U.S. patent application number 10/847831 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-23 for fastener for assembling connecting parts of a collapsible canopy frame.
Invention is credited to Seo, Dong Woog.
Application Number | 20040255997 10/847831 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33516341 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040255997 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Seo, Dong Woog |
December 23, 2004 |
Fastener for assembling connecting parts of a collapsible canopy
frame
Abstract
A collapsible canopy frame is provided that includes a first
collapsible canopy frame component; a second collapsible canopy
frame component; and a fastener connecting the first collapsible
canopy frame component to the second collapsible canopy frame
component. The first collapsible canopy frame component and the
second collapsible canopy frame component each define at least one
opening aligned with each other. The fastener includes a body
portion that extends through the openings in the first and second
collapsible canopy frame components; a head portion at a first end
of the fastener that laterally extends from the body portion to
abut a first outer surface the first collapsible canopy frame
component; and a locking portion at a second end of the fastener
including at least one shoulder that laterally extends from the
body portion to abut a second outer surface of the first
collapsible canopy frame component to connect the first collapsible
canopy frame component to the second collapsible canopy frame
component.
Inventors: |
Seo, Dong Woog; (Taegu,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTIE, PARKER & HALE, LLP
PO BOX 7068
PASADENA
CA
91109-7068
US
|
Family ID: |
33516341 |
Appl. No.: |
10/847831 |
Filed: |
May 18, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/131 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 15/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/131 |
International
Class: |
E04H 015/58; E04H
015/38; E04H 015/50 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 19, 2003 |
KR |
20-2003-0019422 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A collapsible canopy frame comprising: a first collapsible
canopy frame component; a second collapsible canopy frame
component; and a fastener connecting the first collapsible canopy
frame component to the second collapsible canopy frame component,
wherein the first collapsible canopy frame component and the second
collapsible canopy frame component each define at least one opening
aligned with each other, and wherein the fastener comprises: a body
portion that extends through each said opening, a head portion at a
first end of the fastener that laterally extends from the body
portion to abut a first outer surface of the first collapsible
canopy frame component, and a locking portion at a second end of
the fastener comprising at least one shoulder that laterally
extends from the body portion to abut a second outer surface of the
first and collapsible canopy frame component to connect the first
collapsible canopy frame component to the second collapsible canopy
frame component.
2. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 1, wherein the locking
portion comprises spaced apart first and second arms that each
define a corresponding one of said at least one shoulder.
3. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 2, wherein the first and
second arms are movable towards each other.
4. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 2, wherein the first and
second arms each comprise a flexible, resilient material with shape
memory.
5. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 3, wherein the body
portion has a generally smooth outer surface.
6. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 3, wherein each arm
comprises an angled portion that extends from a tip of the locking
portion to an edge of a corresponding one of the shoulders to form
a ramp.
7. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 1, wherein the first
collapsible canopy frame component is a mounting bracket attached
to a side pole of the collapsible canopy frame and the second
collapsible canopy frame component is an edge scissor assembly.
8. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 1, wherein the first
collapsible canopy frame component is an edge scissor assembly
mounting bracket and the second collapsible canopy frame component
is an edge scissor assembly.
9. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 1, wherein the first
collapsible canopy frame component is an edge scissor assembly
mounting bracket and the second collapsible canopy frame component
is an inner scissor assembly.
10. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 1, wherein the first
collapsible canopy frame component is a mounting bracket attached
to a center pole of the collapsible canopy frame and the second
collapsible canopy frame component is an inner scissor
assembly.
11. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 1, wherein the head
portion is contained within a recess formed in said first outer
surface.
12. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 1, wherein the locking
portion is contained within a recess formed in said second outer
surface.
13. A collapsible canopy frame comprising: a scissor assembly; a
mounting bracket; and a fastener pivotally connecting the scissor
assembly to the mounting bracket, wherein the scissor assembly and
the mounting bracket each define at least one opening aligned with
each other, and wherein the fastener comprises: a body portion that
extends through each said opening, a head portion at a first end of
the fastener that laterally extends from the body portion to abut a
first outer surface of the mounting bracket, and a locking portion
at a second end of the fastener comprising spaced apart first and
second arms each having a shoulder that laterally extends from the
body portion to abut a second outer surface of the mounting bracket
to pivotally connect the scissor assembly to the mounting
bracket.
14. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 13, wherein the first and
second arms are movable towards each other.
15. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 13, wherein the first and
second arms each comprise a flexible, resilient material with shape
memory.
16. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 14, wherein the body
portion has a generally smooth outer surface.
17. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 14, wherein each arm
comprises an angled portion that extends from a tip of the locking
portion to an edge of a corresponding one of the shoulders to form
a ramp.
18. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 13, wherein the mounting
bracket is attached to a side pole of the collapsible canopy frame
and the scissor assembly is an edge scissor assembly.
19. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 13, wherein the mounting
bracket is an edge scissor assembly mounting bracket and the
scissor assembly is an edge scissor assembly.
20. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 13, wherein the mounting
bracket is an edge scissor assembly mounting bracket and the
scissor assembly is an inner scissor assembly.
21. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 13, wherein the mounting
bracket is attached to a center pole of the collapsible canopy
frame and the scissor assembly is an inner scissor assembly.
22. A collapsible canopy frame comprising: a scissor assembly; a
mounting bracket comprising first and second arms separated by a
channel that receives an end of the scissor assembly; and a
fastener pivotally connecting the scissor assembly to the mounting
bracket, wherein the scissor assembly and the mounting bracket arms
each define an opening, and wherein the fastener comprises: a body
portion that extends through each said opening, a head portion at a
first end of the fastener that laterally extends from the body
portion to abut an outer surface of the first mounting bracket arm,
and a locking portion at a second end of the fastener comprising
spaced apart first and second arms each having a shoulder that
laterally extends from the body portion to abut an outer surface of
the second mounting bracket arm to pivotally connect the scissor
assembly to the mounting bracket.
23. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 22, wherein the mounting
bracket is attached to a side pole of the collapsible canopy frame
and the scissor assembly is an edge scissor assembly.
24. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 22, wherein the mounting
bracket is an edge scissor assembly mounting bracket and the
scissor assembly is an edge scissor assembly.
25. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 22, wherein the mounting
bracket is an edge scissor assembly mounting bracket and the
scissor assembly is an inner scissor assembly.
26. The collapsible canopy frame of claim 22, wherein the mounting
bracket is attached to a center pole of the collapsible canopy
frame and the scissor assembly is an inner scissor assembly.
27. A method of assembling a first collapsible canopy frame
component to a second collapsible canopy frame component
comprising: providing a first collapsible canopy frame component
with at least one opening; providing a second collapsible canopy
frame component with at least one opening; inserting a fastener
into said opening such that: a body portion of the fastener extends
through each said opening; a head portion at a first end of the
fastener laterally extends from the body portion to abut a first
outer surface of the first collapsible canopy frame component; and
a locking portion at a second end of the fastener defines at least
one shoulder that laterally extends from the body portion to abut a
second outer surface of the first collapsible canopy frame
component to connect the first collapsible canopy frame component
to the second collapsible canopy frame component.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the locking portion of the
fastener has spaced apart first and second arms that each define a
corresponding one of said at least one shoulder, such that the
first and second arms move towards each other during said
inserting.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein each of the first and second
arms has a ramp that extends from a tip of the locking portion to
an edge of a corresponding one of the shoulders, such that an
application of an external force on said ramp allows the first and
second arms to move towards each other.
30. The method of claim 27, further comprising forming the body
portion of the fastener with a generally smooth outer surface.
31. The method of claim 27, wherein the first collapsible canopy
frame component is a side pole mounting bracket and the second
collapsible canopy frame component is an edge scissor assembly.
32. The method of claim 27, wherein the first collapsible canopy
frame component is an edge scissor assembly mounting bracket and
the second collapsible canopy frame component is an edge scissor
assembly.
33. The method of claim 27, wherein the first collapsible canopy
frame component is an edge scissor assembly mounting bracket and
the second collapsible canopy frame component is an inner scissor
assembly.
34. The method of claim 27, wherein the first collapsible canopy
frame component is a center pole mounting bracket and the second
collapsible canopy frame component is an inner scissor assembly.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of
Korean Utility Model Application No. 20-2003-0019422 filed on Jun.
