WO2000079076A2

WO2000079076A2 - Collapsible shelter

Info

Publication number: WO2000079076A2
Application number: PCT/US2000/017464
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian G. Goldwitz
Original assignee: Goldwitz Brian G
Priority date: 1999-06-23
Filing date: 2000-06-23
Publication date: 2000-12-28
Also published as: AU5637700A; WO2000079076A3

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a collapsible frame (12) for a shelter (10). The frame (12) includes a first leg (16), a second leg (18), and a foldable truss (24) coupling the first and second legs (16, 18). The truss (24) has first and second lateral members (46, 48) spaced relative to each other and pivotally coupled at first ends to the first leg (16) and extending laterally therefrom, at least one crosspiece (62) pivotally coupled between the first and the second spaced lateral members (46, 48), third and fourth lateral members (52, 54) spaced relative to each other and pivotally coupled at first ends to the second leg (18) and extending laterally therefrom, at least one crosspiece (64) pivotally coupled between the third and fourth spaced lateral members (52, 54), and a linkage (60) pivotally coupled second ends of the first and second lateral members (46, 48) and second ends of the third and the fourth lateral members (52, 54). The truss (24) is foldable at the linkage (60) between the first and the second legs (16, 18) to provide a collapsible frame (12). A frame according to the present disclosure has been found to provide exceptional strength when unfolded, while being easy to fold, and compact and easily transported when folded.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE SHELTER Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 60/141,517, filed June 23, 1999, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 60/160,732, filed October 20, 1999, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Background of the Disclosure The present disclosure relates generally to a shelter and, more particularly, to a shelter including a frame. Even more particularly, the present disclosure relates to a shelter including a canopy mounted on a collapsible frame.

Over the years, many tents and other shelters having collapsible frames have been introduced. Such structures are commonly used to provide shelter during camping trips, picnics, parties, military operations and other outdoor activities. Because their frames are collapsible, relatively large shelters may be folded into a compact configuration for storage and transport .

A number of shortcomings, however, are associated with the collapsible shelters that have been introduced heretofore. More specifically, the inventor herein has discovered that the frames associated with prior collapsible shelters tend to be difficult to fold and unfold, unstable, and somewhat large when folded. Some prior shelter frames also allow the canopy to sag and form unsightly pockets where water can accumulate, reduce tent headroom and/or ultimately produce an unsightly shelter. Even collapsible shelters introduced heretofore that overcome some of these problems have shortcomings. For example, many collapsible shelters introduced heretofore, such as those shown in U.S. Patents 5,511,572, 5,632,293, 5,638,853, 5,701,923, and 5,797,412, include four vertical corner poles coupled together by horizontal scissors-type linkages. While the scissors-type linkages provide an easily folded frame in most cases, and good lateral stability between the adjacent vertical corner poles, the scissors-type linkages lack a desired resistance to bending between the corner poles . What is desired, accordingly, is a collapsible shelter that is superior to those presently known in the art. In particular, a shelter frame that is relatively easy to fold and unfold, stable when unfolded, yet still compact when folded is desired. A shelter frame that is less likely to allow a canopy mounted thereon to sag, that provides' exceptional tent headroom and that ultimately produces an attractive shelter is also desired. A collapsible shelter frame providing exceptional rigidity and strength when unfolded is also desired.

Summary of the Disclosure The present disclosure, accordingly, provides a collapsible frame for a shelter. The frame includes a first leg, a second leg, and a foldable truss coupling the first and second legs. The truss has first and second lateral members spaced relative to each other and pivotally coupled at first ends to the first leg and extending laterally therefrom, with at least one crosspiece pivotally coupled between the first and the second lateral members, and third and fourth lateral members spaced relative to each other and pivotally coupled at first ends to the second leg and extending laterally therefrom, with at least one crosspiece pivotally coupled between the third and fourth lateral members. A linkage pivotally couples second ends of the first and the second lateral members and second ends of the third and the fourth lateral members, and the truss is foldable at the linkage to provide a collapsible frame. A frame according to the present disclosure has been found to provide exceptional strength when unfolded, while being easy to fold, and compact and easily transported when folded.

According to one aspect, the collapsible frame also includes a canopy support having a hub, a first rafter pivotally coupled at opposite ends to the first leg and the hub, and a second rafter pivotally coupled at opposite ends to the second leg and the hub. According to another aspect, a shelter is provided and includes the collapsible frame, as described above, and a canopy covering the canopy support of the frame.

The features and attendant advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent and better understood by reference to the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A detailed description of a collapsible shelter according to the present disclosure is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a collapsible shelter according to the present disclosure including a canopy mounted on a frame; FIG. 2 is a top/side isometric view of the collapsible shelter of FIG. 1, with a portion of the canopy cut-away to reveal more of the frame thereunder;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the frame of the collapsible shelter of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the frame of the collapsible shelter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the frame of the collapsible shelter of FIG. 1, taken along line 5- -5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the frame of the collapsible shelter of FIG. 1 shown in a partially folded state;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the frame of the collapsible shelter of FIG. 1 shown in a folded state; FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of another frame according to the present disclosure for use with the collapsible shelter of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are side elevational views of other collapsible frames according to the present disclosure for use with the collapsible shelter of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 11 through 14 are enlarged side elevational views of portions of other frames according to the present disclosure for use with the collapsible shelter of FIG. 1; FIGS. 15 through 17 are enlarged side elevational views of a portion of another frame according to the present disclosure for use with the collapsible shelter of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 18 is a top/side isometric view of a further collapsible shelter according to the present disclosure including a canopy mounted on a frame, with a portion of the canopy cut-away to reveal more of the frame thereunder; and

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of the frame of the collapsible shelter of FIG. 18 shown in a partially folded state .

Detailed Description of the Disclosure

The following is a detailed description of the best presently known collapsible shelters according to the present disclosure. This description, however, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the present disclosure.

The scope of the disclosure is defined solely by the appended claims .

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a shelter 10 in accordance with the present disclosure includes a collapsible frame 12 with a canopy 14 mounted thereon. As shown, the shelter 10 is in a raised, unfolded, or "set-up" condition.

Referring also to FIGS. 3 through 7, the collapsible frame 12 includes at least first and second legs 16, 18 coupled by a laterally extending folding truss 24. As shown, the frame 12 actually comprises four legs 16, 18, 20, 22 coupled by four trusses 24. It should be understood, however, that a frame 12 according to the present disclosure may include more or less than four legs and coupling trusses. To simplify the description of the frame 12, only the first and second legs 16, 18, and the first folding truss 24 will be described in detail. However, all the legs 16, 18, 20, 22 are identical, and all the trusses 24 are identical.

The folding truss 24 includes first and second lateral members 46, 48 pivotally coupled at first ends to the first leg 16, and third and fourth lateral members 52, 54 pivotally coupled at first ends to the second leg 18. A first crosspiece 62 is pivotally coupled at opposite ends between the first and the second lateral members 46, 48, while a second crosspiece 64 is pivotally coupled at opposite ends between the third and the fourth lateral members 52, 54. Although shown with only two crosspieces 62, 64, the folding truss 24 may be provided with additional crosspieces for added strength and stability, if desired. The folding truss 24 also includes a linkage 60 pivotally coupling second ends of the first and the second lateral members 46, 48 and second ends of the third and the fourth lateral members 52, 54. The linkage 60, allows the truss 24 to fold such that the frame 12 can be collapsed.

In the embodiment shown, the linkage 60 is provided as a plate having an upper edge 63 extending between opposing upper corners of the plate and a lower edge 61 extending between opposing lower corners of the plate. The second ends of the first and the third lateral members 46, 52 are pivotally connected to the opposing upper corners of the plate 60 and the second ends of the second and the fourth lateral members 48, 54 are pivotally connected to the opposing lower corners of the plate 60. As shown, the upper and the lower edges 63, 61 of the plate 60 are parallel and the lower edge 61 is longer than the upper edge 63. The shape of linkage plate 60 allows efficient folding of the truss 24.

