Patent Application
20170292287
Any and all applications identified in a priority claim in the Application Data Sheet, or any correction thereto, are hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of the present disclosure.
Embodiments relate to a canopy having an overhang portion. In particular, embodiments relate to a collapsible canopy assembly having a frame assembly incorporating overhang and other frame members and attachment of a cover to the frame assembly.
Collapsible canopies are often used in residential and commercial applications to provide shade or protection from the elements with a quick and easy to set-up arrangement. While improvements have been made to the early collapsible canopy designs, a need still exists for further improvements and refinements. For example, it can be desirable to provide increased protection or coverage of the canopy for a given footprint. In addition, it can be desirable to provide collapsible canopies having an improved or more refined appearance.
The systems, methods and devices described herein have innovative aspects, no single one of which is indispensable or solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the claims, some of the advantageous features will now be summarized.
An embodiment involves a collapsible canopy including a frame assembly comprising a perimeter frame portion and an overhang frame portion. A cover is secured to the frame assembly, the cover comprising a central portion and an overhang portion. The overhang portion is located at least partially outside of the perimeter frame portion. The overhang frame portion is automatically moved between a collapsed position and a deployed position in response to movement of the perimeter frame portion between a collapsed position and a deployed position.
In some configurations, the cover is secured to the overhang frame portion in the collapsed position of the overhang frame portion. In some configurations, the overhang frame portion comprises a main overhang member, and wherein the cover comprises a pocket which receives an end portion of the main overhang member. In some configurations, the frame assembly further comprises a central frame portion, wherein the main overhang member is oriented at an angle that is substantially the same as an angle of the central portion of the cover that is supported by the central frame portion. In some configurations, the overhang frame portion further comprises a strut extending between the main overhang member and one or more of the perimeter frame portion, the central frame portion and a leg of the frame assembly. In some configurations, a slider is movable relative to the leg of the frame assembly and carrying portions of one or both of the perimeter frame portion and the central frame portion, wherein the strut is connected to the slider.
In some configurations, the cover further comprises portions that engage the overhang frame portions. In some configurations, a fastener couples the portions of the cover and the overhang frame portions. In some configurations, the portions comprise pockets that each receives a member of an associated one of the overhang frame portions. In some configurations, a fastener couples the pocket and the overhang frame portions.
An embodiment involves a collapsible canopy including a frame assembly, comprising a plurality of legs, a perimeter frame portion extending between and connecting the plurality of legs to define a perimeter of the collapsible canopy, wherein each section of the perimeter frame portion between adjacent legs includes a plurality of straight frame members oriented substantially perpendicular to the legs. A central frame portion extends between and connects the plurality of legs within the perimeter of the collapsible canopy. The central frame portion includes a plurality of scissor-frames. An overhang frame portion includes a main overhang frame member and an overhang strut extending outwardly from each of the plurality of legs. The perimeter frame portion, the central frame portion and the overhang frame portion are coupled to each of the plurality of legs by a fixed bracket and a sliding bracket, wherein movement of the sliding bracket moves the perimeter frame portion, the central frame portion and the overhang frame portion between a collapsed orientation and a deployed orientation. A cover is secured to the frame assembly. The cover comprises a central portion and an overhang portion, wherein the central portion is supported by the central frame portion and the overhang portion is located at least partially outside of the perimeter frame portion and is supported by the overhang frame portion.
In some configurations, each of the plurality of legs are adjustable in height. In some configurations, the cover is secured to the overhang frame portion in the collapsed position of the overhang frame portion. In some configurations, the cover comprises a pocket which receives an end portion of the main overhang member.
An embodiment involves a collapsible canopy, comprising a frame assembly comprising a plurality of legs, a perimeter frame portion and a central frame portion. The central frame portion comprises a center support. A cover is secured to the frame assembly. The central frame portion comprises at least one central frame section that extends between one of the plurality of legs and the center support, wherein the frame section crosses from one side to another of a line between a center of the one of the plurality of legs and a center of the center support.
