IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO A PORTABLE STRUCTURE

This invention relates to a portable structure. In particular, the portable structure is configurable between stored and erected conditions. Further, the invention relates to a method of storing and a method of erecting a portable structure of the present invention.

Portable structures, for example tents, are well known in the art. As tents have evolved, there has been a move towards tents which require less connection or assembling of components and, therefore, a more easily and quickly erected portable structure. The flexible frame and tent disclosed in US Patent No. 4,569,362 is just one example of prior art which disclose tent arrangements. In particular, US 4,569,362 discloses a frame including a flexible resilient base ring and a flexible resilient top ring having a top covering removably attached. The top ring contains a pair of diametrically opposing ferrule connectors for attaching the top ring around the outside of a flexible resilient arched member. The top ring is spaced from the base ring by two tubular sleeve members which are fastened at respective ends to the base ring and top ring. It will therefore be seen from this particular disclosure, in particular, that the base ring and the top ring must be put together prior to attaching those rings to the respective parts of the tent.

Further, two tubular sleeve members must then be attached to the two rings to provide them in a spaced relationship. Finally, an arched member must also be added to the top ring to provide the tent in the erected condition. Accordingly, in order to speed up erection of portable structures, and simplify the erection thereof, there is a need for an improved portable structure which provides for a

more time efficient and simplified erection of the portable structure.

The present invention is aimed at providing portable structures without the disadvantages associated with the prior art mentioned above and the present invention provides for easy and speedy erection of a portable structure.

Accordingly, in an aspect the present invention provides a portable structure, configurable between stored and erected conditions, comprising a base, one or more sides, a resilient frame and one or more spacing members; the base and the one or more sides comprising a flexible material; the resilient frame being located at the interface of the base and one or more sides; the resilient frame being connected to the flexible material to provide a shape to the base in the erected condition; the one or more spacing members for supporting the flexible material of the one or more sides in a raised manner in the erected condition so as to form a container bounded by the flexible material of the base and the one or more sides; wherein the resilient frame is bendable and the one or more spacing members is/are foldable to allow the portable structure to adopt its stored condition wherein bending of the resilient frame and/or folding of the spacing members provides energy for moving the portable structure from the stored condition to the erected condition thereof.

Preferably, the portable structure comprises a second resilient frame, located in a spaced-relationship from the

first resilient frame, supporting the one or more sides of the portable structure. The second resilient frame may be located at a distal end of the one or more sides with respect to the first resilient frame. Further preferably, the portable structure comprises a third or subsequent resilient frame member, located in a spaced-relationship from the first, or other, resilient frame(s), supporting the one or more sides of the portable structure. Preferably, the resilient frame (s) is/are continuous. Alternatively, the resilient frame (s) may comprise one or more connected resilient frame members. The first, second, third and/or subsequent resilient frame may be made from any one or more of spring steel, coiled spring steel, spirally-wound spring steel, fibreglass, flexible plastics material, pre-stressed material, or any other material which when bent, naturally wishes to return to an unbent or straight shape. Preferably, the first resilient frame is provided within one or more pockets or loops provided by the flexible material. Further, the second, third and/or subsequent resilient frame may be provided within one or more pockets or loops provided by the flexible material. Preferably, the respective pocket (s) is/are continuous and surround the resilient frame (s) .

Most preferably, the portable structure has a round-, a triangular-, a square-, or a multi-faceted-shaped cross- section with respect to a vertical axis. Ideally, the resilient frames may be shaped to be round, triangular, square or multi-faceted, to provide the respective cross- sectional shape. Most preferably, the diameter, effective diameter or longest distance across a cross-section of the portable structure with respect to a vertical axis decreases from the

first resilient frame to second and subsequent resilient frames, providing a truncated portable structure. Preferably, the portable structure comprises at least two spacing members, which are preferably diametric. Most preferably, four equally-spaced spacing means are provided. The one or more spacing members may be operably-connected to the side material of the portable structure. Preferably, the one or more spacing members are made from any one or more of spring steel, coiled spring steel, spirally-wound spring steel, fibreglass, flexible plastics material, pre- stressed material, or any other material which when bent, naturally wishes to return to an unbent or straight shape. The one or more spacing members are provided within one or more pockets provided by the flexible material . Preferably, the flexible material is provided by one or more of fabric, plastics material, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) , and/or polyethylene (PE), or other suitable material. The material is, preferably, durable and waterproof.

