Shelter frame and shelter frame with cover

Abstract

A frame for a shelter including at least four legs and at least four arch rails, wherein the legs and/or arch rails are preferably coupled together with rib members scissor-type coupled together and wherein the shelter is expandable and collapsible upon the arch rails being rotated relative to the legs such that angles greater than 90° and less than 90° can be formed (i) between the first leg and first arch rail, (ii) between the second leg and second arch rail, (iii) between the third leg and third arch rail, and (iv) between the fourth leg and fourth arch rail, and wherein angles less than 180° and greater than 180° can be formed (i) between the first arch rail and the third arch rail and (ii) between the second arch rail and the fourth arch rail.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A frame for a shelter comprising:
 a first leg coupled to a second leg by two “first side” rib members scissor-type coupled together, wherein:
 an upper end of the first of the two “first side” rib members is coupled to a top end of the first leg; 
 an upper end of the second of the two “first side” rib members is coupled to a top end of the second leg; 
   a third leg coupled to a fourth leg by two “second side” rib members scissor-type coupled together, wherein:
 an upper end of the first of the two “second side” rib members is coupled to a top end of the third leg; 
 an upper end of the second of the two “second side” rib members is coupled to a top end of the fourth leg; 
   a first slidable coupler slidably coupled to the first leg, wherein a lower end of the second of the two “first side” rib members is coupled to the first slidable coupler;   a second slidable coupler slidably coupled to the second leg, wherein a lower end of the first of the two “first side” rib members is coupled to the second slidable coupler;   a third slidable coupler slidably coupled to the third leg, wherein a lower end of the second of the two “second side” rib members is coupled to the third slidable coupler;   a fourth slidable coupler slidably coupled to the fourth leg, wherein a lower end of the first of the two “second side” rib members is coupled to the fourth slidable coupler;   a first arch rail coupled to a second arch rail by two “first side arch rail” rib members scissor-type coupled together, wherein:
 an upper end of the first of the two “first side arch rail” rib members is coupled to a top end of the first arch rail; 
 an upper end of the second of the two “first side arch rail” rib members is coupled to a top end of the second arch rail; 
   a third arch rail coupled to a fourth arch rail by two “second side arch rail” rib members scissor-type coupled together, wherein:
 an upper end of the second of the two “second side arch rail” rib members is coupled to a top end of the third arch rail; 
 an upper end of the second of the two “second side arch rail” rib members is coupled to a top end of the fourth arch rail; 
   a fifth slidable coupler slidably coupled to the first arch rail, wherein a lower end of the second of the two “first side arch rail” rib members is coupled to the fifth slidable coupler;   a sixth slidable coupler slidably coupled to the second arch rail, wherein a lower end of the first of the two “first side arch rail” rib members is coupled to the sixth slidable coupler;   a seventh slidable coupler slidably coupled to the third arch rail, wherein a lower end of the first of the two “second side arch rail” rib members is coupled to the seventh slidable coupler;   an eighth slidable coupler slidably coupled to the fourth arch rail, wherein a lower end of the second of the two “second side arch rail” rib members is coupled to the eighth slidable coupler;   a first leg/arch rail coupler coupling the first leg to the first arch rail;   a second leg/arch rail coupler coupling the second leg to the second arch rail;   a third leg/arch rail coupler coupling the third leg to the third arch rail;   a fourth leg/arch rail coupler coupling the fourth leg to the fourth arch rail;   a first arch rail/arch rail coupler coupling the first arch rail to the third arch rail;   a second arch rail/arch rail coupler coupling the second arch rail to the fourth arch rail;   wherein:
 a sliding of the first slidable coupler in a first direction along the first leg and a sliding of the second slidable coupler in the first direction along the second leg causes the first leg and the second leg to move towards each other; 
 a sliding of the first slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the first leg and a sliding of the second slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the second leg causes the first leg and the second leg to move away from each other; 
 a sliding of the third slidable coupler in a first direction along the third leg and a sliding of the fourth slidable coupler in the first direction along the fourth leg causes the third leg and the fourth leg to move towards each other; 
 a sliding of the third slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the third leg and a sliding of the fourth slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the fourth leg causes the third leg and the fourth leg to move away from each other; 
 a sliding of the fifth slidable coupler in a first direction along the first arch rail and a sliding of the sixth slidable coupler in the first direction along the second arch rail causes the first arch rail and the second arch rail to move towards each other; 
 a sliding of the fifth slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the first arch rail and a sliding of the sixth slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the second arch rail causes the first arch rail and the second arch rail to move away from each other; 
 a sliding of the seventh slidable coupler in a first direction along the third arch rail and a sliding of the eighth slidable coupler in the first direction along the fourth arch rail causes the third arch rail and the fourth arch rail to move towards each other; and 
 a sliding of the seventh slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the third arch rail and a sliding of the eighth slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the fourth arch rail causes the third arch rail and the fourth arch rail to move away from each other; and 
   wherein:   the respective leg/arch rail couplers permit angles greater than 90° and less than 90° to be formed (i) between the first leg and first arch rail, (ii) between the second leg and second arch rail, (iii) between the third leg and third arch rail, and (iv) between the fourth leg and fourth arch rail; and   the respective arch rail/arch rail couplers permit angles less than 180° and greater than 180° to be formed (i) between the first arch rail and the third arch rail and (ii) between the second arch rail and the fourth arch rail.   
     
