Collapsible structures

• US 20030079768A1
• Filed: 12/02/2002
• Published: 05/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yu Zheng
• Original Assignee: Yu Zheng
• Inventors: Zheng, Yu
• Granted Patent: US 6,668,847 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 135/125
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/54 Foldable elastic frame members automatically resuming their expanded state when released
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 9/00 Climbing poles, frames, or stages climbing walls for mountaineering training A63B69/0048; endless loop ladders A63B22/04
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 15/006 Tents used as toys
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 15/40 flexible

Abstract

A collapsible structure has a base panel that includes separate first and second sides, a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the base panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. The structure also includes first and second loops, each loop having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation. The first side of the base panel is coupled to the first loop, and the second side of the base panel is coupled to the second loop.

Claims

1. A collapsible structure, comprising:

a base panel comprising separate first and second sides, a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the base panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with the fabric assuming the unfolded orientation of its frame member; and

first and second loops, each loop having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation;

wherein the first side of the base panel is coupled to the first loop, and the second side of the base panel is coupled to the second loop.

2. The structure of claim 1, further including a second panel having a first side coupled to the first loop, and a second side coupled to the second loop, with the base panel and the second panel spaced-apart from each other, the second panel also having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the second panel to form the second panel when the frame member of the second panel is in the unfolded orientation.

3. The structure of claim 2, wherein the base panel and the second panel are generally parallel to each other.

4. The structure of claim 1, wherein the first and second loops are spaced apart and generally parallel to each other.

5. The structure of claim 1, further including a side fabric that is coupled to the base panel and the first and second loops.

6. The structure of claim 1, wherein the base panel is a first base panel, the structure further including:

a third loop having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, the third loop spaced apart from the second loop;

a second base panel comprising separate first and second sides, a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the second base panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with the fabric assuming the unfolded orientation of its frame member; and

wherein the first side of the second base panel is coupled to the second loop, and the second side of the second base panel is coupled to the third loop.

7. The structure of claim 6, further including:

a third panel having a first side coupled to the first loop, and a second side coupled to the second loop, with the first base panel and the third panel spaced-apart from each other; and

a fourth panel having a first side coupled to the second loop, and a second side coupled to the third loop, with the second base panel and the fourth panel spaced-apart from each other; and

wherein the third and fourth panel each has a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the corresponding panel.

8. The structure of claim 1, wherein the first loop includes a fabric that covers a portion of the first loop.

9. The structure of claim 7, further including a side fabric that is coupled to the first and second base panels, the third and fourth panels, and the first, second and third loops.

10. The structure of claim 7, wherein the second base panel and the fourth panel are disposed out of phase with the first base panel and the third panel.

11. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure is a first structure, and further including a second identical structure, with the first loop of each of the first and second structures coupled together.

12. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure is an exercise apparatus.

13. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure defines a passageway.

14. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure is a display.

15. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure is a partition.