# US 7,073,523 B2 · Collapsible panels having multiple frame members

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- Number: US 7,073,523 B2
- Document ID: US7073523B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/845,724
- Filed: 2004-05-14
- Published: 2004-10-28
- Granted: 2006-07-11
- Earliest claimed: 2000-05-26
- Assignees: Patent Category Corp.
- Inventors: Yu Zheng
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7073523B2

## CPC

- E04H 15/40: flexible
- E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D)

## Abstract

Collapsible panels are provided which incorporate two or more separate frame members. The frame members can be positioned at separate locations on the panel, or two or more frame members can be housed in the same frame retaining sleeve. One or more of the panels can be used to form collapsible structures. These collapsible structures can be easily and quickly folded and collapsed into a compact configuration.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An assembly, comprising:
a tunnel having an interior and a first end; and
a panel having:
a periphery;
a first frame member;
a second frame member, the second frame member defining an opening;
a first sleeve that retains the first frame member, the first sleeve defining the periphery of the panel; and
a second sleeve attached to the panel and retaining the second frame member; and
wherein the first end of the tunnel is coupled to the second frame member to align the opening of the second frame member with the interior of the tunnel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first frame member has a fabric material covering selected portions of the first frame member.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The assembly of claim 2, wherein the second frame member is provided on the fabric material.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the second frame member is circular.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first frame member is larger than the second frame member.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second frame members are concentric to each other.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, further including a connector that couples the tunnel to the second frame member.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, further including a third frame member that is attached to the panel.

### Claim 9

An assembly, comprising:
a tunnel having an interior and a first end;
a first panel having:
a periphery;
a first frame member that defines the periphery of the first panel;
a second frame member attached to the first panel, the second frame member defining an opening;
wherein the first end of the tunnel is coupled to the second frame member to align the opening of the second frame member with the interior of the tunnel; and
a second panel hingedly coupled to the first panel.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The assembly of claim 9, wherein the first frame member has a fabric material covering selected portions of the first frame member.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The assembly of claim 10, wherein the second frame member is provided on the fabric material.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The assembly of claim 9, wherein the second frame member is circular.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The assembly of claim 9, wherein the first frame member is larger than the second frame member.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The assembly of claim 9, wherein the first and second frame members are concentric to each other.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The assembly of claim 9, further including a connector that couples the tunnel to the second frame member.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The assembly of claim 9, further including a third frame member that is attached to the first panel.