US20060186119A1 - Collapsible structures with liners - Google Patents

Abstract

A structure has at least three foldable frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation. A fabric material covers each frame member to form a panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, and each panel is coupled to an adjacent panel to form a ring of panels that enclose an interior space. A liner is removably retained inside the interior space.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to collapsible structures, and in particular, to structures which can be reduced in size, and which are provided with a liner.
• 2. Description of the Prior Art
• The organization and storage of objects and items has become increasingly important given the large amounts of items that are in a house or office, and the small amounts of space that are provided. Shelving, stackable boxes, organizers and other similar products have become increasingly popular choices for people to store and organize objects and items.
• In addition, the provision of shelters and similar structures has found an increasing number of applications, including use as tents, play structures, and hunting blinds, among others.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
• It is an object of the present invention to provide storage devices that are adapted to receive a variety of different types of objects and items.
• It is another object of the present invention to provide storage devices that can facilitate the effective organization of stored items.
• It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a liner that can be used with a collapsible structure.
• In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, the present invention provides a structure having at least three foldable frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation. A fabric material covers each frame member to form a panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, and each panel is coupled to an adjacent panel to form a ring of panels that enclose an interior space. A liner is removably retained inside the interior space. The structure can be used as a storage device, or as a shelter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the structure ofFIG. 1A shown in use with a liner.
• FIG. 1C is a partial cut-away view of the section C of the play structure ofFIG. 1A illustrating a frame member retained within a sleeve.
• FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a connection between two adjacent panels of the structure ofFIG. 1A taken along line2-2 thereof.
• FIGS. 3A through 3E illustrate how the structure ofFIG. 1 may be twisted and folded for compact storage.
• FIGS. 4-9 are perspective views of structures according to different embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a structure according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an internal wire that is used to define and support the structure ofFIG. 10.
• FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the structure ofFIG. 10 taken along line12-12 thereof.
• FIGS. 13-15 are perspective views of structures according to other embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 16 illustrates how the structure ofFIG. 15 can be reduced into a smaller configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
• FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate one embodiment of the present invention, where astructure20 has four generallyflat panels22,24,26 and28 connected to each other to form a ring of panels that encircles an enclosed space. Eachpanel22,24,26,28 can be provided with any number of sides, butFIGS. 1A-1B illustrate each panel as having four sides, aleft side30, abottom side32, aright side34 and atop side36. Eachpanel22,24,26 and28 has aframe retaining sleeve38 provided along and traversing the edges of itssides30,32,34,36. Aframe member40 is retained or held within eachframe retaining sleeve38 to support eachpanel22,24,26 and28. Only oneframe member40 is shown inFIG. 1C; theother frame members40 are not shown but are the same asframe member40.
• Eachframe member40 may be provided as one continuous loop, or may comprise a strip of material connected at both ends to form a continuous loop, or a strip of material having opposing ends that are spaced-apart or overlap inside thesleeve38. Eachframe member40 is preferably formed of flexible coilable steel having a memory, although other materials such as plastics may also be used. The frame members should be made of a material which is relatively strong and yet is flexible to a sufficient degree to allow it to be coiled. Thus, eachframe member40 is capable of assuming two positions or orientations, an open or expanded position such as shown inFIG. 1A, or a folded position in which the frame member is collapsed into a size which is much smaller than its open position (seeFIG. 3E).
