TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a portable shelter. The present invention has particular,
although not exclusive application to beach shelters, umbrellas and other like outdoor
shelters.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken
as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the
common general knowledge.
[0003] Skin cancer and other skin damage from the sun is increasing at alarming rate. In
order to order to minimize skin damage, beach goers can bring beach umbrellas to the
beach. The umbrellas may be jammed into the sand and expanded to provide shelter to
a beach goer.
[0004] However, in practice, beach umbrellas are prone to blow away in the wind. Accordingly,
the canopy of a beach umbrella is often rested on the sand to stabilize the umbrella.
Resting the umbrella in this manner undesirably results in the beach goer needing
to crouch awkwardly beneath the umbrella and generally provides only partial sun protection
as part of the beach goer is exposed.
[0005] Other types of shelter are also known. A semi-enclosed expandable shelter has flexible
ribs that extend to ground level to tension the shelter. These shelters undesirably
lack air flow and adequate height to provide suitable ventilation and cooling for
their occupants and can be difficult to foldaway.
[0006] Large "scissor" action shelter have extendable legs requiring two or more people
to erect. These shelters are difficult to easily transport to and from the beach.
[0007] A known shelter is reliant upon the wind to be kept open to provide adequate room
for it's occupants. Often, there is not enough wind to keep these shelters open enough
with the outcome that beach goers do not stay long, do not enjoy their time at the
beach or simply do not use any shelter thereby increasing their susceptibility to
skin cancers.
[0008] There are 2 main types of existing umbrellas: namely large golf type umbrellas that
fold in length to more than 1m or compact "handbag" umbrellas that use a tri-folding
mechanism to fold small enough to fit inside a handbag or satchel for convenience.
Both types fold in manner which exposes the outer top "wet" surface of the canopy
when closed. Compact handbag umbrellas require a complex opening and closing process
comprising many parts which must be small in order to achieve their compact fold.
This undesirably results in many weak umbrellas that have a short lifespan and end
up as waste.
[0009] The preferred embodiment provides an improved shelter for beach goers and umbrellas
for protection from rain and sun.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable shelter
assembly including:
a support; and
an expandable shelter for being supported by the support and expanding to shelter
at least one person, the shelter including ribs extending from the support, each rib
including:
one or more proximal elements pivotally mounted to the support, and
a distal element extending from the proximal elements and configured to move outwardly
to expand the shelter when the proximal elements pivot in a first direction.
[0011] Advantageously, the distal elements may be simply pulled down one at a time to lift
the connected proximal elements and extend the ribs, which is advantageous in windy
conditions, or pulled down together to lift the proximal elements and extend the ribs.
[0012] The distal and proximal elements may fold together when collapsing the shelter (e.g.
umbrella) so that outer surfaces of an expanded canopy supported by the ribs fold
together. Advantageously, moisture from rain may be contained within the collapsed
shelter, and the outer surface of the collapsed shelter (being the inner surface of
the expanded canopy) is dry.
[0013] The (three) rib elements required to open the shelters arm may be substantially parallel
and/or stacked when the shelter is collapsed to advantageously form an extremely compact
shelter for storage whilst forming an expansive shelter when expanded. When stacked,
the distal element may be located between the proximal elements.
[0014] The distal element may be further configured to move inwardly to collapse the shelter
when the proximal elements pivot in a second direction opposite the first direction.
The first direction may be an upward direction. Ends of the proximal elements may
come together proximal the distal element during expansion of the shelter to form
a secure triangular structure.
[0015] The distal element may be pivotally mounted to at least one of the proximal elements,
and may pivot in an opposite direction to the proximal elements.
[0016] At least one of the proximal elements may include retainer for retaining the distal
element. At least one of the proximal elements may include a guide permitting sliding
of the distal element there-through. The distal element may include an impediment
for impeding free sliding through the guide. The impediment may include a rounded
formation. The expandable shelter may include a canopy which impedes further rotation
of the proximal elements.
[0017] The shelter may include stretchers for expanding the ribs from the support. The shelter
may include a runner for running along the support to actuate the stretchers. The
shelter may include a lock for locking the runner in place when the shelter is expanded.
In both versions where the main arm and secondary support arm connect to the centre
support these are fixed hinged locations unlike umbrellas with a sliding mechanism
used to open and close them where only the top main arm is fixed in it's location
and the lower support arm is connected to a moving slider.
[0018] The shelter may include a biasing means (e.g. spring) for biasing the runner to open
and expand the shelter. The shelter may include a push button to release the runner
to slide along the support under influence of the biasing means.
[0019] The proximal elements may include two or three elements. The elements may include
an upper element, a lower element and an outer upper element that rotates to open
or close about the upper and lower element. Each element may include a rod.
