초록 ▼

An erectable, collapsible frame ( 2 ) for a shelter ( 1 ), the frame ( 2 ) being erectable to support a canopy ( 3 ) in order to form the shelter. The frame ( 2 ) includes at least 3 legs ( 4 ), and a perimeter support assembly ( 12 ) extending between and interconnecting adjacent legs ( 4 ). A cano

An erectable, collapsible frame ( 2 ) for a shelter ( 1 ), the frame ( 2 ) being erectable to support a canopy ( 3 ) in order to form the shelter. The frame ( 2 ) includes at least 3 legs ( 4 ), and a perimeter support assembly ( 12 ) extending between and interconnecting adjacent legs ( 4 ). A canopy peak support assembly ( 28 ) extends outwardly from the legs ( 4 ), when the frame ( 2 ) is erected, to define an underlying shelter space (S). The legs ( 4 ) and support assemblies ( 12,28 ) are pivotably interconnected to enable unfolding and folding for respective erection and collapse of the frame ( 2 ).A shelter ( 1 ) incorporating the frame ( 2 ) and canopy ( 3 ) is also disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An erectable, collapsible frame for a shelter, the frame being erectable to support a canopy thereon in order to form a shelter, the frame comprising:at least three legs;a perimeter support assembly extending between and interconnecting adjacent legs at upper ends thereof, the perimeter support a

1. An erectable, collapsible frame for a shelter, the frame being erectable to support a canopy thereon in order to form a shelter, the frame comprising:at least three legs;a perimeter support assembly extending between and interconnecting adjacent legs at upper ends thereof, the perimeter support assembly being foldable and unfoldable; anda canopy peak support assembly having a canopy peak support rod associated with each leg, each canopy peak support rod having two elongate rod sections with opposed ends, one end of one rod section of each support rod being pivotably connected to the upper end of the associated leg, one end of the other rod sections being pivotable connected to one another, and the other end of the one rod section of each support rod being pivotally connected to the other rod section spaced from the other end of the other rod section, the legs and support rods being pivotable between an unfolded position in which the support rods extend above the upper ends of the legs and over shelter space defined by the frame, and a folded position in which the rod sections of the support rods and the legs extend generally side-by-side one another,wherein unfolding and folding of the legs, perimeter support assembly and the canopy peak support rods, respectively, erecting and collapsing the frame. 2. A frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the perimeter support assembly has elongate perimeter support members, each perimeter support member extending between and being connected to a respective pair of adjacent legs, each perimeter support member lying on an eave line extending between the connections of the perimeter support members with the legs when the frame is erected. 3. A frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the perimeter support assembly has elongate perimeter support members, each perimeter support member extending between a respective pair of adjacent legs and being connected to upper ends thereof, the perimeter support members not projecting beneath an eave line extending between the upper end connections of the perimeter support members with the legs when the frame is erected. 4. A frame as claimed in claim 2, wherein each perimeter support member is pivotably connected to the respective legs, each connection permitting pivotal movement of the perimeter support member only in a downward direction between the legs during frame collapse and only in an upward direction during frame erection. 5. A frame as claimed in claim 3, wherein each perimeter support member is pivotably connected to the respective legs, each connection permitting pivotal movement of the perimeter support member only in a downward direction between the legs during frame collapse and only in an upward direction during frame erection. 6. A frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the perimeter support assembly has elongate perimeter support meters, each perimeter support meter extending between and being connected to a respective pair of adjacent legs, each perimeter support member has at least two sections, all of the sections of each perimeter support member being arranged end-to-end, and the sections being interconnected for relative pivotal movement for unfolding and folding during frame erection and collapse, respectively. 7. A frame as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sections of each perimeter support member are pivotably interconnected so that the sections fold inwardly between the legs connected thereto so as to draw the legs together during frame collapse. 8. A frame as claimed in claim 6, wherein each perimeter support member is a perimeter support rod having two only elongate rod sections, each rod section providing one end connected to a respective leg, and the two rod sections of each rod being interconnected end-to-end. 9. A frame as claimed in claim 8, wherein the two rod sections of each perimeter support rod are interconnected at the ends thereof for limited pivotal movement between folded and unfolded positions, the rod sections exte nding in co-axial alignment with one another in the unfolded position and extending generally side-by-side one another in the folded position. 10. A frame as claimed in claim 9, wherein the perimeter support assembly has connection brackets fixed to the legs, and the support rod ends are pivotably connected to respective connection brackets to pivotably connect the support rods to the legs. 11. A frame as claimed in claim 9, wherein the perimeter support assembly has connection links extending between and pivotably interconnecting the ends of respective rod section so as to permit the limited pivotal movement thereto between the folded and unfolded positions. 12. A frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the perimeter support assembly has elongate perimeter support members, each perimeter support member extending between and being connected to a respective pair of adjacent legs, and stabilising members extending between and connected to the perimeter support members and legs to releaseably fix the support members and legs relative to one another when unfolded to achieve rigid, stable erection of the frame, the stabilising members being actuable to release the support members and legs for relative folding in order to collapse the shelter. 13. A frame as claimed in claim 12, wherein each stabilising member is elongate with opposed ends, one end being connected to a respective perimeter support member and the other end being connected to an associated leg beneath the connection of the perimeter support member with the leg so as to fix the support members relative to the legs, the connections being movable or removable to accommodate relative movement of the perimeter support members and legs for folding and unfolding. 