US3744195A

US3744195A - Collapsible frame structure

Info

Publication number: US3744195A
Application number: US00143008A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Ferkich
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-05-13
Filing date: 1971-05-13
Publication date: 1973-07-10
Anticipated expiration: 1990-07-10

Abstract

A collapsible frame primarily designed to support an outer protective canvas-like material in such a manner as to define an enclosure which can be utilized as a carnival type concession stand or the like. The frame comprises a plurality of cooperatingly positioned, vertically and horizontally arranged support beams all removably attached to one another and auxiliary support beams interconnecting the main vertical and horizontal support beams so as to maintain the frame structure in a desired configuration. The frame further includes rafters defining the roof structure, display support means on which various displays are hung and a plurality of various connecting assemblies for detachably connecting each of the components of the frame to one another.

Description

1451 July 10,1973

COLLAPSIBLE FRAME STRUCTURE Inventor: Richard F. Ferkich, 305 St. Pete Drive, Oldsmar, Fla.

Filed:

[5 7] ABSTRACT A collapsible frame primarily designed to support an outer protective canvas-like material in such a manner as to define an enclosure which can be utilized as a car- [22] May 13, 1971 nival type concession stand or the like. The frame coml PP N05 143,008 prises a plurality of cooperatingly positioned, vertically and horizontally arranged support beams all removably 52 us. 01 52/63 135/1 135/3 attached other and auxiliary suPPort beams 51 1m. (:1 E04l; 1/347 imerwnnecfing the main vertical and hrizmal [58] Field of Search 135/1 52/63 port beams so as to maintain the frame structure in a I I desired configuration. The frame further includes raf- [56] References Cited ters defining the roof structure, display support means on which various displays are hung and a plurality of UNITED STATES PATENTS various connecting assemblies for detachably connect- Niernsee R ea h of the omponents of the frame to one an- 1,314,758 9 1919 Sch1ffmacher.... 135/3 R when 3,282,274 11/1966 Scott 135/1 R 784,492 3/ I905 Keen 52/63 758,033 4/1904 Holmes 52/63 1 Claims 13 Drawing Figures Primary Examiner-Kenneth Downey Attorney-Stefan M. Stein g H4 1 H6 l8 3 Q H4 PATENTED l 1 01915 3. 7.44. 1 95 srm air *3 FIG. 3 u

f INVENTOR. g V T RICHARDFFERKICH g 8 wy ATT ORNEY.

PATENIEn JUL 1 0191s Cg ll losg P |F-50 58 j 58 no A 4:; 6O 58 2O) 58 so 3/ I I i I I 1 1 '9 H li '8 M A x I F|G.|| I [will INVENTOR. RICHARD F. FERKICH I BY ATTORNEY.

COLLAPSIBLE FRAME STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a frame structure wherein each of the elements included in the structure are removably attached to one or more other elements in cooperative relation thereto such that the frame may be easily assembled and disassembled through the use of a plurality of various types of connecting means attached to one or more of the elements comprising the frame structure.

2. Description of the Prior Art Various types of enclosures incorporating the use of canvas like material mounted in supported relation on frame structures are, of course, well known in the art. These type enclosures have been particularly popular down through the years because of their relative simplicity of construction and low cost as compared to permanent type structures.

Because of the ability of these type structures to readily assume various design configurations, they have been widely accepted for a number of uses. One area almost exclusively utilizing portable structure enclosure is the concessionaire industry most often found as sociated with carnivals, fairs or the like. In this application the structures of this nature are used to house or enclose various types of games, commonly known as concessions, and to display various types of prizes. Previously these portable type structures have comprised wooden components forming a frame wherein the components are connected together by means of bolts,

screws, nails or similar type fastening devices. These wooden frame structures are generally unsatisfactory because of the relatively short useful life of the wooden members themselves. These frames are subjected to various adverse weather conditions and accordingly the wood is caused to deteriorate rapidly. In addition, the assembling an disassembling of these units occurs on a frequent basis thereby presenting a maintenance problem to the components of the frame itself and to the particular connecting means used to attach the structural elements to one another. Other disadvantages associated with prior art structures include the difficulty in assembling and disassembling them due to weight and design of the particular components comprising the structure. This bulkiness necessitates the use of a number of men to assemble and disassemble the unit and requires a relatively long length of time to accomplish the assembly.