• Fabric orsheet material42 extends across eachpanel22,24,26 and28, and is held taut by therespective frame member40 when in its open position. The term fabric is to be given its broadest meaning and should be made from strong, lightweight materials and may include woven fabrics, sheet fabrics or even films. The fabric should be water-resistant and durable to withstand wear and tear. Eachframe member40 may be merely retained within the respectiveframe retaining sleeve38 without being connected thereto. Alternatively, theframe retaining sleeves38 may be mechanically fastened, stitched, fused, or glued to therespective frame members40 to retain them in position.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a possible connection for connecting adjacent edges of twopanels22 and24. Thefabric pieces42 are stitched at their edges by astitching44 to therespective sleeves38. Eachsleeve38 may be formed by folding a piece of fabric. Thestitching44 also acts as a hinge for thepanels22 and24 to be folded upon each other, as explained below. The connections for the three other pairs of adjacent edges may be identical. Thus, the connections on theleft side30 and theright side34 of eachpanel22,24,26 and28 act as hinge connections for connecting an adjacent panel.
• At thetop side36 and thebottom side32 of eachpanel22,24,26 and28, where there is no hinge connection to an adjacent panel, theframe retaining sleeve38 may be formed by merely folding over the corresponding fabric piece and applying a stitching46 (seeFIG. 1C). Thefabric piece42 for the corresponding panel may then be stitched to thesleeve38.
• Afabric base50 may be connected to thebottom side32 of eachpanel22,24,26,28. Thefabric base50 can be made of the same type of material as thefabric material42. In addition, one ormore handles56 can be attached (e.g., by stitching) to one or more of thepanels22,24,26 or28 at any desired location (e.g., on thefabric42 or the top side36).
• Openings52 may be provided in some or all of thepanels22,24,26,28. Theseopenings52 may be of any shape (e.g., triangular, circular, rectangular, square, diamond, etc.).
• While thestructure20 ofFIG. 1A is shown and described as having four panels, each having four sides, it will be appreciated that thestructure20 may be made of any number of panels, each having any number of sides, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, eachstructure20 may have three or more panels, and each panel may have three or more sides. Thus, thebasic structure20 of the present invention may take a variety of external shapes. However, each panel of thestructure20, regardless of its shape, is supported by at least oneframe member40.
• FIGS. 3A through 3E describe the various steps for folding and collapsing thestructure20 ofFIG. 1 for storage. InFIG. 3A, the first step consists of pushing inpanels24 and26 such thatpanel24 collapses uponpanel22, andpanel26 collapses uponpanel28. Then, in the second step shown inFIG. 3B, the twopanels22 and24 are folded so as to be collapsed upon the twopanels26 and28 to form a stack of fourpanels22,24,26,28 and theirrespective frame members40. The stack of panels is then twisted and folded to collapse the frame members and panels into a smaller shape. In the third step shown inFIG. 3C, theopposite border45 of the structure is folded in upon the previous fold to collapse the frame members with the panels. As shown inFIG. 3D, the fourth step is to continue the collapsing so that the initial size of the structure is reduced.FIG. 3E shows the fifth step with the frame members and panels collapsed on each other to provide for a small essentially compact configuration having a plurality of concentric frame members and layers of the panels so that the collapsed structure has a size which is a fraction of the size of theinitial structure20.
• As best shown inFIG. 1B, aninner liner60 can be seated inside the interior space defined by thepanels22,24,26,28. Theliner60 can be made of a fabric material that has sufficient strength to support and hold items and objects to be stored inside theliner60. Theliner60 can even be provided in the form of a conventional laundry bag having a drawstring (e.g., seeliner60finFIG. 9 andliner104 inFIG. 10) that can be pulled and tied together to seal the contents inside theliner60. Theliner60 can be sized and configured to fit snugly inside the interior space defined by thepanels22,24,26,28, so that theliner60 itself would define abottom wall62 and four side walls (e.g.,64). Theliner60 can be provided with anupper border66 that can be folded over thetop sides36 of thepanels22,24,26,28.
• Theliner60 provides a storage function as it holds or retains items or objects. The structure20 (and in particular, itspanels22,24,26,28) provides structural support and structural integrity for theliner60. When theliner60 is fitted inside thestructure20, the entire assembly10 (thestructure20 and the liner60) can be lifted and carried around as a single assembly. Theliner60 is removable from thestructure20, so theliner60 can be washed, or adifferent liner60 can be used with thestructure20. The ability to replaceliners60 is useful because the user may have worn out an existingliner60, or may desire to use aliner60 that has a different color or pattern. As a result, the use of theliner60 can impart different appearances to theentire assembly10, thereby providing an improved aesthetic effect for thestructure20. In addition, theunderlying structure20 does not need to be changed, thereby increasing the useful life of thestructure20.
