U.S. patent application number 11/705253 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-28 for collapsible gazebo frame with independent canopy support.
This patent application is currently assigned to North Pole Limited. Invention is credited to Sungho Kim, Arvin Patel.
Application Number | 20070144572 11/705253 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34393957 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070144572 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Patel; Arvin ; et
al. |
June 28, 2007 |
Collapsible gazebo frame with independent canopy support
Abstract
A collapsible gazebo frame includes a set of four corner support
members and a set of four scissor assemblies, each being coupled to
a different pair of the four corner support members. Each of four
scissor assembly sliders is slidingly coupled to a different one of
the four corner support members and serves to extend and retract
the scissor assemblies coupled to the respective corner support
member when slid along the corner support member. A canopy support
frame includes four canopy support members, each being coupled to
the top end of a different one of the four corner support members
and having a canopy frame joint. The canopy support frame also
includes four canopy support arms. Each canopy support arm is
coupled to a different one of the four scissor assemblies and to a
different canopy frame extender such that the canopy frame joints
lock when gazebo frame is deployed.
Inventors: |
Patel; Arvin; (Sunnyvale,
CA) ; Kim; Sungho; (Xiamen, CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROOKS KUSHMAN P.C.
1000 TOWN CENTER
TWENTY-SECOND FLOOR
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48075
US
|
Assignee: |
North Pole Limited
Kowloon
HK
|
Family ID: |
34393957 |
Appl. No.: |
11/705253 |
Filed: |
February 12, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10678540 |
Oct 3, 2003 |
7178539 |
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11705253 |
Feb 12, 2007 |
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10661161 |
Sep 12, 2003 |
7168439 |
|
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10678540 |
Oct 3, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
135/131 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 15/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/131 |
International
Class: |
E04H 15/50 20060101
E04H015/50; E04H 15/38 20060101 E04H015/38 |
Claims
1. A collapsible gazebo frame comprising: a plurality of upright
legs spaced about a perimeter of the gazebo frame; a plurality of
perimeter linkages each interconnecting sequential legs for
collapsing and extending the plurality of legs and for supporting a
perimeter of a canopy, each perimeter linkage having a first link
coupled to one of the corresponding sequential legs for pivoting
relative to the respective leg, and each perimeter linkage having a
second link coupled to one of the sequential legs for pivoting
relative to the respective leg and for translating along the length
of the leg; and a plurality of center linkages each interconnected
centrally within the perimeter of the gazebo frame and each
connected to one of the legs for supporting the center of the
canopy, each center linkage having a first link coupled to the
corresponding leg for pivoting relative to the leg, and each center
linkage having a second link coupled to an adjacent perimeter
second link for pivoting relative to the perimeter second link and
for translating relative to the respective leg with the perimeter
second link as the perimeter linkage is collapsed and extended.
2. The collapsible gazebo frame of claim 1, wherein each center
second link is pivotally coupled to the corresponding perimeter
second link offset from the respective upright leg.
3. The collapsible gazebo frame of claim 1, wherein each of the
plurality of upright legs is extendable and retractable.
4. The collapsible gazebo frame of claim 1, further comprising a
canopy peak support member coupled to the center linkage to support
the peak of a gazebo canopy.
5. The collapsible gazebo frame of claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of feet, each foot fixed to the bottom end of one of the
upright legs to anchor the gazebo frame to an underlying suport
surface.
6. The collapsible gazebo frame of claim 1, wherein each of the
upright legs is configured to slant inward towards the center of
the gazebo frame when the gazebo frame is deployed.
7. A collapsible gazebo frame comprising: a plurality of upright
legs spaced about a perimeter of the gazebo frame; a plurality of
perimeter linkages each interconnecting sequential legs for
collapsing and extending the plurality of legs and for supporting a
perimeter of a canopy, each perimeter linkage having a first link
coupled to one of the corresponding sequential legs for pivoting
relative to the respective leg, and each perimeter linkage having a
second link coupled to one of the sequential legs for pivoting
relative to the respective leg and for translating along the length
of the leg; and a plurality of center linkages each interconnected
centrally within the perimeter of the gazebo frame and each
connected to one of the legs for supporting the center of the
canopy, each center linkage having a first link coupled to the
corresponding leg for pivoting relative to the leg, and each center
linkage having a second link coupled to an adjacent perimeter
linkage offset from the respective upright leg.
