Patent Application
20080047597
Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein have the same meaning as are commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All patents, patent applications and publications referred to throughout the disclosure herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the event that there is a plurality of definitions for a term herein, those in this section prevail.
The term “affixing means” as used herein refers to a means for securely, yet reversibly attaching structural support beams to the cover by a variety of methods including for example providing an insert sleeve, hooks, ties, pockets and the like.
The present invention is a collapsible enclosure that may be provided in a one or two hub configuration. In either of these configurations one of the hubs will be static having pressure plates below the attachment means or dynamic having an attachment means and a rotating member containing the pressure plates.
In the simplest configuration the enclosure comprises; a plurality of structural support beams, a hub having a plurality of attachment means and a pressure plate positioned below the attachment means to which one end of the structural support beams are attached; a cover disposed upon and traversing between the structural support beams having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion having means for receiving the plurality of structural support beams, the bottom portion having adapters for receiving the ends of the plurality of structural support beams; one or more openings and one or more flaps to secure the one or more openings. The hub in this configuration is static but may be substituted with a dynamic hub. In the static configuration the structural support beams are pivoted about the attachment means and brought to bear on the pressure plates at the base of each attachment means. When in the open position the other ends of the structural support beams are fitted into the adapters at the base of the cover maintaining the downward bias against the pressure plates. When using the dynamic hub the structural support beams are rotated about the attachment means toward the rotating member and their other ends fitted into the adapter at the base of the cover. The structural support beams are spread to the maximum distance permitted by the cover. Pressure is applied downward on the hub and the rotating member is rotated engaging the structural support beams. The downward bias thus created against the pressure plates by the structural support beams maintains the enclosure in the open position.
Alternatively, the enclosure may be provided in a two hub configuration. The first hub provides an attachment means for one end of the structural supports. The second hub may be static or dynamic as described above and is connected to the structural supports via strut members. When using the static hub pressure plates are provided below the attachment means on the second hub where the inner ends of the struts are attached. The outer ends of the struts are attached to the structural support beams and when opening the enclosure the inner ends of the struts are brought to bear upon the pressure plates. This action locks the struts in place maintaining the pressure applied to the structural support beams thereby securing the enclosure in the open position. When using a dynamic hub the enclosure is locked in the open position by the rotation of the pressure plates to engage the inner ends of the struts and maintain their pressure against the structural support beams.
Although the invention will be described in detail with respect to particularly preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the claims, which subject matter is regarded as the invention.
The structural support beams 14 of the present device are elongated shafts that are sufficiently flexible to allow them to bend into the form of the cover 12 and maintain the cover 12 in and open and upright position. In view of this, the structural support beams 14 may be made of a variety of materials and in a variety of configurations that provide such flexibility. For example, the structural support beams 14 may be made of fiberglass, carbon fiber, plastic or wood. Possible configurations include round cylindrical, hollow round cylindrical or elongated beam having a vertical cross section in the shape of an “X” or cross. The length of the structural support beams 14 will depend on the size of the enclosure 10 and the collapsed configuration desired.
The plurality of structural support beams 14 are pivotally attached at one end to a hub. The cover 12 is attached to the structural support beams 14 by affixing means 15. In a preferred embodiment the affixing means 15 are a plurality of sleeves along the corners of the top portion of the cover 12. Preferably there are two lengths of sleeves one along the ascending portion of the top portion and the other along the descending portion of the top portion (
In another configuration the structural support beams 14 are positioned in place within the enclosure 10. The structural support beams 14 are inserted into the enclosure 10 through the opening and the ends inserted into adapters 19 or pockets positioned in the corners of the interior of the cover 12. The apex of the top of the cover 12 may have a means for affixing to the hub such as a tie. Alternatively, hub may have a small magnetically susceptible metal disc or snap affixed at the apex. In this case the apex of the cover 12 could have a magnet or snap respectively to connect to the hub.
