United States Patent (19)
`Lynch
`
`Patent Number:
`11
`45) Date of Patent:
`
`4,779,635
`Oct. 25, 1988
`
`(54)
`
`76
`
`COLLAPSIBLE CANOPY WITH
`TELESCOPNG ROOF SUPPORT
`STRUCTURE
`Inventor: James P. Lynch, 13 South Field,
`Lakewood, Colo. 80226
`Appl. No.: 89,441
`Filed:
`Aug. 26, 1987
`Int. Cl." ...................... E04H 15/18; E04H 15/50
`U.S. Cl. ...................................... 135/97; 135/110;
`52/109
`Field of Search ................... 135/103, 97, 106, 98,
`135/107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113; 52/109
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`684,130 10/1901 Taubert ............................... 135/110
`1,326,006 12/1919 Sterhardt.
`... 135/109
`1493,915 5/1924 Baker .......
`... 135/109
`1,712,836 5/1929 Mills.........
`... 135/110
`1,728,356 9/1929 Morgan
`... 135/109
`1,853,367 4/1932 Mace ............
`... 135/110
`2,135,961 1/1938 Chenoweth ........................ 135/109
`2,440,557 4/1948 Power ................................... 135/90
`2,770,243 11/1956 Miller ...
`... 135/109
`2,928,404 3/1960 Klages ......
`... 135/109
`3,174,397 3/1965 Sandborn .............................. 52/109
`3,199,518 8/1965 Glidewell .....
`... 135/109
`3,335,815.8/1967 Oakes .................................... 52/109
`3,375,625 4/1968 Mikulin ................................. 52/109
`3,496,687 2/1970 Greenberg et al
`... 52/109
`3,526,066 9/1970 Hagar et al. .....
`... 52/27
`4,156,433 5/1979 Beaulieu ................................ 52/109
`4,607,656 8/1986 Carter .......
`... 135/110
`4,641,676 2/1987 Lynch ................................. 135/110
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`15851 of 1886 United Kingdom ................ 135/111
`
`(21)
`(22)
`(51)
`52)
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`
`
`656361 8/1951 United Kingdom .................. 135/97
`Primary Examiner-J. Karl Bell
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Timothy J. Martin; J. Preston
`Oxenham
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A canopy structure is provided and includes a frame
`work unit and a flexible covering. The framework unit
`is formed by a plurality of upright corner members and
`a plurality of roof support members that are pivotally
`connected at the top ends of the corner members and, in
`an erected position, extend upwardly and inwardly to a
`central apex where they are pivotally connected to one
`another. The roof support members are formed of ex
`tendable sections which preferably telescope with re
`spect to one another so that the framework unit may
`move into a collapsed state with the corner support and
`roof support members oriented in closely spaced, paral
`lel relation. Latches are provided to prevent the frame
`work unit from collapsing from the erected position.
`Constraining and support structure, preferably in the
`form of scissor assemblies, interconnect adjacent corner
`support members to prevent them from moving apart
`past the erect state. The scissor assemblies have one
`portion pivotally connected to the tops of its associated
`corner supports and another portion pivotally con
`nected to slide brackets on its associated corner support
`member. A cantilever member interconnects each roof
`support member and the slide bracket on its associated
`corner support member. The central apex may include a
`spring biased central post to support the peak of the
`covering placed on the framework unit. Several frame
`work units may be formed together into a larger canopy
`Structure.
`
`34 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1007 - Page 1 of 15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 25, 1988
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
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`4,779,635
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`SSSSSS—HeeNNye
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`20
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`FIG.1
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`30
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`FIG.2
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1007 - Page 2 of 15
`
`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1007 - Page 2 of 15
`
`
`

`

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`US. Patent—Oct. 25; 1988 Sheet2 of 4
`U.S. Patent Oct. 25, 1988
`Sheet 2 of 4
`4,779,635
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`4,779,635
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`FIG.4
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`a
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`30
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1007 - Page 3 of 15
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1007 - Page 3 of 15
`
`

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`U.S. Patent oct. 25, 1988
`32
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`Sheet 3 of 4
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`4,779635
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`22
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1007 - Page 4 of 15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent oct. 25, 1988
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`4,779635
`
`
`
`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1007 - Page 5 of 15
`
`

`

`1.
