Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to folding, collapsible structures and, more particularly, to a collapsible, shelter structure with a multi-point fixed attachment system to improve the connection of sidewalls and other elements.
Temporary shelters have increased in popularity due to the ease of transport and assembly. For example, temporary shelters are often used at emergency sites to provide temporary care and housing. Such shelters can also be useful for non-emergency outdoor gatherings, such as temporary military posts, field trips, tailgates, farmer's markets, and trade shows. One such quickly erectable, collapsible shelter having a framework of X-shaped linkages, telescoping legs, and a canopy covering the framework is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,656. The legs of that shelter are capable of telescoping to approximately twice their stowed length, and the framework of X-shaped truss pairs is capable of horizontal extension between the legs to support a canopy. The framework can be constructed of lightweight material, and the telescoping legs can be extended to raise the framework of the shelter.
In some cases, walls, such as sidewalls and/or interior walls, may be attached to a frame of the shelter. Conventional systems use straps, such as Velcro™ straps, or rope to connect walls and banners to the frame to provide information, such as a menu, advertising, etc. The straps used in conventional systems may not be secure. Furthermore, the conventional systems may cause the walls to sag.
It is desirable to provide an improved collapsible shelter with a multi-point fixed attachment system for improving the connections of walls to the frame of the shelter.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, a collapsible shelter is disclosed. The collapsible shelter includes a bracket. The bracket includes a socket for receiving an end of a pole for supporting the collapsible shelter. The bracket also includes a handle for receiving a fastener. The collapsible shelter also includes multiple legs for supporting the collapsible shelter.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a collapsible shelter is disclosed. The collapsible shelter includes multiple legs for supporting the collapsible shelter. The collapsible shelter also includes multiple leg brackets. Each leg bracket is coupled to a leg of the multiple legs. Each leg bracket includes multiple sockets and multiple handles. Each handle may receive a fastener. The collapsible shelter further includes a center bracket. The center bracket includes multiple sockets and multiple handles. Each handle may receive a fastener.
This has outlined, rather broadly, the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described below. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the teachings of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features, which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages, will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
The features, nature, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout.
The detailed description set forth below, in connection with the appended drawings, is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts.
Based on the teachings, one skilled in the art should appreciate that the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the disclosure, whether implemented independently of or combined with any other aspect of the disclosure. For example, an apparatus may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth. In addition, the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover such an apparatus or method practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or other than the various aspects of the disclosure set forth. It should be understood that any aspect of the disclosure disclosed may be embodied by one or more elements of a claim.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects.
Although particular aspects are described herein, many variations and permutations of these aspects fall within the scope of the disclosure. Although some benefits and advantages of the preferred aspects are mentioned, the scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limited to particular benefits, uses or objectives. Rather, aspects of the disclosure are intended to be broadly applicable to different technologies, system configurations, networks and protocols, some of which are illustrated by way of example in the figures and in the following description of the preferred aspects. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the disclosure, rather than limiting the scope of the disclosure being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
A foldable (e.g., collapsible) shelter may be used in various scenarios. For example, the foldable shelter may be used as a display booth, a shelter, an exhibit, a storefront, etc. The foldable shelter may be referred to as a shelter. The shelter may include three or more sides. The sides may be of different sizes (e.g., lengths) or the same size.
Multiple outer truss links may form the border of the shelter. Two outer truss links may form an outer truss link pair. The outer truss links of each outer truss link pair may be pivotally connected to each other at a joint, such as in a scissor configuration. Each side may include one of more outer truss link pairs. One or more legs may be attached to each outer truss link pair. The legs and the outer truss link pairs may support a roof structure. The roof structure may be further supported by peak truss links and/or inner truss links.
Banners, sidewalls, and other structures may be attached to the frame of a shelter. In conventional shelters, the various structures are strapped to the frame. For example, a side skirt may be strapped via string, rope, a Velcro™ strap, or other fastening structure. The conventional fasteners do not keep the structures secure and taut. For example, in conventional shelters, a sidewall or side skirt may sag or may disconnect from the shelter in areas of high wind.
As shown in
It is desirable to provide a system to improve a customer's ability to attach various structures to a shelter. Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a multi-point attachment system that provides multiple points in a shelter for securely fastening a structure, such as a flag, banner, side skirt, tent, etc., to the shelter's frame. According to aspects of the present disclosure, the multi-point attachment system provides a solution for a customer to attach different structures to the interior and/or exterior of the frame.
