United States Patent (19)
`Lynch
`
`54
`
`76)
`
`Notice:
`
`COLLAPSIBLE CANOPY FRAMEWORK
`HAVING CAPTURED SCSSORENDS WITH
`NONCOMPRESSIVE PVOTS
`Inventor: James P. Lynch, 13 S. Field,
`Lakewood, Colo. 80226
`The portion of the term of this patent
`subsequent to Sep. 14, 2010 has been
`disclaimed.
`Appl. No.:
`121,298
`Sep. 14, 1993
`Fied:
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Division of Ser. No. 632,767, Jan. 4, 1991, Pat. No.
`5,244,001.
`Int. Cl'.............................................. FO4H 15/50
`U.S.C. .................................... 135/145; 135/151;
`403/172; 403/175; 411/338
`Field of Search ............... 135/103, 106, 107, 108,
`135/109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 97, 25.2, 25.3,
`25.31; 403/172, 175, 176, 178,218; 52/640, 641,
`645, 646; 411/338, 368, 424
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`Lyon .
`402,755 5/1889
`684,130 10/1901
`Taubert .
`1,326,006 12/1919
`Sterhardt.
`Baker .
`1,493.915 5/1924
`Mills.
`1,712,836 5/1929
`Morgan .
`1,728,356 9/1929
`2,135,961 11/1938
`Chenoweth .
`2,440,557 4/1948
`Power .
`2,770,243 11/1956
`Miller .
`Klages .
`2,928,404 3/1960
`2,940,709 8/1960
`Neuwirth .
`3,174,397 3/1965
`Sanborn .
`3,199,518 4/1965
`Glidewell .
`3,335,815 4/1967
`Oakes .
`Breenberg.
`3496,687 2/1970
`Hagar et al. .
`3,526,066 9/1970
`Kirrish et al. ....................... 41 1/338
`4,033,243 7/1977
`4,156,433 5/1979
`Beaulieu .
`4,318,629 3/1982
`Yamamoto .
`4,370,073 1/1983
`Ohme .
`Rebish ................................. 41A338
`4490,083 12/1984
`King .
`4,516,376 5/1985
`Cofia .................................. 411/338
`4,540,322 9/1985
`
`21
`22
`
`62
`
`51
`52
`58
`
`56)
`
`
`
`USOO5421356A
`Patent Number:
`Date of Patent:
`
`(11)
`45)
`
`5,421,356
`Jun. 6, 1995
`
`Carter .
`Lynch.
`Reilly.................................. 403/172
`Hoffman et al. .
`Lynch .
`
`4,607,656
`8/1986
`4,641,676
`2/1987
`4,673,308
`6/1987
`4,724,642
`2/1988
`4,779,635 10/1988
`4,838,003 6/1989
`4,881,354 11/1989
`Lynch.
`4,885,891 12/1989
`Pelsue et al. .
`4.941,499 7/1990
`Lynch.
`4,947,884 8/1990
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`372840 12/1906 France .
`1514258 2/1968 France.
`Primary Examiner-Lanna Mai
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Timothy J. Martin
`57
`ABSTRACT
`An expandable framework structure can be folded for
`storage and expanded for use, especially as a canopy
`when a covering is placed on top of the framework. The
`framework includes a plurality of upright supports and
`a plurality of edge scissor assemblies that interconnect
`adjacent ones of the upright supports. Mounts are dis
`posed on the upright supports to fasten outer, rectangul
`lar end portions of the edge scissor assemblies. The
`mounts have sockets which have facing, parallel side
`wall portions to receive the rectangular end portions in
`close-fitted engagement along planar contact surfaces
`to resist lateral and torsional deflections of the edge
`scissor assemblies. A non-compressive fastening pin
`pivotally secures the outer end of each edge scissor
`assemblies in its respective socket. The mounts on each
`upright support are relatively movable to allow expan
`sion and contraction of the framework; one mount is
`preferably a stationary mount and the other a slide
`mount. A roof support assembly may be used to support
`a canopy covering, and several embodiments of the roof
`support assembly are described. Each edge scissor as
`sembly may beformed of a pair of scissor units intercon
`nected by floating mounts that are provided with sock
`ets and planar contact surfaces to resist lateral and tor
`sional deflection of the scissor units. Non-compressive
`fastening pins are associated with each mount, and non
`compressive elements interconnect the scissor bars of
`each scissor unit.
