Collapsible structure including a coupling system

Abstract

A coupling system for a structure including a frame assembly and a collapsible roof assembly removably coupled to the frame assembly includes a plurality of coupling units. Each coupling unit includes a bracket defining a channel configured to facilitate coupling each coupling unit to the frame assembly and a receptacle configured to receive a member of the roof assembly.

1 . A coupling system for a structure including a frame assembly and a collapsible roof assembly removably coupled to the frame assembly, said coupling system comprising a plurality of coupling units, each coupling unit of said plurality of coupling units comprising a bracket defining a channel configured to facilitate coupling each said coupling unit to the frame assembly and a receptacle configured to receive a member of the roof assembly.  
   
   
       2 . A coupling system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said coupling unit is removably coupled to the frame assembly.  
   
   
       3 . A coupling system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said bracket further comprises a first portion transitioning into a second portion at one of an oblique angle and a right angle to define said channel.  
   
   
       4 . A coupling system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said bracket defines said channel having one of a substantially linear configuration, an arcuate configuration and an angled configuration.  
   
   
       5 . A coupling system in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising at least one flange extending from said bracket and configured to facilitate coupling said coupling unit to the frame assembly.  
   
   
       6 . A coupling system in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said at least one flange defines at least one aperture aligned with a corresponding aperture defined within the frame assembly to facilitate coupling said bracket to the frame assembly.  
   
   
       7 . A coupling system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said receptacle defines at least one aperture aligned with a corresponding aperture defined within the first member to facilitate coupling the first member to said receptacle.  
   
   
       8 . A coupling system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said receptacle further defines a passage configured to slidably receive the member.  
   
   
       9 . A collapsible structure comprising: 
 a frame assembly;    a collapsible roof assembly movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration to at least partially define an interior space; and    a coupling system configured to removably couple said collapsible roof assembly in the expanded configuration to said frame assembly.    
   
   
       10 . A collapsible structure in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said frame assembly further comprises a first panel coupled to a second panel to form a first support.  
   
   
       11 . A collapsible structure in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said first panel is substantially perpendicular to said second panel.  
   
   
       12 . A collapsible structure in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said first panel is coupled to said second panel at one of a right angle and an oblique angle with respect to said second panel.  
   
   
       13 . A collapsible structure in accordance with  claim 12  further comprising a third panel coupled to a fourth panel to form a second support, and a truss removably coupled to each of said first support and said second support.  
   
   
       14 . A collapsible structure in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said collapsible roof assembly further comprises a unitary assembly.  
   
   
       15 . A collapsible structure in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said coupling system further comprises a plurality of coupling units coupled to said frame assembly, and said collapsible roof assembly further comprises a plurality of members, each member of said plurality of members removably coupled to a corresponding coupling unit of said plurality of coupling units.  
   
   
       16 . A collapsible structure in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said collapsible roof assembly further comprises a central hub, each said member movably coupled to said central hub.  
   
   
       17 . A collapsible structure in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said coupling system further comprises a plurality of first coupling units, each first coupling unit of said plurality of first coupling units comprising a bracket defining a channel configured to facilitate coupling each said first coupling unit to said frame assembly and a receptacle configured to receive a first member of said roof assembly.  
   
   
       18 . A collapsible structure in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said frame assembly further comprises a plurality of supports, each support of said plurality of supports comprising a first panel coupled to a second panel, and each said first coupling unit coupled to a corresponding support of said plurality of supports.  
   
   
       19 . A collapsible structure in accordance with  claim 18  wherein each said first coupling unit defines a channel configured to receive at least one of said first panel and said second panel.  
   
   
       20 . A collapsible structure in accordance with  claim 18  wherein said roof assembly further comprises a plurality of first members, and each said first coupling unit further comprises a receptacle configured to receive a corresponding first member of said plurality of first members.  
   
   
       21 . A collapsible structure in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said frame assembly further comprises a truss removably coupled between a first support and a second support of said plurality of supports.  
   
   
       22 . A collapsible structure in accordance with  claim 21  wherein said coupling system further comprises a plurality of second coupling units, at least one second coupling unit of said plurality of second coupling units coupled to a cross-member of said truss.  
   
   
       23 . A collapsible structure in accordance with  claim 22  wherein said at least one second coupling unit further defines a channel configured to receive said cross-member.  
   
   
       24 . A collapsible structure in accordance with  claim 22  wherein said roof assembly further comprises a plurality of second members, and each said second coupling unit further comprises a receptacle configured to receive a corresponding second member of said plurality of second members.  
   
   
       25 . A coupling system in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said receptacle further defines a passage configured to slidably receive said first member.  
   
   
       26 . A collapsible structure in accordance with  claim 25  wherein said receptacle further defines at least one first aperture aligned with a corresponding second aperture defined within said first member to facilitate coupling said first member to said receptacle.  
   
   
       27 . A collapsible structure in accordance with  claim 26  further comprising a spring bracket positioned within said first member, said spring bracket comprising a projection movably positioned within said at least one first aperture.  
   
   
       28 . A method for constructing a collapsible structure, said method comprising: 
 constructing a frame assembly comprising a plurality of modular supports; and    removably coupling a collapsible roof assembly in an expanded configuration to the frame assembly using a coupling system comprising a plurality of coupling units.    
   
   
       29 . A method in accordance with  claim 28  wherein constructing a frame assembly further comprises forming a first support by coupling a first panel to a second panel at one of an oblique angle and a right angle.  
   
   
       30 . A method in accordance with  claim 28  wherein constructing a frame assembly further comprises removably coupling a truss between a first support and a second support of the plurality of supports.  
   
   
       31 . A method in accordance with  claim 28  wherein removably coupling a collapsible roof assembly in an expanded configuration to the frame assembly further comprises: 
 coupling a first coupling unit of the plurality of coupling units to a first support of the plurality of supports; and    removably coupling a first member of the roof assembly to the first coupling unit.    
   
   
       32 . A method in accordance with  claim 31  further comprising: 
 removably coupling a truss between the first support and a second support of the plurality of supports;    coupling a second coupling unit of the plurality of coupling units to the truss; and    removably coupling a second member of the roof assembly to the second coupling unit.