19, 2003 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, now registered
as Utility Model Registration No. 2003-25663-0000 on Aug. 26, 2003,
the entire content of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a fastener for assembling
connecting parts of a collapsible canopy frame and to a method of
assembling connecting parts of a collapsible canopy frame.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Conventional collapsible canopy frames typically include
multiple side poles disposed in a predetermined configuration.
Typically each pair of adjacent side poles is connected and
supported by an edge scissor assembly. Each edge scissor assembly
is hingedly coupled to corresponding side poles through mounting
brackets on the side poles. Typically nut and bolt combinations are
utilized for such hinged couplings of the edge scissor assemblies
to the mounting brackets.
[0004] For example, such a coupling is typically formed by
inserting an end of an edge scissor assembly into a channel formed
in the mounting bracket; aligning respective holes in the mounting
bracket and the end of the edge scissor assembly; inserting a bolt
through the respective holes in the mounting bracket and the end of
the edge scissor assembly; and threadingly connecting a nut to the
bolt until a desired tightness is achieved. However, this process
is undesirably time consuming. In addition, it is often difficult
for the assembler to determine how tightly the nut is to be fitted
to the bolt, often relying on his personal experience and judgment.
Accordingly, a need exists for an improved fastener and method for
assembling connecting parts of a collapsible canopy frame.
SUMMARY
[0005] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
collapsible canopy frame that includes a first collapsible canopy
frame component; a second collapsible canopy frame component; and a
fastener connecting the first collapsible canopy frame component to
the second collapsible canopy frame component, is provided. The
first collapsible canopy frame component and the second collapsible
canopy frame component each define at least one opening aligned
with each other. The fastener includes a body portion that extends
through the openings in the first and second collapsible canopy
frame components; a head portion at a first end of the fastener
that laterally extends from the body portion to abut a first outer
surface of the first collapsible canopy frame component; and a
locking portion at a second end of the fastener including at least
one shoulder that laterally extends from the body portion to abut a
second outer surface of the first collapsible canopy frame
component to connect the first collapsible canopy frame component
to the second collapsible canopy frame component.
[0006] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
collapsible canopy frame that includes a scissor assembly; a
mounting bracket; and a fastener pivotally connecting the scissor
assembly to the mounting bracket, is provided. The scissor assembly
and the mounting bracket each define at least one opening aligned
with each other. The fastener includes a body portion that extends
through the openings in the scissor assembly and the mounting
bracket; a head portion at a first end of the fastener that
laterally extends from the body portion to abut a first outer
surface of the mounting bracket; and a locking portion at a second
end of the fastener including spaced apart first and second arms
each having a shoulder that laterally extends from the body portion
to abut a second outer surface of the mounting bracket to pivotally
connect the scissor assembly to the mounting bracket.
[0007] In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a collapsible canopy frame that includes a scissor
assembly; a mounting bracket having first and second arms separated
by a channel that receives an end of the scissor assembly; and a
fastener pivotally connecting the scissor assembly to the mounting
bracket, is provided. The scissor assembly and the mounting bracket
arms each define an opening. The fastener includes a body portion
that extends through the openings in the scissor assembly and the
mounting bracket arms; a head portion at a first end of the
fastener that laterally extends from the body portion to abut an
outer surface the first mounting bracket arm; and a locking portion
at a second end of the fastener including spaced apart first and
second arms each having a shoulder that laterally extends from the
body portion to abut an outer surface of the second mounting
bracket arm to pivotally connect the scissor assembly to the
mounting bracket.
[0008] In still another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a method of assembling a first collapsible canopy frame
component to a second collapsible canopy frame component is
provided. The method includes providing a first collapsible canopy
frame component with at least one opening; providing a second
collapsible canopy frame component with at least one opening; and
inserting a fastener into the openings of the first and second
collapsible canopy frame components such that: a body portion of
the fastener extends through the openings in the first and second
collapsible canopy frame components; a head portion at a first end
of the fastener laterally extends from the body portion to abut a
first outer surface of the first collapsible canopy frame
component; and a locking portion at a second end of the fastener
defines at least one shoulder that laterally extends from the body
portion to abut a second outer surface of the first collapsible
canopy frame component to connect the first collapsible canopy
frame component to the second collapsible canopy frame
component.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Novel features in exemplary embodiments of the present
invention will be better understood by reference to the following
detailed description when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible canopy frame
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
shown in an expanded position;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of an upper side pole
mounting bracket of the collapsible canopy frame of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the upper side pole
mounting bracket taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fastener for assembling
connecting parts of the collapsible canopy frame of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of upper and lower
side pole mounting brackets of the collapsible canopy frame of FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of upper and lower
edge scissor assembly mounting brackets of the collapsible canopy
frame of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of upper and lower
center pole mounting brackets of the collapsible canopy frame of
FIG. 1; and
[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the collapsible canopy frame
of FIG. 1, shown in a retracted position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1-8, the present invention is directed to
a fastener for assembling connecting parts of a collapsible canopy
frame and to a method of assembling connecting parts of a
collapsible canopy frame.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a collapsible canopy frame 10 according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the
collapsible canopy frame 10 includes four side poles 12 arranged in
a generally rectangular or square configuration. In other
embodiments, however, the collapsible canopy frame 10 may include
any appropriate number of side poles 12 arranged in any appropriate
configuration, such as pentagonal, hexagonal or octagonal, among
other appropriate configurations.
[0020] Each pair of adjacent side poles 12 is connected to and
supported by an edge scissor assembly 16. In the depicted
embodiment, each edge scissor assembly 16 includes two scissor
units 24. However, in other embodiments, each edge scissor assembly
16 may include any appropriate number of scissor units 24. Each
scissor unit 24 includes two hingedly connected truss bars 26 that
move about a pivot 28 in a scissor-like manner between an expanded
position and a retracted position.
[0021] Each end of each edge scissor assembly 16 is connected to a
corresponding one of the side poles 12. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
each side pole 12 includes a side pole upper mounting bracket 30
and a side pole lower mounting bracket 32. In one embodiment, each
upper mounting bracket 30 is fixedly mounted at a top end of a
corresponding one of the side poles 12 and each lower mounting
bracket 32 is disposed in surrounding relation to a corresponding
one of the side poles 12 and is slidably mounted thereon.
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper mounting bracket 30
includes a first mounting arm 34 and a second mounting arm 36
separated by a channel 40. The channel 40 receives an end of a
corresponding one of the edge scissor assemblies 16. Specifically,
the channel 40 receives an end of one of the truss bars 26 of one
of the scissor units 24 of a corresponding edge scissor assembly
16. As shown in FIG. 3, the truss bar 26 includes an opening 42
that is aligned with openings 44 and 46 in the first and second
mounting arms 34 and 36, respectively, of the upper mounting
bracket 30.
[0023] As described below, the fastener 50 is inserted through the
openings 42, 44 and 46 in the upper mounting bracket arms 34 and 36
and the truss bar 26, respectively, to pivotally connect the truss
bar 26, and hence the edge scissor assembly 16, to the upper
mounting bracket 30.
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the fastener 50 includes a head
portion 52 at one end thereof, a locking portion 54 at another end
of thereof, and a body portion 56 extending between the head and
the locking portion 54. The body portion 56 has a generally smooth
outer surface. In the depicted embodiment, the head portion 52 is
concentric with the body portion 56, which is generally cylindrical
in shape. In this embodiment, the diameter of the head portion 52
is larger than the body portion 56, such that the head portion 52
laterally extends from the body portion 56. In other embodiments
the head and body portions 52 and 56 may have shapes other than
those shown in the depicted embodiments as long as the head portion
52 is larger than, and/or laterally protrudes from the body portion
56.
[0025] The locking portion 54 includes a first locking arm 60 and a
second locking arm 62 separated by a channel 64. As shown for
example in FIG. 4, the channel 64 extends from an end of the
locking portion 54 and into the body portion 56 of the fastener 50.
The channel 64 enables the locking arms 60 and 62 to be bent
inwardly towards each other when an external force is applied
thereto. As such, in one embodiment, the fastener 50 is composed of
a material that is flexible enough to allow the locking arms 60 and
62 to bend inwardly towards each other when an external force is
applied thereto, but resilient enough and including a sufficient
shape memory to return to the locking arms 60 and 62 to their
original positions when the external force is released. In an
exemplary embodiment, the fastener 50 is composed of a polymeric
material, such as a plastic material. However in other embodiments,
the fastener may be composed of other suitable materials having the
above described properties, such as a metal material or a composite
material among other suitable materials.
[0026] As is also shown in FIG. 4, the first and second locking
arms 60 and 62 each include a ramp 66 that angles radially
outwardly from the end of the locking portion 54 of the fastener 50
towards the body portion 56 of the fastener 50. The first and
second locking arms 60 and 62 also each form a shoulder 68 that
laterally extends from the body portion 56 of the fastener 50.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, when it is desired to assemble an edge
scissor assembly 16 to a side pole upper mounting bracket 30, an
end of a truss bar 26 of one of the scissor units 24 of a desired
edge scissor assembly 16 is inserted into the channel 40 of the
upper mounting bracket 30, such that the opening 42 in the truss
bar 26 is aligned with the openings 44 and 46 in the mounting arms
34 and 36. The fastener 50 is then inserted in the direction of
arrow 61 into the openings 42, 44 and 46.
[0028] The ramps 66 of the fastener 50 facilitate insertion of the
fastener 50 into the openings 42, 44 and 46. As shown, the openings
42, 44 and 46 are smaller than the overall outer perimeter formed
by the first and second locking arms 60 and 62. As such, sidewalls
of the mounting arms 34 and 36 and the truss bar 26 compress the
locking arms 60 and 62 inwardly towards each other (see the dashed
representation of the fastener 50 in FIG. 3) as the fastener 50
passes therethrough.
[0029] As the fastener 50 passes through the openings 42, 44 and
46, the head portion 52 of the fastener 50 may be pressed in the
direction of arrow 61 until the head portion 52 of the fastener 50,
which is larger than the opening 46 in the second mounting arm 36,
abuts an outer surface 70 of the second mounting arm 36
[0030] During this motion, the locking arms 60 and 62 traverse each
of the openings 42, 44 and 46. When the locking arms 60 and 62 have
traversed the opening 44 in the first mounting arm 34, the
resiliency of the fastener 50 allows the locking arms 60 and 62 to
move outwardly away from each other, such that the shoulders 68 of
the locking arms 60 and 62 abut an outer surface 72 of the first
mounting arm 34 to lock the truss bar 26, and hence the edge
scissor assembly 16, to the upper mounting bracket 30.
[0031] It should be noted that although the mounting arms 34 and 36
are depicted as being disposed in surrounding relation to the truss
bar 26, in alternative embodiments the mounting bracket may include
only one mounting arm and the truss bar may be mounted adjacently
to the single mounting arm. In such a case the fastener extends
between an outer surface of the truss bar and an outer surface of
the single mounting arm. In another alternative embodiment, the
mounting bracket includes a single mounting arm and the truss bar
includes two arms in surrounding relation to the single mounting
arm. In such a case, the fastener extends between outer surfaces of
the two truss bar arms. In each of the above described embodiments,
the surface that receives the fastener ends may be recessed to
protect the fastener against inadvertent disengagement with the
mounting bracket.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the locking arms 60
and 62 are contained within a recess 80 in the first mounting arm
34. Such a positioning of the locking arms 60 and 62 reduces the
likelihood of an inadvertent compression of the locking arms 60 and
62 towards each other which could lead to a disengagement of the
fastener 50 with the upper mounting bracket 30. Similarly, in one
embodiment, the head portion 52 of the fastener 50 is contained
within a recess 82 in the second mounting arm 36.
[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the side pole upper mounting
bracket 30 may include more than one set of mounting arms 34 and 36
separated by the channel 40 for receiving the truss bar 26 of
another one of the edge scissor assemblies 16 to pivotally mount a
desired one of the edge scissor assemblies 16 to the upper mounting
bracket 30 by the fastener 50 as described above. In the depicted
embodiment, one set of mounting arms is offset by another set of
mounting arms by approximately 90.degree.. However, this offset
angle can vary depending on the desired overall configuration of
the collapsible canopy frame 10.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 5, the side pole lower mounting bracket 32
includes mounting arms 134 and 136 separated by a channel 140
(similar to the mounting arms 34 and 36 and channel 40 described
above) for receiving the truss bar 26 of one of the edge scissor
assemblies 16 to pivotally mount a desired one of the edge scissor
assemblies 16 to the lower mounting bracket 30 by the fastener 50
as described above with respect to mounting the edge scissor
assembly 16 to the upper mounting bracket 30. As with the upper
mounting bracket 30, the lower mounting bracket may contain more
than one set of mounting arms offset from each other by a desired
offset angle depending on the desired overall configuration of the
collapsible canopy frame 10.
