Collapsible Ice Fishing House

Abstract

A sectioned floor structure supports a collapsible frame and a flexible enclosure is suspended from the collapsible frame within the confines thereof. The sectioned floor structure and collapsible frame are foldable from an erect operative position wherein the floor structure is in a horizontal planar position to a storage-transport position wherein wing sections of the sectioned floor structure are disposed in parallel vertical planes perpendicular to a center section of the floor structure with the collapsible frame and flexible enclosure stored therebetween. Skid runners are secured to the floor structure to support the floor structure in the horizontal planar position thereof or in the storage-transport position thereof.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to ice fishing houses and more particularly to collapsible ice fishing houses which are portable in nature.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The concept of providing a shelter to protect ice fishermen from the elements during harsh winter conditions is not new. Such shelters come in many shapes and sizes and in the form of rigid or collapsible structures which may be considered relatively permanent or portable. With particular reference to structures of the collapsible type employing walls of either rigid or flexible materials, problems have arisen in that hardware permitting such structures to collapse is often overly complicated or unable to stand the rigors of use. Also, such hardware on many occasions must be completely detached when the structure is collapsed with the result that parts thereof may be lost or misplaced. In addition, such collapsible structures, when constructed to accommodate a number of fishermen, have resulted in devices which generally present weight problems, which are difficult to erect or collapse and which are prohibitively expensive. Examples of known prior art U. S. patents showing devices of the above character are listed below.

Patent No. Patentee Issue Date 3,131,704 Shimon May 5, 1964 3,173,436 Peters March 16, 1965 3,352,313 Kroening Nov. 14, 1967 3,464,735 Smith Sept. 2, 1969 3,570,507 Kashuba March 16, 1971

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the advent of the snowmobile, which is particularly adapted to move such structures to desired locations, the need for a collapsible shelter that is light in weight, relatively compact in size (when in a storage-transport position) and able to accommodate a number of persons in its erect operative position has been recognized. The present invention provides such a collapsible ice fishing house having a floor structure including a center section and a pair of wing sections foldable from a planar position to a storage-transport position. The floor structure supports a frame from which a flexible enclosure is suspended. The frame includes front and rear arch members which are connected together by horizontal frame members to lie in spaced parallel vertical planes, and vertical stabilizer elements extending between each of the arch members and the center section of the floor structure. The arches and vertical stabilizer elements are provided with hinge joints to permit the arch members to collapse within the spaced parallel vertical planes, and the vertical stabilizer elements to collapse in a plane perpendicular to and therebetween the spaced parallel vertical planes when the floor structure is folded to the storage-transport position. Angular brace members are movable from a position to maintain the fishing house in an erect operative position, to a position to maintain the house in a storage-transport position. Skid runners are secured to the center section and wing sections of the floor structure to support the floor structure in both the planar position and the storage-transport position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring with particularity to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a collapsible ice fishing house constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the erect operative position thereof;

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of the structure shown in FIG. 1 with the flexible enclosure thereof removed to better illustrate the supporting structure;

FIG. 3 is a view in end elevation of the structure shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the collapsed storage-transport position thereof;

FIG. 4 is a view in side elevation of the structure shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view in top plan of the structure shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of a connection for one of the angular brace members;

FIG. 7 is a view in elevation of one hinge member of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view in elevation of another hinge member of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view in perspective of the detachable connection of another angular brace member of the present invention;

FIGS. 10A-10D are sequential diagrammatic views illustrating the relative position of the moving parts of the present invention during movements from the erect operative position to the collapsed storage-transport position; and

FIGS. 10E-10G are vertical sectional views as seen from the lines 10E--10E, 10F--10F and 10G--10G of FIGS. 10B-10F, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a collapsible ice fishing house constructed in accordance with the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral 15. Ice fishing house 15 comprises a sectioned floor structure 16 including a center section 17 and a pair of wing sections 18 hingedly connected to center section 17 by hinges 19. The hinges 19 provide for pivotal movements of the wing sections 18 from a position wherein the floor structure 16 is disposed in a generally horizontal planar position (see FIGS. 1 and 2) to a storage-transport position wherein the wing sections 18 are disposed in generally parallel planes generally perpendicular to the center section 17 (see FIG. 3).

