U.S. patent application number 11/308654 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-18 for canopy.
Invention is credited to Sang-Jin Bae.
Application Number | 20070240748 11/308654 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38603689 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070240748 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bae; Sang-Jin |
October 18, 2007 |
CANOPY
Abstract
A canopy includes a plurality of height-adjustable support
frames including upper and lower frames; a bottom fixture
inserted/fixed in each lower frame; a fixed two-point connection
member fixed to each upper frame; a height-adjustable movable
two-point connection member installed to each upper frame;
three-point connection members positioned between the upper frames
respectively; upper and lower four-point connection members
positioned in the middle of the support frames respectively and
having a vertically-installed anti-drooping frame; and pivoting
frames whose both ends are connected to each connection member and
whose center portion is hinged pivotally. Each pivoting frame has a
insert group protruded on both ends of the pivoting frame at
interval to prepare a vertical receiving groove. Each connection
member has supports inserted into the insert groove, and an insert
groove is formed in the supports to insert one of the inserts
therein.
Inventors: |
Bae; Sang-Jin; (Hanam-si,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PARK LAW FIRM
3255 WILSHIRE BLVD
SUITE 1110
LOS ANGELES
CA
90010
US
|
Family ID: |
38603689 |
Appl. No.: |
11/308654 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/145 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 15/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/145 |
International
Class: |
E04H 15/50 20060101
E04H015/50 |
Claims
1. A canopy, comprising: a plurality of support frames, each
including an upper frame and a lower frame so that the lower frame
is inserted into the upper frame to be capable of adjusting a
height by means of a height adjustment member; a bottom fixture
inserted and fixed in a lower portion of each lower frame; a fixed
two-point connection member fixed to an upper portion of each upper
frame; a movable two-point connection member installed to an outer
circumference of each upper frame and having a height adjustment
member; a plurality of three-point connection members positioned
between the upper frames respectively; upper and lower four-point
connection members positioned at a middle position between the
support frames respectively and having an anti-drooping frame
vertically installed thereto; and a plurality of pivoting frames
whose one end and the other end are connected to each connection
member and whose center portion is hinged to be pivotable with
respect to each other, wherein each pivoting frame has a group of
inserts protrusively formed in both ends of the pivoting frame with
a predetermined interval to prepare a receiving groove vertically
perforated therein, wherein each connection member has a plurality
of supports inserted into the insert groove of the pivoting frame,
and an insert groove is formed in the supports so that one of the
inserts of the pivoting frame is inserted therein.
2. The canopy according to claim 1, wherein through holes are
perforated in the insert of each pivoting frame and the support of
each connection member at corresponding positions for fixing a pin,
and a reinforcing member is interposed in each insert and each
receiving groove of the pivoting frame.
3. The canopy according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing member
is installed to surround each insert, and insert holes
corresponding to the through hole of each insert are prepared in
both ends of the reinforcing member.
4. The canopy according to claim 1, wherein the bottom fixture
includes: a fixed protrusion inserted into an inner circumference
of the lower frame; a position adjustment bolt vertically screwed
to the fixed protrusion; a movable part screwed to the position
adjustment bolt so as to be positioned in an upper portion of the
fixed protrusion; and a fixed part interposed between the fixed
protrusion and the movable part.
5. The canopy according to claim 4, wherein the movable part is
configured to have a width smaller than an inner diameter of the
lower frame, and the fixed part is configured to have a width
greater than an inner diameter of the lower frame.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a canopy, and more
particularly to a canopy having an improved coupling structure of a
pivoting frame and a connection member.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Generally, a canopy or a simple pavilion such as a parasol
is frequently used for hiding wind or sunshine in an outdoor event
place or a playground. Here, a canopy includes frames stood in a
predetermined height or spread in a predetermined width, and a
cover mounted to upper ends of the frames. At this time, the frames
are generally made of light metal such as aluminum, and they are
coupled with each other so as to be folded or contracted/elongated
by various kinds of connection members.
