US20070240748A1

US20070240748A1 - Canopy

Info

Publication number: US20070240748A1
Application number: US11/308,654
Authority: US
Inventors: Sang-Jin Bae
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-04-18
Filing date: 2006-04-18
Publication date: 2007-10-18

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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
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.
2. Description of the Related Art
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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

Therefore, the present invention is designed to solve the problems of the canopy disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,001.
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.
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.
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.
In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a canopy, which includes:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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

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;
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;
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;
FIG. 4 is a plane view showing the canopy according to the present invention for illustrating a position of each connection member;
FIG. 5 is a side view showing the canopy of the present invention for illustrating an operation of a support frame;
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;
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;
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;
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;
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
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

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail referring to the drawings.
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.
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′.
FIG. 5 is a side view showing the canopy of the present invention for illustrating an operation of a support frame.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 4 a 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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.