• Theassembly10 shown inFIG. 1B can be used in many applications. For example, theassembly10 can be used to store items and objects, such as laundry, toys, folded clothing, stationery, books, diapers, tools, utensils, food, etc. Theassembly10 can also be used as a shelter if thestructure20 is provided in a larger size. For example, openings can be provided in the fabric material42 (e.g.,52) and in theliner60 to allow for ingress and egress, and the opened top of theliner60 can be sealed by extending the material of theliner60 over its top.
• FIG. 4 illustrates an assembly10aaccording to another embodiment of the present invention. The assembly10ais essentially the same as theassembly10 inFIGS. 1-3E, so the same numeral designations will be used for the same elements in bothFIGS. 1-3E andFIG. 4 except than an “a” is added to the designations of the same elements inFIG. 4. The structure20ainFIG. 4 can be the same as thestructure20, but the liner60aactually extends outside the panels22a,24a,26a,28aof the structure20a,with the structure20aseated inside the interior of the liner60ato provide structural support and structural integrity for the liner60a.The liner60acan be separated from the structure20a,so the liner60acan be washed, or a different liner60acan be used with the structure20a.In addition, an optional opening29 can be provided in awall64aof the liner60ato allow ingress and egress if the assembly10ais to be used as a shelter.
• FIG. 5 illustrates an assembly10baccording to another embodiment of the present invention. The assembly10bis similar to the assembly10ainFIG. 4, so the same numeral designations will be used for the same elements in bothFIG. 4 andFIG. 5 except than a “b” is used for the designations of the same elements inFIG. 5. The structure20bcan be the same as thestructures20 and20aexcept that thepanels22,22a,26,26ahave been omitted. The opposing panels24band28bare spaced apart from each other and connected by spacers (e.g., two poles22b,26b) that can be received inside corresponding folds at the upper border66bof the liner60b.These folds can actually resemble sleeves which are formed by folding over the upper border66b.The poles22b,26bcan extend through openings86bprovided in the fabric material44bof the panels24b,28b.Again, the structure20bis positioned inside the interior of the liner60b,and the structure20bcan be removed from the liner60b.
• FIG. 6 illustrates anassembly10caccording to yet another embodiment of the present invention. The assembly1Ocis similar to the assembly1ObinFIG. 5, so the same numeral designations will be used for the same elements in bothFIG. 5 andFIG. 6 except than a “c” is used for the designations of the same elements inFIG. 6. Again, the structure20cis positioned inside the interior of the liner60c.The structure20cfurther includes aborder frame member90 havingopposite sides92 and94 that are hingedly connected (e.g., using the technique shown inFIG. 2) to thetop sides36cof the panels28cand24c,respectively. Theborder frame member90 is oriented transverse to the panels24c,28cwhen the structure20cis deployed for use. Theborder frame member90 can be housed in a frame retaining sleeve that can be the same assleeve38. The interior region defined by theborder frame member90 can be covered with fabric, or can be opened to act as a mouth for theassembly10cto receive objects and items that are to be stored in theassembly10c.Theborder frame member90 also functions to space and connect the panels24cand28c,and to provide increased support for the structure20c.Theborder frame member90 can be twisted and folded in the same manner as theother frame members40. Thus, the structure20ccan be reduced in size by folding the panels24cand28con to theborder frame member90 about their hinged connections to form a stack of three frame members and panels, with the stack twisted and folded using the principles illustrated inFIGS. 3C-3E.
• FIG. 7 illustrates anassembly10daccording to yet another embodiment of the present invention. Theassembly10dis similar to theassembly10cinFIG. 6, so the same numeral designations will be used for the same elements in bothFIG. 6 andFIG. 7 except than a “d” is used for the designations of the same elements inFIG. 7. Again, thestructure20dis positioned inside the interior of theliner60dto support theliner60d,and thestructure20dincludes a border frame member90d.However, thestructure20dinFIG. 7 has foursmaller panels22d,24d,26d,28dthat are sized and shaped differently from the panels24cand28c.Specifically, thepanels22d,24d,26d,28dhave a generally rounded or circular shape, and each is sized with a diameter that is less than the length of the corresponding side of the border frame member90dthat thepanel22d,24d,26dor28dis hingedly connected to. Fabric91dcan be attached to thepanels22d,24d,26d,28dand the frame member90dto create a space enclosed by thepanels22d,24d,26d,28d,the frame member90dand the fabric91d.Alternatively, the fabric91dcan be omitted. The interior region defined by the border frame member90dcan be covered with fabric, or can also be opened to act as a mouth for theassembly10dto receive objects and items that are to be stored in theassembly10d.The border frame member90dfunctions in the same manner as theborder frame member90, and thestructure20dcan be reduced in size by folding thepanels22d,24d,26d,28don to the border frame member90dabout their hinged connections to form a stack of frame members and panels, with the stack twisted and folded using the principles illustrated inFIGS. 3C-3E.
