of the vertical poles 10 and the lateral rods 12, and takes the form of a flexible foraminous material,

such as Plexiglass or other plastic screening, although a flexible metallic screening may also be used. Preferably the sidewall member is formed in two strips, an upper strip 102 fastened about the top half of the framework in manner hereinafter described, and a lower strip 104 fastened about the lower half of the framework. The upper and lower strips are so connected to the framework that the upper strip 102 overhangs the topedge of the lower strip a short distance, such as three inches, in order to provide protection against insects crawling into the shelter between the sidewall strips.

The top edge of the upper sidewall strip 102 is cut to conform the upper strip to the rearward slope imparted to the shelter roof by the short back-forming poles, while the lower sidewall strip 104 is of rectangular shape. The sidewall strips 102 and 104 are of a length sufficient to encircle the framework from one vertical 1 pole constituting one side of the entrance to the shelter,

. On the other hand, the lateral rods 68 and 74 connecting the front-forming

corner poles

14 and 20 with the'back-forming

poles

22 and 26, respectively, are. of a length equal to the depth of the shelter; Since this depth preferably is seven feet, the lateral rods '68 and 74 are provided with a folding joint 82 intermediate the ends thereof for purposes hereinafter described. The lateral rods and 72 connecting the back-forming

poles

22, 24 and 26 are similarly jointed intermediate their ends.

Referring now to Fig. 7, each jointed lateral rod is formed in two equi-

length sections

86 and 88 having the non-bent ends 90 and 92 thereof pivotally connected to opposite ends of a U-shaped channel 84, as by means of transversepins 94. The U-shaped channel 84 permits the

rod sections

86 and 88 to be folded pivotally toward each other in one direction and into substantially parallel side-by-side relation, while restraining the rod sections from pivoting in an opposite direction beyond axial alignsuch as, for example, vertical pole 16, about the successive vertical poles to terminate with a second entrance forming vertical pole 18.

Means are provided for releasably fastening the upper and lower strips to the vertical poles, and preferably take the form of snap fasteners having complemental snap elements fastened respectively to the vertical poles 10 and to the sidewall strips 192 and 104. Preferably, upper pole snap elements 112 are fastened to each upper pole section slightly below the top end 36 and slightly above the bottom end 61. The pole snap elements are positioned in vertical alignment and so as to face away from one flattened side of the elongated top opening 38 (see Fig. 6). Sidewall snap elements 114 are fixed to the top edge and slightly above the bottom edge of the upper sidewall strip 102, and are spaced apart along the length of the strip corresponding to the distances between successive vertical poles 10. Similarly, verticallyaligned lower pole snap elements 116 are fastened to each lower pole section 32 adjacent the top end 50 and slightly above the bottom end 42 thereof, while lower sidewall snap elements 118 are fastened to the top and bottom'edges of the lower sidewall strip 104.

The upper sidewall strip 102 has a width substantially equal. to the length of the upper pole sections 30, while the. lower sidewall strip 104 is of sufficient width to extend from the top ends 50 of the lower pole sections 32 to a point slightly above the pointed bottom ends 42 so that the lower strip will abut the ground when the pointed bottom ends are forced into the ground. It will be seen that a portion of the upper sidewall strip 102 will overhang the top edge of the lower sidewall strip 104 due to the offset upper pole snap elements 112 at the pole top ends and to the offset sidewall snap elements 114 at the bottom edge of the upper sidewall strip 102.

A roof member 130 is provided for the shelter and takes the form of a substantially rectangular sheet of imperforate material; such as light weight waterproofed canvas or plastic sheeting. The sheet has dimensions exceeding the area enclosed by the vertical poles, so that an overhanging roof flap 132' is provided for each side of the shelter. The roof member 130 is releasably fastened to the top ends of the vertical poles by suitable means such as snap fasteners 136 having complemental

snap elements

138 and 140 fixed to the upper pole sections and tothe roof member flaps respectively. Each corner of the roof member is notched, as at 144, to enable the

complemental corners

146 and 148 of successive flaps to overlap slightly when the roof member is positioned on the shelter and the flaps are bent down normallytherefrom (see Fig. 9). To enable the overlapped corners of successive flaps to be fastened to a vertical pole by means of the snap fasteners 136, the roof snap element 140 on one of the complemental flap corners is so constructed as to have a male connection on one side of the roofmember material, and a female connection in opposed register therewith on the other side, one of the connections being adapted to engage the snap element fixed to the vertical pole, while the other connection is adapted to engage the snap element onthe complemental flap corner.

