AU723616B2

AU723616B2 - Improved clevis assembly and fly adaptor assembly for collapsible umbrella tent and frame therefor

Info

Publication number: AU723616B2
Application number: AU70927/96A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Paul V. Allegretto; Dennis C. Surrendi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-08-03
Filing date: 1996-08-01
Publication date: 2000-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 2016-08-01
Also published as: EP0842343A4; EP0842343A2; AU7092796A; WO1997006325A3; CA2228270A1; NZ318845A; KR19990036072A; JP2002515097A; TW358718B; WO1997006325A2

Description

1/1 Title: Improved Clevis Assembly and Fly Adaptor Assembly for Collapsible Umbrella Tent and Frame Therefor Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improved collapsible umbrella tent and specifically to an improved clevis assembly which has an improved locking mechanism. The improved clevis assembly may further contain an enhanced feature for adding a separate fly adaptor assembly to which a fly sheet may be added to such tents.

Background Art This specification refers to and describes the content of selected US patents.

However, neither the disclosures in these US patents nor the descriptions of the content of these US patents contained herein are to be taken as forming part of the common general knowledge solely by virtue of there inclusion in this specification.

15 Umbrella tents have a long history of existence and use. Collapsible umbrella tents date back to the beginning of this century and have usually included a collapsible frame on which the fabric of other flexible sheet material of the tent is supported when the tent has been erected. The reference to "umbrella" tents is commonly used in the commercial trades because such tents can be erected and 00. 20 dismantled in much the same manner as an umbrella. An example of a contemporary umbrella tent can be found in US Patent No 4,945,936. Other examples of collapsible umbrella tents can be found in US Patent Nos.

4,033,366; 3,929,146; 3,794,054; 3,000,386; 1,666,757; 1,124,420; 1,079,757.

Generally, tents of the umbrella type are normally comprised of a collapsible frame which has a plurality of legs pivoted at their upper ends by a clevis assembly having an upper clevis member and a lower clevis member. Each leg h as a radial stay member that is attached from the upper end of the leg and faces inward with each stay member connected inwardly to a lower clevis -1/2member. The upper and lower clevis members are designed to engage when the tent is erected. The upper clevis member may contain a central downwardly opening recess, while the lower clevis member contains a central upwardly projecting pin, post or rod as shown in US Patent No. 4,945,936. Alternatively, the upper clevis member may contain a central downwardly projecting pin, post or rod, while the lower clevis member contains a central opening recess as shown in US Patent No. 3,929,146. One disadvantage of these tents lies in this arrangement of the locking mechanism for the joining of the lower and upper clevis members when the tent is erected. This disadvantage is due, in part,

*S

e -2to the torque and twist forces put on the clevis members as the tent is erected.

The present invention seeks to address this advantage.

Collapsible tents have been made with the frame exterior to the tent fabric (see for example US Patent No. 4,945,936), or with the frame interior to the tent fabric (see for example US Patent No 3,929,146). Either type of tent can also be provided with fly covers which provide an air space between the tent fabric and the fly cover. (A fly cover is sometimes referred to herein as a fly sheet or simply a fly.) This air space can act as a water barrier and an insulator for the user.

Although a fly cover has previously been applied to collapsible tents with an exterior frame, an embodiment of the present invention seeks to improve the attachment of a fly cover to the external frame collapsible tents in order to expedite the setup of the tent and fly cover. In addition, collapsible tents with an internal frame do not normally have the technical design to accommodate the addition of a fly cover when needed. An embodiment of the present invention 15 seeks to provide a fly adaptor assembly and a modified clevis assembly for the optional attachment of the fly adaptor assembly to the modified clevis member to S"aid in securing a fly cover to a collapsible tent.

Summary of the Invention S. In accordance with on aspect of the present invention there is provided a clevis assembly for use with a collapsible tent frame, said clevis assembly comprising an upper clevis member and a lower clevis member, one of said clevis members having a vertical stop pin extending from substantially its centre toward the other of said clevis members, one of said clevis members having an extension of its surface facing the clevis member with said vertical stop pin, said extension is -3/1 tapered in a conical construction to form a conical pin entry guide, said conical pin entry guide having an outer perimeter edge and said conical construction terminates in a recess, said extension forms a surrounding wall around said recess and said surrounding wall has a total cross-sectional thickness that is greater than a diameter of said vertical stop pin at a position of the juncture between said conical pin entry guide and said recess, said cross-sectional thickness of said surrounding wall converging from said position of said juncture toward said outer perimeter edge of said conical pin entry guide so as to become narrower toward said outer perimeter edge, wherein said conical pin entry guide has a sufficient inclination such that said conical pin entry guide guides a top of said vertical stop pin into said recess and wherein said conical pin entry guide has an interior surface inside said outer perimeter edge that limits the movement of said clevis members toward each other and limits the torque or twist of said clevis members once said vertical stop pin is engaged into said recess.

.4 In one embodiment, the said vertical stop pin extends upward from said lower clevis member and said conical construction extends downward from said upper clevis member. The said conical pin entry guide may from an integral part of the under surface of the upper clevis member. The said upper clevis member may be provided with a cylindrical shroud extension extending downward from said conical pin entry guide.

*go• In a second embodiment, the said vertical stop pin extends downward from said upper clevis member and said conical construction extends upward from said lower clevis member. The conical pin entry guide may form an integral part of the upper surface of the lower clevis member. The said lower clevis member may be provided with a cylindrical shroud extension extending upward from said conical pin entry guide.

