Flexible frame with articulating joints

Abstract

A collapsible frame for supporting a fabric structure includes frame members which themselves can be plastically deformed as well as folded around one or more hinges. The ductile frame members can be deformed plastically to hold the fabric structure in a predetermined orientation. When not in use, the frame can be folded around the hinges disposed between the individual frame members. Folding the frame around the hinges significantly reduces the possibility of the ductile frame members work-hardening and experiencing a metal fatigue failure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flexible frame ( 14 ) for supporting a fabric structure ( 10 ), said frame ( 14 ) comprising:
 a plurality of elongated frame members ( 16 A,  16 B,  16 C,  16 D), each of said plurality of elongated frame members ( 16 ) having a first end ( 38 ) and second end ( 40 ); and   a plurality of articulating joints ( 18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D), each of said plurality of articulating joins ( 18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D) comprising a hinge ( 42 ,  44 ) that rotates from an inline position to a rotated position in which the hinge ( 42 ,  44 ) is rotated 180° from the inline position;   each of said plurality of elongated frame members ( 16 A,  16 B,  16 C,  16 D) being attached at a first end ( 38 ) to one of said plurality of articulating joints ( 18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D) and attached at a second end ( 40 ) to another one of said plurality of articulating joints ( 18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D);   wherein said plurality of elongated frame members ( 16 A,  16 B,  16 C,  16 D), are made of a ductile material that can be deformed plastically into a deformed shape and substantially retain the deformed shape and wherein said fabric structure ( 10 ) can be folded to a substantially flat configuration by rotating said plurality of articulating joints.   
     
     
         2 . The flexible frame of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of said plurality of articulating joints ( 18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D) comprises a first clevis ( 32 ) having a first rotation axis, a second clevis ( 34 ) having a second rotation axis, and a connecting link ( 36 ) extending between the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis.   
     
     
         3 . The flexible frame of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of said plurality of articulating joints ( 18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D) further includes an elongated clip ( 22 ) for securing said plurality of articulating joints to the fabric structure ( 10 ).   
     
     
         4 . The flexible frame of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said plurality of articulating joints ( 18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D) comprises at least four articulating joints; and   said plurality of elongated frame members ( 16 A,  16 B,  16 C,  16 D), comprises at least four elongated frame members, said plurality of elongated frame members ( 16 A,  16 B,  16 C,  16 D), and said plurality of articulating joints ( 18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D) being arranged to form a closed loop.   
     
     
         5 . The flexible frame of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a fabric structure ( 10 ) supported by the flexible frame ( 14 ).   
     
     
         6 . The flexible frame of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the fabric structure ( 10 ) comprises a hat.   
     
     
         7 . The flexible frame of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a flexible sheath ( 38 ) enclosing each of said plurality of elongated frame members ( 16 A,  16 B,  16 C,  16 D), said flexible sheath acting to increase the effective diameter of each of said plurality of elongated frame members ( 16 A,  16 B,  16 C,  16 D), and to increase the bending radius of said plurality of elongated frame members ( 16 A,  16 B,  16 C,  16 D).   
     
     
         8 . The flexible frame of  claim 7 , wherein:
 said flexible sheath ( 30 ) comprises a hollow vinyl screen spline.