United States Patent (19)
`Losi, Jr. et al.
`
`US00570 1923A
`Patent Number:
`11
`45 Date of Patent:
`
`5,701,923
`Dec. 30, 1997
`
`54 COLLAPSIBLE SHELTER
`76) Inventors: Raymond Losi, Jr., 4307 Oak Place
`Dr. Westlake Village, Calif. 91362;
`Ming-Liang Tsai, Rim. 3, 4th Floor, No.
`8, Fu Ching Street, Taipei, Taiwan
`
`56
`
`5,035,253 7/1991 Bortles.
`5.244,001
`9/1993 Lynch.
`5,274,980
`1/1994 Zeigler.
`5,275,188
`1/1994 Tsai,
`5,361,794 11/1994 Brady.
`5,421,356
`6/1995 Lynch.
`5,423,341
`6/1995 Brady.
`5,444,946 8/1995 Zeigler.
`5,485,863
`1/1996 Carter.
`21 Appl. No.: 773,265
`5,490,532 2/1996 Malloolkis et al. .
`w
`5,490,533 2/1996 Carter.
`22 Filled:
`Dec. 23, 1996
`5,511,572 4/1996 Carter ...................................... 135/145
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Primary Examiner-Lanna Mai
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Oppenheimer Poms Smith
`63 Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 611,511, Mar. 7, 1996, Pat.
`No. 5,638,853.
`(51
`Int. Cl. ... E04H 15/so ''
`ABSTRACT
`52 U.S. C. ........................ 135/131; 135/145; 135/151; A shelter frame having at least two poles connected by a
`403/109; 403/329; 403/377
`linking assembly having first and second scissors-type link
`58 Field of Search ..........
`... 135/128, 130,
`ages and a linking device. The scissors-type linkages include
`135/131, 143,144, 145, 146, 151, 135,
`first structural members pivotally coupled to respective
`114, 115; 403/109,329, 377
`second structural members and to one another. The linking
`device is adapted to pivotally secure a predetermined portion
`References Cited
`of the second structural member in the first scissors-type
`linkage to the second scissors-type linkage at a point on the
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`second scissors-type linkage vertically spaced from the
`1007.322 10/1911 Bames ... 135/141 x predetermined portion of the second structural member in
`4,026,313 5/1977 Zeigler.
`the first scissors-type linkage and to also pivotally secure a
`4262,460 4/1981 Bertin.
`predetermined portion of the second structural member in
`4,607,656 8/1986 Carter.
`the second scissors-type linkage to the first scissors-type
`4,689,932 9/1987 Zeigler.
`linkage at a point on the first scissors-type linkage vertically
`4,779,635 10/1988 Lynch.
`spaced from the predetermined portion of the second struc
`4,844,106 7/1989 Navarro.
`tural member in the second scissors-type linkage.
`4,846,204 7/1989 Sok Kyu.
`4.885,891 12/1989 Lynch.
`4,947,884 8/1990 Lynch.
`
`31 Claims, 15 Drawing Sheets
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`- Cawaay
`3//alai
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`- Aamaa aaaafa
`MifféAg
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`Dec. 30, 1997
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`F l 6.16
`(PRIOR ART)
`(PRIOR ART)
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`.4556: Z].
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`1.
`COLLAPSBLE SHIELTER
`
`5,701,923
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
`application Ser. No. 08/611.511, filed Mar. 7, 1996 now U.S.
`Pat No. 5,638,853.
`
`5
`
`2
`supported by a single central support and, therefore, tends to
`sag. The central support post is itself supported by a pair of
`scissors-type linkages which extend across the interior of the
`shelter. This configuration reduces headroom within the
`shelter. Moreover, the lowest portion of each of the scissors
`type linkage pairs is half way between the poles, thereby
`reducing headroom in the area that often serves as the
`entrance to a tent,
`
`1O
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of Invention
`The present invention relates generally to shelters and,
`more particularly, to shelters including collapsible frames.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Over the years, a seemingly endless variety of tents and
`other shelters having collapsible frames have been intro
`duced into the market. Such structures are commonly used
`to provide shelter during camping trips, picnics, parties,
`military operations and other outdoor activities. Because
`their frames are collapsible, relatively large shelters may be
`folded into a compact configuration for storage and trans
`port.
