WO2003069098A1

WO2003069098A1 - Foldable frame assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2003069098A1
Application number: PCT/GB2003/000687
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Gardner
Original assignee: Q.E.F.Products Limited
Priority date: 2002-02-14
Filing date: 2003-02-14
Publication date: 2003-08-21
Also published as: GB2400619A; AU2003212496A1; GB0417144D0; GB2400619B; GB0203483D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a foldable frame assembly. The frame assembly comprises first and second end frame sections, the end frame sections each comprising a plurality of end frame members interconnected at a hub member, the end frame members being foldable relative to the hub member between a collapsed position and an erect position in which they radiate from the hub member. The hub member is pivotally connected to a first end of said end frame members and has at least one support surface for supporting said end frame members in the erect position against folding other than in a predetermined direction. The first and second end frames are interconnected by interconnecting side frame members pivotally connected to the end frame sections via corner joints with a second end of respective end frame members. The foldable frame assembly may be incorporated into a collapsible enclosure such as a tent or temporary shelter.

Description

FOLDABLE FRAME ASSEMBLY The present invention relates to a foldable frame assembly. It is known to provide a foldable enclosure such as a tent, having a foldable frame assembly secured to a flexible material enclosure and foldable for convenient storage.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a foldable frame assembly comprising first and second end frame sections, the end frame sections each comprising a plurality of end frame members interconnected at a hub member, the end frame members being foldable relative to the hub member between a collapsed position and an erect position in which they radiate from the hub member, wherein the hub member is pivotally connected to a first end of said end frame members and has at least one support surface for supporting said end frame members in the erect position against folding other than in a predetermined direction, wherein the first and second end frames are interconnected by interconnecting side frame members pivotally connected to the end frame sections via corner joints with a second end of respective end frame members.

This arrangement provides a foldable frame assembly that is both quick and easy to erect or collapse and that in the collapsed position is relatively compact for ease of transport and storage. The hub member may further comprise a locking means operable to releasably fix the end frame members in the erect position.

The locking means may take many forms. For example, the locking means may comprise an elongate member, such as a screw or pin or the like movable relative to said hub member, the elongate member being movable from an unlocked position in which the end frame members are free to rotate to a locked position in which a portion of the elongate member prevents rotation of the end frame members, locking them in the erect position. Preferably, the elongate member is moveable within a channel in the hub member. The channel may be substantially central and may be a longitudinal channel.

Alternative embodiments of the locking means are possible. For example, the locking means may comprise a rotatable disc attached via a pivot, which may be a central pivot, to the hub member, the disc being provided with a plurality of peripheral cut-out portions whereby the disc is rotatable from an unlocked position, in which the end frame members are free to move between the collapsed position and the erect position within the peripheral cut-out portions, to a locked position in which movement of the end frame members towards their collapsed position is prevented by the disc.

The locking means may be provided with a biassing means, such as, for example, a helical coil spring, to bias the locking means towards a locked position in which the end frame members are held in the erect position.

Preferably, the frame assembly is of a unitary construction, i.e. all of the frame members are interconnected, whereby the frame may be erected or collapsed without the need to connect or disconnect frame members.

The hub member may be provided with a number of support surfaces corresponding to the number of end frame members, whereby each end frame member is supported in the erect position by a respective support surface. The (or each) support surface may comprise a stop or abutment. Preferably, the (or each) support surface comprises an open channel, the end frame members being supported in the erect position within the open channel. The hub member may be formed from any appropriate material, including, for example, plastics or steel.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support surface or surfaces support the erect end frame members in a position such that the hub member and each of the end frame members are substantially coplanar. In this embodiment, therefore, the end frame members are disposed substantially parallel to one another in the collapsed position and may be folded through approximately 90° into the erect position.

However, the support surface(s) may be positioned to support the erect end frame members at a range of angles relative to the plane of the hub member. For example, by providing support surface(s) that support the erect end frame members at an angle greater than 90° from their collapsed position, it is possible to produce a frame assembly having an outwardly sloping end frame. It is possible in this embodiment that the tension between frame and cover may be sufficient to lock the frame in erected position without the need for a locking mechanism.

The end frame members may be connected to the hub member by any suitable connecting means. Conveniently, however, the end frame members are each connected to the hub member via a respective pivot pin or the like, whereby folding of the end frame members relative to the hub member is achieved by pivoting of said end frame members about said pivot pin or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the connecting means spans an open channel, this being the support surface.

