US3230962A

US3230962A - Collapsible shelter

Info

Publication number: US3230962A
Application number: US263466A
Authority: US
Inventors: Merlin J Hoiness; Wilbur E Peterson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-03-07
Filing date: 1963-03-07
Publication date: 1966-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 1983-01-25

Description

1966 M. J. HOINESS ETAL 3,230,962

COLLAPS I BLE SHELTER Filed March '7, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N VENTORS MERL/N J HO/NESS w/Lg w? E, PETERSON 1 %M Wi ATTORNEY Jan. 25, 1966 M. J. HOINESS ETAL 3,230,962

COLLAPSIBLE SHELTER Filed March '7, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mm... a.

w ggmmu a wtlnmplll INVENTORS MERL /N J HO/NESS MLBU/P E. PE T51R 5 ON ATTORNEYS United States Patent Minn.

Filed Mar. 7, 1963, Ser. No. 263,466 6 Claims. (Cl. 1354) This invention relates generally to portable enclosures and shelters, and more particularly it relates to a collapsi'ble shelter of the type which may be suitably employed for the protection of ice fishermen.

While collapsible and portable shelters have previously been in use, the same have generally not provided optimum satisfaction generally because the previous devices have been complicated in their construction and design, have been too expensive to manufacture and market, and have been cumbersome to move, transport and assemble for use.

Accordingly, an important object of the present invention is the provision of a collapsible and portable shelter which is relatively inexpensive and economical to manufacture, which is simple and convenient in its construction and design, and which is not cumbersome to handle or erect.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a collapsible and portable shelter which folds into a very compact package of relatively small volume as compared to the erected size thereof.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a collapsible shelter which when in its collapsed condition is easily port-able since its collapsed size and shape makes the same extremely convenient to transport and carry by a single individual.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a collapsible shelter which is light in weight, but is very sturdy, strong and stable when erected. H

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a collapsibleand portable shelter which may be assembled and erected with ease and facility without the use of tools and by a single individual.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a portable and collapsible shelter which may be readily assembled without the use I of cumbersome poles, ropes, and other similar supporting devices,

The above and still further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed specification, appended claims and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts or elements throughout the sev-' eral views:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective showing the shelter disclosed by the present invention in its collapsed condition;

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective showing the shelter in.

its erected condition;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view in perspective showing only the frame structure of the shelter in its erected position corresponding to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the frame structure in a partially collapsed condition or position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view in section taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view in section taken on the line 66 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view in section taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 3; FIG. 8 is an enlarged view in section taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 3; and

3,230,962 Patented Jan. 25, 1966 FIG. 9 is an enlarged detail view in section taken on the line 99 of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, a collapsible and portable shelter of the type disclosed herein is shown therein in its collapsed condition and also in its completely erected condition. It is initially noted that the portable shelter disclosed herein is extremely useful as a collapsible shelter for ice fishermen, although it will be appreciated that the same may be also conveniently utilized for several other purposes, and including by way of example, the same may be used as a dressing tent for the beach or poolside, a portable toilet facility, a blind and shelter for hunters, a house for equipment and tools, or a portable booth or stand for sales or display purposes.

The generally entire structural frame for the present invention is formed from a generally rigid tubing material, such as for example, aluminum tubing or thin wall steel conduit. The frame structure is shown particularly in FIG. 3, and referring thereto, the same comprises a generally rectangular annular floor frame, represented generally by the reference numeral 1. The floor frame 1 is formed from an endless or annular loop of tubing and comprises a front bar 2, a rear bar 3,and side bars 4, 5. The frame structure further comprises a generally rectangular top frame, represented generally by the reference numeral 6, the same generally corresponding in configuration to the floor frame 1 and being normally positioned in vertically spaced relation above the floor frame 1, as shown particularly in FIG. 3. It should be noted that the floor frame 1 and the top frame 6 are shown in the drawings as comprising a rectangular configuration, but it will be appreciated that any multi-sided configuration could be satisfactorily employed within the scope of this invention, and it may even 'be desirable to also make the floor frame 1 and the top frame 6 of a circular or-other arcuate configuration. The top frame 6 comprises a front bar 7, a rear bar 8, and