The portable structure may provide a portable structure in the form of a generic water container , a paddling pool, a play pen or a ball-pool.

The portable structure comprising a base and one or more sides, may further comprise a top, for partially- or fully-covering the portable structure. The top may be detachable and separate to the base and one or more sides. Further, the detachable top may comprise a frame which is configurable between erected and stored conditions. Alternatively, the top may be integral with the base and one or more sides. Either way, preferably the top is a shade, provided to shade the portable structure from sunlight.

Optionally the one or more sides may comprise one or more openings for allowing a person to enter or exit an interior of the portable structure.

Advantageously, the portable structure is arranged such that all components of the portable structure are provided in both erected and stored conditions. Further, the portable structure is arranged such that it provides a unitary portable structure which is capable of being erected and stored without addition or removal of components, or inflation.

The present invention provides in a second aspect, a method of storing a portable structure according to the present invention, the method comprising: providing the portable structure in an erected condition; folding the one or more sides in half, so as to gather a top of the side and a bottom of the side together and, in so doing, folding the one or more spacing members against resistance provided by the one or more spacing members to provide a flattened structure; coiling the resilient frame (s) against resistance provided by the resilient frame (s) by folding initially and then gathering in small coils or bends the resilient frame until all of the frame is gathered together; and thereby providing the portable structure in a stored condition.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of erecting a portable structure according to the present invention, the method comprising: providing the portable structure in a stored condition;

uncoiling / unbending the resilient frame by expanding the coils/bends under the influence of a returning force provided by the resilient frame; unfolding the one or more sides under the influence of a returning force provided by the one or more spacing means and providing in a spaced-relationship a top of the side from the bottom of the side; and thereby providing the portable structure in an erected condition. Preferably, the resilient frame is coiled or gathered on itself in at least two turns.

In order that the invention may be fully disclosed, embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is perspective view of a portable structure, according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portable structure in the form of a paddling pool, according to the invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portable water container, according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of portable water container, according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a portable ball pool, according to the invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of portable structure according to the present invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a portable play pen according to the present invention; and Figures 8A8A to 8F are schematic views showing various states of operation of the portable structure of Figure 1 between erected and stored conditions.

Figure 1 shows a portable structure in an erected condition, indicated generally by reference 1, according to the present invention. In particular, the portable structure 1 has a circular cross-section at right angles to a vertical axis, the axis being shown by reference A.

The portable structure 1 is provided by a base frame 2 (first resilient frame), a top frame 3 (second resilient frame), base panel 4, and side panels 5 (one or more sides) . The portable structure 1 in its broadest sense, therefore, defines an open-topped pot or container. The side panels 5 are provided with spacers 6 which ensure that the base frame 2 and the top frame 3 are provided in a spaced-relationship, as shown in Figure 1. The base frame 2 is continuous and made from coiled spring steel. It is located within a circular pocket, provided at the interface of the base panel 4 and the side panels 5, and is formed by material of the side panels and/or the base panel 4. Preferably, the pocket fully encloses the spring steel to provide an aesthetic arrangement and also to prevent objects interfering with the base frame 2. The top frame 3 is also continuous and made from coiled spring steel and is provided within a circular pocket provided by material which makes up the side panels 5 and is, preferably again, fully enclosed by material for aesthetic and functional purposes. Both the base frame 2 and the top frame 3 are flexible and coilable / bendable. The base frame 2 and the top frame 3 provide a two-dimensional shape to the top or base of the erected portable structure 1. As shown in Figure 1, the two-dimensional shape is circular. Both base frame 2 and top frame 3 are resilient. Four spacers 6 (spacing members) are provided for the invention shown in Figure 1 and are

operable on the side panels 5. The spacers 6 provide a depth to the erected portable structure and, therefore, volume. The spacers 6 are made from coiled spring steel and extend in a relative axial direction with respect to the base panel 4 of the portable structure 1. The spacers 6 are provided to support and maintain the side panels 5, to prevent collapsing thereof. Further, the spacers 6 are foldable, typically in half so as to allow gathering of a top edge 7 and a bottom edge 8 of the side panel 5 together during the storing operation of the portable structure 1.