[0020] The shelter assembly may further include one or more anchors for anchoring the shelter,
and including receptacles for receiving material.
[0021] The receptacles may include sheet material. The anchors may include respective strips
extending from a periphery of the shelter. The strips may include sheet material.
The strips may include corner strips. One or more of the strips may include respective
interior pockets.
[0022] The support may include a spike for spiking into the ground (e.g. sand or grass).
The support may include a pole for releasably fastening to the spike which may also
act as a hammer to hammer the said spike(s) into sand or grass.
[0023] The shelter may be expanded in two steps, namely: a first step for opening the shelter
and a second step for tightening the shelter. The canopy may include a sheet of material.
The shelter may include ribs supporting the canopy. In one embodiment the ribs are
axially expandable to tighten the canopy. Each rib may include a lock for locking
the rib in an expanded configuration. In another embodiment, the ribs are pivotally
expandable to extend and possibly tighten the canopy. Each rib may include a restraint
for restraining pivoting. The canopy may be tensioned by the ribs pushing against
it. The shelter may include stretchers for expanding the ribs from the support. The
shelter may include a runner for running along the support to actuate the stretchers.
The shelter may include a lock for locking the runner in place when the shelter is
expanded.
[0024] The shelter assembly may be collapsed to be stowed in a carry-bag. The shelter may
be square or circular. The assembled shelter may be of sufficient height to accommodate
a standing person or held in the hand in the same way an umbrella is held. The ribs
or support may include lightweight, resilient tubes (e.g. aluminium or fibre reinforced
material).
[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rib for
an expandable shelter with a support, the rib including:
one or more proximal elements pivotally mounted to the support; and
a distal element extending from the proximal elements and configured to move outwardly
to expand the shelter when the proximal elements pivot.
[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method
for assembling a portable shelter assembly, the method including:
erecting a support;
supporting an expandable shelter with the support, the shelter including ribs extending
from the support, each rib including:
one or more proximal elements pivotally mounted to the support, and
a distal element extending from the proximal elements and configured to move outwardly
to expand the shelter when the proximal elements pivot in a first direction; and
expanding the shelter to shelter at least one person.
[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method
for opening and closing the shelter, the method including:
moving a slider up the central support which lifts the lower proximal element and
in so doing lifts the upper proximal element and rotates the distal element to open
the shelter. To close the slider may be moved downwards rotating the distal element
about the ends of the proximal elements to close it and lower the proximal elements.
[0028] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any
one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned
from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for
those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not
to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in
any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:
Figure 1 is a lower perspective view of an assembled portable beach shelter assembly;
Figure 2 is an exploded side view of the unassembled portable beach shelter assembly
of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a close-up perspective view of a rib of the beach shelter assembly of
Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a close-up perspective view of an alternative rib of the beach shelter
assembly of Figure 1;
Figure 5a-5e show sequential side views of a rib of the expanding portable shelter
of Figure 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; andFigure 66e
show sequential side views of a rib of the expanding portable shelter of Figure 1
in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention..
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a portable
beach shelter assembly 100 as shown in Figure 1. The shelter assembly 100 includes
a vertical and central support 102. An expandable shelter 104 is supported by the
support 102 and expands to shelter a person from the sun. Four corner anchors 106
are provided for anchoring the shelter 104 to the ground. Advantageously, shelter
assembly 100 is wind resistant whereby the anchors anchor the shelter 104 to impede
the assembly 100 from being blown away. The assembly 100 is erected by a single person
and provides excellent ventilation.
[0031] The anchors 106 include base pocket receptacles 108 for receiving sand, water bottles,
rocks or other like anchoring materials. The receptacles 108 are formed from stitched
sheet or other material. The anchors 106 also include respective corner strips 110
extending from a corner periphery of the shelter 104 to the ground. One or more of
the strips 110 may include interior storage pockets 112.
[0032] Turning to Figure 2, the support 102 includes a spike 200 for spiking into the sand
(e.g. ground). The support 102 also includes a tubular hammer pole 202 for releasably
receiving the spike 200. In turn, the pole 202 couples to a tubular vertical pole
204 of the shelter 104.
[0033] The expandable shelter 104 includes attached canopy 206 formed from a sheet of material.
The shelter 104 includes four ribs 208 supporting the canopy 206 and pivotally anchored
at a crown 209. The shelter 104 also includes stretchers 212 for expanding the ribs
208 from the support 102. A runner 210 is provided for running along the support 102
to actuate the stretchers 212. The shelter 104 may include a lock for locking the
runner 210 in place when the shelter 104 is expanded.