`The inventors herein have discovered that there are a
`number of shortcomings associated with the collapsible
`shelters that have been introduced heretofore. More
`specifically, the inventors herein have discovered that the
`frames associated with prior collapsible shelters tend to be
`difficult to fold and unfold, unstable, and somewhat large
`when folded. Some prior shelter frames also allow the
`canopy to sag and form unsightly pockets where water can
`accumulate, reduce tent headroom and/or ultimately produce
`an unsightly shelter.
`For example, a prior open-type collapsible tent is shown
`in FIGS. 16 and 17. The tent consists of a frame which
`supports a canopy D. The frame includes four poles A. each
`of which is secured to a center strut C by a scissors-type
`linkage B. The scissors-type linkages B are secured to the
`poles Aby fixed hinges A1 at the top of each pole and sliding
`hinges A2 which slide along the poles as the frame is moved
`between the folded and unfolded orientations. The other
`ends of the linkages B are secured to the center strut C by
`a fixed cross-shaped connector F and a sliding connector E
`which slides along the center strut as the frame is moved
`between the folded and unfolded orientations.
`The shelter frame shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 is somewhat
`unstable because the legs Aare not directly connected to one
`another and, instead, are only connected to one another by
`the structure formed by the scissors-type linkages B, the
`center strut C and the connectors E and F. In addition to
`being unstable, the scissors-type linkage/center strut/
`connector structure also reduces the headroom within the
`tent. This frame is also somewhat difficult to unfold in that
`an extra person is sometimes needed to push the center strut
`C upwardly to its completely extended position. With
`respect to the canopy D, the center strut C is the only portion
`of the frame that holds the canopy above the poles and, as
`a result, the canopy will often sag.
`Another example of a conventional shelter frame is shown
`in U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,656 ("the '656 patent"). The frame
`disclosed in the '656 patent is a marginal improvement over
`the frame illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 in that stability is
`increased because adjacent support poles are connected to
`one another by respective pairs of scissors-type linkages.
`Nevertheless, the shelter frame disclosed in the '656 patent
`suffers from many of the same shortcomings as the frame
`shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. For example, the canopy is
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
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`SS
`
`65
`
`OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`A general object of the present invention is to provide a
`collapsible shelter that is superior to those presently known
`in the art. In particular, one object of the present invention
`is to provide a shelterframe that is relatively easy to fold and
`unfold, stable, and still compact when folded. Another
`object of the present invention is provide a shelterframe that
`is less likely to allow the canopy to sag, will not reduce tent
`headroom and will ultimately produce an attractive shelter.
`In accordance with one aspect of the present invention,
`these and other objectives are accomplished by providing a
`shelter frame having at least two poles connected by a
`linking assembly having first and second scissors-type link
`ages and a linking device. The scissors-type linkages include
`first structural members pivotally coupled to respective
`second structural members and to one another. The linking
`device is adapted to pivotally secure a predetermined portion
`of the second structural member in the first scissors-type
`linkage to the second scissors-type linkage at a point on the
`second scissors-type linkage vertically spaced from the
`predetermined portion of the second structural member in
`the first scissors-type linkage and to also pivotally secure a
`predetermined portion of the second structural member in
`the second scissors-type linkage to the first scissors-type
`linkage at a point on the first scissors-type linkage vertically
`spaced from the predetermined portion of the second struc
`tural member in the second scissors-type linkage.
`The vertical spacing associated with the linking device
`provides increased headroom between the poles as com
`pared to prior linking assemblies which consist solely of two
`scissors-type linkages. Moreover, the increased headroom is
`provided without sacrificing ease of folding and unfolding.
`stability, and compactness when folded.
`In accordance with another aspect of the present
`invention, other objectives are accomplished by providing a
`shelter frame with a canopy support including a head
`connector and at least first and second canopy support rods.