In some configurations, the at least one central frame section comprises a plurality of central frame sections, each of the central frame sections extending between each of the plurality of legs and the center support. In some configurations, an overhang frame portion extends outwardly from each of the plurality of legs, wherein the cover comprises an overhang portion coupled to the overhang frame portion. In some configurations, the overhang frame portion is automatically moved between a collapsed position and a deployed position in response to movement of the perimeter frame portion and the center frame portion between a collapsed position and a deployed position.
An embodiment involves an underside of a bottom portion of a structural member, such as an underside of a foot of a canopy leg or the like. The underside of the bottom portion of the structural member can comprise an outer perimeter portion, a hollow interior portion at least partially within the outer perimeter portion, and a logo or design portion at least partially within the hollow interior portion. The logo portion can comprise a three-dimensional structure, wherein a perimeter of the logo portion is adjacent to the hollow interior portion. Preferably, the logo portion can be formed in a reversed orientation, such that the combination of the outer perimeter portion, hollow interior portion, and logo portion of the bottom portion of the foot is configured to leave an impression of the logo portion on a ground surface that is in a forward, not reversed, orientation. However, in other arrangements, the logo portion may not be reversed.
In some arrangements, the logo portion comprises text. The text of the logo portion can be formed in a reversed orientation, such that the bottom portion of the foot is configured to leave an impression of the text on a ground surface that is in a forward legible, not reversed, orientation.
Throughout the drawings, reference numbers can be reused to indicate general correspondence between reference elements. The drawings are provided to illustrate example embodiments described herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.
Embodiments of canopy systems, components and methods of assembly and manufacture will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals refer to like or similar elements throughout. Although several embodiments, examples and illustrations are disclosed below, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the inventions described herein extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments, examples and illustrations, and can include other uses of the inventions and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner simply because it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the inventions. In addition, embodiments of the inventions can comprise several novel features and no single feature is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or is essential to practicing the inventions herein described.
Certain terminology may be used in the following description for the purpose of reference only, and thus are not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as “above” and “below” refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Terms such as “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “rear,” and “side” describe the orientation and/or location of portions of the components or elements within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the associated drawings describing the components or elements under discussion. Moreover, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” and so on may be used to describe separate components. Such terminology may include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.
With reference to
In the illustrated configuration, the legs 46 are canted or angled such that a lower end of the leg 46 is positioned outwardly from an upper end of the leg 46. The overhang portion 50 can be positioned outside of a perimeter defined by any portion of the legs 46. For example, the overhang portion 50 can be outside of a perimeter defined by upper ends of the legs 46. In some configurations, the overhang portion 50 can extend outside of a perimeter defined by lower ends of the legs 46. In other configurations, the legs 46 can be generally or substantially vertical. Preferably, the legs 46 are collapsible to move at least between a stowed or collapsed position and an expanded or deployed position. The legs 46 can also permit height adjustment between at least two or more possible height positions. For example, the legs 46 can employ a biased pin-and-hole adjustment arrangement or can be infinitely adjustable. An example of an infinitely adjustable arrangement is described in Applicant's U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0090681, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
With reference to
The cover 44 can be a fabric or flexible material cover capable of collapsing along with the preferably collapsible frame 42. The cover 44 can be removable from the frame 42. Preferably, the overhang frame portions 60 support an overhang portion of the cover 44, which extends outwardly from the perimeter frame portion 54. Thus, as described above, the cover 44 can include the central or interior portion 48 located substantially within an area defined by the perimeter frame portion 54 and the overhang portion 50, which surrounds or circumscribes the central portion 48 of the cover 44.
