United States Patent (19)
`Lynch
`
`11)
`45)
`
`Patent Number:
`Date of Patent:
`
`4,641,676
`Feb. 10, 1987
`
`(54) COLLAPSIBLE CANOPYSTRUCTURE
`
`76 Inventor: James P. Lynch, 6901 W. 87th Way,
`#304, Arvada, Colo. 80003
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 573,070
`
`22 Filed:
`
`Jan. 23, 1984
`
`51) Int. Cl."......................... A45F1/16; E04H 15/50
`52 U.S. C. ..................................... 135/110; 135/115
`58) Field of Search ........... 135/90, 109, 110, DIG. 2,
`135/106, 107, 111, 112, 13; 52/109
`
`56
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`684,130 10/1901 Taubert ............................... 135/110
`1,326,006 12/1919 Sterhardt ............................ 135/109
`1,493,915 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 1/1938 Chenoweth .
`... 135/109
`2,440,557 4/1948 Power ................................... 135/90
`2,770,243 1/1956 Miller .................................. 135/109
`2,928,404 3/1960 Klages ................................. 135/109
`3,174,397 3/1965 Sandborn .............................. 52/109
`3,199,518 8/1965 Gidewell.
`... 135/109
`3,335,815 8/1967 Oakes .................................... 52/109
`3,375,625 4/1968 Mikulin ................................. 52/109
`3,496,687 2/1970 Greenberg ............................ 52/109
`3,526,066 9/1970 Hagar ...................................... 52/27
`4,156,433 5/1979 Beaulieu ................................ 52/109
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1434526 12/1968 Fed. Rep. of Germany ........ 52/109
`823693 l/1938 France ................................ 135/109
`692885 8/1965 Italy .................................... 135/106
`198803 6/1923 United Kingdom......
`... 135/11
`672815 5/1952 United Kingdom ................ 135/110
`Primary Examiner-Richard J. Johnson
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Timothy J. Martin
`57
`ABSTRACT
`A portable canopy structure may be erected from a
`collapsed state to an expanded state that shelters a de
`sired surface. The canopy structure includes a dome
`like covering that is held in position by a support frame
`work having a plurality of upright support members
`that are interconnected by a plurality of scissor assem
`blies. Each upright support member slideably mounts a
`slide bracket, and a rigid bracket is mounted at its top.
`The scissor assemblies are connected to these brackets.
`Preferably the structure is in the form of a parallelepi
`ped, and an internal scissor assembly extends between
`two facing side scissor assemblies which interconnect
`the upright supports. The covering extends across the
`tops of the supports and has side panels which depend
`downwardly from its perimeter, and the internal scissor
`assembly supports a central post that helps support the
`covering. A screen may be positioned around the sup
`port structure and may be connected to and be down
`wardly dependent from the side panels. Guy cords may
`be provided for the upright support members.
`
`5 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures
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`14
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`Fesse S.Ne
`2S25 in
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`U.S. Patent
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`1.
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`COLLAPSIBLE CANOPY STRUCTURE
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`15
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`4,641,676
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`the slide brackets move upwardly along their respective
`support members with the crossed arms becoming more
`perpendicular to the upright supports.
`A releasable latch is provided at an upper portion of
`each support member so as to lock its respective slide
`bracket at the top section, that is, in the expanded posi
`tion. A flexible covering is mounted to the top sections
`of the upright supports and is sized to completely cover
`the area defined by the tops of the upright supports
`when they are in the expanded orientation.
`Preferably, the framework is in the shape of a rectan
`gular parallelepiped, and the flexible covering has side
`panels extending downwardly alongside the upright
`supports so that the covering is in the general shape of
`a dome. To further support the covering, a scissor as
`sembly, similar to that described above, extends be
`tween two opposite sides of the rectangular support
`framework. This inner scissor assembly mounts a center
`pole whereby the center of the flexible covering may be
`elevated and supported. The upright supports may also
`be provided with telescoping legs and releasable latchs
`so that they may be adjusted in height. Anchor rings
`and tether ropes may be utilized to secure the canopy
`when it is positioned in its expanded position.
