Frame for self-supporting shelter

Abstract

Provided herein is a frame for use with a self-supporting structure, such as a tent or awning. The frame may comprise a plurality of support members, each comprising a plurality of elongate support sections in co-linear arrangement and connected by over-centre hinge joints. The frame may have an erected self-supporting condition with the hinged joints in an open over-centre condition and each support member forms an arch. The frame may have a collapsed condition with the hinged joints in a closed condition and the support members are folded. Also provided are collapsible shelters comprising any of the frames described herein.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A frame comprising a plurality of support members, wherein each support member comprises a plurality of elongate support sections in co-linear arrangement and connected by over-centre hinged joints; whereby when the frame is in an erected self-supporting condition the hinged joints are in an open over-centre condition and each support member forms an arch and when the frame is in a collapsed condition the hinged joints are in a closed condition and the support members are folded. 
     
     
         2 . The frame according to  claim 1 , wherein the over-centre hinged joints are non-locking hinged joints. 
     
     
         3 . The frame according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of slidable hinged joints. 
     
     
         4 . The frame according to  claim 3 , wherein each slidable hinged joint comprises a hinge channel comprising a hinge shoulder and a pivot pin, and a sliding portion comprising an elongate slot having a pivot end and a non-pivot end wherein the hinge channel is longitudinally disposed at the end of a second support section, the pivot pin is transversely disposed across the hinge channel and connected thereto, and the sliding portion is longitudinally disposed at the end of a third support section, the elongate slot is longitudinally disposed along the sliding portion and receives the pivot pin transversely therein. 
     
     
         5 . The frame according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more stabilising member comprising plurality of elongate support sections in co-linear arrangement and connected by over-centre hinged joints, whereby when the frame is in an erected self-supporting condition the hinged joints are in an open over-centre condition and the stabilising member forms part of an arch. 
     
     
         6 . The frame according to  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible sheet material attached to the frame, and wherein when in the erected self-supporting condition, the flexible sheet material is stretched taut. 
     
     
         7 . The frame according to  claim 6 , wherein the flexible sheet material is attached to the frame by way of sleeves through which the support members pass and which are attached to, or integral with, the flexible sheet material. 
     
     
         8 . The frame according to  claim 7 , wherein the flexible sheet material is formed in the shape of a tent or a sunshelter. 
     
     
         9 . The frame according to  claim 1 , further comprising a roof plate in co-linear arrangement with the elongate support sections and to which the neighbouring elongate support sections are pivotally or hingedly attached. 
     
     
         10 . The frame according to  claim 1 , further comprising frame anchors for releasably receiving the ends of the support members. 
     
     
         11 . The frame according to  claim 10 , wherein each frame anchor is connected to the flexible sheet material by a connector. 
     
     
         12 . The frame according to  claim 11 , wherein the frame further comprises a clip. 
     
     
         13 . The frame according to  claim 12 , wherein the connector comprises a length of tape, a length of elastic, a spring, or a hook. 
     
     
         14 . The frame according to  claim 1 , wherein each over-centre hinge comprises a hinge hook disposed at the end of a first support section and a hinge channel at the opposing end of a neighbouring second support section, longitudinally disposed thereto, wherein the hinge channel comprises a pivot pin that extends across the hinge channel, transverse to the second support section, and a hinge shoulder at the end of the hinge channel. 
     
     
         15 . The frame according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more compression damper. 
     
     
         16 . The frame according to  claim 15 , wherein the compression damper comprises a spring. 
     
     
         17 . The frame according to  claim 15 , wherein the compression damper is located at the end of a support member adjacent to a foot anchor and engageable therewith. 
     
     
         18 . The frame according to  claim 1 , when used for a collapsible shelter. 
     
     
         19 . The frame according to  claim 18 , wherein the collapsible shelter is a tent or a sunshelter. 
     
     
         20 . A collapsible shelter comprising a frame according to  claim 1 .