Collapsible structure

Abstract

A collapsible structure includes a first frame member defining a base of the structure and a second frame member defining a top of the structure. A piece of foldable material is attached to and extends between the first and second frame members. A plurality of foldable frame supporters is mounted on the piece of foldable material whereby folding of the frame supporters drives the first and second frame members towards a superimposed and collapsed position, and unfolding of the frame supporters drives the first and second frame members towards a spaced apart and expanded position. The collapsible structure can be in the form of a baby bed, a play pen, an igloo or a teepee.

1 . A collapsible structure comprising: 
 a first frame member defining a base of the structure;    a second frame member defining a top of the structure;    a piece of foldable material attached to and extending between said first and second frame members; and    a plurality of foldable frame supporters connected to said first and second frame members and to said piece of foldable material, said frame supporters being foldable to move said first and second frame members towards one another to a superimposed and collapsed position, and being unfolded to move said first and second frame members away from one another to a spaced and expanded position.    
   
   
       2 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 1 , comprising hinges in said foldable frame supporters which enable the frame supporters to move the first and second frame members between said collapsed and expanded positions.  
   
   
       3 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 2 , where in said hinges include projections to serve as stops to limit movement of the frame members to said expanded position and provide a lock engagement of the hinges.  
   
   
       4 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 3 , wherein said foldable frame supporters each comprises a first segment having one end fixed to said first frame member and a second segment having one end fixed to said second frame member, and a link hingeably connected to said first and second segments at ends thereof opposite said ends fixed to the frame members.  
   
   
       5 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 4 , wherein said segments are adjacent to one another in said collapsed position and are colinear in said expanded position.  
   
   
       6 . The collapsible structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second frame members include respective hinges which enable the first and second frame members to be jointly folded when in said superposed and collapsed position to reduce size of the structure in said collapsed position.  
   
   
       7 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said frame members define a circumferentially enclosed space with an open top in said expanded position to enable the structure to serve as a baby bed.  
   
   
       8 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 7 , wherein said foldable frame supporters are spaced circumferentially around the structure.  
   
   
       9 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second frame members are annular and said frame supporters have a length to define an interior space within the foldable material to serve as a play area for a child.  
   
   
       10 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 9 , wherein said play area comprises a cylindrical volume.  
   
   
       11 . A collapsible structure according to  claim 9 , wherein said frame supporters are arranged to fold inwardly to permit the frame members to move to the collapsed position.  
   
   
       12 . A collapsible child play enclosure comprising: 
 a plurality of frame assemblies    each frame assembly including a plurality of frame segments and a plurality of hinges connecting adjoining frame segments, said hinges being constructed and arranged to provide movement between assembled and collapsed positions;    a piece of foldable material secured to said frame members to enclosed an interior space within the frame assemblies when in said assembled position, said frame segments of said frame assemblies being superimposed on one another in said collapsed position.    
   
   
       13 . The collapsible child play enclosure according to  claim 12 , wherein said frame segments include curved segments to confer a rounded shape to said enclosure which simulates an igloo.  
   
   
       14 . The collapsible child play enclosure according to  claim 13 , wherein said frame segments of said frame assemblies include lower frame segments having lower ends adapted for supporting the play enclosure on the ground in the assembled position.  
   
   
       15 . The collapsible child play enclosure according to  claim 13 , wherein said hinges include projections to serve as stops to limit movement of the frame segments in said assembled position and provide a lock engagement of the hinges.  
   
   
       16 . The collapsible child play enclosure according to  claim 13 , wherein the frame segments of each frame member confer a substantially semi-circular shape to the frame member.  
   
   
       17 . The collapsible child play enclosure according to  claim 16 , wherein each frame member has a peak with a said hinge thereat and the frame member extends in opposite directions from said peak along curved paths, each of which includes two said hinges connecting adjoining frame segments.  
   
   
       18 . The collapsible child play enclosure according to  claim 12 , further comprising a ground engaging frame structure including a plurality of ground engaging members said frame assemblies being connected to said ground engaging frame structure to provide a pyramidal shape for the child play enclosure to simulate a teepee.  
   
   
       19 . The collapsible child play enclosure to  claim 18 , wherein said ground engaging frame structure has corners at adjoining ground engaging members at which a respective said frame segment is disposed, a first of said hinges pivotably connects the adjoining ground engaging members to one another and said respective frame segment to said adjoining ground engaging members.  
   
   
       20 . The collapsible child play enclosure according to  claim 19 , wherein a second of said hinges is provided in each ground engaging member to form ground segments which are pivotable between collapsed and extended positions.  
   
   
       21 . The collapsible child play enclosure according to  claim 20 , wherein each said frame assembly includes a plurality of said second hinges.  
   
   
       22 . The collapsible child play enclosure according to  claim 21 , wherein said ground members are inwardly foldable at said second hinges and said frame assemblies are superimposable on one another and capable of being folded around said second hinges to collapse the child play enclosure.  
   
   
       23 . A method for expanding and collapsing a structure intended for use by a child, said method comprising: 
 assembling a structure having an enclosure for a child;    forming said structure with a plurality of segments incorporating hinges movable between folded and unfolded positions;    providing a flexible fabric cover on the structure; and    selectively expanding and collapsing the structure by unfolding and folding the hinges,    wherein said hinges are selectively unfolded and folded by (1) aligning segments of the structure connected by the hinges and (2) by pivotably moving the segments out of alignment, and    wherein when said segments are in the folded condition, the segments are superimposed on one another to provide a flat, collapsed condition for the structure.    
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein in the expanded condition, the structure forms a baby bed.  
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein in the expanded condition, the structure forms a play pen.  
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein in the expanded condition, the structure forms an igloo.  
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein in the expanded condition, the structure forms a teepee.  
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 23 , comprising folding the segments in the collapsed condition of the structure to reduce size of the structure and make it more compact.