A sliding connector 32 is slidingly mounted on each leg, and locking mechanisms 34 are provided for locking each of the sliding connectors in the set-up position on the legs 16, 18, 20, 22, as shown in FIGS. 1-5. As shown best in FIG. 5, a preferably locking mechanism, for example, comprises a button 34 that is forced through an aperture 36 in the leg 18 by a spring 38 to which the button is attached. The spring, which comprises a resilient metal strip 38, is maintained in the proper location within the leg 18 by a rivet 40. In operation, the button 34 is depressed as the sliding connector 32 moves from the unlocked position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, to the locked position shown in FIGS. 1 through 5. Such depression of the button 34 may be accomplished manually, or by means of a cam surface on the bottom side of the button. Once the button 34 is depressed, the sliding connector 32 will pass over the button until a corresponding aperture 42 on the sliding connector is aligned with the button. The button 34 will then be forced by the spring 36 through the sliding connector aperture 42, thereby locking the sliding connector 32 in place. The button 34 may be depressed to release the sliding connector 32 to fold the frame 12.

A first brace 56 is pivotally coupled at opposite ends to the first leg's sliding connector 32 and one of the first and the second lateral members 46, 48, and a second brace 58 is pivotally coupled at opposite ends to the second leg's sliding connector 32 and one of the third and the fourth lateral members 52, 54. The braces 56, 58 help to brace the horizontally extending truss 24 between the legs 16, 18 such that a relatively heavy load can be hung from the truss 24 when the frame 12 is set up.

In the particular embodiment of the collapsible frame 12 of FIGS. 1 through 7, the first brace 56 is pivotally coupled to the second lateral member 48, and the second brace 58 is pivotally coupled to the fourth lateral member 54. A single fastener 66 pivotally connects the end of the brace 56, the crosspiece 62 and the second member 48, and a single fastener 68 pivotally connects the end of the brace 58, the crosspiece 64 and the fourth member 54.

Each leg 16, 18, 20, 22 preferably includes a fixed connector 100 mounted on an upper end of the leg, above the sliding connectors 32. As shown, the folding trusses 24 are pivotally coupled to the legs 16, 18, 20, 22 at the fixed connectors 100.

It should be noted that suitable fasteners are used for all pivotal connections of the herein disclosed collapsible frame 12. Such fasteners can comprise rivets, nuts and bolts, or other suitable fasteners .

Preferably, at least one of the first and the second lateral members 46, 48 and at least one of the third and the fourth lateral members 52, 54 are substantially horizontal. In particular, the first and the third members 46, 52 are each horizontally oriented with reference to the legs 16, 18.

Furthermore, in the frame of FIGS. 1-7, the second and the fourth lateral members 48, 54 of the folding truss 24 are also horizontally oriented, such that a distance between the second ends and a distance between the first ends of the first and the second members 46, 48 are equal, and a distance between the second ends and a distance between the first ends of the third and the fourth members 52, 54 are equal.

The collapsible frame 12 also includes a canopy support 70 having a hub 72, and rafters 74 pivotally coupled at opposite ends to the hub and the legs 16, 18, 20, 22, respectively. Each rafter 74 preferably includes first and second portions 90, 92 pivotally coupled, such that the rafters can be folded. Struts 82 are pivotally coupled at opposite ends to the sliding connectors 32 of each leg 16, 18, 20, 22 and the first portions 90 of each rafter 74. Preferably, the struts 82 and the first portions 90 of each rafter 74 are of equal length.

The hub 72 of the canopy support 70 includes a base 96 pivotally receiving the ends of the rafters 74 and a body 97 extending upwardly from the base to a head 98, such that the hub spaces the canopy 14 covering the canopy support away from the rafters. In addition, the second portions 92 of the rafters preferably extend at a greater angle than first portions 90, with respect to the truss 24, to provide a more esthetically pleasing look for the canopy 14, when mounted on the canopy support 70. So configured, the frame 12 is capable of being moved from a fully open (or unfolded) state as shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, to the partially closed (or folded or collapsed) state shown in FIG. 6, and further to the fully closed (or folded or collapsed) state shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when collapsed, the sliding connectors 32 are slid down the legs, the rafters 74 and the trusses 24 fold downwardly, and the legs are brought together.