side bars

9, 10. An important featureof the present invention resides in the construction of a pair of generally similar side frames disposed between and connecting the floor frame 1 and the top frame 6, one of said side frames being represented generally by the reference numeral 11 and the other thereof being represented generally by the reference numeral 12. It is noted that the side frames 11, 12 are one each disposed generally on an opposite side, of the collapsible shelter, as shown particularly in FIG 3 of the drawings. Since the side frames 11, 12 are of similar construction and design, only the side frame 11 will be described with particularity hereinafter, and referring to the side frame 11, the same comprises a lower section 13 pivotally connected to the side bar 4 of the floor frame 1 at a location generally intermediate the front bar 2 and the rear bar 3. The lower section 13 is of a generally U-shaped configuration and therefore comprises a pair of generally laterally spaced generally

uprjvardllg converging legs

14, 15 and an intermediate base ar Referring particularly to FIG. 5, it will be noted tha the base bar 16 of the lower side frame section 13 is deformed -to a cross-sectionally arcuate and generally downwardly concave shape so as to define a normally downwardly exposed recess adapted to engage the arcuate top surface of the side bar 4 of the floor frame 1. The base bar 16 is pivotally secured in engagement with the side bar 4 of the floor frame 1 by means of a pair of longitudinally spaced clips 17 which extend around the base bar 16 of the lowersection 13. The clips 17 have end socket portions 18 adapted to hold the opposed longitudinal edge flanges 19 of the base bar 16.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the

upper end portions

20, 21 ofthe

upstanding legs

14, 15 of the lower section 13 are formed to extend in general spaced parallelism with one another and are also deformed to a generally .arcuate cross-section having generally inwardly facing and concave recesses 22, v23 respectively. The function and purpose of the recesses 22, 23 of the

upper end portions

20, 21 will be more particularly set forth hereinafter'in connection with the explanation of a novellatch mechanism which is provided in accordance with .this invention.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the side frame section 11 further comprises an upper section 24 pivotally connected to the side bar 9 of the top frame 6 and also pivotally connected to the lower section 13. The upper section 24 comprises a pair of generally laterally spaced Igenerally downwardly converging

legs

25, 26. The legs 25, "'26 define generally parallel relatively widely spaced

upper end portions

27, 28 which are pivotally secured to the'side bar9 of the top frame'6 in a manner particularly shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Each of the generally tubular upper '

endportions

27, 28 is pivotally secured to the corresponding side bar of the top frame 6 by means of a coupling 29. The couplings 29 may be easily formed from sheet material, andeach thereof comprises an upper eye portion 30 and apair of depending cross-sectionally generally arcuate .sleeve portions 31. The sleeve portions 31 are telescopingly received within the upper end portions'27,"28 of the'legs 25, 26 and secured thereto by meansof a cross pin or rivet 32. Referring to FIG. 7,

it will be noted that the longitudinal spacing of the couplings 29 is maintained by means of a pair of longitudinally spaced screws 33 positioned in the top surface of the side bars of top frame 6.

Another important feature of the present invention is the pivotal connection of the generally U-shaped lower portions 34 of the

legs

25, 26 of the upper section 24 to the corresponding

upper end portions

20, 21 of the

legs

14,15 of the lower section 13 for inward generally laterally directed collapsing movements between an upstandving generally straight extended condition (shown in FIG.

3), wherein the .top frame 6 is widely spacedabovethe "floor frame 1 .and a collapsed condition (represented by FIG. 1), wherein the lower and upper side frame sections '13, 24 of both of the side frames 11, 12 are draped upon one another and wherein the top frame 6 is in overlying adjacent relation to the fioor frame 1. An intermediate .position of the side frames 11, 12 between their extended condition and their collapsed condition is shown particularly in FIG. 4.

parallel sides

35, 36. In accordance with this invention,

latch means is provided for removably securing the lower and upper

side frame sections

13, 24 in their upstanding open condition shown particularly in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Referring to FIG. 8, it will be, noted that said latch means comprises a pair of generally outwardly exposed cam surfaces 37, 38' one each defined by the generally tubular generally

parallel sides

35, 36 of the U-shaped lower portion 34 of the upper side frame section 24. The lateral spacing between the

cam surfaces

37, 38 of the generally

parallel sides

35, 36 corresponds generally to the lateral spacing between the recesses 22, 23 of the

upper end portions

20, 21 of the lower side frame section .13, and this is shown particularly in FIG. 8. The

cam surfaces

37, 38 of the upper section 24 are releasably biased into engagement with the recesses 22, 23 of the lower section 13 by means of yielding means in the form of a coiled tension spring 39. The

sides

35, 36 of the upper frame section 24 and the upper end portions 20, 21 'of the lower frame section 13 define a plurality of generally horizontally axially aligned apertures adapted to receive a pair of pivot-acting headed tension pins 40. As shown specifically in FIG. 8, the opposite end portions of the tension spring 39 are .hooked'into the inner end portions of the tension pins 49. The tension pins 40 serve a dual function, the first being to carry and transmit the tension force of the spring 39 and the second being to form a pivotal connection between the

corresponding sides

35, 36 of the upper section 24 and the

upper end portions

20, 21 of the lower section 13.

With the above description of the latch means in mind, it will be obvious thatmovement of the shelter frame from the partially collapsed position shown in FIG. 4 toward the erected condition shown in 'FIG. 3 permits the cam surfaces 37, 38 of the upper section 24 to snap into engagement with the.recesses 22,.23 of the lower frame section 13, the same being held in this engaged and latched condition by means of the tension spring .39. However, the tension of. the spring 39 is balanced so that the latch means maybe broken by collapsing movements of the side frames '11,"12.abo11t.'the axis .of'the pivotacting tension pins 40.

The novel shelter disclosedin accordance with this invention further comprises a flexible cover,.represented generally by the reference numeral 41, the same being adapted to fit and cover the shelter frame when the same is inits extended condition, as shown particularly in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The flexible cover 41 is preferably formed from a lightweight-but water resistant material, and is also preferably formed or sewninto a one-pieceunit. The flexible cover ,41 comprises a floor panel 42 adapted to conform to the configuration of the floor frame 1, a top. panel 43 conforming to the top frame 6,

opposite side panels

44, 45, a rear panel, not shown, and a front panel 46 which .definesasuitableopening or door. The cover 41 may be formed with suitable reinforcement means at the seams thereof, and it should be noted that the same should .be. formed to correspond rather snugly to. the size of the framestructure.

The collapsible shelter disclosed herein is shownin FIG. 1 in its completely collapsed condition, wherein the collapsed side frames.11, 12 are disposed generally within the cavity defined intermediate the top framev 6 and. the floor frame 1,rand.the.rearpanel,.frontpanel 46, and

.side panels 44,.45-of thefiexiblecover 41 .are folded instead ofdisposing the cover 41 on the outsideof the frame, and. it is intended that .the term .cover as used herein is intended to apply to .either arrangement.

This invention has been. thoroughly tested andfound .-to be completely: satisfactoryifor. the accomplishment of the above objectspand-while we have shown and described above a preferred embodiment thereof in which the principles .of'thepresent invention have been incorporated, we wish it to be specificallyunderstood that the same may be modified without departure from the scope and'spiritof the appendedtclaims.

What we claim is:

1. A collapsible shelter comprising:

(a) a generally rigid multi-sided floor frame,

(b) a generally rigid multi-sided top frame normally positioned in vertically spaced relation above said floor frame,

(0) a pair of generally similar side frames connecting said top frame to said floor frame and one each disposed generally on an opposite side of said shelter, each of said side frames comprising:

(1) a lower section pivotally connected to said floor frame,

(2) an upper section pivotally connected to said op frame,

(3) said lower and upper sections being pivotallyconnected together at a location generally intermediate the top frame and said floor frame for generaly laterally directed collapsing movements between an upstanding generally straight extended condition wherein the top frame is widely spaced above said floor frame and a collapsed condition wherein said upper and lower side frame sections are draped upon one another and wherein said top frame is in overlying adjacent relation to said floor frame, and

