Collapsible canopy support structure

• US 8,418,711 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2007
• Issued: 04/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HKD International HK Limited (HKD Global Limited)
• Original Assignee: HKD International HK Limited (HKD Global Limited)
• Inventors: Park, Bumjun, Dotterweich, Martin James, Summar, Rusty George, Kim, Won Sik
• Primary Examiner(s): Hawk, Noah Chandler
• Application Number:
  US12/307,697
• Publication Number:
  US 20100043856A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,112 Days
• Field of Search: 135/120.1, 135/120.2, 135/143, 135/144, 135/145
• US Class Current: 135/145
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 15/50 lazy-tongs type

Abstract

A collapsible canopy support includes beams for supporting a canopy with each beam having a plurality of elongated beam segments coupled together to form the beam. A segment coupler provides for pivotally coupling a first beam segment to a second beam segment. A segment locking assembly is adapted for selectively securing the first beam segment relative to the second beam segment.

Claims

1. A collapsible canopy support assembly comprising:

a plurality of legs having upper and lower ends;

a side support positioned between each adjacent leg, where each of the plurality of legs is associated with a first side support and a second side support;

a plurality of beams having first and second ends and adapted for supporting a canopy, each beam having a plurality of elongated beam segments coupled together to form the beam, a segment coupler pivotally coupling an end of a first beam segment to an intermediate portion of a second beam segment in a substantially linear plane defined by the first beam segment and the second beam segment with the first beam having an overlapping portion with the second beam segment and being in a lateral side by side position thereto, and a segment locking assembly adapted for selectively securing the first beam segment relative to the second beam segment in a fixed position in the substantially linear plane when in an assembled position, the segment locking assembly attached to an end of the second beam segment and selectively securing an intermediate portion of the first beam segment in the fixed substantially planar position and laterally securing the end of the second beam segment to the intermediate portion of the first beam segment adjacent to the overlapped portion of the first beam segment, wherein the segment coupler is configured for positioning at multiple intermediate positions along the intermediate portions of the second beam segment at multiple distances from an end of the second beam segment for varying a length of the first overlapping portion, and the length of each beam, and wherein the segment coupler is slidable along the intermediate portion of the second beam segment and the intermediate portion of the second beam segment includes a plurality of lateral holes defining the multiple distances and the segment coupler includes a removable pivoting fastener aligned for engagement one at a time each of the lateral holes;

a hub adapted for attaching to the first end of each beam and securing the first ends of the beams relative to each other; and

a bracket mounted to the upper end of each leg, the bracket having a base adapted for attaching to the leg and a coupler for attaching to the second end of a beam.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the base is fixed relative to the leg and the coupler is fixed in relation to the base.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each leg defines an axis and wherein the base is fixed relative to the axis and the coupler is selectively rotatable about the axis and fixed axially to the axis and wherein the second end of the beam is pivotally coupled to the coupler in a plane that includes the axis.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first beam segment includes a first end pivotally attached to the bracket coupler and a second beam end and wherein the segment coupler is attached proximate to the second end of the first beam segment, wherein the second beam segment includes a first end and a second end and wherein the segment coupler is attached distal to the first end of the second beam segment and the second end of the second beam segment is releasably attached to the hub.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the segment locking assembly includes a saddle fixed proximate to the first end of the second beam segment for receiving in the substantially planar position during erection of the canopy support assembly the first beam segment distal from the second end of the first beam segment, and the saddle having two opposing sides restricting the lateral movement of the received first beam segment.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein a side portion of the second beam segment defines the first opposing side of the saddle and the saddle includes a finger defining a second opposing side for receiving a portion of the cross-section of the first beam segment.

7. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the a side portion of the saddle defines a first opposing portion and an opposing lateral side spaced laterally apart from the first opposing portion defining a u-shaped channel therebetween to receive a substantial portion of the cross-section of the first beam segment.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first beam segment includes a first end attached to the bracket coupler and a second end and wherein the segment coupler is attached distal to the second end of the first beam segment, wherein the second beam segment includes a first end and a second end and wherein the segment coupler is attached proximate to the first end of the second beam segment and the second end of the second beam segment is releasably attached to the hub.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the segment locking assembly includes a saddle fixed proximate to the first end of the first beam segment for receiving in the substantially planar position during erection of the canopy support assembly the second beam segment distal from the first end of the second beam segment, and the saddle having two opposing sides restricting the lateral movement of the received second beam segment.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein a side portion of the first beam segment defines the first opposing side of the saddle and the saddle includes a finger defining a second opposing side for receiving a portion of the cross-section of the second beam segment.

11. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the a side portion of the saddle defines a first opposing portion and an opposing lateral side spaced laterally apart from the first opposing portion defining a u-shaped channel therebetween to receive a substantial portion of the cross-section of the second beam segment.

12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the hub is configured for releasably and pivotally attaching to each beam.

13. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each side support has first and second ends and each end includes an upper connector and a lower connector, a fixed support mounted near the top of each leg and having a first coupler for attaching the upper connector of the first side support and a second coupler for attaching the upper connector of the second side support, and a slidable member slidably connected to each leg and being movable between a first position for canopy storage and a second position for canopy deployment, the slidable member having a first coupler for attaching the lower connector of the first side support and a second coupler for attaching the lower connector of the second side support.

14. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each side support includes a scissors x-shaped frame.

15. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a strut member coupling an intermediate portion of the each beam to an intermediate portion of a leg.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the strut member is pivotally coupled to the intermediate portion of each beam.

17. The assembly of claim 15, further comprising a sliding member slidably coupled to each leg and a locking member configured for locking the sliding member in a fixed position for deployment of the canopy, wherein the strut member is pivotally coupled to the sliding member.

18. The assembly of claim 15, further comprising a strut coupler configured for adjustably attaching the strut member to multiple positions along the intermediate portion of the beam.

19. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the segment locking assembly includes an outer ring that encircles the end of the first beam segment and is fixedly attached thereto.

20. A collapsible canopy support assembly having a plurality of legs having upper and lower ends, a side support positioned between each adjacent leg, a plurality of beams having first and second ends and adapted for supporting a canopy, each beam having a plurality of elongated beam segments coupled together to form the beam, a bracket mounted to the upper end of each leg, the bracket having a base adapted for attaching to the leg and a coupler for attaching to the second end of a beam, a hub adapted for attaching to the first end of each canopy beam and releasably securing the first ends of the beams relative to each other, the assembly further comprising:

a segment coupler for pivotally coupling an end of a first beam segment relative to an intermediate portion of a second beam segment in a substantially planar position the plane of which is defined by the first beam segment and the second beam segment with the first beam segment having an overlapping portion with the second beam segment and being in a lateral side by side position thereto, wherein the segment coupler is configured for positioning at multiple intermediate positions along the intermediate portions of the second beam segment at multiple distances from an end of the second beam segment for varying a length of the overlapping portion of the first beam segment with the second beam segment, and the length of each beam, and wherein the segment coupler is slidable along the intermediate portion of the second beam segment and the intermediate portion of the second beam segment includes a plurality of lateral holes defining the multiple distances and the segment coupler includes a removable pivoting fastener aligned for engagement one at a time each of the lateral holes; and

a segment locking assembly adapted for selectively securing the first beam segment relative to the second beam segment in a fixed position in the substantially planar position when in an assembled position, the segment locking assembly attached to an end of the second beam segment and selectively securing an intermediate portion of the first beam segment in the fixed substantially planar position and laterally securing the end of the second beam segment to the intermediate portion of the first beam segment adjacent to the overlapped portion of the first beam segment.

21. The assembly of claim 20 wherein the first beam segment includes a first end pivotally attached to the bracket coupler in a plane defined by a leg and a second end and wherein the segment coupler is attached proximate to the second end of the first beam segment, and wherein the second beam segment includes a first end and a second end and wherein the segment coupler is attached distal to the first end of the second beam segment and the second end of the second beam segment is releasably attached to the hub.

22. The assembly of claim 21 wherein the segment locking assembly includes a laterally protruding finger with an opposing vertical side spaced apart from the second beam segment and defining a saddle therebetween and fixed proximate to the first end of the second beam segment and adapted for receiving in the substantially planar position a portion of the cross-section of the first beam segment distal from the second end of the first beam segment during erection of the canopy assembly.

23. The assembly of claim 20 wherein the first beam segment includes a first end attached to the bracket coupler in a plane including a leg and a second end and wherein the segment coupler is attached distal to the second end of the first beam segment and the second beam segment includes a first end and a second end and wherein the segment coupler is attached proximate to the first end of the second beam segment and the second end of the second beam segment is releasably attached to the hub.

24. The assembly of claim 23 wherein the segment locking assembly includes a laterally protruding finger with an opposing vertical side spaced apart from the first beam segment and defining a saddle therebetween and fixed proximate to the second end of the first beam segment and adapted for receiving in the substantially planar position a portion of the cross-section of the second beam segment distal from the first end of the first beam segment during erection of the canopy assembly.

25. The assembly of claim 20, further comprising a strut member coupling an intermediate portion of the each beam to an intermediate portion of a leg.