Preferably, the frame 12 described above is made of a strong, rigid, durable, and corrosion-resistant material, such as coated steel. However, the sliding connectors 32, the fixed connectors 100, the hub 72 and the linkages 60 can be made of a durable plastic instead of steel, for ease of manufacturing. It has been found that a shelter 10 according to the present disclosure provides exceptional strength when unfolded, while being easy to fold and compact when folded. For example, a square shelter 10 according to the present disclosure, sized to cover one hundred square feet (100 ft²) when unfolded, can be folded to fit into the trunk of an average automobile. In addition, a 100 ft² shelter 10 according to the present disclosure has been found to be able to support a load of two- thousand pounds (2,000 lbs.) hung from the horizontal trusses 24 of the shelter. In addition, the shelter 10 has been found to withstand winds of at least thirty-five miles per hour (35 mph) .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the canopy 14 includes a four- sided top portion 106 covering the canopy support 70 of the frame 12, and a lower strip 108 hanging from the top portion. The lower strip 108 of the canopy 14 is wrapped around the tops of the legs 16, 18, 20, 22 and the trusses 24 of the frame 12 to secure the canopy 14 in place.

Referring to FIG. 8, another collapsible frame 112 according to the present disclosure is shown. The frame 112 is similar to the frame 12 of FIGS. 1 through 7, and elements that are the same have the same reference numerals. In addition to the features described above with reference to the frame 12 of FIGS. 1 through 7, the frame 112 of FIG. 8 is provided with members having adjustable lengths, such that the overall size of the frame 112 can be adjusted.

In particular, the frame 112 is provided with lateral members 152, 154 having adjustable lengths, braces 158 with adjustable lengths, lower rafters 190 with adjustable lengths, struts 182 with adjustable lengths, and legs 118 with adjustable heights. As shown, for example, each leg 118 may be provided with an adjustable height in the form of a telescoping lower portion 119, which adjustably extends from the leg using a locking mechanism 134. The locking mechanisms can each comprise a spring-biased button 134, similar to the locking mechanisms 34 of the sliding connectors 32 of the frame, for engaging apertures 142 of the leg 118. Each of the other adjustable members of the frame 112 may also similarly be telescoping with locking mechanisms, as shown.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, additional collapsible frames 212, 312 according to the present disclosure are shown. Each frame 112, 212 is similar to the frame 12 of FIGS. 1-7, and elements that are the same have the same reference numerals.

The frame 212 of FIG. 9 is similar to the frame 12 of FIGS. 1-7, except second and fourth lateral members 248, 254 are not horizontally oriented and slope upwardly from the legs 16, 18. Accordingly, a distance between the second ends of the first and the second members 46, 248 (where the members meet linkage 260) is less than a distance between the first ends of the first and the second members, and a distance between the second ends of the third and the fourth members 52, 254 is less than a distance between the first ends of the third and the fourth members . As shown, the linkage 260 is smaller than the linkage 60 of FIG. 1, to accommodate the upwardly sloping second and fourth members

246, 248. Trusses 324 of the frame 312 of FIG. 10 include second and fourth members 348, 354 that slope downwardly from the legs 16, 18. Whereby, a distance between the second ends of the first and the second members 46, 348 (where the members meet linkage 360) is larger than a distance between the first ends of the first and the second members, and a distance between the second ends of the third and the fourth members 52, 354 is larger than a distance between the first ends of the third and the fourth members. As shown, the linkage 360 is larger than the linkage 60 of FIG. 1, to accommodate the downwardly sloping second and fourth members 346, 348.

Alternative linkages in accordance with the present disclosure for use with the folding trusses of FIGS. 1-7 are shown in FIGS. 11 through 14. The trusses of FIGS. 11 through 14, also include additional crosspieces 462, 464.

In FIG. 11 the truss is provided with an integral I -shaped linkage 460 pivotally coupling the first and the second lateral members 46, 48 and the third and the fourth lateral members 52, 54. The integral I-shaped linkage 460 includes a lower edge 461 that is longer than an upper edge 463 of the linkage. As shown, the additional crosspieces 462, 464 are spaced from the linkage 460.

In FIG. 12 the linkage of the truss is provided as a lower link 465 pivotally coupling the third and the fourth lateral members 52, 54, and an upper link 466 pivotally coupling the first and the second lateral members 46, 48. The lower link 465 is longer than the upper link 466, and the additional crosspieces 462, 464 are also pivotally connected between the ends of the lateral members, as shown.

In FIG. 13 the truss is provided with an additional link 467 extending between the lower link 465 and the upper link 466. In addition, the additional crosspieces 462, 464 are spaced from the ends of the lateral members, as shown. The truss of FIG. 14 is similar to the truss of FIG. 13, but does not include the additional link 467.

