GB2412925A

GB2412925A - Collapsible tent support framework

Info

Publication number: GB2412925A
Application number: GB0407826A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lien-Chuan Yang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-04-06
Filing date: 2004-04-06
Publication date: 2005-10-12
Anticipated expiration: 2024-04-06
Also published as: GB0407826D0; GB2412925B

Abstract

A pre-connected foldable tent support framework has a plurality of jointed, folding legs (50, fig 4) meeting at a central hub 10, 20 and braced against the hub by a plurality of support arms 40. The central hub comprises upper 10 and lower 20 connection parts each provided with means to engage the other, when connected the tent is supported. The engagement means on the lower part 20 preferably comprise sprung protrusions 221 on a upwardly projecting tube 22 which cooperates with holes 131 in a tube (13, fig 3) depending from the upper part 10. The supporting arms 40 are preferably pivoted against the lower part 20, the legs (50) with the upper part 10. A rope 23 with handle 231 may extend from the lower part 20 and through the upper part tube (13) to aid erection. The legs (50) are preferably linked with elastic cord 55. A hook 513 provided at the upper end of the legs (50) may engage with elastic ring 60 for securing the legs when erect (fig 1) and collapsed (fig 7). The framework is provided between tent inner and outer.

Description

24 1 2925 Title: TENTT SUPPORT FRAMEWORK FTE.<LD OF TI-IE INNiENT]ON The

present invenl.ion relates to a tent support il-amex'orl zenith the ability lor quicl; assembling en cl folding, and part.icular]y to a tent support framework comprising a set of an upper and a lower co\/crs. The upper and lower covers can be joined together or talon Ada IN elastic lPorc;e to l() move the pluralii:)' oi sets of supporting arm of the framework to;:roceecl in quick asserrbling and folding. The present invention is applicable to use for various tents.

BACKGROUNI) OF TN INVENTION The tent was invented and used for a long time. It has the characteristic of easy assembly and suits for grazing, marching and camping, etc. The tent makes nomadic life easier, military behavior more mobile, and mountaineering more convenient. The demand for tents is increasing because the leisure activity becomes more and more important nowadays.

No matter which of grazing, marching, and camping, the tents for use in various situations must be supported up by strong tent supporting framework. In order to provide a strong framework with the ability for easy assembling and folding, the conventional structure of tent generally uses a plurality of metal supporting rods as the tent support framework and takes a plurality of fixing elements for combination.

However, for the tent support framework in conventional structure, all component elements must be kept well. If some supporting rods or even one or two fixing elements are lost, the whole function of the tent supporting frameworks would be awfully affected. Moreover, it would spend much time to combine the component parts of tile tent support framework into a tent in the conventional structure, so the conventional structure of tent support framework is very inconvenient.

In view of tle above flows, the present invention provides a tent ] support frame according to the inventor's years experience and development.

SUl\.lMARY OF THE lNVENTlON The primary object of the present invention is to provide a tent support framework of which upper cover and lower cover can be joined together or taken apart by elastic force and to move the plural sets of supporting arm of the framework for proceeding in quick assembling and 0 folding is applicable to use for various tents.

In order to achieve the object, a tent support framework installed between the inner tent and the outer tent with the ability for quick assembling and folding includes: a set of upper and lower covers which l 5 can be joined together or taken apart, a plurality of movable arms, and a plurality of sets of supporting arm. The upper cover provided with holding parts, the lower cover with elastic holding elements, the upper and the lower covers being able to mutual join together or separated by the holding parts and the elastic holding elements. One end of each the movable arm being pivotally joined with the lower cover, the other end being free. Each of the plurality of sets of supporting arm being pivotally joined with the upper cover and the free end, respectively, whereby the inner tent and the outer tent being able to be supported up by joining the elastic holding element of the lower cover with the holding part of the upper cover; the upper cover and the lower cover being able to be separated by taking the elastic holding element and the holding part apart, and thus both the plurality of sets of supporting arm and the plurality of movable arms being able to be folded, so the preset invention being able to be quickly assembled and folded.

There is a preferred embodiment stated below for allowing the present invention to be understood clearly and deeply.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

3s Fig.l is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig.la is an enlarged view of part a in Fig.1.

Fig.2 is a schematic view of the combination of the upper and lower covers, the movable arm, and the supporting arm set in the present invention embodiment.

Fig.3 is a perspective view of the upper cover in the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig.4 is a schematic view of the combination of the set of supporting any 0 in the embodiment of the present of the present invention.

Fig.5 is a schematic view of the upper and the lower covers joined together in the embodiment of present invention.

Fig.6 is a schematic view of the upper and the lower covers separated in the embodiment of present invention.