• FIG. 8 illustrates anassembly10eaccording to yet another embodiment of the present invention. Theassembly10eis similar to theassemblies10cand10dinFIGS. 6-7, and borrows from the principles illustrated inFIGS. 6-7, so the same numeral designations will be used for the same elements in bothFIGS. 6-7 andFIG. 8 except than an “e” is used for the designations of the same elements inFIG. 8. Again, thestructure20eis positioned inside the interior of the liner60eto support the liner60e.Here, thestructure20eincludes two border frame members90eand92epositioned parallel and spaced-apart from each other, with two panels22eand26ehingedly connected between the two border frame members90eand92ein opposing relationship. The panels22eand26ecan be the same as thepanels22dand26dinFIG. 7.Fabric91ecan be attached to the panels22e,24e,26e,28eand the frame members90e,92eto create a space enclosed by the panels22e,24e,26e,28e,the frame members90e,92eand thefabric91e.Alternatively, thefabric91ecan be omitted. The interior region defined by one border frame member90ecan be covered with fabric, or can also be opened to act as a mouth for theassembly10eto receive objects and items that are to be stored in theassembly10e.The interior region defined by the other border frame member92ecan also be opened, or covered by a fabric material.
• FIG. 9 illustrates an assembly10faccording to another embodiment of the present invention. The assembly10fis similar to the assembly10binFIG. 5, and borrows from the principles illustrated inFIGS. 1-3E and5, so the same numeral designations will be used for the same elements in bothFIG. 5 andFIG. 9 except than an “f” is used for the designations of the same elements inFIG. 9. The structure20finFIG. 9 can be the same as the structure20b,but the liner60ais received inside the interior space defined by thepanels24fand28fof the structure20f.Poles22fand26fcan be inserted throughopenings86fprovided in thefabric material44fof thepanels24fand28f.Theliner60fcan be removed from the structure20f,so theliner60fcan be washed, or adifferent liner60fcan be used with the structure20f.
• FIGS. 10-12 illustrate anassembly100 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. Theassembly100 includes a structure102 and aliner104. Theliner104 can have the same construction as theliner60 described above. The structure102 resembles a tunnel, and has aninternal support wire122 supporting a covering124 which is attached to thewire122 to define the tunnel-like interior. Thewire122 is helically coiled, with theadjacent coils123 being normally biased in spaced apart relation, as shown inFIG. 11. Thewire122 defines afirst end126 and asecond end128. At the first and second ends126 and128, thewire122 extends past theouter coil123aand123b,respectively, so that a segment125aand125bat eachend126,128 of thewire122 overlaps with theouter coil123aand123b,respectively.
• The covering124 is attached to thewire122 by gluing, stitching, fusing, mechanically fastening or other conventional attachment methods. Alternatively, as shown inFIGS. 10 and 12, asleeve130 may be stitched or otherwise provided along the covering124 with thewire122 housed or attached therein. Thefirst end126 of thewire122 terminates at a first substantiallycircular edge132 of thecovering124. Theouter coil123aof thefirst end126 forms a substantially circular end wire portion134 to provide support to thefirst edge132 of thecovering124. Similarly, thesecond end128 of thewire122 terminates at a second substantially circular edge136 of thecovering124. Theouter coil123bof thesecond end128 forms another substantially circularend wire portion140 to provide support to the second edge136. The circular end wire portion134 and itscircular edge132 defines an opening through which theliner104 may be inserted. The opening defined by thewire portion140 and the circular edge136 can be covered by afabric wall138. Thus, the covering124 and thefabric wall138 together define an enclosed interior space that receives theliner104.
• The overlapping segment125amay be attached to theouter coil123aalong the length of the segment125a,or theouter coil123aand the overlapping segment125aat thefirst end126 of thewire122 may be retained in thesame sleeve130. Similarly, the overlapping segment125bmay be attached to theouter coil123balong the length of the segment125b,or theouter coil123band the overlapping segment125bat thesecond end128 of thewire122 may be retained in thesame sleeve130.
• A first set oftie members142 is provided in spaced-apart manner along thefirst edge132, and a second set oftie members144 is provided in spaced-apart manner along the second edge136. Eachtie member142,144 can be embodied as two strings or thin pieces of fabric which can be tied together to create a knot, or as opposing straps that carry a VELCRO™pad. Each set oftie members142,144 could comprise any number of tie members (including just one tie member), but preferably comprises at least two tie members.
• In addition, one ormore handles148 can be attached (e.g., by stitching) in spaced-apart manner to thecircular edge132.