Preferably, a diameter across opposite sides of said outer perimeter edge is at least three times said diameter of said vertical stop pin.

ore preferably, said outer perimeter edge of said conical pin entry guide has a U iameter that is at least four times said diameter of said vertical stop pin.

-3/2- Preferably, a diameter across opposite sides of said outer perimeter edge of said conical pin entry guide is a least half as long as the length of said vertical stop pin.

Preferably, a diameter across said outer perimeter edge of said conical pin entry guide is greater than a length of said extension above said interior surface to said outer perimeter edge.

Preferably, said surrounding wall is a substantially cylindrical annular wall and said vertical stop pin has a substantially circular cross-section.

Preferably, an outer peripheral surface of said surrounding wall gradually tapers in from said outer perimeter edge of said conical pin entry guide to the clevis member surface that faces the other clevis member with said vertical stop pin.

Ve °0 000 Preferably, said extension extends from the clevis member surface to said outer perimeter edge at a distance less than half as long as the length of said vertical stop pin.

Veb o°°0 Preferably, said vertical stop pin is sized so as to not extend through the clevis member having said extension so that said vertical stop pin does not protrude ooo° therefrom when assembled.

C

0 0° 1 Preferably, said vertical stop pin has a narrow end that is sized to fit into said 004, recess and a wide portion that is sized to abut said interior surface of said conical a.o°° pin entry guide when engaged to prevent further entry into said recess.

O0 a.

Preferably, said conical pin entry guide comprises a telescoping conical pin entry guide.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clevis assembly for use with a collapsible tent, said clevis assembly comprising: an upper clevis member and lower clevis member; -3/3said lower clevis member having a vertical stop pin extending upward from substantially its centre toward the upper clevis member; said upper clevis member having an extension on its surface that is substantially shorter in length than said vertical stop pin and that faces said lower clevis member above said vertical stop pin; said extension having a tapered bottom end that forms a conical pin entry guide and said conical pin entry guide terminates in a recess; said extension forms a surrounding wall around said recess and said surrounding wall has a cross-sectional thickness converging from adjacent said recess towards an outer perimeter edge of said conical pin entry guide so as to become narrower toward said outer perimeter edge; wherein said conical pin entry guide has a sufficient inclination and diameter such that, in use, said conical pin entry guide guides a top of said vertical stop pin into said recess when a user inadvertently applies a force off vertical through pressure *of the user's hands upward against the lower clevis member, and wherein the eoconical pin entry guide limits the movement of the clevis toward each other and limits the torque or twist of the clevis members once the vertical stop pin is engaged into said recess; whereby, in use, when a user erects the collapsible tent by pushing upward on said lower clevis member said vertical stop pin is pushed in a substantially vertical direction away from the user's hand and away from the interior of the tent and ensured reception into said recess by said conical pin entry guide.

Preferably, said upper clevis member further has a substantially centrally located recess on its upper surface for receiving a fly adaptor assembly.

Preferably, said upper clevis member further has a substantially centrally located 7 hollow opening for receiving a fly adaptor assembly.

-3/4- Preferably, said upper clevis member further has a substantially centrally located vertical pin on its upper surface for engaging a fly adaptor assembly.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a collapsible tent frame comprising a plurality of legs and a clevis assembly as hereinbefore described wherein said legs are pivotally connection to the upper clevis member.

In one embodiment, the collapsible tent frame, further comprises a fly adaptor assembly, said fly adaptor assembly comprising a clevis member, a plurality of arms pivotally connected substantially centrally to said clevis member and a substantially centrally located vertical pin on the lower surface of said clevis member for engagement of said fly adaptor assembly with said clevis assembly.

In a second embodiment, the collapsible tent frame further comprises a fly adaptor assembly, said fly adaptor assembly comprising a clevis member, a plurality of arms pivotally connected substantially centrally to said clevis member and a substantially centrally located vertical pin on the lower surface of said clevis member, said vertical pin engageable in said hollow opening of said upper clevis member for engagement of said fly adaptor assembly with said clevis assembly.

In another embodiment, the collapsible tent frame, further comprises a fly adaptor c. assembly, said fly adaptor assembly comprising a clevis member, a plurality of arms pivotally connected substantially centrally to said clevis member and a substantially centrally located hollow pedestal mount on the lower surface of said clevis member, said hollow pedestal mount engageable on said vertical pin of said upper clevis member for engagement of said fly adaptor assembly with said clevis assembly.

In a further embodiment, the collapsible tent frame, further comprises a fly adaptor assembly, said fly adaptor assembly comprising a clevis member, a plurality of arms pivotally connected substantially centrally to said clevis member and a i/ i' substantially centrally located mount socket on the lower surface of said clevis member, said mount socket engageable on said vertical join of said upper clevis member for engagement of said fly adaptor assembly with said clevis assembly.

The said arms of the said fly adaptor assembly may be automatically aligned with said legs upon engagement of said fly adaptor assembly with said clevis assembly.

Alternatively, the said arms of the said fly adaptor assembly may be manually aligned with said legs upon engagement of said fly adaptor assembly with said clevis assembly.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a collapsible tent comprising a collapsible tent frame as hereinbefore described and tent fabric attachable interior to said tent frame.

:In an alternative arrangement of the collapsible tent, the tent fabric may be attachable exterior to said tent frame.

The clevis assembly may further comprise a fly adaptor assembly, said fly adaptor assembly comprising a clevis member, a plurality of arms and a plurality of pivotal connectors connected substantially centrally to said clevis member for pivotally connecting said arms. The fly adaptor assembly of the clevis assembly may further comprise a substantially centrally located engaging means on the lower surface of said clevis member for engaging said clevis member.

