GB2365884A

GB2365884A - A peg system for securing a tent or awning

Info

Publication number: GB2365884A
Application number: GB0019642A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham John Cherritt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-08-10
Filing date: 2000-08-10
Publication date: 2002-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 2020-08-10
Also published as: GB0019642D0; GB2365884B

Abstract

A peg system includes a number of strip sections (30) arranged end to end, preferably each section has male formation (11, Figure 1) at a first end and a female formation (13, Figure 1) at a second end so that the sections may interlock, a number of pegs (40) which, in use, pass through apertures (32) in the section, where each peg has a means, such as a hook (46), to receive a shock ring or tent tie. The sections may be in the form of L shaped corner pieces (Figure 4), and may include a recess (33) to receive the head (44) of the peg, when it is driven fully into the ground. Preferably the pegs are of cruciform cross section and the apertures are correspondingly shaped.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> Peg system for tents, awnincgs etc.

The present invention relates to a peg system for using in securing tents, awnings or similar structures. Difficulties are often encountered, when erecting tents or caravan awnings or similar structures, in correctly siting the framework and pegs to hold the structure in its correct orientation: it is typically difficult to avoid the sides of the structure curing or to avoid a layout which is rhomboidal, as opposed to being accurately rectangular. Another problem is that the pegs are liable to become loosened in the ground, owing to the tent covering or awning being beaten by the wind: the effect is that the peg is wobbled to and fro and, over time, becomes loose enough to rise out of the ground.

I have now devised a peg system which overcomes the above problems.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a peg system for use in securing tents, awnings or similar structures, the peg system comprising a number of strip sections arranged to be joined end-to-end to form a required layout, and a number of pegs arranged to be passed through apertures formed in said strip sections and driven into the ground, to secure the strip sections in position, each peg having means for the attachment of shock rings or tie lines of the tents, awning or other structure.

In use of this system, it is an east matter to join the strip sections together and lay them on the ground to form the required layout accurately, before erecting the tent or awning and attempting to peg down the shock rings or tie lines. The pegs themselves are restricted in their side-to-side movements, because of their location through apertures in the strip sections, and are therefore substantially less prone to becoming loosened in the ground.

Preferably the ends of the strip sections are provided

with complementary formations enabling them to be fitted end- to-end in interlocking manner. For example, each strip section may be provided with a male formation at one end and a complementary female formation at the opposite end.

Preferably the peg system further comprises a number of corner pieces, for joining two strip sections at right angles to each other. Each corner piece may have male and female formations, directed at right angles to each other. The corner piece may be generally L-shaped, with the male and female formations at the ends of its respective limbs.

Preferably each strip section is formed with apertures, to receive pegs, at intervals spaced-apart along its length. Preferably, at each of these locations, the top of the strip section is formed with a recess to receive the head of the peg, when this is driven fully into the ground. Preferably the aperture is formed in a planar portion of the strip section, adjacent its underside.

Preferably the apertures in each strip section correspond in shape to the cross-sectional shape of the stem of each peg. Advantageously, the peg stem is cruciform-shape in section.

Preferably the peg head fits into the corresponding recess in the top of each strip section. Preferably the peg head is formed with opposite side edges which locate against opposite side edges of the recess, to restrict the peg against side-to-side movement. Preferably the peg head has a flat underside surface, for seating on the bottom surface of the recess.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of the adjacent ends of two strip sections of a peg system in accordance with the

present invention, the two strip sections being shown prior to being interlocked together end-to-end; FIGURE 2 is a similar view of the two strip sections, in the course of being interlocked together; FIGURE 3 is an isometric view showing a portion of a strip section, together with pegs for securing it to the ground; and FIGURE 4 is an isometric view of a corner piece for joining two strip sections at right angles to each other. Referring to the drawings, a peg system in accordance with the present invention comprises a number of strip sections which are joined together to form a required outline, and a number of pegs which are passed through apertures in the strip sections and driven into the ground, to secure the strip sections in position. The tops of the pegs are hooked or otherwise formed to receive the usual shock rings or ties of the tent or awning.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the strip sections e.g. 10,12 are formed with complementary, interlocking end formations, each strip section having a male formation at one end and a female formation at its opposite end. In the example shown, the strip sections have a flat underside surface and a domed upper surface. The male formation comprises a T-shaped projection 11, the crosspiece 11b of the "T" being of reduced thickness: the female formation comprises a rectangular notch 13, to receive the upright portion 11a of the "T" of the male formation, and an undercut recess 13a to receive the crosspiece 11b of the "T" of the male formation. The sides of the notch 13 of the female formation are formed, adjacent the underside of the strip section, with ribs 13b to engage the recessed underside 11c of the upright portion 11a of the "T" of the male formation. By appropriately orienting two strip sections 10,12 relative to each other, as shown in Figure 2,

