WO2017125066A1

WO2017125066A1 - Connector with illumination and tent having same

Info

Publication number: WO2017125066A1
Application number: PCT/CN2017/071887
Authority: WO
Inventors: Juyoung JIN
Original assignee: Luhua (Xiamen) Trading Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2016-01-21
Filing date: 2017-01-20
Publication date: 2017-07-27
Also published as: CN205591637U

Abstract

A connector with illumination for includes a hub (100) and an illumination assembly (200) coupled to the hub (100). The hub (100) includes a plurality of slots (104) disposed along an outer periphery of the hub (100). Each slot (104) in the plurality of slots (104) is configured to pivotally connect a tent pole (6) of a tent at an end of the tent pole (6), and thus facilitates the tent to fold and unfold. The illumination assembly (200) includes an illumination source (210). A tent includes the connection with illumination. When powered, the illumination source (210) emits light, and thus illuminates an interior of the tent when the tent is unfolded.

Description

CONNECTOR WITH ILLUMINATION AND TENT HAVING SAME

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to Chinese Utility Model Application CN 201620057558.8 filed January 21, 2016. The disclosure of the application is incorporated herein for all purposes by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to connectors, tent frames and tents. More particularly, the present invention relates to connectors with illumination, and tents and tent frames having such connectors with illumination.

BACKGROUND

Most existing tents do not have illumination means. If illumination is desired, in particular at night, one often needs to set up a lighting device (e.g., a lamp) and connect the lighting device to a power source or power facility outside of the tent. It is inconvenient, time-consuming and cumbersome. Moreover, as the light source is a separate part, it is easy to get lost or left behind. In some cases, for instance when a power source or power facility outside of the tent is not available, the tent cannot provide desired illumination at all.

Given the current state of the art, there remains a need for connectors, tent frames and tents that address the abovementioned issues.

The information disclosed in this Background section is provided for an understanding of the general background of the invention and is not an acknowledgement or suggestion that this information forms part of the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides connectors with illumination, tent frames and tents having connectors with illumination. The connectors of the present invention are configured in such a way that they not only can provide illumination when desired but also do not affect the overall appearance and setup of the tent frame and the tent.

In various embodiments, the present invention provides a connector with illumination for a tent. The connector includes a hub and an illumination assembly coupled to the hub. The hub includes a plurality of slots disposed along an outer periphery of the hub. Each slot in the plurality of slots is configured to pivotally connect a tent pole of the tent at an end of the tent pole, thereby facilitating the tent to fold and unfold. The illumination assembly includes an illumination source. In an embodiment, the illumination source includes one or more light emitting diodes. When powered, the illumination source emits light, and thereby illuminates an interior of the tent when the tent is unfolded.

In some embodiments, the illumination assembly includes a casing, a power source and a board. The casing is formed with one or more compartments, and the power source is housed in the one or more compartments of the casing. The board is coupled to the casing at a lower side of the casing. The illumination source is disposed at the board and electrically coupled to the power source. In an embodiment, the power source includes a battery set, a mobile power source, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the board includes a printed circuit board. In an embodiment, the casing of the illumination assembly includes a protrusion extending downwardly, wherein the board is fixedly coupled to the protrusion at a lower side thereof.

In some embodiments, the hub is formed with a through hole along a central axis thereof. The plurality of slots is disposed circumferentially around the through hole of the hub. The casing and the board of the illumination assembly are disposed in the through hole of the hub.

In some embodiments, the illumination assembly further includes a lower cover disposed below the illumination source to protect the illumination source. In an embodiment, the hub further includes a flange to support the lower cover, wherein the flange is formed on an inner wall of the through hole at a lower portion of the through hole and extending inwardly.

In an embodiment, the hub further includes one or more stoppers formed on an inner wall of the through hole at a middle portion or an upper portion of the through hole and extending inwardly. The one or more stoppers are configured to support the casing of the illumination assembly, restrict the casing of the illumination assembly from rotating within the through hole of the hub, or both.

In some embodiments, the illumination assembly includes an outer cover configured to be coupled with an upper wall of the through hole of the hub to protect the power and illumination sources disposed in the through hole of the hub. In an embodiment, the outer cover of the illumination assembly is press-fitted or snap-fitted with the upper wall of the through hole of the hub.

In an embodiment, the illumination assembly includes an outer cover coupled with the hub at a lower side thereof, and configured to house the casing and the board of the illumination assembly. The illumination assembly also includes a lower cover disposed below the illumination source and coupled with the outer cover.