• Thewire122 is preferably made from a strong yet springy metal, such as steel or iron, but also can be made from other strong and coilable materials, such as fiberglass or plastic. Such materials are preferably capable of allowing thewire122 to maintain its coiled shape. The covering124 is preferably made from a strong durable fabric, such as cotton, canvas, mesh or net, but can also be made from other strong durable materials such as PVC or plastic. The term fabric is to be given its broadest meaning and should be made from strong, lightweight materials and may include woven fabrics, sheet fabrics or even films. The covering124 can be water-resistant and should be durable to withstand wear and tear associated with extended use with heavy objects.
• The structure102 can be easily collapsed and folded for storage by compressing thewire122. Specifically, to compress thewire122, the user grips the circular end wire portion134, or thefirst edge132, of the structure102 with one hand, and while using the other hand to grip the other circularend wire portion140, or the second edge136, pushes or compresses the end wire portion134 against theend wire portion140. This compresses the plurality of helical coils of thewire122 against each other. This compression is made possible by the springy nature of thewire122, and its helically coiled configuration. With thewire122 compressed, the tie members of the first and second sets oftie members142,144 are tied together to secure the structure102 in a compressed configuration.
• Theliner104 provides a storage function as it holds or retains items or objects. The structure102 provides structural support and structural integrity for theliner104. When theliner104 is fitted inside the structure102, the entire assembly100 (the structure102 and the liner104) can be lifted using thehandles148, and carried around as a single assembly. Theliner104 is removable from the structure102, so theliner104 can be washed, or adifferent liner104 can be used with the structure102.
• FIG. 13 illustrates anassembly200 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. Theassembly200 includes astructure202 and aliner204. Theliner204 can have the same construction as theliner60 described above. Thestructure202 also resembles a tunnel, and has afirst end loop222 and a secondopposing end loop224 that are separated and coupled by a plurality of panels. In the embodiment ofFIG. 13, thestructure202 has twopanels226 and228, each of which can have the same construction as thepanels22,24,26,28 described above. Each panel can have four sides, a first end side230, twolateral sides232 and236, and asecond end side234. The first end side230 of eachpanel226,228 is hingedly connected to thefirst end loop222, and thesecond end side234 of eachpanel226,228 is hingedly connected to thesecond end loop224. Thesecond end loop224 functions as a bottom that is adapted to rest on the ground or surface, and thefirst end loop222 can function as an open top. Thepanels226 and228 can be spaced apart from each other at any orientation, but in the embodiment shown inFIG. 13, thepanels226,228 can be generally parallel to each other.Fabric240 can be stitched to thelateral sides232,236 of eachpanel226,228, and to theend loops222 and224, to partially or completely cover the sides of thestructure202. Theloops222 and224 can be positioned generally parallel to each other.
• Eachloop222,224 is essentially made up of a continuous frame member (not shown, but can be the same as frame member40) that is retained or held within aframe retaining sleeve242. An optional fabric can extend completely across the space enclosed by theloop224, while the space enclosed by theloop222 is preferably opened. As a result, theloop222 defines a top opening through which theliner204 can be introduced or removed.
• As set forth above, the first end side230 of eachpanel226,228 is hingedly connected to thefirst end loop222, and thesecond end side234 of eachpanel226,228 is hingedly connected to thesecond end loop224. The hinged connections can be the same as that illustrated inFIG. 2. As an alternative, thesides230 and234 can be removably connected to theloops222,224 by a conventional attachment mechanism, such as one or more pairs of opposing VELCRO™ pads that are provided along thesides230,234 and the circumference of theloops222,224. Other conventional attachment mechanisms, such as but not limited to hooks, fasteners, buttons, snap-fit engagements, loops, snap buckles, zippers and ties, can also be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
• In addition, one ormore handles248 can be attached (e.g., by stitching) in spaced-apart manner to thefirst end loop222.
• Thestructure202 can be the same as the structures illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5A of U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,847 to Zheng, whose entire disclosure is hereby incorporated by this reference as though fully set forth herein. Thestructure202 can be twisted and folded in the manner shown and described in connection with FIGS. 5A-5E of U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,847 to Zheng.
• Theliner204 provides a storage function as it holds or retains items or objects. Thestructure202 provides structural support and structural integrity for theliner204. When theliner204 is fitted inside thestructure202, the entire assembly200 (thestructure202 and the liner204) can be lifted using thehandles248, and carried around as a single assembly. Theliner204 is removable from thestructure202, so theliner204 can be washed, or adifferent liner204 can be used with thestructure202.