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of
conventional canopies, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,001, for
illustrating frames and connection members for connecting the
frames of the canopy.
[0006] Referring to FIG. 1, the frames of the canopy are classified
into four height-adjustable support frames 24 and a plurality of
pivoting frames 52 pivotally hinged with each other. The connection
members coupled with the frames 24, 52 may be classified into
two-point connection members 60, 62 pivotally coupled with two
pivoting frames 52 with being coupled to the support frames 24,
three-point connection members 65 pivotally coupled with three
pivoting frames 52, and four-point connection members 66, 67
pivotally coupled with four pivoting frames 52.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an essential part of
the frame disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,001 for illustrating a
coupled structure of the two-point connection member and the
pivoting frame.
[0008] Referring to FIG. 2, a group of insert grooves H is prepared
to the two-point connection members 60, 62 so that ends of the
pivoting frames 41, 42 are inserted therein. The insert groove H as
mentioned above is configured to be open upward or downward only
according to a position of the two-point connection member.
Accordingly, the pivoting frames 41, 42 are hinged by means of
male/female pins with its one end being received in the insert
groove H (or, the other end being received in the insert groove H),
and pivots within a predetermined angle. In addition, the above
coupled structure is also applied to the three-point and four-point
connection members 65, 66, 67 described above in addition to the
two-point connection members 60, 62.
[0009] However, since the canopy disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,442,001 is configured so that the insert groove H formed in each
connection member 60, 62, 65, 66, 67 receives the pivoting frame
41, 42, 52 in its inner space, there is a limit on the thickness of
the pivoting frame 41, 42, 52. That is to say, the thickness of the
pivoting frame 41, 42, 52 should be designed smaller than a width
of the insert groove H so as to be pivotable in the insert groove
H. Thus, the pivoting frame 41, 42, 52 has a relatively smaller
thickness. Accordingly, the pivoting frame 41, 42, 52 of the canopy
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,001 may be easily bent or broken
due to its small thickness.
[0010] In addition, the canopy disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,001
is configured so that the insert groove H formed in each connection
member 60, 62, 65, 66, 67 is open upward or downward only, so there
is a limit on a pivoting angle. That is to say, in case the insert
groove H is open upward, the pivoting frame 41, 42, 52 coupled to
this insert groove H may be pivoted from a horizontal state to at
most 90 degrees in an upper direction, but it is not pivoted in a
lower direction, so its pivoting angle is limited.
[0011] Meanwhile, since the pivoting frame 41, 42, 52 made of metal
is pin-coupled to the insert groove H of each connection member 60,
62, 65, 66, 67 made of synthetic resin, the canopy disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,001 has a problem that friction is caused when
the pivoting frame 41, 42, 52 is pivoted in the insert groove H.
Thus, the insert groove H or the pivoting frame 41, 42, 52 may be
deformed due to a long time use of the canopy, which makes the
pivoting frame 41, 42, 52 be improperly operated. In a worse case,
the insert groove H may be broken, resulting that the canopy itself
cannot be used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Therefore, the present invention is designed to solve the
problems of the canopy disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,001.
[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide a canopy
capable of ensuring sufficient strength of a pivoting frame by
improving a coupled structure of the pivoting frame and each
connection member so that the pivoting frame may have a sufficient
thickness.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
canopy capable of ensure a sufficient pivoting angle of a pivoting
frame by improving a coupled structure of the pivoting frame and
each connection member so that the pivoting frame may be pivoted
upward and downward with being coupled with each connection
member.
[0015] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a canopy capable of minimizing friction generated when the pivoting
frame is pivoted, and also minimizing deformation caused by the
friction, by installing a reinforcing member when the pivoting
frame is coupled with each connection member.
