United States Patent (19)
`Carter
`
`Patent Number:
`11
`45) Date of Patent:
`
`4,607,656
`Aug. 26, 1986
`
`3,335,815 8/1967 Oakes ................................ 52/109 X
`(54) QUICK ERECTION COLLAPSIBLE
`3,375,624 4/1968 Mikulin ..................
`... 52/109
`SHELTER
`3,496,687 2/1970 Greenberg et al. ................... 52/109
`3,526,066 9/1970 Hagar et al........
`... 52/109 X
`76 Inventor: Mark C. Carter, 210 Pason, San
`4,156,433 5/1979 Beaulieu .......................... 135/110 X
`Dimas, Calif. 91773
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`(21) Appl. No.: 535,426
`1434526 12/1968 Fed. Rep. of Germany........ 52/109
`(22
`Filed:
`Sep. 26, 1983
`823693 10/1937 France ................................ 135/109
`692885 8/1965 Italy .................................... 135/106
`51) Int. Cl."........................... E04B 7/16; A45F 1/16
`198803 6/1923 United Kingdom................ 135/111
`52 U.S. Cl. ....................................... 135/110; 52/109
`672815 5/1952 United Kingdom ................ 135/110
`(58) Field of Search ............... 135/106, 107, 108, 109,
`Primary Examiner-Richard J. Johnson
`135/110, 111, 112, 113; 52/109
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Boniard I. Brown
`References Cited
`57
`ABSTRACT
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`684,130 10/1901 Taubert ............................... 135/110 A quick-erect collapsible shelter having four or more
`1,326,006 12/1919 Sterhardt ...
`o 134 6.
`telescoping legs, connected by a framework which
`1493,915 5/1924 Baker .....
`on
`135/110
`includes pluralities of X-shaped linkages and a slider on
`1,712,836 5/1929 Mills.......
`... 135/109
`each leg to provide interconnecting truss between the
`1,728,356 9/1929 Morgan.
`... i35/io
`legs and support for a covering canopy.
`1,853,367 4/1932 Mace ......
`3,174,397 3/1965 Sanborn .....
`... 52/109 X
`3,199,518 8/1965 Glidewell ...
`- - 135/109
`
`21 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures
`
`56)
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`TZ-Z
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`avavayavayawaxaawasavasanawawayanaxarawawawaavahavasalaxas WNN
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`1.
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`QUICK ERECTION COLLAPSIBLE SHELTER
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Various canopy supports, some including X-shaped
`truss are known in the prior art. Typical examples are
`shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 136,456, 255,093, 306,011,
`754,613, 775,263, 905,768,927,738, 1,326,006, 1,652,581,
`1,912,425 and 3,199,518. Most suffer either by having a
`major dimension present when expanded which is also
`present when contracted, being so flimsy that the rigors
`of weather and other environmental effects can not be
`withstood, or being so complex that production cannot
`be accomplished at a reasonable cost.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT
`INVENTION
`The present shelter includes a canopy and structural
`support for the canopy. The structural support includes
`a plurality of telescoping legs capable of being extended
`about twice their stowed length. These legs are sup
`ported vertical to the ground by a connecting truss
`structure comprised of multiple pairs of X-shaped truss
`assemblies. Each assembly includes a pair of structural
`members which are pivoted together at a midpoint to
`form an X and are pivotally connected to another pair
`of pivotally connected members at inner ends thereof.
`The upper, outer ends of the structural members of each
`pair are connected pivotally directly to a leg while the
`resultant lower ends are connected pivotally to a slider
`member which slides over the leg from a position fix
`able by suitable retainers extending the members to a
`position relatively remote from the end fixed to the leg
`so that the volume subtended by the extremities of the
`resultant structure is greatly reduced. In addition, inter
`mediate canopy supports may be provided by similar
`truss assembly extending from the inner connections of
`leg connecting truss assemblies.
`40
`Therefore it is an object of the invention to provide a
`collapsible shelter which when collapsed has no dimen
`sion much larger than half of that dimension when
`erected.
`Another object is to provide a collapsible shelter
`45
`which uses two basic assemblies over and over for pro
`duction economies.
`Another object is to provide a collapsible shelter
`which is easily erected and collapsed, can be con
`structed of lightweight materials and can withstand the
`50
`rigors of a vigorous environment.