The perimeter frame portion 54 can include sides or eaves that extend between each of the frame legs 46. The perimeter frame portion 54 can be constructed of linear or straight frame members 66 (e.g., horizontal or substantially perpendicular to the legs 46 when extended) that can be folded at one or more points along the length of the frame members 66. In the illustrated arrangement, the frame members 66 are rotatable about a pair of closely-spaced pivot points, which can be defined by a bracket, such that the frame members 66 can fold next to one another when the frame 42 is collapsed. Two frame members 66 are illustrated; however, other numbers of frame members 66 could be employed. Advantageously, the linear or straight arrangement of the frame members 66 of the frame portion 54 along the sides of the canopy 40 reduces the vertical height of the frame to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of a user bumping into the perimeter frame portion 54 when entering or exiting the canopy 40, at least compared to arrangements in which scissor-frames are incorporated in the perimeter frame.
The illustrated perimeter frame portion 54 also includes struts 68 that provide support to the frame members 66. In particular, each strut 68 attaches to the associated leg 46 at a location spaced (e.g., below) from a location of attachment of the frame member 66. Each strut 68 extends to an attachment point with the frame member 66 that is spaced from the leg 46. Each end of the strut 68 is rotatably attached to the frame member 66 or leg 46, directly or indirectly, such as through a bracket (as described below). Preferably, a strut 68 is provided for each frame member 66 of each of the perimeter frame portions 54.
The central frame portion 56 can extend between portions of the perimeter frame portion 54, such as between corners of the frame 42, and support the central portion of the cover 44. In the illustrated arrangement, the central frame portion 56 includes a plurality of struts, trusses or, preferably, scissor-frame arrangements 70 that extend from the corners of the frame 42 and connect to one another at an intermediate location (e.g., center point or center location relative to one or more sides of the canopy 40) within the area defined by the perimeter frame portion 54. In the illustrated arrangement, the scissor-frames 70 connect to a center support 72 (which could be an interior support or one of multiple interior supports in embodiments in which the support 72 is not centrally located and/or in which multiple supports are provided). The center support 72 can be configured to extend above the scissor-frames 70 when the canopy frame 42 is deployed and can retract to approximately the tops of the scissor-frames 70 when the canopy frame 42 is collapsed to provide a compact collapsed arrangement.
With reference to
With reference to
The strut 64 of the overhang frame portion 60 preferably is positioned below the main overhang member 62 and extends between the main overhang member 62 and the perimeter frame portion 54, central frame portion 56 or leg 46. In the illustrated arrangement, a portion (e.g., end) of the strut 64 is coupled to a slider 80 on the leg 46, which is movable relative to the leg 46. The slider 80 can support other frame portions, such as one or both of the perimeter frame portion 54 and the central frame portion 56. In the illustrated arrangement, the slider 80 pivotally supports the strut 64 and one or more members of the central frame portion 56 by any suitable arrangement, including one or more tabs that receive a pin, shaft or other type of axle member. The slider 80 and top bracket 76 can be constructed of any suitable material, such as plastic, metal or other materials. In some configurations, the top bracket 76 can be constructed of one material (e.g., metal) and the slider 80 can be constructed from a different material (e.g., plastic).
In an alternative arrangement, the strut 64 or lift tube can be connected to a slider that is separate from the slider 80 or the slider 80 can have portions that are separable from one another so that slider portion coupled to the lift tube or strut 64 can be movable with or separated for independent movement relative to the other portion of the slider 80 that is coupled to other frame members. Such an arrangement would permit the overhang frame portion 60 to be deployed along with deployment of the main frame portion of the canopy 50, but then be separately adjusted to alter an angle or pitch of the overhang portion of the cover 44. Thus, the overhang portion of the cover 44 could be adjusted similar to the adjustable awning disclosed in Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 7,775,229, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
Another portion (e.g., end) of the strut 64 is pivotally coupled to an intermediate portion of the main overhang member 62. Preferably, the strut 64 is coupled to the main overhang member 62 at a location beyond the midpoint of the main overhang member 62 or a midpoint between the associated corner and an outer end of the main overhang member 62. The strut 64 can be located beyond at least about two-thirds of the length of the main overhang member 62 from the associated corner or at about three-fourths of the distance between the associated corner and an outer end of the main overhang member 62. Preferably, the overhang frame portions 60 (e.g., both the main overhang member 62 and the strut 64) can pivot, fold or collapse relative to other portions of the frame 42 to permit the canopy 50 to be oriented in a collapsed state for transport or storage. In the illustrated arrangement, the overhang frame portions 60 (e.g., both the main overhang member 62 and the strut 64) fold (e.g., downwardly) against (or substantially parallel to) the adjacent leg 46. As described above, the main overhang member 62 is pivotally supported by the top bracket 76 and the strut 64 is pivotally supported by the slider 80. Such an arrangement advantageously permits automatic and preferably substantially simultaneous deployment and collapse of the overhang frame portions 60 along with deployment and collapse of the main frame portion of the canopy 50.
