Patent US4979242A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4979242A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible room shelter
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1989-03-13
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Granted: 1990-12-25
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Expires: 2009-03-13
Abstract
Abstract A collapsible portable shelter or changing room comprising a body of circular bellows like configuration capable of manufacture on current plastic mold equipment with current plastic materials. The bellows like walls overlap vertically and integrally down the side around a large aperture in a spring-like manner from tension on the rib folds by manual downward pressure. The accordion-like wall, when fully collapsed, substantially fits within an optional carry case fastened to the shelter floor. The structure is raised for use from a collapsed into an extended form by manual release of fasteners, causing the bellows wall to spring upward, without assistance, providing a large interior volume sufficient to enclose a person for use as a toilet shelter or changing room.
Inventors
- 👤 John J. Maggio
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:45
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H1/00; E04H1/12; E04H1/1205; E04H1/1244; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S135/00; Y10S135/901; Y10S135/902; Y10S215/00; Y10S215/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A collapsible shelter useful as a toilet, shower or changing shelter, comprising, a base, a generally cylindrical bellows-like enclosure secured to the base and comprised of a multitude of ribs arranged in accordion-like fashion and connected together by flexible folds, such that the enclosure may be extended to an open, upwardly extending position with the ribs outstretched or compressed to a closed, collapsed position with the ribs closely stacked together, the bellows-like enclosure with the ribs and the flexible folds being integrally formed of plastic material, the plastic bellows-like enclosure having a normal position of upward extension such that the enclosure is biased in spring-like fashion toward the open, upwardly extending position and such that when not restrained the enclosure will automatically spring to the upwardly extending position, the bellows-like enclosure having sufficient inside dimension to accomodate a person in the enclosure, latching means secured to the base and to the bellows-like enclosure for holding the bellows-like enclosure in the closed, collapsed position when it has been compressed to such position, and the base including a floor and a cylindrical side wall of larger diameter than the bellows-like enclosure, extending up from the floor, for encasing the bellows-like enclosure when in the closed, collapsed position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
A collapsible shelter useful as a toilet, shower or changing shelter, comprising, a base, a generally cylindrical bellows-like enclosure secured to the base and comprised of a multitude of ribs arranged in accordion-like fashion and connected together by flexible folds, such that the enclosure may be extended to an open, upwardly extending position with the ribs outstretched or compressed to a closed, collapsed position with the ribs closely stacked together, the bellows-like enclosure with the ribs and the flexible folds being integrally formed of plastic material, the plastic bellows-like enclosure having a normal position of upward extension such that the enclosure is biased in spring-like fashion toward the open, upwardly extending position and such that when not restrained the enclosure will automatically spring to the upwardly extending position, the bellows-like enclosure having sufficient inside dimension to accomodate a person in the enclosure, latching means secured to the base and to the bellows-like enclosure for holding the bellows-like enclosure in the closed, collapsed position when it has been compressed to such position, and the base including a floor and a cylindrical side wall of larger diameter than the bellows-like enclosure, extending up from the floor, for encasing the bellows-like enclosure when in the closed, collapsed position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
105 words
The collapsible shelter of claim 1, wherein the bellows-like enclosure includes a top ring at its upper end, and with the latching means comprising at least two barb-like latch members depending downwardly from the top ring and a pair of cooperating latch receiving means connected to the base, in position to be engaged by the barb-like latch members when the bellows-like enclosure is pushed and compressed to the closed, collapsed position, the barb-like latch members being flexible so as to permit manual pulling of the latch members to release them from the latch receiving means when the collapsible shelter is to be opened and extended.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The collapsible shelter of claim 2, further including closure lid means for engaging over the closed, collapsed shelter and over the latching means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The collapsible shelter of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical side wall has secured to its outside surface a handle for manual engagement by a user, for carrying the collapsed, closed shelter.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-12-24 | 1994-06-25 | 1994-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-24 | 1998-06-25 | 1998-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-24 | 2002-06-25 | 2002-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |