Collapsible portable shelter

Abstract

A portable shelter includes a collapsible frame movable between a collapsed configuration and a constructed configuration. The frame includes a plurality of poles. Each pole defines a terminal end. A skin is configured to cover the frame to at least partially define a space within the frame in the constructed configuration. The skin is further configured to receive the terminal end of each pole. A base is configured to define a floor of the shelter. At least a portion of the base is releasably coupled to the skin.

1 . A portable shelter comprising: 
 a collapsible frame movable between a collapsed configuration and a constructed configuration, said frame comprising a plurality of poles, each of said plurality of poles defining a terminal end;    a skin configured to cover said frame to at least partially define a space within said frame in the constructed configuration, said skin further configured to receive said terminal end of each said pole; and    a base configured to define a floor of said shelter, at least a portion of said base releasably coupled to said skin.    
   
   
       2 . A portable shelter in accordance with  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of poles is coupled to a central hub.  
   
   
       3 . A portable shelter in accordance with  claim 2  wherein each of said plurality of poles further comprises a first segment coupled to said central hub and a second segment coupled to said first segment and defining said terminal end.  
   
   
       4 . A portable shelter in accordance with  claim 3  wherein said first segments of said plurality of poles at least partially define a roof support structure of said shelter.  
   
   
       5 . A portable shelter in accordance with  claim 3  wherein said second segments of said plurality of poles at least partially define a wall support structure of said shelter, said skin defining an opening therethrough providing access to the space.  
   
   
       6 . A portable shelter in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said skin defines a substantially cylindrical wall of said shelter.  
   
   
       7 . A portable shelter in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said skin further comprises a plurality of pockets, each of said plurality of pockets configured to receive a corresponding said terminal end.  
   
   
       8 . A portable shelter in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said skin further comprises a plurality of coupling members, each of said plurality of coupling members configured to couple to a corresponding said terminal end.  
   
   
       9 . A portable shelter in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a zipper configured to facilitate releasably coupling at least a portion of said base to said skin.  
   
   
       10 . A portable shelter in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a cushion removably positioned within the space and configured to cover at least a portion of said floor.  
   
   
       11 . A portable shelter in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said skin further comprises a support member configured to facilitate defining the space.  
   
   
       12 . A portable shelter in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said support member further comprises a continuous structure.  
   
   
       13 . A portable shelter in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said support member defines one of an elliptical cross-sectional area and a polygonal cross-sectional area.  
   
   
       14 . A portable shelter in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said support member is positioned within a sleeve formed by a peripheral edge portion of said skin.  
   
   
       15 . A portable shelter comprising: 
 a collapsible frame movable between a collapsed configuration and a constructed configuration, said frame comprising a plurality of poles coupled to a central hub, each of said plurality of poles defining a terminal end;    a skin configured to cover said frame to at least partially define a space within said frame in the constructed configuration, said skin further configured to receive said terminal end of each said pole;    a support member operatively coupled to at least one of said skin and said frame, said support member configured to facilitate defining the space; and    a base defining a floor of said shelter, at least a portion of said base releasably coupled to said skin.    
   
   
       16 . A portable shelter in accordance with  claim 15  wherein each of said plurality of poles further comprises a first segment coupled to said central hub and a second segment coupled to said first segment and defining said terminal end.  
   
   
       17 . A portable shelter in accordance with  claim 16  wherein said first segments of said plurality of poles at least partially define a roof support structure of said shelter and said second segments of said plurality of poles at least partially define a wall support structure of said shelter, said skin defining an opening therethrough providing access to the space.  
   
   
       18 . A portable shelter in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said skin further comprises a plurality of pockets, each of said plurality of pockets configured to receive a corresponding said terminal end.  
   
   
       19 . A portable shelter in accordance with  claim 15  further comprising a zipper configured to facilitate releasably coupling at least a portion of said base to said skin.  
   
   
       20 . A portable shelter in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said support member defines one of an elliptical cross-sectional area and a polygonal cross-sectional area.  
   
   
       21 . A portable shelter in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said support member is positioned within a sleeve formed by a peripheral edge portion of said skin.  
   
   
       22 . A portable shelter in accordance with  claim 15  wherein each of said plurality of poles further comprises a first segment and a second segment, and a coupling mechanism configured to couple said first segment to said second segment.  
   
   
       23 . A method for constructing a portable collapsible shelter, said method comprising: 
 positioning a frame movable between a collapsed configuration and a constructed configuration within a skin, the frame comprising a plurality of poles coupled to a central hub, each of the plurality of poles defining a terminal end;    constructing the frame such that with the frame in a constructed configuration, the skin substantially covers the frame to at least partially define a space within the frame;    coupling the terminal end of each of the plurality of poles to a peripheral edge portion of the skin; and    releaseably coupling at least a portion of a base to the skin to define a floor of the shelter.    
   
   
       24 . A method in accordance with  claim 23  wherein coupling the terminal end of each of the plurality of poles to a peripheral edge portion of the skin further comprises positioning the terminal end of each of the plurality of poles within a pocket formed at the peripheral edge portion of the skin.  
   
   
       25 . A method in accordance with  claim 23  wherein the frame is constructed one of before or after the frame is positioned within the skin.