`These and other objects of the invention will become
`more readily appreciated and understood from a consid
`eration of the following detailed description of the pre
`ferred embodiment when taken together with the ac
`companyings drawings, in which:
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodi
`ment of the present invention shown in its expanded,
`upright position;
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodi
`ment of the present invention shown in its collapsed
`position;
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the support frame
`work of the preferred embodiment of the present inven
`tion shown in an intermediate position between the
`expanded and collapsed positions;
`FIG. 3A is a top plan view of the framework shown
`in FIG. 3;
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view, partially broken away,
`of one corner of the preferred embodiment of the pres
`ent invention in the expanded state;
`FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a portion of the scissor
`assembly connections according to the preferred en
`bodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 6 is a side view in elevation of the center sup
`port pole according to the preferred embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines 7-7
`of FIG. 6;
`FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the support frame
`work according to a first alternate embodiment of the
`present invention; and
`FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the support frame
`work according to a second, most general, alternate
`embodiment of the present invention.
`DETALED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`The present invention is directed to a collapsible,
`portable canopy shelter that is adapted to be stored in a
`compact, collapsed state yet which may be easily trans
`ported and erected by a single person at a desired loca
`
`O
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to a collapsible canopy
`structure which is readily portable so that it may be
`used as a convenient shade screen or shelter, primarily
`for outdoor activities. The present canopy structure is
`particularly adaptable to be stored in its collapsed state
`in a relatively small volume yet which may be expanded
`to provide a shelter having a large surface area of cov
`erage.
`Although portable shelters have been in existence
`since the earliest of times when nomadic tribes began to
`spread across the prehistoric plains of the earth, there
`has been an inreasing need for greater sophistication in
`the quality and type of construction employed in porta
`ble apparatus that provides shelter for the human body.
`The state of this art has experienced a dramatic period
`of growth in the last 20 years with new technologies 20
`being developed in fabrics, support structure and design
`for light-weight tents and mountaineering shelters. De
`spite these advances, little attention has been directed to
`light-weight, large area shelters which may be stored in
`a small, collapsed state yet which may be easily ex- 25
`panded with a minimum amount of effort so that a
`sturdy, large area shelter may be erected.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to 30
`provide a novel, useful and nonobvious portable shelter
`which may be stored in a relatively, compact state yet
`which is expandable to cover a large surface area.
`It is another object of the present invention to pro
`vide an inexpensive collapsible canopy shelter that may 35
`easily be erected by a single person.
`Yet another object of the present invention is to pro
`vide a portable canopy structure which is light in
`weight yet which can resist strong winds when erected.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide 40
`a portable canopy structure that is adjustable in height
`and which is designed for stability.
`To accomplish these objects, the present invention
`comprises a canopy structure which is collapsible into a
`relatively small volume for storage yet which is expand 45
`able to define a canopy of large surface area that may be
`positioned on any convenient surface, such as the
`ground, thus providing a shelter against various ele
`ments. To this end, the preferred embodiment of the
`present invention includes a support structure formed 50
`by a plurality of upright support members, in the form
`of legs, which are interconnected to each other, by
`means of expandable scissor assemblies and by a flexible
`covering overlaying the tops of the legs.
`In the most general form, each upright support mem- 55
`ber slideably mounts a slide bracket which moves back
`and forth therealong. Each scissor assembly intercon
`nects a pair of adjacent legs and is defined by a pair of
`cross connected tubular rods or arms which are pivot
`ally attached to one another at a mid-section to define 60
`an X-shaped structure. One end of each arm is secured
`to a respective slide bracket with the other end of each
`arm being connected to the top section of an adjacent
`upright support. Thus, as the upright supports are
`moved towards each other, both slide brackets move 65
`downwardly along their support members so that the
`crossed arms become more aligned with the upright
`supports. When the upright supports are moved apart,
`
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`10
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`3
`and 78 are pivotally connected to tab 84 by means of a
`tion to provide a sturdy shelter against rain, sun and
`bolt or rivet 88, with a low-friction washer 86 placed
`other elements. To this end, the preferred embodiment
`of the collapsible canopy shelter 10 is shown in its ex
`between arms 76 and 78.