• FIG. 14 illustrates anassembly300 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. Theassembly300 includes astructure302 and aliner304. Theliner304 can have the same construction as theliner60 described above. Thestructure302 is made up of a single figure-eightframe member306, which can be the same as the figure-eight frame member shown and described in FIGS. 1 and 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,892 to Norman, whose entire disclosure is hereby incorporated by this reference as though fully set forth herein. The figure-eight configuration of the frame member is characterized by a left loop306aseparated from aright loop306bby acrossover point310. Eachloop306a,306bhas astraight portion312 for resting on a flat surface when thestructure302 is in the configuration shown inFIG. 14. Theframe member306 can be formed from any of the materials used for theframe members40 described above. The figure-eight configuration shown inFIG. 14 can be formed by a single 360 degree twist of theframe member306.
• Thestructure302 has left and rightframe retaining sleeves320 and322, respectively, which retain theframe member306. Thesleeves320 and322 also define straight portions that retain the respectivestraight portions312. Afirst fabric330 can be stitched or otherwise attached to the interior space defined by theloops306a,306b.A second fabric332 can be stitched or otherwise attached to the space outside theloops306a,306b,so that the first andsecond fabrics330,332 together define an enclosed space inside thestructure302.
• Thestructure302 can be reduced to a smaller configuration by pushing or deforming thestraight portions312 towards each other, causing the twolarge loops306a,306bto be deformed so that they overlie each other. Then, thecrossover310 is partly bent towards one of thestraight portions312. Theloops306a,306bare then twisted and folded using the principles illustrated inFIGS. 3C-3E herein, and in FIGS. 5-7 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,892.
• Anoptional opening340 can be provided in thefirst fabric330 of the loop306aadjacent the top of thestructure302 near thecrossover310. Theliner304 is adapted to be fitted through theopening340 into the interior of thestructure302. Theliner304 provides a storage function as it holds or retains items or objects. Thestructure302 provides structural support and structural integrity for theliner304. When theliner304 is fitted inside thestructure302, the entire assembly300 (thestructure302 and the liner304) can be lifted using the handles342 (which can be attached to theloops306a,306b), and carried around as a single assembly. Theliner304 is removable from thestructure302, so theliner304 can be washed, or adifferent liner304 can be used with thestructure302.
• FIG. 15 illustrates astructure402 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. A liner (not shown) is adapted to be introduced through anopening404 in the top of thestructure402. The liner can have the same construction as theliner60 described above. Thestructure402 is made up of a twoseparate frame members406,408 which intersect each other. Theframe members406,408 can be formed from any of the materials used for theframe members40 described above. Eachframe member406,408 defines a portion of the base of thestructure402. Specifically, theframe member406 has abase portion410 and anarched portion412, while theframe member408 has abase portion414 and anarched portion416. Theframe members406,408 intersect atpoints418 where eachframe member406,408 transitions from its base portion to its arched portion. Eachframe member406,408 can be housed in a frame retaining sleeve similar to thesleeve38 described above.Fabric material420 can be attached to the sleeve of theframe members406,408 to cover the interior space defined by theframe members406,408. Anopening404 can be provided in thefabric material420 at the top of thestructure402 between thearched portions416 and412.
• Referring toFIG. 16, thestructure402 can be reduced to a smaller configuration by pushing thebase portions410 and414 towards each other to form a stack of loops, which are then twisted and folded using the principles illustrated inFIGS. 3C-3E herein.
• The liner is adapted to be fitted through theopening404 into the interior of thestructure402. The liner provides a storage function as it holds or retains items or objects. Thestructure402 provides structural support and structural integrity for the liner. When the liner is fitted inside thestructure402, the entire assembly (thestructure402 and the liner) can be lifted using the handles430 (which can be attached to the top of thearched portions416 and412), and carried around as a single assembly. The liner is removable from thestructure402, so that the liner can be washed, or a different liner can be used with thestructure402.
• Thus, the present invention provides numerous embodiments of storage structures and shelters that allow a replaceable liner to be used with a collapsible structure. The liner can be removed, and the structure itself can be reduced to a smaller configuration for ease of storage, packing and transportation.
• While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims (15)