Frame means, indicated generally by the numeral 20, are supported by the floor structure 16 in a manner to provide means for suspending a flexible enclosure 21. Flexible enclosure 21 is a generally rectangular tent-like structure with a hip roof and is suspended within the confines of the frame means 20 by means of a plurality of tie members 22. An L-shaped opening 23, equipped with a conventional zipper closure member, is formed in one of the side walls of the flexible enclosure 21 to permit egress from and ingress into the enclosure 21. As required by law, in the case of angling for fish, a transparent window 24 is provided to admit light into the interior of the enclosure 21. In cases where darkness is required or permitted within the enclosure 21, such as during the spearing of fish, an opaque flap (not shown) may be provided to cover the window 24. In addition to the tie members 22, anchoring strips 25 may be utilized to secure the base of the flexible enclosure 21 to the floor structure 16. Also, as is usual in structures of this type, I have provided a plurality of spaced openings 26 for fishing through the floor structure 16. Each of the openings 26 is positioned adjacent a different corner of the floor structure 16.

Frame means 20, now to be described in greater detail, includes front and rear arch members 27, 28 each disposed adjacent respective front and rear edges of the floor structure 16. Each of the arch members 27, 28 comprises a plurality of arch portions having upright or erect operative positions (see FIGS. 1 and 2) and collapsed storage-transport positions (see FIGS. 3, 4 and 5). As seen particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plurality of arch portions forming the front and rear arch members 27, 28 include upwardly inclined rafter elements 29 and laterally spaced vertical support elements 30 having opposite end portions which are joined to form peak and haunch joints 31, 32 respectively. Horizontal frame members 33 extend between and join the arch members 27, 28 at the peak and haunch joints 31, 32 respectively, to support the arch members in spaced generally parallel vertical planes lying inwardly of respective front and rear edges of the floor structure 16.

A vertical stabilizer element 34, comprising a plurality of stabilizer portions 35, extends between each arch member 27, 28 and the center section 17 of the floor structure 16. The uppermost stabilizer portion 35 is rigidly attached to and depends from the peak 31 for a reason which will become apparent hereinafter.

Hinge means connecting the arch portions of front and rear arches 27, 28 and the stabilizer portions 35 of stabilizer elements 34, to permit collapsing movements of each of the arch members 27, 28 in its respective vertical plane and each of the stabilizer elements 34 in a plane perpendicular to and extending between the vertical planes of the arch members 27, 28, include hinge members 36, 37, 38, and intermediate hinge members 39. As shown, hinge members 36 join rafter members 29 to form the peaks 31. Hinge members 37 join rafter members 29 and vertical support elements 30 to form the haunch joints 32. Hinge members 38 join the vertical supports 30 and vertical stabilizer element 35 to the floor structure 16. The intermediate hinge members 39 join opposite end portions of the rafter members 29, vertical support members 30 and lower vertical stabilizer portions 35. For the purpose of providing a maximum degree of stability to the hinge members 36-38 and the intermediate hinge members 39 during all phases of collapsing movements of the arch members 27, 28 and stabilizer elements 34, each of the hinge members 36-38 and the intermediate hinge members 39 is formed to include spaced guide plates 40 disposed on opposite sides of respective rafter elements 29, vertical support elements 30 and stabilizer elements 34. Each pair of guide plates 40 is rigidly affixed to a common element while a pivot pin 41 carried by the adjacent element is journaled in the pair of guide plates for pivotal movements of the other element therebetween. Thus, as can be seen from FIGS. 7, 8 the pairs of guide plates 40 may be shaped to guide the other element through a given amount of travel of the other element between the plates 40 from 0.degree. to 180.degree. without damage to the pivot joint in spite of lateral forces exerted thereon for various reasons.