[0034] The shelter assembly 100 can be collapsed to be conveniently stowed in a carry-bag
carried by one person. The shelter 100 is generally square (Fig. 1) and expanded to
be at least 1.8 metres long x 1.8 metres wide, or other larger or smaller dimension
as required. The assembled shelter 100 may be of sufficient height to accommodate
a standing person. The ribs 208 and support 102 include lightweight, resilient tubes
(e.g. aluminium) to facilitate easy handling by the single user that can conveniently
erect and collapse the assembly 100.
[0035] The shelter 104 is initially expanded using the runner 210, and then further expanded
to tighten the canopy 206 using the ribs 208. Figure 3 shows a telescopic rib 208
which can be axially expanded to tighten the canopy 208. Each rib 208 includes a lock
300 or a ratchet type lock for locking the rib 208 in an expanded configuration. The
lock 300 includes a spring-biased pushbutton 302 that protrudes through adjustment
holes 303 in both sliding stems 304, 306 to lock the stems 304, 306 together.
[0036] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 4, the ribs 208 can be pivotally expandable to
tighten the canopy 206. In this manner a top stem 400 of the rib 208 pivots downwardly
to align with the level stem 402 during tightening of the canopy 206. Each rib 208
may include a mechanical restraint for restraining pivoting downwardly beyond 180°
so that the erected rib 208 is substantially straight.
[0037] A method for assembling the portable shelter assembly 100 is now briefly described.
[0038] Initially, a storage bag axially slips of off the compacted shelter assembly 100.
[0039] Next, the method involves erecting the support 102. The spike 200 slides into the
pole 202. The spike 200 is then hammered into the sand by forcing the pole 202 up
and down.
[0040] Next, the expandable shelter 104 is supported by the support 102. The vertical pole
204 of the shelter 104 slides onto the lower pole 202.
[0041] Next, the anchor receptacles 108 are filled with sand to anchor the shelter 104.
[0042] Next, the shelter 104 is expanded in two easy steps to shelter up to two people comfortably,
namely: a first step for opening the shelter 104 and a second step for tightening
the shelter 104. Firstly, the runner 210 is run up the vertical pole 204 to expand
the ribs 208 supporting the canopy 206. Secondly, the ribs 208 are expanded to tighten
the canopy 206. Both the runner 210 and the ribs 208 may be locked in place.
[0043] Once the day is done, the portable assembly 100 may be conveniently unassembled and
returned to its storage bag.
[0044] Figure 5a-5e show an alternative rib 500, used in place of rib 208, for the expanding
portable shelter 104 of Figure 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Like reference numerals refer to like features previously described.
[0045] The support 100 includes a pair of fixed mounts 502a, 502b which are separated along
the support 100. Each rib 208 includes a pair of proximal elements 504a, 504b pivotally
mounted to respective fixed mounts 502a, 502b of the support 100. The ribs 208 can
be extended independently, one at a time
[0046] Referring to the sequence shown in Figs. 5a-5e, a distal element 506 extends from
the collective proximal elements 504 and is configured to move outwardly to expand
the shelter 104 when the proximal elements 504 pivot in a clockwise (or upward) direction.
The shelter canopy 206 impedes further rotation of the proximal elements 504 beyond
the fully expanded configuration of Fig. 5e.
[0047] Advantageously, the distal element 506 can be simply pulled anticlockwise (or downward),
at its free end, to lift the proximal elements 504 and extend the rib 208. Ends of
the proximal elements 504a, 504b come together proximal the distal element 506 during
expansion of the shelter 104 to form a secure triangular structure.
[0048] Conversely, by pushing the distal element 506 of the expanded shelter 104 shown in
Fig. 5e upward (or clockwise) at its free end, the distal element 506 can be further
configured to move inwardly to collapse the shelter 104 when the proximal elements
pivot 504 in an anticlockwise (or downward) direction (Figs. 5e-5a).
[0049] The distal element 506 is pivotally mounted to the lower proximal element 504b, and
pivots in an opposite direction to the proximal elements 504. The upper proximal element
504a includes a loop retainer for retaining the distal element 506. In this manner,
the upper proximal element 504a includes a guide slot permitting sliding of the distal
element 506 there-through. The distal element 506 also includes an impediment 508,
including a rounded underside formation, for impeding free sliding through the guide
and to provide some end-point resistance when collapsing and expanding the shelter
104.
[0050] Turning to Figure 6, the shelter 104 can include four stretchers 212, pivoting at
either end, for expanding the four ribs 500 from the support 102. As before, the shelter
104 further includes a runner 210 for running along the support 102 to actuate the
stretchers 212 together simultaneously, and a lock for locking the runner 210 in place
when the shelter 104 is expanded.
[0051] The shelter 104 further includes a biasing means (e.g. spring) for biasing the runner
210 to expand the shelter 104. The shelter 104 also includes a push button to release
the runner 210 to slide along the support 102 under influence of the biasing means.
[0052] Each element 504, 506 includes an elongate rod. As can best be seen in Figure 6a,
the elements 504, 506 and stretcher 212 fold together when collapsing the shelter
104 so that outer surfaces of the expanded canopy 206 supported by the ribs 500 fold
together. Advantageously, moisture from rain can be contained within the collapsed
shelter 104, and the outer of the collapsed shelter 104 (being the inner surface of
the expanded canopy 206) is dry.
[0053] The elements 504, 506 and stretcher 212 are substantially parallel and stacked when
the shelter is collapsed to advantageously form an extremely compact shelter 104 for
storage whilst forming an expansive shelter 104 when expanded. When stacked, the distal
element 506 is located between the proximal elements 504a, 504b.
[0054] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations
can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.
[0055] In one embodiment, the anchors 106 may include pegs for pegging to hard ground (e,g.
grass).
[0056] In one embodiment, the ribs 500 can be used in a hand-held umbrella which can fold
to half the length of a conventional umbrella. Compact handbag umbrellas fold down
to a similar length, however they use a complicated triple fold, require numerous
parts and due to complexity, tend to be cheaply made and are frequently thrown away
which is an environmental problem. Such triple fold umbrellas also provide a lesser
diameter of coverage than the preferred embodiment above.
[0057] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more
or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that
the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means
herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The
invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper
scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.
[0058] Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means
that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,
the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various
places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may
be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.
1. A portable shelter assembly including:
a support; and
an expandable shelter for being supported by the support and expanding to shelter
at least one person, the shelter including ribs extending from the support, each rib
including:
one or more proximal elements pivotally mounted to the support, and
a distal element extending from the proximal elements and configured to move outwardly
to expand the shelter when the proximal elements pivot in a first direction.
2. A portable shelter assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distal elements can
be simply pulled down one at a time to lift the associated proximal elements and extend
the ribs, or pulled down together to lift the proximal elements and extend the ribs.
3. A portable shelter assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distal and proximal
elements fold together when collapsing the shelter so that outer surfaces of an expanded
canopy supported by the ribs fold together; moisture from rain being contained within
the collapsed shelter and the outer surface of the collapsed shelter, being the inner
surface of the expanded canopy, is dry.
4. A portable shelter assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elements are substantially
parallel and/or stacked when the shelter is collapsed to advantageously form an extremely
compact shelter for storage whilst forming an expansive shelter when expanded, optionally
wherein, when stacked, the distal element is located between the proximal elements.
5. A portable shelter assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distal element is further
configured to move inwardly to collapse the shelter when the proximal elements pivot
in a second direction opposite the first direction.
6. A portable shelter assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first direction is
in an upward direction.
7. A portable shelter assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein ends of the proximal elements
come together proximal the distal element during expansion of the shelter to form
a secure triangular structure.
8. A portable shelter assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distal element is pivotally
mounted to at least one of the proximal elements, and pivots in an opposite direction
to the proximal elements.
9. A portable shelter assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the proximal
elements includes a retainer for retaining the distal element.
10. A portable shelter assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the proximal
elements includes a guide permitting sliding of the distal element there-through,
optionally wherein the distal element includes an impediment for impeding free sliding
through the guide; and optionally the impediment includes a rounded formation.
11. A portable shelter assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the expandable shelter
includes a canopy which impedes further rotation of the proximal elements.
12. A portable shelter assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shelter includes stretchers
for expanding the ribs from the support, and a runner for running along the support
to actuate the stretchers, optionally further including a biasing means for biasing
the runner to open and expand the shelter, optionally further including a release
to release the runner to slide along the support under influence of the biasing means.
13. A portable shelter assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the proximal elements include
two elements, namely:
a first proximal element pivotally mounted to the support at a first mount fixed to
the support; and
a second proximal element pivotally mounted to the support at a second mount fixed
to the support, the second mount being spaced from the first mount along the support;
wherein:
the distal element extends from the first proximal element and is configured to move
outwardly to expand the shelter when the first proximal element pivots in a first
direction; and
a distal end of the second proximal element is configured to slide along the distal
element.
14. A portable shelter assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shelter is an umbrella
or a beach shelter with weighted peripheral anchors.
15. A rib for an expandable shelter with a support, the rib including:
one or more proximal elements pivotally mounted to the support; and
a distal element extending from the proximal elements and configured to move outwardly
to expand the shelter when the proximal elements pivot.