US3530623A - Frame member for collapsible structure - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 29, 1970 J. T. BURTON I FRAME MEMBER FOR COLLAPSIBLE STRUCTURE I Filed April 21, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JOHN THOMAS BURTON 'Fiied'April 21, 1969 p 197.0 J. 'r. BURTON 3,530,623

FRAME MEMBER FOR COLLAPSIBLE STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2- Inventor I I JOHN THOMAS BURTON United States Patent US. Cl. 52-86 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An adjustable arch-shaped frame for use with a permanently anchored track means in a plurality of temporary collapsible structures of various widths having two side portions and a roof portion having a pair of universal side frame sections with upper and lower ends forming the side portions and part of the roof portion of the structure, a removable top frame section forming the intermediate portion of the roof portion of the structure between the upper ends of the side frame sections, carriage means on the lower ends of the side frame sections engaging the track means to support the frame movably at its lower ends, connecting means connected at the junction between each said top frame section and the upper ends of the side frame sections for joining same to the top frame section in alignment whereby the widths of the structures may be varied by substituting top frame sections of different lengths.

The invention relates to a collapsible temporary structure for use as a cover for swimming pools and the like and more particularly to a novel frame member which has replaceable sections which permit the adjustment of the size of the structure to the required size of the pool by removing one section and replacing it with a new section.

This invention relates to a collapsible temporary structure as disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 3,361,144 dated Jan. 2, 1968 and United States Letters Patent 3,469,587, dated Sept. 30, 1969 in the name of David Folkes entitled Collapsible Weatherproof Cover for Swimming Pools. The installation of such collapsible temporary structures is simple and economical to build and is readily assembled on the site to be collapsible and erectible by a home owner. The known frame members comprise two generally arch-shaped hoops welded together at the upper end to provide the support required. Thus for any one size of pool it was required to shape the hoops or frame members to a predetermined size so as to provide the support required. This also required a considerable amount of work on the site in assembling the frame members and increased the cost of the temporary structure.

This invention provides a novel frame member to be used in the structure comprising two universal side frame sections which form the side portions and part of the roof portions of all the structures that can be envisioned to be built joined together at their upper ends by a top frame section which forms the intermediate portion of the roof portion. The same side frame sections can be used for any size of pool. The different sizes of top frame section have similar connecting means thereon and the upper ends of the side frame sections are easily connected thereto for easy assembly of the frame member on site.

When assembling the previously known frame structures, the upper ends were welded together at the center of the frame member and the alignment of these frame sections was critical. This often involved a fair amount of time in their assembly. With the novel frame member, the side frame sections are easily assembled with the top frame section on the site with novel connecting means having predrilled holes therethrough. Holes are drilled through the side frame sections at the site to pass bolts through the aligned holes to connect and align the sections together. When assembled, the side frame sections may be easily welded to the top section, if desired.

It is an object of this invention to provide a collapsible temporary structure which is simple in construction and easily assembled on the site.

It is another object of this invention to provide a collapsible temporary structure wherein a novel frame member is constructed in sections and novel connecting means are provided for connecting the frame sections together to form frames of different sizes.

It is another object of this invention to provide a collapsible temporary structure wherein a novel frame member is constructed in three sections; a pair of universal side frame sections and a removable top frame section joined to the side frame sections by novel connecting means to permit easy assembly of the frame members on the site.

It is another object of this invention to provide a collapsible temporary structure wherein a novel frame member is constructed in sections and novel connecting means are provided which permit connecting the frame sections in alignment easily.

The foregoing and other advantages will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention which is here given by way of example only with reference to the following drawings, in which like reference devices refer to like parts thereof throughout the various views and diagrams, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a frame member used to make the collapsible temporary structure;

FIG. 2 is a top view showing the connecting means at one end of the horizontal frame section;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the circle 3 in FIG. 1 showing the connecting means at one end of the horizontal frame section;

FIG. 4 is a section view along the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a greatly enlarged prespective exploded view of the detail shown in the circle 3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view along the line 66 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lower end of the vertical frame member associated with a ground rail.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown an arch-shaped frame member for a collapsible temporary structure generally indicated as 10. The structure comprises a plurality of generally arch-shaped hoops or frame members 10 which are arranged and braced to provide supports for a series of stirp-like plastic panels (not shown) so as to provide a generally arch-shaped canopy structure. A pluarlity of attachment lugs 11 are welded at different positions to the frame member 10 to permit horizontally extending brace struts 12 (shown in FIG. 7) to be connected between adjacent frame members 10 as will be more clearly described later.

Each frame member 10 comprises two universal side frame sections 13 and 14 which form the side portions and part of the roof portion of the structure and a top frame section 15 which defines the intermediate portion of the roof portion of the structure. The top frame section 15 has two ends 16 and 17 each with a pair of connecting plates 18 and 19 respectively which are used to connect the top frame section 15 to upper ends 20 and 21 of the side frame sections 14 and 13 respectively as will be described hereinafter. Lower ends 22 and 23 of the side frame sections 14 and 13 respectively are each provided with a leg 24 and a carriage member 25 which is movably supported in a permanently anchored track means 26, best shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. The track means 26 comprises a rectangular channel-shaped rail 27 having two side walls spaced apart suflicient to receive the carriage means 25 therebetween the retaining flanges 28 and 29 on the side walls defining a restricted open slot 30 having a width greater than the thickness of the leg 24 while still retaining the carriage means 25 against displacement from the track means 26. Attachment lugs 31 on the track means 26 are used to permanently anchor the track means 26 to a plank (not shown) or to any other securing means desired. Each leg 24 is dimensioned to fit slidably between the flanges 28 and 29 in slot 30 and the carriage member 25 which is a skid means with a greater length than width with the ends angled upwards, is adapted to slide along the inside of the track means 26 while having a width greater than the slot 30 between the flanges 28 and 29 to prevent the skid means 25 from coming out of the track means 26.

The side frame sections 13 and 14 are bent in substantially arch-like shape and comprise outer and inner structural frame members 32 and 33. The upper ends 20 and 22 of the outer and inner frame members 32 and 33 of the frame member 14 are welded or otherwise secured in place as are the upper ends 21 and lower ends 23 of the outer and inner frame members 32 and 33 of the frame member 13. The outer and inner frame members 32 and 33 are preferably reinforced at five locations with transverse truss braces 34 which are welded or otherwise secured in place. The truss braces 34 provide the maximum support necessary for the side frame sections 13 and 14 to support any load thereon. The frame members 32 and 33 each are preferably made from channel-shaped members having two spaced apart side walls with two retaining flanges 37 and 38 on the side walls.

Each top frame section 15 comprises outer and inner structural frame members 35 and 36 being triangular in shape and welded or otherwise secured together at the ends 16 and 17 of the base of the triangle. Only the end 16 is shown and described in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5. The end 17 is identical and will not be described herein. The frame member 35 forms the two sides of the triangle and the frame member 36 is a horizontal restraining member and forms the base of the triangle. The frame members 35 and 36 each are preferably made from channel-shaped members having two spaced apart side walls with two retaining flanges 37 and 38 on the side walls.

A pair of connecting plates 18 and 19 are welded to the outer surfaces of the side walls of the channels 35 and 36 at each end 16 and 17 of the horizontal frame section 15. Each connecting plate 18 or 19 is preferably trapezoidal in shape having a top edge 39 approximately aligned with the retaining flanges 37 and 38 of the channel 35. Each connecting plate 18 or 19 has three transverse holes 40, 41 and 42 for passing bolts 43 therethrough as will be described later.

Inserted inside the channels 35 and 36 are channelshaped connecting members 44 and 45. As shown best in FIG. 4, the connecting members 44 and 45 are frictionally engaged with the inner walls of the frame members 35 and 36. Ends 46 and 47 of the connecting members 44 and 45 respectively extend out of the ends of the frame members 35 and 36 and are inserted in the upper ends of the frame members 32 and 33 of the side frame section 13 or 14 to assemble the top frame section 15 to the side frame section 13 and 14. The connecting members 44 and 45 are positioned between each pair of connecting plates 18 and 19 on each end with spaces 48 and 49 between the outer surface of the connecting members 45 and 46 and the inside surface of the connecting plates 18 or 19. The connecting members 44 and 45 are preferably dimensioned to be frictionally engaged on the inside walls of the channels 32 and 33 of the side frame section 13 or 14. The channels 32 and 33 are inserted on the ends 46 and 47 of the connecting members 44 and respectively and abut on the ends of the channels 35 and 36 between the connecting plates 18 or 19.

The connecting members 44 and 45 are positioned in the channels 35 and 36 of the top frame section 15 in such a manner that the end 47 of the connecting member 45 extends further out than the end 46 of the connecting member 44. As shown best in FIG. 5, the end of the channel 32 extends past the end of the channel 33 when they are passed over the connecting members 45 and 46 respectively. Once the side frame sections 13 and 14 are assembled and aligned with the top frame section 15, transverse holes (shown in FIG. 4) are drilled through the side walls of the channels 32 and 33 and connecting members 44 and 45 which are aligned with the predrilled transverse holes 40, 41 and 42 in the connecting plates 18 or 19. Bolts 43 are then passed through the holes 40, 41 and 42 to secure the side frame section 13 or 14 to the top frame section 15. Each bolt has a head 50, a shank 51 and a threaded end 52 onto which screws a nut 53. Washers 54 are placed between the head and the outer surface of the connecting plate 18 on one side and the nut 53 and the outer surface of the connecting plate 18 on the opposite side.

Frame members 10 are linked together with one another by a series of brace struts 12 hingedly mounted to adjacent frame members 10 at spaced apart intervals along the arch-shape thereof. As shown best in FIG. 7, the brace struts 12 consist of a pair of horizontal strut portions 55 and 56 extending between adjacent frame members 10. The adjacent free ends of the strut portions 55 and 56 have a chamfered edge 57 and opposite ends adjacent the frame members 10 are pivotally mounted on the attachment lugs 11 by pins or bolts 58. The strut portions 55 and 56 are connected together by means of an intermediate channel portion 59 being channel-shaped with parallel side plates extending therefrom and lying along and around the strut portions 55 and 56. The intermediate channel portion 59 is separately hinged to each of the strut portions 55 and 56 by pins or bolts 60 and 61 respectively, and is movable in a direction shown by an arrow 62 in FIG. 7 to disengage the strut portions 55 and 56 from the locked position.

The use and method of assembly of the collapsible temporary structure with the frame members is as follows:

The side frame sections 13 and 14 and the top frame members 15 are prepared at the factory and shipped to the site to be assembled. The connecting plates 18 and 19 are already welded to the side walls of the channel members 35 and 36 of the top frame section 15. The connecting members 44 and 45 are inserted into the ends of the channel members 35 and 36.

At the site, the side frame sections 13 and 14 are assembled to the top frame section 15 by inserting the free ends 46 and 47 of the connecting members 44 and 45 into the upper ends of the channel members 32 and 33. The ends of the adjacent channel members are placed in contact. This assembling of the frame sections aligns the frame member 10. Then holes are drilled through the channel members and connecting members aligned with the pre-drilled holes 40, 41 and 42 in the connecting plates 18 and 19.

Bolts 43 are passed through the drilled holes and nuts 53 are tightened on the threaded end to secure the channel members 32 and 33 to the connecting plates 18 and 19. The frame member 10 is now ready to be assembled in the collapsible frame structure.

A number of the frame members 10 are joined together to form the frame structure. The skids 25 are inserted into the track 26 and the brace struts 12 are connected to the lugs 11 on the side frame sections 13 and 14 to support the frame members 10 in the upright position. The adjacent frame members 10 are moved into their full extended position by simply drawing the skid members 25 along the Sliding channels 26 and the strut portions 55 and 56 are forced into their extended position, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 7. The chamfered edges 57 of the strut portions 55 and 56 permit the strut portions 55 and 56 to be locked in their extended position by the intermediate channel portion 59. Collapsing of the struc ture may be affected by applying pressure in a direction shown by the arrow 62 in FIG. 7 in the region of the intermediate channel portion 59 causing disengagement of the strut portions 55 and 56 from the intermediate channel portion 59, as shown in dotted lines, and thereafter pushing the released frame member towards the next adjacent frame member. When all the frame members 10 have been connected together, the strip-like plastic panels (not shown) are attached to the frame members 10 to form the collapsible temporary structure.

To erect a frame structure it will be noted that for any size pool, the same side frame sections 13 and 14 may be used as only the length of the top frame section 15 need be changed to give the frame member 10 with the desired width. The side frame sections 13 and 14 forming the side portions and part of the roof structure are identical and can be used on either side of the frame member 10 thus providing for easy assembly of each frame member 10.

When assembling the frame members 10 on the site, the novel frame member 10 described herein permits easy assembly of the side frame sections 13 and 14 to the removable top frame section 15. The connecting members 44 and 45 provide a means for easily aligning adjacent channels on the side frame sections 13 or 14 with the top frame section 15. It is only necessary to drill holes through the assembled channels and connecting members which are aligned with the predrilled holes 40, 41 and 42 to pass the bolts 43 therethrough to form the frame member 10.

The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention only. The invention is not to be taken as limited to any of the specific features described but comprehends all such variations as come within the spirit and scope of the claims.

What I claim is:

1. An adjustable arch-shaped frame for use with a permanently anchored track means in a plurality of temporary collapsible structures of various widths having two side portions and a roof portion, said frame comprising:

a pair of universal side frame sections formed in part of rectangular tubular channel construction having a continuous slotted opening along one side thereof and having upper and lower ends and adapted to form the side portions and part of the roof portion of the structure;

a removable top frame section formed in part of similar rectangular tubular channel construction having a continuous slotted opening along one side thereof adapted to form the intermediate portion of the roof portion of the structure between said upper ends of said frame sections;

carriage means on said lower ends of said side frame sections adapted to engage said track means to support said frame movably at its lower ends;

means retaining said carriage means against displacement of said carriage means from the track means; and

rectangular, sliding shaft connecting means connected at the junction between each said top frame section and said upper ends of said side frame sections adapted to make telescoping interfitting engagement therebetween and having an opening along one side adapted to align with said slotted openings in said frame members for joining same together with said rectangular tubular channel portions in alignment whereby the widths of the structure may be varied by substituting top frame sections of different lengths.

2. A frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein said side frame sections are formed of a pair of curved channelshaped members having side walls spaced apart and retaining flanges on said side walls defining said continuous slot therebetween, and a plurality of spaced apart transverse stress braces connected between said channel members at an intermediate portion thereof and said channel members being secured together at their ends.

3. A frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top frame section is formed of a pair of channel-shaped members having side walls spaced apart and retaining flanges on said side walls defining said single continuous slot therebetween being secured together at their ends.

4. A frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connecting means comprise channel members with spaced apart side walls connected at each end of said top frame section and adapted to be inserted in said upper ends of said side frame sections, and a plurality of nut and bolt combinations securing said connecting means and said side frame sections to said top frame section.

5. A frame as claimed in claim 1, including a pair of connecting plates secured at each end of said top frame section to provide a space between each plate and said connecting members at each end of said top frame sections to receive said upper ends of said side frame sections therebetween.

6. A frame as claimed in claim 1, including a pair of connecting plates with a plurality of pre-drilled aligned holes therethrough secured at each end of said top frame section; said connecting means and said upper end of each of said side frame sections having a plurality of predrilled holes therethrough aligned with said holes in said connecting plates; and a plurality of nut and bolt combinations adapted to be passed through said aligned holes for joining said upper ends of said side frame sections to said top frame section in alignment.

7. A frame as claimed in claim 1, including collapsible strut means connected between adjacent said frames and extensible to support the same.

8. A frame as claimed in claim 1, including collapsible strut means connected between adjacent said frames and extensible to support the same; and locking means on said strut means to hold the same in their extended position.

9. A frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein said car riage means comprises a skid means having a greater length than width with ends angled upwards.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,621,484 3/1927 Price 49-409 2,612,854 10/1952 Fuge 52644 X 3,361,144 1/1968 Folkes 1 3,424,179 1/1969 Minot 135-3 FOREIGN PATENTS 483,145 1952 Canada. 865,711 1941 France.

JOHN E. MURTAGH, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

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