Aug. 9, 1960
`
`s. .1. RUPERT
`QUICKLY-ERECTABLE FOLDING PORTABLE SHELTER
`
`2,948,287
`
`Filed Sept. 30, 1957
`
`2 Sheets-Sheet 1
`
`INVENTOR.
`
`BY c7cw7ue/<[X’u/0677‘
`@MZ4LJ¢
`-£7;//go‘
`
`ARTSANA EXHIBIT 1006-1
`
`

`
`Aug. 9,‘ 1960
`
`s. J. RUPERT
`QUICKLY-ERECTABLE FOLDING PORTABLE SHELTER
`
`2.948.237
`
`Filed Sept. 30, 1957
`
`2 Sheets-Sheet 2
`
`11/11.!/I‘/mzllyllil
`at .I' IH§§5
`
`,...~>>‘.w}A\\\\‘
`
`HVVENTDR
`
`40 civczwue/sfjgu/0e7'7‘
`
`BY
`
`. gmbflzlfflugflal
`$7//g/5
`
`ARTSANA EXHIBIT 1006-2
`
`

`
`‘i
`
`United States Patentfifhce.
`
`" 2,948,287
`-Patented. Aug.*9, 1960
`
`2,948,287
`QUECKLY-ERECTABLE FOLDING PORTABLE '
`, SHELTER
`
`5
`
`Samuel J. ‘Rupert, Ann Arbor, Mich., assignor, by rnesne
`assignments, to Charles W. Moss and Henry Stfibiey,
`both of Ann Arbor, Mich.
`'
`_
`Filed»Sept.r '30, 1957, Ser. No. 687,064
`15 Claims;
`.(Cl. 135—4)
`
`20
`
`55
`
`This invention relates to folding portable shelters and,
`in particular, to quickly-erected or quick aiction= folding
`portable tent-supporting structures.
`One object. of this invention is to provide a quick-action
`folding portable tent-supporting structure having ribs of
`flexible material, the upper ends of which are pivoted to
`la quick-action locking device by meansof which the op-
`erator can how the ribs into approximately spherical form
`while their ends are pressed close‘ to one another and
`firmly against the ground, so? as to bring the upper ends
`of the ribsinto approximately the same horizontal plane
`-and lock them in that position by a simple and quick
`twist of the wrist or turn of thehand.
`Another object
`is to provide a quick-action folding
`portable tent-supporting structure of the foregoing char-
`acter lor use with a flexible cover of approximately hemi-
`spherical shape which is distended by a snap action into
`this shape when the operator pulls upward on the lock-
`ing device to release the lower ends of the flexible ribs
`from restraining engagement with the ground and there-
`by free them to spring outward to distend the cover.
`Another object is to‘ provide a quick-action folding
`portable tent-supporting structure of the foregoing char-
`acter wherein the locking device includes a rib support
`comprising a sectored disc to which the upper ends of
`the ribs are pivoted,
`this disc having a central bore of
`non-circular cross—section which fits a correspondingly
`non-circular portion of a vertical rod for sliding motion
`relatively thereto while restrained from‘ relative rotation
`thereto, the rod having an additional portion of circular
`cross-section permitting such -relative rotation -at that loca-
`tion, the rod at its upper end being provided with an
`abutment disc for engagement by the hand of the op-
`erator in pushing the device downward to how the ribs
`outward.
`is to provide‘ -a quick-action folding
`Another object
`portable tent-supporting structure, as set forth in the
`object
`immediately preceding, wherein the rod is also
`provided with an additional portion of circular cross-
`section below the portion of non-circular cross-section so
`-as -to permit relative rotation between the rod and rib
`support or sectored disc of the locking device both above
`and below the rod portion of non-circular cross-section.