     
         2 . The frame for a shelter as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first fixed coupler for coupling the upper end of the first of the two “first side” rib members to the top end of the first leg;   a second fixed coupler for coupling the upper end of the second of the two “first side” rib members to the top end of the second leg;   a third fixed coupler for coupling the upper end of the first of the two “second side” rib members to the top end of the third leg;   a fourth fixed coupler for coupling an upper end of the second of the two “second side” rib members to the top end of the fourth leg;   a fifth fixed coupler for coupling the upper end of the first of the two “first side arch rail” rib members to the top end of the first arch rail;   a sixth fixed coupler for coupling the upper end of the second of the two “first side arch rail” rib members is coupled to the top end of the second arch rail;   a seventh fixed coupler for coupling the upper end of the second of the two “second side arch rail” rib members to the top end of the third arch rail; and   an eighth fixed coupler for coupling the upper end of the first of the two “second side arch rail” rib members to the top end of the fourth arch rail.   
     
     
         3 . The frame as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fifth leg coupled to the second leg by two rib members scissor-type coupled together;   a sixth leg coupled to the fourth leg by two rib members scissor-type coupled together;   a fifth arch rail coupled to the second arch rail by two rib members scissor-type coupled together; and   a sixth arch rail coupled to the fourth arch rail by two rib members scissor-type coupled together.   
     
     
         4 . A frame for a shelter comprising:
 a first leg coupled to a second leg;   a third leg coupled to a fourth leg;   a first arch rail coupled to a second arch rail;   a third arch rail coupled to a fourth arch rail;   a first leg/arch rail coupler coupling the first leg to the first arch rail;   a second leg/arch rail coupler coupling the second leg to the second arch rail;   a third leg/arch rail coupler coupling the third leg to the third arch rail;   a fourth leg/arch rail coupler coupling the fourth leg to the fourth arch rail;   a first arch rail/arch rail coupler coupling the first arch rail to the third arch rail;   a second arch rail/arch rail coupler coupling the second arch rail to the fourth arch rail;   wherein:   the respective leg/arch rail couplers permit angles greater than 90° and less than 90° to be formed (i) between the first leg and first arch rail, (ii) between the second leg and second arch rail, (iii) between the third leg and third arch rail, and (iv) between the fourth leg and fourth arch rail; and   the respective arch rail/arch rail couplers permit angles less than 180° and greater than 180° to be formed (i) between the first arch rail and the third arch rail and (ii) between the second arch rail and the fourth arch rail.   
     
     
         5 . The frame for a shelter as claimed in  claim 4 , further comprising:
 two “first side” rib members scissor-type coupled together for coupling the first leg to the second leg;   two “second side” rib members scissor-type coupled together for coupling the third leg to the fourth leg;   wherein the “first side” rib members and the “second side” rib members permit the expansion and the collapsing of the frame by movement of respective rib members along respective legs of the frame.   
     
     
         6 . The frame for a shelter as claimed in  claim 4 , further comprising:
 two “first side arch rail” rib members scissor-type coupled together for coupling the first arch rail to the second arch rail; and   two “second side arch rail” rib members scissor-type coupled together for coupling the third arch rail to the fourth arch rail; and   wherein the “first side arch rail” rib members and the “second side arch rail” rib members permit the expansion and the collapsing of the frame by movement of respective rib members along respective legs of the frame.   
     
     
         7 . The frame for a shelter as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein:
 the first arch rail and the third arch rail are rotatable relative to each other such that angles of at least 324° and less than 162° are formable therebetween; and   the second arch rail and the fourth arch rail are rotatable relative to each other such that angles of at least 324° and less than 162° are formable therebetween.   
     
