Collapsible structures

• US 20040209713A1
• Filed: 04/05/2004
• Published: 10/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yu Zheng
• Original Assignee: Yu Zheng
• Inventors: Zheng, Yu
• Granted Patent: US 7,048,654 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/471
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2063/001 Targets or goals with ball-returning means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/52 Frame members linked by elastic means when disassembled
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/54 Foldable elastic frame members automatically resuming their expanded state when released
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/605 Floating
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/083 for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/022 Backstops, cages, enclosures or the like, e.g. for spectator protection, for arresting balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 9/00 Climbing poles, frames, or stages climbing walls for mountaineering training A63B69/0048; endless loop ladders A63B22/04

Abstract

Collapsible structures are disclosed having a central panel, a first support panel disengageably connected to the left side of the central panel, and a second support panel disengageably connected to the right side of the central panel. Each of the central panel and support panels includes a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material substantially covering the frame member.

Claims

1. A collapsible structure adapted to be supported on a surface and comprising:

a central panel having a bottom side, a left side and a right side;

a first support panel disengageably connected to the left side of the central panel;

a second support panel disengageably connected to the right side of the central panel; and

wherein each of the central panel and support panels comprises a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material substantially covering the frame member.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein each of the support panels further comprises a bottom surface, and wherein the bottom surfaces of the central panel and support panels rest on the surface when the structure is in an upright position, with the central panel disposed at right angles to and between the support panels.

3. The structure of claim 2, further comprising a basket connected to the central panel.

4. The structure of claim 1, further comprising:

a first base panel having a top side, a left side, a right side and a bottom side;

a second base panel having a top side, a left side, a right side and a bottom side;

wherein each of the base panels comprises a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material substantially covering the frame member; and

wherein the top sides of the base panels are hingedly connected to the bottom side of the central panel, the first support panel is disengageably connected to the left side of the first base panel and the right side of the second base panel, and the second support panel is disengageably connected to the right side of the first base panel and the left side of the second base panel.

5. The structure of claim 4, wherein the base panels are disposed at an angle with respect to each other, with the bottom sides of the base panels resting on the surface, and with the central panel disposed at right angles to and between the support panels, when the structure is in an upright position.

6. The structure of claim 4, further comprising a flotation device coupled to the base panels.

7. The structure of claim 4, further comprising a first basket connected to the central panel.

8. The structure of claim 7, further comprising a first opening provided in the central panel, and a first tube coupling the first basket and the first opening.

9. The structure of claim 8, further comprising a second basket connected to the central panel and opposite to the first basket, a second opening provided in the central panel and spaced apart from the first opening, and a second tube coupling the second basket and the second opening.

10. The structure of claim 4, further comprising:

a first collection panel having an inner side, a left side and a right side, and comprising a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material substantially covering the frame member; and

wherein the inner side of the first collection panel is hingedly connected to the bottom side of the central panel and the top sides of the base panels, the first support panel is disengageably connected to the left side of the first collection panel, and the second support panel is disengageably connected to the right side of the first collection panel.

11. The structure of claim 10, further comprising a first basket connected to the central panel and above the first collection panel.

12. The structure of claim 4, wherein the base panels and the central panel are foldable on top of each other about the hinged connection to have the base panels and central panel overlaying each other, and with the base panels and central panel collapsible to the folded orientation by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings and layers of panels to substantially reduce the size of the panels in the folded orientation.

13. The structure of claim 12, wherein the support panels are stackable on top of the base panels and central panel, and with the base panels, central panel and support panels collapsible to the folded orientation by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings and layers of panels to substantially reduce the size of the panels in the folded orientation.

14. The structure of claim 1, wherein the support panels are stackable on top of the central panel, and with the central panel and support panels collapsible to the folded orientation by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings and layers of panels to substantially reduce the size of the panels in the folded orientation.

15. A collapsible structure adapted to be supported on a surface and comprising:

a central panel having a bottom side, a left side and a right side;

a base panel having a left side, a right side, and a front side hingedly connected to the bottom side of the central panel;

a first support panel coupled to the left side of the central panel and the left side of the base panel;

a second support panel coupled to the right side of the central panel and the right side of the base panel; and

wherein each of the central panel, the base panel and the support panels comprises a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material substantially covering the frame member.

16. The structure of claim 15, further comprising a basket connected to the central panel.

17. The structure of claim 15, wherein the base panel and the central panel are foldable on top of each other about the hinged connection to have the base panel and central panel overlaying each other, and wherein the support panels are stackable on top of the base panel and central panel, and with the base panel, central panel and support panels collapsible to the folded orientation by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings and layers of panels to substantially reduce the size of the panels in the folded orientation.