As pointed out above, one of the purposes for which such a structure is designed is to display the various prizes in an attractive manner and in a location which is readily accessible to the replacing of the prizes. In conventional concession stands which include structures designed for these purposes, the placing of the prizes for display necessitates the positioning of each individual article and a replacement of any such article necessitates a stopping of the game thereby increasing the cost of operation for the operator of such a stand.

Based on the above, it can be seen that there is a great need for a portable structure which includes a frame which is durable, lightweight and easily assembled and disassembled. In addition, the structure should be sufficiently versatile to arrange display or other type structures within the frame enclosure in a manner which is readily accessible to the operator of the stand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a portable shelter or enclosure which includes a supporting frame made up of a plurality of removably interconnected support ele' ments which may be completely detached from one another so as to facilitate easy assembly and disassembly of the shelter. More specifically, the frame structure of this invention comprises a plurality of vertically oriented support beams arranged in substantially, parallel, spaced relation to one another. Each of these vertical support beams are interconnected to a plurality of substantially horizontal support beams a number of which are also arranged in spaced parallel relation to one another. Beams, at their points of juncture are removably interconnected to one another by support beam connecting means. This connecting means may be in the form of a shaft fixedly or integrally attached to the extremities of a horizontal support beam and designed to movably engage at least one other horizontal support beam and a vertical support beam such that the positions of the three engaging beams are fixed relative to one another. A locking pin is secured to the connecting shaft so as to insure a locking engagement between the three connecting beams. This type of arrangement is provided at each of the corners of the frame structure so as to define a supporting frame having a substantially cubical configuration. However, it can be readily seen that the particular structural elements of this invention could be arranged in any number of configurations depending on the particular use of the frame structure. The frame further comprises auxiliary support means in the form of a plurality of first and second cross beam members, each set of which are arranged in interconnecting relation between cooperatively positioned support beams thereby maintaining the support beams in a desired relation to one another. The first set of support beams are substantially angularly oriented and interconnect a vertical support beam with a cooperatingly positioned horizontal support beam. Support beam connecting means in the form of a hook fixedly attached to one end of the cross beam is removably connected to protruding studs connected to the sup port beam cooperating with said hook. The opposite end of the cross beam includes a shaft fixedly connected thereto and designed to protrude through apertures arranged in the cooperating support beam similar to the arrangement as described with reference to the support beam connecting means. The second set of cross beam means include longitudinally extending beams which are arranged to interconnect at least two horizontal support beams arranged in spaced relation to one another. A second type of cross beam connecting means include a spring biased finger arranged to extend out one extremity of the second set of cross beam members and engage a correspondingly positioned aperture in one of the two connected horizontal support beams. Irrespective of the particular support beam or cross beam referred to is important to note that each of the structural elements comprising this frame are specifically designed to be detachably secured to one another in an efficient manner so as to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the frame using a minimal number of personnel. It should be also noted that the material from which the structural elements of the frame are formed, may comprise tubular aluminum or any durable, relatively lightweight material applicable to a specific frame structure.

The roof structure of the frame comprises a plurality of rafters removably connected between the upper most front and rear horizontally arranged support beams. These particular rafters are shown to be somewhat angularly oriented relative to the ground or supporting surface on which the frame is positioned. However, it is obvious that the present invention is intended to include other type of configurations including a substantially level roof structure. Each of the plurality of rafters are connected to the cooperating horizontalsupport beams by finger means extending outwardly from the side of the horizontal support beam and adapted to engage recesses for apertures formed in the extremity of each of the rafters. Utilizing this type of connection means, each of the rafters are essentially hooked in place and may be easily removed therefrom. The finger means are arranged in spaced relation to one another along the length of the rafters and positioned dependent upon the number of rafters and spacing between each rafter as desired.