Depending on the actual size of the enclosure 10 the structural support beams 14 may be provided in a single continuous length or they may be provided in a series of connected sections of a particular length. Each section is preferably pivotally connected 20 to the other allowing a rotation of from 0 to 180 degrees (
The static pressure plate hub 32 (
The present invention also provides a hub having a rotating member 44 wherein the stationary member 42 comprises a central cavity 52 with a radial groove 48 for receiving the rotating member 44 and a plurality of connectors 22 radiating outward from the center of the hub and oriented perpendicular to the plane of the hub for pivotally affixing a plurality of structural support beams 14 (
In another preferred embodiment the rotating member 44 further comprises a gripping means 26 for assisting in the rotation of the rotating member 44 (
In a two-hub configuration the first hub 38 comprises a plurality of connectors 22 radiating outward from the center of the hub 38 and oriented perpendicular to the plane of the hub 38 for pivotally affixing one end of a plurality of structural support beams 14 (
In a similar two-hub configuration the second hub is the dynamic pressure plate hub 34 described above. In the partially collapsed configuration the rotating member 44 is rotated until the pressure plates 24 are positioned below and not in contact with the inner ends IE of the struts 16 which are below the outer ends OE. In the fully open configuration upward pressure is applied to the second hub 34 moving the inner ends IE of the struts 16 above the outer ends OE and engaging the pressure plate 24. The pressure plate 24 exerts an upward bias against the inner ends IE of the struts 16 locking the enclosure 10 in the fully opened position. To release this upward bias the rotating member 44 is turned until the inner ends IE of the struts 16 no longer engage the pressure plate 24. Preferably the rotating member 44 comprises a handle affixed to it's lower end at the base of the pressure plate 24 to allow the user to more easily turn the rotating member 44.
The cover 12 of the present invention is made of a material that is resilient to wear and stretching, resistant to UV degradation and tearing and light weight for ease of transport. If the structure is being made to protect food the cover 12 is preferably made of a material having a weave or mesh that allows the user to see and/or identify the food stored in the enclosure 10 and prevents insects and most debris from entering the enclosure 10. A number of materials that have these characteristics are commercially available and are often used for preparing tents and other large enclosures.
The cover 12 may have one or more openings 58 that allow the user enter and exit the enclosure 10. The size of the openings 58 will depend on the items to be housed within the enclosure 10 and the types of access desired. In a food enclosure 10 configuration, the size of the openings 58 is balanced with the desire to secure the contents from access by unwanted insects and debris. In particular the diameter of the plates and dishes the user intends to place in the enclosure 10 will determine the width of the opening. For example, if the diameter of a plate to be stored in the enclosure 10 is 9″ then the width of the opening should be larger than 9″. Correspondingly if the height of a bowl to be placed in the enclosure 10 is 7″ then the height of the opening should be at least 7″. Correspondingly in a shelter or tent configuration the height of the opening will depend on the average size of the individual that may utilize the enclosure 10 and whether it is desired that access be available in a fully upright, bent-over or kneeling posture. The width will depend on whether access is desired by a single individual alone or an individual carrying items to be placed in the enclosure 10. If the enclosure 10 is to be used for equipment such as vehicles or machinery the height and width of the desired opening will depend on the dimensions of the equipment. Since this access may be larger than desired for regular ingress and egress a smaller opening may be provided within the closure flap for the equipment opening.
For multiple access there may be more than one opening and the openings 58 may be positioned on more than one side. In a food enclosure 10 configuration increasing the number of openings 58 and the amount of time for which the doors are opened during access will increase the opportunity for unwanted entry by insects and debris. Consequently, it is preferable to limit the number of openings 58 in the cover 12. Correspondingly in a shelter or tent configuration multiple opens may include windows as well as doors 62. It is preferred that a shelter for individuals contains one door for ingress and egress and at least one window for circulation. If the enclosure 10 is for a vehicle it may be beneficial to have two doors 62, an entry on one side and an exit on the opposite side.