The straight frame members 66 can be aligned with the sides of the leg 46. The main overhang frame member 62 can extend diagonally outward from an outer corner of the leg 46. As described above, the arm 70a can extend inwardly and at least a longitudinal axis of the arm 70a can be offset to one side of a center of the leg 46. Preferably, the top bracket 76 includes generally U-shaped bracket portions having tabs 82 that support each side of one or both of the arm 70a of the scissor-frame 70 and the main overhang frame member 62. If desired, the top bracket 76 could also support each side of the straight frame members 66 of the perimeter frame portion 54.
Each of the sliders 80 preferably are movable along each of the legs 46 to allow the frame 42 to move between a collapsed orientation and a deployed orientation. The slider 80 can be secured in one or both of the collapsed or deployed positions by any suitable arrangement. In the illustrated configuration, the slider 80 is secured in the deployed orientation by a lock, such as a biased pin-and-hole arrangement, for example and without limitation.
The slider 80 can be configured to rotatably support frame members relative to the leg 76 in a manner similar to the top bracket 76. The frame members can be rotatably coupled to the slider 80 by any suitable arrangement, such as a bolt-and-nut, pin or other type of shaft, for example and without limitation. In the illustrated arrangement, the slider 80 supports the struts 68 of the perimeter frame portions 54, the arms 70b of the central frame portion 56 and the overhang strut 64.
Preferably, the slider 80 supports these frame members in an orientation corresponding to, but offset from, the associated frame members of the top bracket 78 such that the frame members will be appropriately positioned relative to one another. For example, the perimeter struts 68 are spaced from the sides of the leg 46 by approximately the width of the straight frame members 66 of the perimeter frame portion 54 such that the perimeter struts 68 are positioned to the outside of the straight frame members 66 of the perimeter frame portion 54. Similarly, the arms 70b are positioned to the side (e.g., away from the center of the leg 46 and/or line 74) of the arms 70a and the overhang strut 64 is positioned to the side (e.g., away from the center of the leg 46 and/or line 74) of the main overhang frame member 62.
In the illustrated arrangement, the slider 80 includes a generally U-shaped bracket portion having tabs 84 that support each side of the arm 70b of the scissor-frame 70. If desired, the top bracket 76 could also support each side of the perimeter strut 68 and/or the overhang strut 64. However, in the illustrated arrangement, the slider 80 includes a tab 86 that supports one side of the overhang strut 64. Preferably, the tab 86 has a width that is substantially equal to a width of the overhang strut 64 and/or the main overhang frame member 62 or is otherwise configured to provide suitable resistance to rotation of the overhang strut 64 about its longitudinal axis.
