Collapsible shelter structure
OwnerOrman M. Rainwaterinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The collapsible shelter structure comprises a pair of composite frame sections corresponding, generally, to front and back walls of the shelter. The front and back frame sections are held in spaced relationship by struts that themselves may be foldable as by a retractable splint structure. The struts are external of the fabric or other flexible walls forming the shelter and all of the frame elements remain connected to the companion elements when the structure is collapsed. In a tent configuration, the front and rear frame sections each include rafters that pivotally connect together to form a weather stable arrangement even absent a ridge pole.
Claims4
In a collapsible shelter structure:
- a. a front frame section;
- b. a rear frame section;
- c. each of said sections comprising a series of four frame elements pivotally and non-detachably connected together to be folded one along the other and to be extended into frame configuration with the end elements forming standards at the corners of the shelter structure and the intermediate elements forming rafters;
- d. a series of substantially horizontal braces, one for each of two corresponding frame elements of the front and rear frame sections respectively, each brace being connected at opposite ends respectively substantially centrally of the respective frame elements;
- e. said rafters of each frame section being pivotally connected together at a floating ridge point free of a ridge pole;
- f. means supporting said floating ridge points in elevated position, comprising braces between the rafters and the corresponding standards;
- and
- g. flexible panel means attached to the frame sections inside the braces whereby the braces are accessible for manipulation for movement of the shelter from an intermediate collapsed position with the ridge points lowered to an extended position with the ridge points raised.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.