`Each canopy support rod includes a first rod member piv
`otally secured to a second rod member. The first rod mem
`bers are also pivotally secured to a respective pole and the
`second rod members are also pivotally secured to the head
`connector. As a result, the canopy support provides a greater
`support area than many prior canopy supports, which results
`in an aesthetically pleasing shelter canopy that is less likely
`to sag. The shelter frame may also include linking rods that
`are pivotally secured to sliding connectors on the poles and
`to the canopy support rods. The linking rods help drive the
`canopy support to its unfolded orientation as the frame poles
`are pulled apart. As a result, the canopy support need not be
`manually pushed to its unfolded orientation.
`In accordance with still another aspect of the present
`invention, a sliding connector locking assembly is provided
`substantially within the interior a pole. The locking assem
`bly includes a spring having first and second spring mem
`bers extending from a base member, a button associated with
`the first spring member and adapted to extend through
`apertures in the pole and sliding connector, and a positioning
`
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`3
`member adapted to maintain the spring at a predetermined
`location within the interior of the pole. This assembly makes
`the frame easier to fabricate and more reliable than those
`having the locking assemblies known heretofore.
`Many other features and attendant advantages of the
`present invention will become apparent as the invention
`becomes better understood by reference to the following
`detailed description considered in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`Detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the
`invention will be made with reference to the accompanying
`drawings.
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible shelter frame
`in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
`invention.
`FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the portion of the preferred
`embodiment identified by circle A in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the portion of the preferred
`embodiment identified by circle B in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the portion of the preferred
`embodiment identified by circle C in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the portion of the preferred
`embodiment identified by circle D in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the portion of the preferred
`embodiment shown in FIG. 2.
`FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the portion of the preferred
`embodiment shown in FIG. 3.
`FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the portion of the preferred
`embodiment shown in FIG. 4.
`FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the portion of the preferred
`embodiment shown in FIG. 5.
`FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment
`shown in FIG. 1 in a partially folded orientation.
`FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the portion of the preferred
`embodiment identified by circle E in FIG. 10.
`FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the portion of the preferred
`embodiment identified by circle F in FIG. 10.
`FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the portion of the preferred
`embodiment identified by circle G in FIG. 10.
`FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the portion of the preferred
`embodiment identified by circle H in FIG. 10.
`FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the portion of the preferred
`embodiment identified by circle I in FIG. 10.
`FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a prior collapsible shelter
`frame in a folded orientation.
`FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the prior collapsible
`shelter frame shown in F.G. 16 in an unfolded orientation.
`FIG. 18 is a section view of a locking assembly in
`accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the locking assembly
`shown in FIG. 18.
`FIG. 20 is a perspective view in accordance with a second
`preferred embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG.21 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment
`shown in FIG. 20 in a partially folded orientation.
`FIG. 22 is a partial perspective view in accordance with
`a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.
`DETALED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODMENT
`The following is a detailed description of the best pres
`ently known mode of carrying out the invention. This
`
`4
`description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made
`merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles
`of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined solely
`by the appended claims.
`As shown by way of example in FIG. 1, a shelter frame
`in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the
`present invention includes a lower frame member and a
`canopy support. The lower frame member includes four
`upwardly extending poles 1 that are connected to one
`another by four pairs of scissors-type (or x-type) linkages 2.
`Each of the scissors-type linkages 2 is pivotally secured to
`another linkage and to one of the poles 1. The linkages 2 are
`secured to the poles 1 by fixed connectors 5, which are
`secured to the top of each pole, and sliding connectors 6
`which slides along the poles. The exemplary canopy support
`includes four canopy supporting rods 3, each of which is
`pivotally secured to a head 7. The canopy supporting rods 3
`are also pivotally secured to respective linking rods 4 and
`fixed connectors 5. The linking rods 4 are pivotally secured
`to respective sliding connectors 6.
`Referring to FIGS. 2, 6, 11 and 12, each exemplary fixed
`linkage 5 includes three connecting seats 51.52 and 53. The
`connecting seats 51 and 52 are secured to the end of a link
`in a scissors-type linkage 2 by a nut 9 and a bolt 8. The
`connecting seat 53, which is between connecting seats 51
`and 52, is secured to a connector 33 at one end of a canopy
`supporting rod 3 by a nut 9 and a bolt 8. Similarly, the sliding
`linkages 6 are provided with three connecting seats 61, 62
`and 63. The connecting seats 61 and 62 are also secured to
`the end of a link in a scissors-type linkage 2 by a nut 9 and
`a bolt 8. The connecting seat 63, which is between connect
`ing seats 61 and 62, is secured to a connector 43 at the end
`of a linking rod 4 by a nut 9 and a bolt 8. So configured, the
`Scissors-type linkages 2, canopy supporting rods 3, linking
`rods 4, and sliding connectors 6 are capable of being moved
`from the fully open (or unfolded) orientation shown in FIGS.
`1, 2 and 6 to the partially folded orientation shown in FIGS.
`10, 11 and 12.
`As shown by way of example in FIGS. 18 and 19, the
`poles 1 may include a locking assembly 10 which locks the
`sliding connector 6 in place when it reaches the location
`shown in FIG. 1. Each locking assembly 10 consists of a
`button 12 that is forced through an aperture 14 in the pole 1
`by a spring 16 to which the button is attached. The spring 16,
`which includes spring members 16a and 16b extending from
`a base member 16c, is maintained in the proper location
`within the pole 1 by a positioning member 18. A channel 20
`is formed in the positioning member 18 and a post 22
`extends across the channel such that a portion of the spring
`base member 16c can be held between the post and the top
`of the channel. The positioning member 18 is secured to the
`pole 1 by a screw 24 (or other mechanical fastener) which
`extends through an aperture 26 in the pole into an aperture
`28 in the positioning member.
`In operation, the button 12 is depressed as the sliding
`connector 6 moves from the unlocked position shown in
`FIG. 10 to the locked position shown in FIG. 1. Such
`depression may be accomplished manually, or by means of
`a cam surface on the bottom side of the button 12. Once the
`button is depressed, the sliding connector 6 will pass over
`the button until a corresponding aperture on the sliding
`connector (not shown) is aligned with the button. The button
`12 will then be forced by the spring 16 through the sliding
`connector aperture, thereby locking the sliding connector in
`place. The button 12 may be depressed to release the sliding
`member 6 when the user desires to fold the frame.
`Turning to the exemplary canopy support shown in FIGS.
`3, 7 and 13, each canopy support rod 3 consists of two rod
`
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`members pivotally connected to one another by an interme
`diate pivot connector 31. The intermediate pivot connector
`31 includes a pair of pivot members 311, which are secured
`to the ends 32 of the rod members by nuts 9 and bolts 8. The
`pivot members are composed of two parallel walls which
`mate with the three parallel walls of the rod ends 32. The
`intermediate pivot connector also includes a pair of stop
`boards 312 which prevent the rod members from pivoting
`past the unfolded orientation shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.
`As noted above, one end of each canopy support rod 3 is
`secured to a fixed linkage 5 and the other end is secured to
`the head 7. Referring more specifically to FIGS.5, 9 and 15.
`the preferred head 7 includes four head connectors 71, each
`of which consists of a pair of parallel walls that mate with
`the three parallel walls on the rod member ends 34. The
`connectors 71 are secured to the rod member ends 34 by a
`nut 9 and a bolt 8.
`As illustrated for example in FIGS. 4, 8 and 14, one end
`of each linking rod 4 is pivotally and slidably connected to
`the corresponding canopy support rod 3 by an end connector
`41 and a sliding connector 42. The end connector 41
`includes three parallel walls which mate with a pair of
`parallel walls on the sliding connector 42. A nut 9 and a bolt
`8 may be used to secure the assembly. The other end of each
`linking rod 4 includes a connector 43 that is secured to a
`respective sliding connector 6 in the manner described
`above.
`One or all of the scissors-type linkage pairs shown in
`FIGS. 1 and 10 may be replaced by a linkage assembly 100
`which is illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 20 and 21. The
`linkage assembly 100 includes a pair of structural members
`102 and 104 which are pivotally secured to one another and
`to respective sliding connectors 6 in the manner described
`above. A pair of structural members 106 and 108 are secured
`to respective fixed connectors 5. The structural members
`102-108 form two scissors-type linkages and operate in the
`scissor-like manner described above. In order to eliminate
`the relatively low connection point associated with the
`structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 10 (shown in dashed lines in
`FIG. 20), linkage assembly 100 also includes a linking
`device in the form of a pair of linking members 110 and 112.