[0016] In order to accomplish the above object, the present
invention provides a canopy, which includes:
[0017] a plurality of support frames, each including an upper frame
and a lower frame so that the lower frame is inserted into the
upper frame to be capable of adjusting a height by means of a
height adjustment member;
[0018] a bottom fixture inserted and fixed in a lower portion of
each lower frame;
[0019] a fixed two-point connection member fixed to an upper
portion of each upper frame;
[0020] a movable two-point connection member installed to an outer
circumference of each upper frame and having a height adjustment
member;
[0021] a plurality of three-point connection members positioned
between the upper frames respectively;
[0022] upper and lower four-point connection members positioned at
a middle position between the support frames respectively and
having an anti-drooping frame vertically installed thereto; and
[0023] a plurality of pivoting frames whose one end and the other
end are connected to each connection member and whose center
portion is hinged to be pivotable with respect to each other,
[0024] wherein each pivoting frame has a group of inserts
protrusively formed in both ends of the pivoting frame with a
predetermined interval to prepare a receiving groove vertically
perforated therein,
[0025] wherein each connection member has a plurality of supports
inserted into the insert groove of the pivoting frame, and an
insert groove is formed in the supports so that one of the inserts
of the pivoting frame is inserted therein.
[0026] Preferably, through holes may be perforated in the insert of
each pivoting frame and the support of each connection member at
corresponding positions for fixing a pin, and a reinforcing member
may be interposed in each insert and each receiving groove of the
pivoting frame.
[0027] More preferably, the reinforcing member may be installed to
surround each insert, and insert holes corresponding to the through
hole of each insert may be prepared in both ends of the reinforcing
member.
[0028] Preferably, the bottom fixture may include a fixed
protrusion inserted into an inner circumference of the lower frame;
a position adjustment bolt vertically screwed to the fixed
protrusion; a movable part screwed to the position adjustment bolt
so as to be positioned in an upper portion of the fixed protrusion;
and a fixed part interposed between the fixed protrusion and the
movable part.
[0029] More preferably, the movable part may be configured to have
a width smaller than an inner diameter of the lower frame, and the
fixed part may be configured to have a width greater than an inner
diameter of the lower frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional canopy
including frames and connection members for the frames, disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,001;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an essential part of
the canopy disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,001 for illustrating a
coupling structure of a two-point connection member and a pivoting
frame;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a front view showing a folded state of each frame
for illustrating an entire configuration of a canopy according to
the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a plane view showing the canopy according to the
present invention for illustrating a position of each connection
member;
[0034] FIG. 5 is a side view showing the canopy of the present
invention for illustrating an operation of a support frame;
[0035] FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing the canopy of the
present invention for illustrating a coupled state of a bottom
fixture and a lower frame;
[0036] FIG. 7 is a plane view showing the canopy of the present
invention for illustrating a coupled state of a fixed two-point
connection member and a pivoting frame;
[0037] FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing the canopy of the
present invention for illustrating a coupled state of a fixed
two-point connection member and an upper frame;
[0038] FIG. 9 is a plane view showing the canopy of the present
invention for illustrating a coupled state of a movable two-point
connection member and a pivoting frame;
[0039] FIG. 10 is a plane view showing the canopy of the present
invention for illustrating a coupled state of a three-point
connection member and a pivoting frame; and
[0040] FIG. 11 is a plane view showing the canopy of the present
invention for illustrating a coupled state of a four-point
connection member and a pivoting frame.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0041] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more
detail referring to the drawings.
[0042] FIG. 3 is a front view showing a folded state of each frame
for illustrating an entire configuration of a canopy according to
the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a plane view showing the
canopy according to the present invention for illustrating a
position of each connection member.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a canopy 1 of the present
invention includes a plurality of support frames 2, a plurality of
bottom fixtures 9, a plurality of pivoting frames 7, a plurality of
fixed two-point connection members 4 for connecting the pivoting
frames 7 to the support frames 2, a plurality of movable two-point
connection members 4', a plurality of three-point connection
members 5, and upper and lower four-point connection members 6,
6'.