In view of the multiple hinged connections of the various parts of the frame means 20, it is necessary to provide means for maintaining the arch members 27, 28 in their upright operative positions as well as the floor structure 16 in its horizontal planar position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. For this purpose I provided angularly disposed brace members 42, each of which extends from one of the vertical support elements 30 to a respective wing section 18 intermediate the arch members 27, 28, and angularly disposed brace members 43 which each extend from a vertical support element 30 to the center section 17. FIG. 9 illustrates a typical connection of an end of the angularly disposed brace member 42, 43 to a respective element. In addition to the angular brace members 42, 43 I provide angular brace members 44 which extend between each of the stabilizer elements 34 and its respective rafter element 29 to support the rafters 29 in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 6 illustrates a typical ball hinge connection of the angular brace members 44 to their respective elements. As can be seen from the FIGS. 1 and 2, the particular placement of the angular braces 42-44 provides for a relatively rigid supporting frame means 20 and floor structure 16 capable of supporting the flexible enclosure 21 in spite of adverse weather conditions, such as high winds or heavy snowfall, which occur frequently during the winter months. As seen particularly in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the vertical stabilizer elements 34 each include a central hinge portion, having intermediate hinge 39 thereon, disposed interiorly of the flexible enclosure. This arrangement provides additional support to the front and rear walls of the flexible enclosure 21 during windy conditions as well as permitting collapsing movements of the stabilizer elements 34 in their respective planes during collapsing movements of the frame means 20, as will be described hereinafter.

Support means for supporting the floor structure 16 in the horizontal planar position of FIGS. 1 and 2 or in the storage-transport position of FIGS. 3-5 includes a pair of skid runners 45, one each secured to the center section 17 adjacent the hinge connection 19, and a skid runner 46 secured to each of the wing sections 18 spaced from the hinge connection 19 of a respective wing section 18. All of the skid runners 45-46 extend parallel to each other and to the pivot axes of the hinge connections 19 of the wing sections 18. A short tongue element 47 is provided at the front edge of the center section 17 for connection to a snowmobile or the like, not shown. On many occasions, as when fishing is poor at one location, it may be desirable to move the erect structure of FIGS. 1 and 2 to another location. Inasmuch as the floor structure 16 is supported by the skid runners 45, 46 it is a simple matter for one to connect a snowmobile to the tongue element 47 and tow the ice fishing house 15 to a relatively close new location without collapsing the house. Should the new location be some distance away or should it be desired to store the ice fishing house 15, it is also a relatively simple matter to collapse the house 15 from the erect operative position of FIGS. 1 and 2 to the storage-transport position shown in FIGS. 3-5 as will be described immediately hereinafter.

Referring to the diagrammatic views of FIGS. 10A-10G, the sequential steps of collapsing the floor structure 16 and frame 20 from the upright operative position of FIGS. 1 and 2 to the storage-transport position of FIGS. 3-5 are as follows. First, one end of each of the angular brace members 42, 43 and 44 is detached (such as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9) to permit the front and rear arch members 27, 28 to collapse inwardly from the position shown in FIG. 10A to the position shown in FIG. 10B wherein the partially collapsed arches are supported by the stabilizer members 34 in their respective vertical planes. Next, the vertical stabilizer members 34 are collapsed inwardly toward each other so as to lie in a vertical plane perpendicular to and extending between the vertical planes of the arch members 27, 28 (see FIGS. 10C, 10E and 10G). From FIGS. 10A-10G, it can be seen that while these collapsing movements of the frame 20 are occurring, the folding portions of the arch members 27, 28 assume generally symmetrical positions on opposite sides of the stabilizer members 34. Thus, a minimum of twisting or torque forces are applied to the hinged members 36-38 and intermediate hinged members 39 in spite of the fact that only a single person may be imparting collapsing movements of the frame means 20. After the stabilizer members 34 have been moved to the position illustrated in FIG. 10G, the floor structure 16 and frame means 20 assume the dotted line position of FIG. 10D wherein the floor structure 16 is still in a generally horizontal planar condition. Thereafter, it is a simple matter to complete the folding of the ice fishing house to its storage-transport position by moving first one of the wing elements 18 from the dotted line to the full line position position of FIG. 10D and connecting the angular brace member 43 associated therewith in the manner shown in FIG. 3, and thereafter moving the other wing section 18 from the dotted to the full line position of FIG. 10D and securing the angular brace members 43 associated therewith in the manner shown in FIG. 3. Finally, the brace members 42 associated with each of the wing sections 18 are secured to auxiliary pin elements 48 projecting from the edge of the wing sections 18 at the corners thereof removed from the hinged connections 19 (see FIGS. 4, 5). As can be seen particularly in FIGS. 3-5, the groups of angular brace members 42, 43 are connected in X fashion to provide a storage-transport position in which all the folding parts of the ice fishing house 15 are rigidly maintained in position without loss or damage to them caused by undue forces exerted on them during transport movements thereof.

