Collapsible structures
Collapsible structures are disclosed having a central panel, a first support panel disengageably connected to the left side of the central panel, and a second support panel disengageably connected to the right side of the central panel. Each of the central panel and support panels includes a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material substantially covering the frame member.
1. A collapsible structure disposed on the surface of a body of water, comprising:
a panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material covering the frame member, the frame member defining a plane that is perpendicular to the surface of the body of water; and
a flotation structure connected to the panel;
wherein the frame member is folded to the folded orientation by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings of the frame member.
2. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the frame member defines a generally flat annular shape in the unfolded orientation.
3. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the flotation structure comprises a pair of flotation devices.
4. The structure of claim 3 , wherein the panel includes a left side and a right side, and wherein the flotation devices are connected to the left and right sides of the panel.
5. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the panel is a single panel.
6. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the panel has a frame retaining sleeve for retaining the frame member.
7. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the fabric material extends in a flat planar configuration when the frame member is in its unfolded orientation.
8. A collapsible structure disposed on the surface of a body of water comprising:
a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation;
a fabric material covering the frame member to define a foldable panel, the panel having a folded and unfolded orientation corresponding to the folded and unfolded orientation of the frame member, the frame member defining a plane that is perpendicular to the surface of the body of water; and
a flotation structure connected to the panel to allow the panel to float on water in its unfolded orientation;
wherein the frame member is folded to the folded orientation by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings of the frame member.
9. The structure of claim 8 , wherein the panel has a generally flat configuration in the unfolded orientation.
10. The structure of claim 8 , wherein the flotation structure comprises a pair of flotation devices that are connected to the panel through a pair of base panel members and a pair of support panel members.
11. The structure of claim 8 , wherein the frame member defines a generally flat annular shape in the unfolded orientation.
12. The structure of claim 8 , wherein the fabric material extends in a flat planar configuration when the frame member is in its unfolded orientation.
13. The structure of claim 8 , wherein the panel has a frame retaining sleeve for retaining the frame member.
14. The structure of claim 8 , wherein the flotation structure comprises a pair of buoyant members.
15. The structure of claim 8 , wherein the flotation structure comprises a pair of base panel members, a pair of support panel members and a pair of buoyant members.