EP1162331A1 - Armature pour tente-parapluie - Google Patents

Armature pour tente-parapluie Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1162331A1
EP1162331A1 EP00304823A EP00304823A EP1162331A1 EP 1162331 A1 EP1162331 A1 EP 1162331A1 EP 00304823 A EP00304823 A EP 00304823A EP 00304823 A EP00304823 A EP 00304823A EP 1162331 A1 EP1162331 A1 EP 1162331A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
knuckle
stretch
fastening means
skeleton
poles
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00304823A
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German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Kent Chang
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP00304823A priority Critical patent/EP1162331A1/fr
Publication of EP1162331A1 publication Critical patent/EP1162331A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H15/00—Tents or canopies, in general
    • E04H15/28—Umbrella type tents

Definitions

  • Conventional umbrella tents may be generally divided into several types, a first type of which is shown in Fig. 8 and has an externally stretched skeleton.
  • This type of conventional umbrella tent skeleton includes a top hub 12' to which multiple brace poles 11' are pivotally connected to radially stretch by a predetermined angle, and a bottom hub 14' to which inner ends of multiple stretch arms 15' are pivotally connected to radially stretch by a predetermined angle and outer ends of the stretch arms 15' are pivotally connected to a predetermined point on the brace poles.
  • a guide rod 13' extends through the top and the bottom hubs 12' and 14' such that the whole skeleton may be stretched like an umbrella skeleton by pulling the guide rod 13' upward.
  • the guide rod 13' helps an operator to apply force correctly to stretch the tent more quickly.
  • the guide rod 13' is, however, located at a top of the tent and exposed to external environment, and is therefore subject to dangerous lightning strike.
  • the guide rod 13' is in the form of a rigid stick that tends to bend or break if a force is improperly applied thereto to stretch the tent.
  • a further disadvantage of this type of umbrella tent skeleton is that the brace poles 11' are not foldable and would occupy a very large space even when the tent has been collapsed.
  • FIG. 9 A second type of conventional umbrella tent is shown in Fig. 9.
  • the skeleton of this type of tent includes a top hub 4 to which multiple brace poles 17 are pivotally connected to radially stretch by a predetermined angle, and a bottom hub 7 to which inner ends of multiple stretch arms 15 are pivotally connected to radially stretch by a predetermined angle and outer ends of the stretch arms 15 are pivotally connected to a union on the brace poles 17.
  • the bottom hub 7 is slidably moved along a guide rod 8 that extends between the top and the bottom hubs 4 and 7.
  • a spring lock 14 is provided on the bottom hub 7 to lock the bottom hub 7 in place on the guide rod 8 when the bottom hub 7 has been moved to a position to fully stretch the tent.
  • the brace pole 17 each has a coupler 9 connected to an outer end for pivotally connecting an extension pole 18 thereto, so that the brace pole 17 has an extended working length.
  • the guide rod 8 helps an operator to apply force correctly to stretch the tent more quickly and is located inside the tent without the risk of dangerous lightning strike.
  • the guide rod 8 is in the form of a rigid stick that tends to bend or break if a force is improperly applied thereto to stretch the tent.
  • the brace poles 17 and the extension poles 18 could be pivotally bent at the couplers 9 by about 180 degrees only. The extension poles 18 could be bent within the limited angle only in one direction, and would very possibly break if it is over bent or bent in a wrong direction.
  • the extension poles 18 could be pivotally bent only within a limited angle and are therefore subject to easy break if a force is improperly applied to bend them.
  • the tent of this type could not be easily stretched particularly when the operator is a child and not high enough to touch the pull rope 21 or bend the extension poles at proper points.
  • a primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved umbrella tent skeleton that mainly includes a top hub to which multiple brace poles are radially and pivotally connected to stretch by a predetermined angle; a bottom hub to which multiple stretch arms are radially and pivotally connected to stretch by a predetermined angle, and outer ends of these stretch arms are separately pivotally connected to a predetermined point on the brace poles; a flexible telescopic portion located between the top and the bottom hubs and consisting of multiple sections in the form of hollow truncated cones; and a pull rope extending through the telescopic portion with an upper end fixed to the top hub and a lower end hanging from the bottom hub to connect to a ring handle. By pulling the pull rope downward, the telescopic portion is folded to easily cause the stretch arms and the brace poles to move into a stretched position to set up the tent.
  • the telescopic portion of the skeleton has the function of a guide rod to guide an operator to apply force correctly in stretching the tent. Moreover, the telescopic portion forms a flexible long member that can be conveniently operated and would not be easily bent or broken due to improperly applied force to it. The telescopic portion is therefore very suitable for a large-scaled tent.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an umbrella tent skeleton that includes a coupling structure for pivotally connecting an extension pole to each of the brace pole, so that an umbrella tent having an enlarged covering area may be pitched.
  • the coupling structure for this purpose includes first and second mirror-symmetric knuckle ends, each of which includes a sleeve portion for receiving an end of one of two long members, such as a brace and an extension pole, or two sections of an extension pole, to be connected together, and a wheel portion associated with a top front of the sleeve portion and located at one side of the top front.
  • Each of the wheel portions is provided along a center line of an exposed circumferential surface with a collar, and each of the sleeve portions is provided at the other side of the top front with a groove that has dimensions for fitly receiving the collar on the other wheel portion.
  • Each of the wheel portions is provided at a predetermined position with an axially extended eccentric hole into which a rivet may be extended to eccentrically connect the first and the second knuckle ends together.
  • Each of the wheel portions is also provided at a predetermined position with a stepped through hole which has a large-diameter end located at an inner side face of the wheel portion and a small-diameter end at an outer side face of the wheel portion.
  • First and second fastening means both having an enlarged head are separately positioned in the stepped holes of the first and the second knuckle ends with the enlarged head seated in the large-diameter end of each stepped hole and a small length of a rod of each the fastening means projected from the small-diameter end.