`
`18 Claims, 15 Drawing Sheets
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`June 6, 1995
`June 6, 1995
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`U.S. Patent
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`June 6, 1995
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`June 6, 1995
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`Sheet 7 of 15
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`June 6, 1995
`June 6, 1995
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`June 6, 1995
`June 6, 1995
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`5,421,356
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`U.S. Patent
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`June 6, 1995
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`June 6, 1995
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`9.g. 25
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`O
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`15
`
`1.
`
`COLLAPSIBLE CANOPY FRAMEWORK HAVING
`CAPTURED SCSSORENDS WITH
`NON-COMPRESSIVE PIVOTS
`
`5,421,356
`2
`somewhat to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,656
`issued 26 Aug. 1986 to Carter.
`A problem experienced by the structures shown in
`patent '676 (Lynch) and in patent '656 (Carter) is that
`the edge scissor assemblies which extend between adja
`cent support members are often subjected to lateral
`forces which tend to decrease their stability. Where the
`scissor assemblies are connected to each other and to
`the corner supports, compression mounts were used
`which, if tightened, inhibited the scissoring action and
`were subjected to shear forces upon lateral deflection. It
`was often found that the connecting bolts could be bent
`or broken by excessive lateral deflections.
`The structure described in my patent 676 was greatly
`improved by that disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No.
`4,779,635 issued 25 Oct. 1988. In this patent, the canopy
`structure outwardly biased its corner support members
`so that the framework interconnecting adjacent corner
`support members was placed in tension as opposed to
`compression, which was the case in my patent '676.
`Nonetheless, the assembly shown in my patent 635 was
`still subject to improvement in the scissor bar intercon
`nections. Likewise, the structure shown in patent '884
`while providing a very useful canopy of an auto-erect
`feature relied on similar scissor bar interconnecting
`bolts which, while quite workable, had the disadvan
`tages indicated above.
`In an effort to further stabilize my collapsible canopy
`structures and meet the aforementioned problem, I de
`veloped a stabilization bar for use with these scissor
`assemblies. The construction and attachment of this
`stabilization bar is described thoroughly in my U.S. Pat.
`No. 4,885,891 issued 12 Dec. 1989 for reinforcement
`member for an extendible scissors truss. It was noted in
`that patent that conventional extendible scissor trusses
`have great strength and may be very stiff in resisting
`loads resulting from forces in the plane of their truss
`cells and related moments normal to those cells, but that
`such scissor assemblies are generally weak and rela
`tively flexible when subjected to side loads imposed by
`forces acting normal to the plane of the truss cells and
`weak with respect to the related moments lying in the
`planes of the cells. This problem was solved, in part, by
`the inclusion of a reinforcement member having end
`portions which extend alongside a facing pair of scissor
`bars of two scissor units which are connected in end-to
`end relation. A linking portion extends between the end
`portions and rigidly joins them. This structure thus
`defines lever members which produce moment couples
`on the truss members with these ever members then
`resisting torsional and bending stress forces.
`While the structure described in my patent '891
`works quite well, it adds additional complexity to the
`structure the collapsible unit to which it is attached and
`thus increases manufacturing costs and weight. There
`therefore remained a need for still further improve
`ments and stabilizing truss assemblies, particularly
`where those truss assemblies are incorporated into col
`lapsible canopy structures. There is a further need rec
`ognized when products are manufactured according to
`my above referenced patents in simplifying the mount
`ing of the scissor bar elements, one to another into scis
`sor units and the resulting scissor units into intercon
`nected scissor or truss assemblies, and in the connection
`of such truss assemblies in a pivotal expandable/collaps
`ible manner to respective corner and intermediate sup
`ports. There is further a recognized need for intercon
`
`RELATED PATENTS
`The present application is a divisional application of
`Ser. No. 07/632,767, filed Jan. 4, 1991, now U.S. Pat.
`No. 5,244,001 issued Sep. 14, 1993. This application is
`also directed to improvements to certain inventions as
`disclosed in my earlier patents. Specifically, the present
`invention relates to U.S. Pat. No. 4,641,676, issued 10
`Feb. 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,635, issued 25 Oct. 1988;
`and U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,884, issued 14 Aug. 1990.
