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  Collapsible shade structureUSPTO Application #: 20070062570Title: Collapsible shade structure Abstract: A collapsible shade structure includes a plurality of foldable frame members each having a folded and an unfolded orientation. A fabric material is provided for substantially covering the frame members to form a side panel for each frame member, each side panel assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member. Interconnecting portions of the fabric material form a hinge portion between each frame member. Alternatively, frame retaining sleeve portions may be used to interconnect and retain two or more frame members from two or more adjacent side panels and to act as hinge portions. The structure may be folded and stored by folding the side panels and their corresponding frame members on top of each other about the hinge portions to have the side panels and frame members overlying each other. The overlaying side panels and frame members are then collapsed by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric frame members and side panels to substantially reduce the size of the shade structure. (end of abstract)
Agent: Raymond Sun Law Offices Of Raymond Sun - Tustin, CA, US Inventor: Yu Zheng USPTO Applicaton #: 20070062570 - Class: 135126000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Tent, Canopy, Umbrella, Or Cane, Portable Shelter (i.e., Tent Or Canopy), Framework, Arch-shaped Or Dome Type, Flexible Structure, Collapsible As A Unit The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070062570. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED CASE [0001] This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending Ser. No. 07/764,784, entitled "Collapsible Shade Structure", filed Sep. 24, 1991, which is incorporated by this reference as though set forth fully herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to collapsible shade structures and specifically to collapsible or folding tents. The shade structure of the present invention provides an integral structure capable of supporting itself to act as a shelter. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] Prior art collapsible shade structures have suffered from several drawbacks. One drawback with such collapsible shade structures is the difficulty associated with erecting and stably supporting such structures. Another drawback associated with these prior art collapsible shade structures is that the construction of such structures tends to be complicated and bulky. As a result, such structures are expensive to manufacture and are troublesome to fold away and to store. [0006] A further drawback of such prior art collapsible shade structures is that the frame structure itself tends to be weak even after it has been erected, and often requires other means to provide the required structural integrity. Examples of such structures are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,990,463 and 3,960,161, both of which disclose collapsible shelters each having a flexible and coilable frame member secured to the fabric of the structure and held in a "figure-eight" configuration. Tie members secured to portions of the fabric are required to stabilize the frame and to hold the frame and the remainder of the structure upright because the frame member alone cannot accomplish this. [0007] Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,812, which discloses a collapsible shelter in which the frame members as configured cannot hold the side panels together because the side panels tend to stretch outwardly. Hence, a floor member or straps are required to hold the side panels together. [0008] The various existing collapsible shade structures have not been successful in providing a simple structure which is inexpensive to manufacture, is easy to erect, and may be easily folded to a compact size, in which the structure when erected is capable of stably supporting itself. The present invention, therefore, provides for an improvement over the prior art collapsible shade structures and provides a collapsible shade structure with a novel frame structure in which the structure when erected is capable of stably supporting itself, and which also allows the collapsible shade structure to be of simple construction, to be easily erected and to be easily folded to a compact size. The present invention further includes improvements to the retention of the frame members which make the structure easier and less expensive to manufacture, and easier to operate. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE [0009] In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, the collapsible shade structure is made of a plurality of foldable frame members each having a folded and an unfolded orientation. Three or more of such frame members are configured to form an interior space. A fabric material is provided which substantially covers the frame members to form a side panel for each frame member, each side panel assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member. Interconnecting portions of the fabric material form a hinge portion between each frame member. A roof formed from the fabric material interconnects the upper portions of the side panels. [0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, a separate retaining sleeve is provided for each frame member. In another embodiment, a retaining sleeve may be used to hold two or more frame members, so that interconnecting portions of the fabric are not needed to act as hinge portions. This retaining sleeve thereby acts as a hinge portion interconnecting adjacent side panels, which makes the structure easier to manufacture, and easier to fold and collapse. [0011] When the structure is to be folded and stored, the side panels and their corresponding frame members may be folded on top of each other about the hinge portions to have the side panels and frame members overlaying each other. The overlying side panels and frame members are then collapsed by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric frame members and side panels to substantially reduce the size of the shade structure in the folded orientation. [0012] The collapsible shade structure may be used as a shelter affording a camper, for example, the convenience of a tent which may be easily erected and easily collapsed and folded to a compact arrangement that is a fraction of its unfolded size for easy storage. The materials used are lightweight, and together with its compact size, the tent is very convenient to transport. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] Further objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the collapsible shade structure having four triangular side panels; [0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the internal frame structure of the collapsible shade structure of FIG. 1; [0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view partially broken away showing the vent of the collapsible shade structure of FIG. 1 in an open position; [0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the vent of FIG. 3 in a closed position; [0018] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the vent of FIG. 3 in an open position; [0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a roof which may be used with the collapsible shade structure of FIG. 1; [0020] FIG. 7 is a second embodiment of the collapsible shade structure having six side panels; Continue reading... Full patent description for Collapsible shade structure Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Collapsible shade structure patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Collapsible shade structure or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: One-touch type foldable tent frame Next Patent Application: Method of preparing a thermoelectric material, method of forming a thermoelectric device, and method of fabricating a thermoelectric module Industry Class: Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Collapsible shade structure patent info. 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