`These and other objects and advantages of the pres
`ent invention will become apparent to those skilled in
`the art after considering the following detailed specifi
`cation together with the accompanying drawings
`wherein:
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a cutaway perspective view of a shelter
`constructed according to the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a side elevational view partially in cross
`section of the shelter of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the shelter shown in
`FIGS. 1 and 2;
`FIG. 4 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional view
`65
`taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2;
`FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional view
`taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2;
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`FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional view
`taken on line 6-6 in FIG. 5;
`FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the structure of
`FIG. 1 in a collapsed condition;
`FIG. 8 is a modified embodiment of the shelter shown
`in FIG. 1 employing additional legs and truss assem
`blies;
`FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a telescoping leg
`constructed from square channel rather than circular
`cross section tubing; and
`FIG. 10 is an underside view similar to FIG. 8 of a
`modified embodiment of the shelter employing at least
`three legs.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SHOWN
`EMBODIMENTS
`Referring to the drawings more particularly by refer
`ence numbers, number 10 in FIG. 1 refers to a collaps
`ible shelter constructed according to the present inven
`tion. The shelter includes telescoping legs 12, 14, 16 and
`18. The legs 12, 14, 16 and 18 are restrained to remain
`parallel and connected by side pairs 20 and 22 and end
`pairs 24 and 26 of essentially identical X-shaped collaps
`ible truss 28 which each include two structural members
`30 and 32 which are connected together by a central
`pivot 34. These pairs 20, 22, 24 and 26 when extended to
`the position shown in FIG. 1 provide support for a
`canopy 35 stretched thereacross. The canopy 35 may be
`supported in its central portion 36 by a center pair 38 of
`truss 28 which extends centrally across the shelter 10
`connecting between side pair 24 and 26 to gain support
`therefrom. The center pair 38 include an upwardly
`extending central support 40 pivotally connected to the
`members 32 and slidedly connected to the members 30
`by means of a sliding collar 42. As shown with respect
`to side pair 20 in FIG. 2, the members 30 each have an
`outer end 44 pivoted to a flange 46 connected to the
`upper end 48 of the leg 12 or 14. The inner ends 50 of
`the members 30 are pivotally connected together
`thereby connecting adjacent legs. Stiffening support
`and control of erection is provided by members 32. The
`members 32 are connected by the pivot 34 to the mem
`ber 30 of their truss 28. Their inner ends 52 are pivotally
`connected together while each outer end 54 is con
`nected to a flange 56 on a leg slider 58 which is shaped
`in size to slide over the outer member 60 of a collapsible
`leg. When the slider 58 is positioned as shown in FIGS.
`1, 2 and 3 on the outer member 60, the shelter 10 is in an
`erected position.
`The center pair 38 of truss 28 are connected together
`in a similar manner except that the outer ends 44 and 54
`of the members 30 and 32 comprising the center pair 38
`are connected to flanges 62 and 64 which connect at the
`pivots at the ends 52 and 50 respectively of the side
`pairs. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pivots between
`the flanges 46 and 56 are provided by means of suitable
`fasteners such as bolts 66 and connecting nuts 68.
`As shown in FIG. 6, the slider 58 can be maintained
`in its shelter erecting condition by means of abutment
`button 70 which is biased by means of a leaf spring 72
`through a hole 74 in a leg upper end 48 and through a
`mating hole 76 on the slider 58. When the button 70 is
`maintained in both holes 74 and 76, the slider 58 is con
`strained from movement to assure that the shelter 10
`stays erected. A similar button 78 biased by a spring 80
`extends through mating holes 82 and 84 in the inner and
`outer members 86 and 60 forming each leg. When the
`button 78 is positioned through the holes 82 and 84 the
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`members 60 and 86 of each collapsible leg are con
`means for releasably fixing at least one of said slider
`strained to remain extended. By depressing the buttons
`members in a position to maintain said shelter in an
`76 and 78 the shelter 10 can be collapsed and its legs 12,
`erected condition;
`14, 16 and 18 be retracted to greatly reduce the size of
`a canopy supported by said legs and leg connected
`the shelter 10 for storage. This is shown in FIG. 7
`truss structures;
`wherein the shelter 10 has been collapsed.
