Connector Device for a Telescoping Tent Pole

Abstract

A connector device connects tent poles and includes a tubular member having an interior with an interior surface having a detent and a lower aperture for receiving a lower tent pole into the interior. A top member on the tubular member has an upper aperture for receiving an upper tent pole into the interior of the tubular member. The detent secures the lower tent pole to the tubular member in a snap-fit engagement and the upper pole is releasably lockable with the lower pole. Another connector device includes a tubular member having a longitudinal axis, and an outer surface having a tent fly fastener for fastening a tent fly, a slit extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a fastener receptacle to receive a fastener oriented perpendicular to the slit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims foreign priority to China Application Nos. 201320101781.4 and 201320101787.1, both filed on Mar. 6, 2013, which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mechanism for connecting tent poles, and more particularly to a connector device for telescopically connecting tent poles.

2. Description of Prior Art

Camping tents have evolved over the years to be more user-friendly. One of the features with constant improvement is the tent poles. Over the years, designers have eliminated the need to separately assemble and disassemble each pole section. This was first accomplished through the use of a shock cord or elastic rope that runs through the tent poles, allowing the pole sections to stay together when folded and then snap back into place to assemble the pole.

More recently, instant tents—tents that are sold preassembled with the tent fabric connected to a foldable frame—have gained popularity because of the ease of folding and unfolding the tent. These tents require that each pole section be collapsible with respect to an adjacent pole section either pivotally or telescopically, with the telescopic connections usually located at lower portions of the poles. However, telescopic tent poles in prior art instant tents are often connected together by complicated connection assemblies having numerous parts. Such connection assemblies are costly, time consuming to factory assemble, and difficult and cumbersome to repair.

In addition, as with traditional tents, a tent fly or tent fly is desired for instant tents to provide additional protection from the elements. The user of the instant tent is required to assemble the tent fly separately after the instant tent is unfolded for use and disassemble the tent fly before folding the instant tent for storage.

Moreover, with shorter tent flies being the trend, the shorter tent flies are often connected to the fabric of the tent causing the fabric to stretch. Not only is the prior art tent fly connection aesthetically unappealing but there is also the possibility of damage to the tent fabric as the tent fabric is subject to tension created by the tent fly. Thus, it would be desirable to connect the tent fly to the poles without additional hardware.

It would be ideal to connect the shorter tent fly to a mid-portion of the poles where the telescopic pole connection assembly is located. However, telescopic pole connection assemblies of the prior art are not suited for coupling other accessories such as a tent fly because the connection assembly is unable to withstand the tension exerted by the tent fly, thus causing the connection assembly to disengage from the pole, making the pole unstable.

It would be further desirable to be able to fold and unfold the instant tent with the tent fly attached to the connection assembly so that additional assembly and disassembly of the tent fly would not be required. Thus, a stable means is needed for holding a tent fly in place while a tent is folded and unfolded.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a simple, convenient, and cost-effective connector device for connecting tent poles together in a telescoping arrangement. For achieving the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a connector device for connecting tent poles with a tubular member having an interior with an interior surface having a detent, and a lower aperture for receiving a lower pole into the interior, and a top member on the tubular member having an upper aperture for receiving an upper pole into the interior of the tubular member. The detent secures the lower pole to the tubular member in a snap-fit engagement.

The lower pole may include a locking aperture which engages the detent in the snap-fit engagement. The interior surface may include a shaped protrusion, and an end of the lower pole has a corresponding complementary shaped slot to match the shaped protrusion when the lower pole is inserted into the interior of the tubular member, with the shaped protrusion being rectangular. The detent protrudes into the interior. The upper pole may be locked into position with the lower pole by a push-button engagement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a stable connector device for coupling accessories such as a tent fly. For achieving the above-mentioned object, the present invention also provides a connector device for connecting tent poles with a tubular member having a longitudinal axis, and an outer surface having a tent fly fastener for fastening a tent fly, a slit extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a fastener receptacle to receive a fastener oriented perpendicular to the slit, an interior with an interior surface having a pair of detents, a lower aperture for receiving a lower pole into the interior, and a top member on the tubular member having an upper aperture for receiving an upper pole into the interior of the tubular member, with the pair of detents securing the lower pole to the tubular member in a snap-fit engagement.

