초록 ▼

A collapsible structure comprises a first frame member including first and second segments hingedly interconnected with each other allowing the collapsible structure to have a collapsed position and an expanded position. The collapsible structure further comprises a second frame member hingedly conn

A collapsible structure comprises a first frame member including first and second segments hingedly interconnected with each other allowing the collapsible structure to have a collapsed position and an expanded position. The collapsible structure further comprises a second frame member hingedly connected to the first frame member. The second frame member includes first and second segments hingedly interconnected with each other. A hinge member is employed to hingedly connect the first segment and the second segment. At least one of the first and second frame members includes a closed-loop configuration.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A collapsible structure movable between an expanded position to a collapsed position, the collapsible structure comprising: at least two side portions, each side portion including an upper side portion and a lower side portion, each upper side portion including upper side members pivot

We claim: 1. A collapsible structure movable between an expanded position to a collapsed position, the collapsible structure comprising: at least two side portions, each side portion including an upper side portion and a lower side portion, each upper side portion including upper side members pivotally connected to each other via a first hinge, each lower side portion including lower side members pivotally connected to each other via a second hinge, the lower side members being pivotally connected to the upper side members via third hinges; at least two upper connecting portions, each upper connecting portion including tipper connecting members pivotally connected to each other via a fourth hinge, the upper connecting portions being pivotally connected to the upper side portions via fifth hinges; at least two lower connecting portions, each lower connecting portion including lower connecting members pivotally connected to each other via a sixth hinge, the lower connecting portions being pivotally connected to the lower side portions via seventh hinges; wherein the side portions, the upper connection portions, and the lower connection portions define a three dimensional enclosure within the structure in the expanded position; and wherein a first folding axis is defined which passes through the third hinges, and a second folding axis is defined which passes through the first and second hinges. 2. The collapsible structure according to claim 1, wherein the first, second, third, fourth and sixth hinges are constructed and arranged to permit a maximum pivoting movement of 180��. 3. The collapsible structure according to claim 1, wherein the fifth and seventh hinges are constructed and arranged to permit a maximum pivoting movement of 90��. 4. The collapsible structure according to claim 1, wherein the structure comprises two said first hinges, two said second hinges, four said third hinges, two said fourth hinges, four said fifth hinges, two said sixth hinges, and four said seventh hinges. 5. The collapsible structure according to claim 4, wherein in the collapsed position, the first and second hinges are proximal to each other, the third hinges are proximal to each other, the fourth hinges are proximal to each other, and the sixth hinges are proximal to each other. 6. The collapsible structure according to claim 1, wherein the first folding axis is substantially perpendicular to the second folding axis. 7. The collapsible structure according to claim 1, wherein the upper side members are arcuate. 8. The collapsible structure according to claim 1, wherein the lower side members are substantially L-shaped. 9. The collapsible structure according to claim 1, further comprising a fabric material covering a substantial portion of the structure. 10. The collapsible structure according to claim 1, wherein the connecting members are foldable in a direction parallel to the first folding axis, and the fourth and sixth hinges are movable in an inwardly direction. 11. The collapsible structure according to claim 1, wherein the hinges are selected from the group consisting of: two opposing arms pivotally connected to a connecting piece, each arm being connected by a pivot pin passing through a hole in a pivoting end of the arm and a hole in the connecting piece, the pivoting end of the arm defining a guide to prevent the arm from rotating more than 90�� relative to the connecting piece; and two opposing lateral arms and a perpendicular arm pivotally connected to three faces of a connecting piece, respectively, each arm being connected by a pivot pin passing through a hole in a pivoting end of the arm and a hole in the connecting piece, the connecting piece having barrier portions to prevent the lateral arms from rotating more than 45�� relative to the connecting piece and to prevent the perpendicular arm from rotating more than 90�� relative to the connecting piece. 12. A method for collapsing the collapsible structure according to claim 1, the method comprising the steps of: pivoting the connecting members at the fourth and sixth hinges to fold the connecting members onto each other such that the at least two side portions are positioned adjacent with each other; folding the side members onto each other about the first folding axis; and folding the side members onto each other about the second folding axis.