The end frame members may be connected to the hub member by connecting means comprising a biassing means, such as, for example, a flexible elastic tube or the like, or a helical coil spring, whereby the end frame members are biassed towards the erect position. Thus, upon release from the collapsed position, rotation of the end frame members to the erect position may be effected or assisted by the biassing means.

The end frame members are preferably elongate members and may comprise tubes, rods or the like. The end frame members may have uniform or different dimensions from one another. The end frame members may be formed from any rigid material, for example, metal, wood, carbon or rigid plastics. The end frame members may be substantially circular in cross section.

The end frame preferably comprises at least three end frame members, and most preferably comprises at least four end frame members. The end frame members may be disposed substantially regularly around the interconnecting hub member, although a wide variety of different arrangements are possible.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, four end frame members are disposed about the hub member in two sets of opposing pairs of end frame members, whereby the end frame members describe generally a cross shape in the erect position when viewed from an end. The end frame members may be disposed regularly around the hub member such that the second ends of uniformly sized end frame members will describe an approximate square. Alternatively, the relative angles between pairs of end frame members may be altered such that the aspect ratio of the rectangular shape described by the second ends of uniformly sized end frame members may be altered. By increasing the number of end frame members, frame assemblies having end frame members the second ends of which describe an approximate pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, etc., may be produced. The shapes described by the second ends of the end frame members may be generally regular or irregular polygons. Provided that sufficient rigidity can be established by the locking of a lesser number of the end frame members, certain of the end frame members may be attached to the hub member without the need to be locked by the locking means, thereby reducing the necessary complexity and size of the hub member. The hub member may therefore be provided with additional anchorage points for further end frame members.

Conveniently, these may comprise grooves or channels in the hub member in which the end frame member(s) may be accommodated.

The side frame members comprise elongate members and may have similar compositions and/or structures to the end frame members. The corner joints may take any suitable form. For example, each corner joint may comprise a rivet about which relative rotation of the end frame member and side frame member can occur. Preferably, however, each corner joint comprises a 'U'-shaped bracket with a securing pivot screw or pin.

The end frame members preferably fold inwardly towards the side frame members about the corner joints to take up the collapsed position and fold relative to one another about the hub member.

Preferably, therefore, the ratio of the length of the side frame members to the length of the end frame members is at least 2:1, such that sufficient space is provided for collapse of the frame assembly by inward folding of the end frame members of each end frame toward the side frame members. However, it will be appreciated that where the need to fold completely flat for storage is not essential, this ratio can be reduced.

The first and second end frames are preferably substantially mirror images of one another, such that interconnecting side frame members extending between the second ends of corresponding end frame members are generally parallel to one another. It will be appreciated, however, that a range of other configurations are possible in which the first and second end frames differ in size and/or shape.

In this respect, it is possible to reduce the second end frame to a pivotable joint such that the side frame members are pivotally attached at a first end to the second end of the members of the first end frame and at a second end are foldably interconnected via the pivotable joint. With this arrangement it is possible to produce a foldable 'tepee'-type frame assembly. Again, the number, size and arrangement of end frame members may be altered to provide foldable tepee frames with different configurations.

The side frame members may be sleeved to allow the size of the collapsed frame assembly to be minimised. The sleeved side frame members each comprise at least two sections, an inner section and an outer section, the inner section being slideable within the outer section (or "sleeve"). The effective length of the sleeved side frames may therefore be increased or reduced by sliding of the inner section within the outer section. The inner and outer sections are preferably releasably fixable relative to one another, and in particular are preferably releasably fixable in the position giving maximum extension of the sections relative to one another. The inner and outer sections may be fixed using an appropriate locking mechanism such as, for example, a sprung pin or a rotating lock.

Similarly, the end frame members may be sleeved in order to minimise the size of the collapsed frame assembly.

It should be noted that the use of the terms 'end frame' and 'side frame' do not necessarily define actual orientation of the frame assembly in practice. The erect frame assembly may be used in a number of possible arrangements, some of which may result in the end frame forming a 'side' of the frame assembly. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a collapsible enclosure comprising a foldable frame assembly as hereinbefore defined to which a cover means is secured.

The cover means may be secured to the frame assembly in any suitable manner, and may be secured to the frame assembly either prior to or after erection thereof.

Examples of suitable means of attachment include zips, fixed or elasticated ties, stitching or heat-sealing.

The cover means may be permanently secured to the frame assembly to provide a unitary collapsible enclosure. This has the advantage of mimmising the risk of losing the cover means during transit or storage.