8. The collapsible gazebo frame of claim 7, wherein each center
second link is pivotally coupled to the second link of the
corresponding perimeter linkage.
9. The collapsible gazebo frame of claim 7, wherein each of the
plurality of upright legs is extendable and retractable.
10. The collapsible gazebo frame of claim 7, further comprising a
canopy peak support member coupled to the center linkage to support
the peak of a gazebo canopy.
11. A collapsible gazebo frame, comprising: a set of four corner
support members configured to rest on a ground surface at a bottom
end and to provide support for other gazebo frame components; a set
of four scissor assemblies, each coupled to a different pair of the
four corner support members and configured to extend and retract; a
set of four scissor assembly sliders, each scissor assembly slider
being slidingly coupled to a different one of the four corner
support members and configured to extend and retract the scissor
assemblies coupled to the respective corner support member when
slid along the corner support member; and a canopy support frame
comprising a set of four canopy support members, each coupled to
the top end of a different one of the four corner support members
and having a canopy frame joint configured to be placed in a locked
position, and a set of four canopy support arms, each canopy
support arm being pivotally coupled to a different one of the four
scissor assemblies and coupled to a different one of the four
canopy support members, configured to lock the respective canopy
frame joint when the gazebo frame is deployed.
12. The collapsible gazebo frame of claim 11, wherein each of the
four corner support members is extendable and retractable.
13. The collapsible gazebo frame of claim 11, further comprising a
canopy peak support member coupled to inner ends of each canopy
support member to support the peak of a gazebo canopy.
14. The collapsible gazebo frame of claim 11, further comprising a
set of four feet, each foot fixed to the bottom end of a different
one of the four corner support members to anchor the gazebo frame
to the ground surface.
15. The collapsible gazebo frame of claim 11, wherein each of the
four corner support members is configured to slant inward towards
the center of the gazebo frame when the gazebo frame is
deployed.
16. The collapsible gazebo frame of claim 11, wherein each canopy
support arm is pivotally coupled to one of a set of four canopy
frame extenders, which are each pivotally coupled to the
corresponding canopy support member.
17. The collapsible gazebo frame of claim 11, wherein each canopy
support arm is pivotally coupled to the respective scissor assembly
offset from the respective corner support member.
18. The collapsible gazebo frame of claim 11, wherein each canopy
support arm is directly coupled to the respective scissor assembly
offset from the respective scissor assembly slider.
19. The collapsible gazebo frame of claim 11, wherein each canopy
support arm does not contact the respective scissor assembly
slider.
20. The collapsible gazebo frame of claim 11, wherein each canopy
support arm is further defined as a link with pivotal connections
at opposed ends thereof.
21. A collapsible gazebo frame, comprising: a set of four corner
support members configured to rest on a ground surface at a bottom
end and to provide support for other gazebo frame components; a set
of four scissor assemblies, each coupled to a different pair of the
four corner support members and configured to extend and retract; a
set of four scissor assembly sliders, each scissor assembly slider
being slidingly coupled to a different one of the four corner
support members and configured to extend and retract the scissor
assemblies coupled to the respective corner support member when
slid along the corner support member; and a canopy support frame
comprising a set of four canopy support members, each coupled to
the top end of a different one of the four corner support members
and having a canopy frame joint configured to be placed in a locked
position, and a set of four canopy support arm frame extenders,
each canopy support arm frame extender being pivotally coupled to a
different one of the four scissor assemblies and coupled to a
different one of the four canopy support members, configured to
lock the respective canopy frame joint when the gazebo frame is
deployed.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of an earlier filed
application entitled "Collapsible Gazebo Frame with Independent
Canopy Support", U.S. Ser. No. 10/678,540 filed Oct. 3, 2003 and
issued on Feb. 20, 2007 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,178,539, which is a
continuation-in-part of an earlier filed application entitled
"Collapsible Gazebo Frame with Independent Canopy Support", U.S.