A display assembly on which various prizes or like objects are mounted is connected to the frame so as to be arranged on the interior thereof. The display assembly comprises a plurality of display support beam means running from the front of the frame to the rear thereof in a substantially horizontal plane. Each of the display support means are connected to the rear, uppermost horizontal support beam by means of a mounting plate which is removably attached to both the horizontal support beam and one rafter. More specifically, the extremity of each rafter cooperating with a support plate has a hook arrangement formed thereon which is mounted within an aperture formed in the lower portion of the support plate such that the hook member rests on the lower extremity of that aperture. This allows the rafter to pivot, to a limited degree about this lower portion of the aperture which will be explained hereinafter. The opposite end of each rafter is attached to the uppermost front horizontal support beam by means of a suspension assembly comprising a reel and cable arrangement. This allows the front portion of the rafter to be moved as a unit in a vertical direction, thereby causing the opposite extremity of each rafter to pivot relative to the mounting plate. The vertical movement of the display supporting beams is provided to allow access to the display objects which may be arranged on racks. These racks are mounted across the plurality of display. support beams in a substantially perpendicular direction to the longitudinal axis thereof. To remove or replace either an object or an entire rack of objects, the front end of the display assembly is lowered by operation of the suspension assembly to a level where the particular object or rack in question is accessible. After removal or replacement, the entire front end of the assembly is merely raised to a desired height.

I As an added feature, the frame includes an adjustable awning means positioned on the front portion of the frame and including a pair of movably positioned arms attached to an awning structure wherein each of the arms is adjustable byv a crank arm and gear assembly allowing the position of the awning to be adjusted manually.

As stated above, the frame of the subject invention is designed to support a protective covering material in the form of canvas, plastic or any material which may satisfactorily offer protection to the interior of the frame from wind, rain, sunshine and the like.

A container, commonly termed a coffin is used in combination with the frame and serves to house each of the structural elements including the support beam and cross beam members when they are detached from one another and the frame is in a completely collapsed state. When set up for operation, the coffin is used as a counter and is positioned at the front opening of the frame.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the frame structure of the present invention in assembled form.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the interior of the frame, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along 3-3 of. FIG. 2, showing a side view of the frame structure.

FIG. 4 is a cutaway sectional view showing in detail the support beam connecting means.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 showing a means of connecting the rafters to the horizontal support beams.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 2 showing details of the support plate.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing details of the first cross beam member.

FIG. 8 is a front sectional view of the support plate.

FIG. 9 is a sectionalview taken along line 99 of FIG. 3. g

FIG. 10 is a sectional, partially cutaway view of the second cross beam member showing the method of connecting it to a horizontal support beam.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are directed towards cross bea m connecting means and are taken along line llll of FIG. 3 and 12-12 of FIG. 7 respectively.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the container means in which the elements of the frame are stored when detached from one another.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION This invention' relates to a supporting frame structure generally indicated as 10 in FIGS. 2 and 3 which is designed to support an exterior protective cover 12 thereby defining a shelter, or enclosure in the form of a concession stand which is generally indicated at 14 (FIG. 1). As shown in the drawings, the frame is formed into a substantially box-like configuration and comprises a plurality of four vertically arranged support beams l6, 18, 20 and 22 arranged on the four corners of the frame structure. Of course, it should be obvious that this invention is intended to cover a frame structure of the type described having any basic configuration and certainly is not limited to a cubical or boxlike configuration. The frame further comprises a plurality of substantially, horizontally arranged support beams 24, 28 and 30 positioned around the lower periphery of the frame and 32, 34, 36 and 38 positioned around the upper periphery of the frame. Each of the vertical support beams are positioned to cooperatively engage at each extremity, two horizontal support beams through the use of a support beam connecting mean.

As shown in FIG. 4 the supprot beam connecting means is generally indicated at 40 and comprises the shaft 42 fixedly secured to one extremity of at least one of the three engaging beams. Shaft 42 is positioned to extend from the extremity of beam 38 in such a manner so as to engage and extend through each of the cooperatively positioned support beams 22 and 32. A locking pin 44 is designed to engage the extremity of shaft 42 so as to maintain the position of the three gauge beams relative to one another. As can be seen, this connecting means detachably secures each of the cooperating beams to one another in such a manner that the beams and accordingly the frame structure can be easily assembled and disassembled.