Preferably, the spacers 6 are equally spaced. Further, the spacers 6 are located within a longitudinal pocket, provided by material of the side panels, and can flex within those pockets to enable folding of the side panels 5. Advantageously, the base frame 2 and top frame 3 are bendable and the spacers 6 are foldable from the erected condition of the portable structure 1, to allow the portable structure to adopt its stored condition wherein bending of the resilient frame and/or folding of the spacing members provides energy for moving the portable structure from the stored condition to the erected condition thereof.

The portable structure is preferably made from a suitable material that when used as a portable structure for the retention of liquids, the material does not allow liquid to leak. In particular, the base panel 4 and side panels may be made from numerous pieces of material .

Advantageously, the invention provides a portable structure 1 in which all of the components of the portable structure 1 are provided in both erected and stored conditions. Therefore, no assembly of the portable structure is required, merely an operating step to convert the portable structure - by uncoiling and unfolding, or

coiling and folding - changes the portable structure between stored and erected conditions.

Figure 2 shows a portable structure 1 in the form of a structure 10. The pool is shown empty but may be preferably filled with water. Naturally, the materials chosen for the base panel 4 and side panels 5 are those that are both durable and waterproof. The pool is preliminarily designed for children. The pool 10 has all of the apparatus described in relation to Figure 1 and like references have been used to indicate common features.

Figure 3 shows a portable water container according to the present invention. In this form, the portable structure described in relation to Figure 1 is now provided as a portable water container 20. All of the features described in relation to Figure 1 are included and, therefore, like references have been utilised to show common features. In addition to the previous embodiments, the portable water container 20 is shown full of water 21. In particular, the portable structure 1 according to the present invention is suitable for containing a large amount of water up to the region of the top frame 3.

Figure 4 shows the embodiment of Figure 3 further including a partial cover 22. The cover 22 is provided with its own frame 23, located within a pocket provided by the material of the cover 22. The frame 23 provides a support for the material 24, creating a shade or cover for the portable water container 20. In this embodiment, the cover 22 is shown as an additional piece of apparatus. However, in some embodiments, the portable water container 20, or indeed any portable structure according to the present invention, may include an integral top or cover.

Preferably, the cover 22 may also be folded and or coiled for storage.

Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of portable structure, in this case the structure is a ball pool 30. Again, this ball pool is based on the portable structure described in relation to Figure 1 and like references have been used to identify common features. Therefore, Figure 5 shows a portable structure of the present invention, used to form a ball pool. In particular, Figure 5 shows in more detail the pockets 6A surrounding at least part of the coiled spring steel 6B, which together provide the spacers 6. The ball pool may be filled with various balls to create a play pen or play house.

The one or more sides or side panels 5 provide depth to the container. Naturally, the depth of the container may be altered to suit the individual need of the particular use envisaged. In some contexts, it may be desirable to include a third (or subsequent) resilient frame to provide support and strength to a deeper container, or structure having higher walls as shown in the embodiment of Figure 6. In this embodiment a third resilient frame 3b is provided approximately midway between the base frame 2 and the top frame 3. The diameter of the third frame 3b is smaller than the base frame 2 and the diameter of the top frame 3 is smaller than the diameter of the third frame 3b resulting in a truncated shape to the portable structure 1. By truncating the shape of the portable structure towards a centre thereof, a more stable structure is provided, which is less likely to topple if weight is applied to the top of the side wall(s) . The spacer members 6 run from the base frame 2 to the top frame 3. Each spacer member 6 may be formed from one piece of resilient material or may be formed

from two pieces of resilient material joined to one another at or about the location of the third frame 3b.

Figure 7 depicts a further embodiment of portable structure according to the present invention in the form of a portable play pen 40. As with the embodiment of Figure 1, the structure comprises a base ring 2, top ring 3, side panels 4 and a base panel 4. In addition, the structure comprises a top panel 4b for forming a roof of the play pen and the side panels 5 have formed therein an entrance opening 41 allowing access for a child to enter and exit the interior of the play pen 41. The opening 41 is provided with curtains 42 which can be used to close the opening 41. Preferably, the curtains 42 are formed from the same material as the side panels 5. The spacer members 6 are located in sewn pockets in the side panels 5. Erecting and collapsing the play pen works in the same manner as the previous embodiments .