     
         8 . A frame for a shelter comprising:
 a first leg coupled to a second leg;   a third leg coupled to a fourth leg;   a first arch rail coupled to a second arch rail by two “first side arch rail” rib members scissor-type coupled together, wherein:
 an upper end of the first of the two “first side arch rail” rib members is coupled to a top end of the first arch rail; 
 an upper end of the second of the two “first side arch rail” rib members is coupled to a top end of the second arch rail; 
   a third arch rail coupled to a fourth arch rail by two “second side arch rail” rib members scissor-type coupled together, wherein:
 an upper end of the first of the two “second side arch rail” rib members is coupled to a top end of the third arch rail; 
 an upper end of the second of the two “second side arch rail” rib members is coupled to a top end of the fourth arch rail; 
   a first slidable coupler slidably coupled to the first arch rail, wherein a lower end of the second of the two “first side arch rail” rib members is coupled to the first slidable coupler;   a second slidable coupler slidably coupled to the second arch rail, wherein a lower end of the first of the two “first side arch rail” rib members is coupled to the second slidable coupler;   a third slidable coupler slidably coupled to the third arch rail, wherein a lower end of the first of the two “second side arch rail” rib members is coupled to the third slidable coupler;   a fourth slidable coupler slidably coupled to the fourth arch rail, wherein a lower end of the second of the two “second side arch rail” rib members is coupled to the fourth slidable coupler;   a first leg/arch rail coupler coupling the first leg to the first arch rail;   a second leg/arch rail coupler coupling the second leg to the second arch rail;   a third leg/arch rail coupler coupling the third leg to the third arch rail;   a fourth leg/arch rail coupler coupling the fourth leg to the fourth arch rail;   a first arch rail/arch rail coupler coupling the first arch rail to the third arch rail;   a second arch rail/arch rail coupler coupling the second arch rail to the fourth arch rail;   wherein:   a sliding of the first slidable coupler in a first direction along the first arch rail and a sliding of the second slidable coupler in the first direction along the second arch rail causes the first arch rail and the second arch rail to move towards each other;   a sliding of the first slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the first arch rail and a sliding of the second slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the second arch rail causes the first arch rail and the second arch rail to move away from each other;   a sliding of the third slidable coupler in a first direction along the third arch rail and a sliding of the fourth slidable coupler in the first direction along the fourth arch rail causes the third arch rail and the fourth arch rail to move towards each other; and   a sliding of the third slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the third arch rail and a sliding of the fourth slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the fourth arch rail causes the third arch rail and the fourth arch rail to move away from each other.   
     
     
         9 . The frame for a shelter as claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising:
 two “first side” rib members scissor-type coupled together for coupling the first leg to the second leg, wherein:
 an upper end of the first of the two “first side” rib members is coupled to a top end of the first leg; 
 an upper end of the second of the two “first side” rib members is coupled to a top end of the second leg; 
   two “second side” rib members scissor-type coupled together for coupling the third leg to the fourth leg, wherein:
 an upper end of the first of the two “second side” rib members is coupled to a top end of the third leg; 
 an upper end of the second of the two “second side” rib members is coupled to a top end of the fourth leg; 
   a fifth slidable coupler slidably coupled to the first leg, wherein a lower end of the second of the two “first side” rib members is coupled to the fifth slidable coupler;   a sixth slidable coupler slidably coupled to the second leg, wherein a lower end of the first of the two “first side” rib members is coupled to the sixth slidable coupler;   a seventh slidable coupler slidably coupled to the third leg, wherein a lower end of the second of the two “second side” rib members is coupled to the seventh slidable coupler;   an eighth slidable coupler slidably coupled to the fourth leg, wherein a lower end of the first of the two “second side” rib members is coupled to the eighth slidable coupler;   wherein:
 a sliding of the fifth slidable coupler in a first direction along the first leg and a sliding of the sixth slidable coupler in the first direction along the second leg causes the first leg and the second leg to move towards each other; 
 a sliding of the fifth slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the first leg and a sliding of the sixth slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the second leg causes the first leg and the second leg to move away from each other; 
 a sliding of the seventh slidable coupler in a first direction along the third leg and a sliding of the eighth slidable coupler in the first direction along the fourth leg causes the third leg and the fourth leg to move towards each other; 
 a sliding of the seventh slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the third leg and a sliding of the eighth slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the fourth leg causes the third leg and the fourth leg to move away from each other. 
   
     
     
         10 . The frame for a shelter as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein:
 the respective leg/arch rail couplers permit angles greater than 90° and less than 90° to be formed (i) between the first leg and first arch rail, (ii) between the second leg and second arch rail, (iii) between the third leg and third arch rail, and (iv) between the fourth leg and fourth arch rail; and   the respective arch rail/arch rail couplers permit angles less than 180° and greater than 180° to be formed (i) between the first arch rail and the third arch rail and (ii) between the second arch rail and the fourth arch rail.   
     
     
         11 . A shelter comprising:
 the frame for a shelter as claimed in  claim 1 ; and   a cover for covering the frame for a shelter.   
     
     
         12 . A shelter comprising:
 the frame for a shelter as claimed in  claim 4 ; and   a cover for covering the frame for a shelter.   
     
