U.S. patent application number 11/219155 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-16 for atmospheric protection device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Royal Blue, LLC. Invention is credited to Christopher J. Romano.
Application Number | 20060054208 11/219155 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36032585 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060054208 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Romano; Christopher J. |
March 16, 2006 |
Atmospheric protection device
Abstract
An atmospheric protection device includes a frame comprising a
base, at least two mounting devices mounted to the base, and a
plurality of support members releasably attached to each of the
mounting devices; and a cover releasably attached to the frame.
Inventors: |
Romano; Christopher J.;
(Newtown, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BACHMAN & LAPOINTE, P.C.
900 CHAPEL STREET
SUITE 1201
NEW HAVEN
CT
06510
US
|
Assignee: |
Royal Blue, LLC
|
Family ID: |
36032585 |
Appl. No.: |
11/219155 |
Filed: |
September 1, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60609074 |
Sep 10, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
135/132 ;
135/136 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 15/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/132 ;
135/136 |
International
Class: |
E04H 15/36 20060101
E04H015/36 |
Claims
1. An atmospheric protection device, comprising: a frame comprising
a base, at least two mounting devices integral to said base, and a
plurality of support members releasably attached to each of said
mounting devices; and a cover releasably attached to said
frame.
2. The atmospheric protection device of claim 1, wherein said base
comprises a plurality of rods sequentially connected to one another
and a plurality of hinges attached to said rods, wherein each pair
of said hinges is mounted opposite each other on each end of said
rods.
3. The atmospheric protection device of claim 2, wherein said hinge
allows 180 degrees of movement.
4. The atmospheric protection device of claim 1, wherein said
plurality of rods comprise a first rod having a first end sized to
receive a first end of a second rod to form said base.
5. The atmospheric protection device of claim 4, wherein said
plurality of hinges releasably receive said plurality of support
members and allow said support members to move from a first side of
said base to a second side of said base.
6. The atmospheric protection device of claim 5, wherein said
movement from a first side of said base to a second side of said
base permits said frame to retract and collapse.
7. The atmospheric protection device of claim 1, wherein said
support member comprises a plurality of rods comprising a straight
frame rod, having a first end and a second end, disposed in
connection to a bent frame rod having a first end a second end, and
said bent frame rod is disposed in connection with a second bent
frame rod, having a first end and a second end, and said second
bent frame rod is disposed in connection with a second straight
frame rod, having a first end and a second end, wherein said second
end of said straight frame rod is disposed in connection with said
first end of said bent frame rod, and said second end of said bent
frame rod is disposed in connection with said second end of said
second bent frame rod, and said first end of said second bent frame
rod is disposed in connection with said second end of said second
straight frame rod.
8. The atmospheric protection device of claim 1, wherein said
support member comprises a plurality of rods comprising a straight
frame rod, having a first end and a second end, disposed in
connection to a bent frame rod having a first end a second end, and
said bent frame rod is disposed in connection with a second bent
frame rod, having a first end and a second end, and said second
bent frame rod is disposed in connection with a second straight
frame rod, having a first end and a second end, wherein said second
end of said straight frame rod is disposed in connection with said
first end of said bent frame rod, and said second end of said bent
frame rod is disposed in connection with said second end of said
second bent frame rod, and said first end of said second bent frame
rod is disposed in connection with said second end of said second
straight frame rod.
9. The atmospheric protection device of claim 1, wherein said base
comprises a polygonal shape or a non-polygonal shape.
10. The atmospheric protection device of claim 1, wherein said
frame comprises a material selected from the group consisting of
metal, alloy, polymeric, plastic, composite, wood, fiberglass and
vinyl.
11. The atmospheric protection device of claim 1, wherein said
support members are releasably connected to said base.
12. The atmospheric protection device of claim 1, wherein said
support arms are permanently connected to said base.
13. The atmospheric protection device of claim 1, wherein each of
said mounting devices comprises a loop member, wherein said loop
member comprises a semi-circular member fixedly attached to said
base of said frame.
14. The atmospheric protection device of claim 1, wherein each of
said mounting devices comprises: a base; a pair of side walls
mounted to said base and disposed opposite each other, each side
wall includes a plurality of apertures substantially aligned to one
another; a plurality of means for receiving disposed between said
pair of side walls, each means for receiving includes a cavity
capable of receiving said support members and a pair of apertures
disposed opposite each other and substantially aligned with said
plurality of apertures of said side walls; and a securement member,
each securement member is disposed through each of said plurality
of apertures of said side walls and said plurality of means for
receiving.