Referring now to Fig. 6, the snap element 138 fixed to each upper pole section 30 is positioned slightly above and in vertical alignmentwith the snap. elements for the sidewall member 100. The flaps 132, however, are of suificient length, such as sixinches, to overhang the top edge of the upper sidewall strip when the latter is fastened in place.

An entranceway closure member 152,is provided for the entranceway between the vertical poles 16 and 13,

and takes the form of a strip of flexible foraminous material, such as the same material of which the sidewall member is formed. The entranceway closure member is .of the same length as the front-forming vertical poles 10, and of a width slightly in excess of the distance between the vertical poles 16 and 18. The entranceway closure member 152 is releasably connected tothe vertical poles 16 and 18 by means of the snap members connecting the terminal ends of the sidewall member 100 to those poles. Accordingly, the sidewall snap elements of the snap fasteners 110 connecting the terminal ends of the sidewall strips 102 and 104 to the vertical poles, are double elements, each provided on one side with a male connection and on the other side with a female connection, one of the connections being adapted to cooperate with a snap element fixed to the vertical pole, and the other connection being adapted to cooperate with a snap element fixed to the entranceway closure member 152.

Erection of the shelter is commenced by forcing the pointed lower ends 42 of the lower pole sections 32 into the ground a sufficient distance to support the vertical poles, in a spaced relation defining the cross-sectional outline of the shelter and so positioned that the pole snap elements point outwardly of the shelter area. The pole locations may be conveniently. determined by lay- 6 ing the lateral rods out on the ground in their respective positions, to outline the shelter area.

Once the lower pole sections have been driven into the ground in appropriate spaced relation, the upper. pole sections are fastened thereon respectively by means of connecting plugs 34. Inasmuch as each connecting plug 34- has a cylindrical body 52 and the lower end 61 of each upper pole section is also cylindrical, the upper pole section 30 may be freely rotated on the lower pole section 32 to face the elongated top 38 and the snap elements of each upper pole section in desired direction. Preferably each upper pole section is rotated to position the corner forming vertical poles 14-, 20, 22 and 26 such that the elongated top 31; is directed substantially at a degree angle with the lateral rods forming the corner. This disposes the row of upper pole snap elements 112 in alignment with the lower pole snap elements 116 and in a line forming the outermost corner of the framework. In this manner only one row of snap fasteners need be provided on each vertical pole for the sidewall member and the roof member.

Once. the vertical poles are in position, the jointed transverse rods are straightened, and the bent ends 76 of all the lateral rods 12 are inserted into the elongated tops 33 of the vertical poles. It will be seen that the jointed lateral rods take a substantially rigid straight position between their corresponding vertical poles since the U-shaped members 84 restrain the rod sections 86 and. 38 from folding upwardly toward one another.

The upper sidewall strip 1632 is thereupon fastened in encircling relation about the vertical poles by fastening one terminal end to vertical pole 16 by means of the snap fasteners and fastening the upper sidewall strip successively to the

vertical poles

14, 22, 24, 26, 20 and 18. The lower sidewall strip 1% is fastened to the vertical poles in similar fashion adjacent and beneath the upper sidewall strip 102.

The entranceway closure member 152 is fastened directly between the vertical poles 16 and 18 by means of the snap element carried by the terminal ends of the upper and lower sidewall strips 102 and 104 fixed to vertical poles 16 and 18.

The shelter is completed by positioning the roof member on the framework such that the flaps 132 fall over the top edge of the upper sidewall strip 102. The

roof member is fastened in position by means of the roof snap fasteners, the corners of successive flaps being snapped one on top of the other by means of the complemental snap elements carried by those corners.