1. A structure comprising:

at least three foldable frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation;

a fabric material covering each frame member to form a panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation;

each panel being coupled to an adjacent panel to form a ring of panels that enclose an interior space; and

a liner that is removably retained inside the interior space.

2. The structure ofclaim 1, wherein each panel has a left side and a right side, with the left side of each panel coupled to the right side of an adjacent panel, and the right side of each panel coupled to the left side of another adjacent panel.

3. The structure ofclaim 2, wherein the left side and right side of each panel is vertical.

4. The structure ofclaim 1, wherein each frame member is twisted and folded to form a plurality of concentric loops when in the folded orientation.

5. The structure ofclaim 1, wherein each panel has a bottom side which rests on a surface to support the structure.

6. The structure ofclaim 1, wherein the liner is made of a fabric material.

7. An assembly, comprising:

a structure having:

at least three foldable frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation;

a fabric material covering each frame member to form a panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation; and

each panel being coupled to an adjacent panel to form a ring of panels; and

a liner that has an interior space, with the structure removably retained inside the interior space of the liner.

8. The assembly ofclaim 7, wherein each panel has a left side and a right side, with the left side of each panel coupled to the right side of an adjacent panel, and the right side of each panel coupled to the left side of another adjacent panel.

9. The assembly ofclaim 8, wherein the left side and right side of each panel is vertical.

10. The assembly ofclaim 7, wherein each frame member is twisted and folded to form a plurality of concentric loops when in the folded orientation.

11. The assembly ofclaim 7, wherein each panel has a bottom side which rests on a surface to support the structure.

12. The assembly ofclaim 7, wherein the liner is made of a fabric material.

13. The assembly ofclaim 7, further including a border frame member that couples the panels.

14. A structure comprising:

a coiled wire supporting a covering which is attached to the wire to define a tunnel-like interior space, the coiled loop and the covering having a first opened end and a second closed end; and

a liner that is removably retained inside the interior space.

15. The structure ofclaim 14, further including a first tie member provided at the first end, and a second tie member provided at the second end.

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