S.In one embodiment, the said engaging means of the said fly adaptor assembly comprises a vertical pin mount.

In a second embodiment, the said engaging means comprises a hollow pedestal mount.

In a third embodiment, the said engaging means comprises a fly mount socket.

pAc Preferably, each pivotal connector of the said fly adaptor assembly has a stop WJ lock to stop rotation of each arm when said fly adaptor assembly is in use.

WO 97/06325 PCT/IB96/01080 -4- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1A is a cross sectional view of a clevis assembly of a collapsible tent with the upper clevis member having a conical pin entry guide on its underside and a vertical hollow opening through its center with a fly adaptor receptacle in the center of its upper surface and the lower clevis member having a pin projecting upwardly from its upper surface.

Fig. 1B is a top view of the upper clevis member shown in Fig. 1A.

Fig. 1C is a cross sectional view of a clevis assembly of a collapsible tent with the lower clevis member having a conical pin entry guide on its upper surface and a vertical hollow opening through its center and the upper clevis member having a pin projecting downwardly from its under surface and a fly adaptor receptacle in the center of its upper surface.

Fig. 1D is a top view of the upper clevis member shown in Fig. 1C.

Fig. 1E is a cross sectional view of a clevis assembly with the upper clevis member having a conical pin entry guide on its underside and a centrally located fly adaptor recess on its upper surface and a lower clevis member having a pin projecting upwardly from its upper surface.

Fig. 1F is a cross sectional view of a clevis assembly of a collapsible tent with the upper clevis member having a conical pin entry guide on its underside and a fly adaptor pin protruding vertically from the center of its upper surface and a lower clevis member having a pin projecting upwardly from its upper surface.

Fig. 1G is a top view of the upper clevis member shown in Fig. 1F.

Fig. 2A is a cross sectional view of the clevis member shown in Fig. 1A with a shroud extension extending downwardly from the conical pin entry guide.

Fig. 2B is a cross sectional view of the clevis member shown in Fig. 1C with a shroud extension extending upwardly from the conical pin entry guide.

Fig. 3A is a cross sectional view of a fly adaptor assembly having a fly adaptor pin centrally located on the underside of the fly adaptor clevis to fit in a receptacle of the upper clevis member of a clevis assembly of a collapsible tent frame.

Fig. 3B is a cross sectional view of the fly adaptor assembly shown in Fig. 3A mounted into the fly adaptor receptacle of the upper clevis member of the clevis assembly shown in Fig.

1A.

WO 97/06325 PCT/IB96/01080 Fig. 4A is a cross sectional view of the fly adaptor assembly shown in Fig. 3A mounted into the fly adaptor receptacle of the upper clevis member of the clevis assembly shown in Fig.

1C.

Fig. 4B is a cross sectional view of the fly adaptor assembly shown in Fig. 3A mounted into the fly adaptor receptacle of the upper clevis member of the clevis assembly shown in Fig.

1E.

Fig. 4C is a cross sectional view of a fly adaptor assembly having a centrally located recess in the underside of the fly adaptor clevis member mounted onto the fly adaptor pin of an upper clevis member of a clevis assembly.

Fig. 5A is a cross sectional view of a fly adaptor assembly having a pin mount socket in the center of the underside of the fly adaptor clevis.

Fig. 5B is a cross sectional view of the fly adaptor assembly shown in Fig. 5A mounted onto the fly adaptor pin of the upper clevis member of the clevis assembly shown in Fig. 1F.

Fig. 5C is a cross sectional view of the fly adaptor assembly shown in Fig. 5A mounted onto the fly adaptor pin of the upper clevis member of Fig. 1F in which the clevis assembly is on the interior of the tent fabric.

Fig. 6A is a cross sectional view of a fly adaptor assembly having a hollow mount pedestal in the center of the underside of the fly adaptor.

Fig. 6B is a cross sectional view of the fly adaptor assembly of Fig. 6A mounted onto the fly adaptor pin of the upper clevis member of Fig. 1F in which the clevis assembly is on the interior of the tent fabric.

Fig. 7A is a general schematic of an erected collapsible umbrella tent showing the fly adaptor pin the same as that described in Fig. 1F protruding through the apex of the tent fabric.

Fig. 7B is a general schematic of a tent described in Fig. 7A with a fly adaptor assembly having a hollow pedestal mount similar to that described in Fig. 6A.

Fig. 7C is a general schematic of a tent described in Fig. 7A showing the fly adaptor assembly described in Fig. 7B mounted onto the fly adaptor pin.

Fig. 7D is a general schematic showing a tent described in Fig. 7A showing the fly sheet fabric placed over the fly adaptor assembly described in Fig. 6A and secured by tie downs to the tent pegs.

6/1 Fig 8A is a semi-diagrammatic view of one embodiment of a tent and tent frame with the clevis assembly of the present invention.

Fig. 8B is a semi-diagrammatic view of a second embodiment of a tent and tent frame with the clevis assembly of the present invention.

Fig 9 is a cross sectional view of a further embodiment of a conical pin entry guide of a clevis member of a clevis assembly in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention The present invention is directed to a modified clevis assembly for collapsible tents. The modified clevis assembly can be utilised in the construction of frames for collapsible tents and in collapsible tents, including those described in the patents identified above. The modified clevis assembly can be used in collapsible tent frames in which are either exterior to the tent fabric or interior to the tent fabric. Embodiments of a fly adaptor assembly are also described. The fly t, adaptor assembly can be used with clevis assemblies modified to allow for the 9999 attachment of the fly adaptor assembly. Several such modifications are described below. The modified clevis assembly and fly adaptor assembly, if used, of the 99..9present invention can be used with collapsible umbrella tent frames manufactured from any suitable materials used in such tents including, but not limited to, metals, :o:fibreglass, carbon fibres, or plastics. Similarly, the modified clevis assembly and fly adaptor assembly and any of their components can be manufactured of any suitable materials used for collapsible tents.

In general, the clevis assembly is modified so that one of the two members (either the upper or lower clevis member) accommodates a unique conical pin entry guide that provides a safe guiding mechanism for the consistent entry of the pin centrally located on the other clevis member and serving to guide the tip of the pin into the locked position on assembly of the frame. Furthermore, the upper surface of the upper clevis member may be modified to accommodate the securement of a unique fly adaptor assembly.

6/2 More specifically, the clevis assembly is modified so that it contains a conical pin (post or rod) entry guide on a first clevis member to allow safe directing of the tip of the pin on a second clevis member into the recess of the first clevis member.

In the modified clevis assembly, the pin is guided into the recess should any torque or twist to the frame occur when the tent is erected due to the inherent flexibility of the materials used in the construction of tent frames and the tendency for the user to inadvertently apply force off of vertical through pressure e *l o 7/1 from the user's hands when moving the lower clevis member toward the upper clevis member. The conical pin entry guide may also include an integral shroud extension to allow the pin to be intercepted by the shroud extension at an early stage in the erection of the frame. This shroud extension is particularly useful when flexible materials are used in the tent frame and provides an additional measure of safety to the user.

In one embodiment, the upper clevis member of a clevis assembly is modified to include a central downwardly opening recess in its upper side that advantageously includes a conical pin entry guide to allow for the safe directing of the tip of the upwardly facing pin centrally located in the center of the upper surface of the lower clevis member. The conical pin entry guide forms an integral part of the under surface of the upper clevis member. In a second embodiment, the lower clevis member of a clevis assembly is modified to include a central upwardly opening recess in its upper side that advantageously includes a conical pin entry guide to allow for the safe directing of the tip of the downwardly facing pin centrally located in the center of the under surface of the upper clevis member. The conical pin entry guide preferably forms an integral part of the i° upper surface of the lower clevis member.

The clevis assembly is further optionally modified to include in or on the upper clevis member means to receive a fly adaptor assembly. In one embodiment, the upper clevis member is modified to have a centrally located hollow core extending from the center of the upper surface of the upper clevis member vertically through the center of the upper clevis member out the base of the upper clevis member to the apex of the conical pin entry guide. In a second embodiment, this centrally located hollow core is replaced by a centrally located fly adaptor receptacle in the upper surface of the upper clevis member. In a third embodiment, the upper clevis member includes a centrally and vertically protruding pin from the upper surface of the upper clevis member.

Some of the embodiments of the present invention further provide a fly adaptor o-,lM-assembly. The fly adaptor assembly advantageously allows the user to mount the fly cover on an as needed basis on a collapsible umbrella tent. The fly adaptor assembly is advantageously used with such tents in which the frame is located interior to the tent fabric. The fly adaptor assembly comprises a single clevis member with a plurality of arms. Centrally mounted on the underside of the fly adaptor assembly's clevis member is a means to attach the fly adaptor to the modified upper clevis member of the collapsible tent's frame. The attachment means of the fly adaptor is a.

a a a a a a.* a a a a a a a a* a a a a a a o* WO 97/06325 PCT/IB96/01080 -8designed to mate with the fly adaptor receiving means of the upper clevis member of the tent frame. Thus, in one embodiment the underside of the fly adaptor assembly clevis has a centrally located, downwardly projecting pin. In a second embodiment, the underside of the fly adaptor clevis has a centrally located recess. In a third embodiment, the underside of the fly adaptor assembly clevis has a centrally located hollow pedestal mount. The fly adaptor assembly may also contain means for securing a fly cover to aid in proper installation of the fly cover to the collapsible tent.

The details of the modified clevis assembly and the fly adaptor assembly follows. The modified clevis assembly can be utilized with any tent frame directly or after slight modifications to take into consideration the design features of a particular tent frame. Such modifications will be readily apparent to a person skilled in making tent frames. In addition, the clevis assembly and fly adaptor assembly are designed to be used with tents in which the fabric is exterior to the tent frame or interior to the tent frame. The attachment of the fabric to each type of tent is well known in the art. Suitable tent frames include those described in the patents referred to above.

Especially suitable tent frames can be found in US Patent Nos. 4,945,936 and 3,929,146, both incorporated herein by reference.

The modified clevis assembly of the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 1A-1G and 2A-2B. According to these figures, the clevis assembly 1 comprises an upper clevis member 2 and a lower clevis member 3. A plurality of legs (not shown) of a tent frame (not shown) are connected to the clevis assembly 1. Each leg comprises an upper section 4 and lower section (not shown) or sections with each section being pivotally connected to each other. The upper section 4 of each leg is pivotally connected to the upper clevis member 2 by a pivot connector with pin 6. The legs and pivot connector 5 are of any suitable tent construction material.

Each upper leg section 4 readily bend to follow the curvature necessary to lead to the upper clevis member 2 of the clevis assembly 1.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1A and 1B, the lower clevis member 3 comprises a main body 7 having a central recess on its upper surface within which a center pin 8 is mounted.

The center pin 8 may be mounted by a threaded base at one end of the center pin 8 or, alternately, mounted in the recess by bonding the end of the center pin 8 into the recess of the lower clevis member 3. The upward facing pin 8 has a main body 9 of larger diameter and pin tip 10 of smaller diameter at the upper end joining the body 9 in an upwardly directed shoulder WO 97/06325 PCT/IB96/01080 -9- 11. Optionally, a stop member (not shown) dimensioned and shaped to fit slidably within the upper clevis member 2 can be seated on the shoulder 11. The lower clevis member 3 further comprises a pivot connector 12 pivotally connected to the lower clevis member by pin 13. Each pivot connector 12 receives a radial member 14 of the tent frame.

The upper clevis member 2 is advantageously designed to comprise a main body having a base 16 and a vertical hollow opening 17 extending through the upper clevis member 2. The base 16 extends downward in a column that has on its underside facing the lower clevis member 3 a conically tapered pin entry guide 18 culminating at its apex in a recess or socket 19 at the lower end of the hollow opening 17. The recess 19 is dimensioned and shaped to suitably receive the pin tip 10 of the pin 8 extending vertically from the lower clevis member 3. The conically tapered pin entry guide 18 guides the pin 8 into the recess 19 in the event the pin tip 10 deviates from the target of the recess 19 due to torque or twist of the lower clevis member 3 during erection of the tent frame. If the shoulder 11 of pin 8 contains a stop member, the stop member fits within recess 19.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1C and 1 D, the upper clevis member 2 comprises a main body 15 having a central recess in its lower surface within which a center pin 8 is mounted. The center pin 8 may be mounted by a threaded base at one end of the center pin 8 or, alternately, mounted in the recess by bonding the end of the center pin 8 into the recess of the upper clevis member 2. The downward facing pin 8 has a main body 9 of larger diameter and pin tip 10 of smaller diameter at the lower end joining the body 9 in an downwardly directed shoulder 11. Optionally, a stop member (not shown) dimensioned and shaped to fit slidably within the lower clevis member 3 can be seated on the shoulder 11.

The lower clevis member 3 is advantageously designed to comprise a main body 7 having a base 20 which extends upward in a column that has on its upperside facing the upper clevis member 2 a conically tapered pin entry guide 18 culminating at its nadir in a recess or socket 19 dimensioned and shaped to suitably receive the pin tip 10 of the pin 8 extending vertically from the upper clevis member 3. The conically tapered pin entry guide 18 guides the pin 8 into the recess 19 in the event the pin tip 10 deviates from the target of the recess 19 due to torque or twist of the lower clevis member 3 during erection of the tent frame. If the shoulder 11 of pin 8 contains a stop member, the stop member fits within recess 19.

WO 97/06325 PCT/IB96/01080 In the embodiment of the upper clevis 2 is shown in Fig. 1 E, the main body 15 contains a recess or socket 19a instead of a vertical hollow opening with a recess as shown in Fig. 1A.

The upper clevis member 2 of the present invention can be further modified to contain a means for attaching a fly cover. As shown in Figs. 1A and 1 B the fly cover attaching means is the vertical hollow opening 17. The vertical hollow opening is dimensioned and shaped to suitably receive a fly adaptor assembly. When the tent fabric 21 is exterior to the tent frame, the tent fabric 21 is secured to the upper surface of upper clevis body 15 by any suitable fabric securing means. In one embodiment, the fabric securing means is velcro 23. When velcro is used for the tent fabric securing means, the tent fabric also contains velcro 24 on its underside.

The tent fabric 21 is secured in a way to enable access to the vertical hollow opening 17.

A second embodiment for a fly cover attaching means is shown in Figs. 1 C and 1E. In this embodiment, the fly cover attaching means is a recess 25 centrally located in the upper part of upper clevis body 15. The recess 25 is dimensioned and shaped to suitably receive a fly adaptor assembly. Velcro 23, or other suitable fabric securing means, is provided on the upper surface of upper clevis body 15 for a tent in which the frame is interior to the fabric. The tent fabric 21 is secured in a way to enable access to the recess A third embodiment of a fly cover attaching means is shown in Fig. 1F. The fly cover attaching means in this embodiment is a fly pin 26 which is centrally located on the upper surface of upper clevis body 15 and extends vertically from the clevis body 15. The fly pin is dimensioned and shaped to receive to suitably receive a fly adaptor assembly. The fly pin 26 may be square or rectangular as shown in Fig. IF, or it may be circular. When the tent fabric is exterior to the tent frame, the tent fabric is dimensioned and shaped to accommodate the fly pin 26 through a grommet or seal 27.

Although the modifications to the upper clevis member 2 shown in Figs. 1A- 1 G has been shown with reference to the tent fabric being on the exterior of the frame, the modified upper clevis member 2 can also be used with tents having the frame on the outside of the tent fabric.

Figs. 2A and 2B illustrate the modified clevis assembly having a shroud extension. The elements shown in these figures have the same meaning as the elements shown in Figs. 1A-IG.

