Collapsible structures

Abstract

A collapsible structure has a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel. Each panel has a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. One first side of the first panel is coupled to one side of the second panel, and one side of the third panel is coupled to the fabric of the second panel.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A collapsible structure comprising: 
 a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel, each panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, each of the panels further including a side;    wherein the side of the first panel is coupled to the side of the second panel; and    wherein the side of the third panel is coupled to the fabric of the second panel.    
     
     
         2 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the side of the first panel is hingedly coupled to the side of the second panel.  
     
     
         3 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the side of the third panel is hingedly coupled to the fabric of the second panel.  
     
     
         4 . The structure of  claim 1 , further including a fourth panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member of the fourth panel to form the fourth panel when the frame member of the fourth panel is in the unfolded orientation, with the fourth panel further including a side, and the second panel further including a second side, wherein the side of the fourth panel is coupled to the second side of the second panel.  
     
     
         5 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the third panel is coupled to the first panel.  
     
     
         6 . The structure of  claim 4 , wherein the third panel is coupled to the first panel and the fourth panel.  
     
     
         7 . The structure of  claim 1 , further including an amusement feature provided on the fabric of the second panel.  
     
     
         8 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the third panel extends at an angle from a horizontal surface, with the first and second panels extending vertically from the horizontal surface.  
     
     
         9 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the third panel extends parallel to a horizontal surface.  
     
     
         10 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the side of the third panel is removably coupled to the fabric of the second panel.  
     
     
         11 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein each panel is collapsed to a smaller size by twisting and folding its respective frame member.