the two strip sections can be interlocked together end-to-end. Referring to Figure 4, a corner piece 20 may be used to join two strip sections together at right angles to each other. Thus, the corner piece 20 is L-shaped in plan view and has the same cross-section, in each of its limbs, as the strip sections e.g. 10,12 to be joined together. Further, at the end of one of its limbs, the corner piece 20 is formed with a male formation 21, whilst at the end of its other limb, the corner piece 20 is formed with a female formation 23: these male and female formations 21,23 of the corner piece correspond with the male and female formations (e.g. 11,13) provided at the opposite ends of each strip section.

Referring to Figure 3, each strip section e.g. 30 is formed, at intervals spaced apart along its length, with apertures 32 to receive pegs e.g. 40. The apertures 32 are formed through respective flat or planar portions 33 of the strip section, the flat portions 33 being adjacent the underside surface of the strip section and being formed by the top surface of the strip section being recessed, as at 34.

Each peg e.g. 40 has a stem 42 which is of cruciform- shaped cross-section and tapers towards its bottom end. The apertures 32 through the strip section are correspondingly cruciform-shaped in cross-section and of a size corresponding to the upper end of the stem 42 of the peg 40. The peg 40 further comprises a head 44 arranged to fit into the recess 34 of the strip section, when the peg is driven fully into the ground through the respective aperture 32. Thus, the head 44 of the peg has a flat underside to seat on the top surface of the corresponding planar portion 33 of the strip section, and parallel side edges to abut the respective side edges of the corresponding recess 34 of the strip section. From one outer edge of the centre, the top surface of the head 44 has a domed contour to match the top surface of the strip section: towards

the opposite outer edge, the head 44 is formed as a projecting hook 46. The opposite side edges of the head 44 are formed, at their centres, with respective recesses 47, to allow the user to insert his fingers in order to remove the peg from the ground.

In use, a number of the above-described strip sections and corner pieces are laid on the ground and joined together end-to-end, to form the required outline, appropriate for a tent, awning or similar structure to be erected. The interlocked assembly thus laid out on the ground is then secured in position by driving the above-described pegs through respective apertures of the strip sections and into the ground. This assembly may be formed and pegged in position before either the tent or awning framework is assembled, or before the canvas covering is applied, and makes it easier to achieve a correct layout. The pegs are already in position when the time comes to couple the shock rings of the tent covering or awning to them.

In the system which has been described, the strip sections, corner pieces and pegs may be formed of plastics material.

Claims

Claims 1) A peg system for use in securing tents, awnings or similar structures, the peg system comprising a number of strip sections arranged to be joined end-to-end to form a required layout, and a number of pegs arranged to be passed through apertures formed in said strip sections and driven into the ground, to secure the strip sections in position, each peg having means for the attachment of shock rings or tie lines of the tent, awning or other structure. 2) A peg system as claimed in claim 1, in which the ends of said strip sections are provided with complementary formations enabling said sections to be fitted end-to-end in interlocking manner. 3) A peg system as claimed in claim 2, in which each strip section is provided with a male formation at one end thereof and with a complementary female formation at its opposite end.

4) A peg system as claimed in any preceding claims, further comprising a number of corner pieces for joining two strip sections at right angles to each other. 5) A peg system as claimed in claim 4, in which each said corner piece is provided with male and female formations directed at right angles to each other. 6) A peg system as claimed in claim 5, in which each said corner piece is generally L-shaped, with its said male and female formations at the ends of its respective limbs. 7) A peg system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each said strip section is formed with said apertures, to receive said pegs, at intervals spaced-apart along its

<Desc/Clms Page number 7>

length. 8) A peg system as claimed in claim 7, in which the top of each said strip section is formed, at the location of each of its said apertures, with a recess to receive the head of a said peg when driven fully into the ground. 9) A peg system as claimed in claim 8, in which the head of each said peg is formed with opposite side edges for locating against opposite side edges of said recess into which it is received. 10) A peg system as claimed in claim 8 or 9, in which the head of each said peg has a flat underside surface. 11) A peg system as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, in which each said aperture is formed in a planar portion of the respective strip section, adjacent its underside. 12) A peg system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each said aperture corresponds in shape to the cross- sectional shape of the stem of each said peg. 13) A peg system as claimed in claim 12, in which the stem of each said peg is cruciform-shape in section. 14) A peg system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.