The shroud extension can also be part of the clevis assembly shown in Fig. 1E having a fly adaptor recess or a part of the clevis assembly shown in Fig. 1F having a fly adaptor pin. In Fig. 2A, the base 16 extends downward in a column that has on its underside facing the lower 11/1 clevis member 3 a conically tapered pin entry guide 18 culminating at its apex in a recess or socket 19 at the lower end of the hollow opening 17 and culminating at its nadir in a shroud extension 22 which extends downwardly from the conical end of the conical pin entry guide 18. The shroud extension 22 is preferably cylindrical in shape and an integral part of the conical pin entry guide 18 and base 16. In Fig. 2B, the lower clevis member 3 is advantageously designed to comprise a main body 7 having a base 20 which extends upward in a column that has on it upperside facing the upper clevis member 2 a conically tapered pin entry guide 18 culminating at its nadir in a recess or socket 19 and culminating at its apex in a shroud extension 22 which extends upwardly from the conical end of the conical pin entry guide 18. The shroud extension 22 is preferably cylindrical in shape and an integral part of the conical pin entry guide 18 and base 20. The shroud extension 22 intercepts pin 8 during erection of the tent and the conical pin entry guide 18 guides pin 8 into recess 19.

A further embodiment of the conical pin entry guide 18 is shown in Fig. 9, which illustrates a telescoping construction of the guide 18a as shown. As illustrated, ooothe construction includes sections 70a-70d which telescope inside one another, *oc9 oco°.when receiving the guide pin as in the other embodiments described herein. As should be understood, the top section 70a can be joined to the upper clevis member, for example, in place of the guide 18 shown in Fig. 1A. amo.

The fly adaptor assembly 40 of the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 3A, and 6A. The fly adaptor assembly 40 preferably comprises a mechanism separate from the tent clevis assembly 1 and tent frame (not shown) that has a single fly clevis member 41 with a plurality of arms 42. Advantageously, the number of arms 42 corresponds to the number of legs of the tent frame. Each arm 42 is pivotally connected to the fly clevis member 41 by pivot connector 43 with pin 44. According to the embodiment shown in Fig 3A, a downwardly protruding fly pin 45 is centrally located on the underside of fly clevis member 41.

The fly pin 45 has a body 47 of larger diameter and fly pin tip 48 of small diameter ~j~A at the lower end of fly pin 45. Fly pin 45 may be circular as shown in Fig. 3A, or it omay be square or rectangular as shown in Fig. 4A. Fly pin 45 is dimensioned and 7N 4' .shaped to engage the vertical hollow opening 17 or the recess 19 of upper clevis 11/2 member 2.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5A, fly adaptor assembly 40 contains a fly mount socket 49 in the base of fly clevis member 41. The fly mount socket 49 is dimensioned and shaped to engage the fly pin 26 of the modified upper clevis member 2 shown in Fig 1 F.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6A, fly adaptor assembly 40 contains a hollow fly pedestal mount 50 on the underside of the base of fly clevis member 41. The hollow fly pedestal mount 50 is dimensioned and shaped to engage the fly pin 26 of the modified upper clevis member 2 shown in Fig. 1 F.

0

S*

*00 *0 0 0 0 0 WO 97/06325 PCT/IB96/01080 -12- Installation of the fly adaptor assembly to the clevis assembly of the tent frame is shown in Figs. 3B, 4B, 4C, 5B, 5C and 6B. To install the fly adaptor assembly 40, the centrally located downwardly extended fly pin 45 from the underside of the fly adaptor assembly clevis 41 is inserted in the centrally located recess 19 or 19a or into the vertical hollow opening 17 of the upper clevis member 2 of the tent frame. If the tent fabric is exterior to the frame the fly pin is inserted through a predesigned entry point in the fabric on the center of the top of the tent.

Alternatively, the centrally located fly mount socket 49 or hollow pedestal mount 50 is inserted onto the upwardly facing fly pin 26 centrally located on the top surface of the upper clevis member 2. Once the fly adaptor assembly is mounted on the top of the tent, the plurality of arms 42 are brought downward to their locked position.

The fly adaptor assembly 40 engaged with the vertical hollow opening 17 or the recess 19 or 19a of clevis assembly I is shown in Figs. 3B, 4B and 5B. The fly adaptor assembly engaged with the fly adaptor pin 26 of clevis assembly 1 is shown in Fig. 4C. The fly adaptor assembly 40 engaged with the fly adaptor pin 26 of the upper clevis member 2 in which the frame and clevis assembly 1 is interior of the tent fabric is shown in Figs. 5C and 6B.

The shape and design of the mount (fly pin 45, mount socket 49 or pedestal mount of the fly adaptor assembly 40 is such to allow the plurality of arms 42 on the fly adaptor assembly 40 to orient automatically with the orientation of the tent frame legs once the fly adaptor assembly arms 42 are rotated into position. Alternatively, if the recess 19 or 19a or vertical hollow opening 17 in the central portion of the upper surface of the upper clevis member 2 is circular and the fly pin 45 at the center of the base of the fly adaptor assembly clevis 41 is of a tubular or cylindrical design to fit into the recess 19 or 19a or vertical hollow opening 17, then the arms 42 of the fly adaptor assembly 40 can be manually rotated on the fly clevis 41 to orient the arms with the legs of the tent. The leg braking structures 51 on the pivot connectors 43 joining the arms 42 with the fly clevis member 41 of the fly adaptor assembly are of a shape and configuration that allow each arm to be rotated into a pre-set horizontal position or, alternatively, into a pre-set position that may vary off of the horizontal if desired.

The upper surface of the fly adaptor clevis member 41 can have velcro 52 or other material that can hold the fly sheet fabric.

When all of the arms 42 of the fly adaptor assembly 40 are locked downward in place, the fly sheet 53 is then extended over the fly adaptor assembly 40 by placing a predesigned WO 97/06325 PCT/1B96/01080 -13target of the fly sheet 53 onto the upper surface of the fly adaptor assembly clevis member 41.

