Spring assist system for a canopy frame

Abstract

A spring assist system for a canopy frame. The system including an extension spring, an upper center cap, and a lower center cap. One end of the extension spring is coupled to the upper center cap and the other end is coupled to the lower center cap. A force of the extension spring draws, in an axial direction, the lower center cap toward the upper center cap to decrease a length of the extension spring.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A spring assist system for a canopy frame comprising:
 an extension spring;   an upper center cap; and   a lower center cap;   wherein one end of the extension spring is coupled to the upper center cap and the other end is coupled to the lower center cap; and   wherein a force of the extension spring draws, in an axial direction, the lower center cap toward the upper center cap to decrease a length of the extension spring.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the upper center cap and the lower center cap include at least one connection point used to attach at least one truss structure. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the connection points is radially located on the upper center cap and the lower center cap. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one truss structure connected to the lower center cap is pivotally connected, and applies a force onto, the at least one truss structure connected to the upper center cap. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , comprising a spring sleeve that houses at least a portion of the extension spring, wherein a length of the spring sleeve limits a contraction of the extension spring to a length equivalent to the length of the spring sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , comprising a spring sleeve that houses at least a portion of the extension spring, wherein a length of the spring sleeve limits a contraction of the extension spring to a length less than full contraction of the extension spring. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one truss structure forms a collapsible canopy framework with pivoting components that limit a contraction of the extension spring to a length less than full contraction of the extension spring. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 4 , comprising an extension spring tension adjustment mechanism including an adjustable screw having a connectable end attached to an end of the extension spring, the adjustment screw capable of pulling the extension spring so as to adjust a spring tension coefficient of the extension spring. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising an extension spring tension adjustment mechanism including an adjustable plate having an attachment end attached to an end of the extension spring, the adjustable plate capable of movement back and forth to stretch the extension spring so as to increase a spring tension coefficient of the extension spring. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 4 , comprising an extension spring tension adjustment mechanism including an adjustable screw at one end of the extension spring and a hook at the other end of the extension spring, the adjustment screw capable of pulling the extension spring so as to adjust a spring tension coefficient of the extension spring. 
     
     
         11 . A method for operating a spring assist system for a canopy frame comprising:
 applying a force onto at least one truss structure connected to at least one connection point of a lower center cap to at least one truss structure connected at least one connection point of an upper center cap;   drawing in an axial direction the lower center cap toward the upper center cap; and   decreasing a length of an extension spring coupled between the lower center cap and the upper center cap proportion to the force and a stop limit of axial directional motion of the lower center cap.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of:
 applying a force on the at least one of the connection point of the upper center cap and the lower center cap includes applying a force connection points radially located on the upper center cap and the lower center cap.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of:
 applying a force onto at least one truss structure connected to at least one connection point of a lower center cap to at least one truss structure connected at least one connection point of an upper center cap includes applying a force onto the at least one truss structure connected to at least one connection point of the lower center cap is pivotally connected, and applies a force onto, the at least one truss structure connected to at least one connection point of the upper center cap.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising the step of:
 limiting a contraction of the extension spring to a length equivalent to a length of a spring sleeve that houses at least a portion of the extension spring during axial motion between the upper center cap and the lower center cap.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising the step of:
 limiting a contraction of the extension spring to a length equivalent to length of a spring sleeve that houses at least a portion of the extension spring during axial motion between the upper center cap and the lower center cap, wherein a length of the spring sleeve limits a contraction of the extension spring to a length less than full contraction of the extension spring.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising pivoting the at least one truss structure of the upper center cap and the lower center cap that forms a collapsible canopy framework with pivoting components that limit a contraction of the extension spring to a length less than full contraction of the extension spring. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising the steps of:
 pulling the extension spring using a adjustable screw having a connectable end attached to an end of the extension spring that forms an extension spring tension adjustment mechanism; and   adjusting a spring tension coefficient of the extension spring.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising the steps of:
 moving back and forth an adjustable plate having an attachment end attached to an end of the extension spring that forms an extension spring tension adjustment mechanism; and   stretching the extension spring; and   increasing a spring tension coefficient of the extension spring.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising the steps of:
 moving back and forth an adjustable screw at one end of the extension spring and a hook at the other end of the extension spring that forms an extension spring tension adjustment mechanism;   pulling the extension spring with the adjustment screw; and   adjusting a spring tension coefficient of the extension spring.