[0044] FIG. 5 is a side view showing the canopy of the present
invention for illustrating an operation of a support frame.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 5, each support frame 2 is configured so
that a lower frame 22 is inserted into an inner circumference of an
upper frame 21 by means of a height adjustment member 23. The upper
and lower frames 21, 22 may be made of light metal such as aluminum
or synthetic resin with a predetermined strength. In addition, the
upper and lower frames 21, 22 may have a rectangular or circular
tube shape with a hollow therein so that the lower frame 22 may be
inserted into the inner circumference of the upper frame 21. At
this time, the height adjustment member 23 preferably has the same
structure as "the slider connector for fixing a position of a
folding pavilion" disclosed in Korean Utility Model Registration
No. 275331. According to the above configuration, each support
frame 2 may adjust its height by extracting out the lower frame 22
inserted into the inner circumference of the upper frame 21, and
the height adjustment member 23 plays a role of firmly fixing the
extended lower frame 22 to the upper frame 21.
[0046] FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing the canopy of the
present invention for illustrating a coupled state of a bottom
fixture and a lower frame.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 6, the bottom fixture 9 is installed to a
lower portion of the lower frame 22. This bottom fixture 9 includes
a fixed protrusion 91 inserted into an inner circumference of the
lower frame 22, a position adjustment bolt 92 screwed to the fixed
protrusion 91 in a vertical direction, a movable part 93 screwed to
the position adjustment bolt 92 to be positioned above the fixed
protrusion 91, and a fixed part 94 interposed between the fixed
protrusion 91 and the movable part 93. At this time, the movable
part 93 preferably has a size smaller than an inner diameter of the
lower frame 22, and the fixed part 94 preferably has a size greater
than the inner diameter of the lower frame 22. In this
configuration of the bottom fixture 9, if the position adjustment
bolt 92 is rotated with the fixed protrusion 91 being inserted into
the inner circumference of the lower frame 22, the movable part 93
is moved vertically and also the fixed part 94 changes its position
to be inclined by means of this movable part 93 so that the fixed
part 94 is closely adhered to the inner circumference of the lower
frame 22 and the fixed protrusion 91. Thus, the bottom fixture 9
may keep a fixed state firmly.
[0048] FIG. 7 is a plane view showing the canopy of the present
invention for illustrating a coupled state of a fixed two-point
connection member and a pivoting frame, and FIG. 8 is a side
sectional view showing the canopy of the present invention for
illustrating a coupled state of a fixed two-point connection member
and an upper frame.
[0049] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the fixed two-point connection
member 4 is fixed to an upper inner circumference of each upper
frame 21 by means of a fixed protrusion 4a formed on its lower
portion. In addition, the pivoting frame 7 has two frames in a
group, and it is hinged so that its center portion may be pivoted.
This pivoting frame 7 may be made of light metal such as aluminum
or synthetic resin with a predetermined strength. At this time, in
the present invention, in order to connect the fixed two-point
connection member 4 to the pivoting frame 7, a group of inserts 71
are protruded on both ends of the pivoting frame 7 at a
predetermined interval so as to prepare a receiving groove 72
perforated in a vertical direction, and the fixed two-point
connection member 4 has two supports 41 inserted into the receiving
groove 72 of the pivoting frame 7, and an insert groove 42 prepared
in the supports 41 so that one of the inserts 71 of the pivoting
frame 7 is inserted therein. In addition, through holes 711, 411
for fixing a pin p are perforated in each insert 71 of the pivoting
frame 7 and the support 41 of the fixed two-point connection member
4 at positions corresponding to each other, and a reinforcing
member 8 is interposed into each insert 71 and each receiving
groove 72 of the pivoting frame 7. This reinforcing member 8 is
made of soft synthetic resin as shown in an enlarged view of FIG.