The frame further includes a roof structure comprising a plurality of rafter means removably connected to the front and rear uppermost horizontal support beams 34 and 38. More specifically, the rafters generally indicated as 46 in FIGS. 3 and 6 include finger receiving aperture 48 at each extremity thereof. These recesses are designed to engage in supported relation thereto, finger means 50 attached to the inner surface of each of the

horizontal beams

34 and 38. These finger means are arranged in spaced relation to each other along the same beam dependent upon the number of rafters to be utilized with the particular frame structure. Assembly and disassembly of the rafters merely consist of engagement and disengagement of the correspondingly positioned recess and finger means 46 and 50 respectively.

Auxiliary support means are also included in the frame in order to insure that both the vertical and horizontally support beams are maintained in their intended cooperative relation relative to one another. The auxiliary support means comprises a first set of cross beam members 52 which are angularly oriented and arranged in interconnecting relation between at least one vertical support beam and one horizontal support beam. These first set of cross beam members are generally positioned in the corners of the frame as shown in FIG. 3. Each extremity of cross beam 52 is removably connected to one of the interconnecting support beams. This cross beam connection means comprises a hook S4 fixedly attached to one extremity of the cross beam 52 and designed to engage a pivot pin 56. This pin may be fixedly or movably attached to a cooperatively positoned support beam. The other extremity of the cross beam comprises a pair of cooperating side plates 58 used in combination with a slide pivot pin 60 extending through both the plates and through the cooperatively positioned support beam (FIGS. 11 and 12).

The auxiliary support means further includes a second set of cross beams which may be termed secondary support beam and which arepositioned to extend in supporting interconnected relation between horizontally positioned support beams. More specifically, these secondary support beams indicated as 62, and 64 dependent upon their relative location, may be used to support horizontal support beams. These supported beams are arranged in a substantially parallel vertically spaced relation to one another and include

beams

30, 38 an 24, 32 and 28, 36. The secondary beam 62 is removably connected to beam 38 by means of a stud 66 fixedly attached to beam 38 which is intended to cooperate with aperture 70 formed in one extremity of beam 62. The opposite extremity of beam 62 is connected to beam 30 by means ofa spring biased finger 72. This finger engages and extends through

apertures

74 and 76 in the lower extremity of secondary beam 62 and the upper lateral surface of horizontal beam 30 respectively. This finger 72 is biased into the position shown in FIG. 10 by means of spring 78. Finger 72 may be removed from beam 30 by placing force in the opposite direction against finger latch and stop member 80. Secondary beams 64 are substantially vertically arranged and are connected to

horizontal beams

32, 36 by means of stud 82 connected to

beam

32, 36 and positioned to engage apertures 85 positioned in beam 64. A similar arrangement is provided at the opposite extremity of beam 64 as shown in FIG. 9.

A display assembly is provided on the interior of the frame and movably connected thereto so as to provide ready and efficient access to display articles mounted on the assembly. The assembly includes a plurality of display support beams 85 movably connected at each extremity of each beam to the remaining frame structure. These display support beams are positioned to run from the front to the rear of the frame structure. These beams serve to support a plurality of racks 86 on which display devices 88 are removably mounted. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, these racks are arranged in substantially perpendicular relation to the support beams 84. One end of the support beam 84 is movably attached to horizontal beam 38 by means of a support plate 90 to be described hereinafter. The opposite end of each beam 84 is mounted in suspended relation to the front portion of the frame by a suspension assembly generally indicate at 92. This suspension assembly comprises a cable and reel arrangement attached to the front portion of each display support beams 84. This allows the beams to be raised or lowered in a pivoted or hingedlike fashion about support plates 90. More specifically, the suspension assembly comprises a cable 94 attached at its free end to bracket 96 and at its opposite end, in winding relation to wheel means 98. A stop means 100 is interconnected between bracket 96 and support beams l6, 18 so as to maintain the beams 84 at the desired height. a

As mentioned above the raising and lowering ofdisplay support beams 84 is permitted because of the pivoting action of the opposite extremity of beams 84 about support plate 90. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, plate 90 comprises an aperture 102 designed to engage groove 104 formed in the cooperating extremity of beam 84 thereby allowing pivoting action of this extremity about the lower portion of extremity 102. The upper portion of plate 90 comprises a plurality of apertures 106 designed to engage studs 108 formed on horizontal beam 38. A channel 110 isalso provided in the support plate to allow the placement of rafters 46 therein.

