Foldable shelter

Abstract

There is provided a shelter foldable between an open, operative position and a closed, storage or carrying position. The shelter comprises first and second elongated planar side sections, each formed from elongated rear and front members; and cross members extending between and secured to the rear and front members of each side section to rigidify each side section. A collapsible cross brace structure pivotably and slidably secured to the rear members joins the planar side sections and permits them to be moved between closed position adjacent each other and open position spaced from each other. The shelter also comprises a bench secured to one of the cross members and pivotable therewith between a storage position parallel to its corresponding side section when the shelter is in closed position, and a seating position extending over to and supported on a corresponding cross member on the other side section when the shelter is in open position. The bench is provided with means for releasably securing the bench on the corresponding cross member thereby locking the side sections in open position. Fabric material is secured to the elongated rear and front members so as to provide, when the shelter is in open position, a protective covering for a person seated on the bench from above, behind and the two sides.

1 . A shelter foldable between an open, operative position and a closed, storage or carrying position, the shelter comprising: 
 first and second elongated planar side sections, each formed from elongated rear and front members;    cross members extending between and secured to said rear and front members of each side section to rigidify each said side section;    a collapsible cross brace structure pivotably and slidably secured to said rear members to join said planar side sections and permit them to be moved between closed position adjacent each other and open position spaced from each other;    a bench secured to one of the cross members and pivotable therewith between a storage position parallel to its corresponding side section when the shelter is in closed position, and a seating position extending over to and supported on a corresponding cross member on the other side section when the shelter is in open position, the bench provided with means for releasably securing the bench on said corresponding cross member thereby locking the side sections in open position; and    fabric material secured to the elongated rear and front members so as to provide, when the shelter is in open position, a protective covering for a person seated on the bench from above, behind and the two sides.    
     
     
         2 . A shelter as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said rear and front members are spaced apart and a top portion of said rear member is curved over and secured to a corresponding top portion of the corresponding front member.  
     
     
         3 . A shelter as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said cross brace structure comprises a pair of elongated arms centrally pivotally secured to each other, one end of each arm being pivotally secured to an opposite of said rear members and the other end of each arm being slidably secured to the other of said rear members.  
     
     
         4 . A shelter as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said slidable ends of said arms are provided with sleeves secured to said ends so as to permit said ends to slide on their corresponding rear members between a first position when the shelter is in open position and a second position when the shelter is in closed position.  
     
     
         5 . A shelter as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said means for releasably securing the bench on said corresponding cross member comprises pins downwardly depending from the bench to be operatively received in apertures located in the corresponding cross member.  
     
     
         6 . A shelter as defined in  claim 1  further comprising post members extending downwardly from each of said elongated rear and front members to embed in the ground or snow to anchor the shelter.  
     
     
         7 . A shelter as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said fabric material is a water proof and wind resistant material.  
     
     
         8 . A shelter as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said fabric material covering each side section is provided with a window section.  
     
     
         9 . A shelter foldable between an open, operative position and a closed, storage or carrying position, the shelter comprising: 
 first and second elongated planar side sections, each formed from elongated rear and front members;    cross members extending between and secured to said rear and front members of each side section to rigidify each said side section;    a collapsible cross brace structure pivotably and slidably secured to said rear members to join said planar side sections and permit them to be moved between closed position adjacent each other and open position spaced from each other, said cross brace structure comprising a pair of elongated arms centrally pivotally secured to each other, one end of each arm being pivotally secured to an opposite of said rear members and the other end of each arm being slidably secured to the other of said rear members;    a bench secured to one of the cross members and pivotable therewith between a storage position parallel to its corresponding side section when the shelter is in closed position, and a seating position extending over to and supported on a corresponding cross member on the other side section when the shelter is in open position, the bench provided with means for releasably securing the bench on said corresponding cross member thereby locking the side sections in open position;    fabric material secured to the elongated rear and front members so as to provide, when the shelter is in open position, a protective covering for a person seated on the bench from above, behind and the two sides; and    post members extending downwardly from each of said elongated rear and front members to embed in the ground or snow to anchor the shelter.