`Socket 92 is cup-shaped in configuration and is de
`panded state in FIG. 1 and in its collapsed state in FIG.
`fined by surrounding sidewall 94 and a bottom wall 96.
`2. As is apparent in these figures, canopy shelter 10
`Socket 92 includes a tab 98 projecting therefrom which
`generally comprises a support framework 12 con
`structed of a lightweight, rigid material, such as alumi
`serves to interconnect scissor units 70 and 72. Particu
`larly, elongated arms 74 and 80 are pivotally secured to
`num, and a flexible, dome-like canopy covering 14
`tab 98 by means of a bolt or rivet 102, with a low-fric
`which is held in spaced relation to a surface, such as the
`tion washer 100 placed between arms 74 and 80.
`ground by support framework 12. As is shown in FIG.
`1, canopy shelter 10, when expanded, defines a configu
`Sleeve 82 and socket 92 mount a central or interior
`post 106 which has a lower end 108 and a cap 110 lo
`ration in the form of a generally cubic user space, but it
`cated on an end thereof opposite end 108. Post 106
`should be understood that other parallelepiped user
`extends through sleeve 82 so that end 108 may be mate
`spacers are contemplated by the scope of this invention.
`ably and releaseably received by socket 92. When the
`Support framework 12, without covering 14, is best
`canopy shelter is moved into the collapsed state, socket
`shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A in an expansion state that is
`92 disengages from end 108 of post 106, as is shown in
`approximately half-way between the collapsed state
`phantom in FIG. 6. However, when the canopy shelter
`shown in FIG. 2 and the fully expanded state shown in
`is moved into the expanded position, end 108 is posi
`FIG. 1. As is shown in FIG. 3, support framework 12
`tively engaged and supported by socket 92 so that cap
`includes plurality of upright support members or legs
`20
`110 is pressed against a reinforcement pad 112 secured
`16, 18, 20, and 22 which form part of the support frame
`to a central portion of covering 14. Preferably, post 106
`work 12 and which are interconnected by scissor assem
`has a length which is sized to elevate the center of cov
`blies, described below. Specifically, leg 16 is intercon
`ering 14 slightly higher than the tops of legs 16, 18, 20
`nected to its adjacent legs 18 and 22 by means of a pair
`and 22 so that water may run off canopy covering 14. In
`of scissor assemblies 24 and 26, respectively. Leg 20 is
`25
`this manner, then, the central portion of covering 14 is
`interconnected to its adjacent legs 18 and 22 by means
`supported by post 106 of internal scissor assembly 32.
`of a third and fourth pairs of scissor assemblies 28 and
`A representative connection of internal scissor assem
`30, respectively. In the preferred embodiment, shown in
`bly 32 to a side scissor assembly 28, is shown in FIG. 5.
`3-FIG. 3, scissor assemblies 26 and 28, which form oppo
`In this figure, an L-shaped bracket 114 is pivotally con
`site sides of support structure 12, are interconnected by
`30
`nected to the end of tubular elongated arm 78 that is
`a fifth or internal scissor assembly 32. Scissor assemblies
`opposite the end connected to tab 84 of sleeve 82. Arm
`24, 26, 28 and 30 have the same construction so that, for
`78 is provided with a hole 118 extending therethrough,
`purposes of explanation, only scissor assembly 24 is
`and L bracket 114 has a complimentary hole 120. A bolt
`fully described. However, it should be appreciated that
`or rivet 116 is then passed through holes 118 and 20,
`the general structure of each scisor assembly 26, 28 and
`35
`and a bushing may be used to prevent the collapse of the
`30 is the same.
