Collapsible low-profile privacy structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9574367-B2
Application number	US-201414478863-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 5, 2014
Priority date	Sep 6, 2013
Publication date	Feb 21, 2017
Grant date	Feb 21, 2017

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 undeployed 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 at the proximal portion pivotally coupled to the base structure;
a canopy of flexible material coupled to the base structure proximate the back portion and coupled to the distal portion of the canopy support;
a collection vessel coupled with the base structure between the first side and the second side;
a collection vessel linkage assembly having a first end and a second end, the collection vessel linkage first end pivotally coupled with a canopy support and the collection vessel linkage second end pivotally coupled with the collection vessel; and
an actuator linkage assembly pivotally coupled to the base structure and pivotally coupled to the canopy support, wherein the actuator linkage assembly is comprised of a carrier link having a first end and a second end and a lift link having a first end and a second end, wherein the carrier link first end is pivotally connected to the base structure, the carrier link second end is pivotally connected with the first end of the lift link, and the second end of the lift link is pivotally connected to the canopy support for actuating and deploying the canopy.

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 , wherein the lift link second end is pivotally coupled with the canopy support between the proximal portion and the distal portion.

4. The collapsible privacy structure of claim 3 , wherein the actuator 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.

5. The collapsible privacy structure of claim 1 , wherein the actuator linkage assembly comprises a first link assembly and a second link assembly, the first link assembly being pivotally coupled to the base structure proximate the first side and pivotally coupled to the canopy structure, and the second link assembly being pivotally coupled to the base structure proximate the second side and pivotally coupled to the canopy structure.

6. 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.

7. The collapsible privacy structure of claim 6 , wherein the canopy is coupled with the second canopy support and the third canopy support.

8. The collapsible privacy structure of claim 7 , wherein the canopy extends between the base structure first side and the base structure second side.

9. The collapsible privacy structure of claim 1 , wherein the collection vessel is a four-sided inverted pyramid-like structure.

10. The collapsible privacy structure of claim 1 further comprising a door rod having a first end pivotally coupled with the canopy support.

11. The collapsible privacy structure of claim 10 further comprising a door portion, the door portion having a front surface and opposite back surface, a top edge and an opposite bottom edge, and a first side edge and an opposite second side edge, wherein the door rod is moveably coupled between the first side edge and the second side edge of the door portion.

12. The collapsible privacy structure of claim 1 further comprising a power mechanism configured to automatically deploy the collapsible privacy structure.

13. 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 to the base structure;
a canopy of flexible material coupled to the base structure proximate the back portion and coupled to the distal portion of the canopy support;
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;
a second canopy support pivotally coupled to the base structure and a third canopy support pivotally coupled to the base structure;
a collection vessel pivotally coupled with the base structure; and
a collection vessel linkage assembly having a first end and a second end the collection vessel linkage first end pivotally coupled with the third canopy support and the collection vessel linkage second end pivotally coupled with the collection vessel.

14. The collapsible privacy structure of claim 13 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.

15. 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 to the base structure;
a canopy of flexible material coupled to the base structure proximate the back portion and coupled to the distal portion of the canopy support;
a collection vessel coupled with the base structure between the first side and the second side;
a collection vessel linkage assembly having a first end and a second end, the collection vessel linkage first end pivotally coupled with the canopy support and the collection vessel linkage second end pivotally coupled with the collection vessel; and
a switch mechanism electrically coupled with a linear actuator, the switch mechanism coupled with the base structure proximate for automatically actuating the canopy support to cause the deployment of the canopy.

16. The collapsible privacy structure of claim 15 , 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.

17. The collapsible privacy structure of claim 15 , wherein the switch mechanism is a light-beam continuity switch.

18. The collapsible privacy structure of claim 15 , wherein the base structure further comprises an axially aligned wheel assembly.

19. The collapsible privacy structure of claim 15 , wherein the canopy is concertinaed when the collapsible privacy structure is in an undeployed state.

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

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

Classifications

• A47K11/04

  Room closets; Chairs with toilet conveniences or specially adapted for use with toilets, e.g. night chairs {; Closets for children, also with signalling means, e.g. with a music box, or the like} · CPC title

• E04H15/003

  Bathing or beach cabins · CPC title

• E04H15/48 Primary

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

• E04H15/38

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