Collapsible structure

Abstract

A collapsible enclosure having two opposed side panels, opposed front and rear panels, a floor panel, and a top panel having an opening. The opposed side panels, opposed front and rear panels, and floor panel are connected to one another to form a substantially rectangular enclosure having an opening in the top panel for access to the structure. The side panels include a peripheral edging containing a looped frame. A method of collapsing the structure is also disclosed.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A collapsible structure comprising:
 a plurality of body panels, including opposed side panels, a front panel, and a rear panel;   a top end and a floor panel, said top end having an opening therein, said opening including a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material;   each side panel including a web, looped frame, and a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material, the frame being positioned in a pocket formed by the peripheral edging;   the front panel and the rear panel being connected to the side panels; and   a rigid border member attached to said peripheral edging of said opening.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible structure of  claim 1  wherein said looped frame of each said side panel forms a continuous loop. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible structure of  claim 2  wherein said opening includes a looped frame positioned in a pocket formed by the peripheral edging, said looped frame forming a continuous loop. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible structure of  claim 3  further including at least one handle member attached to said peripheral edging of said opening. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible structure of  claim 1  wherein said floor panel includes a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible structure of  claim 5  wherein said floor panel includes a looped frame positioned in a pocket formed by the peripheral edging, and wherein said looped frame forms a continuous loop. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible structure of  claim 6  wherein said floor panel includes a rigid border member attached to said peripheral edging. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible structure of  claim 1  wherein said rigid border member includes a mounting element having an abutment to support said peripheral edging. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible structure of  claim 7  wherein said rigid border member on said floor panel includes a mounting element having an abutment to support said peripheral edging. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible structure of  claim 1  further including at least one handle member attached to said rigid border member. 
     
     
         11 . The collapsible structure of  claim 1  wherein at least of said side panels includes a handhold opening therein. 
     
     
         12 . A method of collapsing a collapsible structure comprising the steps of:
 providing a collapsible structure having a plurality of body panels, including opposed side panels, a front panel, and a rear panel, a floor panel, and a top end, said top end having an opening therein, each side panel including a web, looped frame, and a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material, the frame being positioned in a pocket formed by the peripheral edging, and the front panel and the rear panel being connected to the side panels, each of said top end and said floor panel having a rigid frame member attached thereto; and   grasping a first rigid border member and rotating it 180° while compressing the side panels until the side panels are spiraled against each other and the first rigid border member is adjacent to and overlays a second rigid border member.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further including the steps of:
 providing a first rigid frame member with fastener members and a second rigid frame member with corresponding latch members; 
 applying downward pressure on the collapsed structure; and 
 pivoting said fastener members to catch said corresponding latch member. 
 
     
     
         14 . A collapsible structure comprising:
 a plurality of body panels, including opposed side panels, a front panel, and a rear panel;   a top end and a floor panel, said top end having an opening therein, said opening including a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material;   the front panel and the rear panel being connected to the side panels; and   a rigid border member attached to said peripheral edging of said opening.