Ser. No. 10/661,161 filed Sep. 12, 2003 and issued on Jan. 30, 2007
as U.S. Pat. No. 7,168,439, the disclosures of which are
incorporated in their entirety by reference herein.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to collapsible structures
generally and more particularly to collapsible gazebos.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Collapsible gazebos may be used for many purposes such as
providing shade or rain protection to allow for more enjoyable
dining, resting or playing while in the outdoors. Additionally,
because the gazebos are collapsible, the gazebos may be assembled
and disassembled for use in different places, such as back yards or
parks.
[0004] Conventional collapsible gazebos, however, can be difficult
to assemble, detracting from the enjoyment of their use. For
example, placing the canopy (tarp) over the top of an assembled
gazebo frame can be difficult because the portion of the gazebo
frame that supports the canopy (canopy support frame) is
automatically deployed at the same time as the other parts of the
gazebo frame are deployed. Thus, the canopy support frame is too
high for many people to reach and the canopy cannot be properly
placed on its frame.
[0005] Therefore, a gazebo frame allowing for easier deployment is
needed.
SUMMARY
[0006] A collapsible gazebo frame with independent canopy support
includes a set of four corner support members that rest on a ground
surface at a bottom end and provide support for other gazebo frame
components. The gazebo frame also includes a set of four scissor
assemblies, each being coupled to a different pair of the four
corner support members. The scissor assemblies can extend and
retract. Each of a set of four scissor assembly sliders is
slidingly coupled to a different one of the four corner support
members and serves to extend and retract the scissor assemblies
coupled to the respective corner support member when slid along the
corner support member. As a further portion of the gazebo frame, a
canopy support frame includes a set of four canopy support members,
each being coupled to the top end of a different one of the four
corner support members and having a canopy frame joint that can be
placed in a locked position. The canopy support frame also includes
a set of four canopy frame sliders, where each canopy frame slider
is slidingly coupled to a different one of the four corner support
members and is coupled to a different one of the four canopy
support members by a canopy frame extender. The canopy frame
sliders serve to lock the canopy frame joints when slid along their
corner support members.
[0007] In an alternate embodiment, a collapsible gazebo frame
includes a set of four corner support members and a set of four
scissor assemblies, each being coupled to a different pair of the
four corner support members. Each of four scissor assembly sliders
is slidingly coupled to a different one of the four corner support
members and serves to extend and retract the scissor assemblies
coupled to the respective corner support member when slid along the
corner support member. A canopy support frame includes four canopy
support members, each being coupled to the top end of a different
one of the four corner support members and having a canopy frame
joint. The canopy support frame also includes four canopy support
arms. Each canopy support arm is coupled to a different one of the
four scissor assemblies and to a different canopy frame extender
such that the canopy frame joints lock when gazebo frame is
deployed.
[0008] In one aspect of the invention, each of the four corner
support members is extendable and retractable.
[0009] In another aspect of the invention, a canopy peak support
member is coupled to the inner ends of each canopy support member
to support the peak of a gazebo canopy.
[0010] In another aspect of the invention, each of a set of four
feet is fixed to the bottom end of a different one of the four
corner support members to anchor the gazebo frame to the ground
surface.
[0011] In another aspect of the invention, each of the four corner
support members slants inward towards the center of the gazebo
frame when the gazebo frame is deployed.