A linkage assembly 565 in accordance with the present disclosure for use with the folding trusses of FIGS. 1-7 is shown in FIGS. 15 through 17. When one side of the truss is collapsed or opened, the linkage assembly 565 helps to collapse or open the other side of the truss. A linkage in the form of a plate 560 pivotally couples the first and the second lateral members 46, 48 and the third and the fourth lateral members 52, 54 of the truss. The plate has an upper edge 563 extending between opposing upper corners of the plate and a lower edge 561 extending between opposing lower corners of the plate. As shown, the upper and the lower edges 563, 561 of the plate 560 are parallel and the lower edge 561 is longer than the upper edge 563, however, the upper and the lower edges 563, 561 are slightly offset.

The linkage assembly 565 includes first, second and third links 566, 567, 568. The first link 566 is fixed at a first end to the second lateral member 48 of the truss, while the third link 568 is fixed at a second end to the third lateral member 52 of the truss. The second link 567 of the linkage assembly 565 pivotally couples a second end of the first link 566 to a first end of the third link 568. The links are oriented and arranged with respect to the lateral members so that, when one side of the truss is collapsed or opened, the linkage assembly 565 will force the other side of the truss to similarly collapse or open. Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, another shelter 610 in accordance with the present disclosure includes a collapsible frame 612 with a canopy 614 mounted thereon. The shelter 610 is similar to the shelter 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 and elements that are the same have the same reference numerals.

The frame 612 of FIGS. 18 and 19 is similar to the frame 12 of FIGS.l through 7, except that the second and the fourth lateral members 48, 54 of a folding truss 624 of the frame 612 are pivotally coupled the sliding connectors 32 of the legs 16, 18. A linkage 660 pivotally couples the first and the third lateral members 46, 52, while a separate linkage 661 pivotally couples the second and the fourth lateral members 48, 54. In addition, the truss 624 includes a first crosspiece 662 that is pivotally coupled between the first end of the first lateral member 46 and the fixed connector 100 of the first leg 16 and the second lateral member 48, and a second crosspiece 664 that is pivotally coupled between the first end of the third lateral member 52 and the fixed connector 100 of the second leg 18 and the fourth lateral member 54. So configured, the frame 612 is capable of being moved from a fully open (or unfolded) state as shown in FIG. 18, to the partially closed (or folded or collapsed) state shown in FIG. 19, and further to a fully closed or folded state (not shown here) . When the truss 624 is folded, the first and the third lateral members 46, 52 fold downward, while the second and the fourth lateral members 48, 54 fold upward. Although the present disclosure has been described in terms of the preferred embodiments above, numerous modifications and/or additions to the above-described preferred embodiments would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art . By way of example, but not limitation, the overall square shape of the frame may also be changed to a rectangle, triangle or octagon. It is intended that the scope of the present disclosure extends to all such modifications and/or additions and that the scope of the present disclosure is limited solely by the claims set forth below.

Claims

Claims :

1. A collapsible frame for a shelter, comprising: a first leg; a second leg; a foldable truss including, first and second lateral members spaced relative to each other, and pivotally coupled at first ends to the first leg and extending laterally therefrom, at least one crosspiece pivotally coupled between the first and the second spaced lateral members, third and fourth lateral members spaced relative to each other, and pivotally coupled at first ends to the second leg and extending laterally therefrom, at least one crosspiece pivotally coupled between the third and fourth spaced lateral members, and a linkage pivotally coupling second ends of the first and the second lateral members and second ends of the third and the fourth lateral members, whereby the truss is foldable at the linkage between the first and the second legs to provide a collapsible frame.

2. The collapsible frame of claim 1, further comprising: a sliding connector slidingly mounted on the first leg; a sliding connector slidingly mounted on the second leg; locking mechanisms for locking each of the sliding connectors in raised positions on the first and the second legs; a first brace pivotally coupled at opposite ends to the sliding connector of the first leg and one of the first and the second lateral members of the folding truss; and a second brace pivotally coupled at opposite ends to the sliding connector of the second leg and one of the third and the fourth lateral members of the folding truss.

3. The collapsible frame of claim 2, further comprising: fixed connectors secured to the first and the second legs; and the first ends of the first and the second lateral members of the folding truss are pivotally coupled to the fixed connector of the first leg; and the first ends of the third and the fourth lateral members of the folding truss are each pivotally coupled to the fixed connector of the second leg.

