CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application

No. 61/906,473, filed on November 20, 2013, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND [0002] Portable shelters and tents are used for numerous activities including camping, sporting events, picnics, beach-going, fairs and the provision of simple shade from the sun and protection from other weather elements. A majority of conventional shelters are of the "instant" type wherein the frame is comprised of interconnected members, hubs, brackets and hinges so that deployment is relatively quick and easy. The canopy portion of the "instant" shelter can be attached to the frame prior to deployment or can be attached after the shelter is erected.

Although these types of shelters are easy to deploy, improper set up can lead to unnecessary stress on the frame and premature failure of the frame structure. It is preferred for no more than 2 people located on opposite diagonal corners to expand the footprint of these shelters and then to raise the shelter frame to its desired height. The present invention provides a system for easily indicating to users the preferred method of deployment and for assisting the users in expanding the shelter frame in a simple and efficient manner.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0003] The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. [0004] A shelter frame including at least four standing rods and a shelter top frame supported by each of the standing rods, the shelter top frame including a lateral supporting rod assembly arranged between each of the standing rods, the lateral supporting rod assembly including at least two cross pivoted bars pivotally connected together end to end, the bars of the lateral supporting rod assembly connected to the standing rods through a fixed bracket and an operably connected bracket, characterized in that at least one set of two diagonally arranged standing rods includes a handle on its upper end. In a first embodiment, the deployment handle is located on a fixed bracket. In a second embodiment, the deployment handle is located on a sliding bracket.

{0005] In embodiments described herein, the shelter utilizes one of two deployment handle placements. It should be understood, however, that the mechanisms described herein can be applied to other types of portable shelters including tents having an attached floor and side walls.

[0006] The present invention provides a visual for the user on where to grab the shelter frame and how to easily deploy the shelter. The present invention helps prevent users from pulling on all four upright poles at the same time which causes undue force on the scissor frame and ultimately results in premature breakage of the steel tubing.

[0007] For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the shelter in a fully deployed upright

configuration, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0009] FIG.2 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the handle of the present invention.

[0010] FIG.3 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the handle of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will also be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.

[0012] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a conventional portable shelter 10 that includes a frame assembly 12 and a canopy (not shown). Frame assembly 12 is of a conventional construction and 12 includes leg members 14 and upper frame 16, preferably made of steel. There are preferably four leg members 14 for supporting a four-sided shelter, each leg member 14 comprising an upper leg 18 telescopically connected to a lower leg 20 to enable the entire frame assembly 12 to be set at various heights through the use of locking mechanisms (not shown) which are known and used in the industry. Base feet (not shown) are located at the lower end of lower legs 20 to provide a stable foundation for the shelter frame. Upper frame 16 comprises truss assembly 22 which extends between the leg members 14 on each side of the shelter near the top edge and roof assembly 24. As shown in FIG. 1, truss assembly 22 is comprised of multiple individual truss members 23 which are criss-crossed and connected to each other at hinge points to allow for scissor-like folding of the members for deployment and collapsing of the frame. Roof assembly 24 comprises roof members 25 and center hub 26 which are similarly connected to each other at hinge points to allow for expansion and collapsing.

Certain of the hinge points are uni-directional hinges which are known in the industry and which allow the frame structure to maintain its desired rigidity. The upper criss-crossed truss members 23 having ends located at each corner of the frame are connected to a corner bracket 28 and the lower criss-crossed truss members 23 having ends located at each corner of the frame are connected to a sliding bracket 30 as shown in FIGS.1-3. The sliding bracket 30 comprises a locking sleeve that can move vertically along the upper leg 18 to allow for adjustment of the frame height. The foregoing description of the shelter frame construction is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention but is intended only to provide a general description of "instant" type shelters that are known in the industry such as the structure disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,632,293 and similar patents. Other frame constructions known and used in the industry can also be utilized with the present invention.

[0013] A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2, wherein deployment handle 32 is connected to the sliding bracket 30 on leg member 14. Deployment handle 32 is preferably a loop of nylon or polypropylene webbing, or a similar functioning material such as grosgrain ribbon, rope, folded fabric or the like. Although a loop is preferred, deployment handle 32 could also be a rigid or semi-rigid ring, a rigid or semi-rigid toggle handle, or similar structure provided it allows easy gripping by a user. Deployment handle 32 is preferably permanently attached to frame by a rivet 34 or other permanent attachment means such as a screw, nut and bolt or the like. Although not the most preferred method, it is also within the scope of the present invention for the deployment handle 32 to be attached by a more temporary means such as quick release buckles, ladder lock buckles, clips, hook and loop connectors, toggles and other releasable attachments known in the industry. [0014] An alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 3, wherein the deployment handle 32 is attached to the frame 12 at the upper corner bracket 28. Although it is preferred for deployment handle 32 to be attached to the frame 12 in an upper corner area when the frame is collapsed, it is within the scope of the invention for deployment handle 32 to be attached at any point along the vertical axis of upper frame 16 (not shown). [0015] Two deployment handles 32 are preferred. The deployment handles 32 are located in opposed corners of the shelter frame 12 as shown in FIG. 1 so that only two users would be utilized to deploy a four-sided shelter, thus reducing the amount of stress on the frame members. It is within the scope of the present invention, however, for the shelter to have more than two deployment handles, although this is not the preferred method for a four-sided shelter. It is also within the scope of the present invention for the shelter 10 to have more than four corners - such as a hexagonal shaped shelter with six corners, an octagonal shelter with eight corner and the like. In such a case, the shelter would preferably have at least two handles which would be located on opposite corners. Although not described herein in detail, the shelter may have additional features known in the industry such as side walls, cup holders, vents, leg weights, stakes, guy lines and the like. The present invention would also be used with a tent having sidewalls and a floor if the tent comprises a similar frame structure.

[0016] For deployment of the shelter 10, the folded shelter is set on its base feet in an upright position as is conventionally done. Two users each grasp a deployment handle 32 located on opposed corners at or near the upper corner brackets. Each user then moves outward in opposite directions from each other, pulling the shelter frame corner as they move. The users continue moving outward until the shelter frame has been expanded to its standard footprint. At this point, the users can raise the shelter frame to its desired height and lock the frame in place. If the canopy is not already attached to the shelter frame prior to initial deployment, the canopy can be placed on and attached to the frame either before or after the frame has been raised to its desired height.

[0013] Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

[0014] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. The term "connected" is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. [0015) Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred

embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. [0016] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.