  • the large-diameter end of the stepped hole on the first knuckle end is provided around an inner surface close to an outer end thereof with a circle of slightly radially inward projected rib.
  • the second fastening means in the stepped hole of the second knuckle end may be pushed inward to move its enlarged head through the radially projected rib around the stepped hole of the first knuckle end, causing the enlarged head of the second fastening means to be retained in the large-diameter end of the stepped hole on the first knuckle end and thereby locking the first and the second knuckle ends in place, and when the first fastening means is pushed inward to move the enlarged head of the second fastening means back into the large-diameter end of the stepped hole on the second knuckle end, the first and the second knuckle ends are allowed to angularly bend relative to each other.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic and fragmentary perspective of a skeleton for an umbrella tent according to the present invention.
  • the skeleton mainly includes a top hub 100, a bottom hub 106, a telescopic portion consisting of multiple sections 112, 113, 114, 115 and 116 located between the top and the bottom hubs, multiple stretch arms 105 (four are shown in the illustrated drawings) , and multiple brace poles A and extension poles B corresponding to the stretch arms in number.
  • the top hub 100 is provided at a center with a threaded through hole 101 into which a fastening means, such as a screw 101a is tightened.
  • a pull rope 107 having a ring handle 108 connected to a lower end thereof and extending through the telescopic portion is connected at an upper end to the screw 101a.
  • Four radially projected lugs 102 are equally spaced around an outer periphery of the top hub 100, to each of the four lugs 102 a joint 103 is pivotally connected by engaging the lug 102 into a mating notch 103a on the joint 103.
  • the joint 103 each is connected at an outer end opposite to the mating notch 103a to an inner end of one brace pole A, so that the brace pole A is pivotally movable relative to the top hub 100.
  • the bottom hub 106 has four radially projected brackets 106a equally spaced around an outer periphery of the bottom hub 106 corresponding to the four lugs 102 on the top hub 100.
  • Each of the brace poles A is provided at a predetermined point with a union 104 that has a radially inward faced pivotal joint 104a.
  • Each of the stretch arms 105 is pivotally connected at an inner end to one of the brackets 106a and at an outer end to the pivotal joint 104a on a corresponding brace pole A.
  • the sections 112 thru 116 constituting the telescopic portion are in the form of hollow truncated cones.
  • Each of the hollow truncated cones is provided with means, such as a radially outward projected flange around a lower outer periphery and a radially inward projected flange around an upper inner periphery (not shown) , so that any one smaller truncated cone would not undesirably slide out of one adjacent larger truncated cone from a top of the latter to therefore allow the telescopic portion to be freely stretched or collapsed.
  • a flexible long member is provided.
  • FIGs. 4 and 5 are exploded and assembled perspective views, respectively, of an extension pole coupling structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention for pivotally connecting the extension poles B to the brace poles A.
  • the coupling structure mainly includes two mirror-symmetric knuckle ends A10 and A10', each of which further includes a sleeve portion A11, A11' for receiving an end of an element, that is, a brace pole or an extension pole, to be joined through the coupling structure, and a wheel portion A12, A12' associated with a top front of the sleeve portion A11, A11' to locate at one side of the top front.
  • the wheel portions A12, A12' are provided along a center line of their exposed circumferential surfaces with a collar A13, A13' each.
  • the other side of the top fronts of the sleeve portions A11, A11' provide two thrust walls A14, A14' on which two grooves A141, A141' are formed for fitly receiving the collars A13' andA13, respectively.
  • the wheel portions A12, A12' are correspondingly provided at predetermined positions with a stepped hole A121, A121' each. Please refer to Fig. 6 that is a fragmentary sectional view of the wheel portions A12, A12' of the knuckle ends A10, A10' in the assembled position.
  • the stepped holes A121, A121' axially extend through the wheel portions A12, A12', respectively, with a large-diameter end located at an inner side face of the wheel portions A12, A12' and a small-diameter end at an outer side face thereof.
  • One of the stepped holes A121, A121' for example, the hole A121 as shown in Fig. 6, is provided around an inner periphery of an outer end of the large-diameter end with a circle of slightly radially inward projected rib A121".
  • the wheel portions A12, A12' are also provided at predetermined positions with axially extended eccentric holes A122, A122' into which a rivet A15 may be extended to eccentrically join the two knuckle ends A10, A10' together.
  • Two fastening means A16, A17 having diametrically enlarged head A161, A171 are respectively extended through the stepped holes A121, A121' with the enlarged head A161, A171 set in and retained to the large-diameter ends and a small length of a rod portion of the fastening means A16, A17 projected from the small-diameter ends. With the enlarged heads A161, A171, the fastening means A16, A17 would not separate from the small-diameter end of the stepped holes A121, A121'.
  • the two wheel portions A12, A12', and accordingly the two knuckle ends A10, A10' are locked to a position not movable relative to each other.
  • To unlock the two knuckle ends A10, A10' simply push the rod of the other fastening means A16 projected from the small-diameter end of the stepped hole A121, such that the enlarged head A161 of the fastening means A16 is moved inward to push against the enlarged head A171 of the fastening means A17 and force the latter to pass the rib A121" again and move out of the large-diameter end of the stepped hole A121.
  • the wheel portions A12 and A12' are no longer locked together by the fastening means A17 and the knuckle ends A10, A10' are allowed to angularly bend relative to each other.
  • a cap C may be mounted to an outer end of each extension pole B that frequently frictionally contacts with the ground.
  • the telescopic portion included in the umbrella tent skeleton of the present invention is in the form of a flexible long member when the skeleton is in a folded state.
  • Such a flexible telescopic portion has the function of guiding an operator to apply force in a correct direction to stretch the whole skeleton and is not subject to easy break when stretching the skeleton.
  • FIG. 3 shows a fully stretched skeleton of an umbrella tent according to the present invention.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Tents Or Canopies (AREA)
EP00304823A 2000-06-07 2000-06-07 Armature pour tente-parapluie Withdrawn EP1162331A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP00304823A EP1162331A1 (fr) 2000-06-07 2000-06-07 Armature pour tente-parapluie