The lower pole includes a pair of locking apertures which engage the pair of detents in the snap-fit engagement. When the lower pole is inserted into the lower aperture, the slit expands until the pair of detents secure the lower pole to the tubular member in a snap-fit engagement, and the fastener is inserted and secured in the fastener receptacle to secure the lower pole in the tubular member. Accordingly, the tent pole connector device is able to withstand tension from the tent fly.

The tent fly fastener may be a hook-shaped member extending from the outer surface of the tubular member. The interior surface may include a shaped protrusion, and an end of the lower pole has a corresponding complementary shaped slot to match the shaped protrusion when the lower pole is inserted into the interior of the tubular member. The shaped protrusion may be rectangular. The pair of detents may be rigid. The upper pole may be locked into position with the lower pole by a push-button engagement. When the lower and upper poles form a part of a tent and are moved to fold or unfold the tent, the fastened tent fly is held in place on the tent fly fastener. With the tent fly held in place by a tent pole connector device, the tent pole connector device does not require the tent fly to be detached when the tent is folded and unfolded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of telescoping poles connected by a connector device of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector device of FIG. 1 separated from the lower pole;

FIG. 3 is a top side perspective view of the connector device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of the connector device and lower pole;

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the connector device and lower pole;

FIG. 6 is a side plan view of the connector device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a front plan view of the connector device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the connector device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a top side perspective view of a second embodiment of a connector device;

FIG. 10 is a side plan view of the connector device of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the connector device of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a front cross-sectional view of the connector device of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the connector device of FIG. 9 connecting a pair of poles and a tent fly; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the components of FIG. 13 with parts separated.

To facilitate an understanding of the invention, identical reference numerals have been used, when appropriate, to designate the same or similar elements that are common to the figures. Further, unless stated otherwise, the features shown in the figures are not drawn to scale, but are shown for illustrative purposes only.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The article “a” is intended to include one or more items, and where only one item is intended the term “one” or similar language is used. Additionally, to assist in the description of the present invention, words such as top, bottom, upper, lower, front, rear, inner, outer, right and left are used to describe the accompanying figures. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, a connector device 1′ for a telescoping tent pole in a first embodiment of the present invention is shown, in which the connector device 1′ includes a tubular member having an interior with an interior surface having at least one detent 11′ and a lower aperture for receiving a lower pole 2′ into the interior. A top member on the tubular member has an upper aperture for receiving an upper pole 5′ into the interior of the tubular member. The connector device 1′ is preferably manufactured by plastic injection molding and is one integral piece.

In the present embodiment, the lower pole 2′ is tubular steel having a circular cross-section and the upper pole 5′ is tubular steel having a generally semi-circular cross-section. The upper pole 5′ is sized such that it telescopes within the lower pole 2′, and the upper and lower apertures of the connector device 1′ are respectively sized and shaped for the same. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the upper and lower poles 5′, 2′ could take on other shapes and sizes, for example, both with circular cross-sections and/or the upper pole having a larger cross-sectional area than the lower pole so that the lower pole telescopes within the upper pole. Similarly, the upper and lower apertures of the connector device 1′ could be sized and shaped accordingly.

As shown in FIGS. 2-8, the lower pole 2′ may include at least one locking aperture 21′ which engages the detents 11′ in the snap-fit engagement. Preferably, the lower pole 2′ includes a pair of locking apertures 21′ on diametrically opposite sides of the end of the lower pole 2′.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the upper pole 5′ may be locked into position with the lower pole 2′ and retracted within the lower pole 2′ by a push-button engagement with a push button 100′ extending through an aperture 110′ in the lower pole 2′. The push button 100′ and associated spring clip and plug may be included in the upper pole 5′.

Referring to FIG. 4, the detent 11′ of the connector device 1′ protrudes into the interior of the connector device 1′ and secures the lower pole 2′ to the tubular member in a snap-fit engagement. The detent 11′ is positioned on a resilient member 111′ formed by three cut-outs so that in a relaxed state an outer surface of the resilient member 111′ is substantially aligned with an outer surface of the connector device 1′ (i.e., when the detents 11′ are secured within the locking apertures 21′ as shown in FIG. 4), and in an engaged state the outer surface of the resilient member 111′ extends radially outwardly beyond the outer surface of the connector device 1′ (i.e., when the detent 11′ contacts an outer surface of the lower pole 2′ as the connector device 1′ is being assembled onto the lower pole 2′; not shown).

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 8, to enhance the stability of the locking of lower pole 2′ in the connector device 1′ (e.g., to further prevent the connector device 1 from rotating on lower pole 2), the interior surface of the connector device 1′ may include a shaped protrusion 19′, and the end of the lower pole 2′ may have a corresponding complementary shaped slot 22′ to match the shaped protrusion 19′ when the lower pole 2′ is inserted into the interior of the tubular member, with the shaped protrusion 19′ being, for example, rectangular to match the rectangular shape of the slot 22′. Thus, the connector device 1′ shown in FIGS. 1-8 provides a simple and cost-effective means for securely connecting two telescoping tubular poles 2′, 5′.

Referring to FIGS. 9-14, in a second embodiment of the present invention, a connector device 1 for connecting a telescoping tent pole as well as for securing a tent fly 3 is shown. The connector device 1 is preferably constructed by injection molding plastic into one integral component. The interior of the connector device 1 has an interior surface having a pair of detents 11 extending laterally therefrom; a lower aperture for receiving a lower pole 2 into the interior; and a top member on the tubular member has an upper aperture for receiving an upper pole 5 into the interior of the tubular member. A longitudinal axis extends through the upper and lower apertures of the tubular member substantially parallel to the interior of the connector device 1. Also, the configuration of the upper and lower poles 5, 2 are substantially identical to the upper and lower poles 5′, 2′ described above.

Still referring to FIGS. 9-14, an outer surface of the connector device 1 includes a tent fly fastener 15 for securing the tent fly 3. As shown in the figures, the tent fly fastener 15 may be a hook-shaped member extending from the outer surface of the tubular member and adapted to receive the tent fly 3 but could take on other shapes and sizes. It is preferred that the connector device 1 be constructed in a manner that a free end of the tent fly fastener 15 is positioned close to the outer surface of the connector device 1 so that the tent fly 3 is well-secured to the tent fly fastener 15 while being resilient so that the tent fly 3 could be removed if needed.

As shown in FIGS. 9-12, opposite the tent fly fastener 15 is a slit 12 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. A fastener receptacle 131 is formed by a pair of fastener mounts 13 on respective sides of the slit 12 to receive a fastener 14 oriented perpendicular to the slit 12.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the lower pole 2 includes a pair of locking apertures 21 on diametrically opposite sides of the end of the lower pole 2, which engage the pair of detents 11 in snap-fit engagement. Preferably, the detents 11 are rigid. When the lower pole 2 is inserted into the lower aperture of the connector device 1, the slit 12 expands due to the detents 11 engaging an outer surface of the lower pole 2, and thus the connector device 1 expands, until the pair of detents 11 are secured within the locking apertures 21 of the lower pole 2 in a snap-fit engagement. The fastener 14 is then inserted and secured in the fastener receptacle 131, formed by the pair of fastener mounts 13, to secure the lower pole 2 in the tubular member. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 13, attachment of a tent fly 3 to the tent pole connector device 1 at the tent fly fastener 15, in conjunction with the fastener 14 in the fastener receptacle 131, does not affect the security of the connection device 1 despite tension to the connector device 1 from the tent fly 3.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 14, to enhance the stability of the locking of lower pole 2 in the connector device 1 (e.g., to further prevent the connector device 1 from rotating on lower pole 2), the interior surface of the connector device 1 may include a shaped protrusion 19, and the end of the lower pole 2 may have a corresponding complementary shaped slot 22 to match the shaped protrusion 19 when the lower pole 2 is inserted into the interior of the tubular member 1, with the shaped protrusion 19 being, for example, rectangular to match the rectangular shape of the slot 22. However, the shaped protrusion could have other shapes and sizes with the shaped slot having other matching shapes and sizes corresponding to the shaped protrusion.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 13-14, the upper pole 5 may be locked into position with the lower pole 2 and retracted within the lower pole 2 by a push-button engagement with a push button 100 extending through an aperture 110 in the lower pole 2. The push button 100 and associated spring clip and plug may be included in the upper pole 5.

In this embodiment, the lower pole 2 and upper pole 5 form a part of a tent and are moved to fold or unfold the tent with the fastened tent fly 3 held in place on the tent fly fastener 15 of the connector device 1. With the tent fly 3 held in place by the connector device 1, the connector device 1 does not require the tent fly 3 to be detached when the tent is folded and unfolded. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 9-14, the connector device 1 of the second embodiment provides a stable means for holding the tent fly 3 in place, as shown in FIG. 13, while a tent is folded and unfolded.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A connector device for connecting tent poles comprising: a tubular member having: an interior with an interior surface having a detent; anda lower aperture for receiving a lower tent pole into the interior; anda top member on the tubular member having an upper aperture for receiving an upper tent pole into the interior of the tubular member;wherein the detent secures the lower tent pole to the tubular member in a snap-fit engagement.

2. The connector device of claim 1, wherein the lower tent pole includes a locking aperture which engages the detent in the snap-fit engagement.

3. The connector device of claim 1, wherein the interior surface includes a shaped protrusion; and wherein an end of the lower tent pole has a corresponding complementary shaped slot to match the shaped protrusion when the lower tent pole is inserted into the interior of the tubular member.

4. The connector device of claim 3, wherein the shaped protrusion is rectangular.

5. The connector device of claim 1, wherein the detent protrudes into the interior.

6. The connector device of claim 1, wherein the upper tent pole is locked into position with the lower tent pole by a push-button engagement.

7. A connector device for connecting tent poles comprising: a tubular member having: an interior with an interior surface having a pair of resilient detents; anda lower aperture for receiving a lower tent pole into the interior; anda top member on the tubular member having an upper aperture for receiving an upper tent pole into the interior of the tubular member;wherein the pair of resilient detents secure the lower tent pole to the tubular member in a snap-fit engagement.

8. The connector device of claim 7, wherein the lower tent pole includes locking apertures which engage the resilient detents in the snap-fit engagement.

9. The connector device of claim 7, wherein the interior surface includes a shaped protrusion; and wherein an end of the lower tent pole has a corresponding complementary shaped slot to match the shaped protrusion when the lower tent pole is inserted into the interior of the tubular member.

10. The connector device of claim 9, wherein the shaped protrusion is rectangular.

11. The connector device of claim 10, wherein the upper tent pole is locked into position with the lower tent pole by a push-button engagement.

12. A connector device for connecting tent poles of a tent comprising: a tubular member having a longitudinal axis; and an outer surface having: a tent fly fastener for fastening a tent fly;a slit extending parallel to the longitudinal axis; anda fastener receptacle to receive a fastener oriented perpendicular to the slit;an interior with an interior surface having a pair of detents;a lower aperture for receiving a lower tent pole into the interior; anda top member on the tubular member having an upper aperture for receiving an upper tent pole into the interior of the tubular member;wherein the pair of detents secure the lower tent pole to the tubular member in a snap-fit engagement.

13. The connector device of claim 12, wherein the lower tent pole includes a pair of locking apertures which engage the pair of detents in the snap-fit engagement.

14. The connector device of claim 12, wherein when the lower pole is inserted into the lower aperture, the slit expands until the pair of detents secure the lower tent pole to the tubular member in a snap-fit engagement, and the fastener is inserted and secured in the fastener receptacle to secure the lower pole in the tubular member.

15. The connector device of claim 12, wherein the tent fly fastener is a hook-shaped member extending from the outer surface of the tubular member.

16. The connector device of claim 12, wherein the interior surface includes a shaped protrusion; and wherein an end of the lower tent pole has a corresponding complementary shaped slot to match the shaped protrusion when the lower tent pole is inserted into the interior of the tubular member.

17. The connector device of claim 16, wherein the shaped protrusion is rectangular.

18. The connector device of claim 12, wherein the pair of detents are rigid.

19. The connector device of claim 12, wherein the upper tent pole is locked into position with the lower tent pole by a push-button engagement.

20. The connector device of claim 12, wherein when the lower and upper poles form a part of a tent and are moved to fold or unfold the tent, the fastened tent fly is held in place on the tent fly fastener.