Portable Shelter Structure

Abstract

A portable shelter for providing cover over an area, wherein the shelter is coupleable to a structure, the portable shelter comprising a first base member and a second base member, each of which are coupleable to the structure; two subframe assemblies, each subframe assembly comprising a vertical support member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupleable to a respective base member, at least two arm members, each having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each respective arm member is pivotally coupled to the second end of vertical support member, at least two brace members, each having a first end and a second end, each respective first end being coupled to the vertical support member and each respective second end being pivotably coupled to a respective arm member, a first coupling arrangement for pivotably coupling the respective first end of each arm member to the second end of the vertical support member, a second coupling arrangement, slideably coupled to the vertical support member, for coupling the respective first end of each brace member to the vertical support member; and a canopy supporting assembly coupled to the two subframe assemblies, wherein the canopy supporting assembly supports a canopy and provides cover over the area.

1 . A portable shelter for providing cover over an area, wherein the shelter is coupleable to a structure, the portable shelter comprising:
 a first base member and a second base member, each of which are coupleable to the structure;   two subframe assemblies, each subframe assembly comprising:
 a vertical support member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupleable to a respective base member; 
 at least two arm members, each having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each respective arm member is pivotally coupled to the second end of vertical support member; 
 at least two brace members, each having a first end and a second end, each respective first end being coupled to the vertical support member and each respective second end being pivotably coupled to a respective arm member; 
 a first coupling arrangement for pivotably coupling the respective first end of each arm member to the second end of the vertical support member; 
 a second coupling arrangement, slideably coupled to the vertical support member, for coupling the respective first end of each brace member to the vertical support member, 
   a canopy supporting assembly coupled to the two subframe assemblies, wherein the canopy supporting assembly supports a canopy and provides cover over the area and wherein   the canopy supporting assembly tom rises a backbone pole and wherein the first coupling arrangement of each subframe assembly comprises a clamp for releasably securing the backbone pole to the subframe assemblies and wherein the clamping of the backbone pole by each respective clamp assists in preventing the sliding of the backbone pole through the respective clamps, and   wherein the distance between the subframe assemblies is adjustable and wherein the portable shelter comprises a canopy coupled to the canopy supporting assembly, and wherein the distance between the subframe assemblies provides shelter to an area over the structure and proximate the structure.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The portable shelter as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the canopy supporting assembly comprises:
 a first rib pole and a second rib pole,   a first rib pole supporter coupled to the second end of the first arm member of the first subframe assembly;   a second rib pole supporter coupled to the second end of the first arm member of the second subframe assembly;   a third rib pole supporter coupled to the second end of the second arm member of the first subframe assembly; and   a fourth rib pole supporter coupled to the second end of the second arm member of the second subframe assembly;   wherein the first rib pole is supported by the first and second rib pole supporters and the second rib pole is supported by the third and fourth rib pole supporters.   
     
     
         5 . The portable shelter as claimed  claim 1 , wherein the canopy supporting assembly comprises a first rib pole and a second rib pole, a first rib pole supporter coupled to the second end of the first arm member of the first subframe assembly, a second rib pole supporter coupled to the second end of the first arm member of the second subframe assembly, a third rib pole supporter coupled to the second end of the second arm member of the first subframe assembly, and a fourth rib pole supporter coupled to the second end of the second arm member of the second subframe assembly;
 wherein the first rib pole is supported by the first and second rib pole supporters and the second rib pole is supported by the third and fourth rib pole supporters; and   wherein the canopy provides shelter to the structure covered thereby.   
     
     
         6 . The portable shelter as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the canopy supporting assembly comprises at least a backbone pole, a first rib pole and a second rib pole and wherein at least one of the backbone pole, first rib pole and second rib pole is comprised of a plurality of components comprising:
 a first pole segment and at least a second pole segment; wherein;
 the first pole segment has a first end dimensioned for receiving a first end of the second pole segment; 
 the second pole segment has a first end dimensioned for being received in the first end of the first pole segment; 
   wherein the first end of the first pole segment has an inner surface contoured to increase a friction fit with the first end of the second pole segment.   
     
     
         7 . The portable shelter as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the first end of the second pole segment is tapered or swaged for being received in the first end of the first pole segment. 
     
     
         8 . The portable shelter as claimed in  claim 7 , including a pole segment coupler, wherein the an inner surface of a first end of the pole segment coupler has at least one dimple to provide an increased friction fit with an outer surface of the second end of the second pole segment when inserted therein. 
     
     
         9 . The portable shelter as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the inner surface of the first end of the pole segment coupler has a ring to provide an increased friction fit with an outer surface of the second end of the second pole segment when inserted therein. 
     
     
         10 . The portable shelter as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the canopy supporting assembly comprises at least a backbone pole, a first rib pole and a second rib pole and wherein at least one of the backbone pole, first rib pole and second rib pole is comprised of a plurality of components comprising:
 a first pole segment and at least a second pole segment; and a pole segment coupler, having a first end and a second end, for coupling the first pole segment to the at least second pole segment; wherein:
 the first pole segment has a first end dimensioned for receiving the first end of the pole segment coupler; 
 the second pole segment has a first end dimensioned for receiving the second end of the pole segment coupler; 
 the first end of the pole segment coupler has a surface contoured to increase a friction fit with an inner surface of the first end of the first pole segment; and 
 the first end of the second pole segment has (i) at least one dimple and/or (ii) a ring extending from the inner surface thereof to provide an increased friction fit with the second end of the pole segment coupler when inserted therein. 
   
     
     
         11 . The portable shelter as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the first end of the pole segment coupler has a plurality of ribs thereon to increase a friction fit with the inner surface of the first end of the first pole segment; and the second end of the pole segment coupler has essentially a smooth surface to interface with the (i) at least one dimple and/or (ii) ring. 
     
     
         12 . The portable shelter as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the backbone pole, first rib pole and second rib pole comprises:
 at least a third pole segment; and   a second pole segment coupler, having a first end and a second end, for coupling one of the first and at least second pole segments to the third pole segment;   wherein the third pole segment has a first end dimensioned for receiving a first end of the second pole segment coupler and the second end of the second pole segment coupler is coupled to one of the first and at least second pole segments;   whereby at least one of the backbone pole, first rib pole and second rib pole comprises at least three pole segments and at east two pole segment couplers.   
     
     
         13 . The portable shelter as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second coupling arrangement is slideably positioned along the vertical support member and has coupled thereto the respective first ends of each brace member;
 wherein when the respective first ends of each brace member are coupled thereto and the respective second ends of each brace member are coupled to the respective arm member:   (i) the sliding of second coupling arrangement towards the second end of the vertical support member results in the pivoting of the second ends of the respective arm members away from the vertical support member; and   (ii) the sliding of second coupling arrangement towards the first end of the vertical support member results in the pivoting of the second ends of the respective arm members towards the vertical support member.   
     
     
         14 . The portable shelter as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the second coupling arrangement is releasably lockable in position along the vertical support member;
 whereby the arms remain in an extended position away from the vertical support member.   
     
     
         15 - 21 . (canceled)