A flexible cover means is preferably secured to the frame assembly, although in some situations it may be desirable to use a rigid cover means.

The cover means may be formed from any suitable material, including, for example, cotton, nylon, plastics, etc. The material may be coated or treated, for example to render said material waterproof. For certain applications, the cover means may have sections formed from different materials to allow, for example, the passage of light or air.

The material chosen for the cover means will typically reflect the intended use of the collapsible enclosure. For example, the collapsible enclosure may be used as a collapsible greenhouse or cold frame, in which case a transparent material will be secured to the frame assembly. Material such as canvas may be used to form the cover means of a collapsible enclosure of the present invention for use as a tent, shelter, etc.

The cover means may form a continuous enclosure around the frame assembly. Alternatively, selected sections, such as selected planes of the erect frame assembly may not be covered by the cover means. For example, a ground-facing plane of the erect frame assembly may conveniently be left uncovered.

The cover means may be provided with one or more openings. The collapsible enclosure according to the present invention has a wide range of different applications, including those mentioned above. Other applications include, but are not restricted to, an emergency/disaster tent, a fisherman's tent, a workman's tent/manhole cover, a birdwatcher's "hide", a sport spectator's tent/dugout, a collapsible cot/playpen, an internal storage means, a temporary wardrobe, an external storage means, a temporary shed, a vehicle cover, a plant equipment cover or similar. The present invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of one type of foldable frame assembly according to the present invention in the erect position; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic side view of the foldable frame assembly of the type shown in Fig. 1 in the collapsed position;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic end view of the foldable frame assembly of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic side view of the foldable frame assembly of Figs. 1 to

3 in the erect position; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic end view of the foldable frame assembly of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a hub member and locking means according to the present invention; Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic plan view of a further hub member and locking means according to the present invention; Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic plan view of a still further hub member with alternative locking means; and

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic perspective view of one type of collapsible enclosure according to the present invention in the erect position. Referring to Figs. 1, 4 and 5 an erect foldable frame assembly 10 according to the present invention has end frame sections 11 and 12, each comprising four tubular steel end frame members (13, 14, 16, 17 and 18, 19, 21, 22 respectively) radiating from a moulded plastics hub member 23, 24 to form an X-shape. The ends of the end frame members 13, 14, 16, 17 and 18, 19, 21, 22 distal to the hub members 23, 24 are rotatably connected by corner joints (26, 27, 28, 29 and 31, 32, 33, 34 respectively) comprising a substantially U-shaped plastics member spanned by a pivot pin or screw, to tubular steel side frame members 36, 37, 38, 39. The end frame sections 11 and 12 are substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the side frame members 36, 37, 38, 39. Figs. 2 and 3 show the foldable frame assembly 10 in the collapsed position. In order to reach this position, the hub members 23 and 24 are moved towards each other.

This movement results in rotation of the side frame members 13, 14, 16, 17 and 18, 19,

21, 22 about their pivotable connections to the hub members 23 and 24 such that the end frames 11 and 12 collapse and are folded inwards, the side frame members 13, 14, 16, 17 and 18, 19, 21, 22 being free to rotate about the pivot pins connecting them to the corner joints 26, 27, 28, 29 and 31, 32, 33, 34. Thus, the foldable frame assembly 10 adopts the relatively compact collapsed position for easy storage.

The collapsible frame assembly 10 may be re-erected by outward movement of the hub members 23 and 24 away from one another. Conveniently, the hub members 23, 24 may be lockable to fix the foldable frame assembly 10 in the erect position. Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a hub member 23 having a locking means 40 operable to releasably fix the end frame members 13, 16 in the erect position. The locking means 40 comprises an elongate steel rod 43 with a terminal stop 44. The hub member 23 is provided with a channel 46 within which the elongate rod 43 is slideable and a recess 47 in which the stop 44 is accommodated. A biassing means comprising a helical coil spring 48 wound around the elongate rod 43 is maintained in position by a terminal washer and screw 49, which also serves to prevent the escape of the elongate rod 43 from the channel 46 by abutment with a lipped portion 51 at the end of the channel 46.

Fig. 6A shows the hub member 23 with the locking means 40 in the unlocked position, in which position the end frame members 13, 16 are free to rotate relative to the hub member 23 about their respective pivot screws 41, 42 within channels in the hub member 23. The application of force is required to maintain the unlocked position in which the stop 44 is moved out of the recess 47 against the urge of the biassing means 48.