While a specific embodiment of a collapsible fish house is illustrated and described, it should be understood that further modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art. I desire it to be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular structure shown, and I intend in the appended claims to cover all modifications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible ice fishing house foldable from an erect operative position to a storage-transport position comprising:

a. a floor structure including a center section and a pair of wing sections hingedly connected to said center section, said floor structure being movable from a horizontal planar position to a storage-transport position wherein said wing sections are disposed in generally parallel planes generally perpendicular to said center section;

b. frame means supported by said floor structure;

c. a flexible enclosure including means for suspending said flexible enclosure from within said frame means;

d. said frame means including

i. front and rear arch members disposed adjacent a front and rear edge of said floor structure respectively, each of said arch members comprising a plurality of arch portions having an upright and collapsed position;

ii. horizontal frame members extending between and joining said arch members to support said arch members in spaced generally parallel vertical planes lying inwardly of a respective front and rear edge of said floor structure;

iii. a vertical stabilizer element comprising a plurality of stabilizer portions extending between each arch member and said center section of said floor structure;

iv. hinge means connecting said arch portions and said stabilizer portions permitting collapsing movements of each of said arch members in its respective vertical plane and each of said stabilizer elements in a plane perpendicular to and extending between said vertical planes when said wing sections are moved from said planar position to said storage-transport position; and

v. means maintaining said arch members in their upright position and said wing sections in said storage-transport position.

2. The structure of claim 1 in further combination with support means secured to said center section and to each of said wing sections for supporting said floor structure in said horizontal planar position and storage-transport position.

3. The structure of claim 2 in which said support means includes a pair of skid runners one each secured to said center section adjacent the hinge connection of said center section to said wing section and a skid runner secured to each of said wing sections spaced from the hinge connection of a respective wing section, said skid runners extending parallel to each other and to the pivot axes of the hinge connections of said wing sections.

4. The structure of claim 1 in which each of said arch members includes upwardly inclined rafter elements and laterally spaced vertical support elements having opposite end portions which are joined to form a peak and haunch joint and in which said horizontal frame members extend between said arch members at said peak and haunch joints.

5. The structure of claim 4 in which said hinge means includes hinge members hingedly connecting said rafter elements and vertical support elements at said peak and haunch joints and each of said vertical support elements to a respective wing section and in which said hinge means further includes intermediate hinge members which form pivot joints intermediate said opposite end portions of each of said rafter and vertical support elements whereby said opposite end portions are in juxtaposition with each other when said arch members are collapsed to their storage-transport position.

6. The structure of claim 5 in which each of said hinge members include spaced guide plates disposed on opposite sides of respective rafter elements and vertical support elements and in which said guide plates lie in planes parallel to the direction of collapsible movement of their respective rafter and vertical support elements whereby to support said elements throughout the extent of pivot movement thereof.

7. The structure of claim 1 in which said means maintaining said arch members in their upright positions and said wing sections in said generally parallel storage-transport position includes angularly disposed brace members extending from each of said vertical support elements to a respective wing section intermediate said arch members, from each of said vertical support elements to said center section and from each of said stabilizer elements to its respective rafter elements.

8. The structure of claim 7 in which at least one end of each of said angularly disposed brace members is detachably mounted and in which each of said angularly dipsosed brace members associated with said vertical support elements extends from one wing section to the other wing section when said wing sections are in a storage-transport position.

9. The structure of claim 1 in which each of said stabilizer elements includes a central hinge portion disposed interiorly of said flexible enclosure.