`sidewalls of arm 78. Scissor assembly 28 includes elon
`... Scissor assembly 24, as is shown in FIG. 3, is defined
`gated tubular arms 122 and 124 which are provided, at
`by a pair of X-shaped scissor units 34 and 36, each of
`adjacent ends, with holes 126 and 128, respectively. L
`is which is formed by a pair of tubular cross arms of
`bracket 114 has a second hole 130 which is alignable
`square-shaped cross-section. Scissor unit 34 is formed
`40
`...by first elongated arms 38 and 40 which are pivotally
`with holes 126 and 128, and a bolt or rivet 132 extends
`through these holes so that arms 122 and 124 are pivot
`attached to one another at a midpoint. Arm 38 is pivot
`ally secured to bracket 114 and to each other. A low
`ally secured at a first end 42 to a slide bracket 44 that is
`friction washer 125 is positioned between arms 122 and
`slidably received on leg 16. A first end 46 of elongated
`arm 40 is pivotally secured to top 48 of leg 16. Similarly,
`124 on rivet 132. Thus, any scissor movement of scissor
`45
`assembly 28 causes a corresponding movement to scis
`scissor unit 36 is formed of a pair of elongated arms 50
`sor assembly 32.
`and 52 which are pivotally attached to one another at
`The construction of the upright supports or legs, and
`their midpoint. A first end 54 of arm 50 is pivotally
`their interconnection to the scissor assemblies is best
`secured to a slide bracket 56 which is slideably received
`shown in FIG. 4 where upright support or leg 16 is
`on leg 18, and a first end 58 of arm 52 is pivotally se
`50
`shown. It should be appreciated that the structure
`cured to the top 60 of leg 18. A second end 62 of arm 38
`shown in FIG. 4 and described herein corresponds to
`is pivotally connected to a second end 66 of arm 50, and
`legs 18, 20 and 22 as well. In FIG.4, leg 16 comprises a
`the second end 64 of arm 40 is pivotally connected to
`hollow, tubular inner telescoping member 134 and a
`second end 68 of arm 52.
`hollow, tubular outer telescoping member 136 which
`Internal scissor assembly 32 is formed by a pair of
`55
`slideably receives an internal end portion of member
`X-shaped scissor units 70 and 72, as is shown in FIGS.
`134. The internal end portion of member 134 is pro
`3 and 3A. The construction of internal scissor assembly
`32 is similar to that described above with respect to
`vided with a button latch 138, and member 134 termi
`nates in a ground engaging foot or end 140 opposite its
`scissor assembly 24, with the differences in construction
`internal end. Member 136 is provided with a plurality of
`best shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. As is shown in those
`figures, scissor unit 70 is formed by pair of elongated
`holes 142 at its end which receives member 134. Holes
`142 are adapted to engage with button latch 138 thereby
`tubular arms 74 and 76 which are hinged together at
`allowing selective adjustment of the relative positions
`their mid-sections. Similarly, the scissor unit 72 is
`of telescoping members 134 and 136, as is known in the
`formed by a pair of elongated tubular arms 78 and 80
`also hinged together at their mid-sections. Scissor units
`65
`art.
`A second button latch 144 is meunted on a top section
`70 and 72 are connected to one another and to a sleeve
`of telescoping member 136, and latch 144 is adapted to
`82 and a socket 92. Particularly, sleeve 82 is provided
`releaseably retain slide bracket 44 in a locked position
`with a tab 84 projecting therefrom. Elongated arms 76
`
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`From the foregoing description, it should be appreci
`with respect to leg 16, this locked position correspond
`ing to the expanded position for canopy shelter 10. A
`ated that the canopy shelter 10 may be moved from a
`collapsed state, shown in FIG. 2, to the expanded state,
`corner bracket 146 is attached to leg 16 at a top end 148
`shown in FIG. 1, and back again with relative ease. To
`opposite end 140.
`accomplish this, the user of the present invention simply
`Slide bracket 44 and corner bracket 146 are mounted
`moves a pair of adjacent legs, such as legs 16 and 18,
`to scissor assemblies 24 and 26. To this end, slide
`apart from one another. When this occurs, scissor as
`bracket 44 includes a pair of tabs 150 and 152 which
`sembly 24 begins to expand in a lateral direction and,
`project laterally of bracket 44 and at right angles to
`each other. Elongated arm 38 is pivotally secured to tab
`since all of the scissor assemblies are interconnected
`150 by means of bolt or rivet 154, and elongated arm 39
`with one another, scissor assemblies 26, 28 and 30 also
`move apart from one another, thus separating legs 16,
`of scissor assembly 26 is pivotally secured to tab. 152 in
`18, 20 and 22. Each respective side bracket, such as slide
`a similar manner. Corner bracket 146 is also provided
`bracket 44, is then moved along its support leg until it is
`with a pair of tabs 156 and 158 which laterally project
`adjacent the top sections of its leg where it may be
`therefrom at right angles to each other. Elongated arm
`latched into position by means of button latches 144.
`40 of scissor assembly 24 is pivotally secured to tab. 156
`by means of a bolt or rivet 160, and elongated arm 41 of
`As scissor assemblies 24, 26, 28 and 30 move into the
`expanded position, it should also be appreciated that
`scissor assembly 26 is pivotally secured to tab 158 in a
`scissor assembly 32 is forced to expand so that socket 92
`like manner.
`is moved toward sleeve 82. As this takes place, lower
`Covering 14, as is shown in FIG. 4, is defined by a top
`end 108 of post 106 is positioned in socket 92 so that
`panel 162 and surrounding side panels 164 are con
`20
`bottom wall 96 positively supports cap 110 against cov
`nected to top panel 162 around its perimeter and extend
`downwardly alongside support framework 12. Thus,
`ering 14. Thus, the central portion of covering 14 is
`supported by post 106.
`top panel 162 and side panels 164 define a dome-liked
`covering which encases the upper portion of frame
`After support framework 12 is moved into the ex
`panded position, the user may then conveniently adjust
`work 12. A reinforcement panel 166 is provided at each
`25
`the height of covering 14 above the ground by selec
`corner bracket 146 to help absorb any stress or tearing
`tively telescoping the leg sections, such as telescoping
`forces on covering 14 when canopy shelter 10 is in its
`expanded position. Preferably, covering 14 is con
`members 134 and 136, into a desired orientation and
`then locking them into their relative orientation by
`structed of a flexible, lightweight canvas, nylon or other
`means of button latches 138. After canopy shelter 10 is
`tent material, as are available in the art.
`positioned in its desired configuration, screen 176 may
`To further mount covering 14 on support framework
`optionally be attached to side panels 164 so that it ex
`12, a U-ring 168 is provided on slide bracket 44 and a
`tends around the perimeter of the parrallelepiped de
`cord 170 is releasably secured to ring 168 by means of a
`fined by legs 16, 18, 20 and 22, and cord 170 may be
`releasable clip 172. Cord 170 extends between adjacent
`slide brackets on respective legs 16, 18, 20 and 22 and
`attached to slide brackets, such as slide bracket 44. Side
`panels 164 may then be secured to cord 170 by means of
`can either be in the form of a single cord extending
`connectors 174. The user may finally pass guy cords 182
`completely around framework 12 or as discreet cords
`through slits (not shown) in screen 176 so that cords 182
`releasably secured to each slide bracket. Preferably,
`may be staked at a desired location and locking rings
`these cords are formed of an elastic materialso that they
`180 moved into position to firmly support canopy shel
`may lend further rigidity to the canopy shelter. Side
`ter 10 in a firm manner. Canopy shelter 10 is collapsed
`panels 164 are provided with flexible connectors 174,
`by reversing this procedure.
`such as Velcro strips, and connectors 174 are adapted to
`While the above description is directed to the pre
`be looped around cord 170 so as to prevent unwanted
`ferred embodiment of the present invention, it should be
`flapping of side panels 164 when canopy shelter 10 is
`understood that there are other geometrical configura
`used on windy days. It should be appreciated that other
`tions and structures which are contemplated by the
`connecting means may be substituted for cord 170 and
`scope of this invention. Indeed, a shelter having virtu
`connectors 172, such as snaps mounted on the scissor
`assemblies with corresponding snaps being positioned at
`ally any number of sides may be constucted. Two alter
`nate embodiments of the present invention are shown in
`appropriate locations on the interior surface of side
`panels 164.