     
         13 . A method of collapsing a frame for a shelter, wherein the frame of the shelter is comprised as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 sliding the first slidable coupler in a first direction along the first leg and sliding the second slidable coupler in the first direction along the second leg causing the first leg and the second leg to move towards each other; sliding the third slidable coupler in a first direction along the third leg and sliding the fourth slidable coupler in the first direction along the fourth leg causing the third leg and the fourth leg to move towards each other; sliding the fifth slidable coupler in a first direction along the first arch rail and sliding the sixth slidable coupler in the first direction along the second arch rail causing the first arch rail and the second arch rail to move towards each other; sliding the seventh slidable coupler in a first direction along the third arch rail and sliding the eighth slidable coupler in the first direction along the fourth arch rail causing the third arch rail and the fourth arch rail to move towards each other; and   rotating each arch rails relative to the leg with which the arch rail is associated such that (i) the angle between the first leg and first arch rail becomes less than 90°, (ii) the angle between the second leg and the second arch rail becomes less than 90°, (iii) the angle between the third leg and the third arch rail becomes less than 90°, and (iv) the angle between the fourth leg and the fourth arch rail becomes less than 90°; and   rotating the first arch rail relative to the third arch rail such that the angle therebetween increases from less than 180° to greater than 180° and rotating the second arch rail relative to the fourth arch rail such that the angle therebetween increases from less than 180° to greater than 180º.   
     
     
         14 . A method of expanding a frame for a shelter, wherein the frame of the shelter is comprised as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 sliding the first slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the first leg and sliding the second slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the second leg causing the first leg and the second leg to move away from each other; sliding the third slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the third leg and sliding the fourth slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the fourth leg causing the third leg and the fourth leg to move away from each other; sliding the fifth slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the first arch rail and sliding the sixth slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the second arch rail causing the first arch rail and the second arch rail to move away from each other; sliding the seventh slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the third arch rail and sliding the eighth slidable coupler in a direction opposite the first direction along the fourth arch rail causing the third arch rail and the fourth arch rail to move away from each other;   rotating each arch rail relative to the leg with which the arch rail is associated such that (i) the angle between the first leg and first arch rail increases from less than 90° to greater than 90°, (ii) the angle between the second leg and the second arch rail increases from less than 90° to greater than 90°, (iii) the angle between the third leg and the third arch rail increases from less than 90° to greater than 90°, and (iv) the angle between the fourth leg and the fourth arch rail increases from less than 90° to greater than 90°; and   rotating the first arch rail relative to the third arch rail such that the angle therebetween decreases from greater than 180° to less than 180° and rotating the second arch rail relative to the fourth arch rail such that the angle therebetween decreases from greater than 180º to less than 180°.   
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising the step of providing a cover on said frame to provide shelter to an animal or pet positioned within the space created by the frame in its expanded condition. 
     
     
         16 . A method of collapsing a frame for a shelter, wherein the frame of the shelter is comprised as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 moving the first leg and the second leg towards each other;   moving the third leg and the fourth leg towards each other;   moving the first arch rail and the second arch rail towards each other;   moving the third arch rail and the fourth arch rail towards each other;   rotating each arch rails relative to the leg with which the arch rail is associated such that (i) the angle between the first leg and first arch rail becomes less than 90°, (ii) the angle between the second leg and the second arch rail becomes less than 90°, (iii) the angle between the third leg and the third arch rail becomes less than 90°, and (iv) the angle between the fourth leg and the fourth arch rail becomes less than 90°; and   rotating the first arch rail relative to the third arch rail such that the angle therebetween increases from less than 180° to greater than 180° and rotating the second arch rail relative to the fourth arch rail such that the angle therebetween increases from less than 180° to greater than 180º.   
     
     
         17 . A method of expanding a frame for a shelter, wherein the frame of the shelter is comprised as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 moving the first leg and the second leg away from each other;   moving the third leg and the fourth leg away from each other;   moving the first arch rail and the second arch rail away from each other;   moving the third arch rail and the fourth arch rail away from each other;   rotating each arch rail relative to the leg with which the arch rail is associated such that (i) the angle between the first leg and first arch rail increases from less than 90° to greater than 90°, (ii) the angle between the second leg and the second arch rail increases from less than 90° to greater than 90°, (iii) the angle between the third leg and the third arch rail increases from less than 90° to greater than 90°, and (iv) the angle between the fourth leg and the fourth arch rail increases from less than 90° to greater than 90°; and   rotating the first arch rail relative to the third arch rail such that the angle therebetween decreases from greater than 180° to less than 180° and rotating the second arch rail relative to the fourth arch rail such that the angle therebetween decreases from greater than 180º to less than 180°.