15. The atmospheric protection device of claim 14, wherein said
securement member permits movement of each of said plurality of
means for receiving within said pair of side walls.
16. The atmospheric protection device of claim 14, wherein said
base further comprises a first flange and a second flange disposed
opposite each other, each flange comprising a means for
mounting.
17. The atmospheric protection device of claim 1, wherein said
cover comprises a material selected from the group consisting of
nylon, cotton and acetate.
18. The atmospheric protection device of claim 1, wherein said
cover comprises a material selected from the group consisting of
fibrous material, woven material and mesh material.
19. The atmospheric protection device of claim 1, wherein said
cover comprises a material capable of substantially blocking
ultraviolet radiation.
20. The atmospheric protection device of claim 1, wherein said
cover comprises one or more releasable attachment mechanisms
selected from the group consisting of snaps, buttons, inserts,
fasteners and zippers.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/609,074, filed on Sep. 10, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This disclosure relates to portable enclosures, and more
particularly to atmospheric protection devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] As the health concerns such as West Nile virus and skin
cancer become more prevalent, more people are searching for
protection from ultraviolet radiation, mosquitoes, bees and other
insects when enjoying the outdoors. It is commonly known that
mosquitoes breed in still water such as tide pools, marshes, bogs,
lakes, ponds, storm drains, and swimming pools, and are drawn to
water for this reason. Homeowners having or living near a still
water source, as well as beach goers and picnic goers, typically
contend with not only mosquitoes but other insects as well. In
order to enjoy the outdoors and amenities of one's home, the public
must turn to cost effective means for allowing one to enjoy outdoor
activities both at and away from home.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,272,695 to Brandner describes a lightweight,
arch-supported collapsible dome designed for covering circular
shaped pools. The collapsible dome can be shifted on one side or on
both sides along the round shaped pool's edge before being
collapsed, thereby making possible the use of the lower arches,
resulting in a lower height of the structure. The arches comprising
the dome are mounted to base supports attached to either side of
the exterior of a pool's structure. Although the arches may slide
within the base supports, the base supports are specifically
designed to be fastened to the exterior of a structure. In order to
employ the collapsible dome elsewhere, one must remove the base
supports and reattach the supports to another exterior able to
accommodate the base support's hardware. Moreover, the size of each
arch cannot be adjusted to increase the size of the arc. As a
result, the collapsible dome may not properly enclose another
structure besides the intended circular shaped pool even if a user
successfully reinstalls the base supports to another structure.
Furthermore, the average motor vehicle may not be able to transport
the collapsible dome of the Brandner due to its awkward size,
and/or due to the number of components necessary for assembly.
Thus, the collapsible dome of Brandner requires hardware
adjustments, and potentially additional hardware, in order to
become truly portable.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,247 to Price provides a collapsible
frame for use in erecting tents, insect screen rooms, shade
awnings, canopies and the like in the out-of-doors such as camp
sights, back yard patios and other outdoor venues. The collapsible
frame comprises a plurality of telescopic legs for providing
vertical structural support and a plurality of corner pin joints
with one of the point joints fixedly mounted upon a corresponding
one of each of the telescopic legs. A plurality of horizontal
support arms is included with one of the arms positioned between
adjacent pairs of telescopic legs and attached to the corresponding
corner pin joints. A mid-span hinge which includes a sliding sleeve
is centrally positioned along each of the horizontal support arms.
The mid-span hinge is flexibly collapsible when the sleeve is
disengaged and is rigidly inflexible when the sleeve is engaged. A
bottom slider is adjustably mounted upon each of the telescopic
legs and is attached to the horizontal support arms which are
connected to the corresponding corner pin joint. Finally, a
plurality of top support members is included where each is anchored
in a corresponding corner pin joint for stabilizing the frame. The
telescopic legs, mid-span hinges and bottom sliders each cooperated
to collapse the frame. As described, the collapsible frame requires
approximately fifteen steps and no fewer than two people to
completely assemble. Moreover, the screens and roof canopy must
first be removed in order to collapse the frame. Consequently, the
collapsible frame is large and unwieldy, and is truly not portable
such that a single person may assemble, disassemble and transport
the frame.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,811 to Boyle et al. describes an outdoor
dome is a dome having a circumferential rafter assembly comprising
a circumferential row of rafter-braces, interspersed with biased
rafter-braces connected by four-way connectors and interconnected,
by said four-way connectors, with the dome framework. The dome can
be configured to fit circular, oval or other shaped pools, and
adjusted to increase frame and/or covering material tension. While
the outdoor dome of Boyle et al. can adjust to fit a pool, the dome
is impractical for use in various outdoor settings such as picnic
areas, beach, campsites, athletic fields, porches, playpens and
possibly even hot tubs when considering the structures in question.