5. The reinforcing member 8 is installed to surround each insert
71, and its front portion is inserted and fixed in the inner
circumference of the pivoting frame 7. Insert holes 81
corresponding to the through hole 711 of each insert 71 are
prepared in both ends of the reinforcing member 8. In this
connection, the canopy of the present invention may enhance its
strength since the receiving groove 72 with a socket shape is
formed in the pivoting frame 7 and also the support 41 inserted
into the receiving groove 72 is prepared to the fixed two-point
connection member 4 so that the pivoting frame 7 may have a
sufficient thickness. In addition, since the receiving groove 72 is
perforated in a vertical direction, the pivoting frame 7 may be
pivoted in a vertical direction while being pin-fixed to the
support 41 of the fixed two-point connection member 4, thereby
capable of ensuring a sufficient pivoting angle. In addition, since
the pivoting frame 7 is pin-fixed to the support 41 of the fixed
two-point connection member 4 with the reinforcing member 8 being
interposed in each insert 71 and each receiving groove 72 of the
pivoting frame 7, friction probably generated when the pivoting
frame 7 is pivoting may be minimized, and thus deformation caused
by the friction may also be minimized.
[0050] FIG. 9 is a plane view showing the canopy of the present
invention for illustrating a coupled state of a movable two-point
connection member and a pivoting frame.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 9, the movable two-point connection member
4' has an installation hole 43 vertically perforated at a center of
its body so that the movable two-point connection member 4' may be
vertically moved with being inserted into the outer circumference
of the upper frame 21. This movable two-point connection member 4'
includes two supports 41 inserted into the receiving groove 72 of
the pivoting frame 7 to which the reinforcing member 8 is
installed, and an insert groove 42 prepared in the support 41 so
that one of the inserts 71 of the pivoting frame 7 is inserted
therein, identically to the above fixed two-point connection member
4. In addition, the height adjustment member 44 explained above is
also prepared to the movable two-point connection member 4'. In
this connection, the movable two-point connection member 4' is
connected with two pivoting frames 7 and also firmly fixed by means
of the height adjustment member 44 with being moved up or down
along the outer circumference of the upper frame 21 as shown in
FIG. 7.
[0052] FIG. 10 is a plane view showing the canopy of the present
invention for illustrating a coupled state of a three-point
connection member and a pivoting frame.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 10, the three-point connection member 5 is
positioned between the support frames 2 respectively as shown in
FIG. 4. This three-point connection member 5 includes three
supports 41 formed in three directions and inserted into the
receiving groove 72 of the pivoting frame 7 to which the
reinforcing member 8 is installed, and an insert groove 42 formed
in the supports 41 so that one of the inserts 71 of the pivoting
frame 7 is inserted therein. In this connection, three pivoting
frames 7 are pivotally connected to the three-point connection
member 5 while the three-point connection member 5 is positioned
between the support frames 2 respectively.
[0054] FIG. 11 is a plane view showing the canopy of the present
invention for illustrating a coupled state of a four-point
connection member and a pivoting frame.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 11, the upper and lower four-point
connection members 6, 6' are positioned at a center between the
support frames 2 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and an anti-droop frame
61 is vertically installed thereto. These upper and lower
four-point connection members 6, 6' includes four supports inserted
into the receiving groove 72 of the pivoting frame 7 to which the
reinforcing member 8 is installed, and an insert groove 42 formed
in the supports so that one of the inserts of the pivoting frame is
inserted therein. In this connection, four pivoting frames 7 may be
pivotally connected to the upper and lower four-point connection
members 6, 6' respectively while they are positioned at the center
between the support frames.
[0056] As described above, the canopy according to the present
invention has a receiving groove with a socket shape formed in the
pivoting frame, and a support is prepared to each connection member
so that the support is pin-coupled with being inserted into the
receiving groove, thereby capable of giving a sufficient thickness
to the pivoting frame and also enhancing its strength. In addition,
since the pivoting frame is perforated in a vertical direction, the
pivoting frame may be pivoted in an upper or lower direction with
being pin-coupled to the support of each connection member, thereby
ensuring a sufficient pivoting angle. Moreover, since a reinforcing
member is interposed in each insert and each receiving groove of
the pivoting frame so that the pivoting frame is pin-coupled to the
support of each coupling member in this state, friction probably
generated when the pivoting frame is pivoting may be minimized, and
thus deformation caused by the friction may also be minimized.
* * * * *