Portable shelter and method of assembling the same

A portable shelter comprising:

• a frame constructed and arranged to be disposed on a support surface and including:
• a) a base having a diameter;
• b) a plurality of articulating arms each including a proximal end pivotally attached to an upper end of the base and movable between an extended position in which the arms are under tension and a collapsed position in which tension is not applied to the arms;
• c) a tension wire constructed and arranged to at least partially support each of the articulating arms in the extended position;
• d) a plurality of legs;
• and
• e) an umbrella unit movable between an open and a closed position including:
• i.) a flexible member;
• ii.) a plurality of telescoping arms, each telescoping arm including a first end supported by the base and a second end, opposite the first end, constructed and arranged to support an upper arm, the telescoping arms being movable by a user between an extended position in which the umbrella unit is open and a retracted position in which the umbrella unit is closed, and wherein the telescoping arms are securable in a number of positions from fully extended to fully retracted by a fastening member;
• iii.) a plurality of upper arms, each upper arm having a proximal end operatively connected to the flexible member, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and an intermediate portion along which each upper arm is connected to a corresponding telescoping arm;
• iv.) a fitting constructed and arranged to connect corresponding upper arms and telescoping arms;
• and
• v.) an engagement member operatively connected to the flexible member and constructed and arranged to extend and retract the telescoping arms;
• an outer covering constructed and arranged to be removably secured to the frame, the outer covering including a primary roof portion positionable over at least a portion of the articulating arms and having an opening disposed therethrough, the opening having a diameter which is sized to receive at least a portion of the umbrella unit therethrough and which is greater than the diameter of the base at the upper end thereof, an umbrella covering constructed and arranged to be supported and moved by the upper arms of the umbrella unit, and one or more side walls removably attachable to the frame;
• and
• wherein in an assembled position the umbrella unit is movable between a closed position in which the upper arms extend in an upward direction from the support surface and through the opening in the roof such that an interior portion of the shelter is in fluid communication with the outside atmosphere through the opening, and an open position in which the upper arms are substantially parallel to the support surface such that the opening is covered by the umbrella covering to form a substantially continuous roof.

A method of assembly a portable shelter comprising the steps of:

• placing a base having a plurality of articulating arms on a support surface;
• extending the articulated arms radially from the base;
• securing the articulated arms in the extended position by placing the arms under tension;
• supporting an umbrella unit on the base, the umbrella unit having a plurality of telescoping arms which are movable by a user between an extended position in which the umbrella unit is open and a retracted position in which the umbrella unit is closed, a plurality of upper arms operatively connected to the telescoping arms;
• and a flexible member operatively connected to the upper arms;
• attaching a roof over a portion of the articulated arms, the roof including an opening sized to receive the umbrella unit therethrough;
• and
• moving the umbrella unit between a closed position in which the upper arms extend in an upward direction from the support surface and through the opening in the roof such that an interior portion of the shelter is in fluid communication with the outside atmosphere through the opening, and an open position in which the upper arms are substantially parallel to the support surface such that the opening is covered by the umbrella covering to form a substantially continuous roof.