`
`COLLAPSIBLE CANOPY WITH TELESCOPING
`ROOF SUPPORT STRUCTURE
`
`O
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`15
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`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to a collapsible canopy
`structure which is readily portable so it may used as a
`convenient shade screen or shelter, primarily for out
`door activities. As such, the present invention is di
`rected to temporary shelters which may be stored in a
`collapsed state which may be used in an expanded state
`to provide a shelter having a large surface area of pro
`tection. The present invention specifically is directed to
`such shelter which includes a self-contained roof sup
`port structure that telescopically expands with the re
`maining support framework. As such, this invention is
`believed to be an improvement over my U.S. Pat. No.
`4,641,676 issued 10 Feb. 1987 and entitled Collapsible
`Canopy Structure.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`As was discussed in the background of U.S. Pat. No.
`4,641,676, portable shelters have been in existence since
`prehistoric time, but modern times have seen an increas
`ing need for greater sophistication in the quality and
`25
`type of construction in portable shelter apparatus. In the
`last 20 years, this industry has dramatically grown as a
`result of new techonologies in fabrics, support structure
`and design, especially in the fields of lightweight tents
`and mountaineering shelters. These developments mani
`30
`fest themselves in special application fields, but rela
`tively little attention has been paid to the development
`of larger area-shelters that are stored in a small col
`lapsed state but which may be expanded with a mini
`mum amount of effort into sturdy, large area shelters.
`35
`One response to this need is shown in my U.S. Pat.
`No. 4,641,676. This patent shows a portable canopy
`structure having a framework that may be collapsed
`into a stored state yet which may be expanded and
`erected for use. The framework includes a plurality of 40
`upright support members which are interconnected by
`a plurality of scissor assemblies; an internal scissor as
`sembly is provided to support a central post, and a
`covering extends across the tops of the supports and is
`supported thereon in a dome-like manner. This struc
`ture is also similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No.
`4,607,656 issued 26 Aug. 1986, to Carter.
`While the structure shown in the Lynch patent and
`the Carter patent provides significant advantages over
`the earlier prior art noted above, especially in the rela
`SO
`tive ease of both expansion and collapse, they nonethe
`less have some drawbacks. For example, in use, the
`scissor assemblies shown in these two structures are
`under compressive forces. When the scissor assemblies
`are subjected to forces transversely of their plane, the
`combination of this force with the compressive force
`can result in substantial bowing of the scissor assemblies
`and distortion of the canopy framework. Additionally,
`the use of a central scissor assembly extending across
`the middle of the framework can be inconvenient in
`reducing the head room provided for persons sheltered
`by the canopy structure.
`In addition to the structure shown in the Lynch pa
`tent and the Carter patent described above, other prior
`art structures have been developed to provide tempo
`65
`rary shelters. For example, French Patent No. 823,693
`issued to Boeuf and published 25 Jan. 1938 shows a
`framework for supporting a shelter wherein the frame
`
`4,779,635
`2
`work has a plurality of upright posts which are inter
`connected by single scissor assemblies. A plurality of
`roof support elements are then bolted to each upright
`posts and are then secured together by means of a cen
`tral wing-nut assembly to define a peak for the frame
`work. U.S. Pat. No. 2,928,404 discloses a collapsible
`shelter wherein upright posts pivotally secure rigid roof
`support elements so that the structure may fold to
`gether.
`Accordingly, despite the advances of the abovedecs
`ribed canopy structures, there remains a need for fur
`ther improved canopy structure which provides a quick
`erectable temporary shelter which is easy to expand for
`use and to collapse for storage in a fast, efficient man
`ner. There is a further need for such an improved can
`opy structure which increases the mechanical strength
`of the framework and which provides greater head
`room thereby more efficiently using space.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`It is an object of the present invention to provide a
`new and useful canopy shelter which can be collapsed
`for compact storage yet quickly and easily erected for
`S.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`a collapsible canopy structure complete with a folding
`roof support structure that extends upwardly and in
`wardly of the corners of the canopy framework unit to
`an apex portion.