In addition, the braces and connectors seem to consume so much
space within the dome that one or more persons may have difficulty
sitting beneath the dome. Furthermore, the dome components are not
adjustable or retractable, thus the dome must be disassembled for
transport which requires considerable time, effort and
manpower.
[0007] Accordingly, there exists a need for a portable atmospheric
protection device constructed in a manner that lends itself to
multiple outdoor applications, ease of assembly and disassembly,
ease of portability, protection from precipitation, ultraviolet
radiation and insects, and ensuring one's privacy from others.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with the present disclosure, an atmospheric
protection device broadly comprises a frame comprising a base, at
least two mounting devices mounted to the base, and a plurality of
support members releasably attached to each of the mounting
devices; and a cover releasably attached to the frame.
[0009] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are
set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below.
Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the description and drawings, and from the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a representation of a side view of an atmospheric
protection device having an outline of a cover;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a top view of one half of a base of the frame of
FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the base of FIG. 2 in a
folded for transportation;
[0013] FIG. 2B is a side view of a straight frame rod of the base
of FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 2C is a side view of a receiving portion;
[0015] FIG. 2D is a cut away view of the receiving portion of FIG.
2C depicting the interior threaded receiving area;
[0016] FIG. 2E is an end view of the receiving portion of FIG. 2C
depicting the receiving area;
[0017] FIG. 2F is a side view of a bent frame rod of the base of
FIG. 2;
[0018] FIG. 2G is a side view of a first half and a second half of
a hinge of FIG. 2;
[0019] FIG. 2H is a side view of the first half and second half
combined to form the hinge of FIG. 2;
[0020] FIG. 2I is a side view of the assembled hinge of FIG. 24
[0021] FIG. 2J is a side view of the hinge of FIG. 21 bent at a
ninety degree angle;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a side view of a mounting device assembly of the
atmospheric protection device of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 3A is a side view of the mounting device of FIG. 3;
[0024] FIG. 3B is a side view of a threaded eyebolt used to secure
the support member to the mounting device of FIG. 3;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a representation of the atmospheric protection
device having another mounting device assembly;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a side view of the mounting device assembly of
FIG. 4;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a top view of the mounting device assembly of FIG.
4; and
[0028] FIG. 7 is a side view of another mounting device to
facilitate the releasable attachment of the portable, atmospheric
protection device to a stationary object.
[0029] Like reference numbers and designations in the various
drawings indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description
is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the
purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,
since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended
claims.
[0031] The portable atmospheric protection device may be useful in
the general context of outdoor venues as protection against the
elements and insects as well as maintaining one's privacy. For
example, the portable atmospheric protection device may be utilized
as an enclosure for a permanent or temporary outdoor structure such
as a swimming pool, hot tub, exposed porch, child's playpen, picnic
table and the like. The portable atmospheric protection device may
also be employed as an enclosure for an open space such as a beach,
campsite, picnic area, athletic field, park and the like. The
portable atmospheric protection device may be sized accordingly,
that is, adjusted in size or sized to a predetermined dimension, to
fit the intended structure or outdoor area. In addition, the
portable atmospheric device may also be sized to fit and protect a
much smaller area, for example, a picnic table, picnic basket and
the like, in order to shield foodstuffs from insects and
scavengers.
[0032] The portable atmospheric protection device generally
comprises a cover releasably mounted on a frame comprising a base
and a one or more supporting arms attached to the base. Unlike
prior enclosures, the portable atmospheric protection device may be
utilized in various outdoor settings such as a swimming pool, hot
tub, exposed porch, child's playpen, picnic table and the like, or
a beach, campsite, picnic area, athletic field, park and the like.
For example, the portable atmospheric protection device may be
mounted on several different types of hot tubs, swimming pools,
tables, playpens, and the like, due to its design. The portable
atmospheric protection device may be transported with ease as the
device's retractable frame lends to its compact design. Moreover,
the cover may be removed and replaced in order to accommodate the
device's intended use. For example, the cover may act as an insect
net, a sun blocker, a privacy screen and the like.