This target area can be color coded on the fly sheet 53 or secured to the upper surface of the fly adaptor assembly clevis 41 through the use of an attachment such as velcro 52. The comers of fly sheet 53 are then tied down securely to the specific tie downs at the base of the legs or to the tent pins. This procedure is schematically presented in Figs. 7A-7D. Conveniently the removal of the fly sheet 53 and fly adaptor assembly 40 is a simple reversal of the procedure used to install it.

Although the fly adaptor assembly of the present invention has been described to be separate from the clevis assembly, the fly adaptor assembly could be made to be an integral part of the clevis assembly. The fly adaptor assembly can also be used with the clevis assembly having the shroud extension.

As previously described, the modified clevis assembly of the present invention can be used with tent frames known in the art as illustrated by the patents set forth above. One such frame, as described in US Patent No. 4,945,936, with the modified clevis assembly is shown in Fig. 8A. The upper leg sections 4 are attached to the upper clevis member 2 as previously described. At a point intermediate its length, each upper leg section 4 is provided with pivot member 60 and a radial member 14. Each radial member 14 attaches to the lower clevis member 3 as previously described. Lower leg sections 61 are pivotally connected to the upper leg sections 4 by pivot connector 62.

The clevis assembly preferably contains four legs as shown in Figs. 1B, 1D and 1G.

However, the clevis assembly ca be made to contain three to eight legs depending on the size of the tent. Larger tents can also be made by using more than one lower leg section for each leg, as shown in Fig. 8B. The upper portion 63 of lower leg section 61 is pivotally connected to an upper leg section 4 by pivot connector 62. The lower portion 64 of lower leg section 61 is pivotally connected to the upper portion 63 by pivot connectors It will be apparent that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Thus, certain arms of the fly adaptor assembly can be longer than others to allow for the fly sheet fabric to create a vestibule effect and, further, the invention can be made of any suitable material normally used in tent frame manufacturing or the invention can be used with tent frames manufactured from any suitable material.

14 Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

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Claims

1. A clevis assembly for use with a collapsible tent frame said clevis assembly comprising an upper clevis member and a lower clevis member, one of said clevis members having a vertical stop pin extending from substantially its centre toward the other of said clevis members, one of said clevis members having an extension on its surface facing the clevis member with said vertical stop pin, said extension is tapered in a conical construction to form a conical pin entry guide, said conical pin entry guide having an outer perimeter edge and said conical construction terminates in a recess, said extension forms a surrounding wall around said recess and said surrounding wall has a total cross-sectional thickness that is greater than a diameter of said vertical stop pin at a position of the juncture between said conical pin entry guide and said recess, said cross-sectional thickness of said surrounding wall converging from said position of said juncture toward said outer perimeter edge of said conical pin entry guide so as to become narrower toward said outer perimeter edge, wherein said conical pin entry guide has a sufficient inclination such that said conical pin entry guide guides a top of said vertical stop pin into said recess and wherein said conical pin entry guide has an interior surface inside said outer perimeter edge that limits the movement of said clevis members 20 toward each other and limits the torque or twist of said clevis members once said vertical stop pin is engaged into said recess.

2. A clevis assembly according to claim 1, wherein said vertical stop pin extends upward from said lower clevis member and said conical construction extends downward from said upper clevis member.

3. A clevis assembly according to claim 2, wherein said upper clevis member has a cylindrical shroud extension extending downward from said conical pin entry guide. -16-

4. A clevis assembly according to claim 1, wherein said vertical stop pin extends downward from said upper clevis member and said conical construction extends upward from said lower clevis member.

A clevis assembly according to claim 4, wherein said lower clevis member has a cylindrical shroud extension extending upward from said conical pin entry guide.

6. A clevis assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a diameter across opposite sides of said outer perimeter edge is at least three times said diameter of said vertical stop pin.

7. A clevis assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a diameter across opposite sides of said outer perimeter edge of said conical pin entry guide is at least half as long as the length of said vertical stop pin. o

8. A clevis assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said outer perimeter edge of said conical pin entry guide has a diameter that is at least four times said diameter of said vertical stop pin.

9. A clevis assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a diameter across said outer perimeter edge of said conical pin entry guide is greater than a length of said extension above said interior surface to said outer perimeter edge. at~ a.

10. A clevis assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said surrounding wall is a substantially cylindrical annular wall and said vertical stop pin has a substantially circular cross-section.

11. A clevis assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein an outer peripheral surface of said surrounding wall gradually tapers in from said outer perimeter edge of said conical pin entry guide to the clevis member surface that faces the other clevis member with said vertical stop pin. -17-

12. A clevis assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said extension extends from the clevis member surface to said outer perimeter edge at a distance less than half as long as the length of said vertical stop pin.

13. A clevis assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said vertical stop pin is sized so as to not extend through the clevis member having said extension so that said vertical stop pin does not protrude therefrom when assembled.

14. A clevis assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said vertical stop pin has a narrow end that is sized to fit into said recess and a wide portion that is sized to abut said interior surface of said conical pin entry guide when engaged to prevent further entry into said recess. S S.

15. A clevis assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein said conical pin entry guide comprises a telescoping conical pin entry guide.

