Collapsible frame support for flexible material

• US 7,549,432 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2006
• Issued: 06/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Innex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Innex Corporation
• Inventors: Sherts, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): YIP, WINNIE S
• Application Number:
  US11/452,168
• Publication Number:
  US 20070283991A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,106 Days
• Field of Search: 135/90, 135/123, 135127-128, 135114-115, 135/117, 135/119, 135/120.1, 135/120.2, 135/120.4, 135/905, 135/907, 135/20.1, 248/230.8, 248/228.8, 248/160, 241/223, 243/00
• US Class Current: 135/123
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2023/0025 Umbrellas or sunshades mounted laterally on a wall or on an apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2023/0037 the support arm being attached to the stick or to the crown, the canopy being suspended there below
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 23/00 Other umbrellas
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 15/48 foldable, i.e. having pivoted or hinged means E04H15/405 and E04H15/46 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 2015/326 Frame members connected by elastic cord

Abstract

A collapsible device including at least one retraction device, at least one collapsible compression frame having compression members, at least one tension member having at least one end connected to the at least one retraction device and running through a channel in each of the compression members and a flexible barrier attached to the at least one compression frame. The barrier having at least one channel through which the at least one compression frame passes.

Claims

1. A collapsible device comprising:

at least one retraction device;

at least one collapsible compression frame having compression members, the at least one collapsible compression frame depending from the at least one retraction device when the compression members are in end-to-end contact;

at least one tension member having at least one end coupled to the at least one retraction device and running through a channel in each of the compression members; and

a flexible barrier attached to the at least one compression frame, the barrier having at least one channel through which the at least one compression frame passes.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one retraction device causes a tightening of the at least one tension member, the tightening of the at least one tension member causes the compression members of the at least one compression frame to come together in end-to-end contact, the coming together of the compression members causes the barrier to be stretched taut by the compression frame.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one barrier support depending from the at least one compression frame for supporting a center portion of the barrier.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one pre-tension elastic member running through the channel in the each of the compression members.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one pole support connected to the at least one compression frame.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the at least one pole support is a collapsible pole support comprising compression members where the at least one tension member passes through channels in each of the compression members.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the retraction mechanism is located on the compression frame or the at least one pole support.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the at least one pole support is connected to the at least one compression frame at an angle.

9. The device of claim 5, wherein the barrier comprises at least one side portion that extends from the at least one compression frame to a free end of the at least one pole support, the at least one side portion having at least one opening for passage through the at least one side portion.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one barrier position assist member connected at one end to a perimeter of the barrier for pulling the barrier over the at least one compression frame during opening of the device.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one retraction device comprises a telescopic member connected to the at least one compression frame, wherein extension of the telescopic member causes a tightening of the at least one tension member.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the barrier includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion having at least one channel for the at least one compression frame to pass through, the upper and lower portions of the barrier forming a sealed cavity, the upper portion having an opening for passage into and out of the cavity.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein there are two compression frames and the barrier forms a tube between the two compression frames.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the barrier has a display message or advertisement affixed to a surface of the barrier.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one collapsible compression frame includes at least one arched compression frame and at least one straight compression frame where one of the at least one straight compression frame is connected to the at least one arched compression frame at a peak or a leg.