Expandable framework structure for a canopy

Abstract

A framework structure adapted to be folded and stored in a collapsed state and erected in an expanded state on a support surface. The framework structure includes a support structure consisting of a number of legs, each having a firm upper mount with at least one pivot and a slidable lower mount with at least one other pivot, a peripheral structure of a number of scissors each having four rods connected in pairs between their ends by pivots and further connected in pairs at upper and lower end parts by upper and lower pivots, respectively, and a central structure having rods connected with the scissors at one or more of the pivot connections of the scissor rods. The upper and lower free end parts of the rods of each scissor are formed with a bore each engaging a pivot of the upper or lower mounts of a leg, respectively, whereby the pivot is attached to the mount with means having a clearance to the rod and the rod end part is axially fixed to the pivot. The framework structure is very suitable for canopies where the cylindrical contact surfaces between the scissor rod ends and the associated pivots ensure against lateral and torsional deflection of the scissors when the canopy is loaded by e.g. wind or snow.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A framework structure which is adapted to be folded and stored in a collapsed state and erected in an expanded state on a support surface, comprising 
 a support structure having a number of legs, each having a firm upper mount with at least one pivot and a slidable lower mount with at least one other pivot, the pivots being adapted for pivotally connecting an end part of a rod of the frame work structure,    a peripheral structure that includes a number of scissors, each having at least four rods connected in pairs between their ends by pivots and further connected in pairs at upper and lower end parts by upper and lower pivots, respectively, and    a central structure having a post assembly with an upper and lower mount, each having at least one pivot adapted for pivotally connecting an end part of a rod of the frame work structure,    whereby 
 the rod end part is formed with a bore engaging a pivot of a mount,  
 the pivot is attached to the mount with means having a clearance to the rod end part, and  
 the rod end part is axially fixed to the pivot.  
   
     
     
         2 . A framework structure which is adapted to be folded and stored in a collapsed state and erected in an expanded state on a support surface, comprising 
 a support structure having a number of legs, each having a firm upper mount with at least one pivot and a slidable lower mount with at least one other pivot,    a peripheral structure that includes a number of scissors, each having four rods connected in pairs between their ends by pivots and further connected in pairs at upper and lower end parts by upper and lower pivots, respectively, and    a central structure having rods connected with the scissors at one or more of the pivot connections of the scissor rods, whereby 
 the upper and lower free end parts of the rods of each scissor are formed with a bore each engaging a pivot of the upper or lower mounts of a leg, respectively,  
 the pivot is attached to the mount with means having a clearance to the rod, and  
 the rod end part is axially fixed to the pivot.  
   
     
     
         3 . The framework structure of  claim 1 , wherein the bore of the rod end part engages the associated pivot of a mount with a tight fit.  
     
     
         4 . The framework structure of  claim 1 , wherein the rod end part is furnished with an adapter formed of an elastic material, and the bore for engaging a pivot of a mount is formed in the adapter.  
     
     
         5 . The framework structure of  claim 4 , wherein the adapter is split into two halves by a slit extending from the bore to the end face opposite the mount.  
     
     
         6 . The framework structure of  claim 5 , wherein the slit follows a curved or V-shaped line.  
     
     
         7 . The framework structure of  claim 4 , wherein the slit is formed in the adapter in the area opposite to the associated mount.  
     
     
         8 . The framework structure of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot of a mount forms part of a U-formed clamp.  
     
     
         9 . The framework structure of  claim 8 , wherein the pivot is formed with at least one annular slot, and that the bore of the adapter is formed with at least one key engaging the at least one annular slot.  
     
     
         10 . The framework structure of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot of a mount forms part of an L-formed hook.  
     
     
         11 . The framework structure of  claim 4 , wherein the pivot of a mount forms part of an L-formed hook.  
     
     
         12 . The framework structure of  claim 11 , wherein the pivot is formed with at least one annular slot, and that the bore of the adapter is formed with at least one key engaging the at least one annular slot.  
     
     
         13 . The framework structure of  claim 10 , wherein the pivot at either side of the rod end part is formed with an annular slot, and that a circlip is placed in each of these slots.  
     
     
         14 . The framework structure of  claim 12 , wherein the pivot at either side of the rod end part is formed with an annular slot, and that a circlip is placed in each of these slots.  
     
     
         15 . The framework structure of  claim 4 , wherein at least the rod end parts are formed as a pipe, and that an end part of the associated adapter is formed complementarily to the opening of the pipe for fitting therein.  
     
     
         16 . An assembling of an end part of a rod to a pivot on a mount of a framework structure, comprising 
 a bore which is formed in the rod end part and fits the pivot,    means for attaching the pivot to the mount with clearances to the rod end part, and    means for axially fixing the rod end part to the pivot.    
     
     
         17 . The assembling of  claim 16 , wherein the means for attaching the pivot to the mount with clearances to the rod end part are the two legs of a U-formed clamp where the bottom of the U is forming the pivot.  
     
     
         18 . The assembling of  claim 16 , wherein the means for attaching the pivot to the mount with clearances to the rod end part is a leg of an L-formed hook while the other leg of the hook is forming the pivot.  
     
     
         19 . The assembling of  claim 16 , wherein the means for axially fixing the rod end part to the pivot comprises at least one annular slot formed in the pivot and at least one key formed in the bore of the rod end part.  
     
     
         20 . A method for connecting a pipe-formed end part of a rod to a pivot, which forms part of a U-formed clamp and is formed with at least one annular slot, by means of an elastic adapter formed with a bore for engaging the pivot and at least one key in the bore for engaging the annular slot and which furthermore is split into two halves by a slit extending from the bore to an end face of an end part of the adapter, comprising 
 opening the adapter,    driving the adapter over the associated pivot with the two halves of the adapter placed on either side of the pivot,    closing the adapter,    driving the adapter end part into the opening of the rod end part, and    fixing the adapter end part in relation to the rod end part.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16  which further comprises fixing the adapter end part in relation to rod end part by at least one fastener inserted into flushing bores in the rod end part and the adapter end part, respectively.  
     
     
         22 . A method for connecting the end part of a rod to a pivot, which forms part of an L-formed hook and is formed with an annular slot at either side of an end part, comprising 
 forming in the end part a bore having a tight fit to the pivot,    moving the end part axially into position on the pivot, and    placing a circlip into each of the annular slots.    
     
     
         23 . A method for connecting a pipe-formed end part of a rod to a pivot, which forms part of an L-formed hook and is formed with at least one annular slot, by an elastic adapter formed with a bore for engaging the pivot and at least one key in the bore for engaging the annular slot and which furthermore is split into two halves by a slit extending from the bore to an end face of an end part of the adapter, comprising 
 opening the adapter,    moving the adapter axially into position on the pivot with the at least one key flushing with the at least one annular slot,    closing the adapter,    driving the adapter end part into the opening of the rod end part, and    fixing the adapter end part in relation to the rod.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the adapter end part is fixed in relation to the rod end part by means of at least one fastener, e.g. a pin or a screw inserted in flushing bores in the rod end part and the adapter end part, respectively.  
     
     
         25 . A canopy comprising the framework structure according to  claim 1.