[0033] Referring specifically now to FIG. 1, a portable atmospheric
protection device 10 may comprise a cover 12 releasably attached to
a frame 14 comprising a base 16 and one or more, or a plurality of,
support arms 18. Cover 12 may comprise a woven material, fibrous
material, mesh like material or a material selected from a group of
materials consisting of nylon, cotton, acetate and blends
comprising at least one of the foregoing materials, or any
permeable material capable of permitting air flow sufficient to
allow the user to breathe. In addition, cover 12 may also comprise
weather resistant materials capable of withstanding snowfall. Such
durable materials can maintain the shape of the dome like cover
without caving. Durable, weather resistant materials may include
but are not limited to metal, plastic, fiberglass, canvas, rubber
and the like. The material may also have a cross-section sized to
prevent insects from penetrating cover 12 and entering the
atmospheric protection device 10. The material of cover 12 may also
be capable of substantially blocking ultraviolet radiation from an
ultraviolet light source such as the sun. Cover 12 may also
comprise one or more releasable attachment mechanisms in order to
attach to and be removed from frame 14. Various methods and
apparatus permitting releasable attachment of cover 12 from frame
14 are known in the art. For example, some releasable attachments
may include but are not limited to snaps, buttons, inserts,
fasteners, zippers and velcro.RTM.. The releasable attachment
mechanisms of cover 12 may releasably attach to one or more
reciprocating releasable attachment mechanisms of frame 14.
[0034] Referring generally to FIGS. 1 and 2, frame 14 may comprise
base 16 and one or more, or a plurality of, support arms 18. Frame
14 may comprise a material selected from the group consisting of
metal, alloy, polymers, plastics, composites, wood, fiberglass,
combinations of materials comprising at least one of the foregoing
materials, and the like. In addition, frame 14 may instead comprise
a material selected from the group consisting of metal, alloy,
polymers, plastics, composites, wood, and fiberglass. Suitable
polymers materials may include but are not limited to vinyls,
nylons, polyvinyl chlorides and the like.
[0035] Referring generally to FIGS. 2A through 2F, base 16 may
comprise a plurality of rods sequentially connected to one another
to form a closed shape as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Base 16 may
comprise a closed shape that is geometrical, and more specifically
substantially circular, substantially rectangular or substantially
square. Base 16 may also comprise a polygonal shape or a
non-polygonal shape. Or, base 16 may comprise a shape selected from
the group consisting of circular, oval, oblong, square and
rectangular.
[0036] Now referring specifically to FIGS. 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E and 2F
which depict the parts of frame 14, a straight frame rod 20
possesses a first end 22 and a second end 24. Second end 24 of
straight frame rod 20 is sized to fixedly receive either a tapered
end 104 or 106 of a hinge 72. A bent frame rod 26 possesses a first
end 28 and a second end 30 that is sized to fixedly receive either
a tapered end 104 or 106 of hinge 72. Likewise, a second straight
frame rod 34 possesses a first end 36 and a second end 38. Second
end 38 of straight frame rod 34 is sized to fixedly receive either
a tapered end 104 or 106 of hinge 72. A second bent frame rod 40
having a first end 42 and a second end 44 that is sized to fixedly
receive either a tapered end 104 or 106 of hinge 72. Each straight
frame rod 20, 34 is fixedly attached at their second ends 22, 38 to
bent frame rods 26, 40 by hinge 72. First ends 28, 42 of bent frame
rods 26, 40 are also designed to receive tapered ends 104, 106 of
hinge 72, such that bent frame rods 26 and 40 are fixedly joined by
hinge 72 to form one half of base 16 as shown in FIG. 2.
[0037] The combination of straight frame rods 20, 34 and bent frame
rods 26, 40 may also form support members 18. Unlike straight frame
rods 20, 34 and bent frame rods 26, 40, support member 18 may
comprise a threaded receiving portion 58 sized to engage the
threaded eyebolt 54 or other attachment mechanism for securement to
mounting device 50. Threaded receiving portion 58 may comprise an
end cap 60 having an interior threaded receiving area 62 as shown
in FIGS. 2C through 2E, wherein the end cap is mechanically affixed
to an end of straight frame rods 20, 34 or, alternatively, is
integrally combined with straight frame rods 20, 34.
[0038] In forming either frame 14 or support members 18, hinges 72
permit the rods to connect and move in unison to ensure frame 14
properly fits a structure and support members 18 support cover 12.