Fig.7 is a schematic view of the whole framework folded in the embodiment of present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 is the perspective view of the embodiment of the tent support framework with the ability for quick assembling and folding according to the present invention. The tent support framework is installed between the inner tent and the outer tent. The inner tent is attached beneath the tent support framework. The outer tent is laid on the tent support framework after the tent support framework was opened. Referring to Figs. 2-4, the present invention includes: a set of upper and lower covers 10, 20 which can be mutually joined together or taken apart, a plurality of movable anus 40 and a plurality of sets of supporting arson 50.

The upper cover 10 has a through hole 11 at its upper part, a plurality of first connecting parts 12 at its outside and a first hollow tube 13 at its inside; and there are a plurality of through holes 131 on the wall of the first hollow tube 13. The lower cover 20 has a plurality of second connecting parts 21 at its outside and a second hollow tube 22 upward at its inside; and the second hollow tube 22 extends upwards into the first hollow tube 13. On the wall of the second hollow tube 22, there are elastic holding elements 221 corresponding to the plurality of through holes] 31.

In the second hollow tube 22 there is an elastic body 30 contacted against the elastic holding elements 221, so that the elastic holding elements 221 can go into the holes 131. There is a rope 23 installed above the second hollow tube 22. The rope 23 passes upward through the first through hole 11. On the end of the rope 23 there is an upper grasping part 0 231 and there is a lower grasping part 24 connected beneath the second hollow tube 22. One end of each movable arm 40 joins with one connecting part 21 of the lower cover 20, and the other end of each movable arm 40 is free.

Each supporting arm set 50 consists of a first supporting arm 51, a joint 52, a second supporting arm 53, a third supporting arm 54, and a elastic element SS. On the first supporting arm S1 there is a movable element 511 used to join movably with the free end of the movable arm 40. There is an elastic plate 512 installed on the end, near the upper cover 10, of the first supporting arm S1. The first supporting arm 51 can be joined to the first connecting part 12 of the upper cover 10 by the elastic plate 512.

The other end of the first supporting arson S1 joins with one end of the joint 52. There is a holding element 531 installed on each second supporting arm 53. One end 532 of the second supporting arm 53 joins with the other end of the joint 52. The other end 533 of the second supporting arm 53 joins with one end of the third supporting arm 54. The other end of the third supporting arm 54 is connected to the ground. The elastic element 55 passes through and connects with the first, the second and the third supporting arms S 1, 53, 54, and the joint 52.

There is a hooked part 513 installed near the end close to the elastic plate 512 and of each first supporting arm 51. When the tent support framework in supporting situation, the second hollow tube 22 of the lower cover 20 goes into the first hollow tube] 3 of the upper cover 10, the elastic body 30 contacts against the elastic holding element 221, the elastic holding element 221 is forced to go into the through hole l 31, and the elastic ring 60 joins with the hooked part 513. At this very moment, one end of the first supporting arm 51 and the movable arm 40 join movably with the first and the second connecting parts 12, 22 of the upper and the lower covers 10, 20, respectively. The free end of the movable and 40 joins to the movable element 511. The first supporting arm' the joint, and the second and the third supporting arms 5], 52, 53, 54 join each other orderly. Because the plurality of supporting arm sets 50 can share the burden and support each other, the tent support framework posses supporting force enough to open the tent, as shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to Figs.4-6, when the tent support framework in folding situation, the third supporting arm 54 is upwards bent in an inverse direction and is hold by the holding element 531 of the second supporting arm 53. The second supporting arm 53 is then bent toward the joint 52.

One end ofthe first supporting arm 51 and the movable arm 40 still join movably with the connecting parts 12, 21 of the upper and the lower covers 10, 20, respectively. The lower grasping part 24 is then pulled downwards to remove the elastic holding element 221 form the through hole 13 1 and take the upper cover 10 and the lower cover 20 apart. At this very moment, the free end joined with the movable element 511 slides due to the movement of the movable element 511, so that the whole supporting arm set 50 can be affected and folded by the elastic element 55.

The elastic ring 60 can bind the first supporting arm 51 to keep the supporting arm set 50 in folded situation. As stated above, the tent support framework can be assembled and folded quickly and conveniently, as shown in Fig.7.

Therefore, the present invention has the following advantages: 1. The assembling of the tent support framework according to the present invention is achieved by joining and the holding among the elastic body, the elastic holding element and the through holes; and folding is achieved by loosening the elements. The structure and the principle of the present invention are easy and simple, so that it can be assembled and folded quickly and efficiently.

2. The elastic ring of the present invention can provide a binding force for folding the tent easily.

3. The elastic element of the present invention can pass through and connect with the supporting arm sets, so the supporting arm sets can be conveniently folded and held, and stored in a smaller storing space.

4. All the component elements of the present invention are connected with each other, so there is no need for additional fixing element, and the whole the framework can be easily stored.

To sum up, the present invention indeed can achieve its expected 0 object to provide a tent support framework that its upper and lower covers can be mutually joined together and taken apart by the elastic force and the whole framework can then be moved, so it can be quickly assembled and folded. The present invention is applicable to use for various tents and has the utilization value in industry.