[0012] In another aspect of the invention, the canopy frame joints
are locked using canopy frame sleeves.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the construction of a
collapsible gazebo frame, according to one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 1a is an enlarged perspective view of a slider of the
collapsible gazebo frame of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 1b is an enlarged perspective view of another slider of
the collapsible gazebo frame of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the construction of a
collapsible gazebo frame, according to another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a detailed view showing a canopy frame sleeve,
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the construction of a
collapsible gazebo, according to another embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0019] FIG. 5 is a detailed view showing a showing a canopy support
arm, according to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the construction of a
collapsible gazebo frame 100, according to one embodiment of the
present invention. The gazebo frame includes corner support members
112, scissor assemblies 130, scissor assembly sliders 120, and a
canopy support frame 152. The canopy support frame includes canopy
frame sliders 125, canopy support members 143, canopy frame joints
148, and canopy frame extenders 150. The canopy support members
include outer canopy support members 145 and inner canopy support
members 140. The gazebo frame may also include feet 155 to and a
canopy peak support member 160. The corner support members may
include upper corner support members 110 and lower corner support
members 105.
[0021] The corner support members 112 rest on the surface of the
ground. The scissor assemblies 130 are each coupled to a different
pair of corner support members and can be extended and retracted.
Each of the scissor assembly sliders 120 are slidingly coupled a
different corner support member as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1a.
The scissor assembly sliders are used to extend and retract the
scissor assemblies coupled to their respective corner support
members. That is, by sliding a scissor assembly slider along its
corner support member, a user can extend and retract the respective
scissor assemblies.
[0022] In the canopy support frame 152, the canopy support members
143 are each coupled to a different corner support member. The
canopy frame joints 148 which join the two portions of the canopy
support members, the inner canopy support member 140 and the outer
canopy support member 145, can be placed in a locked position to
make the canopy support frame rigid. Each canopy frame slider 125
is slidingly coupled to a different corner support member. Each
canopy frame slider is also coupled to a different canopy support
member by the canopy frame extenders 150 as illustrated in FIGS. 1
and 1a. Upward movement of a given canopy frame slider causes the
respective canopy frame extender to apply force to the respective
canopy frame joint, thereby bringing the inner canopy support
member and the outer canopy support member into linear alignment.
The outer and inner canopy support members can be locked in linear
alignment by locking the canopy frame slider in an upward
position.
[0023] The embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 shows the gazebo frame in
a deployed or extended position. In deploying the gazebo frame from
a collapsed position, the canopy support frame 152 is deployed
independently of the scissor assemblies 130. In one embodiment, the
scissor assemblies are deployed by sliding the scissor assembly
sliders 120 in an upward direction along the respective corner
support members 112. Sliding of the scissor assembly sliders in an
upward direction causes the scissor assemblies to extend from the
corner support members. In one aspect, the scissor assembly sliders
may be locked in an upward position using, for example, a push
button latch in the corner support member. Locking the scissor
assembly sliders in an upward position locks the scissor assemblies
in an extended position, as shown in the embodiment depicted in
FIG. 1. A further explanation of how the scissor assemblies are
deployed can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,040.
[0024] The canopy support frame 152 is deployed independently of
the scissor assemblies 130 using the canopy frame sliders 125. That
is, the canopy frame sliders operate independent of the scissor
assembly sliders. In one embodiment, upward movement of the canopy
frame sliders causes the canopy frame extenders to exert force on
the outer canopy support members. The force exerted on the outer
canopy support members causes the canopy frame joints to come into
a `straight` position. In the straight position, the outer canopy
support members are in linear alignment with respect to the inner
canopy support members. In one aspect, the canopy frame joints can
be locked in the straight position. The locking of the canopy frame
joints may be achieved by locking the canopy frame sliders in an
upward position using, for example, a lock mechanism such as a push
button latch in the corner support member. By locking the canopy
frame joints in a straight position, the canopy support members
provide a rigid support structure upon which a canopy or tarp may
be placed. Furthermore, since the canopy support frame is deployed
independently of the scissor assemblies, the canopy may be placed
over the canopy support frame after the scissor assemblies are
extended to form the sides of the deployed gazebo frame but before
the canopy support frame is deployed, elevating the peak of the
gazebo frame and making it more difficult to place the canopy.