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP00304823A EP1162331A1 (fr) 2000-06-07 2000-06-07 Armature pour tente-parapluie

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1162331A1 true EP1162331A1 (fr) 2001-12-12

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00304823A Withdrawn EP1162331A1 (fr) 2000-06-07 2000-06-07 Armature pour tente-parapluie

Country Status (1)

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EP (1) EP1162331A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6581617B2 (en) * 2000-12-07 2003-06-24 Ham Se-Ii Canopy tent with automatic umbrella-type collapsible frame
EP1500758A1 (fr) * 2003-07-22 2005-01-26 Hagor Sports GmbH Mécanisme d'extension pour une tente-parapluie

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB450887A (en) * 1935-02-08 1936-07-27 Charles Henry Stevens An improved collapsible or foldable tent
US4195651A (en) * 1978-10-10 1980-04-01 American Ecosystems, Inc. Ground engaging foot member
FR2504368A1 (fr) * 1981-04-23 1982-10-29 Collet Jean Parasol sans mat central se depliant a partir d'un support radial
GB2201703A (en) * 1987-02-26 1988-09-07 Gordon Franklin Fowler Foldable igloo tent

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB450887A (en) * 1935-02-08 1936-07-27 Charles Henry Stevens An improved collapsible or foldable tent
US4195651A (en) * 1978-10-10 1980-04-01 American Ecosystems, Inc. Ground engaging foot member
FR2504368A1 (fr) * 1981-04-23 1982-10-29 Collet Jean Parasol sans mat central se depliant a partir d'un support radial
GB2201703A (en) * 1987-02-26 1988-09-07 Gordon Franklin Fowler Foldable igloo tent

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6581617B2 (en) * 2000-12-07 2003-06-24 Ham Se-Ii Canopy tent with automatic umbrella-type collapsible frame
AU2002223147B2 (en) * 2000-12-07 2007-02-15 Northpole Limited Canopy tent with automatic umbrella-type collapsible frame
EP1500758A1 (fr) * 2003-07-22 2005-01-26 Hagor Sports GmbH Mécanisme d'extension pour une tente-parapluie

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