Apparatus and method to facilitate erecting a collapsible structure

Abstract

The present invention provides a tool having a fitted portion and a lever portion to facilitate a single person expanding a collapsible shelter.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of erecting a collapsible shelter wherein the collapsible shelter comprises at least one leg and at least one linkage, the method comprising the steps of: 
 arranging a collapsible shelter in its collapsed state in an area where it is to be deployed;    attaching at least one tool having at least one lever to at least one of the at least one leg and the at least one linkage; and    applying force using the at least one tool tending to move the collapsible shelter from its collapsed state to its expanded state.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: 
 partially expanding the collapsible shelter prior to attaching the at least one tool.    
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: 
 removing the at least one tool after the collapsible shelter is substantially expanded into the expanded state.    
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: 
 locking the collapsible shelter in its expanded state; and    removing the at least one tool after the collapsible shelter is expanded.    
     
     
         5 . An apparatus to facilitate erecting a collapsible shelter from a collapsed state to an expanded state, the collapsible shelter comprising at least one leg and at least one linkage, the apparatus comprising: 
 a fitted portion;    a lever portion coupled to the fitted portion; and    the fitted portion defining a cavity that is formed to couple to the collapsible shelter, wherein    applying force to the collapsible shelter tending to move the collapsible shelter from the collapsed state to the expanded state is facilitated.    
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the fitted portion comprises: 
 a sidewall; and    a cover; wherein    the cavity is defined by the sidewall and cover.    
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the fitted portion comprises: 
 a plurality of sidewalls, wherein the plurality of sidewalls define the cavity.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the sidewall comprises at least two sidewalls.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 at least one protrusion, such that the cavity is defined by the sidewall, the cover, and the at least one protrusion.    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a cover, wherein the cavity is defined by the plurality of sidewalls and the cover.    
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 at least one protrusion, wherein the cavity is defined by the plurality of sidewalls and the at least one protrusion.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising a padding coupled to the lever portion.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the lever portion generally conforms to a shape of a user's forearm.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the lever portion generally conforms to a shape of a user's hand.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the lever portion also generally conforms to a shape of a user's hand.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 an extender; and    the extender is coupled to the lever portion and the fitted portion such that the extender resides between the lever portion and the fitted portion.    
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 a stabilizer; and    the stabilizer arranged to resist lateral movement.    
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the stabilizer comprises two stabilizer sidewalls formed to fit at least one of at least one leg and at least one linkage.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the two stabilizer sidewalls form substantially a 90-degree angle.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus to facilitate erecting a collapsible shelter from a collapsed state to an expanded state, the collapsible shelter comprising at least one leg and at least one linkage, the apparatus comprising: 
 means for attaching to a collapsible shelter; and    means to facilitate moving the collapsible shelter between the collapsed state and the expanded state when a user applies force to the collapsible shelter.