`FIELD OF INVENTION
`The present invention generally relates to improve
`ments in collapsible shelters or canopy structures which
`may be used to temporarily shelter against the elements,
`to provide privacy and the like, such as shelters de
`scribed in my earlier disclosed scissor canopy structures
`referenced above. Specifically, however, the present
`invention relates to a structural device, in the form of a
`non-compressible mount having sockets, which capture
`end portions of scissor assemblies so as to connect scis
`25
`sor assemblies to each other and to other structural
`components of a canopy structure. The mounts are
`structured to provide free pivots while at the same time
`resisting lateral and torsional deflections. Accordingly,
`the present invention generally relates to the attach
`ment of pivoting structural members in an integrated
`canopy system.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`As noted in my earlier patents, portable shelters have
`35
`been in existence since prehistoric times. Recently,
`there has been an increase in the sophistication, quality
`and construction of portable structure apparatus. Rela
`tively large area, temporary shelters which may be
`stored in the small collapsed state but which may be
`expanded with a minimum amount of effort and sturdy,
`large area shelters are known and are discussed in my
`earlier three patents as well as the references known in
`the art. These shelters typically employ a framework
`that supports a lightweight fabric roof or covering for
`45
`shade, for privacy, or for protection against natural
`elements such as wind and rain. Side panels may also be
`used for background display, in the form of protective
`netting against insects, for privacy and the like. Often,
`the shelters to which the present invention is directed
`are those which are used for purposes of recreation,
`fairs, bazaars, outdoor exhibitions and food and bever
`age vending, to name a few.
`As noted above, one response to the need for portable
`shelters was shown in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,641,676. This
`55
`patent discloses a portable canopy structure which has
`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 upright support mem
`bers, the adjacent ones of which are connected by
`means of scissor assemblies comprising either single or
`dual scissor units connected in end-to-end relation. A
`flexible covering extends over the framework. In sev
`eral of the embodiments, a central support is provided
`for the covering in the form of a central post so that the
`65
`covering is supported in a dome-like manner. In another
`embodiment, no central post structure is shown. The
`invention described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,641,676 is also
`
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`4.
`tioned on an upright support member, one mount is
`nections which would be more resistive to shear and
`bending moments.
`stationary while the other is slideable. The sockets and
`the mounts thus provide pivotal connections for the
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`scissor bars which form the scissor units which in turn
`It is an object of the present invention to provide a
`comprise the scissor assemblies without being compres
`new and useful framework construction particularly
`sive fittings. Nonetheless, the sidewalls act to resist
`adapted for expandable shelters which structure simpli
`lateral and torsional deflections of the outer end por
`tions of the edge scissor assemblies, and thus the scissor
`fies interconnection of the various structural members
`while at the same time being resistive to lateral forces.
`assemblies themselves.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`In the preferred structure, a roof support assembly is
`10
`provided, which can be of a variety of types. In one
`connecting devices for scissoring elements in truss as
`semblies which connectors are non-compressive so as to
`construction, the side edge scissor assemblies are each
`allow a scissor forming element to freely pivot therein
`formed by a plurality of scissor units with adjacent
`while at the same time resisting lateral and torsional
`inner ends of the scissor units being connected together
`by means of a floating mount, again provided with
`deformations of the element.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide
`sockets and fastening pins to pivotally secure inner ends
`connecting devices which may be used in expandable
`of the scissor bars within the sockets. The roof support
`shelter which connecting devices employ a minimum of
`assembly can then be formed as one or more internal
`different pieces which may be integrated into a more
`scissor assemblies which extend between facing side
`complex structure.
`edge assemblies so as to have outer end portions at
`20
`Yet another object of the present invention is to sim
`tached to the floating sockets. These internal scissor
`plify collapsible canopy structure by providing new and
`assemblies are each formed by a plurality of scissor
`useful mounts for interconnecting the structure forming
`units, and central mounts may be provided with sockets
`to receive inner end portions of the scissor units which
`elements.
`Still a further object of the present invention is to
`form the internal scissor assemblies. A center post struc
`provide a collapsible/expandable framework structure
`ture may be provided in this construction.
`for canopies with which may be employed lighter
`In another construction, the roof support assembly
`weight corner supports and scissor bars without signifi
`may be extendible roof members pivotally attached to
`cant loss of structural integrity or strength.
`the stationary mounts at upper ends of the upright sup
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`port members with these roof members projecting radi
`connector pieces which may interconnect the scissor
`ally inwardly to form one or more apices to support the
`canopy covering. Alternately, the roof support mem
`bars forming scissor units and scissor units into scissor
`bers may extend radially inwardly from the slide
`assemblies which may thereafter be connected to up
`right support members in such a manner that the free
`mounts to form such apex.
`ends of the respective scissor bars are captured and
`It is desirable in these structures that suitable latches
`35
`protected in a non-compressive manner.
`be provided to maintain the framework in the erected
`According to the present invention, then, an expand
`and expanded state. When in the collapsed state, the
`able framework structure is provided. This framework
`framework structure defines a closed framework unit
`having opposite framework unit ends. The stationary
`structure is adapted to be folded and stored in a col
`lapsed state and erected in an expanded state on a Sup
`mounts and the floating mounts are configured so that,
`port surface in order to support a canopy covering
`in the collapsed state, the stationary mounts and some of
`above the support surface. The expandable framework
`the floating mounts at the first framework end creates
`broadly includes a plurality of upright support members
`an uninterrupted first rim around that end while the
`each having a bottom end positionable on the support
`slide mounts and the other floating mounts at the second
`surface and a top end opposite the bottom end. In the
`end of the framework unit abut one another to create an
`45
`collapsed state, the support members are oriented
`uninterrupted second rim. In any event, each of the
`alongside one another but are movable outwardly apart
`scissor units are pivotally connected to one another at a
`from one another towards the expanded state.
`common mid-point on a pivot axle that is again a non
`A plurality of edge scissor assemblies form truss
`compressive joint. Preferably, the scissor bars are tubu
`members for the expandable framework with there
`lar members of aluminum or other structural material
`being an edge scissor assembly interconnecting adjacent
`such as steel, plastic or fiberglass and having a rectangu
`ones of the support members. Each edge scissor assem
`lar cross-section of the selected width and height with
`bly has a pair of outer upper ends and a pair of outer
`the width being less than the height. When connected,
`lower ends, a plurality of novel mounts are disposed on
`the pivot axle extends across the respective widths of
`the upright support members to fasten the edge scissor
`the scissor bars. The pivot axle is preferably formed by
`55
`a pair of cooperating axle pins which matably connect
`assemblies thereto. To this end, each of the mounts have
`sockets formed therein by spaced-apart facing sidewall
`to one another to define spaced-apart heads between
`portions so that the outer ends of the edge scissor assen
`which the scissor bars are positioned. These coopera
`blies may be captured in respective one of the sockets in
`tive axle pins are configured so as to limit the minimum
`close fitted engagement between the facing sidewall
`distance between the heads to at least a distance equal to
`portions thereof. A fastening pin pivotally secures each
`the combined widths of the scissor bars so that the axle
`outer end portion of each edge scissor assembly in its
`pins do not compress the pair of scissor bars therebe
`respective socket.
`tWeen.
`The mounts are relatively movable with respect to
`Where larger areas are to be protected by the canopy
`one another so that the edge scissor assemblies are oper
`structure, some of the upright support members define
`65
`ative to open and close whereby the framework struc
`corner supports while others define intermediate sup
`ture may move between the expanded and contracted
`ports which have their respective stationary mounts and
`states. Accordingly, where a pair of mounts are posi
`slide mounts. Thus, a wide variety of combinations of
`
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`scissor assemblies may be joined together to create the
`FIGS. 22(a) and 22(b) are side views in elevation
`large area framework structure as desired.
`showing first and second alternate embodiments of roof
`These and other objects of the present invention will
`support structures which may be employed with the
`become more readily appreciated and understood from
`exemplary embodiments of the present invention;
`a consideration of the following detailed description of
`FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a stationary mount
`the preferred embodiment when taken together with
`which may be used with the roof support structures of
`the accompanying drawings, in which:
`FIGS. 22(a) and 22(b);
`FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a slide mount which
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`may be used with the roof support structures of FIGS.
`FIGS. 10a), 1(b) and 1(c) are perspective views show
`22(a) and 22(b); and
`10
`ing three specific exemplary canopy units made accord
`FIG. 25 is a bottom plan view of a stationary mount
`ing to the teachings of the present invention;
`which may be used with a triangular framework struc
`FIGS. 2(a), 20b) and 2C) show the framework assem
`ture according to the exemplary embodiments of the
`blies used with the canopy units of FIGS. 1(a), 10b) and
`present invention.
`1(c), above;
`DETALED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an upper end portion
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`of a corner support member in the erected and latched
`The present invention concerns movable or tempo
`state;
`FIG. 4(a) is a side view in elevation showing a scissor
`rary shelters in the form of canopy structures which
`unit according to the exemplary embodiment of the
`may be stored in a compact size yet which may be
`20
`present invention and FIG. 4(b) is a side view in eleva
`expanded into an erect structure providing shelter
`tion showing two scissor units of FIG. 4(a) intercon
`against the elements or which provide privacy for a
`nected in end-to-end relation to form a resulting scissor
`variety of applications. The structures of the present
`or truss assembly;
`invention do not require any assembly or disassembly.
`FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken aboutlines 6-6
`Such structures are those which, by way of example and
`25
`of FIG. 4(a);
`not limitation, are described in my issued U.S. Pat. No.
`FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken aboutlines 6-6
`4,641,676, U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,635 and U.S. Pat. No.
`of FIG. 4(a);
`4,947,884. The present invention specifically concerns
`FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the
`novel mounts which may be used to interconnect the
`connecting pin assembly used to interconnect a pair of
`framework forming elements, such as the upright cor
`30
`scissor bars into a scissor unit shown in FIG. 4(a);
`ner and intermediate leg support members, scissor as
`FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a stationary mount
`semblies and roof support structures described in those
`according to the exemplary embodiment of the present
`issued patents, a detailed description of those structures
`invention and used at the upper portion of a corner
`is not again here set forth but rather the structures and
`upright support;
`technology disclosed in those issued patents are herein
`35
`incorporated by reference.
`FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken aboutlines 9-9
`of FIG. 7 and with the axial pin mounted therein;
`Turning to FIGS. 1(a)-1(c), FIGS. 2Co)-2(c) and
`FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the stationary mount
`FIG.3 a framework structure used for temporary cano
`shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 having attached thereto two
`pies are the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,641,676 as
`scissor elements of respective scissor assemblies;
`shown. In FIGS. 10a) and 2Ca), a framework structure
`FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a slide mount accord
`11 is shown in an expanded state and supports a fabric
`ing to the exemplary embodiment of the present inven
`covering 12 to produce canopy unit 10. Framework
`tion;
`structure 11 is formed by four upright support members
`FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a floating mount
`in the form of upright corner support members 14 each
`according to the exemplary embodiment of the present
`of which comprises a pair of telescoping structures such
`45
`invention;
`as upper leg section 15 into which lower leg section 16
`FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the floating mount
`is slideable received. Each upright support member 14
`shown in FIG. 12;
`has a lower end 17 which engages or rests on a support
`FIG. 14 is a side view in elevation showing a center
`surface and an upper end 18 opposite lower end 17. A
`post assembly according to the exemplary embodiment
`stationary mount 60 according to the exemplary en
`50
`of the present invention;
`bodiment of the present invention is disposed at each
`FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an upper center
`upper end 18. A slide mount 62 is slideably received on
`mount as shown in FIG. 14;
`upper leg section 15 so that each slide mount 62 may
`FIG. 16 is a perspective view of allower center mount
`move from a position remote from a respective station
`as shown in FIG. 14;
`ary mount 15 to a location proximate stationary mount
`55
`FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a fully col
`60 as shown in FIG. 2(a). When located proximately
`lapsed canopy framework of a type shown in FIG. 2(b);
`stationary mount 60, as shown in FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 3,
`FIG. 18 is a top plan of the collapsed canopy frame
`each mount 62 may be latched into position by a suitable
`work of FIG. 17 but with the center post shown in
`latch structure such as depressable button latch 13.
`phantom;
`Each upright support member 14 is interconnected to
`FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an intermediate sup
`adjacent upright corner support members by means of a
`port stationary mount according to the exemplary em
`scissor assembly 19 which has opposite outer upper and
`bodiment of the present invention;
`lower ends captured in sockets formed in mounts 60 and
`62 as described more thoroughly below.
`FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines
`20-20 of FIG. 19;
`Similarly, with respect to FIGS. 10b) and 20b), a can
`65
`FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an intermediate slid
`opy 20 is formed by means of framework structure 21
`ing mount according to the exemplary embodiment of
`which supports a covering 22. Framework structure 21
`the present invention;
`has a plurality of upright support members 24 located at
`
`Patent Owner CCI
`Ex. 2017 - Page 19
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`

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`10
`
`5,421,356
`8
`7
`the corners thereof. Each upright support member 24
`As noted above, scissor bars 41 and 42 are connected
`has an upper leg section 25 which telescopically re
`at common central portion 43. To this end, a pivot
`fastener structure 76 is provided as best shown in FIGS.
