Abstract

Disclosed is a portable structure having principal utility as a tent. The support for the structure comprises a continuous loop of a flexible, coilable, resilient material such as flat spring steel stock. The support is secured to the fabric of the structure at at least a plurality of points and preferably is continuously held thereto in an elongate pocket. In use, the support is restrained by and supports the fabric and is held in a "figure-eight" configuration with the cross-over of the figure eight as the apex of the structure and the loops of the figure eight extending downwardly therefrom and where most remote are at the base of the structure thereby providing a measure of support for the structure. The support provided by the frame alone is substantially increased by the co-action of the body of the structure which, in use, provides additional lateral stability to the structure and puts the frame in compression thereby considerably increasing its rigidity. The frame member, being flexible and coilable can be readily collapsed and stored when the structure is not in use.