Self-locking and inverting canopy

Abstract

A collapsible shelter is provided and is in the form of a self-locking and inverting canopy that can be moved between a collapsed state to an in-use state by applying an inversion force to a central hub.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A collapsible shelter comprising:
 a primary canopy having a vent opening formed therein;   a secondary canopy attached to the primary canopy in select locations, the secondary canopy being disposed over the vent opening, wherein the primary and secondary canopies define a canopy structure;   a center hub attached only to the primary canopy and disposed within the vent opening;   a plurality of ribs that are pivotally attached to the center hub and pivot between a collapsed state and an extended state in which the ribs are tensioned and the canopy structure is in a fully deployed state and is under tension; and   a plurality of connectors, each connector being connected to the primary canopy and including a first portion that receives one end of one rib and a second portion that receives one leg that is part of a set of legs that suspend the canopy structure above the ground.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary canopy has a smaller area than the primary canopy. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the center hub is centrally located within the vent opening. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the center hub is attached to the primary canopy at multiple locations. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible shelter of  claim 4 , wherein the center hub is attached to the primary canopy with a fastener that comprises a first strap that is attached at its two opposite ends to two opposite edges of the vent opening and a second strap that is attached at its two opposite ends to two other opposite edges of the vent opening. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the center hub includes a plurality of locking slots, wherein first ends of the ribs are coupled to the center hub within selected locking slots such that the ribs pivot within the locking slots. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible shelter of  claim 6 , wherein the first end of the rib includes a finger portion that is received between side walls of a connector disposed within one locking slot, the finer portion being rotatably attached to the side walls by an axle. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible shelter of  claim 1 , wherein each locking slot comprises a U-shaped notch that is open along a perimeter edge of the central hub. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible shelter of  claim 6 , wherein the locking slots are formed in a first face of the central hub and the center hub is attached to the primary canopy with a fastener that is attached to a second face of the central hub, the second face being opposite the first face. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible shelter of  claim 6 , wherein a closed end of each locking slot defines a stop that defines an end of travel of the first end of one rib. 
     
     
         11 . The collapsible shelter of  claim 10 , wherein the first end of the rib has a sleeve disposed therearound, the sleeve contacting the stop in the extended position of the rib. 
     
     
         12 . The collapsible shelter of  claim 11 , wherein the sleeve is cylindrical in shape and the stop is defined by a concave surface. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible shelter of  claim 1 , further including a coupling member for detachably attaching the connector to the primary canopy. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible shelter of  claim 13 , wherein the coupling member comprises a strap having a first loop that is permanently attaches to the primary canopy and a second loop that releasably attaches to the connector. 
     
     
         15 . The collapsible shelter of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion comprises a first tubular portion that receives one end of one rib such that a friction fit is formed therebetween and the second portion comprises a second tubular portion that receives a top end of one leg such that a friction fit is formed therebetween. 
     
     
         16 . The collapsible shelter of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second tubular portions are angled relative to one another and the first tubular portion has a closed end defined by a planar outer surface, wherein a protrusion is formed along the planar outer surface. 
     
     
         17 . The collapsible shelter of  claim 16 , wherein the first portion comprises a first tubular portion that receives one end of one rib and the second portion comprises a second tubular portion that receives a top end of one leg, wherein the first tubular portion has a closed end defined by a planar outer surface, wherein a protrusion is formed along the planar outer surface and a retaining space is formed between the protrusion and second tubular portion, the second loop between disposed within the retaining space for securely attaching the primary canopy to the connector and for applying tension to the primary canopy. 
     
     
         18 . The collapsible shelter of  claim 9 , wherein the central hub is configured such that a force applied to the second face in a direction normal to the second face causes the canopy structure to go from a relaxed state to the fully deployed state and being under tension. 
     
     
         19 . The collapsible shelter of  claim 6 , wherein the locking slots are formed in the central hub in a non-uniform manner. 
     
     
         20 . A method for pitching a collapsible shelter that has a canopy structure; a central hub attached to the canopy structure and pivotally attached to first ends of a plurality of ribs, wherein opposite second ends of the ribs are detachably connected to the canopy structure by a plurality of connectors, the method comprising the steps of:
 initially positioning the canopy structure in a collapsed, relaxed state with the ribs in a non-tensioned condition and depending downward in a first direction away from the central hub, wherein corners of the canopy structure lie below the central hub; and   applying a first force to the central hub in a second direction to cause inversion of the canopy structure from a relaxed state to a full deployed state and further cause the plurality of ribs to pivot relative to the central hub from the non-tensioned condition to a tensioned condition in which the ribs have a degree of curvature formed therealong, wherein in the tensioned condition, the ribs are locked in place in the central hub.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the step of applying the first force to the central hub comprises using a foot for applying the force to the central hub. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein when the first force is applied, the ribs pivot until first end portions of the ribs contact stops formed in the central hub, wherein when the ribs contact the stops, the ribs are in the tensioned condition and the canopy structure assumes the fully deployed state. 
     
     
         23 . A collapsible shelter comprising:
 a canopy;   a center hub attached only to the canopy;   a plurality of ribs that are pivotally attached to the center hub and pivot between a collapsed state and an extended state in which the ribs extend radially outward from the central hub; and   a plurality of connectors, each connector being fixedly connected to the canopy by a coupling element and including a first portion that receives one end of one rib and a second portion for receiving one leg that is part of a set of legs that suspend the canopy above the ground, wherein the connector includes a cam feature at a first end of the first portion for releasably attaching the coupling element to the connector and applying tension to the canopy.   
     
     
         24 . The collapsible shelter of  claim 23 , wherein in a first position with the canopy unfolded and lying on a ground surface, the canopy and ribs are in non-tensioned states and the central hub faces upward and is elevated relative to the connectors and the collapsible shelter is configured such that whereupon application of a force to the central hub the collapsible shelter assumes an inverted second positon as a result of the central hub moving toward the ground surface and the ribs pivoting and bending resulting in both the canopy and the ribs being placed under tension; and the collapsible shelter is configured to collapse by: (1) turning over the collapsible shelter in the second position so that the canopy remains tensioned and the central hub is elevated relative to the connectors; and (2) applying a force to the central hub in a direction toward the ground surface resulting in the collapsible shelter assuming a fourth position in which the canopy and ribs become non-tensioned and the connectors are elevated relative to the central hub. 
     
     
         25 . The collapsible shelter of  claim 24 , wherein in the first position, the non-tensioned canopy assumes a generally convex shape; in the second position, the tensioned canopy assumes a generally concave shape; in the third position, the tensioned canopy assumes a generally convex shape; and in the fourth position, the non-tensioned canopy assumes a generally concave shape relative to the ground surface. 
     
     
         26 . The collapsible shelter of  claim 24 , wherein the coupling element comprises a strap that is fixedly attached to the canopy and has an adjustable loop portion for attachment to the first portion of the connector and a fixed loop portion for placement along an end surface at the first end of the first portion. 
     
     
         27 . The collapsible shelter of  claim 26 , wherein the fixed loop portion is disposed along the end surface between one edge of the cam feature and one end of the second portion.