With the locking means 40 in the unlocked position, the end frame members 13, 16 are freely moveable between the erect and collapsed positions. Once the end frame members have been fully rotated to the collapsed position, the biassing means urges the locking means 40 to the locked position wherein the stop 44 is accommodated within the recess 47. In this position, the end frame members 13, 16 are fixed in the collapsed position by abutment of a first end of each end frame member 13, 16 against the stop 44 which prevents their rotation about the pivot screws 41, 42. The channels in which the end frame members 13, 16 are housed when in the erect position may have recessed portions at their ends adjacent the recess 47, the recessed portions serving to accommodate the first ends of the end frame members 13, 16 when in the fully collapsed position.

Fig. 6B shows the hub member 23 with the locking means 40 in the locked position with the end frame members 13, 16 fixed in the erect position. The first end of each end frame member 13, 16 abuts the stop 44 which is accommodated in the recess 47, preventing rotation about the pivot screws 41, 42. The end frame members 13, 16 are supported by corresponding support surfaces of the hub member 23 which prevent rotation of the end frame members 13, 16 through further than substantially 90°. In order to release the end frame members 13, 16, force must be applied to move the stop

44 out of the recess 47.

The surface of the stop 44 that faces the recess 47 is bevelled to aid movement of the end frame members 13, 16.

An alternatively preferred embodiment of the hub member according to the present invention is shown in Fig. 7. This moulded plastics hub member 60 is essentially the same as that of Fig. 6, but possesses an additional support surface 61 comprising a channel to accommodate a further end frame member 62 which pivots about a pivot screw 63. The remaining end frame members 64, 66, 61, 68 are rotatable about respective pivot screws 69, 71, 72, 73 and move relative to corresponding support surfaces comprising channels 74, 76, 77, 78. A locking means 79 is provided.

However, the further end frame member 62 is not locked by the locking means 79, the locking of the remaining end frame members providing sufficient rigidity to maintain the erect position. Fig. 8 shows a further embodiment of a hub member 80 according to the present invention, with a locking means 81 comprising a rotatable flattened disc 82 of a plastics material. The flattened disc 82 is rotatable relative to the moulded plastics hub member

80 about a central pivot 83. The rotatable disc has four peripheral cut-out portions 84, 86, 87, 88.

Fig. 8 A shows the hub member 80 with the locking means 81 in the unlocked position. The peripheral cut-out portions 84, 86, 87, 88 are positioned adjacent corresponding end frame members 91, 92, 93, 94 whereby the end frame members 91,

92, 93, 94 are freely rotatable within the peripheral cut-out portions 84, 86, 87, 88 and can therefore be moved between the collapsed and erect positions.

Fig. 8B shows the same hub member 80 with the locking means 81 in the locked position. The flattened disc 82 has been rotated through approximately 45° such that the segments of the disc 82 interposed between the peripheral cut-out portions 84, 86,

87, 88 are adjacent the end frame members 91, 92, 93, 94, preventing their movement and fixing them in the erect position. In order to release the end frame members 91, 92,

93, 94, the disc 82 must be further rotated to the unlocked position.

Fig. 9 shows one embodiment of an erect collapsible enclosure 100 according to the present invention, comprising a foldable frame assembly 101 of the invention and a cover means 102 attached thereto. The frame assembly 101 has two end frame sections 103, 104, each comprising five end frame members (106, 107, 108, 109, 111 and 112,

113, 114, 116, 117, respectively) rotatably interconnected at a respective hub member 118, 119. The hub member is of the type shown in Fig. 7. The frame assembly 101 further comprises side frame members 121, 122, 123, 124 and a roof support member 126. The cover means 102 is attached via elasticated hoops 127 to the ground- contacting side frame members 123, 124, ensuring tensioned fit and ease of erection/collapse.

This arrangement provides a collapsible enclosure 100 having a sloping roof section 128 wherein the roof support member 126 forms the apex of the roof section 128. This conveniently allows the discharge of rainfall. The frame members are formed from 16mm diameter tubular steel, although different diameter tube may be utilised. The hub members 118, 119 and comer joints (not shown) are formed from a plastics material selected for durability, flexibility and compactness.

The cover means 102 may comprise any appropriate material. For example, the collapsible enclosure 100 may comprise a temporary greenhouse, in which case a plastics material such as polythene may be used as the cover means 102.

