Collapsible structures having overlapping support loops

Abstract

Collapsible structures are provided having at least two panels, with each of the panels having a flexible loop member defining a closed loop and adapted to assume an expanded position and a collapsed position, and a fabric for partially covering the loop member. The loop members of two adjacent first and second panels overlap each other at a first overlapping point along first edges of the loop members, and at a second overlapping point along second edges of the loop members, with the overlapping loop members defining a hinge portion about which the two loop members of the first and second panels are pivotable.

1 . A structure comprising:
 (a) a first panel and a second panel, each of the panels having:
 a flexible loop member defining a closed loop and having a first edge, a second edge and a bottom edge, the loop member adapted to assume an expanded position and a collapsed position; and 
 a fabric that covers a portion of the loop member; 
   (b) wherein the loop members of the first and second panels overlap each other at a first overlapping point along the first edges of the loop members of the first and second panels, and at a second overlapping point along the second edges of the loop members of the first and second panels, the fabric of the first panel crossing the fabric of the second panel, and the overlapping loop members defining a hinge portion about which the first and second loop members of the first and second panels are pivotable; and   (c) wherein the bottom side of each panel contact a support surface when the loop members are in the expanded position.   
   
   
       2 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the second panel is positioned at an angle with respect to the first panel. 
   
   
       3 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the loop members are foldable on top of each other about their respective hinge portions to have the loop members overlaying each other, and wherein the overlaying loop members are collapsible to the collapsed positions by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings to substantially reduce the size of the structure in the collapsed position. 
   
   
       4 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge portion is positioned generally horizontally with respect to the support surface. 
   
   
       5 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge portion further includes a stitch line connecting the fabric of the two panels and extending from about the first overlapping point to about the second overlapping point. 
   
   
       6 . The structure of  claim 5 , further including an opening provided in the second panel adjacent the stitch line. 
   
   
       7 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein each panel further includes a loop retaining portion provided along the fabric for retaining the respective loop member. 
   
   
       8 . The structure of  claim 1 , further including a support piece coupled to the panels to define the limits to which the panels can pivot about the hinge portion. 
   
   
       9 . The structure of  claim 8 , wherein the support piece is coupled to the first edges of the panels. 
   
   
       10 . The structure of  claim 8 , wherein the support piece is a fabric piece. 
   
   
       11 . The structure of  claim 9 , further including a second support piece coupled to the second edges of the panels. 
   
   
       12 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge portion defines an upper space between the panels and a lower space between the panels. 
   
   
       13 . The structure of  claim 12 , wherein the lower space defines an enclosed space. 
   
   
       14 . The structure of  claim 1 , further including a third panel having:
 a flexible loop member defining a closed loop and having a bottom edge, the loop member of the third panel adapted to assume an expanded position and a collapsed position; and   a fabric that covers portions of the loop member of the third panel; and   wherein the bottom edge of the loop member of the third panel is coupled to the bottom edge of the loop member of the first panel.   
   
   
       15 . The structure of  claim 14 , wherein the second panel has a top edge that is coupled to the fabric of the third panel. 
   
   
       16 . The structure of  claim 15 , further including a basket provided on the fabric of the third panel. 
   
   
       17 . The structure of  claim 15 , wherein the top edge of the second panel is removably coupled to the fabric of the third panel. 
   
   
       18 . The structure of  claim 14 , wherein the bottom edge of the third panel contacts the support surface when the loop members of the panels are in the expanded position. 
   
   
       19 . A structure comprising:
 (a) a first panel, a second panel and a third panel, each of the panels having:
 a flexible loop member defining a closed loop and having a first edge and a second edge, the loop member adapted to assume an expanded position and a collapsed position; and 
   (b) wherein the loop members of the first, second and third panels overlap each other at a first overlapping point along the first edges of the loop members of the first, second and third panels, and at a second overlapping point along the second edges of the loop members of the first, second and third panels, the overlapping loop members defining a hinge portion about which the loop members of the first, second and third panels are pivotable.   
   
   
       20 . The structure of  claim 19 , wherein each panel includes a fabric that covers a portion of the loop member, and wherein the fabric of each panel crosses the fabric of the other panels. 
   
   
       21 . The structure of  claim 19 , wherein each panel is positioned at an angle with respect to the other panels. 
   
   
       22 . The structure of  claim 19 , wherein the loop members are foldable on top of each other about their respective hinge portions to have the loop members overlaying each other, and wherein the overlaying loop members are collapsible to the collapsed positions by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings to substantially reduce the size of the structure in the collapsed position. 
   
   
       23 . The structure of  claim 19 , wherein the hinge portion further includes a stitch line connecting the fabric of the two panels and extending from about the first overlapping point to about the second overlapping point.