`A still further object of the present invention is to
`provide a canopy structure that has increased head
`OO
`Yet a further object of the present invention is to
`provide a canopy structure that outwardly biases its
`corner support members so that the framework inter
`connecting adjacent corner support members is placed
`in tension rather than compression.
`It is a still further object of the present invention to
`provide a spring biased roof support structure for a
`canopy framework in order to maintain the canopy
`covering in a taut manner at all times.
`The canopy structure according to the present inven
`tion accordingly comprises a canopy framework unit
`that mounts a canopy top in order to provide a tempo
`rary shelter. The framework unit is readily collapsible
`for storage yet expandable for erection. The framework
`unit includes a plurality of upright corner support mem
`bers each of which having a bottom end which is posi
`tionable upon a support surface, such as the ground, a
`floor and the like, and a top end opposite the bottom
`end. These corner support members are oriented along
`side one another in the collapsed state and are moved
`outwardly apart from one another in the expanded
`State.
`A plurality of roof support members are pivotally
`connected to one another on first pivot axes at first ends
`thereof to define an apex located centrally of the can
`opy framework unit. The roof support members then
`project radially outwardly from the apex, preferably at
`equiangular locations and terminate at second ends
`which are each pivotally connected on a second pivot
`axis to the top end of a respective corner support mem
`ber. Each corner support member and its associated
`roof support member thus may be folded about the
`second pivot axis into the collapsed state with the roof
`support members simultaneously being folded about the
`first pivot axes so that all of the roof support members
`
`20
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`45
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`55
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`60
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`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1007 - Page 6 of 15
`
`

`

`4,779,635
`4.
`3
`alongside and parallel one another around the dome
`and the corner support members may be oriented in
`closely spaced relation to one another.
`element when the canopy structure is folded into the
`Each roof support member includes a pair of extend
`collapsed state. Likewise, the second end of each roof
`support member has a dog leg whereby each corner
`able sections which are moveable between a retracted
`state and when the canopy is in the collapsed state and
`support member and its associated cantilever member
`an extended state when the canopy is in the expanded
`and roof support member can be folded in closely
`state. The resultant roof support members are sized such
`spaced parallel relation to one another in the collapsed
`that the apex is located above a plane defined by the top
`State.
`ends when the canopy structure is in the expanded state
`Preferably, the flexible covering include side panels
`and when the roof support structures are in the ex
`that extend downwardly from the perimeter edge por
`10
`tended state with the roof support members being ori
`tion so that adjacent ones of the side panel portions have
`ented at an acute angle, preferably in the range of 15 to
`vertical edges are attached to one another to form cor
`45, with respect to the plane.
`ner pocket regions that receive top end portions of the
`Constraining and support means is provided for pre
`corner support members. These sprocket regions may
`venting relative outward movement of the corner mem
`15
`be provided with releaseable securing means, such as
`bers past the expanded state and for maintaining lateral
`Velcro strips, which cooperate with corresponding
`stability of the corner support members when they are
`means on the top end portion to further secure the cov
`in the expanded state. Latch means are associated with
`ering to each corner support member. The covering is
`each of the roof support members to releaseably retain
`preferably formed of a polyester material, but other
`the extendable sections in the extended state to prevent
`20
`suitable fabrics may be used as well. If desired, a plural
`unwanted folding of the canopy structure into the col
`ity of canopy framework units may be constrcted to
`lapsed state when so latched, that any downward force
`gether to form a larger framework structure that is then
`exerted on the apex exerts an outward force component
`covered by a larger covering having multiple peaks.
`tending to move the corner support members apart
`These and other objects of the present invention will
`from one another against the constraining means.
`25
`become more readily appreciated and understood from
`A flexible covering is then sized to extend across and
`a consideration of the following detailed description of
`be supported by the roof support members to form atop
`the preferred embodiment when taken together with
`for the canopy structure. The covering has perimeter
`the accompanying drawings, in which:
`edge portions extending between top ends of adjacent
`ones of the corner support members and a central peak
`30
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`portion which exerts a downward force on the apex
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a canopy structure
`when the covering is mounted on the canopy frame
`according to the preferred embodiment of the present
`work unit.