In some embodiments, the illumination assembly includes a switch electrically connected to the power source, the board or the illumination source. The switch is accessible from outside of the illumination assembly to control power output to the illumination source. In an embodiment, the switch is exposed to outside of the illumination assembly through a hole formed at the lower cover of the illumination assembly. In an embodiment, the switch is disposed at the outer cover of the illumination assembly.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a tent frame including a plurality of tent poles, and a connector of the present invention. Each tent pole in the plurality of tent poles is pivotally connected to a slot in the plurality of slots of the connector.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a tent including a plurality of tent poles, a connector of the present invention, and a tent cloth. Each tent pole in the plurality of tent poles is pivotally connected to a slot in the plurality of slots of the connector. The tent cloth is coupled to and supported by one or more tent poles in the plurality of tent poles when the tent is unfolded. When powered, the illumination source emits light, and illuminates the interior of the tent when the tent is unfolded.

In some embodiments, the tent further includes a light diffuser disposed below the illumination assembly to diffuse the light emitted by the illuminate source into the interior of the tent, thereby providing soft light to the interior of the tent. In an embodiment, the diffuser is coupled with one or more tent poles in the plurality of the tent poles. In some embodiments, the diffuser includes a light diffusing film, a light diffusing panel, a light diffusing fabric, or any combination thereof.

The connectors, tent frames, and tents of the present invention have other features and advantages that will be apparent from, or are set forth in more detail in, the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description, which together serve to explain certain principles of exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the Detailed Description, serve to explain the principles and implementations of exemplary embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a connector in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the connector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-Aof FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view illustrating the connector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view illustrating the connector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a connector with modifications in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view illustrating an illumination assembly of the connector of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a tent in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view taken along circle B of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of exemplary embodiments of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and the following detailed description to refer to the same or like parts. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the following detailed description is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the present invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having benefit of this disclosure.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will be appreciated that, in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions are made in order to achieve the developer’s specific goals, such as compliance with application-and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

Many modifications and variations of the exemplary embodiments set forth in this disclosure can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The specific exemplary embodiments described herein are offered by way of example only.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in the context of connectors with illumination, and tents and tent frames having such connectors with illuminations. Generally, a connector with illumination of the present invention includes a hub configured to pivotally connect tent poles and an illumination source to illuminate the tent when needed. A tent or a tent frame of the present invention includes a plurality of supporting poles pivotally connected by a connector with illumination of the present invention. Tents and tent frames of the present invention can be of various sizes and shapes, including but not limited to gazebos, domes, shelters and other types of tents.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, there is depicted an exemplary connector with illumination in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. As shown, connector 10 includes a hub such as hub 100 and an illumination assembly such as illumination assembly 200. In the illustrated embodiment, hub 100 is cylindrical with a circular base. It should be noted that the hub can be modified to other shapes including but not limited to square, hexagon or octagon shapes. Also, the hub can be formed of any suitable materials including but not limited to plastics, and be made of any suitable methods including but not limited to molding, casting, foaming and extrusion.

The hub includes a plurality of slots disposed along an outer periphery of the hub. The slot is configured to facilitate pivotal connection of a tent pole so that a tent can be folded or unfolded. The slot can be of various suitable forms such as those disclosed in U.S. Publication Nos. 2012/0318316, 2015/0159397 and 2015/0284974, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. The number of slots can be two, three, four or more, depending on the use or preference. The slots can also be disposed symmetrically or non-symmetrically, uniformly or non-uniformly along the outer periphery of the hub. By way of example, FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate six slots 104 disposed symmetrically along the outer periphery of hub 100, with three slots on each side.

The illumination assembly is coupled to the hub and includes an illumination source, such as illumination source 240 in FIG. 3, to provide illumination to an interior of the tent when the tent is unfolded and when desired (e.g., at night) . In some embodiments, illumination source 240 includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) . The one or more LEDs can be of any suitable types, shapes, or sizes, and can emit light in any colors. In an embodiment, the one or more LEDs emit collectively a white light.

In some embodiments, the illumination assembly further includes a power source such as power source 210 to provide power to the illumination source and a casing such as casing 220 for holding the power source. In an embodiment, casing 220 includes one or more compartments 222 to house the power source. The power source can be any suitable power source including but not limited to a battery set, a mobile power source, or any combination thereof. For instance, FIG. 5 illustrates a battery set with three batteries, each housed in one of the three compartments 222. The battery set is safely packaged and easily replaceable.

In some embodiments, the illumination assembly further includes a board such as board 230. The board is coupled to the casing, for instance, coupled to the lower side of the casing, and configured for mounting or positioning the illumination source. In an embodiment, the casing includes a protrusion such as protrusion 224 extending downwardly； and the board is fixedly coupled to a lower side of the protrusion. In some embodiments, the board is a printed circuit board (PCB) having conductive features such as conductive tracks or pads. In such embodiments, the illumination source is electrically connected to the power source through the conductive features of the PCB board.