Thus, the independent deployment of the canopy support frame
provides for easier assembly and disassembly of the entire
gazebo.
[0025] As stated above with respect to FIG. 1, the corner support
members may include upper corner support members and lower corner
support members. In one aspect, the upper and lower corner support
members are telescoping with respect to each other, making the
corner support members expandable and collapsible. Furthermore, in
one aspect the corner support members are slanted inward toward the
center of the gazebo frame when deployed to provide additional
stability. Additionally, the feet 155 may be fixed to the bottom of
the corner support members to rest on the surface of the ground and
provide anchoring to the ground surface.
[0026] In another aspect, the canopy peak support member 160
provides additional height and support to the peak of the
canopy.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the construction of a
collapsible gazebo frame 200, according to another embodiment of
the present invention. The collapsible gazebo frame includes corner
support members 112, scissor assemblies 130, scissor assembly
sliders 120, and a canopy support frame 152. The canopy support
frame includes canopy support members 143, canopy frame joints 148,
canopy frame sleeves 265 and canopy frame extenders 250. The
embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 provides an alternate mechanism for
locking the canopy support frame in a deployed or extended
position. The canopy frame sleeves 265 slidingly couple to the
canopy support members. The canopy frame sleeves can be slid around
the canopy frame joints to lock the canopy support members in a
straight position. In one aspect, the canopy frame sliders
described with reference to FIG. 1 are used in conjunction with the
canopy frame sleeves described with reference to FIG. 2.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a detailed view showing a canopy frame sleeve 265,
according to one embodiment of the invention. The canopy frame
sleeves may be of a hollow `pipe-like` construction or of any other
construction suitable to slidingly couple to the canopy support
members. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the canopy frame sleeve is
depicted in a `locked` position. That is, the canopy frame sleeve
is slid around the canopy frame joint so that the inner canopy
support member and the outer canopy support member are locked in a
straight position. Furthermore, in the embodiment depicted in FIG.
3, a sleeve stop 310 prevents the canopy frame sleeve from sliding
past the canopy frame joint. The sleeve stop may be a screw, a
bolt, welded metal or any other suitable construction.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the construction of a
collapsible gazebo 400, according to another embodiment of the
present invention. The collapsible gazebo frame 400 includes corner
support members 112, scissor assemblies 130, scissor assembly
sliders 120, and a canopy support frame 152. The canopy support
frame 152 includes canopy support members 143, canopy frame joints
148, canopy support arms 455 and canopy frame extenders 450. The
canopy support arms 455 couple to the canopy frame extenders 450
and to the scissor assemblies 130. Thus, the canopy frame extenders
450 do not directly couple to the scissor assembly sliders 120. The
canopy support arms 455 may be pivotally connected to the scissor
assemblies 130 offset from the scissor assembly sliders 120, as
illustrated. In one aspect, the canopy support arms 455 described
with reference to FIG. 4 are used in conjunction with the canopy
frame sleeves described with reference to FIG. 2.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a detailed view showing a canopy support arm 455,
according to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4. The embodiment
depicted in FIG. 5 depicts one of the canopy frame extenders 450
coupled to one of the canopy support arms 455. The canopy support
arm 455 is in turn coupled to one of the scissor assemblies 130.
The canopy support arms 455 may be pivotally connected to the
canopy frame extenders 450, as illustrated. The pivotal connection
between the canopy support arm 455 and the canopy frame extender
450 and the pivotal connection between the canopy support arm 455
and the scissor assembly 130 may collectively form an angle for
extending the canopy frame extender 450 centrally in the expanded
orientation, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. For example, the
pivotal connections may be non-parallel, such as one pivotal
connection may be angularly offset by approximately forty-five
degrees.
[0031] The present invention provides for easier assembly and
disassembly of a gazebo frame by simplifying the assembly and
disassembly of the canopy and canopy support frame.
[0032] Having disclosed exemplary embodiments and the best mode,
modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed
embodiments while remaining within the subject and spirit of the
invention as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *