Collapsible support structure, assembly and method of manufacture thereof

Abstract

A collapsible support structure comprises a first hollow member, a second hollow member, and a resilient flexible member. The first hollow member defines an axis and comprises an open end. A perimeter of the open end comprises a leading portion and a trailing portion, the leading portion being positioned further along the axis than the trailing portion. The second hollow member is adapted to engage the open end when the support structure is assembled. The resilient flexible member extends at least partially through the first hollow member and the second hollow member. A method of manufacture of the collapsible support structure and an assembly comprising the collapsible support structure are also disclosed.

1 . A collapsible support structure comprising:
 a first hollow member defining an axis, wherein the first hollow member comprises an open end;   a second hollow member adapted to engage the open end when the support structure is assembled; and   a resilient flexible member extending at least partially through the first hollow member and the second hollow member;   wherein a perimeter of the first open end comprises a leading portion and a trailing portion, the leading portion being positioned further along the axis than the trailing portion.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the leading portion and the trailing portion along the axis is greater than a largest cross sectional dimension of the resilient flexible member. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible structure of  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter defines a surface disposed at an acute angle relative to the axis. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible structure of  claim 3 , wherein the surface is planar. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible structure of  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter defines an ellipse. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible structure of  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter has at least two leading portions and at least two trailing portions. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible structure of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second hollow member defines a second axis and comprises a second open end, a second perimeter of the second open end comprises a second leading portion and a second trailing portion, the second leading portion being positioned further along the second axis than the second trailing portion.   
     
     
         8 . An assembly comprising:
 a sheet-like member; and   a collapsible support structure to support the sheet-like member, the collapsible support structure comprising:
 a first hollow member defining an axis wherein the first hollow member comprises an open end; 
 a second hollow member adapted to engage the open end when the support structure is assembled; and 
 a resilient flexible member extending at least partially through the first hollow member and the second hollow member; 
 wherein: 
 a perimeter of the open end comprises a leading portion and a trailing portion, the leading portion being positioned further along the axis than the trailing portion; 
 the first hollow member is either straight or curved, the axis being tangential to the curve at the open end; and 
 one of the first and the second hollow members is adapted to be inserted into the other of the first and the second hollow members at the open end. 
   
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the sheet-like member is a net. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the sheet-like member is flexible. 
     
     
         11 . A method of manufacturing a collapsible support structure, the method comprising:
 providing an open end of a first hollow member with a perimeter comprising a leading portion and a trailing portion, wherein the first hollow member defines an axis, and the leading portion is positioned further along the axis than the trailing portion; and   extending a resilient flexible member at least partially through the first hollow member, through the open end and into a second hollow member.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein providing an open end of the first hollow member with a perimeter comprises cutting the open end of the first hollow member at an acute angle relative to the axis. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein providing an open end of the first hollow member with a perimeter comprises affixing a cap to the first hollow member, the cap defining the perimeter. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the method further comprises swaging at least a portion of the first or second hollow member. 
     
     
         15 . The collapsible support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first hollow member is either:
 straight; or   curved, the axis the axis being tangential to the curve at the open end; and   wherein one of the first and the second hollow members is adapted to be inserted into the other of the first and the second hollow members at the open end.