(4) latch means removably securing said upper 'and lower side frame sections in their said upstanding open condition, said latch means comprising male and female cooperating elongated cam surfaces one of which is defined by said upper section and the other of which is defined by said lower section and said cam surfaces being generally semi-circular in cross-section and being releasably biased into engagement with vone another, and

' (d) a flexible cover adapted to fit and cover the shelter frame when the same is in its extended condition. 2. A collapsible shelter comprising:

(a) a generally rigid multi-sided generally annular 25 floor frame, a

(b) a generally rigid m-ulti-sided generally annular top frame normally positioned in vertically spaced relation above said floor frame,

(c) a pair of generally similar side frames'connecting said top frame to said floor frame and one each disposed generally on an opposite side of said shelter, each of said side frames comprising:

(1) a lower section pivotally connected to said floor frame, said lower section comprising a pair of generally laterally spaced legs,

(2) an upper section pivotally connected to said top frame, said upper section comprising a pair of generally laterally spaced legs,

(3) means pivotally connecting the legs of said lower section with corresponding legs of said upper section at a location generally intermediate the top frame and said floor frame for inward generally laterally directed collapsing movements between an upstanding generally straight extended condition wherein the top frame is widely spaced above said floor frame and a collapsed condition wherein said upper and lower side frame sections are draped upon one another and wherein said top frame is in overlying adjacent relation to said floor frame, and

(4) latch means removably securing said upper and lower side frame sections in their said upstanding open condition, said latch means comprising male and female cooperating elongated cam surfaces one of which is defined by a leg of said upper section and the other of which is defined by a corresponding leg of said lower section and said cam surfaces being generally semicircular in cross-section and also being releasably biased into engagement with one another, and

(d) a flexible cover adapted to fit and cover the shelter frame when the same is in its extended condition.

3. A collapsible shelter comprising:

(a) a generally rigid multi-sided generally annular floor frame,

(1) a lower section pivotally connected to said 6 floor frame, said lower section comprising a pair of generally laterally spaced generally upwardly converging legs,

(2) an upper section pivotally connected to said top frame, said upper section comprising a pair of generally laterally spaced generally downwardly converging legs,

(3) means pivotally connecting lower end portions of said legs of the upper section to corresponding upper end portions of the legs of said lower frame section for inward generally laterally directed collapsing movements between an upstanding generally straight extended condition wherein the top frame is widely spaced above said floor frame and a collapsed condition wherein said upper and lower side frame sections are draped upon one another and wherein said top frame is in overlying adjacent relation to said floor frame, and

(4) latch means removably securing said upper and lower side frame sections in their said upstanding open condition, said latch means comprising male and female cooperating elongated cam surfaces one of which is defined by the lower end portionof a leg of said upper section and the other of which is defined by an upper end portion of a corresponding leg of said lower section, said cam surfaces being generally semicircular in cross-section and being releasably biased into engagement with one another, and

4. A collapsible shelter comprising:

(a) a multi-sided generally annular floor frame formed from generally rigid tubing,

(b) a m-ulti-sided generally annular top frame formed from generally rigid tubing and generally corresponding in configuration to said floor frame and normally positioned in vertically spaced relation above said floor frame,

(c) a pair of generally similar side frames connecting said top frame to said floor frame and one each disposed generally on an opposite side of said shelter, each of said side frames comprising:

(1) a generally U-shaped lower section, said lower section comprising a generally horizontal base portion pivotally connected to said floor frame and a pair of generally laterally spaced normally upstanding legs which converge upwardly from said base portion,

(2) a generally U-shaped upper section, said upper section comprising a generally laterally extending connecting portion and a pair of generally laterally spaced normally upstanding legs which diverge generally upwardly from said connecting portion and have their upper end portions pivotally connected to said top frame,

