Clip for self-locking collapsible/expandable structures

Claim 1

A structure comprising a pair of adjacent separate, individual, collapsible and expandable sections, each section being formed of a plurality of pairs of crossed rod elements pivotally interconnected to each other through hubs having openings whereby said sections can be individually collapsed and expanded between two polygonal configurations of respective small and large sizes for respective storage/transport and use, releasable securing means for releasably securing one hub of one section to one hub of another adjacent section when said sections are of expanded large size, said releasable securing means including at least two stems with each stem being interlockingly received in an associated opening of said last-mentioned hubs, said releasable securing means also including a rigid multi-sided supporting element having at least two sides disposed at an angle to one another, first and second bodies each of which has opposite sides, said stems extending from one side of each of said bodies, each stem being at least bifurcated to define a pair of stem portions, each stem having means at the outer and thereof for releasably locking each of the stems to its associated hub by engaging a side of the associated hub remote from the body from which the stem extends, each of said bodies having an opening formed therein, each of said sides on the supporting element having a projection integral with and extending therefom, each of said projections being received within the opening of one of said bodies for locating said bodies such that each side of the supporting element is disposed adjacent the other side of one of said bodies, and bonding means fixedly securing each of said other sides to the adjacent side of the supporting element.