Back to results
US 5,343,887 AGranted
Self-erecting portable fabric structure
OwnerThomas C. Danaherinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
OwnerThomas C. Danaherinventor
Estimating the term…
An elongated portable structure for the use as a tent or the like, having an end panel at each end. Each end panel comprises an annular hoop of flexible, resilient, strip material which can be reduced to a much smaller dimension by twisting. A sheet of substantially non-stretchable, flexible fabric in the space within each hoop is secured to the hoop so that the sheet is maintained taut and will resist collapse or distortion of the hoop. The end panels are maintained in generally upright position by at least one spreader rod extending between the end panels, and struts connected to the ends of the rod and attached to the respective end panels. A rigid force distributor may be attached to each strut to engage the sheet within each hoop. A flexible fabric cover with an opening extends between the end panels to provide shelter for a person or persons occupying the structure.
An elongated portable structure for use as a tent or the like, said structure having an end panel at each end thereof, each said end panel comprising an annular hoop of flexible, resilient, strip material, a sheet of substantially non-stretchable, flexible fabric in the space within each hoop and marginally secured to said hoop to maintain said sheet of fabric taut and to resist collapse or distortion of said hoop, means for holding said end panels in longitudinally spaced, generally upright positions, a flexible fabric cover extending between and cooperating with said end panels to provide shelter for a person or persons occupying the structure, and means providing an entry to said structure, at least one of said hoops being capable of being twisted into a flat coil of reduced diameter for storage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.