`Linking member 110 extends from the free end of structural
`member 106 to structural member 104 and linking member
`112 extends from the free end of structural member 108 to
`45
`structural member 102. This configuration results in a shelter
`frame having more headroom at point 114 midway between
`the poles, which is often the location of the entrance to the
`shelter.
`As shown by way of example in FIG. 22, the linkage
`assembly 100 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 may be inverted.
`Such orientation results in a shelter frame that has greater
`structural rigidity and stability than the conventional frame
`shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. Another method of increasing
`structural rigidity and stability is to configure the frame such
`that the poles 1 slope inwardly (i.e. toward the head 7) as
`shown in FIGS. 1, 20 and 22.
`The present shelter frame may be readily assembled,
`erected (i.e. unfolded) for use and folded for storage and
`transport. Referring to FIG. 10, which shows the frame in a
`partially folded state, the present frame may be erected by
`manually pulling the four poles 1 outwardly such that the
`scissors-type linkages 2 urge the sliding connectors 6
`upwardly. As a result, the linking rods 4 will drive the
`associated canopy support rods 3 upwardly as the connector
`42 slides therealong. This will continue until the pivot
`members 31 and head 7 reach the stable orientation shown
`
`55
`
`6
`in FIG. 1. The sliding connectors 6 will be locked in place
`by the locking assemblies 10. In other words, the canopy
`support will be automatically driven upwardly into its use
`orientation when the poles 1 are pulled outwardly. Similarly,
`the frame may be folded by pressing the locking assembly
`buttons 12 and then pushing the poles 1 inwardly, thereby
`causing the scissors-type linkages 2 to urge the sliding
`connectors 6 downwardly. The linking rods 4 will then cause
`the canopy support rods 3 to pivot about their intermediate
`pivot members 31 until the rod members in each support rod
`meet one another.
`Although the present invention has been described in
`terms of the preferred embodiment above, numerous modi
`fications and/or additions to the above-described preferred
`embodiments would be readily apparent to one skilled in the
`art. By way of example, but not limitation, the nuts 9 and
`bolts 8 may be replaced by any other suitable mechanical
`fastener. The overall rectangular shape of the frame may also
`be changed to a triangle or octagon. It is intended that the
`scope of the present invention extends to all such modifi
`cations and/or additions and that the scope of the present
`invention is limited solely by the claims set forth below.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A shelter frame, comprising:
`at least first and second upwardly extending poles; and
`a linkage assembly linking the first and second poles, the
`linkage assembly including
`first and second scissors-type linkages each having
`respective first structural members pivotally coupled
`to respective second structural members, the first
`structural member in the first scissors-type linkage
`being pivotally coupled to the first structural member
`in the second scissors-type linkage, and
`a linking device pivotally secure a predetermined por
`tion of the second structural member in the first
`scissors-type linkage to the second scissors-type
`linkage at a point on the second scissors-type linkage
`vertically spaced from the predetermined portion of
`the second structural member in the first scissors
`type linkage and to pivotally secure a predetermined
`portion of the second structural member in the sec
`ond scissors-type linkage to the first scissors-type
`linkage at a point on the first scissors-type linkage
`vertically spaced from the predetermined portion of
`the second structural member in the second scissors
`type linkage.
`2. A shelter frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
`structural members are a first predetermined length, the
`second structural members are a second predetermined
`length, and the first predetermined length is substantially
`greater than the second predetermined length.
`3. A shelter frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
`second structural members define first ends pivotally
`secured to a respective pole and second free ends, and the
`linking device is pivotally secured to the second free ends of
`the second structural members.
`4. A shelter frame as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
`linking device comprises a first linking member pivotally
`secured to the free end of the second structural member in
`the first scissors-type linkage and to the first structural
`member in the second scissors-type linkage, and a second
`linking member pivotally secured to the free end of the
`second structural member in the second scissors-type link
`age to the first structural member in the first scissors-type
`linkage.