In some embodiments, the hub is configured with a through hole such as through hole 102 along a central axis of the hub, where the plurality of slots 104 is disposed circumferentially around the through hole of the hub. The through hole is configured to accommodate the illumination assembly, or one or more components (e.g., the casing, the board, and/or the illumination source) of the illumination assembly. In an embodiment, the casing and the board of the illumination assembly is disposed inside of the through hole of the hub.

The hub and the illumination assembly can include other additional or optional features. For example, in some embodiments, the illumination assembly further includes a lower cover such as lower cover 250 disposed below the illumination source to protect the illumination source. In various embodiments, the lower cover is made of a material that is transparent to the light emitted by the illumination source.

In some embodiments, the hub is configured with a flange such as flange 107 to support the lower cover. The flange is formed on an inner wall of the through hole at a lower portion of the through hole and extending inwardly. It can be of various shapes including but not limited to a rim, a collar, a ring, and can be along the entire periphery of the through hole or along a portion of the periphery of the through hole.

In some embodiments, the hub is configured with one or more stoppers such as stopper 106 formed on an inner wall of the through hole at a middle portion or an upper portion of the through hole and extending inwardly. The one or more stoppers are configured to support the casing of the illumination assembly, restrict the casing of the illumination assembly from rotating within the through hole of the hub, or both.

In some embodiments, the illumination assembly further includes an outer cover such as outer cover 270 to protect the power and illumination sources. In an embodiment, outer cover 270 is configured to be coupled, for instance by press-fitting or snap-fitting, with an upper wall of the through hole of the hub. The outer cover covers the top entrance of the through hole, and thus protects the power and illumination sources disposed in the through hole of the hub.

In some embodiments, the illumination assembly further includes a switch such as switch 260 electrically connected to the power source, the board or the illumination source. The switch is accessible from outside of the illumination assembly to allow a user to control the power output to the illumination source. For instance, FIGS. 3 and 5 illustrate switch 260 coupled to board 230, and exposed to outside of the illumination assembly through a hole formed at lower cover 250 of the illumination assembly.

In some embodiments, the illumination assembly or the components (e.g., the casing, the board) of the illumination assembly are not disposed inside the hub, but rather, coupled to the outside of the hub. For instance, by way of example, FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the illumination assembly disposed at the bottom of the hub and coupled to the lower side of the hub through the outer cover of the illumination assembly. In such embodiments, the hub does not necessarily include a through hole along its central axis or a flange to support the lower cover of the illumination assembly. In an embodiment, the lower cover is disposed below the illumination source and coupled with the casing, the board, or the outer cover. In an embodiment, switch 260 is disposed at the outer cover of the illumination assembly, and electrically connected to the power source, the board or the illumination source, and thus allows a user to control the power output to the illumination source.

In the illustrated embodiments, the casing and the upper cover are substantially rectangular. It should be noted that the casing and the upper cover can be modified to other shapes including but not limited to circular, square, or hexagon shapes. Also, the casing and the upper cover can be formed of any suitable materials including but not limited to plastics, and be made of any suitable methods including but not limited to molding, casting, foaming and extrusion. Similarly, other components (e.g., the board and the lower cover) of the illumination assembly can be modified to other shapes without departing from the scope of the invention.

Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is depicted an exemplary tent such as tent 1 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. As shown, tent 1 includes a plurality of tent poles such as tent poles 6 pivotally connected to each other by connector 10. Specifically, one end of each tent pole 6 is pivotally connected to a slot (e.g., slot 104) of connector 10. The connector and the tent poles pivotally connected to each other by the connector constitute a tent frame of the present invention.

Tent 1 also includes a tent cloth such as tent cloth 2 coupled to and supported by one or more tent poles in the plurality of tent poles when the tent is unfolded. When desired, a user can turn on the illumination source, for instance using the switch, to light the interior of the tent. It should be noted that the connector does not necessarily need to be on the top and center of the tent as illustrated in the figures. For instance, the connector of the present invention can be used to connect tent poles and positioned at a side of the tent when unfolded. It should also be noted that a tent frame or a tent of the present invention can include more than one connector of the present invention. For instance, a tent frame or a tent of the present invention can include two, three or more connectors of the present invention depending on the application, use, and/or preference.

In some embodiments, the tent further includes a light diffuser such as light diffuser 8 to diffuse the light emitted by the illuminate source and thus provide soft light to the interior of the tent. The light diffuser can be made of a light diffusing film, a light diffusing panel, a light diffusing fabric, or any combination thereof. The light diffuser can be of any suitable shapes including but not limited to circular, oval, or polygonal. In an embodiment, the light diffuser is disposed below the illumination assembly, and coupled with one or more tent poles in the plurality of the tent poles.