Preferably, the structure whether in the form of a portable water container, paddling pool, play pen, ball pool or similar can be manufactured from segments of appropriate material . The segments may be welded or otherwise bonded together to form waterproof seals between respective segments. After construction of the material part of the structures, the resilient frame members and/or spacers may be inserted or otherwise connected to the material .

Figures 8A to 8F show schematic views of a method of storing the portable structures of the previous embodiments and is illustrated in particular with reference to the structure of Figure 1. Figure 8A shows the portable structure 1 in an erected condition. Figure 8F shows the portable structure 1 in a stored condition. Various states

of operation during the storing/erecting procedure are shown in Figures 8B through to 8E. Like references have been used to identify common features with respect to those features described in Figures 1 to 7. Starting from the erected condition shown in Figure 8A, the side panels 5 are folded in half, so as to gather the top edge 7 of the side panel 5 and the bottom edge 8 of the side panel 5 together and, in so doing, folding the spacer 6 against resistance provided by that spacer 6, to provide a flattened structure 9, as shown in Figure 8B. The flattened structure 9 of 8B is then, initially, folded - as shown in Figure 8C - and then gathered in small coils, against resistance provided by the base frame 2 and top frame 3, until all of the frame 2,3 is coiled together, as shown in Figure 8E. The coiled portable structure of Figure 8E is then again flattened to provide the stored condition of the portable structure - as shown in Figure 8F - and identified by reference 1 ' .

In reverse, and starting in the stored condition shown in Figure 8F, the coiled base frame 2 and top frame 3 must be uncoiled by expanding the coils under the influence of the returning force provided by the base frame 2 and top frame 3 to return to their position provided in the erected condition. Uncoiling of the portable structure 1' is indicated in Figures 8D and 8E until a flattened structure 9 shown in Figure 8C is provided. As the spacers 6 wish to return to their original condition, the side panels 5 are then unfolded by releasing the grip which holds the top edge 7 and bottom edge 8 of the side panel 5 together and, under the influence of the stored force provided by the spacers 6, the erected condition of the portable structure 1 is thereby provided once more .

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various materials may be used to provide material for the one or more sides, and top or base of the portable structure. Naturally, when the structure is intended for receiving water, then the material is waterproof. The material should also be durable and strong, to prevent inadvertent tearing during normal use. It will be understood that various materials may be chosen which provide the required strength, durability and waterproof characteristics, beyond those that are provided as examples.

The shape of the portable structure is defined by its cross-sectional-shape with respect to the axis A, shown in Figure 1. Naturally, in normal use, this axis A is a vertical axis, as the base of the portable structure is intended to be placed on the floor. Even when a top instead of a base is provided, the axis is still vertical. Further, the portable structure may have any cross-sectional shape, either regular or irregular, and still work in the same manner. In particular, when the cross-sectional-shape is circular, the portable structure is considered to have one, continuous side panel, for the avoidance of doubt. However, that is not to say that the side panel need be formed from only one piece of material. Naturally, the cross-sectional- shape dictates the number of side panels required. Needless-to-say, the side panels and base panel may be provided by a number of pieces of appropriate material . Further, the side and/or base panels may be provided by a combination of transparent, transluscent and/or opaque segment of material . In an alternative, the water-containing portable structures of the present invention may include one or more sides which have one or more portions of a material having a

density of less than water. These one or more portions are provided to help the sides float. In particular, the one or more portions of material may be provided at an upper edge of the one or more sides, remote from the base and/or may be provided in a spaced-relationship between respective upper and lower edges of the one or more sides. The one or more portions of material have the effect of raising the one or more sides of the structure above the level of water contained within the structure - which helps to prevent any loss of water during use, filling or emptying.

Portable structures in the form of pools, water containers, play pens and ball pools have been described. These structures are all provided when the portable structure is placed on a surface and when the base panel provides a bottom to a container defined by the side panels, i.e. an upwards-facing pot or container. However, the portable structure may be used inverted, and provide a playhouse having sides and a roof - provided by the top panel without the requirement for a material base. In all embodiments of the invention, the operating procedure to go between stored and erected conditions is simple and quick, and preferably does not require connection or otherwise of external features .