Claims

CLAlhIS 1. A tent support franeworl with the ability for quicl: assembling

and folding, being installed between the inner tent and the outer tent, including: a set of upper and lower covers, the upper cover provided with holding parts, the lower cover with elastic holding elements, the upper and the lower covers being able to mutually join together or be separated by the holding parts and the elastic holding elcmets; lo a plurality of movable arms, cone end of each the movable arson being pivotally joined with the lower cover, the other end being free; and a plurality of sets of supporting arm, each the set being pivotally joined with the upper cover and the free end, respectively; whereby the isomer tent and the outer tent being able to be supported up by joining the elastic holding element of the lower cover with the holding part of the upper cover, the upper cover and the lower cover being able to be separated by taking the elastic holding element and the holding part apart, and both the plurality of sets of supporting artn and the plurality of movable arms being able to be folded, so the preset invention being able to be quickly assembled and folded.
2. The tent support framework with the ability for quick assembling and folding as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper cover has a through hole at its upper part, a plurality of connecting parts at its outside, and a first hollow tube at its inside, the holding connecting parts being arranged on the wall of the hollow tube, the lower cover has a plurality of connecting parts at its outside, a second hollow tube is upward protruding at its inside, the elastic holding element is installed on the second hollow tube, and there is an elastic body contacted against the elastic holding element in the second hollow tube.
3. The tent support framework with the ability for quick assembling and folding as claimed in claim 1, wherein a rope is installed above the lower cover; the rope passes upward through the through hole of the upper cover; the end of the rope has a upper grasping part, and a lower grasping part is installed below the lower cover.
4. The tent support framework with the ability for quick assembling and folding as claimed in claim 1, wherein each the supporting arm set consists of at least two pieces of supporting arms, which can be folded.
5. The tent support framework with the ability for quick assembling and folding as claimed in claim 4, wherein each the supporting arm set consists of a first supporting arm, a joint, a second supporting arm, a third supporting arm and an elastic element, one end of the first supporting arm pivotally joins with the connecting part of the upper cover; the end is also provided with an elastic plate, the first supporting arm can be joined with the connecting part by the elastic plate, there is a movable element provided on the first supporting arm, the other end of the first supporting arm joins with one end of the joint, the other end of the second supporting arm joins with one end of the third supporting arm; the other and of the third supporting arm is for standing on the ground, the elastic element passes through to connect the first, the second and the third supporting arms and the joint.
6. The tent support framework with the ability for quick assembling and folding as claimed in claim l, wherein each the second supporting arm is further provided with a holding element.
7. A tent support framework substantially as described herein with reference to as illustrated by the drawings.

7. The tent support frame work with the ability for quick assembling and folding as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is a hooked part installed near the end of each the first supporting arm, the end is near the elastic plate.

8. The tent support framework with the ability for quick assembling and folding as claimed in claim l, wherein there is further an elastic ring, the elastic ring can hook up the hooked part when the tent support framework in supporting situation, and the elastic ring can bind the first supporting arm when the tent support framework in folding situation.

9. The tent support framework with the ability for quick assembling and folding as stated herein with reference to as illustrated by the accompanying c.rawlngs. q

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

1. A tent support framework comprising a plurality of foldable legs, a plurality of bracing struts and a central hub having central connection parts at each end, wherein one end of each leg is pivotally connected to one of the central connection parts and one end of each bracing strut is pivotally connected to the other central connection part, the other end of each bracing strut being pivotally connected to a respective leg intermediate the ends thereof, wherein the said one central connection part has a collar adapted to receive a spigot on the other central lo connection part, the collar being provided with at least one depression and the spigot being provided with at least one spring-loaded detent, the spigot being receivable in the collar and the detent(s) on the spigot being engageable in the depression(s) in the collar to hold the central connection parts together and wherein each foldable leg consists of a first supporting arm, a joint, a second supporting arm, a third supporting arm and an elastic element, one end of the first supporting arm being pivotally connected to the said one connecting part of the central hub by a resilient plate and the other end of the first supporting arm being connected to one end of the joint, one end of the second supporting arm being connected to one end of the third supporting arm, the other end of the third supporting arm being designed to stand on the ground, the elastic element serving to connect the first, the second and the third supporting arms and the joint.

2. A tent support framework according to claim 1, wherein a rope extends through both of the central connection parts, the rope being provided with grasping means at each end.

3. A tent support framework according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each first supporting and is provided with a movable element and wherein the other end of each bracing strut is pivotally connected to the movable element on the respective first supporting any.

4. A tent support fiamework according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each second supporting arm is further provided with a holding element.

S. A tent support framework according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a hooked part is provided near the said one end of each first lo supporting any.

6. A tent support framework according to claim 5, wherein an elastic ring is provided which can hook up the hooked parts when the tent support framework is erected and which can bind the first supporting anus when the tent support framework is folded.