26. The assembly of claim 25 wherein the strut member is pivotally coupled at least one of the beam and the leg.

27. The assembly of claim 25, further comprising a sliding member slidably coupled to each leg and a locking member configured for locking the sliding member in a fixed position for deployment of the canopy, wherein the strut member is pivotally coupled to the sliding member.

28. The assembly of claim 27, further comprising a strut coupler configured for adjustably attaching the strut member to multiple positions along the intermediate portion of the beam and wherein the segment coupler is configured for attaching to multiple positions along the beam, the adjustable strut coupler and the adjustable segment coupler being configured for varying a peak height of the canopy.

29. The assembly of claim 20 wherein the segment locking assembly includes an outer ring that encircles the end of the first beam segment and is fixedly attached thereto.

30. A collapsible canopy support assembly having a plurality of legs having upper and lower ends, a side support positioned between each adjacent leg, a plurality of beams having first and second ends and adapted for supporting a canopy, each beam having a plurality of elongated beam segments coupled together to form the beam, a bracket mounted to the upper end of each leg, the bracket having a base adapted for attaching to the leg and a coupler for attaching to the second end of a beam, a hub adapted for attaching to the first end of each canopy beam and releasably securing the first ends of the beams relative to each other, the assembly further comprising:

a segment coupler for pivotally coupling an end of a first beam segment relative to an intermediate portion of a second beam segment in a substantially planar position the plane of which is defined by the first beam segment and the second beam segment with the first beam segment having an overlapping portion with the second beam segment and being in a lateral side by side position thereto; and

a segment locking assembly adapted for selectively securing the first beam segment relative to the second beam segment in a fixed position in the substantially planar position when in an assembled position, the segment locking assembly attached to an end of the second beam segment and selectively securing an intermediate portion of the first beam segment in the fixed substantially planar position and laterally securing the end of the second beam segment to the intermediate portion of the first beam adjacent to the overlapped portion of the first beam segment;

a strut member coupling an intermediate portion of the each beam to an intermediate portion of a leg;

a sliding member slidably coupled to each leg and a locking member configured for locking the sliding member in a fixed position for deployment of the canopy, wherein the strut member is pivotally coupled to the sliding coupler; and

a strut coupler configured for adjustably attaching the strut member to multiple positions along the intermediate portion of the beam and wherein the segment coupler is configured for attaching to multiple positions along the beam, the adjustable strut coupler and the adjustable segment coupler being configured for varying a peak height of the canopy.

31. The assembly of claim 30 wherein the first beam segment includes a first end pivotally attached to the bracket coupler in a plane defined by a leg and a second end and wherein the segment coupler is attached proximate to the second end of the first beam segment, and wherein the second beam segment includes a first end and a second end and wherein the segment coupler is attached distal to the first end of the second beam segment and the second end of the second beam segment is releasably attached to the hub.

32. The assembly of claim 31 wherein the segment locking assembly includes a laterally protruding finger with an opposing vertical side spaced apart from the second beam segment and defining a saddle therebetween and fixed proximate to the first end of the second beam segment and adapted for receiving in the substantially planar position a portion of the cross-section of the first beam segment distal from the second end of the first beam segment during erection of the canopy assembly.

33. The assembly of claim 30 wherein the first beam segment includes a first end attached to the bracket coupler in a plane including a leg and a second end and wherein the segment coupler is attached distal to the second end of the first beam segment and the second beam segment includes a first end and a second end and wherein the segment coupler is attached proximate to the first end of the second beam segment and the second end of the second beam segment is releasably attached to the hub.

34. The assembly of claim 33 wherein the segment locking assembly includes a laterally protruding finger with an opposing vertical side spaced apart from the first beam segment and defining a saddle therebetween and fixed proximate to the second end of the first beam segment and adapted for receiving in the substantially planar position a portion of the cross-section of the second beam segment distal from the first end of the first beam segment during erection of the canopy assembly.

35. The assembly of claim 30 wherein the strut member is pivotally coupled at least one of the beam and the leg.

36. The assembly of claim 30 wherein the segment locking assembly includes an outer ring that encircles the end of the first beam segment and is fixedly attached thereto.

37. The assembly of claim 30 wherein the segment coupler is configured for positioning at multiple intermediate positions along the intermediate portions of the second beam segment at multiple distances from an end of the second beam segment for varying a length of the first overlapping portion, and the length of the beam.

38. The assembly of claim 37 wherein the segment coupler is slidable along the intermediate portion of the second beam segment and the intermediate portion of the second beam segment includes a plurality of lateral holes defining the multiple distances and the segment coupler includes a removable pivoting fastener aligned for engagement one at a time each of the lateral holes.