`FIGS. 8 and 9 by way of example. These structures,
`though, incorporate the underlying principles as those
`Referring back to FIG. 1, an optional screen 176,
`such as a mosquito netting, may be releasably retained
`discussed and described with respect to the preferred
`around the parallelepiped volume defined by support
`embodiment of the present invention.
`In FIG. 8, a canopy shelter 210 is shown and which
`framework 12. Preferably, screen 176 is mounted to a
`is provided to cover a larger, rectangular area of shelter
`plurality of mateable metal snaps 178 located at its top
`than that described with respect to square-shaped can
`edge and along its bottom edge of side panels 164, but
`opy shelter 10. In FIG. 8, canopy shelter 210 is formed
`other fastening devices could be used to connect screen
`by a support framework 212 which includes four corner
`176 to covering 14. To further stabilize canopy shelter
`10, especially on windy days, each leg, such as leg 16, is
`support members 216, 218, 220 and 222. Each of these
`provided with a locking ring 180 that mounts a guy
`corner support members or legs are constructed simi
`60
`larly to that described with respect legs 16, above. Legs
`cord 182 that may be staked into the ground, as is
`shown in FIG.1. Locking ring 180 is slideable along leg
`216 and 218 are interconnected by means of scissor
`assembly 224 formed of two X-shaped scissor units
`16 to its desired position, but, when tension is placed on
`cord 182, locking ring 180 becomes jammed at the de
`similar to scissor units 34 and 36. Likewise, legs 220 and
`222 are interconnected by means of scissor assembly
`sired location on leg 16, and is known in the art. Slits
`65
`may be provided at the corner edges of screen 176 so
`230.
`The structure shown in FIG. 8, though, a side sup
`that guy cords 182 may extend therethrough when
`port member or leg 219 is positioned midway between
`screen 76 encircles support frame 12.
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`four upright corner support members defining a par
`legs 218 and 220, and a side support or leg 221 is posi
`allelepiped, each corner support member having a
`tioned midway between legs 216 and 222. Legs 218 and
`top section and a bottom ground-engaging end;
`219 are interconnected by means of scissor assembly
`a slide bracket slideably received on each corner
`225, and legs 219 and 220 are interconnected by means
`support member and movable therealong;
`of scissor assembly 227. Likewise, legs 216 and 221 are
`an edge scissor assembly interconnecting adjacent
`interconnected by means of scissor assembly 223, and
`ones of said corner support members whereby two
`legs 221 and 222 are interconnected by means of scissor
`pairs of facing scissors assemblies are formed, each
`assembly 226, with all of the scissor assemblies being
`said edge scissor assembly oriented in a generally
`similar to those described above. Legs 219 and 221 are
`vertical plane and interconnecting the slide brack
`interconnected by means of scissor assembly 228. Fi
`ets and the top sections of its associated corner
`nally, scissor assemblies 223 and 225 are interconnected
`support members and operative to move its respec
`by means of a scissor assembly and post system 232
`tive corner support members away from one an
`which is the same as scissor assembly 32 described with
`other into an expanded position when its said slide
`respect to the preferred embodiment. Scissor assemblies
`brackets are moved toward the tops of their respec
`226 and 227 are interconnected by a scissor and post
`tive corner support members and to move its re
`assembly 233 which is also the same as scissor assembly
`spective corner support members toward one an
`32. A flexible covering 214, shown in phantom, extends
`other into a collapsed position when its said slide
`across the upper surface of the parallelepiped defined
`brackets are moved toward the bottom ends of
`by support framework 212.
`their respective corner support members;
`20
`From the description provided with respect to FIG.