14. A frame as claimed in claim 13, wherein each perimeter support member is a perimeter support rod having two elongate rod sections, each rod section providing one end connected to a respective leg and the two rod sections of each rod being interconnected end-to-end, each stabilising member has a stabilising strut, each stabilising strut being pivotably connected to a respective perimeter support rod section and an associated leg. 15. A frame as claimed in claim 14, wherein the stabilising struts are connected to the legs for sliding movement therealong, the movement being toward and away from the connections of the perimeter support rods with the legs during unfolding and folding of the perimeter support rods, respectively. 16. A frame as claimed in claim 15, wherein the perimeter support assembly has connection brackets slidably mounted on the legs, the other ends of the stabilising struts being pivotably connected to the connection brackets so as to connect the stabilising struts to the legs for pivotal and sliding movement relative thereto. 17. A frame as claimed in claim 15, wherein the perimeter support assembly has locking means, for releasably locking the stabilising struts against sliding movement along the legs in order to fix the perimeter support rods and legs relative to one another when unfolded. 18. A frame as claimed in claim 17, wherein the locking means has a respective locking mechanism associated with each connection bracket, each locking mechanism being actuable to release the respective connection bracket for sliding movement along the leg during frame folding. 19. A frame as claimed in claim 18, wherein each locking mechanism has a resiliently biased detent member mounted in a respective leg, and an aperture in the connection bracket slidable on the leg, the detent members being biased into the respective apertures to lock the connection brackets to the legs when the perimeter support rods and legs are unfolded during erection of the frame, the locking mechanism being manually actuable to remove the detent members against the bias our of the apertures and thereby release the connection brackets for sliding movement along the legs during frame collapse. 20. A frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rod sections are interconnected for limited pivotal movement between folded and unfolded positions, the rod sections extending in co-axial alignment with one another in the unfolded position and extending generally side-by-side one another in the folded position. 21. A frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rod sections are interconnected for limited pivotal movement between folded and unfolded positions, the rod sections extending at an included angle of less that 180° to one another in the unfolded position and extending generally side-by-side one another in the folded position. 22. A frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canopy peak support assembly has a peak connection bracket to which all of the other ends of the canopy peak support rods are pivotably connected in order to pivotably interconnect the canopy peak support rods. 23. A frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canopy peak support assembly has stabilising members extending between each canopy peak support rod and the associated leg to releasably fix the canopy peak support rods and legs relative to one another when unfolded to achieve rigid, stable erection of the frame, the stabilising members being actuable to release the canopy peak support members and legs for folding in order to collapse the frame. 24. A frame as claimed in claim 23, wherein the stabilising members have a respective elongate stabilising stay extending between each canopy peak support member and the associated leg, each stabilising stay having opposed ends, one end being connected to a respective canopy peak support member and the other end being connected to the associated leg, the connections permitting limited pivotal movement between the stabilising stays, the canopy peak support members and the legs during folding and unfolding. 25. A frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the canopy peak support assembly has elongate stabilising stays extending between each canopy peak support rods and legs relative to one another when unfolded to achieve rigid, stable erection of the frame, the stabilising stays being actuable to release the canopy peak support rods and legs for folding in order to collapse the frame, each stabilising stay having opposed ends, one end being pivotably connected to a respective other support rod section at the other end thereof, and the other end being pivotably connected to the associated leg adjacent to but spaced beneath the upper end thereof, the connections permitting limited pivotal movement between the stabilising stays, the canopy peak support rods and the legs during folding and unfolding. 26. A frame as claimed in claim 25, wherein the canopy peak support assembly has connection links pivotably connecting the stabilising stays to the other canopy peak support rod sections. 27. A frame as claimed in claim 26, wherein the connection links are fixed to one end of the stabilising stays and pivotably connected to the opposite ends of the other canopy peak support rod sections. 28. A frame as claimed in claim 25, wherein the canopy peak support assembly has connection brackets fixed on the legs, the one end of the one canopy peak rod sections being pivotably connected to the rackets so as to pivotably connect the canopy peak support rods to the legs. 29. A frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least three legs are provided, the legs being located as respective ones of four corners of the frame when erected. 30. A frame as claimed in claim 29, wherein at least two additional legs are provided, the additional legs being located on respective opposite sides of the frame when erected. 31. An erectable, collapsible shelter comprising:a frame as claimed in claim 1;a canopy extending over and supported by the perimeter and canopy peak support assemblies when the shelter is erected. 