`Other objects and advantages of the invention will-
`become apparent during the course of the following de-
`scription of the accompanying drawings, wherein:
`Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in central vertical
`section, of a quick-action folding portable shelter pro-
`vided with a quick-action flexible tent-supporting struc-
`ture, according to one form of the invention, with the -
`portions exaggerated by shortening the ribs in order to
`bring out the construction of the locking device more
`clearly, the latter being in its -locked position with the
`shelter in its erected position;
`Figure 2 is a top plan view of the framework and
`locking device for the folding portable shelter of Figure
`1, with the end portion of one of the ribs omitted to con-
`
`serve space, and with the cover removed in order to show
`the ‘construction more clearly;
`Figure 3 is »a side elevation, partly in vertical section,
`of the -framework or flexible tent-supporting structure of
`the portable shelter shown in Figures 1 and 2, with the
`ribs partly’ bowed during the erection of the shelter, the
`cover being omitted except for its upper central portion
`where it is secured to the locking device;
`Figure 4 is a side elevation of the upper portion of the
`quick-action folding portable shelter of Figures 1 and 2
`in its folded position;
`.
`Figure 5 is a horizontal cross-section taken along the
`line, 5-5 in Figure 4;
`—
`,
`Figure 6 is a top plan view of -the construction shown
`in Figure 4, but with the ribs completely bowed and their
`upper ends locked in a commonplane by the locking
`device;
`Figure 7 is-a side elevation partly in section of the con-
`struction shown in Figure 6, with the locking device in
`its locked position;
`Figure 8 is a top plan view of the sectored disc of the
`locking device to which the ribs are pivoted; and
`Figure 9 is a horizontal cross-section, similar to that of
`Figure 5, but showing a modification of the invention.
`Referring to the drawings in detail, Figures 1 to 3 in-
`clusive show a quick—acti0n folding portable shelter, gen-
`erally designated 10, as consisting of a foldable frame
`structure, generally designated 12, according to one form
`of the invention, including a ribsupporting and locking
`device or head, generally designated 14, and a foldable
`flexible cover, -generally designated 16, of fabric or other
`suitable material and of approximately hemispherical
`shape.
`In the illustration of the shelter 10, as shown in
`Figure 1, the top portion of the flexible cover 16 has
`been shown at a lower position than it normally occupies,
`in order to show the construction more clearly, and the
`locking head 14 has been shown on an exaggerated scale
`relatively to the remainder of the frame structure 12 in
`order to disclose its details more clearly.
`The rib supporting locking device or head 14 of the
`frame structure 12 includes a rib support 18 in the form
`of la sectored pivot disc (Figures 4, 5 and 8) having radial
`slots 20 disposed at circumferentially-spaced intervals
`around the periphery 22, which is provided with an inter-
`rupted circumferential groove 24 (Figure 4), with an
`arcuate notch 26 therein. The disc 18 cooperates with
`,an. operating -and locking plunger, generally designated
`25, and is provided with -a central bore 28 of non-circular
`cross-section adapted to fit the correspondingly non-cir-
`cular portion SI} of a rod 32 having -upper -and lower por-
`tions 34 and 36 respectively of circular cross-section
`(Figures 5 and 7) above and below the portion 39 of non-
`circular cross-section.
`In this manner, the sectored disc
`18 is capable of rotation relatively to the rod 32 while it
`is on the circular cross-section portions 34 and 36 but
`incapable of such relative rotation when it is on the non-
`circular cross-section portion 30. The rod 32 has a
`handle or abutment disc 38 mounted on its upper end
`and shown -as integral therewith.
`In actual practice, the
`abutment ‘disc 38 is preferably made separate from the
`rod 32 and bore to receive the upper end thereof, and
`welded thereto. The lower end of the rod 32 has a re-
`duced diameter
`threaded portion 40 upon which is
`threaded the hub 42 of a hand wheel 44.
`Pivotally mounted in the radial slots 20 are rib holders
`46 forming the upper end portions of rib units, generally‘
`designated 48,
`the lower end portions comprising ribs
`50 of resilient material, such as fibrous glass, the upper
`ends of the ribs 50 being tightly sealed in sockets 52 in
`the outer ends 54 of rib holders 46. The rib holders 46
`near but spaced apart from their inner ends 56 (Figure
`7) are bored transversely as at 58 to receive a circum-
`
`ARTSANA EXHIBIT 1006-3
`
`

`
`2,948,287
`
`3
`ferential pivot wire 60 seated in the interrupted circum-
`ferential groove 24 and having its opposite ends clinched
`as.at 62 to lock it in position (Figure 6). The lower
`ends 64 of the ribs 50 are preferably pointed or provided
`with frictional rubber tips or the like to cause them to
`resist sliding ‘along the ground G (Figure 3).
`In order
`to simplify the disclosure,
`the ribs 50‘ are shown as
`forced in single lengths.
`In the shelter actually con-
`structed, the ribs 50 have been made in jointed sections
`with connecting ferrules for compactness of folding, such
`as is shown in the’ co—pending application of Moss’ and
`Stzibley, Serial No. 522,962,
`filed July 19, 1955, for
`Folding Portable Shelter.
`'
`The cover 16 is of generally hemispherical shape and
`is made of any suitable material, such as of nylon im-
`pregnated with vinyl resin. The cover 16 is made up of
`sectorial gussets 66 sewed or otherwise secured together
`at their opposite edges together with elongated rib tun-
`nels or tubular open-ended pockets 68 for receiving the
`ribs 50. The lower end portions of the ribs 50, after pass-
`ing through the rib tunnels 68, pass through grommets 70
`in a tent floor 72. of flexible material such as fabric and
`preferable sewed or otherwise secured to the lower ends
`of the gussets 66. A door opening 74 closed by a slide
`fastener 76 and a window opening '78 closed by a closure
`flap 89 are preferably provided for the convenience of the
`occupants of the shelter 10. The cover 16 is provided
`with a top portion 82 sewed or otherwise secured to the
`upper ends of the gussets 66 and preferably of the same
`flexible material. The top portion 82 is provided at its
`center with a grommet 84 large enough to accommodate
`the lower portion 36 of. circular cross-section of the shaft
`32, to be held in place by the hub 42 of the hand wheel 44.
`The modified rib supporting and locking device or head,
`generally designated 90, shown in Figure 9, has a rib
`support or sectored disc 92 similar in all respects to the
`rib support or sector disc 18 shown in Figures 5 and 8,
`except that its central bore 94 is of substantially circular
`cross-section and has grooves or notches 96 extending
`laterally therefrom and communicating therewith. The
`remainder of the rib support 92 as regards its radial slots
`98, interrupted peripheral groove 100 and gap or notch
`102 is similar to the corresponding parts 20 to 26 inclusive
`of the rib support 18 of Figures 1 to 8 inclusive.
`‘
`The operating and locking plunger, generally designated
`104, is also generally similar to the operating, and lock-
`ing plunger of Figures 1 to 8 inclusive, except that in place
`of the locking portion 34) of polygonal cross-section, the
`plunger 104 has a rod 106 of substantially circular cross-
`section throughout its length, but for a portion of its
`length corresponding to the length of the polygonal por-
`tion 30 of Figure 7, has ridges 108 projecting laterally
`from the rod 105 and extending axially therealong, the
`ridges 108 being configured to fit the grooves or notches
`96.
`In the operation of the invention, let it be assumed that
`the shelter 10 is in its unfolded position shown in part in
`Figure 4, with the locking device 14 in its unlocked posi-
`tion and with the rib units 48 consisting of the rib holders
`46 and ribs 50 hanging from the rib support 18 parallel
`to one another in vertical positions, with the cover 16
`hanging from the hand wheel 44 and shaft portion 36 in
`the space in the center of the frame structure 12. With
`the parts in this position, and with the lower ends 64 of the
`ribs 50 in engagement with the ground G (Figure 3), to
`erect the shelter 18, the user places his hand on the top
`of the abutment disc 38 of the locking device 14 and
`pushes downward upon it, at the same time rotating the
`disc 38 and shaft 32 a part turn to bring the non-circular
`shaft portion 30 into alignment with the bore 28 of the
`rib-supporting sectored disc 18 so as to permit the latter
`to slide upward therealong. Continued downward pres-
`sure upon the abutment disc 38 (Figure 3) causes it to
`engage and push downward upon the upper ends 56 of the
`rib holders 46, thereby bowing the ribs 50 outward away
`
`4
`from one another into approximately spherical arrange-
`ment while moving the rib holders 46 inward into hori-
`zontal positions (Figure 7), substantially perpendicular
`to the rod 32 so as to lie in approximately a common
`plane, namely the plane of the sectored disc or rib sup-
`port 18. By the time this has occurred, the upper circu-
`lar cross-section portion 34 of the rod 32 has passed
`downward into the bore 28 of the sectored pivot disc or
`rib support 18, whereupon the user, while still pressing
`downward on the abutment disc 38, rotates it a part turn
`to move the non-circular rod portion 30 out of alignment
`with the non-circular bore 28 and thus lock the latter
`beneath the former, as shown in dotted lines in the center
`of Figure 6. The user now pulls upward on the abut-
`ment disc 3S, disengaging the lower ends 64 of the re-
`silient ribs 50 from the ground G, whereupon their re-
`silience causes them to spring outward to distend the
`cover 16 into a taut condition approximately in a hemi-
`spherical shape, assuming the erected position shown in
`Figure 1.
`To “strike” or collapse the shelter 10, the reverse pro-
`cedure is followed. The user presses down slightly upon
`the disc 38 to relieve the pressure of the rib holder ends
`56 thereagainst, at the same time rotating the disc 38 a
`part turn until he feels the non-circular portion 30 coming
`into alignment with the non-circular bore 28 in the rib
`support 18, whereupon he relaxes his force upon the disc
`38 and permits the rib assemblies 40 to push it upward,
`together with the rod 32, as shown in Figure 3, until the rib
`assemblies 48 again lie in vertical positions substantially
`parallel to the central rod 32 of the locking device 14.
`While this is occurring, the flexible cover 16 adapts ‘it-
`self to the space inside the rib arrangement forming the
`framework 12, and the shelter is ready for storage or
`transportation.
`In the shelters 10 made with jointed
`-ribs for convenienceand compactness, the ribs 50 are
`further separated into their respective sections for more
`compact packing if the user so desires. Actual tests, re-
`peated many times, show that, starting from the extended
`and folded position of Figure 4, the entire shelter 10 can
`be erected in the position shown in Figure 1 in as short a
`time period as only three seconds, because of the ex-
`tremely rapid operation of the locking device 14 and the
`snap action of the resilient ribs 50 cooperating with the
`flexible fabric cover 16.
`The operation of the modified rib supporting and lock-
`ing device or head 90 is substantially the same as that
`described‘ above for the rib supporting and locking head
`14 with the exception of the fact that instead of the po-
`lygonal portion 30 being rotated until it comes into align-
`ment with the polygonal bore 28, the rod 106 is rotated
`by an abutment disc (not shown) similar to the abutment
`disc 38 to bring the ridges 108 into alignment and sliding
`locking engagement with the grooves or notches 96 of
`corresponding configuration.
`In other respects, the action
`is substantially the same as that described above, hence
`no duplication of description is believed necessary.
`'
`What I claim is:
`1. A quickly-erectable folding portable tent-support
`ing structure for use with an approximately hemispherical
`cover of flexible sheet material, said structure compris-
`i11g a rib support having a multiplicity of rib pivots
`mounted thereon at peripherally-spaced locations there-
`around and also having a central bore and a rotation-
`preventing locking recess extending laterally from said
`bore, a multiplicity of elongated ribs of resilient mate-
`rial adapted to be connected to the cover and having
`their upper end portions pivotally mounted on said pivots
`at said peripherally-spaced locations around said rib sup-
`port, and a I‘l1lOVal3l6 rib-flexing locking unit: including an
`elongated rod rcciprocably and rotatably mounted in said
`bore and having a rotation—preventing locking projection
`extending longitudinally along a part only of the length
`of said rod and projecting laterally therefrom into said
`recess in rotation-preventing engagement therewith, said
`
`ARTSANA EXHIBIT 1006-4
`
`

`
`2,943,237
`
`6
`preventing engagement therewith, said rib-flexing locking
`unit also including a rib-flexing abutment disposed on
`said rod above said projection and adapted to move uni-
`tarily therewith into engagement with the pivoted upper
`end portions of the ribs and swing the same into .posi-
`tions substantially perpendicular to said rod.
`'
`10. A quick-acting locking device fior a folding port-
`able tent—supporting structure, according to claim 9,
`wherein said rod has a portion of substantially circular
`cross-section disposed in proximity to the portion thereof
`with the locking projection.
`11. A quick-acting locking device fora folding port-
`able tent-supporting structure, according to claim 10,
`wherein the rod portion with the locking projection and
`the rib support bore are of approximately polygonal
`cross-section.
`_
`12.,A quick-acting locking device fior a folding port-
`" able -tent-supporting structure, according to claim 9,
`wherein said rod has portions of substantially circular
`cross-section disposed above and below the portion
`thereof with the locking projection.
`.
`13. A quick-acting locking device for a folding port-
`able tent-supporting structure, according to claim 12,
`wherein the rod portion with the locking projection and
`the rib support bore are of approximately polygonal
`cross-section.
`I
`14. A quick-acting locking device for a folding port-
`able tent-supporting structure, according to claim 9,
`wherein the rod portion with the locking projection and
`the rib support bore are of approximately polygonal
`cross-section.
`‘
`15. A quick-acting locking device for a folding port-
`able tent-supporting structure, according to claim 9,
`wherein the rod is of substantially circular cross-section
`and wherein the locking projection extends laterally
`therefrom.
`
`i
`
`5
`rib-flexing locking unit also including a rib-flexing abut-
`ment disposed on said rod above said projection and mov-
`able unitarily therewith into engagement with said upper
`end portions of said ribs; said ribs being adapted to flex
`arcuately and resiliently into distending engagement with
`the cover in response to the urging of said upper end
`portions of said ribs by said abutment into positions sub-
`stantially perpendicular to said rod.
`2. A quickly-erectable folding portable tent-support-
`ing structure, according to claim 1, wherein said rod has
`a portion of substantially circular cross-section disposed
`in proximity to the portion thereof with the locking pro-
`jection.
`'
`3. A quickly-erect-able folding portable tent-supporting
`structure, according to claim 2, wherein the rod portion
`with the locking projection and the rib support bore are
`ofapproximately polygonal cross-section.
`4. A quickly-erectable folding portable tent—supporting
`structure, according to claim 1, wherein said rod has
`portions of substantially circular cross-section disposed
`above and below the portion thereof with the locking
`projection.
`5. A quickly-erectable folding portable tent-supporting
`structure, according to claim 4, wherein the rod portion
`with the locking projection and the rib support bore are
`of approximately polygonal cross-section.
`6. A quickly-erectable folding portable tent-supporting
`structure, according to claim 1, wherein the rod portion
`with the locking projection and the rib support bore are
`of approximately polygonal cross-section.
`7. A quickly-erectable folding portable tent-supporting
`structure, according to claim 1, wherein the rod is of
`substantially circular cross-section and wherein the lock-
`ing projection extends laterally therefrom.
`_
`8. A quickly-erectable folding portable tent-supporting
`structure, according to claim 7, wherein the rib support
`bore is of substantially circular cross-section and wherein
`the recess is a groove oflset radially from the bore.
`9. A quick-acting rib-flexing locking device for a fold-
`ing portable tent supporting structure having ribs with
`pivoted upper end portions, said device comprising an
`approximately plate-sh-aped rib support having a multi-
`plicity of rib pivots mounted thereon at peripherally-
`spaced locations therearound and also having a central
`bore of generally circular cross-section and a rotation-
`preventing locking recess extending laterally from said
`bore, and a movable rib-flexing locking unit including an
`elongated rod of generally circular cross-section recipro-
`cably and rotatably mounted in said bore and having a
`rotation-preventing locking projection extending longi-
`tudinally along a part only of the length of said rod and
`projecting laterally therefrom into said recess in rotation-
`
`14,655
`639,419 '
`1,414,616
`1,588,391
`1,589,063
`2,306,706
`
`References Cited in the file of this patent
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`Hartwell ____________._ Apr. 15, 1856
`Manuel _____________._ Dec. 19, 1899
`Beehler ________________ May 2, 1922
`Berry ________________ __ June 8, 1926
`Fondo ________________ June 15, 1926
`Lucas ...............-- Dec. 29, 1942
`FOREIGN PATENTS
`-
`.
`France ____ -;__________ Sept. 20, 1940
`OTHER REFERENCES
`
`859,919
`
`Publication: “Lincoln-Mercury Times,” dated May-
`June, 1955, item 11, on page 27.
`
`ARTSANA EXHIBIT 1006-5