The shelter construction may be modified to include a reenforcing line 130 fastened to each top corner of the shelter at one end and fastened to a supporting body, such, as the ground, at the other (see Fig. 10). Preferably the reenforcing line comprises a length of durable cord, while the means for fastening one end thereof to a vertical pole takes any suitable form, such as, for example, a quick release connection including a keyhole slot 132 in the upper end of each upper poles section. As shown in Fig. 11, the keyhole slot is positioned in vertical alignment with and above the snap elements fixed to the upper pole section, and positioned such that the constricted portion is the lowermost portion of the slot. By so positioning the keyhole slots 132 above the uppermost snap elements 133 fixed to the upper pole sections, it can be seen that a reenforcing line 130 can be connected to each vertical pole above the overlapping connection of a pair of complemental flap corners (see Fig. 10).

A simple ball connector 134 (see Fig. 12) of a diame-. ter slightly less than the diameter of the enlarged portion of the slot is provided to effect a releasable connection with each vertical pole, and is provided with a ring 136 or other means by which the reenforcing line 130' is connected thereto. A stake 138, pointedatone end to enable it to be driven into the ground, is provided so 7 that a second end of the reenforcing line 130 may be fastened thereto and, by means of the stake, fastened to the ground. The reenforcing lines 130 are adapted to be connected to the vertical poles and particularly to the poles in the four corners of the shelter.

A second construction modification of the present shelter comprises the use of a single pole snap element 142 fastened to the top end 144 of the upper pole section 146 rather than a pair of elements comprising a sidewall snap element and a roof snap element (see Fig. 11). A double snap element having a first snap connection 148 adapted to cooperate on one side with the snap element 142 is fixed to the top edge of the upper sidewall strip 150 and is provided with a second snap connection 152 in opposed register with the first snap connection 148 and on the other side of the upper sidewall strip. Binding tape -4 is provided on the upper sidewall strip 150 to reenforce the snap elements. The second snap connection 152 is adapted to cooperate with one connection of a double snap element 156 on one corner of a roof flap 158, which snap element 156 has a second connection in opposed register on the other side of the flap corner for ing an eating area with shade, protection from rain, and protection from insects. On the'other hand, the shelter is so constructed as to have a small number of parts, many of which have identical construction, and all of which are extremely light-weight, yet durable. Such a shelter is remarkably inexpensive to manufacture, and free from complexity commonly attended by loss or breakage of parts which would cause an attendant loss of full availability of the structure for use.

I claim:

l. A collapsible shelter comprising a frame including a plurality of straight, rigid poles disposed vertically and cooperation with a terminal snap element 160 on a corner of a complementary roof flap 162. Thus a series of snap elements isprovided in operating register and adapted to cooperate in stacked relation one with the other. The snap fasteners at the bottom ends and top ends of the upper and lower pole sections are similarly combined in this embodiment.

A further modification of the present structure has a unitary sidewall member (see Fig. 13) which takes the form of a foraminous upper sidewall strip 166 and a foraminous lower sidewall strip 168 flexibly fastened together as by means of a strip of binding tape 170 sewed to or otherwise connecting the sidewall strips. This sidewall construction permits the sidewall member to be fastened to the vertical poles solely at the top ends of the latter without requiring the employment of fastening means adjacent the point of connection between upper and lower pole sections or fastening means at the bottom ends of the vertical poles.

The shelter as hereinabove described is adapted to be knocked down and disassembled into a bundle 170 of elongated rods of substantially uniform manageable length, and into a series of sheet-like elements which can be folded into strips of widths substantially equal to the lengths of the elongate rods. The folded strips can be wrapped around the bundle of rods to form a substantially cylindrical package, which may be held together by suitable means such as a pair of straps 174. knocked-down bundle for a shelter of dimensions hereinabove described will be approximately four feet long and about ten inches in diameter.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the shape described, nor to a shelter having a fixed number of vertical poles, for the shelter may be constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention to enclose any other polygonal area, and to have a greater number or fewer vertical poles. Additionally, it can be seen that the shelter may be constructed in dimensions other than those described herein by way of example.

The present invention provides a collapsible shelter of novel light-weight construction, to form, when erected, a substantially rigid structure which provides shelter from sun, rain and insects. Moreover, the construction is such that it can quickly and easily be collapsed into a manageable and compact bundle, thus adapting the shelter to easy carrying and storing. The shelter construction, further, is adapted to be quickly and easily erected and knocked-down, thus adding to the adaptability of the shelter to temporary or short-time uses.