`at least one pair of X configured central support truss
`Although heretofore the shelter 10 has been de
`structures, each X configured central support truss
`scribed with four legs, additional legs and side or end
`structure having:
`pairs of truss 28 can be added to enlarge the structure
`a first central link having:
`provided. A shelter 180 having additional side pairs 182
`an outer end pivotally connected to inner ends of
`and 184, an additional end pair 186 and an additional
`said first links of a pair of said X configured
`center pair 188 as well as an enlarged canopy 190 and
`truss structures; and
`additional legs 192 and 194 is shown in FIG. 8. Since the
`a center portion; and
`present invention is essentially a modular design, the
`an inner end pivotally connected to an inner end
`same truss 28 an legs can be used to assemble still fur
`of the first central link inner end of the other X
`ther enlarged structures.
`configured central support truss structure of
`Another modification is shown in FIG. 9 wherein the
`the pair; and
`leg 196 has inner and outer members 198 and 200 which
`a second central link having:
`have a square cross section rather than the circular
`an outer end pivotally connected to adjacent
`cross section of the inner and outer leg members 86 and
`inner ends of said second links of a pair of said
`60. A still further modification is shown in FIG. 10
`X configured truss structures;
`wherein a shelter 202 employs at least three legs 204,
`a center portion pivotally connected to said cen
`206 and 208 which are interconnected by pairs 210, 212
`ter portion of the first central link of the X
`and 214 of X configured truss structures 216, 218, 220,
`configured central support structure; and
`and 222 and 224 and 226, similar to the x-shaped collaps
`an inner end pivotally connected to an inner end
`ible truss 28 described above.
`of the second central link inner end of the
`Therefore, there has been shown and described a
`other X configured central support truss struc
`novel shelter which fulfills all the objects and advan
`ture of the pair.
`tages sought therefore. Many changes, modifications,
`2. The shelter as defined in claim 1 wherein said at
`variations and other uses and applications of the subject
`30 least one pair of X configured central support truss
`invention will, however, become apparent to those
`structures include:
`skilled in the art after considering the foregoing specifi
`central canopy support means pivotally connected to
`cation together with the accompanying drawings. All
`said inner ends of said first and second central links
`such changes, modifications, variations and other uses
`of a pair of X configured central support truss
`and applications which do not depart from the spirit and
`35
`Structures.
`scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the
`3. The shelter as defined in claim 2 having:
`invention which is limited only by the claims which
`four telescoping legs, said central canopy support
`follow.
`means being positioned equidistant from said four
`telescoping legs.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A collapsible shelter which can be quickly erected
`4. The shelter as defined in claim 3 wherein said first
`40
`including:
`and second links have the same distance between said
`at least four telescoping legs, each telescoping leg
`inner and outer ends thereof.
`having:
`5. The shelter as defined in claim 2 wherein said pair
`an upper portion;
`of X configured central support truss structures and at
`a slider member connected to said upper portion
`least two pairs of said X configured truss structures are
`for sliding contact therewith; and
`parallel to each other and perpendicular to at least two
`a lower portion for engagement with the ground,
`other pairs of said X configured truss structures when
`said lower portion being slideably mounted to
`said shelter is in an erected condition.
`said upper portion;
`6. The shelter as defined in claim 5 wherein said pair
`at least four pairs of X configured truss structures,
`of X configured central support truss structures and said
`50
`each X configured truss structure of each pair of X
`pairs of said X configured truss structures are perpen
`configured truss structures having:
`dicular to said telescoping legs.
`a first link having:
`7. A collapsible shelter which can be quickly erected
`an outer end pivotally connected to a leg upper
`including:
`portion;
`four or more telescoping legs, each having:
`55
`a center portion; and
`an upper portion;
`an inner end pivotally connected to an inner end
`a slider member connected to said upper portion
`of said first link inner end of another X config
`for sliding contact therewith; and
`ured truss structure of the pair; and
`a lower portion for engagement with the ground
`a second link having:
`slideably mounted to said upper portion;
`an outer end pivotally connected to a slider
`truss structures connecting adjacent legs with each
`member;
`truss structure comprised of multiple pairs of X
`a center portion pivotally connected to said cen
`shaped truss assemblies with each assembly includ
`ter portion of said first link of said X config
`ing a pair of structural members which are pivoted
`ured truss structure; and
`together at their midpoints to form an X and are
`an inner end pivotally connected to an inner end
`pivotally connected to another pair of pivotally
`of a second link of the other X configured
`connected X members at inner ends thereof, the
`truss structure of the pair;
`upper outer ends of the structural members of each
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`pair being connected pivotally to an upper portion
`an abutment orifice in said upper portion through
`of a respective adjacent leg and the resultant lower
`which said leg abutment member can extend to
`ends are each pivotally connected to a respective
`maintain said abutment orifices in alignment and to
`slider member of a respective adjacent leg;
`maintain said upper and lower portions of the tele
`means for maintaining said slider members in posi
`scoping leg in an extended condition.