Hinges 72 may comprise any moveable joint known in the art. In one
embodiment shown in FIGS. 4, second end 24 of straight frame rod 20
may be hingedly connected to second end 30 of bent frame rod 26
using hinge 72 that permits the movement of each frame rod relative
to one another in a 180 degree range of motion. Referring
specifically now to FIGS. 2G through 2J, hinge 72 may comprise a
first half 74 and a second half 76, each half being identical in
both shape and size. Each half 74, 76 may comprise a disk 78, 80
having an aperture 82, 84 in the center, a mating surface 86, 88, a
stop gap piece 90, 92 and a tapered ends 94, 96 respectively. Each
tapered end 94, 96 possesses an aperture 98, 100 respectively
designed to accept a mechanical fastening means. Halves 74 and 76
may be combined such that a first mating surface 86 of first half
74 and a second mating surface 88 of second half 76 make contact
and a rivet or other means of securement is inserted through
apertures 82, 84 of halves 74, 76 respectively. Stop gap pieces 90,
92 allow hinge 72 to only move 180 degrees and prevents movement of
the hinge 72 beyond 180 degrees. Tapered ends 94, 96 are designed
to be accepted by and inserted within the rods to form support arms
18 and base 16 of frame 14. Tapered ends 94, 96 may also be fixedly
secured to the rods by mechanical means such as a screw, rivet,
bolt, weld, fastener and the like.
[0039] Referring again to FIG. 1, the frame 14 of device 10 may
also comprise a plurality of mounting device 50 capable of securing
support arms 18 to base 16 while allowing their movement to retract
and close cover 12. Plurality of mounting devices 50 may allow
movement of support members 18 in the general direction from one
side of base 16 to the opposite side of base 16. Such movement of
support members 18 may allow frame 14 to retract such that a person
may move cover 12 via support member 18 and open the portable
atmospheric device 10 to gain entry or permit egress. Plurality of
mounting devices 50 may be fixedly attached to base 16 and mounted
opposite each other on either side of base 16. In another
embodiment, mounting devices 50 may be disposed opposite each other
at the corners of base 16. Such disposition of mounting devices 50
would allow the use of a triangular shaped support member 18.
[0040] In yet another embodiment, a plurality of mounting devices
50 may be employed and placed parallel to one another such that two
or three mounting devices 50 are mounted opposite each other on
each side of frame 14. Rather than securing four or more support
arms 18 within a single mounting devices 50, two or three mounting
devices 50 may each accommodate one or two support arms 18. When
completely retracted, a few support arms 18 will rest parallel to
each other rather than on top of one another, thereby decreasing
the height of device 10. In addition, by employing two or three
mounting devices 50, the size and height of each mounting devices
50 may also be decreased, which also contributes to decreasing the
overall height of device 10 when support arms 18 are completely
retracted. By decreasing the overall height of device 10, a user
may then properly fit a pool cover or hot tub cover over both the
pool or hot tub and device 10. This advantage permits the user to
leave device 10 installed year round rather than requiring the user
to remove device 10 each time the structure must be covered.
Plurality of mounting devices 50 may permit the releasable
attachment of support arms 18 to frame 14. In the alternative,
support arms 18 may be permanently attached to mounting devices 50
so that support arms 18 may still retract and close cover 12 but
not be detached from frame 14.
[0041] Referring specifically now to FIGS. 3, 3A and 3B, plurality
of mounting devices 50 may comprise any mechanism known in the art
capable of being supported by frame 14 and may be capable of
permitting the releasable attachment of support arms 18 or capable
of permanently securing support arms 18 to frame 14. In one
exemplary embodiment, plurality of mounting devices 50 may comprise
a loop member 52. Loop member 52 may comprise a semi-circular
member fixedly attached to base 16. Each support member 18 may be
fixedly or releasably attached to mounting devices 50 via a
threaded eyebolt 54 having an aperture 56 as shown in Figure. Loop
member 52 is disposed through aperture 56 to secure ring member 54
to mounting devices 50. Although a threaded eyebolt having an
aperture is shown, any means of attachment sized to accept loop
member 52 at one end and attach to support member 18 at the
opposing end may be employed. Such means for attachment may
comprise at one end any type of attachment mechanism, releasable or
fastened, and having an aperture capable of accepting loop member
52 as is known in the art, and at an opposing end any type of
attachment mechanism capable of receiving or inserting into the
threaded receiving portion 58 of support member 18, or other
reciprocal attachment mechanism capable of being fixedly attached
to support member 18 as is known in the art.