As a portable shelter, the present invention is particularly Well-adapted foruse on picnics, where it can be erected to completely enclose a picnic table. thus provid- The arranged in spaced relation to form an enclosure-defining series, each pole having a pointed ground-eng ging portion at its lower end, a plurality of straight, rigid rods each extending horizontally betwen the upper ends of successive poles of the series and means detachibly connecting the ends of said rods to the upper ends of successive poles respectively, an elongate side wall element of flexible material extending continuously around said series of poles in engirdling relation, with its ends terminating at one of said poles, the portion of said side wall element extending from said one pole to the next succeeding pole forming an entranceway closure, means detachably connecting said side wall element to each of said poles adjacent the ground-engaging end and adjacent the upper end, and a roof member of flexible material extending over and between said rods and having flaps depending from its edges in closed, overlapping relation with said side wall element and detachably secured to each of said poles adjacent the upper end.

2. A collapsible shelter comprising a frame including a plurality of straight, rigid poles disposed vertically and arranged in spaced relation to form an enclosure-defining series, each pole having a pointed ground-engaging portion at its lower end, a plurality of straight, rigid rods each extending horizontally between the upper ends of successive poles of the series and means detachably conmeeting the ends of said rods to the upper ends of successive poles respectively, an elongate panel of flexible material extending continuously around said series of poles in engirdling relation, with its ends terminating at two successive poles to provide an entranceway between said two poles, means detachably connecting said panel to each of said poles adjacent the ground-engaging end and adjacent the upper end, an entranceway closure of flexible material extending directly between and detachably connected to said two successive poles, and a roof member of flexible material extending over and between said rods and having flaps depending from its edges in closed, overlapping relation with the upper margin of said panel and detachably secured to each of said poles adjacent the upper end.

3. A collapsible shelter comprising a frame including a plurality of straight, rigid poles disposed vertically and arranged in spaced relation to form an enclosure-defining series, each pole having a pointed, ground-engaging portion at its lower end and an upwardly opening socket at its upper end, and a plurality of straight, rigid rods each extending horizontally between the upper ends of successive poles of the series and having downturned end portions releasably seated in the sockets of successive poles respectively, an elongate panel of flexible material extending continuously around said series of poles in engirdling relation, with its ends terminating at two successive poles to provide an entranceway betwen said two poles, means detachably connecting said panel to each of said poles adjacent the ground-engaging end and adjacent the upper end, an entranceway closure of flexible material extending directly between and detachably connected to said two uccessive poles, and a roof member of flexible material extending over and between said rods and having flaps depending from its edges in closed, overlapping relation with said panel and detachably secured to each of said poles adjacent the upper end.

4. A collapsible shelter ctmprising a frame incli'ding a plurality of straight, rigid poles disposed vertically and arranged in spaced relati-n to form an enJcsure-defining series, each pole having a pointed ground-engig ng portion at its lower end and an upwardly opening SOCAEI of oval crass-section at its upper end, and a plurality of straight, rigid rods each extending htrizantaily bet/teen the upper ends of successive poles of the se ies and having nownturned end portions of circular cross secton snugly and releasably seated in the sockets of the succe.sive poles respectively, an elcngate panel of fizxble material extending ccntinuculy around said seris of poles in engirdling relation, with its enc terminating at two successive poles to provide an entrlnceway between said two poles, means detachably ctnuecting said panel to each of said poles adjacent the ground-engaging end and adjacent the upper end, an en.rancew;y closure of flexible material extending dfrectly between and detachably connected to said two succesive pcles, and a roof member of flexible material extending over and between said rods and having flaps depending from its edges in clcsed, overlapping relation to the upper margin of said panel and detachably secured to eacn of said poles adjacent the upper end.

