Collapsible structures

• US 7,225,822 B1
• Filed: 07/18/2000
• Issued: 06/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Patent Category Corporation
• Original Assignee: Patent Category Corporation
• Inventors: Zheng, Yu
• Primary Examiner(s): YIP, WINNIE S
• Application Number:
  US09/618,497
• Time in Patent Office: 2,513 Days
• Field of Search: 135125-126, 135/128, 135/134, 135/137, 135/116, 135/117, D21/837, D21/9
• US Class Current: 135/126
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 15/40 flexible

Abstract

Collapsible structure are provided having a first base panel and a second panel, each having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a material partially covering the frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with the material assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member. The second panel is flexed so that the first and second panels define an interior space, with the second panel having opposing first and second end edges that are coupled to the outer periphery of the first panel. The second panel can have two or more supporting frame members to allow the collapsible structures to be provided in different configurations and sizes. In addition, the first base panel can be replaced by a fabric or similar piece of material that is coupled to the first and second end edges of the second panel. The second panels can be coupled within, or outside, the outer periphery of the first base panel or fabric.

Claims

1. A collapsible structure, comprising:

a single first base panel having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a material covering the frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with the material assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member, the first panel having an outer periphery and a sleeve extending along the outer periphery thereof;

a single second upper panel defined by a single foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a material covering the frame member of the upper panel when the frame member of the upper panel is in the unfolded orientation, with the material of the upper panel assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member, the second panel having an outer periphery, opposing first and second end edges and a sleeve extending along the outer periphery thereof;

a first interconnecting fabric piece that couples the sleeve at the first end edge of the second panel to the sleeve of the first panel; and

a second interconnecting fabric piece that couples the sleeve at the second end edge of the second panel to the sleeve of the first panel;

wherein the first and second end edges extend outside the outer periphery of the first panel.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein the second panel is flexed so that the first and second panels define an interior space, and with the opposing first and second end edges of the second panel coupled via the first and second interconnecting pieces to opposing locations of the first panel.

3. The structure of claim 2, wherein the second panel has a front edge that defines an opening for ingress and egress to the interior space.

4. The structure of claim 1, wherein the connections of the first and second interconnecting pieces to the end edges of the second panel and the outer periphery of the first panel are not detachable.

5. A collapsible structure, comprising:

a single first base panel having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a material covering the frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with the material assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member, the first panel having an outer periphery and a sleeve extending along the outer periphery thereof;

a single second upper panel defined by a single foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a material covering the frame member of the upper panel when the frame member of the upper panel is in the unfolded orientation, with the material of the upper panel assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member, the second panel having an outer periphery, opposing first and second end edges and a sleeve extending along the outer periphery thereof, with each of the first and second end edges having a straight portion;

a first interconnecting fabric piece that couples the sleeve at the straight portion of the first end edge of the second panel to the sleeve of the first panel;

a second interconnecting fabric piece that couples the sleeve at the straight portion of the second end edge of the second panel to the sleeve of the first panel; and

wherein the first and second end edges extend outside the outer periphery of the first panel.