As disclosed herein, the connector of the present invention includes an illumination assembly to provide illumination when desired. The connector with illumination is configured in such a way that it does not affect the overall appearance and setup of the tent frame and the tent. In addition, the illumination is powered by a safely packaged and easily replaceable battery set.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting of the claims. As used in the description of the implementations and the appended claims, the singular forms “a” , “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be understood that the terms “lower” or “upper” , and etc. are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the figures.

Claims

A connector with illumination for a tent, comprising:

a hub comprising a plurality of slots disposed along an outer periphery of the hub, each slot in the plurality of slots configured to pivotally connect a tent pole of the tent at an end of the tent pole, thereby facilitating the tent to fold and unfold； and

an illumination assembly coupled to the hub and comprising an illumination source, wherein when powered, the illumination source emits light and thereby illuminates an interior of the tent when the tent is unfolded.
The connector of claim 1, wherein the illumination assembly comprises:

a casing comprising one or more compartments；

a power source housed in the one or more compartments of the casing； and

a board coupled to the casing at a lower side thereof；

wherein the illumination source is disposed at the board and electrically coupled to the power source, wherein the illumination source emits light when powered by the power source.
The connector of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein:

the hub further comprises a through hole along a central axis thereof；

the plurality of slots is disposed circumferentially around the through hole of the hub； and

the casing and the board of the illumination assembly are disposed in the through hole of the hub.
The connector of claim 3, wherein:

the illumination assembly further comprises a lower cover disposed below the illumination source to protect the illumination source； and

the hub further comprises a flange to support the lower cover, wherein the flange is formed on an inner wall of the through hole at a lower portion of the through hole and extending inwardly.
The connector of any one of claims 2-4, wherein the casing of the illumination assembly comprises a protrusion extending downwardly, wherein the board is fixedly coupled to the protrusion at a lower side thereof.
The connector of any one of claims 2-5, wherein:

the hub further comprises one or more stoppers formed on an inner wall of the through hole at a middle portion or an upper portion of the through hole and extending inwardly, and

the one or more stoppers are configured to support the casing of the illumination assembly, restrict the casing of the illumination assembly from rotating within the through hole of the hub, or both.
The connector of any one of claims 3-6, wherein the illumination assembly further comprises an outer cover configured to be coupled with an upper wall of the through hole of the hub to protect the power and illumination sources disposed in the through hole of the hub.
The connector of claim 7, wherein the outer cover of the illumination assembly is press-fitted or snap-fitted with the upper wall of the through hole of the hub.
The connector of claim 2, wherein the illumination assembly comprises:

an outer cover coupled with the hub at a lower side thereof, and configured to house the casing and the board of the illumination assembly； and

a lower cover disposed below the illumination source and coupled with the outer cover.
The connector of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the illumination assembly comprises a switch electrically connected to the power source, the board or the illumination source, and accessible from outside of the illumination assembly to control power output to the illumination source.
The connector of claim 4, wherein the illumination assembly comprises a switch to control power output to the illumination source, wherein the switch is electrically connected to the power source, the board or the illumination source, and exposed to outside of the illumination assembly through a hole formed at the lower cover of the illumination assembly.
The connector of claim 9, wherein the illumination assembly comprises a switch to control power output to the illumination source, wherein the switch is disposed at the outer cover of the illumination assembly, and electrically connected to the power source, the board or the illumination source.
The connector of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the illumination source comprises one or more light emitting diodes.
The connector of any one of claims 2-13, wherein the power source comprises a battery set, a mobile power source, or a combination thereof.
The connector of any one of the claims 2-14, wherein the board comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) .
A tent frame comprising:

a plurality of tent poles； and

the connector of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each tent pole in the plurality of tent poles is pivotally connected to a slot in the plurality of slots of the connector.
A tent comprising:

a plurality of tent poles；

the connector of any one of claims 1-15, wherein each tent pole in the plurality of tent poles is pivotally connected to a slot in the plurality of slots of the connector； and

a tent cloth coupled to and supported by one or more tent poles in the plurality of tent poles when the tent is unfolded,

wherein powered, the illumination source emits light, and illuminates the interior of the tent when the tent is unfolded.
The tent of claim 17, further comprising:

a light diffuser disposed below the illumination assembly to diffuse the light emitted by the illuminate source into the interior of the tent, thereby providing soft light to the interior of the tent.
The tent of claim 18, wherein the diffuser is coupled with one or more tent poles in the plurality of the tent poles.
The tent of claim 18 or 19, wherein the diffuser comprises a light diffusing film, a light diffusing panel, a light diffusing fabric, or any combination thereof.