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US 5,579,797 AGranted
Foldable canopy support
OwnerAllen E. Rogersinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A foldable, adjustable-height, canopy support which can support up to four independent rectangular canopy-segments. The segments are cantilevered from a single mast. All support elements remain interconnected and fold parallel for storing and ease of portage. The support may include integral canopy-segments which retract onto elongated rollers when not in use. A demountable foot having clamps for attaching the bottom end of the mast to a solid object is also disclosed.
Claims15
A foldable support supporting for a canopy comprising:
- a) an elongated mast, having a longitudinal mast axis, and a bottom end;
- b) at least one elongated spar, each said spar having a longitudinal spar axis, an inner end, an outer end, and a fulcrum point distanced from said inner end, each said spar independently having a collapsed position and a perpendicular position such that each said spar in said collapsed position is disposed proximate and parallel with said mast, and in said perpendicular position is supported substantially perpendicular to said mast axis;
- c) each said spar being joined at said inner end, to said mast at a position distanced from said bottom end of said mast by a related pivotal joint, one said related pivotal joint for each spar, each said spar pivoting about said related pivotal joint substantially restricted to a pivotal plane that includes all said spar axis and all said mast axis;
- d) each said spar having a related brace supporting said spar when it is in said perpendicular position, one said related brace for one said spar, each said related brace having two ends being attached at one end to said spar at said fulcrum point and being attached at its other end to said mast at a support point distanced from said related pivotal joint;
- e) at least one frame assembly related to each said spar, each said related frame assembly being attached to said respective spar at a position proximate said inner end and at a position proximate said outer end, each said related frame comprising a plurality of elongated members, including an end member, and having two structural modes, a folded mode wherein said members are disposed proximate and parallel with said respective spar, and an extended mode wherein said members form an inverted U-shape wherein said end member is parallel and distanced from said respective spar;
- f) each said spar in said perpendicular position and said related frame assembly in said extended mode defining a substantially rectangular supporting structure in a plane generally perpendicular to said mast axis;
- g) means for attaching said bottom end of said mast to a solid object.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.