[0035] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, each side pole lower
mounting bracket 32 includes a push/pull pin assembly 49, having a
push/pull pin 51 that is spring biased towards the side pole 12.
The push/pull pin 51 releasably engages the side pole 12, thereby
allowing the height of the lower mounting bracket 32 to be adjusted
relative to the side pole 12. An exemplary push/pull pin assembly
49 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,656, which is herein
incorporated by reference.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the ends of adjacent scissor units 24 in
each edge scissor assembly 16 are pivotally mounted to an edge
scissor assembly upper mounting bracket 90 and an edge scissor
assembly lower mounting bracket 92. The upper and lower mounting
brackets 90 and 92 each include mounting arms 234/334 and 236/336
separated by a channel 240/340 (similar to the mounting arms 34 and
36 and channel 40 described above) for receiving the truss bar 26
of one of the adjacent scissor units 24 to pivotally mount the
desired scissor unit 24 to the upper and lower mounting brackets 90
and 92, respectively, by the fastener 50 as described above with
respect to mounting the edge scissor assembly 16 to the side pole
upper mounting bracket 30. The upper and lower mounting brackets 90
and 92 each contain one set of mounting arms offset from another
set of mounting arms, such that each set of mounting arms receives
a corresponding one of adjacent scissor units 24.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, each edge scissor assembly 16 is coupled
to and supports a center pole 18 through an inner scissor assembly
20. The center pole 18 is disposed generally at the center of the
collapsible canopy frame 10 and has a head member 22, such as a
convex shaped head member, which supports a canopy cover (not
shown). Similar to the edge scissor assembly 16, the inner scissor
assembly 20 includes one of more scissor units 24 each having two
hingedly connected truss bars 26 that move about a pivot 28 in a
scissor-like manner between an expanded position and a retracted
position.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 6, each upper and lower mounting bracket 90
and 92 also includes mounting arms 234'/334' and 236'/336'
separated by a channel 240'/340' (similar to the mounting arms 34
and 36 and channel 40 described above) for receiving the truss bar
26 one of the inner scissor assemblies 20 to pivotally connect a
desired one of the inner scissor assembly 20 to a corresponding
edge scissor assembly 16 through the upper and lower mounting
brackets 90 and 92 by the fastener 50 as described above with
respect to mounting the edge scissor assembly 16 to the side pole
upper mounting bracket 30.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, an end of each inner scissor assembly 20
is connected to the center pole 18 by upper and lower center pole
mounting brackets 108 and 110. As shown in FIG. 7, the upper and
lower center pole mounting brackets 108 and 110 each include
mounting arms 534/634 and 536/636 separated by a channel 540/640
(similar to the mounting arms 34 and 36 and channel 40 described
above) for receiving the truss bar 26 of a desired one of the inner
scissor assemblies 20 to pivotally connect the inner scissor
assembly 20 to the center pole 18 the fastener 50 as described
above with respect to mounting the edge scissor assembly 16 to the
side pole upper mounting bracket 30. The upper and lower center
pole mounting brackets 108 and 110 may contain more than one set of
mounting arms offset from each other by a desired offset angle
depending on the desired overall configuration of the collapsible
canopy frame 10
[0040] In one embodiment, the lower center pole mounting bracket
110 is fixedly mounted at a bottom end of the center pole 18 and
the upper center pole mounting bracket 108 is disposed in
surrounding relation to the center pole 18 and is slidably mounted
thereon.
[0041] When the collapsible canopy frame 10 according to the
present invention is constructed as described above, the
collapsible canopy frame 10 is moveable between an expanded
position (forming a stable portable structure as shown in FIG. 1),
and a retracted position (forming a compacted structure for ease of
transport as shown in FIG. 8.)
[0042] It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art
that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The
present invention is therefore considered in all respects to be
illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is
indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that come within
the meaning and range of equivalents thereof are intended to be
embraced therein.
* * * * *