`tions to maintain the shelter in an erected position;
`10. The shelter as defined in claim 9 wherein said
`a canopy supported by said legs and leg connected
`second releasable locking menas for maintaining said
`upper portion of at least one telescoping leg and the
`truss structures; and
`at least one central truss structure, each central truss
`slider member connected thereto in a shelter erecting
`structure having:
`position include:
`a pair of X-shaped central truss assemblies con
`a slider abutment member biased outwardly;
`nected to each other, each X-shaped central truss
`an abutment orifice in said upper portion through
`assembly including:
`which said slider abutment member extends; and
`a pair of central structural members which are
`an abutment orifice in said slider member through
`pivoted together at their midpoints to form an
`which said abutment member can extend to main
`X, are pivotally connected at inner ends
`tain said abutment orifices in alignment and to
`thereof to inner ends of said pair of central
`maintain said upper portion of the telescoping leg
`structural members of the other of said pair of
`and said slider member in a shelter erecting posi
`X-shaped central truss assemblies, and are
`tion.
`connected at outer ends thereof to inner ends
`11. The shelter as defined in claim 10 further includ
`20
`of said structural members.
`1ng:
`8. A collapsible shelter which can be quickly erected
`at least one pair of X configured central support truss
`including:
`structures, each X configured central support truss
`at least four telescoping legs, each telescoping leg
`structure having:
`having:
`a first central link having:
`an upper portion;
`an outer end pivotally connected to inner ends of
`a slider member connected to said upper portion
`said first links of a pair of said X configured
`for sliding contact therewith;
`truss structures;
`a lower portion for engagement with the ground,
`a center portion; and
`said lower portion being slideably mounted to
`an inner end pivotally connected to an inner end
`said upper portion; and
`of the first central link inner end of the other X
`first releasable locking means for maintaining said
`configured central support truss structure of
`upper and lower portions in an extended condi
`the pair; and
`tion;
`a second central link having:
`at least four pairs of X configured truss structures,
`an outer end pivotally connected to adjacent
`35
`each X configured truss structure of each pair of X
`inner ends of said second links of a pair of said
`configured truss structures having:
`X configured truss structures;
`a first link having:
`a center portion pivotally connected to said cen
`an outer end pivotally connected to a leg upper
`ter portion of the first central link of the X
`portion;
`configured central support structure; and
`a center portion; and
`an inner end pivotally connected to an inner end
`an inner end pivotally connected to an inner end
`of the second central link inner end of the
`of said first link inner end of another X config
`other X configured central support truss struc
`ured truss structure of the pair; and
`ture of the pair.
`a second link having:
`12. The shelter as defined in claim 11 wherein said at
`an outer end pivotally connected to a slider
`least one pair of X configured central support truss
`member;
`structures include:
`a center portion pivotally connected to said cen
`central canopy support means pivotally connected to
`ter portion of said first link of said X config
`said inner ends of said first and second central links
`ured truss structure; and
`of a pair of X configured central support truss
`an inner end pivotally connected to an inner end
`Structures.
`of a second link of the other X configured
`13. The shelter as defined in claim 12 having:
`truss structure of the pair;
`four telescoping legs, said central canopy support
`means for releasably fixing at least one of said slider
`means being positioned equidistant from said four
`telescoping legs.
`members in a position to maintain said shelter in
`an erected condition including:
`14. The shelter as defined in claim 13 wherein said
`second releasable locking means for maintaining
`first and second links have the same distance between
`said upper portion of at least one telescoping
`said inner and outer ends thereof.
`leg and the slider member connected thereto
`15. The shelter as defined in claim 12 wherein said
`in a shelter erecting position; and
`pair of X configured central support truss structures and
`a canopy supported by said legs and leg connected
`at least two pairs of said X configured truss structures
`are parallel to each other and perpendicular to at least
`truss structures.
`9. The shelter as defined in claim 8 wherein said first
`two other pairs of said X configured truss structures
`releasable locking means of each telescoping leg in
`when said shelter is in an erected condition.