With reference to
In the illustrated arrangement, the pocket 90 defines a closed end such that an end portion of the main overhang member 62 contacts the closed end of the pocket 90. Thus, tension of the cover 44 may provide a sufficient retention force to retain the cover 44 onto the overhang frame portion 60 or may be sufficient to be the only means of retention of the cover 44 onto the frame 42. However, supplemental coupling of the cover 44 to the frame 42 could also be provided, such as straps, for example. The pocket 90 (or any other portion of the cover 44) could include a fastener assembly 100 to secure or assist in securing the cover 44 to the overhang frame portion 60. Any suitable fastener assembly 100 can be used, such as mechanical, friction-fit, snap-fit fasteners or others. In the illustrated arrangement, the fastener assembly 100 is a removable fastener (in particular, a hook-and-loop fastener) having a portion associated with the cover 44 and a portion associated with the overhang frame portion 60. In particular, one portion of the fastener assembly 100 is positioned within the pocket 90 and the other portion of the fastener assembly 100 is located on a portion of the overhang frame portion 60 that engages the pocket 90. The portion of the hook-and-loop fastener 100 on the main overhang member 62 can be wrapped around an entire circumference or periphery of the main overhang member 62. The portion of the hook-and-loop fastener 100 on the pocket 90 can be a longitudinal strip. In other arrangements, the pocket 90 can be entirely lined, or substantially entirely lined, with the portion of the hook-and-loop fastener 100.
When the bottom portion 120 is used to support a structural member on a ground surface, the bottom portion 120 can be configured to leave an impression or stamp of the logo portion 124 on the ground surface. For example, the ground surface can comprise dirt, mud, sand, grass, as well as any other surface capable of receiving an imprint. When the bottom portion 120 is used to support a structural member on the ground surface, portions of the ground surface can rise to at least partially fill the hollow interior portion 126, whereas the logo portion 124 prevents portions of the ground surface from occupying its space. Accordingly, when the structural member is moved, which can be used to support a portable canopy structure, a visible indentation of the logo portion 124 may remain on the ground surface.
In alternative embodiments, the logo portion 124 may comprise a hollow interior, whereas the interior portion 126 may be filled in. For example, in these embodiments, when the bottom portion 120 is used to support a structural member on the ground surface, portions of the ground surface can rise to at least partially fill the logo portion 124. These embodiments also may result in a visible indication of the logo portion 124 resulting on the ground surface, but the logo would be raised, rather than indented.
Preferably, the logo portion 124 can be formed in a reverse orientation, such that the bottom portion 102 is configured to leave an impression of the logo portion 124 on a ground surface that is in a forward, not reverse, orientation. For example, as illustrated in
In some arrangements, the logo portion comprises text. The text of the logo portion can be formed in a reversed orientation, such that the bottom portion of the foot is configured to leave an impression of the text on a ground surface that is in a forward legible, not reversed, orientation.
It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications may be made to the herein-described embodiments, the elements of which are to be understood as being among other acceptable examples. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims. Moreover, any of the steps described herein can be performed simultaneously or in an order different from the steps as ordered herein. Moreover, as should be apparent, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed herein may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.
Moreover, the following terminology may have been used herein. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an item includes reference to one or more items. The term “ones” refers to one, two, or more, and generally applies to the selection of some or all of a quantity. The term “plurality” refers to two or more of an item. The term “about” or “approximately” means that quantities, dimensions, sizes, formulations, parameters, shapes and other characteristics need not be exact, but may be approximated and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting acceptable tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like and other factors known to those of skill in the art. The term “substantially” means that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.
Numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also interpreted to include all of the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of “about 1 to 5” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but should also be interpreted to also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3 and 4 and sub-ranges such as “about 1 to about 3,” “about 2 to about 4” and “about 3 to about 5,” “1 to 3,” “2 to 4,” “3 to 5,” etc. This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value (e.g., “greater than about 1”) and should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics being described. A plurality of items may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. Furthermore, where the terms “and” and “or” are used in conjunction with a list of items, they are to be interpreted broadly, in that any one or more of the listed items may be used alone or in combination with other listed items. The term “alternatively” refers to selection of one of two or more alternatives, and is not intended to limit the selection to only those listed alternatives or to only one of the listed alternatives at a time, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61988799 | May 2014 | US | |
| 61864489 | Aug 2013 | US | |
| 61864470 | Aug 2013 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14455694 | Aug 2014 | US |
| Child | 15387414 | US |
