US20040261828A1

US20040261828A1 - Foldable tent frame

Info

Publication number: US20040261828A1
Application number: US10/837,462
Authority: US
Inventors: Jeong Jang
Original assignee: NORSTAR KOREA Co Ltd
Current assignee: NORSTAR KOREA Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-04-30
Filing date: 2004-04-30
Publication date: 2004-12-30
Also published as: KR200321298Y1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a foldable tent frame in which a connection frame connected to a column is minimized, and a fabrication is simple and easy, and a fabrication cost is largely decreased, and an economical fabrication is achieved, and a cut-away groove is formed in an engaging part of one side of the top connection part. A rotation protrusion of a rotation part is engaged to the cut-away groove for thereby achieving an easier installation of the rotation part. The rotation protrusion of the rotation part is rotated along the surface of the cut-away groove based on a stable and free rotation, so that it is possible to achieve an easier folding operation of the tent.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a foldable tent frame, and in particular to an improved foldable tent frame in which a connection frame connected to a column is minimized, and a fabrication is very simple, and a fabrication cost is significantly decreased, and it is very economical, and a folding operation of tent is easily achieved in such a manner that a frame engaged to a top connection part is designed to rotate.

2. Description of the Background Art

A conventional tent frame includes a column supporting a tent, a connection frame connected to each column, and an upper cover that covers an upper side of the connection frame for thereby preventing sunlight.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tent frame according to the present invention includes four

columns

1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d each having a support 2 at a lower end of the same wherein the columns are height-adjustable.

A top connection part 3 is inserted and engaged to the upper ends of the columns 1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d. A slide connection part 4 is connected to a lower side of the top connection part 10 wherein the slide connection part 4 is slid up and down along the columns 1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d.

In addition, the top connection part 3 and the slide connection part 4 are foldable-connected using a plurality of connection frames 2 a and 2 b, so that four columns 1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d are connected with each other for thereby forming a single set structure.

At this time, a plurality of the

connection frames

5 a and 5 b are foldable-connected based on a hinge 6 like scissors. An upper joint connection part 7 connecting the connection frame 5 a engaged to the slide connection part 4 slidable-connected to the columns 1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d, and a lower joint connection part 8 connecting the connection frame 5 b engaged to the top connection part 3 fixedly connected to the upper ends of the columns 1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d are connected thereto, respectively.

The upper joint connection part 7 is connected with the top column connection part 9 a engaged with the top column 9, and the lower joint connection part 8 is connected with the top column 9 for thereby being slidably operated. It is connected by a top support part 9 b supporting the top column 9 and the connection frame 5 d.

The

connection frame

5 c connecting the upper joint connection part 7 and the connection frame 5 d connecting the lower joint connection part 8 and the top support part 9 b are connected by a hinge 6 like scissors.

When folding the same, four

columns

1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d get closer each other, and the top column 3 moves down for thereby minimizing the size, and when unfolding the same, four columns 1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d are unfolded, and the top column 3 moves up, and the tent is stably supported.

As shown in FIG. 2, the top connection part 3 has an engaging groove 3 a at its center and forms an engaging part 3 c having an engaging hole 3 b at both inner sides of the engaging groove 3 a.

The connection frame is inserted into the engaging groove 3 a of the engaging part 3 c and is fixed using a screw.

However, in the conventional arty, the connection frames are complicated and connected with respect to the top column, so that it takes a long time to assemble the tent frame, resulting in a large amount of cost. In addition, since the connection frame is connected to the top connection part using screws, the frame does not rotate well during the folding operation, and the folding work is very inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a foldable tent frame capable of overcoming the problems encountered in the conventional art.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a foldable tent frame in which a connection frame connected to a column is minimized, and a fabrication is simple and easy, and a fabrication cost is largely decreased, and an economical fabrication is achieved, and a cut-away groove is formed in an engaging part of one side of the top connection part. A rotation protrusion of a rotation part is engaged to the cut-away groove for thereby achieving an easier installation of the rotation part. The rotation protrusion of the rotation part is rotated along the surface of the cut-away groove based on a stable and free rotation, so that it is possible to achieve an easier folding operation of the tent.

To achieve the above objects, in an assembling type tent frame, there is provided a foldable tent frame, comprising a slide connection part engaged to a top connection part engaged to the upper ends of four columns slidably at its lower side; lateral upper and lower connection parts engaged in such a manner that a lateral connection frame engaged in a shape of scissors is folded with respect to the top connection part and the slide connection part; an upper connection part in which a main connection frame is engaged, and an end portion of the same is engaged thereto in such a manner that the slide connection part and the lateral lower connection part are symmetrical from each other; a support frame fixedly installed to support the main connection frame based on the top connection part and the lateral upper connection part; a connection frame installed at one surface of the support frame; and an assistant frame of which one end is engaged to the connection frame, and the other end is engaged to a lower connection part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings which are given only by way of illustration and thus are not limitative of the present invention, wherein; [0018]
FIGS. 1 and 2 are example views of the construction of a conventional art; [0019]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the whole construction of the present invention; [0020]
FIGS. 4A and 4B are lateral views of the construction of the present invention; [0021]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a top connection part according to the present invention; [0022]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating another construction of a top connection part according to the present invention; [0023]
FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross sectional views of a top connection part according to the present invention; [0024]
FIG. 8 is a lateral view of an operation state according to the present invention; and [0025]
FIGS. 9 through 11 are views of another construction of a connection part according to the present invention. [0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The construction of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [0027]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the whole construction of the present invention. In the drawings, [0028] reference numeral 100 represents a tent frame according to the present invention.
The [0029] tent frame 100 includes a top connection part 10, a slide connection part 20, lateral upper and lower connection parts 25 a and 25 b, upper and lower connection parts 30 a and 30 b, and multiple frames.
The [0030] top connection part 10 is engaged to the upper sides of four columns.
The [0031] slide connection part 20 is slidable upwardly and downwardly in the lower direction of the top connection part 10.
The lateral side connection part includes a lateral [0032] upper connection part 25 a and a lateral lower connection part 25 b.
The [0033] lateral connection frame 70 is engaged to the lateral upper connection part 25 a and the slide connection part 20 in a diagonal direction.
The [0034] lateral connection frame 70 is engaged to the lateral lower connection part 25 b and the top connection part 10 in a diagonal direction. When the lateral connection frame 70 is folded in a shape of scissors, the folded portion is fixed using a fixing bolt 90.
A [0035] main connection frame 80 is symmetrically engaged to the upper connection part 30 a and the slide connection part 20.
In addition, the [0036] support frame 40 is engaged to the top connection part 10, and the end of the same is fixed to one side surface of the main connection frame 80.
One side end of the [0037] connection frame 50 is fixed to one side surface of the support frame 40, and the other end of the same is fixed to one side end of an assistant connection frame 60.
The other side end of the [0038] assistant connection frame 60 is engaged to the lower connection part 30 b.
The [0039] upper connection frame 51 engaged in a shape of scissors is engaged to the upper and lower connection parts 30 a and 30 b.
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the portions in which the frames are fixed or overlapped are fixed using the [0040] fixing bolt 90.
Here, the [0041] fixing bolt 90 is designed in such s manner that when the connected frames are moved up and down, the frames can rotate and can be folded.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the [0042] top connection part 10 includes an engaging piece 12, a rotation part 16 and a screw 17.
In the [0043] engaging piece 12, one side engaging piece 12 a having a semi-circular cut-away groove 15 is formed in one surface of the engaging part 13, and the other side engaging piece 12 b having a screw engaging hole 13 is formed in the other side surface.
An [0044] engaging groove 14 to which a rotation part 16 is engaged, is formed between the one side engaging piece 12 a and the other side engaging piece 12 b. The engaging piece 12 is provided at both surfaces of a column engaging part 14 a to which a column is engaged in a lower direction.
The [0045] rotation part 10 includes an insertion groove 16 a into which the lateral connection frame 70 and the main connection frame 80 are inserted.
A [0046] circular rotation protrusion 16 b is formed in one lateral surface, and the front end of the same is formed in a semicircular shape for an easier rotation.
A [0047] screw engaging hole 15 is formed at the center of the rotation protrusion 16 b in such a manner that one side of the same communicates with the other side of the same.
The [0048] screw 17 is adapted to fix the lateral connection frame 70 inserted into the rotation member 16 and the main connection frame 80 to the engaging piece 12.
As shown in FIG. 6, a [0049] groove 13 a is formed at the center of the other side engaging piece 12 b of the engaging piece 12.
At this time, in the [0050] groove 13 a, a surrounding portion of the screw engaging hole 15 is formed in a semi-circular shape and is longitudinal in the upper direction.
The [0051] rotation protrusion 16 c engaged to the groove 13 a is formed at one side of the rotation part 16.
The radius of the [0052] rotation protrusion 16 c is smaller than the radius of the rotation protrusion 16 b formed in one surface.
In the installation construction of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 17B, the [0053] rotation part 16 is engaged to the engaging groove 14 between the one side engaging piece 12 a and the other side engaging piece 12 b.
At this time, the [0054] rotation protrusion 16 b of the rotation part 16 is accurately engaged to the semi-circular cut-away groove 11 formed in the one side engaging piece 12 a.
In addition, the [0055] lateral connection frame 70 and the main connection frame 80 are engaged to the insertion groove 16 a formed in the interior of the rotation part 16.
A [0056] hole 71 is formed at the end of the connection frames 70 and 80 in order for the screw to pass through the hole.
The [0057] screw 17 is inserted into the screw engaging hole 15 formed at the center of the rotation part 16 and passes through the connection frame and is fixedly engaged to the screw engaging hole 13 formed in the other side engaging piece 12 b.
As shown in FIG. 7B, the [0058] rotation part 16 is engaged to the engaging groove 14 of the engaging piece 12.
At this time, the [0059] rotation protrusion 16 b formed at one side of the rotation part 16 is engaged to the cut-away groove 11 of the one side engaging piece 12 a, and the rotation protrusion 16 c formed at the other side of the rotation part 16 is engaged to the groove 13 a of the other side engaging piece 12 b.
In addition, the connection frame is engaged to the [0060] insertion groove 16 a formed in the interior of the rotation part 16, and the screw 17 is fixedly engaged to the screw engaging hole 13 formed at the other side engaging piece 12 b through the screw engaging hole 15 formed at the center of the rotation part 16.
As shown in FIG. 8, the operation of the present invention will be described. The [0061] slide connection parts 20 fixed to four columns is slide-pulled down at the same time, so that the main connection frame 80 engaged to the slide connection part 20 is moved down.
At this time, the [0062] support frame 40 connected to the main connection frame 90 is moved down.
In addition, the [0063] connection frame 50 connected to the support frame 40 is downwardly rotated, and the connection frame 60 fixed to the main connection frame 80 is moved down for thereby achieving a folding procedure.
The [0064] rotation part 16 of the main connection frame 80 engaged to the engaging piece 12 of the top connection part 10 by the screw 17 is rotated at 90° 20 with respect to the circular cut-away groove 11.
As shown in FIG. 9, in the [0065] slide connection part 20, the rotation part 16 is engaged to the engaging groove 14 formed between the one side engaging piece 12 a and the other side engaging piece 12 b.
In addition, the [0066] lateral connection frame 70 and the main connection frame 80 are engaged to the insertion groove 16 a formed in the interior of the rotation part 16.
The [0067] screw 17 is inserted into the screw engaging groove 15 formed at the center of the rotation part 16 and passes through the lateral connection frame 70 and the main connection frame 80 and is engaged to the screw engaging hole 13 formed at the other side engaging piece 12 b.
As shown in FIG. 10, in the [0068] upper connection part 30 a and the lower connection part 30 b, the rotation part 16 is engaged to the engaging groove 14 formed between the one side engaging piece 12 a and the other side engaging piece 12 b.
In addition, the [0069] main connection frame 80 engaged to both sides of the upper connection part 30 a is engaged to the insertion groove 16 a formed in the interior of the rotation part 16.
The [0070] assistant frame 60 is engaged to both sides of the lower connection part 30 b.
Next, the [0071] screw 17 is inserted into the screw engaging hole 15 formed at the center of the rotation part 16 and passes through the main connection frame 80 and the assistant frame 60 and is fixed to the screw engaging hole 13 formed at the other side engaging piece 12 b.
As shown in FIG. 11, in the center upper and lower connection parts [0072] 95 a and 95 b, the rotation part 16 is engaged to the engaging groove 14 formed between the cross shaped one side engaging piece 12 a and other engaging piece 12 b in the center upper connection part 95 a.
The [0073] main connection frame 80 is engaged to both sides of the center upper and lower connection part 95 a, and the upper connection frame 51 is engaged to the front side of the same.
In addition, the [0074] assistant frame 60 is engaged to both sides of the center lower connection part 95 b, and the upper connection frame 51 is engaged to the front side of the same.
As described above, in the present invention, the connection frames connected to the columns are minimized, and the fabrication is simple and easy. The fabrication cost is significantly decreased. The economical advantages are great. A cut-away groove is formed in one side engaging piece of the top connection part, and the rotation protrusion of the rotation part is engaged to the cut-away groove for thereby achieving an easier installation of the rotation part. The rotation protrusion of the rotation part is rotated along the cut-away groove surfaces, so that the folding procedure of the tent is stably and easily achieved. In addition, the groove is formed at the other side engaging piece of the engaging part. The rotation protrusion of the rotation part is engaged thereto for thereby achieving a desired stability of the rotation. [0075]
As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described examples are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalences of such meets and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims. [0076]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In an assembling type tent frame, a foldable tent frame, comprising:

a slide connection part 20 engaged to a top connection part 10 engaged to the upper ends of four columns slidably at its lower side;

lateral upper and lower connection parts 25 a and 25 b engaged in such a manner that a lateral connection frame 70 engaged in a shape of scissors is folded with respect to the top connection part 10 and the slide connection part 20;

an upper connection part 30 a in which a main connection frame 80 is engaged, and an end portion of the same is engaged thereto in such a manner that the slide connection part 20 and the lateral lower connection part 25 b are symmetrical from each other;

a support frame 40 fixedly installed to support the main connection frame 80 based on the top connection part 10 and the lateral upper connection part 25 a;

a connection frame 50 installed at one surface of the support frame 40; and

an assistant frame 60 of which one end is engaged to the connection frame 50, and the other end is engaged to a lower connection part 30 b.

2. The frame of claim 1, wherein said top connection part 10 includes:

an engaging piece 12 having one side engaging piece 12 a having a semi-circular cut-away groove 11 in one surface of the same, and other side engaging piece 12 b having a screw engaging hole 13 at the other side surface of the same; and

a rotation part 16 in which a circular rotation protrusion 16 b engaged to the cut-away groove 11 of the one side engaging piece 12 a is formed at one side of the same, and a screw engaging hole 15 is provided at the center of the rotation protrusion 16 b, wherein a screw 17 is engaged to the screw engaging hole 15 of the rotation part 16 for thereby being engaged to the other side engaging piece 12 b.

3. The frame of claim 2, wherein a groove 13 a is formed at the center of the other side engaging piece 12 b of the engaging piece 12, and a rotation protrusion 16 c engaged to the groove 13 a is formed at the other side of the rotation part 16.