[0042] In another exemplary embodiment, mounting devices 50 may
comprise a single piece of hardware such that loop member 52 is an
integral part of base 16. Loop member 16 may be integrated with
base 16 by one or more of the following methods such as welding,
pinning, riveting, punching, stamping, screwing, nailing, bolted,
molded, heat sinked and the like. In the alternative, loop member
52 of mounting device 50 may be mechanically fastened to a mounting
device 110 of device 10 as depicted in FIG. 3A. Mounting device 110
may be employed to attach device 10 to a swimming pool, hot tub,
porch, patio or other structure, or for securing device 10 within
packed earth. Suitable mounting devices for structures may include
but are not limited to mounts having lock and release mechanisms,
male and female fasteners and the like, as well as to low impact
mounts such as suction cups, clips, brackets, and the like. In
addition, suitable mounting devices for securing and stabilizing
device 10 to the earth may include but are not limited to stakes
and the like. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3B, loop member 52
may be mechanically fastened to a bracket 112 using, for example, a
pair of screws 114. In turn, bracket 112 may be mechanically
fastened to the structure using a pair of bolts 116 as shown in
FIG. 3B.
[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, another embodiment of the
mounting device for use with the atmospheric protection device 10
is shown. Referring specifically now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a mounting
device 200 may comprise a base 202 pair of side walls 208, 210 may
be disposed opposite each other on either side of the base 202.
Each side wall 208, 210 may include a plurality of apertures 212
that may be substantially aligned across from one another. A
plurality of means for receiving 214 may be disposed within the
mounting device 200 and between side walls 208, 210. Each means for
receiving 214 may include a cavity 216 designed to receive a
support member 18 and a pair of apertures 218, 220 substantially
aligned with one another. The cavity 216 may include threads or
other features designed to accept an end of a support member 18
such that the support member 18 may be attached and fixed in place
or able to be released. Apertures 218, 220 may also be
substantially aligned with apertures 212 of each side wall 208, 210
in order to receive a securement member 220 within each set of
substantially aligned apertures. Each securement member 220 secures
each means for receiving 214 within the mounting device 200 and
permits each means for receiving 214 to move in the directions
indicated by arrows 222 and 224. The securement member may include,
but is not limited to, a screw, pin, rivet, combinations comprising
at least one of the foregoing securement members as well as other
securement members known to one of ordinary skill in the art, and
the like.
[0044] In the alternative, the base 202 of mounting bracket 200 may
also include a first flange 204 and a second flange 206 as shown in
FIG. 6, The first flange 204 and second flange 206 may each include
a means for mounting 226 integrally formed therein. Suitable means
for mounting may include, but are not limited to, mounts having
lock and release mechanisms, male and female fasteners and the
like, as well as low impact mounts such as suction cups, clips,
brackets, and the like.
[0045] The mounting device 200 permits the portable, atmospheric
protection device 10 to be assembled and placed on a variety of
surfaces at various venues. For example, the portable atmospheric
protection device may be utilized as an enclosure for a permanent
or temporary outdoor structure such as a swimming pool, hot tub,
exposed porch, child's playpen, picnic table and the like. The
portable atmospheric protection device may also be employed as an
enclosure for an open space such as a beach, campsite, picnic area,
athletic field, park and the like. The portable, atmospheric
protection device 10 equipped with the mounting devices 200 may be
secured and stabilized to the earth, e.g., sand, packed dirt, and
the like, using any number of means known to one of ordinary skill
in the art including, but not limited to, stakes and the like.
[0046] The mounting device 200, along with mounting devices 50, 110
and other potential mounting device embodiments contemplated
herein, or one or more support arms 18 or the base 16 may also be
received by another mounting device 300 shown in FIG. 7. The
mounting device 300 may comprise a structure 310 having a channel
320 capable of and designed to receive the mounting device 200,
support arm 18 or base 16 of the portable, atmospheric protection
device 10. For purposes of illustration, and not to be taken in a
limiting sense, the channel 320 may comprise a shape designed to
receive a support arm 18 or base 16. The mounting device 300 may
also include a means for mounting to a stationary object such as,
but not limited to, a swimming pool, hot tub, porch, patio or other
structure. The means for mounting may include, but is not limited
to, mounts having lock and release mechanisms, male and female
fasteners and the like, as well as to low impact mounts such as
suction cups, clips, brackets, and the like. In addition, it is
contemplated that the mounting device 300 may include one or more
flanges or apertures disposed to facilitate securing the mounting
device 300 to a stationary object.
[0047] While the invention has been described with reference to an
exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
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