The cover 12 may further comprise a means for securing the door positioned above and about the center of the opening to prevent interference with ingress and egress as desired. A variety of securing means may be utilized with the present invention including a latch, Velcro™, magnet, or tie. The type and position of the securing device will depend on the length and height of the door 62. For example, in a smaller enclosure 10 if the door 62 is 9″ in length it may not be feasible to place the securing means 7″ or more above the door 62. Consequently, the hook portion of the Velcro™ could be affixed at about 1-2″ above the center of the opening and the felt portion of the Velcro™ could be placed facing inward on the inside surface of the door about 2-3″ inches from the top and about the center of the door. In this configuration the user could roll the door upward and easily secure the door 62 open with one hand. In a larger structure it may be beneficial to secure the door to one side of the opening. In this configuration a restraining strap with securing snap or Velcro™ may be provided on the inside of the enclosure 10 to wrap about the gathered door securing it to one side of the opening.
In a food enclosure 10 securing straps may be provided and affixed to the base of the cover 12 so that it may be secured to the surface on which it is placed. The straps may be made of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength and durability to maintain the enclosure 10 on the intended surface. Nylon strapping similar to that used in camping equipment would be preferable. These straps may be secured by tying, by snap connectors similar to those used on backpacks or by loop through strap connectors similar to those used on luggage.
The door 62 of the present invention may exceed both the length and width of the opening 58 dimensions to securely overlap the cover 12 around the opening 58. In a food enclosure 10 this prevents undesired entry by insects or debris. The base of the door 62 may be provided with ballast along the width to assure that the overlap of the door 62 remains flush along the sides of the opening 58. The doors 62 are preferably made of the same or similar material as the cover 12. The ballast may be made of any elongated material that is the same or longer than the width of the door 62 and provides sufficient weight to keep the door 62 flush along the side of the opening 58. For example the ballast may be prepared from rod stock made of metal, heavy wood, heavy polymer or a tubular stock filled with sand or metal pellets and the like.
The cover 12 material is cut from a desired material stock and preferably sewn together in a way that resists tearing from stretching and seam separation from continued use. The structural supports are preferably made of a continuous length of flexible polymer. The ballasts are preferably cut from solid cylindrical stock material of the desired diameter and of sufficient weight to exert the desired downward force on the doors 62. The doors 62 are prepared separately having a sleeve on one end to receive the ballast. The doors 62 are preferable sewn over the openings 58 in the cover 12 so that there is a substantial overlap on all sides of the opening 58 with the ballast sleeve positioned at the base of the opening 58.
When the device of the present invention is configured as a tent wherein the cover is affixed to the structural support beams, it may be converted from its collapsed structure to its constructed configuration by first unfolding the hinge joints of the structural support beams to cover the fully collapsed structure into a partially collapsed structure. The open ends of the structural support beams are inserted into the adapters provided on the cover. When the second hub reaches its uppermost position in close proximity to the first hub but not contacting the first hub the inner ends of the struts may be slightly elevated above the outer ends of the struts with the inner ends of the struts engaging the pressure plate (
When is it desired to return the enclosure to its fully collapsed configuration, the user may simply release the upward bias against the struts by pulling the second hub downward to a position where the inner ends of the struts are lower than the outer ends. The loss of the upward bias on the pressure plates allows the structure to assume the partially collapsed configuration (
When the enclosure is used for food it is constructed in a similar manner as that described above. Tie down straps affixed to the base of the cover are used to encircle the surface on which the enclosure has been placed and secure it to the surface or table top. When entering the enclosure the door is lifted or rolled and secured in the open position above the opening. Food on plates, in bowls or other containers may be inserted into the enclosure through the opening. When the food is in position the door is released and allowed to lay flush and cover the opening preventing unwanted insects or debris from entering the food.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60839614 | Aug 2006 | US |
