Collapsible structure for patios and driveways

Abstract

A collapsible and removable roof-like structure or enclosure is provided. The collapsible structure includes a plurality of collapsible sections, each section having two vertical support members having lower end portions and two longitudinal side panel members. Each side panel member has a top edge and side edges. The collapsible structure includes a longitudinal top panel member having opposed edges with each of the longitudinal opposed edges hingedly attached to the adjacent top edge of the each side panel member. The top panel member includes two longitudinal panel members being hinged together at adjacent end edges. Each of the plurality of collapsible sections is of a steadily varying size so that when assembled, they form an extended longitudinal structure. The collapsible structure includes tube members which can be embedded in the ground for receiving the lower end portion of the vertical support members.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A collapsible, portable structure, comprising: 
 (a) a plurality of collapsible sections, each section including two vertical support members having lower end portions, two longitudinal side panel members, a side panel member being attached to an associated vertical support member, each side panel member having a top edge and side edges; and    (b) a longitudinal top panel member having opposed edges, said top panel member being hingedly attached at one of the said opposed edges to the top edge of one of said side panel members and hingedly attached at the other of said opposed edges to the top edge of the other side panel member.    
     
     
         2 . A collapsible, portable structure, comprising: 
 (a) a plurality of collapsible sections, each section including two vertical support members having lower end portions, two longitudinal side panel members, a side panel member being attached to an associated vertical support member, each side panel member having a top edge and side edges;    (b) a longitudinal top panel member having opposed edges, said top panel member being hingedly attached at one of the said opposed edges to the top edge of one of said side panel members and hingedly attached at the other of said opposed edges to the top edge of the other side panel member; and    (c) means for supporting said vertical support members substantially vertically in spaced apart relation when assembled, whereby each of said collapsible sections can be positioned in side-edge to side-edge relation with an adjacent collapsible section to form an extended longitudinal structure.    
     
     
         3 . The collapsible structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said top panel member is two longitudinal panel members being hinged together at adjacent end edges.  
     
     
         4 . The collapsible structure according to  claim 2 , wherein said top panel member is two longitudinal panel members being hinged together at adjacent end edges.  
     
     
         5 . The collapsible structure according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of collapsible sections is of a steadily varying size so that the side edges of each panel of each collapsible section snugly overlaps with the side edges of each panel of an adjacent collapsible section.  
     
     
         6 . The collapsible structure according to  claim 2 , wherein each of said plurality of collapsible sections is of a steadily varying size so that the side edges of each panel of each collapsible section snugly overlaps with the side edges of each panel of an adjacent collapsible section.  
     
     
         7 . The collapsible structure according to  claim 3 , wherein each of said plurality of collapsible sections is of a steadily varying size so that the side edges of each panel of each collapsible section snugly overlaps with the side edges of each panel of an adjacent collapsible section.  
     
     
         8 . The collapsible structure according to  claim 4 , wherein each of said plurality of collapsible sections is of a steadily varying size so that the side edges of each panel of each collapsible section snugly overlaps with the side edges of each panel of an adjacent collapsible section.  
     
     
         9 . The collapsible structure according to  claim 1  including tube members which can be embedded in the ground for receiving said lower end portion of said vertical support members.  
     
     
         10 . The collapsible structure according to  claim 9 , wherein said tube members including locking means for locking said vertical support member within said tube member.  
     
     
         11 . The collapsible structure according to  claim 10 , wherein said vertical support member includes a slot located in said lower portion thereof, said locking means includes said tube member provided with a retractable boss member engagable into said slot.  
     
     
         12 . The collapsible structure according to  claim 1 , wherein one of said side panel members of each collapsible section includes clips for locking said side panel members and said top panel members together when the collapsible section is collapsed.  
     
     
         13 . The collapsible structure according to  claim 2 , wherein one of said side panel members of each collapsible section includes clips for locking said side panel members and said top panel members together when the collapsible section is collapsed.  
     
     
         14 . The collapsible structure according to  claim 3 , wherein one of said side panel members of each collapsible section includes clips for locking said side panel members and said top panel members together when the collapsible section is collapsed.  
     
     
         15 . The collapsible structure according to  claim 4 , wherein one of said side panel members of each collapsible section includes clips for locking said side panel members and said top panel members together when the collapsible section is collapsed.  
     
     
         16 . The collapsible structure according to  claim 5 , wherein one of said side panel members of each collapsible section includes clips for locking said side panel members and said top panel members together when the collapsible section is collapsed.  
     
     
         17 . The collapsible structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the top panels of the collapsible section forming the ends of said collapsible structure are provided with upstanding rims along the edges of the panels to prevent water dripping from the top panels over the side edges thereof.  
     
     
         18 . The collapsible structure according to  claim 2 , wherein the top panels of the collapsible section forming the ends of said collapsible structure are provided with upstanding rims along the edges of the panels to prevent water dripping from the top panels over the side edges thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The collapsible structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the top panels of the collapsible section forming the ends of said collapsible structure are provided with upstanding rims along the edges of the panels to prevent water dripping from the top panels over the side edges thereof.  
     
     
         20 . The collapsible structure according to  claim 4 , wherein the top panels of the collapsible section forming the ends of said collapsible structure are provided with upstanding rims along the edges of the panels to prevent water dripping from the top panels over the side edges thereof.  
     
     
         21 . The collapsible structure according to  claim 5 , wherein the top panels of the collapsible section forming the ends of said collapsible structure are provided with upstanding rims along the edges of the panels to prevent water dripping from the top panels over the side edges thereof.  
     
     
         22 . The collapsible structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said side-edge to side-edge relation comprises the side edges of panel members in adjacent collapsible sections abutting each other.  
     
     
         23 . The collapsible structure according to  claim 2 , wherein said side-edge to side-edge relation comprises the side edges of panel members in adjacent collapsible sections abutting each other.  
     
     
         24 . The collapsible structure according to  claim 3 , wherein said side-edge to side-edge relation comprises the side edges of panel members in adjacent collapsible sections abutting each other.