An appropriate carry bag and/or replacement cover means 102 may be provided, for example a cover means of an opaque material or of a material having different horticultural properties. The collapsible enclosure 100 may be secured to soft or hard ground surfaces using any suitable means including, for example, securing pins, weighted blocks, etc.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of these exemplary embodiments.

Claims

1. A foldable frame assembly comprising first and second end frame sections, the end frame sections each comprising a plurality of end frame members interconnected at a hub member, the end frame members being foldable relative to the hub member between a collapsed position and an erect position in which they radiate from the hub member, wherein the hub member is pivotally connected to a first end of said end frame members and has at least one support surface for supporting said end frame members in the erect position against folding other than in a predetermined direction, wherein the first and second end frames are interconnected by interconnecting side frame members pivotally connected to the end frame sections via comer joints with a second end of respective end frame members.

2. A frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hub member further comprises a locking means.

3. A frame assembly according to claim 2, wherein the locking means comprises an elongate member moveable relative to the hub member from an unlocked position, in which' the end frame members are free to move between the collapsed position and the erect position, to a locked position in which a portion of the elongate member prevents movement of the end frame members towards the collapsed position.

4. A frame assembly according to claim 3, wherein the elongate member is selected from a screw or pin and is moveable within a channel in the hub member.

5. A frame assembly according to claim 2, wherein the locking means comprises a rotatable disc attached via a central pivot to the hub member, the disc being provided with a plurality of peripheral cut-out portions whereby the disc is rotatable from an unlocked position, in which the end frame members are free to move between the collapsed position and the erect position within the peripheral cut-out portions, to a locked position in which movement of the end frame members towards the collapsed position is prevented by the disc.

6. A frame assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the locking means is provided with a biassing means to bias the locking means towards a locked position in which the end frame members are held in the erect position.

7. A frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the support surface comprises an open channel.

8. A frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the hub member is provided with a number of support surfaces corresponding to the number of end frame members whereby each end frame member is supported in the erect position by a respective support surface.

9. A frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein erect end frame members are supported by a support surface in a position where the hub member and each of the erect end frame members are substantially coplanar.

10. A frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein erect end frame members are supported by a support surface at an angle greater that 90° from the collapsed position.

11. A frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the end frame members are connected to the hub member by connecting means comprising a biassing means whereby the end frame members are biased towards the erect position.

12. A frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the end frame members are selected from rigid tubes or rods.

13. A frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein each end frame section comprises at least three end frame members.

14. A frame assembly according to claim 13, wherein each end frame section comprises four end frame members in two sets of opposing pairs of end frame members such that the end frame members describe generally a cross shape in the erect position when viewed from an end.

15. A frame assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 14, wherein at least one end frame member is not lockable by the locking means.

16. A frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein each comer joint comprises a 'U'-shaped bracket with a securing pivot pin.

17. A frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the end frame members fold inwardly towards the side frame members about the comer joints in folding towards the collapsed position.

18. A frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the ratio of the length of the side frame members to the length of the end frame members is at least 2:1.

19. A frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the side frame members and/or the end frame members are sleeved.

20. A frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second end frame section consists of a pivotable joint such that the side frame members are pivotably attached at a first end to the second end of the members of the first end frame section and at a second end are foldably interconnected via the pivotable joint.

21. A foldable frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the frame assembly is of a unitary construction whereby the frame may be erected or collapsed without the need to connect or disconnect frame members.

22. A collapsible enclosure comprising a foldable frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 21 to which a cover means is secured.

23. A collapsible enclosure according to claim 22, wherein the cover means is secured to the frame assembly prior to erection of the frame assembly.

24. A collapsible enclosure according to claim 22, wherein the cover means is secured to the frame assembly after erection of the frame assembly.

25. A collapsible enclosure according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the cover means forms a continuous enclosure around the frame assembly.

26. A collapsible enclosure according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein part of the area defined by the frame assembly in the erect position is left uncovered by the cover means.

27. A collapsible enclosure according to claim 26, wherein a ground-facing plane of the frame assembly in the erect position is left uncovered by the cover means.

28. A collapsible enclosure according to any one of claims 22 to 27, wherein the collapsible enclosure is selected from a greenhouse, cold frame, shelter, tent, emergency/disaster tent, fisherman's tent, workman's tent/manhole cover, birdwatcher's "hide", sport spectator's tent/dugout, collapsible cot/playpen, internal storage means, temporary wardrobe, external storage means, shed, vehicle cover, and a plant equipment cover.