Collapsible low-profile privacy structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016362906-A1
Application number	US-201615245149-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 23, 2016
Priority date	Sep 6, 2013
Publication date	Dec 15, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Aspects are directed to a collapsible privacy structure that has a low profile when in an un-deployed state to preserve the sight lines of observers. The collapsible privacy structure may then be deployed causing a canopy structure to extend upwardly forming an internal volume that provides privacy and seclusion to the user of the structure. The internal volume may be used for a bathroom, a shower, a medical evaluation/treatment space, and/or a changing space. Upon the departure of the user from the internal volume, the collapsible privacy structure may return to the low-profile nature provided by the un-deployed state.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A collapsible privacy structure comprising:
a base structure having a front portion and an opposite back portion and a first side and an opposite second side; a canopy support having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the canopy support pivotally coupled proximate the first side of the base structure proximate the proximal portion; a canopy of flexible material coupled to the base structure proximate the back portion and coupled to the distal portion of the canopy support; and a collection vessel pivotally coupled with the base structure between the first side and the second side.

2 . The collapsible privacy structure of claim 1 further comprising a wheel assembly rotatably coupled to the base structure.

3 . The collapsible privacy structure of claim 1 further comprising a linkage assembly pivotally coupled to the base structure and pivotally coupled to the canopy structure.

4 . The collapsible privacy structure of claim 3 , wherein the linkage assembly is comprised of a carrier link having a first and a second end and a lift link having a first end and a second end, the carrier link second end pivotally connected with the first end of the lift link.

5 . The collapsible privacy structure of claim 4 , wherein the lift link second end is pivotally coupled with the canopy support between the proximal portion and the distal portion.

6 . The collapsible privacy structure of claim 5 , wherein the linkage assembly further comprises a linear actuator having an actuator link member pivotally coupled proximate the carrier link second end and the lift link first end.

7 . The collapsible privacy structure of claim 1 further comprising a switch mechanism electrically coupled with a linear actuator, the switch mechanism coupled with the base structure proximate the front portion.

8 . The collapsible privacy structure of claim 1 , wherein the switch mechanism is a pressure-sensitive switch incorporated with a base plate extending between the base structure first side and the base structure second side.

9 . The collapsible privacy structure of claim 1 further comprising a first link assembly pivotally coupled to the base structure proximate the first side and pivotally coupled to the canopy structure, and a second link assembly pivotally coupled to the base structure proximate the second side and pivotally coupled to the canopy structure.

10 . The collapsible privacy structure of claim 1 further comprising a second canopy support pivotally coupled to the base structure and a third canopy support pivotally coupled to the base structure.

11 . The collapsible privacy structure of claim 10 , wherein the canopy is coupled with the second canopy support and the third canopy support.

12 . The collapsible privacy structure of claim 11 , wherein the canopy extends between the base structure first side and the base structure second side.

13 . The collapsible privacy structure of claim 1 , wherein the collection vessel include a drain port functionally connected with a collection container removably maintained at the base structure.

14 . The collapsible privacy structure of claim 1 further comprising a collection vessel linkage assembly having a first end and a second end, the collection vessel linkage first end pivotally coupled with the base proximate the back portion and the collection vessel linkage second end coupled with the collection vessel.

15 . The collapsible privacy structure of claim 14 further comprising a link extending between the collection vessel linkage and a canopy support member.

16 . The collapsible privacy structure of claim 15 further comprising a door portion, the door portion having a front surface, an opposite back surface, a top edge, an opposite bottom edge, a first side edge, and an opposite second side edge, wherein the door is rotatably coupled with a canopy support member along the first side edge and the second side edge is adapted, when in a closed configuration, to position proximate the opposite side of the canopy support member.

17 . A collapsible privacy structure comprising:
a base structure having a front portion and an opposite back portion and a first side and an opposite second side; a canopy support having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the canopy support at the proximal portion pivotally coupled proximate the first side of the base structure proximate the front portion; a canopy of flexible material coupled to the base structure proximate the back portion and coupled to the distal portion of the canopy support; and an actuator linkage assembly comprising:
(1) an actuator support member having a first portion and a second portion, the actuator support member rigidly coupled with the base structure;
(2) an actuator member having a first end and a second end, the actuator member first end pivotally coupled with the actuator support member;
(3) a carrier link having a first end and a second end, the carrier link first end pivotally coupled with the actuator support proximate the second portion; and
(4) a lift link having a first end and a second end, the carrier link second end pivotally connected with the first end of the lift link and the lift link pivotally coupled with the canopy support between the proximal portion and the distal portion.

18 . The collapsible privacy structure of claim 17 further comprising a second canopy support pivotally coupled to the base structure and a third canopy support pivotally coupled to the base structure.

19 . The collapsible privacy structure of claim 18 further comprising:
a collection vessel coupled with the base structure by way of a collection linkage;
and

a door comprising a frame and a covering, the frame pivotally coupled to a canopy support member.

20 . The collapsible privacy structure of claim 19 further comprising a pressure-sensitive activation switch electrically coupled with the actuator member and physically coupled with a base plate positioned between the first side and the second side of the base structure.

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Farris Bryan N
• Hatfield Tinker L
• Dieter William M

Classifications

• E04H15/48 Primary

  foldable, i.e. having pivoted or hinged means ({E04H15/405 and} E04H15/46 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E04H15/02

  Tents combined or specially associated with other devices · CPC title

• E04H15/003

  Bathing or beach cabins · CPC title

• E04H15/38

  expansible, e.g. extensible {in a fan type manner} · CPC title

• E04H15/30

  convertible, e.g. from one type tent to another type tent, from tent to canopy or from tent cover into diverse articles · CPC title