Light means in the form of one or more light banks may be arranged along rafters 46 or along the inner periphery of the frame in any other desirable location. These light means are generally indicated as 112 and may be in the form of incandescent or fluorescent bulbs as preferred.

As mentioned above, after the frame is in its assembled form the outer protective covering material 12 is placed thereon so as to enclose the interior of the frame. This protective covering material may also include an awning arrangement including awning bars 114 movably attached to vertical support beams 16 and 18 respectively. Adjustment of the awning bars 114 to expand or contract the awning may bedone manually by a gear and crank arm assembly 116. As shown in FIG. 3, the protective material 13 forming the awning may be stored on a reel assembly 118 arrangedin interconnected relation between the outer extremities of awning bars 114.

It should be emphasized that as pointed out above, one of the main features of this invention is that each of the elements or components making up the frame may be rapidly and efficiently connected and disconnected from one another. When the frame is broken down and the elements are disconnected, they are stored in an elongated container 120 which is commonly termed a coffin (1 16.13). As shown in FIG. 1 this coffin also serves as the counter positioned along the front entrance to the shelter.

It will thus be seen that the objects made apparent from the preceding description are efficiently attained, and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also be be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described, what is claimed is:

ll. A frame of the type designed to support a protective cover and thereby define an enclosure, said frame comprising: a plurality of substantially vertically arranged support beams, a plurality of substantially horizontally arranged support beams cooperatively positioned relative to said plurality of vertical support beams, support beam connecting means cooperating with at least one of said plurality of vertical beams and one of said plurality ofhorizontal beams in such a manner as to removably connect said beams to one another, auxiliary support means removably connected and arranged in supporting relation to at least two cooperatively positioned support beams, whereby said beams are in separable engagement with one another such that the frame is collapsible; a display assembly connected to said frame and including a plurality of rack means on which displays are mounted, spaced mounting means mounted on at least one of said support beams for connecting one end of said display assembly to said one support beam, display support beam means arranged in spaced relation to one another and each attached at one end thereof to said plates in supporting relation to said rack means, said display assembly further comprising suspension means movably mounted within said frame and connected to the other end of said display support beam means, said display support beam means pivotally attached to said plates such that said display assembly can be raised or lowered within said frame by actuation of said suspension means.

2. A frame as in claim 1 wherein said mounting plates are removably mounted on said support beam and include notches at one end thereof configured to at least partially surround said support beam, aperture means formed in said plates a spaced distance from said notches and configured to pivotally engage said one end of said display support beam means.

3. A frame as in claim 1 wherein said support beam connecting means comprises a shaft fixedlyconnected in substantially co-axial alignment to at least one of said cooperatively, interconnecting support means, a beam aperture means extending through the corresponding ends of said remaining interconnecting beams, said shaft positioned to extend through each of the remaining support beams by virtue of said aperture means and thereby being movably connected to the remaining beams, a locking pin engaging said shaft whereby said shaft is lockingly attached to the remaining beams which are attached in fixed position relative to one another.

4. A frame as in claim 1 wherein said auxiliary support means include -a first cross beam means comprising at least one cross beam angularly oriented in interconnecting, supporting relation between at least one vertical support beam and one horizontal support beam, said one cross beam removably connected to both said vertical and horizontal support beams by said cross beam connecting means.

5. A frame as in claim 4 wherein said cross beam connecting means is attached to said cross beam means and includes beam engaging means at each extremity of said cross beam, whereby said first cross beam is movably secured to a support beam by said cross beam connecting means, such that said cross beam is detachable from said frame.

