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US 4,719,934 AGranted
Stable lightweight shelter structure
OwnerDavid Mydansinventor
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OwnerDavid Mydansinventor
Estimating the term…
A lightweight, portable shelter structure is provided having an aerodynamically stable configuration which is particularly resistant to wind loads. The stability of the shelter structure results from the construction of the canopy portion wall panels and their interaction with the rod members of the shelter. The canopy portion is formed of an elastic material so that the base of the canopy panel may be stretched to tension the rod members, which are formed of a resilient, flexible material. In a preferred embodiment, the canopy panel has a triangular configuration, and the rod member is secured at the base and at the apex of the triangle so that when the base is stretched, compressive forces are exerted on the rod member causing it to bow. The canopy of the present shelter structure includes at least two panels of this construction and the shelter further includes a loose, expandable floor portion attached to the canopy portion. An arrangement of ventilating structures creates air flow through the shelter and effectively reduces condensation. The stressed wall panel of the present invention may also be used in other applications where an aerodynamically stable, stressed panel is required.
A structural panel including elastic wall means having a substantially triangular configuration including a base and an apex;
A lightweight, portable shelter structure including a substantially triangular elastic fabric wall panel having a longitudinally extensible base and an apex and a flexible, substantially straight rod member affixed to said fabric by a securing means between the base and the apex so that said rod member extends toward said apex in a direction perpendicular to said base, wherein the application of a linear force along the longitudinal extent of said base causes an extension of said base and said fabric wall panel adjacent said base which results in a reduction in fabric dimension in the direction parallel to said rod member that stresses said rod member so that said rod member is deformed to a bowed shape and said securing means deflects said fabric wall panel corresponding to said rod member bowed shape and means to maintain said linear force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.