16. A clevis assembly for use with a collapsible tent, comprising: co an upper clevis member and a lower clevis member; said lower clevis member having a vertical stop pin extending upward from substantially its centre toward the upper clevis member; said upper clevis member having an extension on its surface that is substantially shorter in length than said vertical stop pin and that faces said lower clevis member above said vertical stop pin; said extension having a tapered bottom end that forms a conical pin entry guide and said conical pin entry guide terminates in a recess; CP RA/ said extension forms a surrounding wall around said recess and said surrounding wall has a cross-sectional thickness converging from adjacent -18- said recess towards an outer perimeter edge of said conical pin entry guide so as to become narrower toward said outer perimeter edge; wherein said conical pin entry guide has a sufficient inclination and diameter such that, in use, said conical pin entry guide guides a top of said vertical stop pin into said recess when a user inadvertently applies a force off vertical through pressure of the user's hands upward against the lower clevis member, and wherein the conical pin entry guide limits the movement of the clevis members toward each other and limits the torque or twist of the clevis members once the vertical stop pin is engaged into said recess; whereby, in use, when a user erects the collapsible tent by pushing upward on said lower clevis member said vertical stop pin is pushed in a substantially vertical direction away from the user's hand and away from the interior of the tent and ensured reception into said recess by said 15 conical pin entry guide.

17. A clevis assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said upper clevis member further has a substantially centrally located recess on *its upper surface for receiving a fly adaptor assembly.

18. A clevis assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein said upper 20 clevis member further has a substantially centrally located hollow opening for receiving a fly adaptor assembly.

19. A clevis assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein said upper clevis member further has a substantially centrally located vertical pin on its upper surface for engaging a fly adaptor assembly.

20. A collapsible tent frame comprising a plurality of legs and a clevis assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein said legs are pivotally connected to the upper clevis member. -19-

21. A collapsible tent frame according to claim 20, when appended to claim 17, further comprising a fly adaptor assembly, said fly adaptor assembly comprising a clevis member, a plurality of arms pivotally connected substantially centrally to said clevis member and a substantially centrally located vertical pin on the lower surface of said clevis member, said vertical pin engageable in said recess of said upper clevis member for engagement of said fly adaptor assembly with said clevis assembly.

22. A collapsible tent frame according to claim 20 when appended to claim 18, further comprising a fly adaptor assembly, said fly adaptor assembly comprising a clevis member, a plurality of arms pivotally connected substantially centrally to said clevis member and a substantially centrally located vertical pin on the lower surface of said clevis member, said vertical pin engageable in said hollow opening of said upper clevis member for ~engagement of said fly adaptor assembly with said clevis assembly. 15

23. A collapsible tent frame according to claim 20 when appended to claim 19, further comprising a fly adaptor assembly, said fly adaptor assembly comprising a clevis member, a plurality of arms pivotally connected substantially centrally to said clevis member and a substantially centrally located hollow pedestal mount on the lower surface of said clevis member, 20 said hollow pedestal mount engageable on said vertical pin of said upper clevis member for engagement of said fly adaptor assembly with said clevis assembly. a. a. a

24. A collapsible tent frame according to claim 20 when appended to claim 19, further comprising a fly adaptor assembly, said fly adaptor assembly comprising a clevis member, a plurality of arms pivotally connected substantially centrally to said clevis member and a substantially centrally located mount socket on the lower surface of said clevis member, said mount socket engageable on said vertical pin of said upper clevis member for jRAL engagement of said fly adaptor assembly with said clevis assembly.

A collapsible tent frame according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein said arms are automatically aligned with said legs upon engagement of said fly adaptor assembly with said clevis assembly.

26. A collapsible tent frame according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein said arms are manually aligned with said legs upon engagement of said fly adaptor assembly with said clevis assembly.

27. A collapsible tent comprising a collapsible tent frame according to any one of claims 20 to 26 and tent fabric attachable interior to said tent frame.

28. A collapsible tent comprising a collapsible tent frame according to any one of claims 20 to 26 and tent fabric attachable exterior to said tent frame.

S29. A clevis assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 19, further comprising a fly adaptor assembly, said fly adaptor assembly comprising a clevis member, a plurality of arms and a plurality of pivotal connectors connected substantially centrally to said clevis member for pivotally connecting said arms.

30. A clevis assembly according to claim 29, wherein said fly adaptor assembly further comprises a substantially centrally located engaging means on the lower surface of said clevis member for engaging said clevis member.

31. A clevis assembly according to claim 30, excluding the appendancy of claim 29 to claim 19, wherein said engaging means comprises a vertical pin mount.

32. A clevis assembly according to claim 30, excluding the appendancies of claim 29 to claims 17 and 18, wherein said engaging means comprises a hollow pedestal mount.

33. A clevis assembly according to claim 29, excluding the appendancies of RK 4 claim 29 to claims 17 and 18, wherein said engaging means comprises a fly mount socket. -21

34. A clevis assembly according to any one of claims 29 to 33, wherein each pivotal connector has a stop lock to stop rotation of each arm when said fly adapter assembly is in use.

A clevis assembly for use with a collapsible tent frame substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1A and 1 B; Figures 1C and 1D; Figure 1E; Figures 1F and 1G; Figure 2A; Figure 2B; Figures 3A and 3B; Figures 3A and 4A; Figures 3A and 4B; Figure 4C; Figures 5A and 5C; or Figures 6A and 6B of the accompanying drawings.

36. A collapsible tent substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D of the accompanying drawings.

37. A collapsible tent frame substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 8A or Figure 8B of the accompanying drawings. 9 I: Dated this TWENTYTHIRD day of MAY 2000. o DONALD F FREELAND DENNIS C SURRENDI Applicants Wray Associates Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicant