The present invention generally relates to portable shelters, known as tents, having a roof provided by at least one canopy. In particular, the present invention relates to mechanisms for placing the flexible covering material of the canopy in tension and for connecting the flexible material to a frame or other supporting structure of the tent.
It is generally known to provide for standard commercial tent brackets used for tent frame assembly that do not swivel.
However, such commercial tent brackets have many disadvantages. Although commonly employed, such portable shelters are difficult and time consuming to set up. Stretching fabric top 130 to place fabric top 130 in tension as it is connected to corner bracket 132 is tedious, time consuming and requires multiple person crews. Moreover, specialized tools such as canopy jacks and pry bars are usually required for raising the tent as well. Thus, there is a continuing need for a portable shelter that is easier and less time consuming to set up and requires fewer persons for set up.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a canopy tension adjuster that requires less time for assembly of tent canopies and cuts the need for extra tools and canopy jacks. It would also be advantageous to provide a canopy tension adjuster that swivels and thereby eliminates the need for extra people to assemble the tent frame and attach the top. It would be desirable to provide for a canopy tension adjuster having one or more of these or other advantageous features.
A primary feature of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive, easy-to-manufacture, and aesthetically pleasing canopy tension adjuster that overcomes the above-noted disadvantages.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide a canopy tension adjuster that is reliable, is of relatively simple construction, and is relatively simple to install and adjust or reconfigure.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide a canopy tension adjuster that enables a canopy to be quickly and easily connected to an underlying frame and to be placed in a taut or tensioned state. Also, it is a feature of the present invention to provide a canopy tension adjuster that eliminates the need for special pry bar tools or large setup crews. As a result, such portable shelters and tents may be manufactured, set up and taken down at a lower cost.
These and other advantages and features of the present invention may also be accomplished in a canopy tension adjuster configured for use in wide variety of commercial, non-commercial, and recreational uses and settings.
How these and other advantages and features of the present invention are accomplished (individually, collectively, or in various subcombinations) will be described in the following detailed description of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the FIGURES. Generally, however, they are accomplished in a tension adjuster for use with a frame and covering. The tension adjuster comprises a first portion adapted to be coupled to one of the frame and the covering. The tension adjuster further comprises a second portion pivotally coupled to the first portion and adapted to be coupled to the other of the frame and the covering. The second portion pivots relative to the first portion between a relaxed position in which the canopy is in a relaxed state and a tensioned position in which the canopy is in a tensioned state.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a tent is provided that includes a canopy, a plurality of tent frame components and a swivel portion coupled to at least one of the tent frame components and the canopy. Furthermore, the swivel portion pivots between a relaxed position in which the canopy is in a relaxed state and a tensioned position in which the canopy is in a tensioned state.
According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method for erecting a tent is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of space support poles, providing a swivel portion pivotally coupled to at least one of the plurality of support poles, coupling a canopy to the swivel portion while the swivel portion is in a relaxed position and while the canopy is in a relaxed state such that the canopy extends between the plurality of support poles, pivoting the swivel portion to a tensioned position such that the canopy is in a tensioned state, and releasably retaining the swivel portion in the tensioned position.
The present invention further relates to various features and combinations of features shown and described in the disclosed embodiments. Other ways in which the objects and features of the disclosed embodiments are accomplished will be described in the following specification or will become apparent to those skilled in the art after they have read this specification. Such other ways are deemed to fall within the scope of the disclosed embodiments if they fall within the scope of the claims which follow.
Before explaining a number of preferred, exemplary, and alternative embodiments of the invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or being practiced or carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
Before proceeding to the detailed description of the preferred and exemplary embodiments, several comments can be made about the general applicability and the scope thereof.
For example, while the components of the disclosed embodiments will be illustrated as a canopy tension adjuster designed for a tent, the features of the disclosed embodiments have a much wider applicability. For example, the canopy tension adjuster design is adaptable for other portable shelters, canopies, tents, awnings, marquees, pavilions, and other commercial or recreational products with a covering material held in tension. Further, the size of the various components and the size of the containers can be widely varied.
Also, the particular materials used to construct the exemplary embodiments are also illustrative. For example, components of the canopy tension adjuster can also be manufactured from stamped alloy materials such as steel or aluminum, but other materials can be used, including other thermoplastic resins such as injection molded high density polyethylene, polypropylene, other polyethylenes, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), polyurethane nylon, any of a variety of homopolymer plastics, copolymer plastics, plastics with special additives, filled plastics, etc. Also, other fabricating, stamping, or molding operations may be used to form these components.
Further, it is important to note that the terms “tent,” “brackets,” “frame,” and “cover” or “covering” are intended to be broad terms and not terms of limitation. These components may be used with any of a variety of products or arrangements and are not intended to be limited to use with canopy or tent applications.
Proceeding now to descriptions of the preferred and exemplary embodiments,
Cross poles 28 comprise elongate rigid structures extending between support poles 26. Cross poles 28 support the perimeter of canopy 32 between support poles 26. When connected to one another, cross poles 28 extend along axes which are perpendicular to one another. When connected to support poles 26, cross poles 28 all lie in a common plane which extends perpendicular to support poles 26. When assembled, cross poles 28 preferably extend in a substantially horizontal plane substantially parallel to ground 22. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, cross poles 28 are coupled to support poles 26 by canopy tension adjusters 30 at each of the corners of tent 20. Alternatively, cross poles 28 may be directly coupled to support poles 26 by connectors distinct from adjusters 30. Cross poles 28 may also alternatively be integrally formed or permanently affixed directly or indirectly to support poles 26. In the exemplary embodiment, tent 20 includes four such cross poles 28 to provide tent 20 with its generally rectangular shape. Alternatively, tent 20 may be provided with greater or fewer number of cross poles 28 depending upon the overall desired configuration of tent 20. Moreover, although each cross pole 28 preferably comprises a single elongate pole or bar, cross poles 28 may include multiple sections or a frame work of multiple sections or segments extending parallel or oblique to one another. Cross pole 28 may further be configured to be collapsible either by folding action or by telescopic reduction or extension.
The center support assembly of tent 20 is substantially identical to the center support assembly of portable shelter 10 shown in
Although tent 20 preferably includes cables 138, pulley bar 140 and poke-up rod 142, tent 20 may alternatively include various other center support assemblies configured to elevate portions of canopy 32 to provide canopy 32 with an inclined gradient for rain runoff and for aesthetic reasons. For example, tent 20 may alternatively include a center support structure which is configured to elevate multiple points of canopy 32 to provide canopy 32 with a plurality of spaced peaks. Tent 20 may also be provided with a center support assembly which is configured to elevate canopy 32 along one or more continuous elongate peaks extending from one cross pole 28 to an opposite cross pole 28. Moreover, in lieu of including cables 138 and a poke-up rod 142, the center support assembly of tent 20 may comprise rigid poles or other support structures that span the opening between cross poles 28 or between support poles 26. Such rigid structures may be collapsible by means of folding, accordion-like arrangements or by means of telescopic segments. In alternative embodiments, tent 20 may omit a center support assembly such that canopy 32 extends in a generally flat plane across or between cross poles 28.
Canopy 32 comprises an elongate sheet or connected sections of flexible material. In the exemplary embodiment, canopy 32 is formed from canvas. Canopy 32 is configured to be suspended by the remaining components of tent 20 at a height above ground 22. Although canopy 32 is illustrated as having a single peak, canopy 32 may be provided with a plurality of peaks or an elongate peak. Although canopy 32 is illustrated as including a side portion 36 which extends in a vertical direction towards ground 22 and which is spaced well above ground 22, canopy 32 may omit such side portion 36 or may include a side portion 36 which extends substantially to ground 22 on one or more sides of tent 20. In such an alternative embodiment, at least one of side portions 36 may additionally include a door or other opening for access to the interior of tent 20. The exact configuration of canopy 32 may be varied depending upon the overall desired configuration of tent 20.
Canopy tension adjusters 30 are generally located at each location on tent 20 where canopy 32 is preferably stretched and placed in tension. In the particular embodiment illustrated, adjusters 30 are located at each corner of tent 20 at the junction of cross poles 28 and support poles 26.
One of adjusters 30 is illustrated in greater detail in
Cable mount 50 is coupled to base 48 and is configured to be coupled to ends of cable 138 (shown in
Cross pole mounts 52 are coupled to base 48 and are configured to secure cross poles 28 to base 48. In an exemplary embodiment, cross pole mounts 52 comprise tubes or shafts which are fixedly coupled to base 48 and which are configured to receive cross poles 28 which are pinned to mounts 52. Alternatively, cross pole mounts 52 may comprise tubes which are configured to be received within bores of cross poles 28 which are pinned to mounts 52. Although cross pole mounts 52 are preferably welded to base 48, cross pole mounts 52 may be integrally formed as part of a single unitary body with base 48 or may be secured to base 48 by various other fastening or joining methods. Moreover, depending upon the configuration of cross poles 28, cross pole mounts 52 may have any of a variety of alternative shapes, sizes and configurations so as to be releasably joined to cross poles 28. Although less desirable, base 48 and cross pole mounts 52 may alternatively be fixedly coupled to or integrally formed as part of a single unitary body with a single cross pole 28 or a pair of cross poles 28.
Swivel portion 42 comprises a rigid structure coupled to canopy 32 and pivotally coupled to connector portion 40. Swivel portion 42 pivots relative to connector portion 40 between a relaxed position in which canopy 32 is in a relaxed state (best shown in
As best shown by
Swivel portion 42 additionally includes support pole mounting portion 80 and anchor 82. Support pole mounting portion 80 extends at a lower end of swivel portion 42 and is configured to be releasably coupled to one of support poles 26. As a result, each adjuster 30 releasably connects cross poles 28, support poles 26 and the center support assembly. In the embodiment illustrated, support pole mounting portion 80 comprises a tubular structure configured to removably receive a portion of support pole 26 such that support pole 26 may be pinned or otherwise fastened to swivel portion 42. Alternatively, as shown in
Anchor 82 comprises a structure coupled to swivel portion 42 and is configured to be releasably affixed to a rope, cable or other structure extending to ground 22 and staked or otherwise fastened to ground 22 to further anchor support pole 26. In the exemplary embodiment, anchor 82 comprises an eye bolt affixed to swivel portion 42. Alternatively, other anchor structures may be provided upon swivel portion 42. As shown in
Locking mechanism 44 comprises a mechanism configured to releasably retain swivel portion 42 in the tensioned position. As best shown by
According to a preferred embodiment, canopy tension adjuster 30 comprises square tubes (or channels) 92. Tubes 92 may be configured to abut anchor 82 when swivel portion 42 is in the tensioned position, thereby preventing swivel portion 42 from swiveling beyond a desired configuration. As shown in
In the particular embodiment illustrated, canopy tension adjusters 30 perform multiple functions. First, adjusters 30 interconnect cross poles 28 and support poles 26 to one another. In addition, adjusters 30 further interconnect cross poles 28 and support poles 26 to the center support assembly. Second, adjusters 30 provide a connection point for cables, ropes or other tie down mechanisms for further anchoring support poles 26. Most importantly, adjusters 30 enable the tension of canopy 32 to be adjusted and placed in a taut, tensioned state. Alternatively, adjusters 30 may be modified to simply perform the function of canopy tension adjustment without one or more of the additional features. For example, adjuster 30 may be configured such that adjuster 30 releasably mounts to an existing frame wherein tent frame components such as support poles 26 and cross poles 28 are connected to one another by an independent connecting structure or are integrally formed or permanently affixed to one another independent of adjuster 30. According to one exemplary embodiment, adjuster 30 includes a stationary portion which is clamped or otherwise secured to an existing junction between cross poles 28 and a swivel portion pivotally coupled to the stationary portion, wherein the swivel portion is configured to be releasably coupled to the canopy and to pivot between the relaxed position and the tensioned position. Depending upon the exact configuration of the tent, such an adjuster 30 may be mounted to the frame of a tent at any of a variety of locations where the canopy needs to be tensioned. In yet other embodiments, the stationary portion may be welded, permanently affixed or integrally formed as part of one or more of the tent frame components, wherein the swivel portion is pivotally coupled to the stationary portion and pivots between the tensioned and relaxed positions. Such tent frame components to which adjuster 30 may be coupled include cross poles 28, support poles 26 and any component of the center support assembly. Although each adjuster 30 is preferably formed from a rigid material such as metal, adjusters 30 may be formed from other materials such as plastic, wood and the like wherein such materials have a sufficient strength to withstand the encountered forces.
Overall, adjusters 30 enable a canopy, such as canopy 32, to be quickly and easily connected to an underlying frame and to be placed in a taut or tensioned state. Adjusters 30 facilitate such set up without the need for special pry bar tools or large setup crews. As a result, such portable shelters and tents may be manufactured, set up and taken down at a lower cost.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the canopy tension adjuster as shown in the preferred and other exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. For example, components of the canopy tension adjuster may be manufactured from stamped alloy materials such as steel or aluminum, but other materials may also be used, including other thermoplastic resins such as injection molded high density polyethylene, polypropylene, other polyethylenes, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), polyurethane nylon, any of a variety of homopolymer plastics, copolymer plastics, plastics with special additives, filled plastics, etc. Also, other fabricating, stamping, or molding operations may be used to form these components. Further, although different preferred embodiments may have been described as including one or more features providing one or more benefits, it is contemplated that the described features may be interchanged with one another or alternatively be combined with one another in the described preferred embodiments or in other alternative embodiments. Because the technology of the present invention is relatively complex, not all changes in the technology are foreseeable. Further, unless specifically otherwise noted, the claims reciting a single particular element also encompass a plurality of such particular elements. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and/or omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention as expressed in the appended claims.
The present invention claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/338,019 titled “Canopy Tension Adjuster” filed Nov. 13, 2001, the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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60338019 | Nov 2001 | US |