32. An erectable, collapsible frame for a shelter, the frame being erectable to support a canopy thereon in order to form a shelter, the frame comprising:at least three legs;a pe rimeter support assembly extending between and interconnecting adjacent legs at upper ends thereof, the perimeter support assembly including:(i) one only perimeter support rod extending between each pair of legs, each perimeter support rod having two elongate rod sections arranged end-to-end, one end of each rod section being pivotably connected to a respective leg and the other end of the rod sections of each perimeter support rod being pivotably connected to one another, the legs and support rods being pivotable between an unfolded position in which the support rods extend on an eave line between the upper ends of the legs, and a folded position in which the rods sections of the support rods and the legs extend generally side-by-side one another, and(ii) a respective stabilising strut extending between each support rod section and an associated leg, each stabilising strut having opposed ends, one end being connected to the respective support rod section and the other end being connected to the associated leg beneath the upper end thereof, the stabilising struts releasably fixing the perimeter support rods and legs relative to one another in their unfolded position, and being actuable to release the support rods and legs for folding into their folded position; anda canopy peak support assembly including:(i) a canopy peak support rod associated with each leg, each canopy peak support rod having two elongate rod sections with opposed ends, one end of one rod section of each support rod being pivotably connected to the upper end of the associated leg, one end of the other rod sections being pivotably connected one to another, and the other end of the one rod section of each support rod being pivotably connected to the other rod section between the ends of the other rod section, the legs and support rods being pivotable between an unfolded position in which the support rods extend above the upper ends of the legs and over shelter space defined by the frame, and a folded position in which the rods sections of the support rods and the legs extend generally side-by-side on another;(ii) a respective stabilising stay extending between each canopy peak support rod and the associated leg, each stabilising stay having opposed ends, one end being connected to the associated leg and the other end being connected to the other end of the other rod section of the canopy peak support rod; and(iii) a respective stabilising strut extending between each stabilizing stay and the associated leg, each stabilising strut having opposed ends, one end being connected to the associated leg and the other end being connected to the stabilising stay intermediate the ends thereof, the stabilising struts releasably fixing the canopy peak support rods, stabilising stays, and legs relative to one another in their unfolded position, and being actuable to release the canopy peak support rods and legs for folding into their folded position,wherein unfolding and folding of the legs, perimeter support assembly and the canopy peak support rods, respectively, erecting and collapsing the frame. 33. And erectable, collapsible shelter comprising:a frame as claimed in claim 32; anda canopy extending over and supported by the perimeter and canopy peak support assemblies when the shelter is erected. 34. An erectable, collapsible frame for a shelter, the frame being erectable to support a canopy thereon in order to form a shelter, the frame comprising:at least three legs;a perimeter support assembly extending between and interconnecting adjacent legs at upper ends thereof, the perimeter support assembly being foldable and unfoldable; anda canopy peak support assembly having:elongate canopy support members with opposed ends, one end of each canopy peak support member being connected to an associated leg and the other end being interconnected with at least one other canopy support member, the legs and canopy peak support members being movable between an unfolded position in wh ich the support members extend above the legs and over shelter space defined by the frame, and a folded position in which the support members and the legs extend generally side-by-side one another;a respective stabilising stay extending between each canopy peak support member and the associated leg, each stabilising stay having opposed ends, one end being connected to a respective canopy peak support member and the other end being connected to the associated leg; anda respective stabilising strut extending between each stabilising stay and the associated leg, each stabilizing strut having opposed ends, one end being connected or connectable to a respective stabilising stay, and the other end being connected or connectable to the associated leg;the stabilising stays and struts releasably fixing the canopy peak support members and legs relative to one another in their unfolded position, and being actuable to release the canopy peak support members and legs for folding into their folded position,wherein unfolding and folding of the legs, perimeter support assembly and the canopy peak support members, respectively, erecting and collapsing the frame. 35. A frame as claimed in claim 34, wherein each stabilising strut is pivotably connected to the respective stabilising stay intermediate the ends of the stabilising stay. 36. A frame as claimed in claim 34, wherein each stabilising strut is pivotably connected to the associated leg. 37. A frame as claimed in claim 36, wherein the stabilising struts are connected to the legs for sliding movement therealong, the movement being toward and away from the connections of the canopy peak support members with the legs during folding and unfolding, respectively. 38. A frame as claimed in claim 37, wherein the canopy peak support assembly includes connection brackets slidably mounted on the legs, the other ends of the stabilising struts being pivotably connected to the connection brackets so as to connect the stabilising struts to the legs for pivotal and sliding movement relative thereto. 39. A frame as claimed in claim 34, wherein each leg has at least two leg sections movable relative to one another between a full length condition adopted when the frame is erected, and a reduced length condition adopted when the frame is collapsed. 40. A frame as claimed in claim 39, wherein the leg sections of each leg are telescopically interconnected for relative sliding movement one within an other in order to adjust the leg length. 41. A frame as claimed in claim 40, wherein each leg has a looking mechanism for rigidly locking the leg sections together when moved to the full length condition, the mechanisms being actuable to release the leg sections for relative movement to the reduced leg length condition. 42. A frame as claimed in claim 41, wherein each locking mechanism has a resiliently biased detent member mounted in one leg section, and an aperture in the other leg section, the detent members being biased into the respective apertures to lock the leg sections together when moved to the full leg length condition, the mechanisms being manually actuable to move the detent members against the bias out of the apertures and thereby release the leg section for relative sliding movement to the reduced leg length condition.