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 top and floor panels each include a peripheral edging containing a looped frame. The opposed side panels each include a peripheral edging containing opposed side frames, the side frames each having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends being attached to respective looped frames. A method of collapsing the structure is also disclosed.

I/We 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, opposed side frames, and a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material, the side frames each having a first frame end and a second frame end and 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 floor panel includes a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material and a looped frame positioned in a pocket formed by the peripheral edging, and wherein said looped frame forms a continuous loop. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible structure of  claim 2  wherein each second frame end is coupled to said looped frame. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible structure of  claim 1  further including at least one handle member attached to said peripheral edging of said opening. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible structure of  claim 2  wherein said floor panel includes a rigid border member attached to said peripheral edging. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible structure of  claim 1  wherein said rigid border member includes a mounting element having an abutment to support said peripheral edging. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible structure of  claim 5  wherein said rigid border member on said floor panel includes a mounting element having an abutment to support said peripheral edging. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible structure of  claim 1  wherein said top end includes a looped frame positioned in a pocket formed by the peripheral edging of the opening, and wherein said looped frame forms a continuous loop. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible structure of  claim 8  wherein each first frame end is coupled to said looped frame of said top end. 
     
     
         10 . 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, opposed side frames, and a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material, the side frames 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.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  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 members. 
 
     
     
         12 . 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 and a looped frame positioned in a pocket formed by the peripheral edging, and wherein the looped frame forms a continuous loop;   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.   
     
     
         13 . The collapsible structure of  claim 12  wherein each side panel includes a web, opposed side frames, and a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material, the frames being positioned in a pocket formed by the peripheral edging. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible structure of  claim 13  wherein each of said opposed side frames includes a first frame end and a second frame end. 
     
     
         15 . The collapsible structure of  claim 13  wherein said floor panel includes a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material and a looped frame positioned in a pocket formed by the peripheral edging of the floor panel, and wherein the looped frame forms a continuous loop. 
     
     
         16 . The collapsible structure of  claim 15  wherein each first frame end is coupled to said looped frame of said top end and each second frame end is coupled to said looped frame of said floor panel. 
     
     
         17 . The collapsible structure of  claim 12  wherein said rigid border member includes a mounting element having an abutment to support said peripheral edging. 
     
     
         18 . The collapsible structure of  claim 12  further including at least one handle member attached to said rigid border member.