In one configuration, the multi-point attachment system provides attachment points at a center of a shelter as well as corners of the shelter. Of course, aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to providing attachment points at the center and all corners, as various configurations are contemplated based on a customer's need.
Some shelters may have a roof structure that is elevated with a telescoping peak beam. The peak beam may be connected to a bracket (e.g., center bracket) with multiple sockets. The sockets may receive one end of the peak beam as well as ends of truss links. In one configuration, one or more attachment points are provided at the center bracket.
Additionally, the center bracket 200 includes multiple side sockets 206 extending from the body of the center bracket 200. In one configuration, each socket is at substantially right angles from an adjacent socket 206.
Each socket 206 is coupled to a truss link 204 via a bolt 222 or other type of fastener. The truss links 204 may pivot within the respective sockets 206. In one configuration, to allow a truss link 204 to pivot when coupled to a socket 206, the sockets 206 include three sides (e.g., two arms 216 and a base 218). Furthermore, as shown in
As shown in
Furthermore, as shown in
As previously discussed, a center bracket may include attachment points (e.g., handles) for a multi-point attachment center. In one configuration, attachment points are defined on leg brackets of a shelter. The attachment points on the leg brackets may be provided alternate to or in addition to the attachment points of the center bracket.
The leg bracket 400 includes multiple sockets 404 extending outward from a body 412 of the leg bracket 400. Each socket 404 may be at substantially right angle from an adjacent socket 404. Aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to two sockets 404 as shown in
An end of a link member 408 is received in each socket 404 of the leg bracket 400. The end of the link member 408 may be pivotally connected to the socket 404. Specifically, the end of the link member 408 may be attached to the socket via a bolt 418 or other attachment. The socket 404 of the leg bracket 400 includes two arms 416. As a roof and a floor are not defined for each socket 404 of the leg bracket 400, the link member 408 may pivot in an up or down direction.
In one configuration, a handle 410 (e.g., attachment point) is defined below each socket 404. A first end of the handle 410 may be attached to a bottom of one arm 416 of the socket 404 and a second end of the handle 410 may be attached to the body 412 of the leg bracket 400. Each handle 410 may be adaptable to receive a fastener 414. As previously discussed, the fastener 414 is adapted to be connected to material of a structure via a strap or other type of connector. The leg bracket 400 is not limited to receiving link members and may receive telescoping pole members or other structures of a frame of a shelter.
In one configuration, legs 508 are provided at each corner to erect the frame. The legs 508 may be telescoping (e.g., extendable). That is, each leg 508 may comprise a telescoping lower section 520 that extends from a hollow upper section 522. The telescoping lower section 520 may be slidably disposed within the telescoping lower section 520. Each telescoping lower section 520 has a foot 540 for engagement with the ground. Additionally, a perimeter truss framework 550 is connected to the legs 508 via brackets 524, 526 to stabilize and support the frame.
The perimeter truss framework 550 may include multiple outer truss links 552 and multiple inner truss links 554. Two outer truss links 552 may form an outer truss link pair. The outer truss links 552 of each outer truss link pair may be pivotally connected to each other at a cross-link joint 536, such as in a scissor configuration. In one configuration, a first end of each outer truss link 552 is pivotally connected to a leg 508 via either a leg bracket 524 or a sliding bracket 526. That is, a first end of one outer truss link 552 of each outer truss link pair may be pivotally connected to a socket of the leg bracket 524. Each socket of the leg bracket 524 may include an attachment point (e.g., handle) for receiving a fastener (see
As shown in
The shelter 500 may include a peak beam 532 for supporting a roof structure (not shown), such as a canopy. The peak beam 532 may be attached to a center bracket 528. The peak slider 518 may also be slidably attached to the peak beam 532. In one configuration, a peak pole 534 is telescoping (e.g., extendable) from the peak beam 532. That is, the peak beam 532 may be hollow so that the peak pole 534 may extend upward from the peak beam 532. The peak pole 534 may be slidably disposed within the peak beam 532. Additionally, the peak pole 534 may include a top bracket 538 for engaging a roof structure, such as a canopy.
The top bracket 538 may also include attachment points. In one configuration, a sail banner may be attached to an attachment point of the top bracket 538 and an attachment point on one or more leg brackets 524. Additionally, or alternatively, the sail banner may be attached to other components of the shelter. The sail banner may be used to display information on the interior of the shelter 500. In one configuration, a roof material may be placed on the shelter 500. In this configuration, the roof structure is placed over the sail banner, such that only the roof structure is visible from the exterior of the shelter 500, while both the roof structure and the sail banner are visible from the interior of the shelter 500.
Aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to two outer truss link pairs per side. The number of outer truss link pairs, per side, may be less than or greater than two. For example, as shown in
Aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the shelters of
In one configuration, legs 608 are provided at each corner to erect the shelter 600. The legs 608 may be telescoping (e.g., extendable). That is, each leg 608 may comprise a telescoping lower section 624 that extends from a hollow upper section 622. The telescoping lower section 624 may be slidably disposed within the hollow upper section 622. A slider 628, such as a slider with a pull pin, may be used to extend the telescoping lower section 624 from the hollow upper section 622. Each telescoping lower section 624 has a foot 640 for engagement with the ground. Additionally, a perimeter truss framework 616 is connected to the legs 608 for stability and support.
The perimeter truss framework 616 may include multiple outer truss links 612. Two pivotally connected outer truss links 612 may form an outer truss link pair. The outer truss links 612 of each outer truss link pair may be pivotally connected to each other at a cross-link joint 636, such as in a scissor configuration. In one configuration, a first end of each outer truss link 612 is pivotally connected to a leg 608 via a sliding bracket 664 or a leg bracket 668. Specifically, the first end of one outer truss link 612 of each outer truss link pair may be pivotally connected to a socket of a sliding bracket 664. The first end of another outer truss link 612 of each outer truss link pair may be pivotally connected to a socket of the leg bracket 668, such that each outer truss link 612 is pivotally connected to a corresponding leg 608. The leg bracket 668 and/or the sliding bracket 664 may include one or more attachment points (see
As shown in
The lower peak truss links 632 may provide support to a corresponding (e.g., adjacent) upper peak truss link 614. The upper peak truss links 614 form a peak for supporting a roof structure (not shown), such as a canopy. The lower peak truss links 632 and/or upper peak truss links 614 may be made of a rigid material or flexible material. The truss links may form a dome shape roof, a pyramid shape roof, or other type of roof.
As shown in
The lower peak truss links 654 may provide support to a corresponding (e.g., adjacent) upper peak truss link 652. The upper peak truss links 652 and lower peak truss links 654 form a dome for supporting a roof structure (not shown), such as a canopy. The lower peak truss links 654 and the upper peak truss links 652 may be a flexible material. For example, the lower peak truss links 654 and the upper peak truss links 652 may be flexible rods, such as composite fiber rods. The flexibility improves wind resistance.
As an example, a tent shelter, such as a cube tent, gazebo, or a structure with a roof, may be erected within the shelter 650. In one configuration, the tent shelter may have a cube shape and the sides of the tent shelter may be attached to attachment points on the leg brackets 602. Furthermore, a strap may be attached to the roof of the structure and an attachment point of the dome center bracket 656. The dome of the shelter 650 may then be covered with a roof fabric. The flexibility of the upper peak truss links 652 as well as the connection between the roof of the tent shelter and the dome of the shelter 650 improves the wind resistance of the structure. Aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to erecting a tent shelter in shelters with flexible peak truss links, as the tent shelter may be erected in any type of shelter with a multi-point attachment system.
According to aspects of the present disclosure, information may be provided on a material that is to be attached to a portion of a collapsible shelter. In the present application, the material is also referred to as an information sheet, a banner, a sail banner, a textile banner, a textile sail, or a textile sheet. In one configuration, the material is attached to a peak beam, joints, legs, and/or other portions of the shelter. Furthermore, the material may be attached to handles of brackets. The brackets may be attached to the canopy peak assembly, joints, legs, and/or other portions of the shelter.
As used herein, a phrase referring to “at least one of” a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c.
The methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for achieving the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is specified, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims.
It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the precise configuration and components illustrated above. Various modifications, changes and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the methods and apparatus described above without departing from the scope of the claims.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/885,796, filed on Jan. 31, 2018, and titled “MULTI-POINT FIXED ATTACHMENT SYSTEM, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/579,052, filed on Oct. 30, 2017, and titled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING INFORMATION WITHIN AN INNER SIDE OF A CANOPY,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/453,478, filed on Feb. 1, 2017, and titled “MULTI-POINT FIXED ATTACHMENT SYSTEM,” the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20200032545 A1 | Jan 2020 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15885796 | Jan 2018 | US |
Child | 16590216 | US |