4. The collapsible frame of claim 2, wherein: the first lateral member of the folding truss is positioned above the second lateral member and the first brace is pivotally coupled to the second lateral member; and the third lateral member of the folding truss is positioned above the fourth lateral member and the second brace is pivotally coupled to the fourth lateral member.

5. The collapsible frame of claim 2, further comprising: fixed connectors secured to the first and the second legs; and the first end of the first lateral member of the folding truss is pivotally coupled to the fixed connector of the first leg, and the first brace is pivotally coupled to the first lateral member; the first end of the third lateral member is pivotally coupled to the fixed connector of the second leg, and the second brace is pivotally coupled to the third lateral member; the first end of the second lateral member is pivotally coupled to the sliding connector of the first leg; and the first end of the fourth lateral member is pivotally coupled to the sliding connector of the second leg.

6. The collapsible frame of claim 1, wherein the first and the second legs each have an adjustable height.

7. The collapsible frame of claim 1, wherein each of the lateral members has an adjustable length.

8. The collapsible frame of claim 1, wherein: a distance between the first ends of the first and the second lateral members is greater than a distance between second ends of the first and the second lateral members; and a distance between the first ends of the third and the fourth lateral members is greater than a distance between second ends of the third and the fourth lateral members .

9. The collapsible frame of claim 1, wherein: a distance between the first ends of the first and the second lateral members is less than a distance between second ends of the first and the second lateral members; and a distance between the first ends of the third and the fourth lateral members is less than a distance between second ends of the third and the fourth lateral members .

10. The collapsible frame of claim 1, further comprising: a canopy support including, a hub, a first rafter pivotally coupled at opposite ends to the first leg and the hub, respectively, and a second rafter pivotally coupled at opposite ends to the second leg and the hub, respectively.

11. A shelter including the collapsible frame of claim 10, further comprising a canopy covering the canopy support.

12. The collapsible frame of claim 10, further comprising: a sliding connector slidingly mounted on the first leg; a sliding connector slidingly mounted on the second leg; locking mechanisms for locking each of the sliding connectors in raised positions on the first and the second legs; a first strut pivotally coupled at opposite ends to the first sliding connector and the first rafter; and a second strut pivotally coupled at opposite ends to the second sliding connector and the second rafter.

13. The collapsible frame of claim 12, wherein: the first rafter includes first and second portions pivotally coupled by a joint, such that the first rafter can be folded; and the second rafter includes first and second portions pivotally coupled by a joint, such that the second rafter can be folded.

14. The collapsible frame of claim 13, wherein the first portions of the rafters extend between the legs and the joints and the second portions extend between the joints and the hub, and wherein the struts and the first portions are equal in length and the struts are pivotally coupled to the first portions .

15. The collapsible frame of claim 14, wherein the second portions of the rafters extend at a greater angle than the first portions .

16. The collapsible frame of claim 10, wherein the hub of the canopy support includes a base pivotally receiving the ends of the rafters and a body extending upwardly from the base, such that the hub will space a canopy covering the canopy support away from the rafters .

17. The collapsible frame of claim 10, wherein each of the rafters has an adjustable length.

18. The collapsible frame of claim 12, wherein each of the rafters has an adjustable length and each of the struts has an adjustable length.

19. The collapsible frame of claim 1, wherein the linkage comprises a plate having an upper edge extending between opposing upper corners of the plate and a lower edge extending between opposing lower corners of the plate, the second ends of the first and the third lateral members pivotally connected to the upper corners of the plate and the second ends of the second and the fourth lateral members pivotally connected to the lower corners of the plate, and wherein the upper and the lower edges of the plate are parallel and the lower edge is longer than the upper edge .

20. The collapsible frame of claim 19 further comprising a linkage assembly including a first link fixed at a first end to the second lateral member of the truss, a third link fixed at a second end to the third lateral member of the truss, and a second link pivotally coupling a second end of the first link to a first end of the third link.

21. The collapsible frame of claim 1, wherein the linkage comprises an upper link pivotally connecting the second ends of the first and the third lateral members and a lower link pivotally connecting the second ends of the second and the fourth lateral members, and wherein the upper and the lower links are parallel and the lower link is longer than the upper link.