`ceives a lower leg section 26. Lower ends 27 of upright
`support members 24 engage a support surface while
`6 and 7. In these figures, pivot fastener structure 76
`includes a pair of cooperative mating pivot fastener
`upper ends 28 thereof are provided with stationary
`structures define a pivot axle that is a non-compressive
`mounts 60. Scissor assemblies 29 interconnect adjacent
`element formed by a pair of cooperative axle pins such
`ones of upright support members 24 and are formed by
`as female pin 77 and male pin 78. Male pin 78 has an
`scissor units 40 connected end-to-end relation with one
`elongated shaft 79 terminating in a threaded end 80 of
`another by upper and lower floating mounts 64 and 65.
`reduced cross-section which, in turn, may be threadably
`Opposite outer upper ends of scissor assemblies 29 are
`received in threaded bore 82 of shaft 81 on female pin
`fixed to mounts 60 while outer lower ends of scissor
`77. When joined, shoulder 83 on shaft 79 abuts rim 84 on
`assemblies 29 are fixed to slide mounts 62 which are
`slideably received on upper leg sections 25. A roof
`shaft 81 so that the respective heads 85 and 86 of female
`and male axle pins 77 and 78 have a minimum distance
`support structure 50 includes internal scissor assemblies
`of separation defined by the lengths of shafts 79 and 81.
`52 in the form of scissor units 54 which are connected to
`15
`The minimum distance for the spacing between heads
`one another and internal ends by upper and lower cen
`tral mounts 66 and 67 and at their outer upper and lower
`85 and 86, as shown in FIG. 6, is at least the combined
`ends by means of floating brackets 64,65, all as de
`cross-sectional widths of scissor bars 4 and 42. Further,
`heads 85 and 86 are preferably separated a minimum
`scribed more thoroughly below. Central mounts 66 and
`67 support a center post structure 90, again as described
`distance to accommodate a spacer washer 88 therebe
`20
`tween. Heads 84 and 85 are tapered, and countersunk
`below.
`washers 89 are preferably provided for mounting on the
`Finally, with respect to FIGS. 10d) and 2C) it may be
`seen that canopy 30 is a larger area device having a
`outermost sides of scissor bars 41 and 42, as shown in
`framework 31 which supports a covering 32. Frame
`FIG. 6.
`work 31 has a plurality of upright support members in
`As noted in the introductory remarks of this applica
`25
`tion, the present invention particularly concerns novel
`the form of corner support members 34 and intermedi
`ate support members 34 which respectively have upper
`mounts for connecting the scissor units 40, one to an
`leg sections 35, 35 into which lower leg sections 36,36
`other, in end-to-end relation as well as to connect scis
`are telescopically received. Lower ends 37, 37 engage
`sor assemblies in the form of either single or multiple
`a support surface while upper ends 38, 38 respectively
`scissor unit trusses to their respective upright supports.
`30
`To this end, the exemplary embodiment of the present
`mount stationary mounts 60, 60'. Slide mounts 62, 62
`are slideably received on upper leg sections 35,35, and
`invention includes stationary mounts, as shown in
`adjacent upright support members 34, 34 are intercon
`FIGS. 8-10, slide mounts as shown in FIG. 11, floating
`nected by means of scissor assemblies 39. A pair of roof
`mounts as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, and upper and
`support structures 50 interconnect facing scissor assem
`lower central mounts as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15,
`35
`respectively. It may be seen in these figures that each of
`blies 39 which are facing one another. Each roof sup
`the respective mounts define junction elements having a
`port structure 50 includes internal scissor assemblies
`plurality of socket openings which are adapted to re
`such as scissor assemblies 52 and central post structure
`ceive end portions of respective scissor bars 41 and 42.
`90 having upper and lower central mounts 66 and 67 as
`With reference to FIGS. 8-10, a stationary mount 60
`described above with reference to FIG. 2(b).
`is shown which has a central portion 112 having a cav
`With reference to FIGS. 20) and 4(a), it may be seen
`ity 114 formed therein. Cavity 114 is sized to matably
`that scissor assemblies 19 (FIG. 2(a)) is in the form of a
`receive an upper end portion of an upright support
`single scissor unit 40 (FIG. 4(a)). Scissor unit 40 is con
`member, such as a corner support member 14, 24 or 34.
`structed by a pair of scissor bars 41 and 42 which are
`A pair of lobes 116 and 118 project outwardly of central
`pivotally joined to each other at a common central
`45
`section 112 at right angles to one another. Each of lobes
`portion 43 thereof. Scissor unit 40 has a pair of outer
`116, 118 is provided with a channel shaped socket 120
`upper end portions 44 which are provided with bores 45
`formed between a pair of parallel spa