6. A frame as in claim 1 further including rafter means connected between at least two horizontal support beams which are arranged in spaced substantially parallel relation to one another, such that opposite extremities of said rafter means each engage one of said horizontal support beams.

7. A frame as in claim 6 wherein said rafter means comprises a plurality of rafters each removably attached at their extremities to one of said two horizontal support beams; finger means mounted on each of said horizontal support beams, finger receiving means formed on each extremity of said rafters such that said rafters are removably attached to said two horizontal support beams.

8. A frame as in claim 1 wherein said suspension means comprises a cable means having one end attached to said display support beam means, reel means on which said cable is extendibly wound such that said display support beam means may be positionedat various heights relative to said frame.

9. A frame as in claim 8 further comprising stop means removably attached to both said support beam and said display support beam means so as to maintain said display beam means in a desired position relative to said frame.

10. A frame as in claim 5 wherein said cross beam comprises a hook assembly arranged on at least one extremity of said cross beam to engage stud means on said cooperating support beam, a first connection assembly mounted on at least one other extremity of said cross beam whereby said cross beam is movably positioned into and out of supporting relation to said two beams.

11. A frame as in claim 1 wherein said auxiliary support means further includes secondary support beams arranged in interconnecting supporting relation between cooperatively positioned horizontal support beams.

12. A frame as in claim 11 wherein said secondary support beam includes extension means extendible from the body of said beam so as to engage at least one of said horizontal support beams in fixed relation thereto.

13. A frame as in claim 12 wherein said extension means is spring biased so as to be extendible and retractable relative to said secondary beam.

14. A frame as in claim 1 further including container means mounted in cooperative relation to said frame whereby components of said frame are storable in said

Claims

1. A frame of the type designed to support a protective cover and thereby define an enclosure, said frame comprising: a plurality of substantially vertically arranged support beams, a plurality of substantially horizontally arranged support beams cooperatively positioned relative to said plurality of vertical support beams, support beam connEcting means cooperating with at least one of said plurality of vertical beams and one of said plurality of horizontal beams in such a manner as to removably connect said beams to one another, auxiliary support means removably connected and arranged in supporting relation to at least two cooperatively positioned support beams, whereby said beams are in separable engagement with one another such that the frame is collapsible; a display assembly connected to said frame and including a plurality of rack means on which displays are mounted, spaced mounting means mounted on at least one of said support beams for connecting one end of said display assembly to said one support beam, display support beam means arranged in spaced relation to one another and each attached at one end thereof to said plates in supporting relation to said rack means, said display assembly further comprising suspension means movably mounted within said frame and connected to the other end of said display support beam means, said display support beam means pivotally attached to said plates such that said display assembly can be raised or lowered within said frame by actuation of said suspension means.

3. A frame as in claim 1 wherein said support beam connecting means comprises a shaft fixedly connected in substantially co-axial alignment to at least one of said cooperatively, interconnecting support means, a beam aperture means extending through the corresponding ends of said remaining interconnecting beams, said shaft positioned to extend through each of the remaining support beams by virtue of said aperture means and thereby being movably connected to the remaining beams, a locking pin engaging said shaft whereby said shaft is lockingly attached to the remaining beams which are attached in fixed position relative to one another.

4. A frame as in claim 1 wherein said auxiliary support means include a first cross beam means comprising at least one cross beam angularly oriented in interconnecting, supporting relation between at least one vertical support beam and one horizontal support beam, said one cross beam removably connected to both said vertical and horizontal support beams by said cross beam connecting means.

8. A frame as in claim 1 wherein said suspension means comprises a cable means having one end attached to said display support beam means, reel means on which said cable is extendibly wound such that said display support beam means may be positioned at various heights relative to said frame.

14. A frame as in claim 1 further including container means mounted in cooperative relation to said frame whereby components of said frame are storable in said container when detached from the remaining components of said frame.

15. A frame as in claim 1 further including awning support means adjustably connected to said frame, whereby the size of said awning may be regulated.

16. A frame as in claim 15 wherein said awning support means comprises at least one arm movably connected to said frame in supporting relation to said awning.