`--
`invention;
`In the preferred form of the present invention, the
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the structural frame
`constraining means is defined by framework structure
`work unit for the canopy structure shown in FIG. 1;
`which extends between the top end portions of adjacent
`FIG. 3 is a side view in elevation of a top portion of
`corner support members. This framework structure is
`a representative corner support member and roof sup
`formed by a scissor assembly having one portion which
`port member which forms the canopy framework unit
`is pivotally connected to a top end of its associated
`shown in FIG. 2;
`corner support member and another portion pivotally
`FIG. 4 is a side view in elevation of the framework
`connected to a slide bracket mounted on its associated
`unit shown in FIG. 2 approximately halfway between
`corner support members. The scissor assemblies operate
`the expanded state and the collapsed state;
`to open and close as the corner support members are
`FIG. 5 shows a single corner support member and
`moved between the expanded and collapsed states.
`roof support member in the collapsed state;
`To further support the roof structure, a cantilever
`FIG. 6 is a side view in elevation showing the central
`member preferably extends between each slide bracket
`post in a collapsed state;
`and the roof support member which is associated with a
`FIG. 7 is a side view in elevation showing a larger
`respective corner support member slideably supporting
`canopy framework constructed of two framework
`the slide bracket. To this end, also, each roof support
`units;
`member preferably comprises at least two telescoping
`FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a framework unit
`sections, an inner telescoping section mounted to the
`according to the present invention utilizing a different
`apex portion and an outer telescoping portion mounted
`geometrical configuration; and
`to a respective corner support member and telescopi
`FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the alternate framework
`cally receiving the inner telescoping mamber. The latch
`unit shown in FIG. 8.
`means is then conveniently a button latch between these
`two telescoping sections.
`DETALED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`The apex portion of the framework unit preferably
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`includes a central post assembly that may be spring
`The present invention is directed toward a quick
`loaded so that it is upwardly biased against the central
`portion of the canopy covering. Further, an upper end
`erectable canopy structure which includes a canopy
`60
`covering and a canopy framework unit which is
`of the central post assembly may terminate in a dome
`adapted to mount and position the canopy covering as a
`element thereby increasing the surface area of contact
`between the post assembly and the covering.
`temporary shelter. Thus, the present invention is useful
`in creating a canopy assembly that may be stored in a
`To accommodate the dimension of the slide bracket
`compact, collapsed state yet which may be quickly and
`as well as the dome-ended central post, each roof sup
`65
`easily erected in an expanded state so that the canopy
`port member is provided with a double dog leg con
`struction. A first dog leg is located adjacent the apex
`covering shelters a large surface area which provides
`shade and/or protection against rain.
`such that the roof support members may be folded
`
`35
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`45
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`50
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`55
`
`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1007 - Page 7 of 15
`
`

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`10
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`15
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`20
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`4,779,635
`6
`5
`portion 50 so that an inner or a first end of roof support
`As is shown in FIG. 1, then, canopy structure 10 is
`member 40 is pivotally secured to the apex portion, as
`shown in the expanded state and broadly includes a
`described below. An outer or second end of roof sup
`canopy covering 12 and a canopy framework 20. Can
`port member 40 is formed by means of a lower dog leg
`opy covering 12 has a central peak 14, and it is formed
`arm 46 that is received in and affixed to outer telescop
`of top panels 16 and side panels 18. Covering 12 is sup
`ing section 44. The other end of arm 46 is pivotally
`ported by a canopy framework unit 20 which includes a
`secured to U-bracket 36 by means of a pin 47.
`plurality of corner support members 22. In FIG. 1, the
`At its ends opposite arms 46, outer telescoping mem
`canopy structure is shown in the expanded state.
`ber 44 has a downwardly projecting U-bracket 48. Can
`The construction of canopy framework unit 20 is best
`tilever member 70 is pivotally connected at one end to
`understood with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. As is
`U-bracket 48 by pin 49 and at the other end to U
`shown in these figures, canopy framework unit 20 in
`bracket 37 by means of pin 41. Thus, it should be appre
`cludes four corner support members 22, each of which
`ciated that roof support member 40 may pivot down
`is constructed of an upper telescoping member 24 and a
`wardly with respect to corner support member 22 about
`lower telescoping member 26 which may be latched in
`pin 47. When this happens, slide bracket 47 moves
`selected relative extensions by button latches 27, shown
`downwardly and, accordingly, cantilever member 70
`in FIG. 4, as is known in the art. Each of members 24
`scissors so that roof support member 40 is oriented in
`and 26 is preferably a tube having square-shaped cross
`closely spaced parallel relation alongside corner sup
`section. Corner support members 22 accordingly define
`the edges of a geometrical configuration for the canopy
`port member 22. It should be appreciated that lower
`dog leg arm 46 is provided to establish an offset to
`structure. Thus, while it should be appreciated that
`FIGS. 1 through 6 describe a canopy having a generally
`accommodate the width of U-brackets 37 and the width
`of cantilever member 70 between roof support member
`cubic construction, other geometric configurations are
`40 and corner support member 22. To maintain tele
`within the scope of this invention. Canopy framework
`scoping members 42 and 44 in the extended position,
`unit 20 is adapted to rest on a support surface. Accord
`shown in FIG. 3, a latch means in the form of button
`ingly, each corner support member 22 terminates in a
`25
`latch and mating hole structure 45 is provided with the
`foot 30 located at bottom end 28. Foot 30 rests on the
`button latch 45 being located on one of the telescoping
`support surface with each corner support member 22
`being oriented in a generally upright, vertical position
`sections and the hole being located on the other tele
`scoping section, as is standard construction known in
`with respect to the support surface.
`A plurality of roof support members 40 are provided,
`the art.
`As noted above, apex portion 50 is located at an end
`with each roof support member 40 extending from an
`of roof support member 40 opposite corner support
`upper end 32 of a respective corner post to terminate at
`member 22. Apex portion 50 includes a center post
`an apex portion 50. Each adjacent corner support men
`assembly 52 which includes a cross bracket 54 that
`ber 22 is interconnected to another by constraining and
`provides four pairs of ears, such as ears 55. The end of
`support means in the form of a scissor assembly 60
`35
`inner telescoping member 42 of roof support member 40
`which is oriented in a vertical plane and comprises a
`is thus pivotally connected between a pair of ears 55 by
`pair of scissor units 62 connected in end-to-end relation.
`means of a pin 56, with this end terminating in an upper
`Each scissor unit 62 is formed by first and second cross
`dog leg portion 43. Center post assembly 52 includes a
`pieces 64 and 66 which are pivotally connected to each
`post or upper member 58 that has a dome-shaped head
`other about their midpoints. An upper portion of each
`40
`59. Upper member 58 is telescopically received in a
`scissor assembly 60 is connected to each of its corner
`lower member 72 that forms a housing for upper mem
`support members 22 at the top ends 32 thereof. Further,
`ber 58 which is upwardly and outwardly biased by
`a lower portion of each scissor assembly 60 is connected
`means of a spring 74; however, member 58 includes as
`to a slide bracket 34 which is slideably received on each
`post 76 received in slot 77 to prevent removal from
`respective corner post 22. A cantilever member 70 ex
`45
`member 72.
`tends between each slide bracket 34 and an associated
`It should be appreciated from the foregoing that cen
`roof support member 40, as more thoroughly described
`tral post assembly 52 is vertically positioned along a
`below.
`central axis A which is vertical to the support surface.
`Each set consisting of a corner support member 22
`Each of upper ends 32 of corner support members 22
`and a corresponding roof support member 40 are con
`50
`structed identically. Thus, for purposes of explanation,
`terminate in a common plane P which is transverse to
`axis A. In the preferred embodiment, in the expanded
`the description of a single such assembly may best be
`state shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of roof support
`made with reference to FIG. 3. In this figure, the top
`members 40 are sized so that the apex portion 50 is
`end 32 of a corner support member 22 is shown and is
`located above plane P such that roof support members
`closed by a plastic end cap 33. A U-bracket 36 is
`are oriented at an acute angle d with respect to plane P.
`mounted to corner support member 22 at top end 32 and
`Preferably, this acute angle is in a range of 15 to 45°,
`a first L-bracket 38 is attached to corner support mem
`inclusive, and it has been found particularly useful to
`ber 22 adjacent U-bracket 36. A slide bracket 34 is slide
`select angle d to be 30.
`ably received on corner support member 22 and both a
`As is shown in phantom in FIG. 3, canopy covering
`second U-bracket 37 and a second L-bracket 39 is at
`60
`12 has a side panel 18 which is additionally secured to a
`tached to slide bracket 34. As noted above, cross pieces
`top portion of corner support member 22 by means of
`64 and 66 of a scissor unit 62 are pivotally connected to
`corresponding hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro
`L-brackets 38 and 39 by pins 65 and 67, respectively.
`fasteners 35. Covering 12 then extends over upper end
`Roof support member 40 is formed of a pair of ex
`32 of corner support member 22 such that its top panel
`tendable members, preferably in the form of an inner
`65
`16 extends upwardly to peak 14 that is defined by head
`telescoping member 42 and an outer telescoping mem
`59 of corner post assembly 52. It should be appreciated
`ber 44 which telescopically receives member 42. Roof
`support member 40 projects radially inwardly to apex
`that the restorative biasing of upper member 58 causes
`
`30
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`55
`
`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1007 - Page 8 of 15
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`

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`4,779,635
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`bers 22 from movement toward the collapsed position.
`head 59 to maintain tension on canopy covering 12 so
`By placing canopy covering 12 on roof support mem
`that top panels 16 are maintained in a taut condition
`bers 40, each of members 40 is placed in compression.
`regardless of environmental conditions. Furthermore,
`the covering 12 also acts as constraining means to pre
`This tends to expand, that is, force apart, each of corner
`support members 42 so that scissor assemblies 60 are
`vent over expansion of the canopy framework unit 20.
`placed in tension. Any downwardly directed force on
`The expansion and contraction of canopy structure
`apex 50 tends to slide bracket 34 downwardly due to its
`10 can now be more fully appreciated with reference to
`FIGS. 2-5. When, in the erect or expanded state, shown
`interconnection with cantilever 70 but such motion is
`resisted since scissor assemblies 60 cannot open, since
`in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of scissor assemblies 60 are in the
`full open position and telescoping members 42 and 44
`opening them would draw corner support members 22
`together. Thus, the mechanical forces of a canopy
`are in the fully extended position and latched by means
`of the button latch 45. In this position, roof support
`framework unit is in balance.
`member 40 is oriented at acute angle d with respect to
`As noted above, it is possible to construct a canopy
`plane P. When the user desires to collapse canopy struc
`device in different geometrical configurations. FIGS.
`ture 10, the user depresses each of button latches 45 so
`7-9 show two alternate embodiments of the present
`invention showing different geometrical configurations.
`that each of inner telescoping members 42 may slide
`For example, FIG. 7 shows a canopy device 108 which
`into outer telescoping member 44. Once released, each
`roof support member 40 may pivot downwardly toward
`is constructed of a pair of canopy structure units 110
`the respective corner support member 22. Due to the
`which are identical to canopy structure 10, described
`above. With respect to the embodiment shown in FIG.
`inner connection of cantilever 70 with slide bracket 34,
`20
`7, though, the pair of canopy framework units 110 share
`slide bracket 34 moves downwardly towards bottom
`a pair of common corner support members, such as
`end 28 of corner support member 22. Since slide bracket
`34 is connected to a lower portion of scissor assembly
`corner support member 123. Each corner support mem
`ber 123 supports a pair of roof support members 140 and
`60 at L-bracket 39, this causes each scissor assembly 60
`a pair of cantilever members 170 on a single slide
`to close. In order to accommodate this, each of scissor
`25
`bracket. Corner support members 122 support a single
`units 62 are pivotally secured at their centers and to
`each other at connections 68 and 69, respectively, as is
`roof support member 140 and cantilever 170 in a man
`ner similar to that described with respect to the pre
`shown in FIG. 2.
`As this downward or "collapsing' motion continues,
`ferred embodiment. A scissor assembly 160 intercon
`canopy structure 10 is moved into the position shown in
`nects each corner support member 122 and the corner
`30
`support member 123. A larger canopy covering 112
`FIG. 4. In this intermediate position, center post assem
`(shown in phantom) is then positioned over canopy
`bly 52 is adjacent plane Q of bottom ends 28 of corner
`device 108 with canopy covering 112 having a pair of
`support members 22 with each corner support member
`peaks 114 supported by the pair of center post assem
`22 and its respective roof support member 40 and canti
`lever member 70 being in a folded position. Corner
`blies 152.
`35
`support members 22 are then moved towards one an
`A second alternate embodiment of the present inven
`other to further collapse canopy structure 10 until each
`tion is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In this embodiment,
`canopy device 210 is constructed as having a hexagonal
`corner support and roof support pair is in the position
`configuration formed by six corner support members
`shown in FIG. 5. In this position, each corner support
`member 22 and its respective roof support member 40
`222 which are each innerconnected by a single scissor
`and cantilever member 70 are in closely spaced gener
`unit 262. It should be noted that, in the embodiment
`ally parallel relationship alongside one another. With
`shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, there are six corner support
`members 222 but these corner support members posi
`reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, it can be appreciated
`that upper dog leg portion 43 of each inner telescoping
`tion three roof support member 240 so that every other
`member 42 fold to provide an open region 80 to accom
`corner post 222 mounts a roof support member 240 by
`45
`modate center post assembly 52, particularly dome
`means of a cantilever member 270. While in this em
`shaped head 59.
`bodiment, as well as in the preferred embodiment, roof
`support members are oriented in equiangularly spaced
`To reverse this process and erect canopy structure
`10, the user simply moves each of corner support mem
`relation around the center post assembly such as center
`post assembly 252 and project radially outwardly there
`bers 22 apart and then raises center post assembly 52
`50
`until it passes through plane P and can move up into the
`from, the preferred embodiment of the present inven
`fully expanded position with roof support members 40
`tion had the corner support members and the roof sup
`partially extended. Canopy covering 12 is then posi
`port members in one-to-one correspondence while the
`tioned over canopy structure 10 with peak 14 oriented
`embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 has corner support
`on head 59 and with side panels 18 oriented alongside
`members and roof support members in two-to-one cor
`respondence. In all other respects, though, the opera
`the vertical planes of each scissor assembly 60. To this
`end, it should be appreciated that side panels 18 and the
`tion and construction of the alternate embodiment
`top panel 16 form a plurality of pocket regions which
`shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is the same as that described
`receive upper end 32 of each corner support member
`with respect to the preferred embodiment.
`Accordingly, the present invention has been de
`22. The mating Velcro fasteners on the inside of each of
`60
`these pockets of side panels 18 are then secured to mat
`scribed with some degree of particularity directed to
`ing fasteners 35. After securing covering 12, the user
`the preferred embodiment of the present invention. It
`should be appreciated, though, that the present inven
`then fully extends each roof support member 40 and
`tion is defined by the following claims construed in light
`latches the associated button latches 45 to maintain roof
`support members 40 in the fully extended position.
`of the prior art so that modifications or changes may be
`65
`made to the preferred embodiment of the present inven
`Due to the above-described mechanical structure,
`this latching of roof support members 40 in the fully
`tion without departing from the inventive concepts
`extended position also prevents corner support mem
`contained herein.
`
`55
`
`Petitioner Walmart Inc.
`Exhibit 1007 - Page 9 of 15
`
`

`

`5
`
`10
`
`9
`I claim:
`1. A canopy structure adapted to be folded and stored
`in a collapsed state and erected in an expanded state on
`a support surface, comprising:
`a canopy framework unit