`clude:
`16. The shelter as defined in claim 15 wherein said
`65
`a leg abutment member biased outwardly;
`pair of X configured central support truss structures and
`an abutment orifice in said lower portion through
`said pairs of said X configured truss structures are per
`pendicular to said telescoping legs.
`which said leg abutment member extends; and
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`17. The shelter as defined in claim 16 wherein said
`four upright corner support members defining a par
`upper and lower portions of each of said telescoping
`allelepiped, each corner support member having a
`legs have circular cross sections and said lower portion
`top section and a bottom ground-engaging end,
`nests in said upper portion.
`a slide bracket slideably received on each corner
`18. The shelter as defined in claim 16 wherein said
`support member and moveable therealong,
`upper and lower portions of each of said telescoping
`an edge scissor assembly interconnecting adjacent
`legs have generally rectangular cross sections and said
`ones of said corner support members whereby two
`lower portion nests in said upper portion.
`pairs of facing scissors assemblies are formed, each
`19. A collapsible canopy shelter adapted to be posi
`said edge scissor assembly oriented in a generally
`tioned on the ground, comprising:
`vertical plane and interconnecting the slide brack
`a plurality of upright corner support members each
`ets and the top sections of its associated corner
`having a top and bottom and oriented to define
`support members and operative to move its respec
`vertical edges of a selected geometric configura
`tive corner support members away from one an
`tion,
`other into an expanded position when its said slide
`a slide bracket slideably mounted on each of said
`brackets are moved toward the tops of their respec
`corner support members and moveable therealong,
`tive corner support members and to move its re
`an edge scissor assembly interconnecting adjacent
`spective corner support members toward one an
`ones of said corner support members, each respec
`other in a collapsed position when its said slide
`tive edge scissor assembly oriented in a generally
`brackets are moved toward the bottom ends of
`vertical plane and having one portion being pivot
`their respective corner support members,
`20
`ally secured to the top of its associated corner
`an internal scissor assembly extending between and
`support members and another portion being pivot
`connected to at least one pair of facing scissors
`ally secured to the slide brackets of its associated
`assemblies and operative to expand and contract in
`corner support members, said edge scissor assem
`response to expansion and contraction of said one
`blies operative to expand and contract whereby its
`pair of facing scissors assemblies,
`25
`associated corner support members are caused to
`releaseable latch means on each said corner support
`move away from and toward one another to vary
`member for releaseably retaining its respective
`the dimensions of said geometric configuration,
`slide bracket at a location corresponding to the
`said canopy shelter being in an expanded position
`expanded position,
`when said corner support members are moved
`flexible covering sized to extend across the top
`30
`away from one another and in a collapsed position
`sections of said corner support members when they
`when said corner support members are moved
`are in the expanded position to define a top surface
`toward one another,
`of said parallelepiped, and an upright interior post
`an internal scissor assembly extending across said
`engaged with and supported by said interior scissor
`geometric configuration and connected between at
`assembly whereby the expansion of the internal
`least two of said edge assemblies and operative to
`scissor assembly allows said interior post to be
`expand and contract in response to expansion and
`positioned to positively support a central portion of
`contraction of said edge scissor assemblies,
`flexible covering against the internal scissor assem
`first releasable latch means on each said corner sup
`bly when said canopy shelter is in the expanded
`port members for releaseably retaining its respec
`position.
`40
`tive slide bracket adjacent the top of its respective
`21. A collapsible canopy shelter according to claim
`corner support member to retain said canopy shel
`20, and further including:
`ter in the expanded position,
`post means supported by said internal scissor assem
`a flexible covering extending across the tops of said
`bly for supporting a center portion of said flexible
`corner support members and sized to cover the
`covering, and wherein:
`upper surface of said geometric configuration
`said edge scissor assemblies are each defined by at
`when said canopy shelter is in the expanded posi
`least two X-shaped scissor units, each scissor unit
`tion, and
`comprising first and second elongated arms hinged
`an upright interior post secured to the internal scissor
`together at their mid-sections, said units being piv
`assembly and operative to positively support a
`otally connected to one another in end-to-end rela
`central portion of said flexible covering when said
`tion, and
`canopy shelter is in the expanded position.
`at least one pair of facing scissor assemblies being
`20. A collapsible canopy shelter adapted to be erected
`interconnected by an internal scissor assembly.
`on the ground at a desired location, comprising:
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