Collapsible shade structure

Abstract

A collapsible shade structure includes a plurality of foldable frame members each having a folded and an unfolded orientation. A fabric material is provided for substantially covering the frame members to form a side panel for each frame member, each side panel assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member. Interconnecting portions of the fabric material form a hinge portion between each frame member. Alternatively, frame retaining sleeve portions may be used to interconnect and retain two or more frame members from two or more adjacent side panels and to act as hinge portions. The structure may be folded and stored by folding the side panels and their corresponding frame members on top of each other about the hinge portions to have the side panels and frame members overlying each other. The overlaying side panels and frame members are then collapsed by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric frame members and side panels to substantially reduce the size of the shade structure.

1 . A collapsible shade structure supported on a surface for defining and enclosing an interior space, the shade structure comprising: 
 at least three foldable frame members each having a folded and an unfolded orientation, each frame member comprising at least three sides forming a continuous loop in the unfolded orientation;    a fabric material substantially covering the frame members to form a side panel for each frame member, each side panel having upper portions and assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member;    each frame member and its associated side panel having a first side connected to an adjacent frame member and its associated side panel by first interconnecting hinge means and a second side connected to another adjacent frame member and its associated side panel by second interconnecting hinge means; and    the frame members and their associated side panels held together to form an enclosed interior space with a third side of each frame member resting on the surface to support the shade structure.    
   
   
       2 . The collapsible shade structure of  claim 1  wherein each hinge means retains the adjacent sides of the adjacent frame members.  
   
   
       3 . The collapsible shade structure of  claim 2  wherein each hinge means comprises upper and lower sleeve retaining portions, each sleeve retaining portion retaining the adjacent sides of the adjacent frame members.  
   
   
       4 . The collapsible shade structure of  claim 2  wherein each hinge means comprises a sleeve retaining portion retaining the adjacent sides of the adjacent frame members.  
   
   
       5 . The collapsible shade structure of  claim 3  wherein each hinge means further comprises an outside sleeve which retains a portion of the upper and lower sleeve retaining portions, and the adjacent sides of the adjacent frame members.  
   
   
       6 . The collapsible shade structure of  claim 2  wherein the fabric material is provided with frame retaining sleeves for retaining a portion of the frame members.  
   
   
       7 . The collapsible shade structure of  claim 1  wherein each frame member has a triangular configuration.  
   
   
       8 . The collapsible shade structure of  claim 1  further including a floor portion interconnecting lower portions of the side panels.  
   
   
       9 . The collapsible shade structure of  claim 1  further including at least one vent for providing ventilation to the interior of the structure.  
   
   
       10 . A collapsible shade structure, comprising: 
 a plurality of smaller collapsible structures, each supported on a surface for defining and enclosing an interior space, each of the plurality of smaller collapsible structures comprising: 
 at least three foldable frame members each having a folded and an unfolded orientation, each frame member comprising at least three sides forming a continuous loop in the unfolded orientation;  
 a fabric material substantially covering the frame members to form a side panel for each frame member, each side panel having upper portions and assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member;  
 each frame member and its associated side panel having a first side connected to at least one other adjacent frame member and its associated side panel by first interconnecting hinge means and a second side connected to at least another adjacent frame member and its associated side panel by second interconnecting hinge means; and  
 the frame members and their associated side panels held together to form an enclosed interior space with a third side of each frame member resting on the surface.  
   
   
   
       11 . The collapsible shade structure of  claim 10  wherein each hinge means retains at least two adjacent sides of at least two adjacent frame members.  
   
   
       12 . The collapsible shade structure of  claim 11  wherein each hinge means comprises upper and lower sleeve retaining portions, each sleeve retaining portion retaining at least two adjacent sides of at least two adjacent frame members.  
   
   
       13 . The collapsible shade structure of  claim 11  wherein each hinge means comprises a sleeve retaining portion retaining at least two adjacent sides of at least two adjacent frame members.  
   
   
       14 . The collapsible shade structure of  claim 12  wherein each hinge means further comprises an outside sleeve which retains a portion of the upper and lower sleeve retaining portions, and at least two adjacent sides of at least two adjacent frame members.  
   
   
       15 . A method of collapsing a collapsible shade structure supported on a surface for defining and enclosing an interior space, the shade structure comprising at least three foldable frame members each having a folded and an unfolded orientation, each frame member comprising at least three sides forming a continuous loop in the unfolded orientation, the shade structure further comprising a fabric material substantially covering the frame members to form a side panel for each frame member, with each frame member and its associated side panel having a first side connected to an adjacent frame member and its associated side panel by first interconnecting hinge means and a second side connected to another adjacent frame member and its associated side panel by second interconnecting hinge means, and the frame members and their associated side panels held together to form an enclosed interior space with a third side of each frame member resting on the surface to support the shade structure, the method comprising the steps of: 
 urging the side panels and their corresponding frame members on top of each other about the hinge means to have the side panels and frame members overlying each other; and    twisting and folding the overlaying side panels and frame members to form a plurality of concentric frame members and side panels to substantially reduce the size of the shade structure.