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  Collapsible structuresRelated 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 UnitThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070039640. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to collapsible structures, and in particular, to modifications and additions to currently-known collapsible structures to enhance the utility and variety of use for these collapsible structures. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] There are presently many collapsible structures that are being provided for use by children and adults. Examples of these collapsible structures are illustrated in the following patents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,954 (Zheng), U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,772 (Zheng), U.S. Pat. No. 5,778,915 (Zheng), U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,794 (Zheng), U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,101 (Zheng), U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,446 (Zheng), U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,634 (McLeese), U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,592 (Norman), U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,533 (Ziglar), U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,188 (Kellogg et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,812 (Norman), among others. These collapsible structures are supported by one or more frame members that can be twisted and folded to reduce the overall size of the structure. These collapsible structures can be used in a wide variety of applications, such as containers, tents, play structures, executive toys, shelters, sports structures, and others. As a result, collapsible structures have become very popular. [0005] Even though these collapsible structures exhibit surprising versatility in their utility and wide-ranging applications, the consumer is always demanding greater enhancements, better and more features, added convenience, and other related factors. Thus, there remains a need to provide collapsible structures that have increased variety of play, entertainment value, and utility. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE [0006] The present invention provides collapsible structures that provide additional panels and other features to known collapsible structures in order to improve the variety of play, entertainment value, and utility of these collapsible structures. These collapsible structures can be easily and quickly folded and collapsed into a compact configuration. [0007] In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, the collapsible structures according to the present invention include one or more add-on panels that are coupled to the underlying collapsible structure to improve the variety of play, entertainment value, and utility of these collapsible structures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional collapsible structure; [0009] FIG. 1A is a partial cut-away view of the section A of the structure of FIG. 1 illustrating a frame member retained within a sleeve; [0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a collapsible structure according to one embodiment of the present invention; [0011] FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of a collapsible structure according to another embodiment of the present invention; [0012] FIGS. 5(A) through 5(E) illustrate how the collapsible structure of FIG. 1 may be twisted and folded for compact storage; [0013] FIGS. 6-8 are perspective views of collapsible structures according to other embodiments of the present invention; [0014] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the construction of the overlapping panels in FIG. 8; [0015] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a collapsible structure according to another embodiment of the present invention; [0016] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate how the structure of FIG. 11 may be twisted and folded for compact storage; [0017] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a collapsible structure according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; [0018] FIGS. 15, 16 and 18 illustrate modifications that can be made to the collapsible structure of FIG. 14; [0019] FIG. 17 illustrates how the structure of FIG. 16 may be twisted and folded for compact storage; [0020] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the frame member for a conventional figure-eight collapsible structure; [0021] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a conventional figure-eight collapsible structure incorporating the frame member of FIG. 19; Continue reading... Full patent description for Collapsible structures Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Collapsible structures 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 structures or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Portable ballistic shelter system and device Next Patent Application: Cobalt oxide thermoelectric compositions and uses thereof Industry Class: Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Collapsible structures patent info. 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