초록 ▼

A sliding connecting member for a shelter framework includes a sliding connecting member having a lever connected to a cam. When pulled or rotated, the lever pulls out a locking pin from an aperture in a leg member. In this respect, releasing the locking mechanism allows the sliding connecting membe

A sliding connecting member for a shelter framework includes a sliding connecting member having a lever connected to a cam. When pulled or rotated, the lever pulls out a locking pin from an aperture in a leg member. In this respect, releasing the locking mechanism allows the sliding connecting member to slide along the leg member and the framework can be folded or unfolded.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A portable shelter framework comprising: a plurality of elongated members connected to each other so as to form a folded and an unfolded portable shelter framework;a sliding connector that is longitudinally transposable over an exterior of at least one of said plurality of elongated members; anda

1. A portable shelter framework comprising: a plurality of elongated members connected to each other so as to form a folded and an unfolded portable shelter framework;a sliding connector that is longitudinally transposable over an exterior of at least one of said plurality of elongated members; anda locking mechanism that selectively locks said sliding connector at a first position on said at least one of said plurality of elongated members; said locking mechanism comprising a locking pin and a lever arranged to move said locking pin between a locked and unlocked position, an axis about which the lever pivots positioned proximate an end of the locking pin that is opposite an end of the locking pin that engages said at least one of said plurality of elongated members;a distal portion of the lever positioned in a generally horizontal orientation in said locked position and a downwardly-rotated, non-horizontal position in an unlocked position;a distal end of the lever positioned proximate the end of the locking pin that engages said at least one of said plurality of elongated members when in the locked position. 2. The portable shelter framework of claim 1, wherein said lever further comprising a cam portion. 3. The portable shelter framework of claim 2, wherein said cam portion is configured to move said locking pin into and out of a first aperture of said at least one of said plurality of elongated members. 4. The portable shelter framework of claim 3, wherein said locking pin is biased to said locked position. 5. The portable shelter framework of claim 1, wherein, when in said locked position, said lever extends along a first vertical side of said sliding connector and along a second, adjacent vertical side of said sliding connector that is perpendicular to the first vertical side of said sliding connector. 6. A portable shelter framework comprising: a plurality of elongated members connected to each other so as to form a folded and an unfolded portable shelter framework;a sliding connector having a unitary body and a passageway through which at least one of said plurality of elongated members is inserted and longitudinally transposable;a locking pin having a stop at least partially located within said sliding connector, the stop abutting the sliding connector and preventing the locking pin from passing into the passageway;a spring positioned over the pin, a first end of the spring directly abutting the stop and a second end of the spring directly abutting the unitary body of the sliding connector; anda lever configured to move said locking pin into and out of an aperture of said at least one of said plurality of elongated members;wherein said lever is positioned in a generally horizontal orientation when said locking pin is positioned into said aperture and wherein said lever is positioned in a downward, non-horizontal position when said locking pin is positioned outside of said aperture. 7. The portable shelter framework of claim 6, wherein said lever includes a cam surface. 8. The portable shelter framework of claim 7, wherein said lever is pivotally connected to said locking pin. 9. The portable shelter framework of claim 7, wherein said cam surface comprises two parallel-spaced cam members. 10. The portable shelter framework of claim 7, wherein said cam surface abuts an outer surface of said sliding connector. 11. The portable shelter framework of claim 10, wherein said lever has a first positioned in which said cam surface positions said lever at a first distance from said sliding connector and wherein said lever has a second position in which said cam surface positions said lever at a second distance from said sliding connector. 12. The portable shelter framework of claim 11, wherein a spring biases said lever to said first position. 13. The portable shelter framework of claim 12, wherein said first position of said lever positions said locking pin at least partially within one of said plurality of elongated members, and wherein said second position of said lever positions said locking pin completely outside of said one of said plurality of elongated members. 14. The portable shelter framework of claim 6, wherein the spring biases said locking pin into said aperture of said at least one of said plurality of elongated members. 15. The portable shelter framework of claim 6, wherein said locking pin further comprises an angled tip portion. 16. The portable shelter framework of claim 6, wherein, when said locking pin is positioned in said aperture, said lever extends along only a first vertical side and a second, adjacent vertical side of said sliding connector that is perpendicular to the first vertical side. 17. A method of unlocking a portable shelter framework, comprising: pivoting a lever from a generally horizontal position downwards to a non-horizontal position so as to move a cam member to increase a distance between said sliding connector and said lever and to move a first end of a locking pin out of an aperture of one of a plurality of elongated leg members that form said portable shelter framework, an axis about which the lever pivots positioned proximate a second end of the locking pin that is opposite the first end of the locking pin;sliding a sliding connector longitudinally along a portion of said one of said plurality of elongated leg members independent of said one of said plurality of elongated leg members; andcollapsing said portable shelter framework. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein pivoting said lever comprises pivoting the lever from an initial position in which the lever extends along only a first vertical side and a second, adjacent vertical side of said sliding connector perpendicular to the first vertical side and a distal end of the lever is positioned proximate the first end of the locking pin. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein said sliding connector comprises a passage sized to allow movement of said locking pin.