`5. A shelter frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
`linking device comprises a first linking member pivotally
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`Patent Owner CCI
`Ex. 2015 - Page 19
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`5,701,923
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`secured to the second structural member in the first scissors
`type linkage and to the first structural member in the second
`scissors-type linkage, and a second linking member pivot
`ally secured to the second structural member in the second
`scissors-type linkage to the first structural member in the
`first scissors-type linkage.
`6. A shelterframe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
`and second structural members in the first scissors-type
`linkage are pivotally connected at a first pivot point, the first
`and second structural members in the second scissors-type
`linkage are pivotally connected at a second pivot point, the
`first structural members are pivotally connected to one
`another at a third pivot point, and the linking device is
`pivotally connected to first structural member of the first
`scissors-type linkage at a fourth pivot point located between
`the first and third pivot points.
`7. A shelter frame as claimed in claim 6, wherein the
`linking device is pivotally connected to first structural
`member of the second scissors-type linkage at a fifth pivot
`point located between the second and third pivot points.
`8. A shelter frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
`structural members are respectively pivotally secured to first
`and second sliding connectors to slide along the first and
`second poles, and the second structural members are respec
`tively pivotally secured to first and second fixed connectors
`on the first and second poles.
`9. A shelter frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
`and second poles extend upwardly in respective first and
`second directions, and the first and second directions have
`respective horizontal and vertical components.
`10. A shelter frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
`linkage assembly defines a first linkage assembly, the shelter
`frame further comprising:
`third and fourth upwardly extending poles;
`a second linkage assembly linking the second and third
`poles;
`a third linkage assembly linking the third and fourth
`poles; and
`a fourth linkage assembly linking the first and fourth
`poles.
`11. A shelter frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
`point on the second scissors-type linkage is above the
`predetermined portion of the second structural member in
`the first scissors-type linkage, and the point on the first
`scissors-type linkage is above the predetermined portion of
`the second structural member in the second scissors-type
`linkage.
`12. A shelter frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
`point on the second scissors-type linkage is below the
`predetermined portion of the second structural member in
`the first scissors-type linkage, and the point on the first
`scissors-type linkage is below the predetermined portion of
`the second structural member in the second scissors-type
`linkage.
`13. A shelter frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
`point on the second scissors-type linkage is substantially
`vertically aligned with the predetermined portion of the
`second structural member in the second scissors-type
`linkage, and the point on the first scissors-type linkage is
`substantially vertically aligned with the predetermined por
`tion of the second structural member in the first scissors-type
`linkage.
`14. A shelter frame, comprising:
`at least first and second upwardly extending poles;
`at least a first linkage assemblies linking the poles, the
`linkage assembly including
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`first and second scissors-type linkages each having
`respective first structural members pivotally coupled
`to respective second structural members, the first
`structural member in the first scissors-type linkage
`being pivotally coupled to the first structural member
`in the second scissors-type linkage, and
`a linking device pivotally secure a predetermined por
`tion of the second structural member in the first
`scissors-type linkage to the second scissors-type
`linkage at a point on the second scissors-type linkage
`vertically spaced from the predetermined portion of
`the second structural member in the first scissors
`type linkage and to pivotally secure a predetermined
`portion of the second structural member in the sec
`ond scissors-type linkage to the first scissors-type
`linkage at a point on the first scissors-type linkage
`vertically spaced from the predetermined portion of
`the second structural member in the second scissors
`type linkage; and
`a canopy support including
`a head connector. and
`at least first and second canopy support rods, each
`support rod including a first rod member pivotally
`secured to a second rod member, the first rod mem
`bers also pivotally secured to a respective pole and
`the second rod members also pivotally secured to the
`head connector,
`15. A shelter frame as claimed in claim 14, further
`comprising:
`third and fourth poles;
`second, third and fourth linkage assemblies; and
`third and fourth canopy support rods.
`16. A shelter frame as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
`first structural members are respectively pivotally secured to
`first and second sliding pole connectors to slide along the
`first and second poles, the second structural members are
`respectively pivotally secured to first and second fixed
`connectors on the first and second poles, and the first rod
`members are respectively pivotally secured to the first and
`second fixed connectors.
`17. A shelter frame as claimed in claim 16, wher