Back to results
US 4,825,892 AGranted
Instantly stable, quickly erectable and quickly collapsible portable structure
AssigneePure Concepts, Inc.
InventorLowell R. Norman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A portable structure that, without disassembly or separation of its basic parts, can be rapidly transformed between its fully erected configuration and its fully collapsed configuration by one individual unaided by another person. The structure, in its collapsed configuration, can be easily carried by one individual. In its expanded configuration the structure is instantly stable when placed on the ground. In one embodiment the structure serves as a light weight beach cabana that can be easily carried by a child. The basic portable structure does not require separation and reassembly of its components at any time before, during or after transformation from the collapsed or expanded configuration.
Claims20
A portable structure operable for transforming from a collapsible configuration into an expanded configuration and thence back into said collapsible configuration comprising:
- a frame formed from a flexible coilable material, said frame having, when in an expanded configuration, a shape of a figure eight thereby defining first and second loops and a crossover with said crossover forming an apex of said structure and the loops thereof extending downwardly therefrom;
- and
- first and second side panels formed from a foldable cloth-like material, said first and second side panels spanning said first and second loops, respectively, of said frame and connected thereto, said first and second side panels each having a straight portion opposite said crossover, said straight portion of said panels being operative for forming when said portable structure is in said expanded configuration a corresponding stable straight portion in each of said loops of said frame opposite said crossover,
- said corresponding stable straight portion of said loops being operable, when said structure is in said expanded configuration with said straight portion of said loops placed on top of a flat surface, for preventing said structure from rolling over and for maintaining said crossover at the apex of said structure,
- said structure, when in said expanded configuration, being operable for transforming by collapsing into a collapsible configuration without separation of said frame from said side panels, said collapsible configuration comprising six overlying loops of said frame,
- said structure, when in said collapsible configuration, being operable for transforming into said expandable configuration without separation of said frame from said side panels merely by spreading such six overlying loops of said frame apart and allowing said frame to spring into said expanded configuration.
3 more elements
A portable structure operable for transforming from a collapsible configuration into an expanded configuration and thence back into said collapsible configuration comprising;
- a frame formed from a flexible coilable material, said frame having, when in an expanded configuration, a shape of a figure eight thereby defining first and second loops and a crossover with said crossover forming an apex of said structure and the loops thereof extending downwardly therefrom, wherein said frame is a continuous piece of said flexible coilable material and contains one 360.degree. twist, and wherein said flexible coilable material of said frame has a cross section having a width and a thickness and wherein said width is at least about two times larger than said thickness;
- and
- first and second side panels formed from a foldable cloth-like material, said first and second side panels spanning said first and second loops, respectively, of said frame and connected thereto, said first and second side panels each having a straight portion opposite said crossover, said straight portion of said panels being operative for forming when said portable structure is in said expanded configuration a corresponding stable straight portion in each of said loops of said frame opposite said crossover, wherein said straight portion of each of said loops is between about 10 and about 40% of the periphery of said loop,
- said corresponding stable straight portion of said loops being operable, when said structure is in said expanded configuration with said straight portion of said loops placed on top of a flat surface, for preventing said structure from rolling over and for maintaining said crossover at the apex of said structure,
- said structure, when in said expanded configuration, being operable for transforming by collapsing into a collapsible configuration without separation of said frame from said side panels, said collapsible configuration comprising six overlying loops of said frame,
- said structure, when in said collapsible configuration, being operable for transforming into said expandable configuration without separation of said frame from said side panels merely by spreading such six overlying loops of said frame apart and allowing said frame to spring into said expanded configuration.
3 more elements
A portable structure operable for transforming from a collapsible configuration into an expanded configuration and thence back into said collapsible configuration comprising;
- a frame formed from a flexible coilable material, said frame having, when in an expanded configuration, a shape of a figure eight thereby defining first and second loops and a crossover with said crossover forming an apex of said structure and the loops thereof extending downwardly therefrom, wherein said frame is a continuous piece of said flexible coilable material and contains one 360.degree. twist, and wherein said flexible coilable material of said frame has a cross section having a width and a thickness and wherein said width is at least about two times larger than said thickness;
- and
- first and second side panels formed from a foldable cloth-like material, said first and second side panels spanning said first and second loops, respectively, of said frame and connected thereto, said first and second side panels each having a straight portion opposite said crossover, said straight portion of said panels being operative for forming when said portable structure is in said expanded configuration a corresponding stable straight portion in each of said loops of said frame opposite said crossover, wherein said straight portion of each of said loops is between about 10 and about 40% of the periphery of said loop,
- wherein said first and second side panels are connected to said first and second loops, respectively, of said frame by first and second elongated pockets, respectively, wherein said first and second elongated pockets are attached to said first and second side panels, respectively, wherein said first and second loops of said frame are slideably enclosed in said first and second elongated pockets, respectively, and wherein when said portable structure is in said expanded configuration, said elongated pockets extend upwardly and outwardly from said side panels at said crossover,
- said corresponding stable straight portion of said loops being operable, when said structure is in said expanded configuration with said straight portion of said loops placed on top of a flat surface, for preventing said structure from rolling over and for maintaining said crossover at the apex of said structure,
- said structure, when in said expanded configuration, being operable for transforming by collapsing into a collapsible configuration without separation of said frame from said side panels, said collapsible configuration comprising six overlying loops of said frame,
- said structure, when in said collapsible configuration, being operable for transforming into said expandable configuration without separation of said frame from said side panels merely by spreading such six overlying loops of said frame apart and allowing said frame to spring into said expanded configuration.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.