`an internal scissor assembly extending between and
`8, it should be appreciated that a support framework
`connected to at least one pair of facing scissors
`may be formed so that the canopy covering will protect
`assemblies and operative to expand and contract in
`generally any desired rectangular surface area with the
`response to expansion and contraction of said one
`larger support structure being formed in modules gener
`pair of facing scissors assemblies;
`-
`25
`ally in the form of framework 12, such as shown in FIG.
`releaseable latch means on each said corner support
`member for releaseably retaining its respective
`3.
`The simplest canopy shelter contemplated by the
`slide bracket in at a location corresponding to the
`expanded position;
`- present invention is shown in FIG.9 wherein triangular
`area canopy shelter 310 is formed by support frame
`a flexible covering sized to extend across the top
`30
`sections of said corner support members when they
`work 312. Framework 312 includes three upright sup
`are in the expanded position to define a top surface
`port members or legs 316, 318 and 320 which are of a
`of said parallelepiped; and
`type described with respect to leg 16 of the preferred
`an upright interior post engaged with and supported
`embodiment. Leg 316 is interconnected with leg 318 by
`by said interior scissor assembly whereby the ex
`means of a single X-shaped scissor unit 324. Legs 318
`35
`pansion of the internal scissor assembly allows said
`and 320 are interconnected by scissor unit 326, and legs
`interior post to be positioned to positively support
`316 and 320 are interconnected by scissor unit 328. Leg
`a central portion of flexible covering against the
`316 is provided with a slide bracket 344, leg 318 is pro
`internal scissor assembly when said canopy shelter
`vided with a slide bracket 346, and leg 320 is provided
`is in the expanded position, said internal scissor
`by a similar slide bracket 348. A canopy covering 314,
`40
`assembly including a socket moveable toward said
`shown in phantom, extends across the top of support
`flexible covering when the corner supports are
`framework 312 to provide protection against sun and
`moved into the expanded position and a sleeve
`21.
`member connected thereto, said post received by
`It should be appreciated that each scissor unit is at
`said sleeve and positively engaged by said socket
`45
`tached to the upper end brackets and to the slide
`whereby said post is held in position against said
`bracket of its respective legs. For purposes of descrip
`central portion of said covering.
`tion, scissor unit 324 is connected at its upper corners to
`2. A collapsible canopy shelter adapted to be posi
`top 330 of leg 316 and top 332 of leg 318. At bottom
`tioned on the ground, comprising:
`corner 334, scissor unit 324 is secured to slide bracket
`a plurality of upright corner support members each
`50
`344, and scissor unit 324 is secured to slide bracket 344
`having a top and bottom and oriented to define
`at corner 336. Scissor unit 324 is thus formed of a pair of
`vertical edges of a selected geometric configura
`elongated arms which are hinged at a midpoint 342
`tion;
`thereon. Naturally, any number of X-shaped scissor
`a slide bracket slideably mounted on each of said
`units could be interconnected in end-to-end relationship
`corner support members and moveable therealong;
`55
`between the pairs of legs, if desired.
`an edge scisor assembly interconnecting adjacent
`Accordingly, the present invention has been de
`ones of said corner support members, each respec
`scribed with some degree of particularly directed to the
`tive edge scissor assembly oriented in a generally
`preferred embodiment of the present invention. It
`vertical plane and having one portion pivotally
`should be appreicated, though, that the present inven
`secured to the top of its associated corner support
`60
`tion is defined by the following claims construed in light
`members and another portion pivotally secured to
`of the prior art so that modifications or changes may be
`the slide bracket of its associated corner support
`made to the preferred embodiment of the present inven
`members, said edge scissor assemblies operative to
`tion without departing from the inventive concepts
`expand and contract whereby its associated corner
`support members are caused to move away from
`contained herein.
`and toward one another to vary the dimensions of
`I claim:
`said geometric configuration, said canopy shelter
`1. A collapsible canopy shelter adapted to be erected
`on the ground at a desired location, comprising:
`being in an expanded position when said corner
`
`65
`
`Patent Owner CCI
`Ex. 2020 - Page 10
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`members, said edge scissor assemblies operative to
`support members are moved away from one an
`expand and contract whereby its associated corner