# US 2018/0023314 A1 · Frame for self-supporting shelter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0023314 A1 - Document ID: US20180023314A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/656,674 - Filed: 2017-07-21 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-22 - Assignees: Leisurelife (Aust) Pty Ltd - Applicants: Leisurelife (Aust) Pty Ltd - Inventors: Maxwell William DAY - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180023314A1 ## CPC - E04H 15/405: {flexible and foldable} - E04H 15/322: {Stretching devices} - E04H 15/48: foldable, i.e. having pivoted or hinged means ({E04H15/405 and} E04H15/46 takes precedence) - E04H 15/60: Poles - E04H 15/64: Tent or canopy cover fastenings - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) ## Abstract Provided herein is a frame for use with a self-supporting structure, such as a tent or awning. The frame may comprise a plurality of support members, each comprising a plurality of elongate support sections in co-linear arrangement and connected by over-centre hinge joints. The frame may have an erected self-supporting condition with the hinged joints in an open over-centre condition and each support member forms an arch. The frame may have a collapsed condition with the hinged joints in a closed condition and the support members are folded. Also provided are collapsible shelters comprising any of the frames described herein. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A frame comprising a plurality of support members, wherein each support member comprises a plurality of elongate support sections in co-linear arrangement and connected by over-centre hinged joints; whereby when the frame is in an erected self-supporting condition the hinged joints are in an open over-centre condition and each support member forms an arch and when the frame is in a collapsed condition the hinged joints are in a closed condition and the support members are folded. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The frame according to claim 1, wherein the over-centre hinged joints are non-locking hinged joints. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The frame according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of slidable hinged joints. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The frame according to claim 3, wherein each slidable hinged joint comprises a hinge channel comprising a hinge shoulder and a pivot pin, and a sliding portion comprising an elongate slot having a pivot end and a non-pivot end wherein the hinge channel is longitudinally disposed at the end of a second support section, the pivot pin is transversely disposed across the hinge channel and connected thereto, and the sliding portion is longitudinally disposed at the end of a third support section, the elongate slot is longitudinally disposed along the sliding portion and receives the pivot pin transversely therein. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The frame according to claim 1, further comprising one or more stabilising member comprising plurality of elongate support sections in co-linear arrangement and connected by over-centre hinged joints, whereby when the frame is in an erected self-supporting condition the hinged joints are in an open over-centre condition and the stabilising member forms part of an arch. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The frame according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible sheet material attached to the frame, and wherein when in the erected self-supporting condition, the flexible sheet material is stretched taut. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The frame according to claim 6, wherein the flexible sheet material is attached to the frame by way of sleeves through which the support members pass and which are attached to, or integral with, the flexible sheet material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The frame according to claim 7, wherein the flexible sheet material is formed in the shape of a tent or a sunshelter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The frame according to claim 1, further comprising a roof plate in co-linear arrangement with the elongate support sections and to which the neighbouring elongate support sections are pivotally or hingedly attached. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The frame according to claim 1, further comprising frame anchors for releasably receiving the ends of the support members. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The frame according to claim 10, wherein each frame anchor is connected to the flexible sheet material by a connector. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The frame according to claim 11, wherein the frame further comprises a clip. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The frame according to claim 12, wherein the connector comprises a length of tape, a length of elastic, a spring, or a hook. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The frame according to claim 1, wherein each over-centre hinge comprises a hinge hook disposed at the end of a first support section and a hinge channel at the opposing end of a neighbouring second support section, longitudinally disposed thereto, wherein the hinge channel comprises a pivot pin that extends across the hinge channel, transverse to the second support section, and a hinge shoulder at the end of the hinge channel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The frame according to claim 1, further comprising one or more compression damper. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The frame according to claim 15, wherein the compression damper comprises a spring. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The frame according to claim 15, wherein the compression damper is located at the end of a support member adjacent to a foot anchor and engageable therewith. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The frame according to claim 1, when used for a collapsible shelter. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The frame according to claim 18, wherein the collapsible shelter is a tent or a sunshelter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A collapsible shelter comprising a frame according to claim 1.