IP Library Granted Patent US 7,725,965
Granted Patent B2
US 7,725,965 · App. 11/445,648 · Granted Jun 1, 2010

Portable structure having collapsible frame

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,725,965
App. No.
11/445,648
Granted
Jun 1, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A collapsible frame is movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The frame includes a first side support assembly and a second side support assembly. Each side support assembly includes a collapsible first support member including a first platform and a collapsible second support member coupled to the first support member at a plurality of pivot points. The second support member includes a support joint movable with respect to the first platform for facilitating moving the collapsible frame between the closed configuration and the open configuration.

Claims (45)

1. A collapsible frame movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, said frame comprising:

a first side support assembly;

a second side support assembly coupled to said first side support assembly, each of said first side support assembly and said second side support assembly extendable with respect to a longitudinal axis of symmetry of said collapsible frame such that said second side support assembly opposes said first side support assembly along the longitudinal axis of symmetry, each of said first side support assembly and said second side support assembly comprising:

a collapsible first support member including a first platform, said first support member comprising a first portion and a second portion, said first platform movably coupling said first portion to said second portion; and

a collapsible second support member comprising a third portion and a fourth portion, and a support joint movably coupling said third portion to said fourth portion, said third portion coupled to said first portion at a first pivot point of a plurality of pivot points and said fourth portion coupled to said second portion at a second pivot point of said plurality of pivot points, said first pivot point comprising a first collar slidably coupled about at least one of said first portion and said third portion, and said support joint movable with respect to said first platform for facilitating moving the collapsible frame between the closed configuration and the open configuration.

2. A collapsible frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein said frame is configured to move from the open configuration to the closed configuration when said support joint is moved outwardly with respect to said first platform.

3. A collapsible frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein said support joint defines an opening, said frame further comprising an extension member removably positioned within said opening.

4. A collapsible frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first portion defines a first end and an opposing second end, and said second portion defines a first end and an opposing second end, said first platform movably coupling said first portion first end to said second portion first end.

5. A collapsible frame in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a crossbar assembly, said crossbar assembly comprising:

a first crossbar pivotally coupled between said first portion of said first side support assembly and said third portion of said second side support assembly; and

a second crossbar pivotally coupled to said first crossbar and pivotally coupled between said third portion of said first side support assembly and said first portion of said second side support assembly.

6. A collapsible frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein said third portion defines a first end and an opposing second end, and said fourth portion defines a first end and an opposing second end, said support joint movably coupling said third portion first end to said fourth portion first end.

7. A collapsible frame in accordance with claim 6 further comprising a second platform coupled to said third portion second end and a third platform coupled to said fourth portion second end, said first platform, said second platform and said third platform coplanar with said frame in the open configuration.

8. A collapsible frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of said first portion, said second portion, said third portion and said fourth portion is arcuate.

9. A collapsible frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second pivot point further comprises a second collar slidably coupled about at least one of said second portion and said fourth portion.

10. A collapsible frame in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

a first support bar removably coupled between said first portion of said first side support assembly and said first portion of said second side support assembly; and

a second support bar removably coupled between said second portion of said first side support assembly and said second portion of said second side support assembly, said first support bar and said second support bar configured to support a flexible material piece therebetween.

11. A collapsible frame in accordance with claim 10 further comprising:

a void defined within each said first portion; and

a bracket removably positionable within said void, said bracket removably coupling said first support bar to each said first portion.

12. A collapsible frame in accordance with claim 10 further comprising:

a void defined within each said second portion; and

a bracket removably positionable within said void, said bracket removably coupling said second support bar to each said second portion.

13. A portable structure comprising:

a collapsible frame movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, said frame comprising a first side support assembly coupled to a second side support assembly, each of said first side support assembly and said second side support assembly extendable with respect to a longitudinal axis of symmetry of said collapsible frame such that said second side support assembly opposes said first side support assembly along the longitudinal axis of symmetry, each of said first side support assembly and said second side support assembly comprising:

a collapsible first support member including a first platform, said first support member comprising a first portion and a second portion, said first platform movably coupling said first portion to said second portion; and

a collapsible second support member comprising a third portion and a fourth portion, and a support joint movably coupling said third portion to said fourth portion, said third portion coupled to said first portion at a first pivot point of a plurality of pivot points and said fourth portion coupled to said second portion at a second pivot point of said plurality of pivot points, said first pivot point comprising a first collar slidably coupled about at least one of said first portion and said third portion, and said support joint movable with respect to said first platform for facilitating moving the collapsible frame between the closed configuration and the open configuration; and

a flexible material piece operatively coupled to each of said first side support assembly and said second side support assembly.

14. A portable structure in accordance with claim 13 further comprising a crossbar assembly, said crossbar assembly comprising:

a first crossbar pivotally coupled between said first portion of said first side support assembly and said third portion of said second side support assembly; and

a second crossbar pivotally coupled to said first crossbar and pivotally coupled between said third portion of said first side support assembly and said third portion of said second side support assembly.

15. A portable structure in accordance with claim 13 further comprising:

a first support bar removably coupled between said first portion of said first side support assembly and said first portion of said second side support assembly, a first end of said flexible material piece one of rotatably and fixedly coupled to said first support bar; and

a second support bar removably coupled between said second portion of said first side support assembly and said second portion of said second side support assembly, a second end of said flexible material piece one of rotatably and fixedly coupled to said second support bar, said first support bar and said second support bar configured to support said flexible material piece therebetween.

16. A portable structure in accordance with claim 15 further comprising:

a first void defined within each said first portion;

a first bracket removably positionable within said first void, said first bracket removably coupling said first support bar to each said first portion;

a second void defined within each said second portion; and

a second bracket removably positionable within said second void, said second bracket removably coupling said second support bar to each said second portion.

17. A portable structure in accordance with claim 13 wherein said support joint defines an opening, said frame further comprising an extension member removably positioned within said opening.

18. A portable structure in accordance with claim 17 further comprising a planar surface coupled to said extension member and configured for supporting objects.

19. A method for collapsing a portable structure, the structure movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, said method comprising:

providing a collapsible frame in the open configuration configured to support a flexible material piece, the collapsible frame comprising a first side support assembly coupled to a second side support assembly, each of said first side support assembly and said second side support assembly extendable with respect to a longitudinal axis of symmetry of said collapsible frame such that said second side support assembly opposes said first side support assembly along the longitudinal axis of symmetry, each of the first side support assembly and the second side support assembly comprising a collapsible first support member including a first platform, the first support member comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first platform movably coupling the first portion to the second portion, and a collapsible second support member comprising a third portion and a fourth portion, and a support joint movably coupling the third portion to the fourth portion, the third portion coupled to the first portion at a first pivot point of a plurality of pivot points and the fourth portion coupled to the second portion at a second pivot point of the plurality of pivot points, and the first pivot point comprising a first collar slidably coupled about at least one of the first portion and the third portion; and

urging the support joint outwardly with respect to the first platform for facilitating moving the collapsible frame from the open configuration to the closed configuration.

Assignments (4)
BILL OF SALE Recorded Jan 24, 2013
From: ARMSTRONG TEASDALE LLP
To: SEINA INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 029692/0447 →
COURT APPOINTMENT OF RECEIVER Recorded Aug 16, 2012
From: NORTH POLE US, LLC
To: BOSWORTH, TONY
Reel/Frame 028795/0676 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 3, 2012
From: NORTH POLE US, LLC
To: ARMSTRONG TEASDALE LLP
Reel/Frame 028147/0916 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 11, 2010
From: SANFORD-SCHWENTKE, ANTHONY
To: NORTH POLE US, LLC
Reel/Frame 024363/0900 →