5. A collapsible shelter compriiing a frame including a plurality oi straight, rigid poles disposed vertically and arranged in spaced relation to form an enclosure-defining series, each pole having a poined ground-engaging portion at its lower end, a plural.ty of straight, rigid reds each extending horizontally between the upper ends of successive poles of the series and means detachably c;nnecting the ends of said rods to the upper end of successive poles respectively, an elongate panel of flexible m..teiial extending continuously around said series of poles in engirdling relation, with its ends terminating at two successive poles to provide an entranceway between said two poles, said panel including separate, cverlapprng upper and lower panel sections, mzans detachably ccnnecting the lower panel section to each cf said poles adjacent the ground-engaging pcrtion and intemediate t..e ends, means detachably ccnnecting the upper panel section to each of said poles adjacent the upper end and intermediate the ends, an entranceway closure cf flexible material extending directly between and detachably connected to said two successive poles, and a roof member of flexible material extending over and between said rods and having flaps depending from its edges in closed, cverlapping relation to said upper panel section and detachably secured to each of said poles adjacent the upper end.

6. A collapsible shelter comprising a frame including a plurality of straight, rigid poles disposed vertically and arranged in spaced relation to form an enclosure-defining series, each pole including a lower section having a pointed ground-engaging portion at its lower end, an upper section including an upwardly opening socket at its upper end and means detachably connecting said sections rigidly in alignment, and a plurality of straight, rigid rods each extending horizontally between the upper ends of successive poles of the series and means detachably connecting the ends of said rods to the upper ends of successive poles respectively, an elongate panel of flexible material extending continuously around said series of poles in engirdling relation, with its ends terminating at two of said successive poles to provide an entranceway between said two poles, said panel including separate, overlapping upper and lower sections, means detachably connecting said lower panel section to the lower section of each of said poles adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof, means detachably connecting said upper panel section to the upper section of each of said poles adjacent 1C0 the upper and lower ends thereof, an entranceway closure of flexible material extending directly between the detachably connected to said two ruccessive poles, and a roof member of flexible material extending over and between said rods and having flaps depending from. its edges, in closed, overlapping relation to the upper margin of said upper panel section and detachably secured to each of said poles adjacent the upper end.

7. A collapsible shelter comprising a frame including a plurality of straight, rigid poles disposed vertically and arranged in spaced relation to form an enclosure-defining series, each pole including a lower section having a pointed ground-engaging portion at its lower end, an upper section having an upwardly opening socket at its upper end and means providing a detachable joint connecting said pole sections rigidly in alignment and permitting relative rotation of said sections about their common axis, a plurality of straight, rigid rods each extending horizontally between the upper ends of successive poles of the series and means detachably connecting the ends of said rods to the upper ends of successive poles respectively, an elongate panel of flexible material extending continuously around said series of poles. in engirdling relation, with its ends terminating at two successive poles to provide an entranceway between said two poles, means detachably connecting said panel to each of said poles adjacent the ground-engaging end and adjacent the upper end, an entranceway closure of flexible material extending directly between and detachably connected to said two successive poles, and a roof member of flexible material extending over and between said rods and having flaps depending from its edges, in closed, overlapping relation to the upper margin of said panel and detachably secured to each of said poles adjacent the upper end.

8. A collapsible shelter comprising a frame including a plurality of straight, rigid poles disposed vertically and arranged in spaced relation to form an enclosure-defining series, each pole having a pointed ground-engaging portion at its lower end and an upwardly opening socket at its upper end, a plurality of straight, rigid rods each extending horizontally between the upper ends of successive poles of the series and means detachably connecting the ends of said rods to the upper ends of successive poles respectively, an elongate panel of flexible foraminous material extending continuously around said series of poles in engirdling relation, with its ends terminating at two successive poles to provide an entranceway between said two poles, means detachably connecting said panel to each of said poles adjacent the ground-engaging end and adjacent the socket, an entranceway closure of flexible foraminous material extending directly between and detachably connected to said two successive poles, and a roof member of flexible imperforate material extending over and between said rods and having flaps depending from its edges, in closed, overlapping relation to said panel and detachably secured to said poles adjacent the upper ends.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 462,077 Goss Oct. 27, 1891 1,078,587 Lynch Nov. 11, 1913 1,498,312 Whitehead June 17, 1924 1,520,569 Emerson Dec. 23, 1924 1,538,064 Skog May 19, 1925 1,579,160 Spikings Mar. 30, 1926 2,530,765 Greenup Nov. 21, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 743,675 France Jan. 16, 1933