Portable shelter

Abstract

A portable shelter ( 10 ) suitable for weather protection which has a structural frame having a pair of opposed side frames ( 12 ) and an overhead frame ( 13 ) wherein each side frame ( 12 ) has a pair of post assemblies ( 17 ) at each end thereof characterised in that each post assembly ( 17 ) comprises an inner vertical post ( 16 ) and an outer frame member having an upper end ( 18 ) and a lower end ( 19 ) which are attached to the inner vertical post ( 16 ). There is also provided a canopy ( 45 ) located on the overhead frame ( 13 ) which in a retracted position is located adjacent one longitudinal member ( 34 ) of the overhead frame ( 13 ) and in an extended position has a leading end ( 47 ) thereof located adjacent another longitudinal member ( 34 ) of the overhead frame ( 13 ) characterised in that there is provided a winding mechanism ( 48 ) for actuating movement of the canopy ( 45 ) from the retracted position to the extended position and vice versa wherein the winding position comprises an elongate winding shaft ( 50 ) and a handle ( 49 ) accessible from the ground and the canopy ( 45 ) has a tensioning or actuating shaft ( 51 ) coupled to the winding shaft ( 50 ) by universal joint ( 53 ) whereby movement of the canopy ( 45 ) can be initiated from a person rotating the handle ( 49 ) on the ground.

1 . A portable shelter suitable for weather protection which has a structural frame having a pair of opposed side frames and an overhead frame wherein each side frame has a pair of post assemblies at each end thereof characterised in that each post assembly comprises an inner vertical post and an outer frame member having an upper end and a lower end which are attached to the inner vertical post.  
   
   
       2 . A portable shelter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the outer frame member forms an outer post having a top portion which extends at an acute angle to the adjacent inner post before merging with or forming a junction with a lower portion which merges with a lower part of the adjacent inner post so that the lower portion also extends at an acute angle to the adjacent inner post.  
   
   
       3 . A portable shelter as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the inner post, top portion and lower portion forms a triangle with said junction forming a vertex.  
   
   
       4 . A portable shelter as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the inner post forms a base of the triangle and the vertex of the triangle is closer to a top end of the inner post than a bottom end.  
   
   
       5 . A portable shelter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a lower part of the inner post forms a base part of said inner post.  
   
   
       6 . A portable shelter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein there is provided one or more reinforcing struts or ribs extending between the inner post and the outer frame member.  
   
   
       7 . A portable shelter as claimed in  claim 2  wherein there is provided a reinforcing strut or rib between the inner post and the vertex.  
   
   
       8 . A portable shelter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each side frame comprises one or more cross members interconnecting each post assembly.  
   
   
       9 . A portable shelter as claimed in  claim 1  having a pair of open sides wherein there is provided a pair of bracing rods, cables or wires which intersect with each other and thus extend across each open side.  
   
   
       10 . A portable shelter as claimed in  claim 9  which has an open top or a plurality of open top areas and there is provided a pair of bracing rods, cables or wires which intersect with each other and extend across the open top or each open area.  
   
   
       11 . A portable shelter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein there is provided a canopy for the overhead frame.  
   
   
       12 . A portable shelter as claimed in  claim 11  wherein there is provided a plurality of concave support rods for the canopy which are attached to opposed longitudinal frame members of the overhead frame.  
   
   
       13 . A portable shelter as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the canopy is wound from a retracted position adjacent one longitudinal frame member of the overhead frame to an extended position wherein said canopy covers the overhead frame and a leading end of the canopy is located adjacent to another longitudinal frame member of the overhead frame.  
   
   
       14 . A portable shelter as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the leading end of the canopy is located below a flange extending laterally of said another longitudinal frame member.  
   
   
       15 . A portable shelter as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said canopy is unwound from the retracted position to the extended position by a winding mechanism comprising a winding shaft coupled to a tensioning or actuating shaft of the canopy by a universal joint.  
   
   
       16 . A portable shelter as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the universal joint comprises a pair of yokes wherein one yoke is attached to the winding shaft and the other yoke is attached to the actuating shaft for the canopy and there is provided a spider or bridging member rigidly connected to each yoke.  
   
   
       17 . A portable shelter as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said winding mechanism is attached to the outer post thereby spacing said winding mechanism from the canopy to facilitate the canopy attaining the extended position and/or the retracted position.  
   
   
       18 . A portable shelter having a pair of side frames and an overhead frame and having a canopy located on the overhead frame which in a retracted position is located adjacent one longitudinal member of the overhead frame and in an extended position has a leading end thereof located adjacent another longitudinal member of the overhead frame characterised in that there is provided a winding mechanism for actuating movement of the canopy from said retracted position to said extended position and vice versa wherein said winding mechanism comprises an elongate winding shaft and a handle accessible from the ground and the canopy has a tensioning or actuating shaft coupled to the winding shaft by a universal joint whereby movement of the canopy can be initiated from a person rotating the handle on the ground.  
   
   
       19 . A portable shelter as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the handle and winding shaft may be attached to an adjacent post of a side frame when the canopy is in the retracted position.  
   
   
       20 . A portable shelter as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the handle and winding shaft are attached to another post of the side frame when the canopy is in the extended position.  
   
   
       21 . A portable shelter as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the universal joint is in a locked position when the handle and winding shaft is attached to said adjacent post.  
   
   
       22 . A portable shelter as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the universal joint is in a locked position when the handle and winding shaft is attached to said another post.  
   
   
       23 . A portable shelter as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the universal joint comprises a pair of yokes wherein one yoke is attached to the winding shaft and the other yoke is attached to the actuating shaft for the canopy and there is provided a spider or bridging member rigidly connected to each yoke.  
   
   
       24 . A portable shelter as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the adjacent post or said another post of the side frame comprises an inner vertical post and an outer frame member and the winding shaft is attached to the outer frame member to space the winding mechanism from the canopy to facilitate actuation of movement of the canopy.