(4) multiple latch means defined by the connected lower end portions of said upper legs and the upper end portions of said lower legs and removably securing said upper and lower side frame sections in their said upstanding open condition, each of said latch means comprising male and female cooperating elongated cam surfaces one. of --which is defined by the lower end portion of one of the legs of said upper side framesection andthe other of which is definedby the connected upper end portion of the corresponding leg of said lower side frame section, said cam surfaces being generally semicircular incross-section ,and said latch means further comprising yielding means ireleasably biasingsaidelongated cam surfaces into engagement with; one another, and (d) a flexible cover, adapted to fit and cover the shelter frame WhenJthe-same is in its-extended.condition. 5. 'In afrarne structureiormedrfrom generally rigid circular tubing and having a pair of elongated cooperating tube members, latch meansfor rele asably securing ,said cooperating tube-.membersin a position wherein their axes r-are ingener al parallelism :with one another, said latch means comprising an axially-(elongated male cam surface defined by one oft-saidtubernembersan axially said tube members, pivoting means extending through said cam surfaces pivotally connecting saidtube members together abouta generallydiametrically extending axis and engagement with one another and a --.second position -wher ein vsaid; tubememhersare angularly disposed with respectto one another, and means cooperating with said 15 elongatedfemale cam surface definedb y the other of pivoting meansexerting a yielding bias on s aid tube members'in a direction ,generally coextensive with said diametric axis forreleasably holding saidmembers in their said first =.position.

6. The struotu-re definedinelaim 5 in' which said male cam surface comprises a generally convex a nd axially elongated generally semkcylindrical portion of said one tube member and said female cam surfacetr -comprises a generally concave and axiallyelongatedgenerally semicylindricaliportion of saidother tiibemember which is deformedin a generally diametric .direction,tohe generally cross sectionally co-arcuate with the diametrically oppo it su f ce S he tubemem eh References Cited by the' Examiner .UNLTED STATES PATENIS HARRISON R. MOSELEY,Primary-Examiner.

Claims

1. A COLLAPSIBLE SHELTER COMPRISING: (A) A GENERALLY RIGID MULTI-SIDED FLOOR FRAME, (B) A GENERALLY RIGID MULTI-SIDED TOP FRAME NORMALLY POSITIONED IN VERTICALLY SPACED RELATION ABOVE SAID FLOOR FRAME, (C) A PAIR OF GENERALLY SIMILAR SIDE FRAMES CONNECTING SAID TOP FRAME TO SAID FLOOR FRAME AND ONE EACH DISPOSED GENERALLY ON AN OPPOSITE SIDE OF SAID SHELTER, EACH OF SAID SIDE FRAMES COMPRISING: (1) A LOWER SECTION PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID FLOOR FRAME, (2) AN UPPER SECTION PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID TOP FRAME, (3) SAID LOWER AND UPPER SECTIONS BEING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TOGETHER AT A LOCATION GENERALLY INTERMEDIATE THE TOP FRAME AND SAID FLOOR FRAME FOR GENERALY LATERALLY DIRECTED COLLAPSING MOVEMENTS BETWEEN AN UPSTANDING GENERALLY STRAIGHT EXTENDED CONDITION WHEREIN THE TOP FRAME IS WIDELY SPACED ABOVE SAID FLOOR FRAME AND A COLLAPSED CONDITION WHEREIN SAID UPPER AND LOWER SAID FRAME SECTIONS ARE DRAPED UPON ONE ANOTHER AND WHEREIN SAID TOP FRAME IS IN OVERLYING ADJACENT RELATION TO SAID FLOOR FRAME, AND (4) LATCH MEANS REMOVABLY SECURING SAID UPPER AND LOWER SIDE FRAME SECTIONS IN THEIR SAID UPSTANDING OPEN CONDITION, SAID LATCH MEANS COMPRISING MALE AND FEMALE COOPERATING ELONGATED CAM SURFACES ONE OF WHICH IS DEFINED BY SAID UPPER SECTION AND THE OTHER OF WHICH IS DEFINED BY SAID LOWER SECTION AND SAID CAM SURFACES BEING GENERALLY SEMI-CIRCULAR IN CROSS-SECTION AND BEING RELEASABLY BIASED INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH ONE ANOTHER, AND (D) A FLEXIBLE COVER ADAPTED TO FIT AND COVER THE SHELTER FRAME WHEN THE SAME IS IN ITS EXTENDED CONDITION.